Every campus has its signature style. At U of T, where students study everything from neuroscience to renaissance studies, it’s a cross between preppy and boho—a laid-back look that’s cool without trying too hard (comfort is key when you’re cramming for midterms or hammering out essays all day). On a busy weekday, we strolled around St. George and Harbord to see what the college kids are wearing these days. Here, 15 coeds flaunt their personal style.
Name: McCair Tulloch Age: 21 Studying: History and philosophy “I like to wear vintage pieces with a modern touch. This tie is from the 60s, but everything else is pretty current.”
Name: Lahoma Thomas Age: 35 Studying: Political violence (PhD) “My style is very free. I’m an emotive person, so I always choose things in the moment.”
Name: Ivy Liu Age: 21 Studying: Commerce “I love all kinds of coats, especially maxi coats and trench coats. My style inspiration is very normcore.”
Name: Bryan Ekeh Age: 22 Studying: Criminology and sociology “It’s an essay day today, so I need to be comfortable, but I didn’t want to wear my usual all-black. My uncle got me this jacket years ago. I think it’s cool again.”
Name: Jasper Dnieper Age: 17 Profession: High school student “I actually wrote an essay about my look. I would describe it as a 1960s French art student, who’s probably gay, mixed with an old English professor.”
Name: Nikita Gini-Newman Age: 19 Studying: Neuroscience “My program is fun—sometimes. I’m studying today, so I wanted to be comfortable but still stylish.”
Name: Sahal Malek Age: 21 Studying: Near and Middle Eastern civilization “I’m taking intermediate Persian right now, because I’m really interested in Persian literature. My style depends on the day. Today it’s hobo chic, other days it’s a suit.”
Name: Beth Mattison Age: 24 Studying: Art history “I should be working, but I’m not. My style is preppy with a twist.”
Name: Susie Ryuu Age: 20 Studying: English history “I just finished working on a group project. My look is very minimalistic. I usually dress in blacks, whites and taupes. I like working within boxed frames, if that makes sense. I’m very uniform.”
Name: Joey Hawker Age: 31 Profession: Researcher “My look? Low profile.”
Name: Zeinab Aidid Age: 21 Studying: Equity studies “I wear a lot of leggings, and I also like to be warm—hence the scarf. I traded my own Africa-shaped necklace for this similar one. My friend ended up leaving mine in Zimbabwe, so I always say it made it back to the homeland.”
Name: Will Tilleczek Age: 24 Studying: Political theory “I go by temperature.”
Name: Sharon Chen Age: 24 Studying: Education “My style is urban.”
Name: Kristina Manas-Chmielowski Age: 21 Studying: Employment relations, ethics and law “I got the jacket in the summer—no one else has it. I like to be cute and comfy.”
Name: Margot Whittington Age: 21 Studying: Political science “I used to wear a lot of leggings to class, but now I’m mixing it up a bit by sporting more jeans.”
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