“I like expressing myself in a way that is going against a lot of the norms.”
Black fur, laces, tailored pants and layered shirts along with a perfect slicked back bun depicts freshman Priscilla Ruffin. Dressed in all black, she proudly walks around in a style that is most comfortable and unique to her.
With the use of layers, varying silhouettes, and fun fabrics, Ruffin has curated a style that stands out from the rest.
“It’s very alternative,” Ruffin said, “I wouldn’t give it a definite gothic or Lolita vibe; it’s definitely a mix of stuff.”
With encouragement from her mom and inspiration from others online, Ruffin does what she loves when it comes to fashion. What started as tame experimenting in 2020 has evolved into her current style. She has preferences of fabric types, sizes, and certain fits of clothing, and what she isn’t able to inherit or buy, she’s able to create as a way to save money and cut back on buying an excess of clothing.
“I decide what I would do with it, like cut it up, add ties or dye it,” Ruffin said. “I hate buying clothes that I know I’ll never use.”
Ruffin has not only learned how to style herself, but has grown an appreciation for others’ unique styles.
“It seems like they’re [other students with unique styles] comfortable with themselves,” Ruffin said, “They’re self-assured, they know what they like, and they don’t care what people are looking at in the moment.”
Ruffin dresses for herself, as a way to stand out and be the “main character in [her] family,” as she put it. Fashion is her way of expressing herself and being comfortable, even if others might view her outfits as unconventional.
