Best Dressed: Freshers Fair
BY SOPHIA FURTADO KOUMIS
As hundreds of freshers flocked to the Downs in September to browse the societies on offer at the annual University of Bristol Welcome Fair, we are taking a look at some of the stand-out outfits.
Whether it was statement earrings, layered necklaces or stacked rings, jewellery was a staple of every outfit. The popular Vivienne Westwood Orb and Saturn ring pendant dangled from the necks of many students, as did chunky silver chains and dainty gold necklaces. One student wore a copy of the famous ‘B’ initial pearl necklace worn by Anne Boleyn – and also seen recently on celebrities like Bella Hadid – with a floral corset top. Not only did they look stunning together, but the decision to pair the necklace with a corset, a garment commonly worn in the era, was clearly deliberate, and the thoughtful consideration that went into that choice elevates the whole look.
The classic autumnal colours of brown, red and green featured heavily at the fair, marking the transition into colder weather, although there were still those strolling around in cropped tank tops with no jacket in sight, optimistically trying to hold on to any semblance of warmth. Others opted for oversized unbuttoned shirts shrugged on over their outfits, or jumpers draped over their shoulders to combat the breeze, with layering being the key.
A brown waistcoat worn with black fitted trousers and a brown leather coat comprised one clean and sophisticated outfit. We love how this student relaxed her ensemble through her accessories, with the black crossbody and silver paperclip chain necklace offsetting the formality of the outfit. The nylon crossbody, a bag synonymous with British streetwear, is worn over a traditional English single-breasted checked waistcoat. The juxtaposition of these two quintessentially British items of clothing from distinct sides of the style spectrum, one casual and the other formal, made this look particularly notable.
We saw several monochromatic ensembles over the two-day event, a look that always looks striking. An all-black outfit never fails to look stylish in its simplicity, as proven below. The student wearing a brown dress with a brown cardigan wrapped around the waist particularly stood out because of how she added colour through her accessories, especially with the prominent red and silver necklace.
As the cold weather settles in, chunky knits are inevitably starting to make an appearance. We love the knit cardigan one student wore, and the cropped cut prevented it from dominating their delicate look. The green of the cardigan matched both the shoulder bag and the leaves on the pale-yellow chiffon skirt, the ideal autumnal colour palette.
Along with the freedom of university is the opportunity to experiment and grow, and style naturally follows along. It is clear to see that student fashion at the University of Bristol is quite eclectic, and as the freshers settle into Bristol life and inevitably begin to exchange fast-fashion chain retailers for the charity shops on Gloucester Road or the vintage stores down Park Street, it will be interesting to see how the city influences their individual styles. But the main take-away from this event? Wear whatever feels comfortable.
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