Art Students VS Students Who Study Art
Strolling from shop to shop on a sleepy bank holiday afternoon with a friend a few weeks ago inspired the topic for this post. As we discussed what bar to hit for yet another liquid lunch he made a comment that would stick in my mind for the next few days. "Jesus you're really beginning to fit into Crawford anyway"...this took me by surprise as I was by now in my fourth month at art college, had made plenty of friends and was loving my classes...so why was he only saying this now?
When I asked he laughed, "No no, as in you LOOK like an art student as opposed to someone who happens to study art, you've begun to dress like an eccentric old lady". Many people would have slapped the boy, I however caught a glance of myself in a shop window, the birds nest that is my hair pinned to the top of my head, massive black reading glasses sliding down my nose, 50's style bright red and white halterneck dress, wolf and rabbit fur coat and my ASOS Victorian boots.
For once the boy was right.
These thoughts on how my appearance had begun to change over the last few months continued when I spent a morning in the student centre of the city's main university, where people studied real subjects and went to lectures as opposed to sitting in a studio all day. People's outfits didn't really expand beyond skinny jeans, t-shirts and hoodies. As I walked through the campus my burgundy maxi dress caught some worried stares, those who know me will know that this would only encourage me to arrive on campus next time with an even more eccentric ensemble. That week I was back inside the red brick walls of Crawford for a tutorial, I had continued to ponder and expected to see everyone looking like the audience at a Morrissey gig circa 1983. I was wrong however, people in art college could dress like normal people, with a few exceptions.
Then I remembered those stares and thought, looking like a nutcase is so much more fun.
Edward Scissorhands
As the saying goes ladies first, but from what I've learned so far, in art college anything goes. The majority of males have certainly discovered their feminine side, androgyny is the dish of the day. Lesson one, get rid of any hair brush or products, if you're going to spend your life as a Bohemian then your money should be spent on far more important things in life, such as wine. A true art student will not arrive home before dawn, precious time should be spent drinking or in a mild state of panic about the next assessment.
One of the latest looks to grace the Topman website.
The art college essential, (male or female), a blazer. Preferably adorned with various brooches, feathers, flowers, whatever you can find really. Personally I prefer to pick mine up in local vintage shops, they look so much better slightly worn.
Next on the list boys, grab an old jumper, whether it be from your local second hand store or nicked from a grandfather's wardrobe, the more eccentric the print the better. Rip it here and there for effect, as Delacroix said "The artist who aims for perfection in everything achieves it in nothing", this is the kind of thought that should be running through your mind when putting this look together, it should be effortless.
Won Hundred Black Raw Scoop Tee, Urban Outfitters, £35
Putting any outfit together is all about having good quality basics, then embellishing it with whatever flaky little bits and bobs you've picked up along your travels. This t-shirt from Urban Outfitters is perfect, its shape is slightly different to that of a normal t-shirt however it will provide the perfect backdrop to any insane jacket you can get your hands on.
Standard Cloth Paid Chunky Duofold Shirt, Urban Outfitters, £19.99
Garbstore Officers Checked Shirt, Urban Outfitters, £40
Carhartt Button Down Oxford Shirt, Urban Outfitters, £35
The above shirts were three of my favourites found on http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/ , they just provide another option, for when one is feeling just too suave for a simple t-shirt.
Spray On Black Skinny Jeans, Topman, £20
Topman is another fabulous shop for guys, many are very prejudiced towards the brand but if you look properly there is in fact a massive selection. For those who live in Ireland like myself shopping online is even better www.topman.com . Skinny jeans are a must to accentuate the slim, unfed body of a Bohemian, if you're really hardcore invest in a pair of women's skinnies...birthday present...for your...um....aunt.
Richard E Grant as Withnail
A long, sweeping overcoat really finishes of the look for guys, and is also rather practical. That element of mystery as you pass by a group of girls with this trailing along after you will guarantee them to keep staring until you're out of sight, whether they be alarmed or intrigued. They also provide a fabulous blanket for those of you who have had to spend a night sleeping in a less than comfortable location, whether that be the gutter after a night out or just student accomodation.
Suede Tassle Loafer, Topman, £42 "Hamilton" Nanny Slip On, Topman, £50
Loafers create a fantastic look when paired with skinny jeans, they're also alot cheaper than boots and often more comfortable. Their resemblance to a slipper really completes the grandfather look.
Brown Square Reader Glasses, Topman, £14
Nothing says artsy like folding one arm across your stomach, holding your ridiculously oversized glasses in the other hand and wildly waving them about while trying to make some ridiculous point about something or other. Also fantastic to scrape the uncontrollable mop of hair out of your eyes.
I mentioned my 50's style dress at the start of this post, my wardrobe is bursting with insane little things like this, so easy to throw on in the morning and they look ever so sweet. www.modcloth.com is a fantastic site for vintage finds, here are five of my favourite dresses.
Call Me Dottie, $109.99
Give 'Em Sass, $107.99
Infinite, $69.99
Night and the Kitty, $42.99
Tupelo Honey, $59.99
Acne Pop Elbow Patch Wool Cardigan, Urban Outfitters, £40
Ladies, this is where I advise you begin rummaging, either take on the task of digging through a boyfriend's wardrobe, however I am still of the opinion that grandfathers are some of the most stylish human beings on earth. My own favourite cardigan is again from my local vintage shop but each to their own. The bigger and floppier the better.
Henry Holland for Pretty Polly
Henry Holland's range for Pretty Polly are one of a million brands of tights so SEARCH. Even Primark are doing a fantastic range of tights at ridiculously affordable prices. I LOVE completely changing an outfit just by adding a pair of stockings or something with an interesting print.
Bracelet, $24.99, Modcloth
Back to Modcloth, nothing says art college like big statement jewellery, I try and buy as much costume jewellery as possible. Definetely not the most practical but I will always follow the words "Fashion Over Function"
Leopard Print Shoe Boots, River Island, £39.99
I was searching around the internet for a beautiful pair of Victorian boots, something like my own that I got last year off of ASOS, but to no avail. I happened to spot these gorgeous leopard print boots and thought they were brilliant, Anything to stand out.
"Don't pay attention to what they write about you, just measure it in inches"
Andy Warhol.
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