One student’s personal style has a variety of influences
By Molly Bello
Comment Columnist
I’ve known senior English major Maggie Tobin since freshman year here at Bridgewater State University. I’ve always admired her personal style and ability to bring fun and interesting fashion to school everyday.
Maggie is truly an individual when it comes to style. She looks at trends and makes them her own. She exudes confidence and poise walking around campus, and is definitely one to watch for style inspiration.
Q: How would you describe your personal style?
A: My personal style is extremely self-aware. In terms of aesthetic I’m really into street style, particularly for its crisp appearance and freedom for self-expression. I wear sneakers and the color black often, that’s just me. But I’ve become a lot simpler with what I wear. Thin stripes, ripped jeans, leather, and collared anything are majority of what my closet consists of. I like to blur the lines between what is expected in women’s wear. I try to create a conversation between women’s and men’s wear when I dress myself. I’ve come to the understanding lately that style is all-over. All the way down to the socks, literally, I’m a sock collecting feign. I consider style as an instantaneous introduction of your individualistic self to the world around you. It says so much about who you aspire to be.
Q: Who are your style influences?
A: To be honest, although Pharrell is a deity to me, I don’t follow any particular designer. When it comes to social influence, I follow Karizza Sanchez who is a Style writer for Complex Magazine. I love reading her work and her writing gives a voice to individuality as an integral part of style. She also has a love for men’s wear and it’s influence on women’s fashion, which I think is quite brilliant.
Oh, and Rihanna. She IS fashion to me and it’s because of her demeanor and confidence. That’s 90% of having style. It’s really not about what you’re wearing but how you’re wearing it. She’s shown the world that.
Q: How has your style changed since you graduated high school now that you’re almost finished with college?
A: So much so. Again that comes with greater self-awareness and understanding that I’ve gained over the past four years. I know who I am. I’m not afraid of that. I think that correlates to the way I dress because I’m not waiting on or letting anyone change that. I think in high school I was still highly influenced by others around me because we’ve made it that way, societally. People are so dynamic and versatile. There is no one you. So if people are going to claim to know who you are, have it be for all of who you are. Style and all.
Q: How would you describe the fashion scene at BSU?
A: I really don’t think there is one. There are a lot of individuals who, I believe, have personal style. That word personal is important, it is again individualistic. We are cursed by geography at Bridgewater, uh as if to say, we are not anywhere near an environment that is even remotely influenced by ‘style’. If there is one, it’s rare and I’ve yet to see it.
Q: What clothing/accessories are on your wishlist this spring and summer?
A: My next purchase will be Adidas ‘superstar’ classics. Adidas has done a lot of work this winter and spring to climb back on top of the fashion game particularly with their work with Pharrell, as they always have, and now even more so Kanye’s Yeezus line. I also have been eyeing this jean pencil skirt from Uniqlo that I am excited to start incorporating into my daily wear once the weather gets a bit warmer.
Q: How does social media play a role in how you see fashion?
A: Social media plays a more important role in how I READ fashion. It’s a different way to read the world. Truly. Social Media is so instantaneous that it’s a bit overwhelming for me at times. I don’t spend too much time with it. But, it helps with staying relevant with what is happening in the fashion world because of its accessibility. As I’ve said.
Q: Are you still working with Lime Apparel, and how have they influenced your style?
A: We are on a bit of a hiatus as we are scattered across the state. They influenced my style because of the connection we were able to make as creators and thinkers. Those guys are my brothers. They’ll always be a part of my life and more importantly my aesthetic and work ethic. My experience with Lime has taught me to lead. There’s not much I value more than that.
Q: What’s your advice when it comes to shopping, and finding one’s personal style?
A: Don’t even think about other people or what they’ll think when you want to buy something. Buy it if it inspires you. It’s really that simple. Don’t disagree with yourself. When it comes to personal style, that’s something that you should craft hand in hand with confidence and awareness. I admire people who wear style all over, you can distinguish people who believe it is a part of who they are, and not. People confuse style with materialism and that is false. All you have to do is ask someone why they’re wearing what they are. You’ll learn everything you need to know about their personal style.
Follow Maggie’s blog at http://www.thestyleunderdog.com, here you can find her on Tumblr, Twitter, and more.
Molly Bello is Comment Columnist.
