Although some of CMC’s more snazzy soirees warrant a more glamorous outfit, for the majority of 5C functions, there is a standard uniform that I am tired of. As someone who often dons the exact same articles of clothing to parties, I believe that we, young, vibrant beacons of the future, can do better.
I want to be the devil’s advocate for all of us and acknowledge that an outfit to go get drunk on Green Beach with your friends is a hard thing to construct. How exactly will one ensemble get me from the pregame through the freezing night and into the midst of a sweaty Saharan mosh pit? I need something that can adapt to a range of temperatures, is durable and danceable, unique, novel and most importantly, stylishly intoxicating.
Well, I am here to offer up ideas for adding some form to the function.
Footwear is the apex at which form and function intersect. It is the peak of styles’ Everest. And when it comes to party wear, it is probably the most important factor to consider before stumbling into the shindig. If you, like me, are looking to shred up the floor to some 2000s throwback anthems, then a sneaker is the only acceptable shoe choice.
Recently, I have opted for my less worn but equally comfortable black sambas and have made a revolutionary scientific discovery: A black shoe does not get as dirty as a white shoe. Therefore, I strongly urge those of you looking to drown in the deep end of the mosh pit to opt for an old pair of dancing kicks in a darker shade. The mud and grime that will inevitably paint your frat shoes after a night of debauchery is a lot less impactful on a black pair.
Now, if you’re rocking up to an event that is far more civil than any wristbanded affair I have attended at this consortium (with the strangest party culture of any American campus, I may add), your choice of footwear is paramount to your look. I suggest you dust off the coolest pair of trainers you own, a black boot or if you’re feeling fancy, a delightful little kitten heel.
“I need something that can adapt to a range of temperatures, is durable and danceable, unique, novel and most importantly, stylishly intoxicating.“
Second only to footwear, a key factor influencing my style selections is mother nature herself, and more specifically, the arctic nighttime temperatures she’s been dishing up. After all, an alcohol blanket does not always insulate well enough when trotting to any on-campus gathering. As a Scrippsie who finds herself more often than not sprinting off campus for a Claremont event, I end up wearing a jacket of goose-bumps. So, instead, I suggest that we all opt for real jackets, and I, for one, am partial to an oversized leather or denim to contrast a saucy little top and, if you’re feeling brave, a miniskirt.
As far as tops for the groovin’ girlies are concerned, I suggest we abandon the crop top and select a more sophisticated way to show some skin because, let’s be real, not even a blizzard could get most of us to cover up. I have seen a recent explosion of one-shoulder, halter and off-the-shoulder tops, and I am personally a big fan. From Zara to H&M to Cotton On, a simple top with an intriguing neckline or sleeve is never a miss. A stylish extension of this is the slinky backless top — double points if it’s in a silky or satin fabric. Another way to add a minor amount of warmth to a showy outfit is a mesh moment, which is especially intriguing when in a lacey fabric and paired with a cute bra.
I know I’m attempting to advocate for warmth, but not at the sacrifice of style, and I fear that all too often, we forget about more than half our look by haphazardly tossing on some jeans still reeking of last week’s beer ball losses. So, humble reader, I present to you: the miniskirt. Whether a denim or simple black, this bottom option is a lovely way to shake up the vibe. I highly recommend Abercrombie’s skorts as they keep you covered and able to dance. Pair with a knee-high boot or big jacket for some warmth and you’re ready to rock and roll.
If the mini is too mini, then I suggest the polar opposite: a loose denim. Low-rise baggy jeans and a tiny top are a staple silhouette that is not only comfortable but also breathable and therefore perfect for a night of dancing, Claremont crawling and/or eating fries at the Hub. Black, gray or a dark wash are the color schemes that make this a nighttime look.
I have had it with getting hit by a stiff arm or shoved into my friends by the sweaty back of a brick-like man, and I think that restricting clothing is the main culprit. I believe that if a man’s outfit is loose and relaxed, the transitive property applies. His dance moves, too, will loosen up, and all of us will be safe from getting a bicep to the face or trampled whilst attempting to tear up the floor to Rihanna’s “Wild Ones.”
I and practically every other girl at universities across this fine country have become all too reliant on the classic “jeans and a going-out top.” As for the men, I am very much over the t-shirt and chino pants look.
For the men of these schools, I suggest your closets and credit cards take a hop across the ocean to one of our former British colony besties: Australia. There, the button-down and loose pants are a staple party look that I believe these schools should adopt. Whether you opt for a Jacob-Elordi-in-“Saltburn” loose linen long sleeve or a more casual open camp collar, a button-up is a great way to look sophisticated and stay cool. When looking for pants, straight leg or looser is your best bet. A dark denim, cool cargo, constructed carpenter pants or chill chino are all splendid options. The breathability of these styles is the marriage of design and durability, an investment you surely won’t regret.
Accessories are a great way to make a look more party than practical. However, there is a time and place for certain outfit enhancers. Sunglasses should be reserved for sunny days and not CMC’s party quad at 1 a.m. on a Saturday. The same applies to hats. I love a good baseball cap. However, I fear that certain subsects of my peers have become far too reliant on the hat to cover up their undone mop of hair. Buy some shampoo and hair gel and ditch the hat. Dancing does not groove well with impractical and — dare I say — unnecessary accessories.
Nothing says it’s time to party quite like a disco ball, so why reserve the sparkles and sequins for NYE? While we’re pulling from the glamour lookbook, why not spice up a simple black look with some chunky jewelry? All black is my standard uniform, but to avoid looking like a thief in the night, I like to pop on a good bracelet and chunky hoop earring, thereby taking my look from robber to refined. After all, a little sparkle never hurt anyone, and as Marilyn Monroe preaches, “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend.”
As always, take it or leave it. And remember, any path in life can be a runway (yes, even the long walk to senior apartments). I hope to see you all strutting your way across these campuses to the function in a chic new outfit this weekend! Stay warm, stay safe and stay stylish!
Ellen Chapman SC ’27 was born in Germany and currently calls Swarthmore, PA home … GO BIRDS!! She loves skiing, traveling, chocolate, reading, procrastinating and quad-shot almond milk lattes!
Facebook Comments