Style Beyond the Steel
By: Alyssa Puentes
Clothes are a representation of us that can speak to our character before opening our mouth to introduce ourself.
When you wake up in the morning, do you dress for comfort? Or for what the weather will be like? Maybe you decide to throw on jeans instead of leggings knowing that you have a presentation in class today. Do you plan your outfit the night before, or are you brushing your teeth at the same time you’re zipping up your hoodie because you’ve nearly overslept for class?
Regardless of your scenario, our clothes become the ambassador of our personalities before others can get the chance to know us.
Marist Fashion’s scope is far beyond just the iron, brick walls of Steel Plant.
The idea to write this story struck me when I started thinking about the scope of fashion beyond Marist. As a Journalism student, I find myself tucked away in the first floor of Steel Plant every Monday night brainstorming ideas for a fashion magazine instead of the Layout and Design class that I was supposed to take, now canceled. Not a place I’d ever thought to take a class before, but one I’m grateful to be a piece of the Measure puzzle for this year’s issue.
As someone who’s had class in every building on campus, now in Steel Plant for the first time, I pondered the idea of a case study analyzing what students beyond just the Fashion Program are wearing. Considering that clothes are truly a fraction of how we present ourselves, why just limit it to those who are pursuing a degree in that field?
Marist’s newest building, the Dyson Center, is home to an array of students taking classes and studying in the large foyer in the center of the building. Because of this, one can find a collection of styles. From student athletes leaving together in matching red shorts, gray hoodies, Marist backpacks with their respective numbers and headphones around one’s neck and a hat on the head of his friend, to professional business attire as students anticipate taking a Financial Analysis class at 2pm.
Or maybe you’ll just find a group of friends dressed in anywhere from cozy MPorium hoodies to a simple fall sweater, some trying to productively get work done while others scroll on TikTok with a Saxbys drink on the table with their Longchamp purse taking up a seat. Or others in a similar style, wearing a light pink sweater with long gray leggings and Uggs, to combat the ever-changing weather variants of the Poughkeepsie temperatures while remaining stylish.
In the Hancock Center, it was common to find Finance or Business students dressed in suits preparing for a presentation of sorts or to attend a financial literacy class. Considering that most classes offered are Political Science and International Studies. Yet, due to the layout of the building, it offers a quiet spot on campus for students to relax. Some students can be found tucked away in a corner, with a scarf wrapped around their neck, knitting a new accessory in honor of the winter approaching.
Lowell Thomas, commonly referred to as LT, matched a comfortable style similar to Dyson. Although it was far more common to see Student Athletes in this building than the others. Considering that the Sports Communication program is exceptional, with various classes and extracurriculars offered for students to take advantage of, it comes as no surprise to see students adorned in their team’s merchandise. Even students beyond the athlete scale are often wearing their favorite NFL football team’s shirt or any other team that they take pride in within this building amongst the others.
Steel Plant is where you can find the most eclectic and varying of styles. Whether it’s baggy jeans paired with a baggy hoodie and silver earrings adorning ears, or low waisted jeans with a 2000s Ed Hardy blouse, it should be no surprise that the fashion in this building is one that students hold more closely to themselves. In 2024, it’s more likely that you will find someone with leopard print jeans on or another student wearing a bright neon green shirt in homage to the color take-over by Charli XCX. Or if you keep up with fashion slang, students “sandwiching” their clothing - a red sweater on top, jeans, with fashionable red adidas sambas to tie the outfit all together.
Steel Plant somehow mirrors the 3 “factions” of milestones offered by the fashion program. It’s as if the embodiment of Measure, MPorium, and Silver Needle Runway, can become nearly brought to life by students. Some students in Steel Plant dress in a casual, yet trendy way, exuding an effortless yet chic style that is similar to the vibe that MPorium has. While others look runway ready, whether it be a monochrome-uniform like outfit or vintage pieces straight out of Vogue, similar to SNR’s aesthetic. Or maybe there’s a student who dedicated their outfit to layering patterns, textures, and styles, reminiscent of Measure Magazine - a magazine dedicated to layering current issues within the realm of fashion and the Marist community.
I can’t help but wonder, and maybe this could be a bigger case study for Measure, if we closely examined the style of Steel Plant throughout the 4 years of one’s college career, how much would style change as taken on through the form of the student body? If someone were to dedicate their four years to observances of the trends and styles they see in the building, how much would it reflect our generation’s taste towards particular styles and acceptance of certain clothing? Would the cheetah print, and cowboy boots hold enough strength if we were too fast forward to 2026? Will it be a timeless look, or something that feels just so junior year? Baggy styles have become widely embraced by my generation, but will it take the simple turn of a few celebrity figures in something a bit tighter to change the wave through our youth?
Marist fashion is a collection of styles and expressions that vary far beyond the walls of the Marist Fashion Program. Although everyone wears clothes, why limit the ideas of fashion to a select group of students when the culture beyond style is so clearly shown throughout an entire student body of unique young adults?