The fashion choices that make a mosaic of identities on our campus

As an avid people watcher, one of my most favourite pastimes is to sit in the bowl with my coffee and observe the people walking by and their outfits. Each person seems to tell a story through what they wear, whether it’s a carefully curated look or something they threw on at the last minute. Hoodies and sweatpants share space with vibrant sneakers and thrifted treasures, creating a mosaic of expression. 

Clothing can act as both a comfort and a performance, allowing people to navigate campus life while also signalling pieces of their identity to stand out and feel true to their authentic selves. Throughout my studies, I have seen a drastic change in trends and style, with the most striking change being the diversity in student outfits on campus compared to last year. 

Last year, during these little observation sessions, I saw a lot of groups of people who would be wearing a copy-paste of the same outfit. Leggings, white socks and Uggs were all the rage. It felt like seeing a sea of mirrored people, and while it was a comfortable outfit, the diversity was sparse. 

Perhaps this lack of variety in outfits stemmed from newer students wanting to feel more connected by fitting in with the style and community. When transitioning into independence, many people are unsure of their own style and are fearful of being themselves. 

While following trends can be considered dull or like giving into the “pack mentality” to some, they are just as important for the connection between students on campus. They create a sense of belonging and community on campus and unite people over their likes and dislikes.  

When students on campus are rocking similar styles, it creates an instant sense of connection and makes it easier to start conversations. It’s less about the clothes themselves, and more about the shared experience that helps build friendships and campus community. When many students follow the same trend, it creates common ground and sparks conversation. In this way, fashion becomes more than just personal expression; it becomes a tool for belonging and strengthening campus culture. 

However, this year I have observed a drastic change in how people dress and choose to express themselves. Instead of following trends all the way through, they add their own twist to their outfits for the day and make it something that’s meaningful and fun to them while remaining comfortable. Adding things like jewelry that matches personal style, or even fun little keychains to their pants or bags. 

With all this being said, what are the students on campus wearing? What’s considered a trend this year, and what’s unique? While it’s hard to always make guesses on what could be a trend or not, I put my people watching skills to the test and took notes on the articles of clothing I saw frequently and made assumptions (which I know are based on my own personal opinions, but if you see enough of one item or brand you can assume it’s a new trend that people adore). 

Here’s what I believe people love this year, and what unique items are making these fashionable styles stand out. 

While I observed a lot of mainstream trends, there are some styles and staple pieces that feel more indicative of students on our campus. Campus fashion right now is a mix of comfort, statement pieces and a hint of nostalgia. 

Walk across campus, and you will see plenty of students rocking Adidas Sambas, big and bold, being worn like trophies with cool colours, designs and the signature three stripes. It almost makes me want to buy and rock a pair too with the cool velvet greens and velvet mahogany red! They are not just shoes; they are a conversation starter, making friends through twinning shoes and styles. 

Students pair them with everything from 80s style mom jeans to backpacks that colour match, making footwear a centrepiece of their outfits. Statement shoes in general, whether it’s a clean pair of Adidas or a funky limited release of a neon bright shoe, are the stepping stones of how students are building their outfits. 

Layering is also a huge theme I have seen throughout campus. Flannels are back in rotation and not just for lumberjacks, but as a cozy staple to add some dimension to a planned outfit.Some students wear them to add a pop of colour to an otherwise monochromatic outfit, and some use them as a makeshift jacket over cool graphic tees. 

Hair has also become part of the outfit equation. It’s less about neat styles that are put together, but an effortless, intentional, messy look with natural texture or bold colour choices that stand out just as much as the clothes. 

There is also a shift away from skinny jeans and boot cut style, with students leaning heavily into looser silhouettes to create more comfortable outfits. These pieces often come in simple, muted colours that make an effortless but relaxed look that can match everything in someone’s wardrobe. The trend is more about dressing for comfort and body type rather than squeezing into restrictive fits. It’s clothing that feels good to wear during an eight-hour plus day on campus, while still looking stylish enough to meet friends afterwards.  Many students are expressing their personal style through religious clothing such as the hijab as well, by matching colours, adding accessories and making it a unique part of their fashion.

Pop culture has made its way into our fashion choices, too. Spider-Man graphics and Noah Kahan tour shirts are practically uniforms in lecture halls. These pieces are playful but also personal, letting students wear their interests right on their sleeves (literally). 

I feel there is a connection between students on campus to an artist like Noah Kahan, who has captured the hearts of students from small towns and flat lands—bringing us together through storytelling that feels deeply personal and relatable. 

Spider-Man being a superhero favourite feels like something more relatable: being a college-aged kid who has a passion for making change and seeing the world through a wide lens. He is an inspiration to many students on campus as they pursue their dreams to be the superheroes in their own stories. 

Campus style right now is casual, fun and undeniably personal. Trends are less about rigid rules and more about experimenting with what feels truly authentic to themselves. Next time you’re out and about, take a glance at your fellow students, who knows what kind of wonderful inspiration you might get.