Our ongoing fashion series finds stylish students and asks them how they achieve their look
Style
Our ongoing fashion series finds stylish students and asks them how they achieve their look
Boston Fashion Week runs through October 19, with numerous fashion shows and events happening around the city. As eyes are turned on the fashion-forward outfits lighting up the city’s streets, it’s easy to forget that Boston was once named America’s least fashionable city since runway-ready looks abound these days.
In the spirit of Boston Fashion Week, BU Today is relaunching its Comm Ave Runway series, which spotlights stellar looks from Boston University’s campus. Since it’s peak fall-fashion season, this means lots of layering, classic patterns, and heavier fabrics are reflected in students’ outfits right on Comm Ave.
These students show that style comes in a range of aesthetics, and with the right outfit, there’s nothing to stop the lecture hall from becoming an atelier.
Andrew Celano (CAS’27)
Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?
I don’t remember exactly, but the shoes are from Amazon and everything else is from H&M.
How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?
Many people have described it as “professor-ish.” Looking up pictures of what “professor-ish” would look like, I would say I agree. It wasn’t the intent, I just love this sort of look.
Your favorite places to shop?
Mostly H&M is where I go, as well as Amazon for more select items.
What are your fashion influences?
I can’t recall exact people or places, but I know just from movies and television, I’ve seen outfits that I liked. Around sophomore year of high school I bought my first trench coat because I loved trench coats, and junior and senior year I started wearing a lot more dress pants and dress shirts.
Your advice for students who want to look great on a budget?
Amazon has had a lot of relatively cheap items that are still very nice.
Ashka Dighe (LAW’27)
Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?
The boots are from Nordstrom—they’re Marc Fisher. The jeans are Madewell, the bodysuit is Aritzia, the jacket is Ralph Lauren, and the bag is Longchamp.
How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?
My fashion sense is always business casual, pretty much. I could go into an office if I had to, but I could also go out to dinner with someone’s parents. I like to dress up a little bit and look a little more presentable—kind of a modern twist on classic outfits.
Your favorite places to shop?
Nordstrom is my go-to. For anything, I turn straight to Nordstrom. If I could buy better basics elsewhere, I would go there. I also really like Madewell and Abercrombie because they make curved-cut clothes.
What are your fashion influences?
Emily Gilmore [from Gilmore Girls] and just like the entire cast of Gossip Girl.
Your advice for students who want to look great on a budget?
I would tell them to go to thrift shops over trying to buy new clothes for low prices. Like instead of going to [fast fashion] Forever 21- or H&M-type shops, start thrifting from nice, high-end thrift stores. Websites like Poshmark, Depop, and the Real Real—if you’re looking for the labels—are all good options.
Lucia Golden (CFA’28)
Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?
I just bought my hat across the street [at the Simple Gay Apparel stand]. My jacket is Uniqlo, and my shoes are fake Onitsuka Tigers, since the real ones are too expensive. My skirt is from Korea, and the shirt I got from H&M when I was like 12.
How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?
Fun, silly, sexy.
Your favorite places to shop?
I like Free People, and I also like my mom’s closet a lot.
What are your fashion influences?
My mom and my friends.
Your advice for students who want to look great on a budget?
Wear what makes you feel confident and just focus on what makes you feel good.
Ilya Bulygin (CAS’25)
Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?
The coat is from Calvin Klein. The shirt is from Cropp, a European brand. The trousers are from Zara, and the shoes are Michael Kors. The belt is also Michael Kors and the glasses are Gucci.
How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?
European, old money-ish, kind of.
Your favorite places to shop?
I’d say Harrods in London. Here, I guess it’s Prudential Center and Burlington Mall, which has a lot of really nice shops.
What are your fashion influences?
To be honest, I don’t have any. Does that count as an answer?
Your advice for students who want to look great on a budget?
Check out thrift stores or potentially Nordstrom Rack. They have pretty good offers.
Chengchao Li (CAS’25, COM’25)
Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?
The shirt and tie are from Auroclean. The jeans are from BDCT brand and the shoes are New Balance.
How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?
It’s a lot of Korean style and school style.
Your favorite places to shop?
I like Uniqlo and New Balance. I also like to purchase tote bags from Muji.
Who are your fashion influences?
TikTok and Instagram, I just see what people post on there.
Your advice for students who want to look good on a budget?
Find people on social media that are your age and see what they are wearing.
Sabina Tagieva (CAS’26)
Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?
I got both of these [the cardigan and dress] from Urban Outfitters in Milan. The legwarmers are from Amazon and the shoes are New Rock. I have a bunch of jewelry from Depop. My necklaces are from Chrome Hearts, a Select Markets thrifting event, and Depop. The bag is also from Urban Outfitters.
How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?
I do styling for Fabrio magazine [a student fashion magazine], so I like to bring in some alt and some emo a little bit sometimes. My style changes every day, it just depends on my mood, and the weather as well.
Your favorite places to shop?
I do love Depop a lot. There’s Vivant Vintage in Allston—that’s a really good store, and I went to Select Markets the other day. I like Urban Outfitters, obviously, and Chrome Hearts is my favorite, but it’s so expensive. So only jewelry from there.
Who are your fashion influences?
I love Maison Margiela, he’s really good. I also like Vivienne Westwood. No Faith Studios is a fashion brand, but they make amazing clothes that are really cool and unique. There’s also a ton of stuff on Depop where they do upcycling a lot, and I do a little bit of upcycling myself too.
Your advice for students who want to look great on a budget?
It’s kind of scary being out here sometimes, because a lot of people do go to class kind of dressed down. You have to be really confident in what you’re wearing. But also, no one really cares, and you’ll get a lot of compliments. So I think, just be super unique with it. And if you’re going for a unique style definitely go on Depop. Also the Goodwill down the street [on Commonwealth Avenue] has a ton of good stuff if you dig enough.
