Is the latest trend your friend?

It seems like trends never last for more than 5 minutes in the ever-evolving world of fashion, but some stick 

longer than others. And it all depends on one thing: public reception. I’m a girl so clearly I focus on the latest female fashions, and what girls think of them. But what about the guys? Have we ever wondered what they were thinking about our most recent ensemble choices? Not that we care, but it’s something to ponder :P

You could call this a kind of social experiment. I interviewed a few guys and girls (all in college or entering college) and asked them which female fashion trends they loved right now, and which ones they’d like to see go to the fashion trend graveyard. It was hard trying to explain to the boys what I meant by a “trend”, but I got there eventually and then compared results.

So what trends didn’t they like?

Mike Samlall, a sophomore finance major from Ramapo College, who first thought by trends I meant clothing stores, eventually said, “Well, I don’t hate it, but I’m not very fond of brightly color jeans in like green or yellow or purple. And I never like when girls bought clothes and then “slashed” them.”

I just got a pair of pink Victoria’s Secret siren denim leggings, so I thought a little differently. But I’m not a huge fan of the traffic cone colors either. And slashing clothing is only permissible if the clothing is falling apart anyway. Buy it ripped, or leave it.

Anthony Vigna, another sophomore from Ramapo College, and a video game blogger, said, “I hate Uggs. I was never a fan of them or the people that wear them.” And he’s not alone. When Seventeen magazine asked Robert Pattinson a year ago, “What is a girl fashion trend that confuses you?” He too responded, “Ugg boots!”

They were huge when I got into high school, not going to lie. But when I wear them now, it’s during the winter, to keep my feet warm. And that’s it. Even I can agree that Ugg boots with shorts and tank make no sense.

Bryan Charalambous, a soon to be freshman at Steven’s Institute of Technology, said, “I hate those stupid one piece short things. What are they called again? Rompers?”

Yes, they are. I’ve got to disagree on this one. I’m a huge romper fan. I admit they aren’t an incredibly flattering clothing item, but they are just so easy and cute to throw on in summer.

Now as far as the girls go, they were outlawing some popular summer trends too.

“I hate maxi dresses,” said Jackie Campis, a sophomore at Vanderbilt University. “No one wants to see a walking feminine napkin.”

I always wanted to be able to pull off this look, but it just never worked on me. And while I don’t know if they look like feminine napkins, I will admit that they only work on certain body types.

May Chen, a sophomore at Boston College, said, “A trend I cannot stand would be crazy neon pattern nails or bright neon/highlighter tops.” Her and Mike Samlall both aren’t fans of the color pop, and together they veto it on both halves of the body.

I really am not sure where I am on this one. It’s like sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. Neons can really go either way.

Back to the guys! They weren’t critical of all the popular trends. Shocking, I know!

Samlall admitted, “I do like when girls do the classy yet casual look, with nice jeans, a complimentary top, and a nice blazer over it. Or some kind of formal-casual hybrid outfit.”

I’m with him. The blazer with shorts and a graphic tee look is definitely one of my favorites.

Bryan Charalambous said that sundresses and tank tops “are chill.” “White shorts I like,” he added.

I wear sundresses all the time, for any occasion so I’m in total agreement. White shorts I too like, but in summer I’m going to the park, sitting on benches, and messing around with friends. I tend to avoid them just because they get dirty so easily.

The girls were a little more daring with their choices for favorite trends.

“I love scarves and how they look with shorts and such,” said Campis. And she’s right, scarves are no longer exclusively winter apparel. I love long cotton scarves with fringe that I can throw over a tank.

May Chen said, “My favorite trend would have to be high/low skirts and dresses.” I love it too. Asymmetry is very in right now, and the one place I’m seeing a lot of them: Prom. But they’re perfect for every place else too.

Jon Mangel, another Ramapo sophomore, didn’t even give me his favorite trend. “I just know what I like when I see it,” he said. And sometimes it’s as simple as that.

 I’ll pass a girl on the street in a super edgy outfit and I can’t put my finger on what it is, but I know it’s special and completely her, which is most important. While guy/girl opinions overlap in some areas of fashion, they are completely opposite in others. Bottom line is that you’re not dressing to impress anyone but yourself. The person you see in the mirror comes first <3.