At the University
of Kentucky, girls aren’t the only ones who love accessories. This fall, the
guys have been showing off accessories that have been giving the girls a run
for their money! Typically college guys are seen wearing athletic shorts and
t-shirts, but in Lexington, everyday is a fashion show. We caught these two
guys sporting the latest trends in front of the Fine Arts Library and North
Campus. A crucial component to each one of these guys’ looks is the boat shoe.
This fashion must-have is seen on guys all over campus. Sperry’s seem to be the
brand of choice because of their comfort and versatility. Another way guys can
express their personality in their outfits is through a watch. This guy chose a
bright yellow watch to add a color pop to his outfit. Watches are an easy way
for men to accessorize in a functional way.
We think
fraternities could be a contributor to why the men of Kentucky are so
fashionable. The University of Kentucky’s fraternity men display southern style
everyday. They can always be seen in Ray Bans with a Croakie attached. Croakies
are another way men can accessorize in a functional way. The trends are not
only for fraternities, but have spread to every guy on campus. These trends are
so popular, that girls are starting to adopt the same accessory trends. So
watch out girls, when it comes to accessories, guys are starting to have the
upper hand! But, no matter what these Wildcat men are sporting, confidence is
ALWAYS the best accessory!
12 comments:
Being from the north I have never seen guys dress this way. My freshman year I was in shock the first few weeks that guys actually wore these things. I have never heard of Sperry's or boat shoes until I came to UK. Boys back home do wear watches however in most cases they are the sporty G-Shock watches. I'm wondering if these fratty trends will spread to my hometown anytime soon. Even since I have become a student I have seen mens trends changing. I can not say that I am a fan but again I think it's just a southern thing and I am not used to that.
Before coming to Kentucky, I never actually realized guys dressed like this. I've seen these styles on television and in magazines, but never in person. The trend that caught me completely off guard was the wearing of colored pants and/or shorts. I like how guys actually try to accessorize their outfits compared to at home, where sweatpants or jeans and a hoodie is the basic style for guys. Watches are worn, but only basic watches, usually in silver. This article really shows how trends vary not only globally, but also within different regions of the US.
I found this article very interesting because as a girl, sometimes you don't always pay attention to how guys dress. Here at UK it seems like most of the time they dress just as well as the girls. Coming from the north, and it was shocking to see how well guys dressed here. Usually going to school guys look like they just rolled out of bed. Even at all the schools I visit my friends at, you are lucky if the guys have changed out of their pajamas. I think a lot of the accessories guys wear, girls wear as well. Sperry's seem to be an overall Kentucky staple in everyones wardrobe. I feel like I am not used to guys wearing a watch and putting themselves together so well, but i feel like the frat life pays a large role in that.
My dad went to Law School here in the early 70's. Looking back at photos of the period will show that dress/accessories of guys in this regard hasn't changed all that much. A lot of popular styles that our parents utilized are seemingly making a return. This classy look for guys has been around for a while, but recently becoming more rampant.
I just recently talked to one my friends about this. One thing he noticed when he came to UK that guys dressed up a little more than he was used to. In his home town, he was used to guys dressing like beach bums. Now he sees guys wearing polos, collared shirts, khakis, bow ties, even blazers. A lot of this does have to do with fraternities. I joined a fraternity last semester and I felt so out place sometimes. So I've started dressing a little more FAF from time to time. There's no denying that some of these styles are cool. So a lot guys that aren't even in fraternities are catching on also.
Being born and raised in this city, I am used to the way guys dress around here. As stated, most of the fraternity guys follow the same trends- Sperry's, Ray-bans, and some pop of color (pants, watch, etc.). I think its cool how guys are starting to pay more attention to how they look, but I do think the trends are becoming overdone. Most of the guys now are starting to look the same. I understand, however, that they are simply following southern male style. I wonder what they will start wearing next!
-Hannah Sanders
I'm from Chicago and I don't think I'd catch half of my guy friends caught dead in some of the things the boys on Kentucky's campus wear. I'm all for guys looking presentable but I don't want my guy to be more into fashion then I am. Some guys take their fratastic ways to a whole different level. However, I do like boat shoes on guys and I think that almost everyone who attends Kentucky owns a pair of boat shoes. I still can't decide if I'm a fan of guys apparel and fashion choices here in the South, there's no doubt they look good but I prefer a guy sporting his favorite sports team t-shirt with jeans or even basketball shorts!
Katie Buckley
I'm from the Midwest so it's clearly a different ball game down here in terms of guy's dress. I love the preppy look that guys are pulling off and yes, I agree it's probably in relation to the large number of frats on campus. I like that they included the accessory croakies because I see them EVERYWHERE on both guys and girls, but I think guys do a better job of pulling the look off. Sperry's are another very popular trend for men on campus and around Lexington. I think whoever wrote this article selected guys that really do represent men's dress on campus for their photos.
El Blum
Throughout my time here at UK I've seen this Southern trend become more popular with guys on campus. I think it is a good thing when guys care about how they look and actually put some thought into their appearance (without going to the extreme). Another trend I've seen in guys at UK is the "Southern Swoop" hair style. I think it is a gentlmenly look and completes the Southern style that most guys are going for.
-Abbie Wilkerson
Being from missouri, you would think i wouldn't be use to guys dressing up. but in my high-school, i remember a lot of my guys friends, dressing like they were already in frats. they had the polos and the nice frat pants on to school almost everyday. but when the guys started to wear suits to football games and class here at UK, i was in shock. i never saw a guy wear a suit to a football game and to class before at Missouri. i just thought that was interesting how much fashion affects women and men.
Where I grew up you had a mix of this preppy frat guy look with guys wearing Sperry's and nice clothing to school. But at the same time you had the mix of skater boys and guys who really didn't care what they looked like. When I came to Kentucky, I noticed that more of the preppy guy look stood out more. I feel like part of it just has to do with the fact that we are a southern school and that's just how things are, when students go to school. I talking to a lot of friends from back home that go to southern schools it is just the normal thing that students do is dress up for classes.
Where I'm from most guys dont dress up. They usually just wear athletic clothes and thats about it. Unless you go to Miami university, then in that case every guy is dressed up pretty fratastic, more so than here at uk. Im not in a frat here at uk so I'm not one of those guys to dress up all the time going to class. Half the time I'm just lucky to make it to class. I do have a white GSHOCK watch but only wear it when I go out. I would just feel weird dressing up for class. Plus since I live off campus I usually wear athletic clothes so I can go straight to the gym after my classes.
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