Meet Vandy’s most fashionable freshmen Subby Gutti

This week, I got to know my new friend Subby Gutti. He was nominated as a candidate for Vandy’s Most Fashionable by a fellow fraternity brother of his and buddy of mine, Austin Konkle.

It’s safe to say that he was pretty excited about being nominated.

Talk to me about your major, what you’re studying.

I’m planning on majoring in molecular and cellular biology, maybe with a minor in chemistry.

What do your friends think of what you wear?

You know, I haven’t really asked them what they think, but at the same time, I think that’s because what they think is irrelevant. My fashion sense is merely for my personal satisfaction and if I’m happy in my clothes, then that’s all that matters.

When you wake up in the morning, what is your goal in putting together an outfit for the day?

You know, *removes glasses* I think that answer varies depending on the context. During a hard week, function… it’s not form follows function… what is it? Form, uh, goes above function.

I’m not going to compromise sleep to wake up and pick out a cute outfit. I sleep until the last minute and normally just go for the same pair of grey sweatpants that I always wear. They look good, they feel good, but more importantly, they get the job done.

When I have more leisure time, like on the weekends, wait, what was the question again?

Lol. When you wake up, what are you trying to accomplish with your outfit?

My only real goal is to cover my body.

Good. It’s good to cover things up, just so you don’t get arrested.

Agreed.

What message are you trying to send with what you wear?

Unlike most people, my fashion is not for the purpose of sending any message in particular. I just wear what I like. That may come as an outgrowth of the fact that during high school, we had uniforms.

I think my fashion is really a product of this sense of rebellion that I’ve felt for so many years. And if there’s any message that happens to come out of my fashion, I would hope that it’s the freedom to experiment.

Fashion is in essence breaking barriers and nonconformist, so don’t be afraid to experiment. So uh, do what you want with your body.

Wait, wait, wait, I’ve got one more line to say!

Oh, so this is scripted!

No, no, no. Society can only impose its shackles on those who are weak enough to accept them.

What is one piece of clothing or accessory that you can’t possibly leave your dorm room without?

Well, I mean I wear different clothes every day, aside from those sweatpants, but I mean, if one thing remains constant out of everything, it’s my trusty Hanes comfort-soft waistband boxer briefs.

You’re already beating me to my next question.

*Clearly prepared for the inevitable underwear question* Oh sorry, you can ask. Go ahead. Are we gonna answer this underwear question?

I was going to say, boxers or briefs?

Ah, that’s an easy question. I don’t trust people who wear boxers.

A lot of people do, I’ve talked to quite a few fashionable freshmen who prefer them.

They’re making the wrong decision. In my opinion, boxers insinuate disorganization and a lack of preparation. There’s no support, the waistband rides up and down. They just don’t get the job done.

On the other hand, briefs are just as much of a mistake. They look ridiculous.

I feel as though my Hanes comfort-soft waistband boxer briefs provide the perfect balance of both flexibility and support, and they look great.

One more follow-up question, are you being sponsored by Hanes?

Not at the moment, but I certainly wouldn’t turn down an offer.

What is your favorite girl’s fashion trend?

I think that’s a tough question. There are so many good female fashion trends. You know what, I actually think the reason that I like so much of women’s fashion is because I feel as though much of women’s fashion is men’s fashion, but a step ahead. You look at skinny jeans, oversized tops, skirts and kilts. Women started that, you know what I’m sayin’?

So, do you take a lot of inspiration from women’s clothing?

Yeah, I mean, fashion at its finest is being brave and I don’t think fashion has to be characterized by sex. Fashion is fluid.

What is your least favorite guy’s fashion trend?

My roommate recently started wearing Invisalign, which is fine, but when he talks, he spits all over me.

So you think that’s an error in his fashion choice to have good teeth?

Yes, at this point in life, it’s too late to aim for that goal.

Oh, and this whole Patagonia, Fratagonia thing. I think they look fine, that’s not the issue. The issue is the fact that 100% of the frat boys here are wearing the same exact outfit. The Fratagonia top with the khakis and the Timbs. I mean, it’s like we’ve got clones out here, you know? Let’s step up the originality a little bit.

Would you not consider yourself a member of the frat tribe, being that you’re in Pike?

Man, you did your research. I consider myself a member of the Pike tribe, but I don’t identify as a frat boy at large.

Who are some of your fashion icons? They can be celebrities, people on campus, roommates, anything.

There are quite a few. First of all, Kanye West, maybe some of those British celebrities, Squanto.

I don’t know if you know, but I’m Indian. Not of the Native American variety, but, you know, I think Native Americans brought a lot of cool apparel to American clothing. I totally dig the poncho look which you’ll see later today.

What is one piece of advice you could give to someone who’s clearly not living up to their fashion potential?

As long as you’re not breaking a major fashion rule or doing something crazy like New Balance sneakers, or black with navy, or like Konkle’s flip flops, then, you know, you do you.

I always say fashion is not a unanimous consensus. Fashion doesn’t have to be agreement. Fashion is a perpetual debate. Fashion is war. And at the same time, fashion is peace. So, if you’re at peace with your outfit, you’re fashionable in my book.

Talk about being a musician.

I mean, it’s good…

I hear you have a mixtape. Is it fire?

A mixtape? Homegirl, I’ve dropped five albums. Including a Christmas album.

Would you say you are better than all of the Melodores combined?

That’s a bold statement. I don’t want to offend some of my Melodore buddies, specifically Hollis, but I just want them to know, if they’re down to collaborate, I’m available.

Photo Credit: Christopher Bell and Sabina Kim