With the new college year in kick-off mode, a stylist and two Mumbai collegians share #ootd ideas to play it cool from day one
(From left) Billie Eilish. PIC COURTESY/@billieeilish, Khushi Kapoor sports high-waisted jeans and a crop top. Pic Courtesy/@khushi kapoor, Diljit Dosanjh rocks a pair of relaxed denims. PIC COURTESY/ @Diljitdosanjh
They might be novices on campus, but freshers are waiting to make a bold entrance as colleges reopen across the city — one oversized hoodie and crop top at a time. Stylist Aesha Shah says Gen Z style is very easy, relaxed and cool-coded, their dressing goal is mainly to show their personality through their dressing. “It’s time to build a nice wardrobe to dress with ease. Find your style and then let it evolve, not by following trends that come your way, but finding what resonates with one’s personality and style. Invest in pieces that are good quality and will last. Gen Z, in that sense, is quite aware and into repurposing pieces, even styling pieces from their family members’ wardrobe,” says Shah.
Aadi Mehta rates streetwear over trends
Trend alert
Oversized and unisex dressing is more than a trend for this generation, and mainstays include athleisure and even Y2K revival pieces. Shah, who is also the founder of the label Moment Bombay, says, “Start with a nice pair of wide leg relaxed denims, and monsoon slides such as Birkenstocks. You can also go with a nice pair of loafers, and ballet flats have made a comeback this season too. Also, I think Gen Z is a lot into bag charms, whether it is with the Labubu, or any other design, they like to add a little bit of their personality with charms. Athleisure pieces remain a favourite and there are Indian labels offering pieces too, not just fast fashion. I would say, build a nice capsule wardrobe of things that can be styled and worn in multiple ways.”
We are the cool kids
Admission confusion has delayed the first day of college in the city this year, and several students are eagerly waiting to start fresh. Aadi Mehta, 16, who will be joining Friends’ Academy in Mulund West, says he doesn’t have any style idols, but likes looking for trends on Instagram and Pinterest. Streetwear is his preferred style identity. “I like to choose what I want to wear because that is what provides extra confidence. I am in the loop of the dressing sense of other Gen Z. In addition to streetwear, I also love a good shirt with a pair of cargos. For my first day of college, I will wear something a bit classy and soothing, so that I could blend in better with the crowd. I will wear more relaxed and comfortable clothes later,” says Mehta.
Aesha Shah
Mahi Trivedi, who is waiting to start at Matunga’s RA Podar College of Commerce & Economics, says she loves following fashion, and likes dressing up and trying new styles. “It makes me feel good and confident. I usually look for trends on Reels, and Pinterest. Sometimes, even I attempt to recreate simple looks from the clothes which I already have,” says Trivedi. A personality whose style she loves is The Rebel Kid (Apoorva Mukhija). “Her outfits are so cool and different and she wears everything with so much confidence that inspires me to be myself and try new things,” she says. As for her first day of college, “Well, I still have time before college but I have thought about it. I would love to wear a cute crop top with high-waist jeans and my favourite pair of sneakers. I might add some hoops or a bracelet to keep it simple and stylish. I want to feel comfortable but also look confident,” the 16-year-old sums up.
Labubu on my T-shirt
Can’t find a Labubu to sport? We scouted fashionable neighbourhoods across the city to source a Labubu T-shirt instead. Get this style from the stall outside Gazebo, Linking Road, Bandra West.
Cost Rs 200
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