

Sophomore Hannah Petersen when dressed for this year’s Valentine’s Working day, she wears a pink gown with purple hearts and neon pink eyeliner. She is 1 instance of the way college students break out of the regular clothes expectation. Pics courtesy of Hannah Peterson
The wander throughout Mullin City Sq. or to class can evolve into a catwalk, encouraged by a multitude of subcultures ranging from Y2K to goth and almost everything in concerning.
Many students explained they consider higher education makes it possible for them the chance to experiment absent from the anticipations of mom and dad and the environments they grew up in. One particular of the lots of techniques Pepperdine pupils experiment is with uniquely curated outfits, precise colorful eyeliner and vibrant hair hues.
“The setting I grew up in was very conservative,” sophomore Hannah Petersen claimed. “Both at faculty and at home, they permitted self expression as lengthy as it agreed with what they thought. So right after exiting high faculty and entering faculty, it was like, ‘Wow, there is so considerably freedom.’ I never have to reply queries about why I pick out sure shades, styles or concentrations of midriff demonstrating.”
Petersen, who has constantly experimented with her make-up and design of gown, stated college last but not least gave her the justification to costume and seem how she wished. When she does not detect with any specific subculture, she claimed she is very inspired by TikTok and makeup influencers. Her model takes advantage of a great deal of brilliant colors, patterns and entertaining eyeliner that matches the colours of her clothing.

Petersen claimed it can at times be really hard to costume non-ordinarily. Inspite of the assist she receives from her roommates and close friends, Petersen stated lots of men and women take care of her otherwise because of her fashion of gown.
“There is a pretty popular demographic within just Pepperdine, if you really do not automatically fall into it, it can be seriously challenging to uncover acceptance,” Petersen stated. “If I do my makeup darker and heavier I are likely to get fewer receptive responses. But if I do one thing much more colourful, experimental or feminine I get a good deal of compliments, but it genuinely does rely who I converse and interact with.”
As a female human being researching Sports Drugs and arranging to attend health care school, Petersen stated a lot of people are amazed by the way she attire. A major struggle from this year has been studying how to specific herself and come to feel superior about herself, while also presenting as qualified and remaining approved by her office.

Junior Anna Skupin identifies as goth and also plans on likely to healthcare faculty soon after undergrad.
She also agreed with Petersen’s struggle with femininity and professionalism.
“Dressing feminine in STEM is just this complete significant factor,” Skupin said. “You’re expected to continue to keep your head down, aim on your do the job and if you have any personal fashion you’re out the window, you and your work aren’t legitimate.”
Skupin’s knowledge in substitute manner has been quite distinctive than Petersen’s. She claimed she generally gravitated towards darker aesthetics. It wasn’t until finally she was performing courses remotely and seeing the rise of choice designs like the E-Female and gothic-impressed outfits on each TikTok and her mates that she resolved to embrace the design thoroughly.
Skupin mentioned her practical experience at Pepperdine has felt accepting of her manner possibilities, but she also cites that her selection to review Psychology as remaining the principal explanation for that.
“Nobody’s gonna make entertaining of you in the discipline of psychology,” Skupin explained. “When you gown differently, you do stand out right here since so lots of folks wear just jeans and a T-shirt. But I consider people today value the variety.”
Each college students presented related tips to other people intrigued in experimenting with their manner. They proposed starting small with just one piece of garments and observing how it makes them feel and how the men and women around them react. If the reactions and emotions are favourable, carry on to add pieces that nurture these thoughts.
Furthermore, both of those Petersen and Skupin encouraged folks to be them selves and costume nonetheless they want.
“More assortment in garments and alternative vogue variations is great for everybody.” Skupin claimed. “You can be free of charge to eventually convey oneself the way you want to and don issues that are flattering and make you really feel relaxed and assured. Just go for it, really don’t be concerned to invest in different apparel you like due to the fact you may finish up discovering anything new to incorporate in your day-to-day design and style.”
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E mail Hope Lockwood: [email protected]