- Growing up in the South, I never had a winter wardrobe or developed a style.
- As a freshman at Yale University, I needed to find my winter style on campus.
- I decided to build a wardrobe inspired by the aesthetics of academia.
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I listened to stories and looked at weather forecasts, but nothing really prepared me for my first winter at Yale. I’m from North Carolina and I’ve seen snow pile up from time to time. I knew what Windchill would do for me, but I was naive, so I started my first fall semester in New Haven wearing just a T-shirt, a sweater, a small scarf, and a brown overcoat. I thought I would be able to get through it.
I was comically wrong. After just over a month, I had to ask my parents to send me layers and coats that I had adamantly decided I wouldn’t need until December. Now that the intense heat of the first few weeks has subsided, it’s time to face my lifelong inability to wear proper clothes.
It’s finally time to find your style in college.
I’m always worried about fashion
Finding clothes that fit me has always been difficult. Since I was little, I had a small torso but thin arms and legs, so shopping felt like scrounging for unusual clothes that didn’t expose my forearms or cover my body like a curtain.
Also, I couldn’t develop any fashion sense. Despite the pleas of my mother and sisters, I had no interest in finding cool or flattering clothes. I’ll wear anything. By the time I moved into the dorms, I didn’t really have an aesthetic and just wore a lot of crewnecks and pants in neutral tones.
The author is dressed in an ale look.
Provided by Miles Kirkpatrick
Because of the weather and the fact that I’m finally on the cusp of adulthood, I decided I had to be firm on how I wanted to dress.
My fellow students at Yale inspired me.
When you think of Yale and fashion, prep and Ivy League styles come to mind. Some might call it an academic aesthetic: casual button-downs, cable-knit sweaters, heavy fabrics. These are all tied together with either an air of sophistication or an air of superiority, depending on your point of view.
Historically, this style may have dominated the streets of New Haven, but recently we’ve noticed more variety. No more that singular “yale” look. Academic attire is still common, but down jackets and Patagonia are equally typical of winter.
In fact, some of the most fashionable people on campus don’t dress like 80’s professors, instead combining modern, striking outfits with the occasional addition of Yale bulldog blue. I watched as the people behind FLY (Fashion Lifestyle at Yale), a new student-led fashion collective, created runway-worthy looks day in and day out. On Instagram, an account called “nicelydressedatyaleuniversity” shows off some of the amazing costumes people have assembled around campus.
Still, a more traditional academia aesthetic exists on campus. For some students, especially traditional students, this may be a more familiar style. For others, it may be a style associated with the establishment, or simply a style they think is fashionable. Yale has its fair share of fashion mavericks, but Ivy League style remains.
I started changing my wardrobe.
So when I arrived in New Haven I had a choice and had to think about how I would dress in the winter. Even though I wasn’t surrounded by a sea of tweed sport coats, I found that I didn’t feel out of place leaning into that style. Before coming to Yale, I couldn’t justify owning a ton of cable-knit sweaters and hidden coats in mild tropical winters. Okay, now I have an excuse.
Author in Yale University Library.
Provided by Miles Kirkpatrick
During my first few months in New Haven, I was trying to figure out which clothes would fit the vibe of the clothes I already had, the general “academic” aesthetic I was aiming for, and what I would be happy to wear. I slowly started adding more to my robe. At first, I had to wear thick crewnecks, but eventually I started wearing more overcoats and hats, and started using scarves more often.
Now I’m happy with what I have in my closet. I still have some expansions in mind. For example, better pants.
I’ve settled on the look I like. On those rare days when all my favorite clothes are clean, I wear a cream-colored Yale “Y” sweater over a white collared shirt, tie, basic brown pants, and matching overcoat, and Vanderbilt. I’m going to walk out of the hall, ready to take on the day.