Sydney Marx (COM’26)
Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?
My jeans are from a store called Isalis, the brand is A-brand. My shirt is a black T-shirt but I’m not really sure where it’s from. I’m wearing a letterman jacket that is actually my roommate’s and I think she got it secondhand at a vintage store. My bag is Katana and I got it in Amsterdam at a little vintage market. Oh, and my shoes are Onitsukas.
How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?
True, simple, me.
Your favorite places to shop?
Isalis.
Who are your fashion influences?
My friends.
Your advice for students who want to look great on a budget?
Go thrifting! You can find good stuff for cheap. Buy secondhand. [Search] your mom and dad’s closets [and borrow what] they don’t wear because that stuff is definitely cool.
Marie Atie (COM’25)
Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?
My whole entire outfit is thrifted! Except the shoes are Solomons. Even the jewelry is secondhand from my mom or my dad.
How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?
Every day is a different outfit. You’ll see me in this today, but I could be in something completely different tomorrow. I’d say it’s very versatile, but functional.
Your favorite places to shop?
I love thrifting. A really cool vintage secondhand shop is online, but they also have a brick and mortar location called Bullshit Boutique in Lawrence, Mass. They have an Instagram page and are always at local flea markets in Boston too. Other than that, Goodwill on Comm Ave is super reliable.
Who are your fashion influences?
Zoi Lerma (@zoifishh on TikTok). She dresses so cool and I think her outfits are really fun.
Your advice for students who want to look great on a budget?
Find a personal style and just stick to that. If you have a personal style, a lot of your pieces will work with other things you have in your closet and you can just maximize your outfits with very few pieces.
Emma Shelov (CAS’26)
Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?
My top is from this small business called Brandy Melville. My jeans are Levi’s low, loose fit. I have them in eight different colors, they are my favorite. My shoes are Sambas, but I’ve had them for three years. My cardigan is Between Things, and I am wearing a matching bra and underwear set from Intissimi.
How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?
Simple, very basic pieces. Everything I own is black and white or denim. Cardigans, too! I have a cardigan for every day of the year.
Your favorite places to shop?
Anthropologie, Madwell, the Gap, which is probably my favorite store.
Who are your fashion influences?
My friend Molly Bauernshub (CAS’26).
Your advice for students who want to look great on a budget?
Be yourself, because you dress the best when you dress like you.
Aidan Long (Pardee’26)
Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?
The shoes are a gift from my girlfriend for my birthday. The sweatshirt I got for Christmas from my girlfriend as well. My pants are from Target. The hat is from AWOL Print Shop, it’s a custom designed fraternity hat for Marmon.
How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?
Pretty casual. I like to mix things that look pretty basic, but also comfortable.
Your favorite places to shop?
Marine Layer, Lululemon, Viori, and Amazon.
Who are your fashion influences?
I’d say my girlfriend, Amanda Brecher (COM’26).
Your advice for students who want to look great on a budget?
Go to the Goodwill on Comm Ave. It’s actually pretty stacked. I got two pairs of Lulu shorts for $10 total the other week. There’s also a flea market in Fenway on Sundays. Also, get friends that work at stores so you can [use] their discount. My friend worked at Viori and got me 65 percent off, so I got 10 pairs of shorts and now I’m good forever.
Gabi Jimenez (CAS’26)
Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?
I got these shoes on Depop—they’re Dr. Martens. These pants are from my friend Delilah and I think they are Free People. This shirt is from my sister, but I don’t know where it’s from. My necklace I just got at a flea market. And then my bag is from my mom and I just decorate it with things I like.
How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?
Very vintage, warm, friendly.
Your favorite places to shop?
Thrift stores around Boston or pop-up flea markets and yard sales. I just went to a yard sale last weekend actually, in Coolidge.
Who are your fashion influences?
I take a lot of fashion inspo from my mom and my friends.
Your advice for students who want to look great on a budget?
Yard sales, flea markets, don’t be afraid of Goodwill!
Nicholas Harris (COM’27)
Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?
I was honestly just cold outside and I got my friend Jules’ sweater and tied it around my waist. My shirt is from H&M—they sell these T-shirts for $8. My shorts are thrifted and my shoes are Reeboks that I got on Amazon for $50.
How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?
It definitely depends on what I am dressing for. For class, I like a lot of late ’60s-, early ’70s-inspired stuff. I love a tight shirt and quarter zips, which are perfect for fall.
Your favorite places to shop?
I never buy clothes at full prices, I always thrift. If I do buy full prices it’s fast fashion.
Who are your fashion influences?
Movies I’ve seen—I take a lot of inspo from Grease and celebrities I follow like Dua Lipa and Addison Rae.
Your advice for students who want to look great on a budget?
Never buy pants! Never. You can always thrift them or find them secondhand. I never spend more than $20 on anything. H&M and Garage are great.
Meghan Mckenzie (Sargent’26)
Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?
I got these jeans before the school year started from Reformation. My sweater is from a consignment shop in New York City. The jacket is from a music festival in San Francisco.
How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?
Very classic, plain. I like to incorporate colors, but I don’t go too crazy. It’s really just whatever I feel in the morning.
Your favorite places to shop?
I like going to vintage stores and finding things that I don’t see other people having, [or] even Newbury Street. Really just whatever catches my eye.
Who are your fashion influences?
My friends are my biggest fashion influences. I love to borrow their clothes, and they all always look so good.
Your advice for students who want to look great on a budget?
Go to thrift stores—they have pieces that have stories and you’ll always find something cool, and if not, you can always try to flip it and make it your own!