Is it true that every college has its own signature aesthetic, or do we conform to larger stereotypes, such as the famous ‘Sidge Girlie’? Surveying a number of different colleges, I aimed to discover the essence of Cambridge fashion. Stereotypes about what different colleges wear certainly do exist, whether that be John’s or Downing wearing exclusively chinos and quarter zips, or quirkier colleges like Murray Edwards and King’s in more avant-garde pieces. I wanted to see if the rumours were true by documenting the clothes of students from different colleges.
Downing
Though noted for its neoclassical architecture, Downing students veer away from tradition with their fun, funky fashion choices. Frankie (left) wears her secondhand Timberland boots, which she excitedly shared were “£4 from Vinted” — a recent purchase. Her outfit also had sentimental value, with a scarf knitted by a friend of her grandma’s and her jacket a gift from her mum. With bright purple jeans and a colourful scarf, Frankie does not shy away from being bright and bold. Similarly, Sapphy (right) embraces quirky garment choices to create a unique look. Basing every outfit “around her socks”, Sapphy chose to display the Moomin character ‘Little My’. Tying in the pinks and reds, she boasts an outfit entirely from charity shops. Both girls champion the importance of second hand fashion with preloved clothing making up the majority of their outfits.
Clare
Fully embracing the autumnal vibes, Priya, Mae and Molly make sure to stay warm as the temperature begins to drop. In her knee high tan boots and striped scarf, Priya (left) fits perfectly into the ‘Sidge-Girlie’ mould, where scarfs are sacred all round. She also sports another Cambridge-wide staple: the college puffer. Cropping up as early as freshers week, college puffers are an Oxbridge specific signature that allows students to flaunt their loyalty to their college (as well as let people back home know that you go to Cambridge…). A puffer in general is the perfect winter coat option, and despite not being exactly waterproof, it definitely keeps you cosy in the colder months. If you’re looking for an alternative option for warmth, Mae’s woollen beret and teal tights, paired with a long-sleeved dress allow her to blend seamlessly into her leafy background.
Sidney Sussex
Casual is the way to go this autumn, with comfy light wash jeans being the perfect piece for studying in a library or a cafe. The great thing about a casual outfit is that it can easily be elevated. In the day, Naomi (far left) wears a relaxed outfit, but for her night-time outing to SidBar, wears a similar pair of jeans, with a sparkly top, allowing her to transition to a more ‘going out’ look. Aruba (right) wears baggy pinstripe trousers, a great alternative to denim, which can sometimes feel heavy or less comfortable. A big fan of the statement necklace, Aruba wears an orange pendant purchased on Vinted.
Girton
Moving onto some more formal style for the launch of Girton’s Spring Ball. Izzy (left) wears a deep plum coloured cowl neck dress, which is becoming an increasingly popular neckline. Jemina (second from left) and Gina (right) both take floral formalwear in different directions. While Jemima’s floral covers across the whole dress, Gina’s is smaller and more dainty. With formalwear, the possibilities are endless, even within such a small category as florals. Grace (second from right) demonstrates how jewellery can take your outfit up a notch. Her 60s mod style dress is paired with a vibrant red heart necklace to create a cohesive formal look. Who said black tie has to be boring?
Pembroke
Moving on to my own college, Pembroke, where scarves are also all the rage. Ayako (far left) tells me her outfit is mostly second hand Weekday, which she recommends scouring Vinted for. Her cellini red ballet pumps are also second hand, as are Georgie’s Adidas Munchen. Adidas is clearly a popular shoe choice at Pembroke, with Finlay (right) also sporting Gazelles, which are often spotted among the red-brick buildings.
Newnham
Here, formalwear, such as ties and cravats, is made casual and everyday, by both Gabrielle (second from left) and Phoebe. Waistcoats and sweater vests seem to be an item of choice, though more feminine silhouettes are also embraced by Matilda (seated, left) and Tia (standing, centre). Tia also wears fluffy ugg-style boots, which are perfect for the cooler months.
King’s
Despite its early history (only admitting boys that had attended Eton College), King’s College is known for its alternative style. For example, they do not wear gowns for formals, undermining one of Cambridge’s most recognisable traditions. Jem (left) wears an entirely second hand outfit, from charity shops or car boot sales, with the tie being borrowed from their dad. Aisling (right) sports a grass green scarf with patterned fingerless gloves.
So, can any college claim to have a fully distinct style? Ultimately, fashion is down to the individual, and whilst certain items do crop up again and again within some groups there is not a homogeneous style that marks any one college. That said, what did unite all of the colleges was the emphasis on second hand items. Almost every person I spoke to was wearing a preloved piece, demonstrating that while Cambridge fashion tastes are different, the message of sustainability and rewearing clothes is shared.
