Returning to campus after winter break, a week-long quarantine not only led to changes in students’ classes but their fashion choices as well. Keeping up with the latest trends, The Phillipian interviewed four students on campus on remote learning must-haves, cold-weather wardrobe staples, and how to keep comfy and cozy during Winter term.
With Andover’s first snow last Friday, students sported warm winter fashions to protect themselves from the cold. While some students wrapped themselves in overcoats, scarves, and sweaters, Kelly Yang ’24 proudly donned her warmest articles of clothing: a blanket hoodie and a puffer parka jacket.
“I love the blanket hoodie because it doesn’t require much effort, it’s really casual, and it keeps me warm. Big puffer parkas are also essential. It’s already an obvious staple for winter clothing, but especially having to stay outside this week, the parka keeps my entire body warm from the cold,” said Yang.
Similarly, Marcela Hernandez ’25 opted for softer layers to keep her warm and complement her daily outfits. Favoring clothing like sherpa jackets and fuzzy socks, Hernandez maximized comfort, fashion, and convenience.
“It’s the perfect quarantine essential for colder weather. If I go out wearing a pair of jeans and a crop top, adding a sherpa jacket keeps me warm, comfy, and fashionable! Wearing fuzzy socks only adds to the warmth.” said Hernandez.
Leisure attire has become essential during virtual classes. Ranging from crewnecks to hoodies to sweatpants, they are worn for their simplicity, convenience, and comfort. For some students, though, the colors of different pieces can also help express personal style.
Langston Reid ’24 emphasizes this concept through his monochromatic outfits and sweatsuits, which he wears in neutral colors like gray and beige. According to Reid, “A lot of people in my online classes wear hats or hoodies, and I think that it is the article of clothing that you see the most, especially for fashion. During quarantine, one outfit that I have also loved to wear is a gray sports jumpsuit. It’s simple, classic, yet comfortable.”
Hernandez also adds depth to her quarantine outfits by contrasting light and dark colors in simpler clothing. “I think that the colors I choose display my personal aesthetics, while the actual clothing pieces represent comfort. When I wear a pair of sweatpants or joggers, I like to pick a top that contrasts or compliments that article of clothing, like orange and black,” said Hernandez.
Perhaps most emblematic of quarantine fashion is an emphasis on flexible and convenient items of clothing. With a transition into virtual classes and limitations on being outside dormitories, students wore versatile pieces suitable for both indoor and outdoor activities.
On picking out an outfit, Reid says, “While you’re sitting down for Zoom classes, it’s more about being relaxed. So when I choose an outfit, I ask myself, ‘Do I feel like this clothing is holding me up? What looks good, but what do I have the most flexibility in?’ That’s my thought process.”
According to Yang, fashion during quarantine is all about convenience. “You don’t have to walk from class to class because everything is virtual. So the clothes I wear during that time–hoodies, jackets– represent that same efficiency,” said Yang.
Natasha Muromcew ’22 utilizes that same efficiency with a simple and repeatable quarantine outfit– a button-down shirt and loose pants. Choosing to focus on comfort, Muromcew believes that her clothing sets a positive tone for classes online.
“Because I know I’ll be spending the majority of the day in front of a computer, I tend to wear baggier clothing. While most of my clothing is at school, wearing a good outfit makes my day at least 30 percent better during in-person learning, so I try to do the same thing during quarantine and online classes,” said Muromcew.
