What exactly is fashion? The notion of vogue can be quite vague. Looks aren’t everything, but they are important. One could argue style is an outward expression of who you are as a person. Take a cursory glance at any group of college-age individuals, and you’ll most likely find a wide variety in clothing choice. Depending on what’s being worn, you can predict who is laid-back, athletic or artistic with a good amount of accuracy.
In essence, fashion itself is an art form in which the right textures, colors and patterns are combined on the canvas that is you. No matter who you are or what your lifestyle is, you’re perfectly capable of rocking creative, eye-catching ensembles that will have the whole room wishing they were you. So I’ve begun a search for the most interesting, confident and fashionable people on campus and profiling them right here.
For this article, I had the pleasure of interviewing EMU freshman Elizabeth Knickerbocker, a music therapy student who brought her quirky, unique flair to campus along with her sunny disposition and undeniable talent.
She lists her favorite stores as Forever 21 and DEB, citing cute clothing at affordable prices as a deciding factor. The Salvation Army is also a favorite, always a reliable source of the quirky Bill Cosby-esque sweaters she adores.
A strong proponent of cute accessories, Knickerbocker is quick to name off some of her favorite pieces: colorful vintage jewelery, “grandma chic” shoes and peacock feathers. She’s also skilled in applying makeup, particularly in creating her signature “smoky eye” look.
“I have blue eyes so the smoky eye helps bring it out. My advice for someone would be to find a liner and shadow that work for you. I used to be one of those people who thought that eye shadow was unnecessary, and it is essentially, but it also can help brighten and widen your eyes.”
Apart from her striking style, her hair stands out as one of her most distinguishable features. In recent years, her hair has maintained but one constant—awesome. Length and color are merely factors to experiment with.
“I have had brown, darker brown, black, black with pink chunks, black with blond chunks, and most recently auburn. My hair now is grown out past my shoulders and very layered. I think layers are the way to go for most people with long hair. But, when it comes down to it my advice for hair is to just have fun with it. It grows back so why not take chances and do what you feel like?”
Besides being on-top of the style world, Knickerbocker enjoys a life as an avid musician, having played violin since the tender age of seven and performing with the EMU orchestra. In a world where music seems to be intertwined in many other aspects of life, her fashion sense was no exception.
“I probably wouldn’t have all the music note and treble clef accessories if not for me being so involved with music all my life,” she says. “It has shaped everything in my life somehow.”
Even with her talent and penchant for dressing so nicely, her unwavering confidence stands out as one her most luminous characteristics.
“You want to present yourself the best way possible: shoulders back, chin up, no looking at your feet while you walk, and wear a smile.
Also, if you are trying something new with your wardrobe and aren’t sure of it, the last thing you want to do is look unsure of it. If you have confidence, that’s what people will see. If you smile and keep a positive attitude, the confidence just comes naturally.”
So what’s Elizabeth Knickerbocker’s secret? Boots.
“Every girl, especially in the Midwest, must have a good, warm, comfortable, but still stylish boot.”
Spoken like a true fashionista.
