By Faith Molitor and Liv Barry
Elm Staff Writer and Lifestyle Editor
During college, many people experiment with their identities through a variety of avenues, whether it be their area of study, their extracurricular activities, or their hobbies. When crafting one’s place in the campus social scene, many students set themselves apart by crafting their own sense of style that sets them apart from the crowd.
Sophomore Emily Iampieri crafted her own unique identity at Washington College with her fashion choices, which blend trendy pieces with a classic twist.
Trends like crop tops and flared jeans allow Iampieri to craft a baseline for her wardrobe, building off of popular pieces and adding personal touches, like belts and hair accessories, to make an outfit her own.
“The most important thing I think to remember though is that just because it’s trending, that doesn’t mean you need to buy into it — only buy items that you like and can see yourself wearing” Iampieri said.
Iampieri draws inspiration from past decades, such as the 1980s and 1990s. Patterns seen in this era, like checkerboard, geometrics, and florals, are essential to her style.
Because of her love for retro fashion, Iampieri is able to wear hand-me-down clothing pieces from her relatives while still feeling comfortable in what she wears. Additionally, she shops from thrift stores in order to find unique pieces while saving money on clothes.
However, Iampieri still loves to shop at popular stores like Aeropostale and H&M. While shopping second hand allows her to find authentic vintage pieces, big-name stores still carry retro-inspired pieces, helping Iampieri bridge the gap between the past and the present in her closet.
When not in her everyday wear, Iampieri loves to dress up for special occasions, whether it be for a fancy dinner or intimate gathering. By adding a fancy flare to her outfits, Iampieri feels a greater sense of autonomy over her wardrobe.
“If I’m ever having a bad day, I can instantly make myself feel better by putting on an outfit I feel confident in,” Iampieri said.
Confidence is the true key to Iampieri’s style. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she discovered that dressing up in clothes that made her feel self-assured helped her get through the day-to-day. Additionally, by wearing what empowered her, Iampieri felt connected to others she saw on social media that adopted a similar mindset.
By staying connected to her social life through fashion, Iampieri was able to establish a strong sense of personal style, which she still displays through her daily outfits.
For anyone who wishes to follow her style journey, Iampieri has an Instagram account dedicated to posting her outfits: @lamppostfits.
Photo courtesy of Emily Iampieri.
Photo caption: Sophomore Emily Iampieri takes inspiration from both modern trends and vintage fashion with her fun outfits.