Edited by: Anika Kulshreshtha
With my earphones serenading me with music as I strolled through college, I couldn’t help but romanticise the entire experience. With each passing moment, I was entranced by the fact that the campus is like a vibrant tapestry, woven from the threads of diverse personalities, styles, and tastes.
As I waved a greeting to a girl swathed in soft pastels and sporting a floor-length floral dress, the perfectly constructed bridge of ‘Afterglow’ filled my ears. A seamless blend of sight and sound was created. I couldn’t escape the realisation that her outfit exuded the essence of Taylor Swift’s ‘Lover’ album. This revelation set the stage for a mental game I playfully named “Who’s Giving What?” As my glance shifted, I noticed her conversation with a classmate, a study in stark contrast to her soft and feminine appearance. Dressed in a striking all-black ensemble, her attire oozed a dark and enigmatic aura, reminiscent of Taylor’s ‘Reputation’ era.
Outside the bustling hub of FuelZone, a boy seized my attention. Donning a leather jacket, a smart tie, and combat boots, he strode purposefully to class with a black briefcase in hand. While I couldn’t pinpoint his destination, his demeanour reeked of a ‘too cool for school’ attitude, one that, in my imagination, belonged to a sold-out Arctic Monkeys concertgoer, ready to shout his heart out to ‘Fluorescent Adolescent’ and swoon at Alex Turner’s charismatic hair flips.
The classroom for my Great Books course provided yet another interesting observation. My gaze fell upon a fellow student exuding elegance that transported me to a bygone era. She wore a high-waisted skirt, retro sunglasses, and bold, red lipstick. Her sultry presence evoked Lana Del Rey’s ‘Ultraviolence,’ a style that radiated timeless allure with a dash of vintage charm.
About twenty minutes into a monotonous and tedious lecture, a friend rushed into the room and disrupted the class. His dishevelled appearance suggested that he had just rolled out of bed. His oversized t-shirt, baggy pants, and chunky sneakers were a perfect match for Billie Eilish’s eclectic nonconformity and her unapologetic embrace of individuality.
On my way back to my dorm, two girls were capturing golden-hour moments on the mess lawns. One of them wore a purple dress paired with grungy boots, while her companion had a dainty white bow adorning her hair. She wore a dress that could best be described as an embodiment of ‘Bratz girl fashion.’ My mind instantly reverted to the sensational internet-fueled feud between Olivia Rodrigo and Sabrina Carpenter, and this sight inexplicably warmed my pop culture heart.
Amid the chaos of KitKat, a resounding boom of laughter caught my attention. Turning to it, I couldn’t help but admire a boy who flawlessly channelled The Weeknd through his monochromatic leather ensemble, exuding an air of dark romance that was incredibly captivating. However, what made the scene even more intriguing was the person with whom he had shared the joke. His friend was dressed in a floral shirt and matching shorts. His aura and this particular floral motif were reminiscent of Tyler the Creator’s signature style. To me, the juxtaposition of these two polar opposite aesthetics made their friendship quite fascinating. It seemed as though such a contrast only deepened their connection, showcasing the inherent beauty that lies in the convergence of different tastes and styles.
This link between music and fashion became increasingly apparent to me as I moved through my day. Each person’s attire echoed the essence of the artists they loved. The intimate connection between self-expression through clothing and the emotions conveyed by music was undeniable. These vivid images also depict the profound impact art has on our daily lives. Just as musicians use their songs to express their personalities and feelings, people use their wardrobe choices as a canvas for projecting the styles of their favourite musical icons. Ultimately, both fashion and music are powerful mediums for self-discovery and for one to pause, reflect and share their story with the world.