Rosemary Lane
Before coming to Canterbury, my advisor warned me that students at the University of Kent dress up. A lot. Harvard sweatshirts, crummy sneakers and Victoria Secret Pink capris just won’t do.
On my first day of class, I walked home next to a girl dressed in a billowy jacket laced with gold buttons, a pair of black tights, and a pair of fancy black leather boots. My leather knee-high boots had suddenly split at the seam. I walked home like a constipated amputee.
Becky Carvana
After asking University of Kent students to describe their style, most said it was a bit formal and “eclectic,” as one boy in a brown leather jacket put it. I’d say it’s that Mischa-Barton-leather-Urban-Outfitters look. You know the one. Many students wear clothes from Topshop-a trendy store where Kate Moss has a line. “Everyone tries to follow Kate Moss,” said Becky Carvana, a second year. “They’re trying to be indie-ish and alternative.” Carvana, whose auburn hair was coiffed straight and eyes circled in black eyeliner, was dressed head-to-toe in Topshop apparel. She wore ankle boots, a black leather jacket, a short dress, and a flower headband.
On my campus in Milwaukee, students never dress up for class. Instead, they wear (at least the girls) salt-stained Uggs and a sorority sweatshirt.
After enviously eying English fashion and succumbing to some of its trends, I’ve compiled a short list of fashion necessities for any student abroad, especially in England.
- Leather jacket. Everyone seems to have one. Before I associated these with the T-Birds from Grease and Harley Davidson bikers. Now I want one.
- Boots. Any kind will do. Birkenstocks, Adidas, and boat shoes are unheard of.
- Peter-Pan tights. Girls dress up for class or going out in black, maroon or emerald tights. Haven’t tried the Peter-Pan look yet.
- Scarves. These top off every outfit. Most students wear a ragged, checkered scarf. Upon realization that I was scarf-less, I scrambled to London and bought purple and gold ones from street vendors.
- Gator boots. Just kidding. But my roommate from Sweden does wear these everywhere.
Tags: Kate Moss, Mischa Barton, Urban Outfitters, Victoria Secret Pink
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on Tuesday, March 17th, 2009 at 2:11 pm and is filed under Study Abroad.
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