Word from the Burgh: Student Fashion

With a student population of over 30,000, Edinburgh campus is a sartorial smorgasbord. Walking through George Square en route to lectures is a veritable fashion safari; such a large and diverse student body lends itself to a multitude of stylish possibilities, and there are sources of ‘fashpiration’ everywhere you look. Even now, when temperatures have dropped and it’s time bring back out that gaudy knitwear you bought last year in a fit of Danish crime drama-inspired madness, the Burgh’s student style tribes are still going strong.

First up, we have the Freshers – more specifically, the Posh Freshers (I use that term with affection, honestly). Having managed to finally blend in by the end of semester one now that disillusionment has firmly taken hold, in the first month or so you can generally spot a PF a mile off. Not only is the air of general first-year wonderment a huge giveaway, but nobody works the gilet-hoodie-Uggs combo like PFs do. Often champions of the head-to-toe Jack Wills look (why is that still a ‘look’? That was a ‘look’ when I was in first year…), they can often be found in Starbucks on Nicholson Street, talking loudly about how they simply can’t cope with the thought of having to write a 2,000 word essay in a fortnight. Longchamp bag optional.

In time, some Posh Freshers emerge from the gilet cocoon transformed into Posh Hipsters. With a wardrobe made up mostly of oversize, fine-knit jumpers, leggings and a double shot, no whip, skinny soy latte to keep them warm, these kids take their cue from Made in Chelsea’s Binky and Proudlock and are often to be found working that hangover chic look outside the library, roll-up in hand.  Phipsters as they’re now christened go minimal when it comes to hand luggage. No yawning book bags for them – a Macbook, a few sheets of paper and their grandfather’s vintage fountain pen and they’re good to go.

Though they have to be commended for their valiant efforts in the style stakes, our next style tribe are perhaps the flakiest of fashionistas. Rocking up on the first week of semester with the spoils of their Topshop haul, ready to make their stylish mark on campus, they discover too late that everyone else in their lecture also has that leather-sleeved parka and that, come Christmas, those studded magenta flatforms will have only seen the light of day once. By Week Two, it’s all just too much. But hey, there’s no shame in just wearing jeans. And no one needs to know that your 2008 All England Girls Lacrosse Team Championship Semi-Finalist t-shirt is technically now your pyjama top that you’re just wearing to a lecture. Embrace it. At least your pink ombre-d hair hasn’t faded yet.

Last but not least, the rare and magnificent Tweed Wearer. Typically fourth year or post-grads, these (usually male) students are every bit the dandy. Often found simply meandering through George Square Gardens, these gents favour the full tweed suit and bowtie, often accompanied by a jaunty hat or an umbrella slung over the forearm, varsity scarf flung nonchalantly over one shoulder. These modern-day Oscar Wildes are perhaps the pinnacle of student style at Edinburgh – next to them, the rest of us mere mortals barely look like we’ve made the effort. Maybe we don’t need to? Maybe there’s a market for a regulation Edinburgh Uni onesie? On second thoughts, maybe you could just hope that they make another series of The Killing so you can get the wear out of that reindeer print tank top.