Refinery24: Fashion Profiles of Penn’s Class of 2024

A collection of interviews with members across Penn’s class of 2024 on their style, favorite (and least favorite) trends, and fashion influences.

Lara, College

You walk into a mall. What is the first store you look for on its directory?

Aritzia, or I like Nordstrom itself.

Favorite Recent Trend:

Being here, I notice it’s very much a thing to wear black booties with a leather jacket: a night out on the town look. 

Past/Present trend you hope never comes back:

One thing that I don’t want to see again is wearing a lot of chunky vibrant rings. They are very edgy, but if you’re going to wear rings don’t overdo it.

Favorite Movie from a style standpoint:

A Simple Favor, specifically Blake Lively’s character

Celebrity style crush:

Emma Chamberlain

What is your favorite decade for fashion?

The 2000s, because the style was simpler and more powerful. There was a specific aesthetic––low waist jeans, crop tank tops, makeup, and hair all came together. People did not put as much effort in, which made the style that much better.

Paige, Wharton

Favorite Movie from a style standpoint:

The Devil Wears Prada

Favorite Brand of Jeans:

Hard to choose but I love Mother Jeans

Past/Present trend you hope never comes back:

Crocs

How do you elevate an outfit?

Super cool sunglasses for sure

How has your style evolved in the last year?

I invested in more elevated athleisure.

Ben, Wharton and College

You walk into a mall. What is the first store you look for on its directory?

Express or Banana Republic.

Past/Present trend you hope never comes back:

Bell bottoms

Favorite Movie from a style standpoint:

The Devil Wears Prada

Define your style in 3 words: 

Preppy, Clean, Classic

Your favorite brand of jeans: 

I don’t wear jeans.

How has your style evolved in the last year?

I am less uptight. I used to be more preppy, but now I have branched out with bombers, denim jackets, and graphic Ts.

Accessory that automatically elevates an outfit:

A chain

Eunice, Wharton

Favorite movie from a style standpoint

Little Women or Cinderella. I love the really intricate costumes. The outfits in the movies are not something I would ever wear in my daily life, but I am fascinated by the detail and design of the dresses in those movies.

Past/Present trend you hope never comes back 

Low-rise jeans. I think it is really hard to make them flattering and they are uncomfortable too.

Celebrity Style Crush:

Blake Lively and Dakota Johnson always kill it on the red carpet for events! Definitely showstopping looks. For street style, it would be Hailey Baldwin, her outfits are always simple yet put together.

How do you elevate your look?

Accessories, whether it be a pair of statement sunglasses or fun earrings.

How has your style evolved in the last year?

Quarantine and COVID have definitely simplified my style. I tend to buy more basics now and my everyday staples have become a tank top with a pair of jeans and a jacket. I spice up my outfits through my accessories, including fun shoes, cool, jewelry, or hats and sunglasses.

Arham, Wharton

You walk into a mall. What is the first store you look for on its directory?

I am a big fan of Banana Republic because they have long sizes and they are durable.

Define your style in 3 words: 

Preppy, Nautical, Traditional 

How has your style evolved over the last year?

Fragrance is something that I spent a lot of time developing over quarantine.

Who is your style icon?

I admire Shawn Mendes. He has great style; he simultaneously pulls off very basic and preppy outfits and still looks incredible.

Past/Present trend you hope never comes back:

Chunky boots, they’re disgusting.

What is a trend you’ve seen coming back that you like?

Low rise jeans 

Favorite Movie from a style standpoint:

American Psycho

Gabi, Wharton and College

Define your Style in 3 words:

Relaxed, Experimental, Elegant

Favorite movie from a style standpoint:

Reign (TV Show). It’s based in the 1600s, but they used modern high-fashion in the show.

Past/Present trend you hope never comes back:

Low-rise jeans

How do you project confidence?

Wearing black or neutrals with one bold color or a high pony

Favorite recent trend:

Straight-leg jeans

Favorite decade for fashion:

Our decade (since 2015)

Celebrity Style Crush:

Zendaya and Dua Lipa

Nick, Engineering

Define your style in 3 words:

Vibrant, Casual, Low-key

What’s your favorite brand of jeans?

I don’t wear jeans.

How do you elevate your look?

I like bracelets. Specifically, David Yurman bracelets are discrete and very classic.

Past/Present trend you hope never comes back:

I don’t understand ripped jeans.

What is a trend you’d like to see come back? 

I love leather jackets, like in the Grease Era.

Who is a TV show/movie character that you relate to from a style standpoint?

All American (TV show), Jordan

Shritha, Wharton

How do you elevate your look?

The right pair of earrings or the right pair of shoes can just take things so many levels up. I always try to tie an outfit together with one or the other.

Celebrity Style Crush:

Delaney Childs, she’s very trendy but she makes it her own. A little edgy, not super basic. I highly recommend people follow her.

Past/Present trend you hope never comes back:

Crocs. Also, I didn’t like the tie dye trend over quarantine.

What is a trend you like?

The ‘90s slip dress. I also really like ‘20s extravagant feathers, I think that would be fun to bring back.

Favorite Movie from a style standpoint:

Clueless 

Who is a TV show/movie character that you relate to from a style standpoint

Friends (TV Show), Rachel 

Shaurya, Wharton and College

Favorite Movie from a style standpoint:

The Great Gatsby (2013)

You walk into a mall. What is the first store you look for on its directory?

Paxton

Past/Present trend you hope never comes back:

Mullets

How has your style evolved over the last year?

TikTok has been a great inspiration for me. Browsing different styles has helped me grow my own style. I feel I can pull off a lot of different looks now (preppy, skater, etc). 

Define your style in 3 words:

Refined, Casual, (also) “Stoner”

Favorite Garment:

Turtlenecks

Fun fact about my style:

I used to wear wife beaters every single day.

Alexandra, Wharton

Define your Style in 3 words:

Cosmopolitan, Structured, Princessy-vibes

Favorite movie from a style standpoint:

Gossip Girl

Past/Present trend you hope never comes back:

Tiny glasses

Favorite recent trend: 

Blazers with a tank top

Favorite decade for fashion:

1980s

Ellie, College

Define your Style in 3 words:

Youthful, Casual, Basic

Past/Present trend you hope never comes back:

Low rise jeans

How do you project confidence?

Gold hoops

You walk into a mall. What is the first store you look for on its directory?

Madewell or Anthropology

Celebrity Style Crush:

Harry Styles. I would never wear what he wears but he looks so f***ing good in it!

All images courtesy of Interviewer Participants.

Cover Image Courtesy of the University of Pennsylvania.