Clothing serves as one of the first looks into one’s identity. It may speak a nonverbal language that reflects your passions, sometimes an occasion, and in many cases, the season.
At Boston College, fashion trends tend to coincide with the unpredictable New England weather. Whether you have a love for thrifting or high-end retail, the weather transitions that occur throughout the academic year call for similar transitions in students’ clothing.
Outerwear: Windbreakers and Jean Jackets to Canada Goose Parkas and Bombers
On a windy day of the fall semester, it isn’t uncommon to spot a person walking around the Quad in a windbreaker. What I see most often are the variations of a maroon BC windbreaker. The chests of these windbreakers bare our University’s name or logo against a maroon backdrop—it’s a beauty.
If windbreakers aren’t for you, chances are you might have a jean jacket somewhere in your wardrobe. If not, no worries. A maroon or gray BC hoodie should suffice the chills of the New England breeze.
Unfortunately, as Christmas break and spring semester roll around, the beloved Gasson sunsets turn into cold walks to class and snowy weekends. It’s at this point that the hefty and glamorous Canada Goose parkas and bombers make their awaited debuts.
If a North Face, Patagonia, or other brand better suits your style, cheers to you. Originality is the perfect sign of a BC student who simply does not wish to fall into the trends we see around campus. I, for one, go against the grain and refuse to wear the stereotypical black Canada Goose parka that everyone has. Mine is blue.
From Birkenstocks to UGGs
Well, well, well, if it isn’t another BC student wearing a pair of Birkenstocks on a warm Tuesday afternoon. Yup, I’m talking about the people who sport Birkenstocks with jeans, shorts, dresses, and—my personal favorite—chinos.
Whether you’re team Arizona Soft Footbed or team Boston clog, your Birkenstocks serve as yet another example of what BC students love wearing to class during early fall and late spring semesters.
When the weather changes, so do your shoes. Birkenstocks may keep you looking fresh, but they definitely won’t keep you warm. The favored shoe then transitions to UGGs. Short, mini, or tall, UGGs are probably the reason your toes stay warm in the winter.
I recommend the Tasmans—they’re the perfect slipper to throw on to pick up your mozzarella sticks at Late Night in the Rat or run to your two-and-a-half-hour lecture in Stokes.
Dad Hats To Rolled up Beanies
Dad hats—your traditional baseball cap—are a key accessory that often accompany BC students to football games in the fall. Wearing them backward like you’re in BC’s non-existent fraternity or forward like a dad flipping burgers on the grill, your dad hat should never be left behind.
When the football season ends and the UV index stays consistently below two, the dad hats go into hiding. Suddenly, from the bottom of every drawer, rises a beanie. Most guys between the ages of 18 and 23 seem to wear their beanies folded and sitting above their ears. Sure, your ears are freezing—but you look cool, and that’s what counts.
Trips to Newbury and Prudential Center to Online Shopping
Who doesn’t love a trip on the Green Line to Newbury or Prudential Center on the weekends? Early in the year, you’ll see crowds of students lining up at Aritzia, Lululemon, Vineyard Vines, Nike, and many other stores that BC students love. If you’re lucky enough to get into Zara before your 90th birthday, chances are you’ll run into somebody you know.
As the seasons change, though, the excitement that comes with fun trips into the city subsides. Now, you’re at home, scrolling through online retailers looking for a pair of cargo pants you saw someone wear on TikTok.
The walk to the Green Line suddenly seems so far, and your blanket now hugs your body the way your BC Marriage Pact match never could. But thanks to online shopping, you’ll be wearing the upcoming spring season’s newest pieces in no time.
Air Force 1s and The Dudes with Shorts
While we looked at several trends that transition through the seasons, there are a few key items in a BC student’s wardrobe that stick around regardless of the weather. For example, rain, snow, hail, or sunshine, you will always see people wearing white Air Force 1s. Call them uptowns, call them g-fazos, call them your beaters. Air Forces will never go out of style.
Frankly, it’s now time to address the elephant in the room. Yes, the dudes with shorts—no matter the weather. I know you guys have seen them. They walk past you with shorts and a sweater on while you’re bundled up. You think to turn back to see if your eyes have mistaken you. No, you weren’t mistaken, and yes, he’s wearing shorts.
Wear What Makes You Happy
While trends in fashion are interesting to document and even emulate, I encourage you all to never feel the need to fit in.
Everyone has different tastes and styles. It is this diversity that makes fashion so interactive and unique. No matter what you throw on in the morning or before a gathering, make sure you don’t forget the accessory that completes every outfit: a smile.
Trends Writer,
Steven Javier Dumeng
Featured Graphic by Liz Schwab / Heights Editor
