Show Up and Show Out: Do Campus Fashion Trends Spark Insecurity?

By Annabel Adams, Staff Writer Edited by Lianna Gourmos, Assistant Editorial Director

Due to Syracuse University’s community-based environment and love for fashion, trends spread quickly across campus. Students can be seen sporting Parke sweatshirts, knee-high boots, and Alo workout sets. When students suddenly see their peers all wearing similar articles of clothing, they may be motivated to open their devices and begin shopping for these trends as well. Living on an artistic and wealthy campus could definitely influence students’ consumerism and fashion habits. 

The short-lived trend cycle on college campuses is deeply influenced by social media, with the short form algorithm constantly advertising something to purchase. With the holidays coming up, TikTok for-you pages are flooded with wishlist recommendations, similar to what happens with back-to-school shopping. Popular users post about Longchamp bags, Hoka sneakers, and knitted American flag sweaters, and suddenly it feels like everyone on Syracuse’s campus is wearing them. 

While campus is a great place to seek fashion inspiration, the constant exposure to expensive and new clothing, accessories, and shoes can cause students to develop insecurities about their own closets. Amaiya Bran, a sophomore at SU, describes an instance where she became self-conscious about her fashion choices due to trends she saw on campus. 

“[During] freshman year, I decided to switch to a shoulder bag because I got embarrassed about my backpack,” Bran says. “It just didn't work, so now I'm back to using a backpack.”

Gen-Z possesses record-breaking rates of clothing and accessory consumerism. According to a 2023 survey by Fast Company, 58% of Gen-Z’ers surveyed “somewhat” or “strongly” agree that they require a lot of material items in order to be happy. 

In addition to the insatiable hunger for material goods, students walk a tightrope of trying to fit in while also trying to stylistically stand out to receive attention from crushes, friends, peers, or even Instagram accounts that highlight students’ outfits online.

@sufits on Instagram is an account run by students, for students. Every few weeks, the owner of the account posts a story announcing that they’re taking pictures in front of the Schine Student Center—which means every student should put on their best outfit that day. Walking in front of Schine on those days is like being in the middle of a New York Fashion Week runway, as everyone puts their best garments and accessories on display. 

While the account creates a fun way to show off campus fashion, it also subtly drives the narrative that students need to “show out.”

“[If] I have someone whose style I like in my class. I'm going to be like ‘oh, let me dress cool today because they're in my class’,” Bran says. 

Even though students want to show off their fashion sense, it’s not always affordable. With the cost of attendance at around $90K per year, SU is marketed towards upper-middle class and middle-class families. As of 2017, the median family income of SU students was $113,800, with 51% of students coming from the top 20% of U.S. incomes. 

Whether a student walks past a sea of Prada sunglasses, Adidas Sambas, or shoulder bags, the desire to follow trends drives students to consume. Seeing these items all over campus makes them appear casual and trendy, even though most students aren’t even buying those pieces with their own money. With some students coming from lower-middle class to low-income families, and other students trying to become financially independent from their parents, many are victims of the “broke college student” stereotype, surviving off instant-ramen. The pressure to “show up and show out” with style is what makes students turn to fast fashion companies like Shein for shopping—because it’s what they can afford. 

“I like to be more accessorized, or I like to be as accessorized as I can,” Bran says. “But I also have less money, being a student [at SU].”

Fashion outlets, publications, and classes on campus should promote thrifting and second-hand shopping. Through shopping at thrift stores or on sites like Vinted and Thredup, students can sustainably and affordably find clothes that match trends on campus. These pieces will also further individuality while contributing to trends, since students won’t be buying directly from the sources that perpetuate the fast fashion economy.

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