International Inspirations
Walking down Market Street, sitting in a tutorial, grabbing a coffee from Taste, try to keep track of how many different accents or languages you can hear – but don’t be surprised when you lose count.
With 45% of students coming from outside the United Kingdom and a student population representing over 145 nationalities, it’s no secret that St Andrews is an extremely international community. However, the diverse backgrounds of the St Andrews population are not solely represented by the varied manners of speaking – St Andrews students boast an eclectic mix of clothing styles, contributing to the collective international style that defines the town and university stylistically.
Undoubtedly, fashion plays a key role in the university’s culture and values. The unique tradition of fashion shows and various fashion-focused societies at the University of St Andrews is representative of a fashion-focused (and fashion-forward) community, with fashion being one of the principal ways students express their creativity. As such, clothes are vital to students’ self expression, whether it be to showcase identity, background, opinions, or just simply personal taste. This expression often includes influences from a student’s home country, while simultaneously being shaped by the university’s environment.
Often, whether consciously or not, students end up mixing their styles from home with British influences, forming a distinct St Andrews style representative of the eclectic body that makes up the student population. Certain pieces like Barbour coats, Longchamp totes, and Hunter boots that are staples in British countryside fashion find themselves in the closets and daily repertoires of many Saints, regardless of nationality.
Undoubtedly, fashion plays a key role in the university’s culture and values. The unique tradition of fashion shows and various fashion-focused societies at the University of St Andrews is representative of a fashion-focused (and fashion-forward) community, with fashion being one of the principal ways students express their creativity. As such, clothes are vital to students’ self expression, whether it be to showcase identity, background, opinions, or just simply personal taste. This expression often includes influences from a student’s home country, while simultaneously being shaped by the university’s environment.
Often, whether consciously or not, students end up mixing their styles from home with British influences, forming a distinct St Andrews style representative of the eclectic body that makes up the student population. Certain pieces like Barbour coats, Longchamp totes, and Hunter boots that are staples in British countryside fashion find themselves in the closets and daily repertoires of many Saints, regardless of nationality.
Certain events in particular bring out these international influences. Barn Bash, for example, sees students repping traditional Western Wear, inspired by American ‘cowboy culture’ – with elements such as blue denim, cowboy boots, and cowboy hats.
Some students even express these influences in day-to-day wear. Denim is a popular choice for students’ casual attire, and a pair of cowboy boots can be seen on the streets of St A from time to time peeking out underneath a pair of bootcut jeans.
People’s roots can very easily inform their everyday attire. Sometimes, the dress is less of a cultural expression, and more so due to social norms/current trends in countries of origin.
Oftentimes, seeing someone sporting athleisure outside of an athletic context can be an indicator of an American student – Lululemon leggings, Hokas, sweatpants and many other casual, athletic styles are typical and appropriate in a number of contexts in the states compared to the UK or other countries across Europe.
At the same time, international styles have more recently been known to spread through social media platforms, such as TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest. For instance, styles in Scandinavian countries (often coined ‘Scandi Style’ or sometimes ‘Stockholm Style’) have been popularized, chiefly by platforms like TikTok and Pinterest, and spread globally. The chic, playful outfits and iconic “scandi” blowout draw those looking to switch up or polish their personal style and/or appearance.
The popularization of these styles goes hand-in-hand with an increase in popularity in brands these styles champion. French labels Zadig and Voltaire and Isabel Marant popular in this defined Scandinavian style make their way further into the mainstream in other places.
Looking at our own environment, you’ll be able to spot a number of the trademark angel wing logos seen on Zadig and Voltaire products, namely bags and wallets.
On top of social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest, the internationality of St Andrews means students can very easily pick up on trends from other places, just from other international students dressing a certain way.
In the same vein, these international influences allow certain brands that would typically not be found in British fashion to make their way to St Andrews. Aritzia, for example, is a Canadian brand immensely popular in North America; however, it does not celebrate the same ubiquity overseas. Regardless, strolling through St Andrews on a chilly day, it’s not unusual to see the signature marshmallow-puff and logo-embellished hood of the iconic ‘Super Puff,’ or a Babaton Contour bodysuit on a night out.
Overall, this myriad of influences – domestic and global – converge in St Andrews to form a style distinct to our small Fife coastal town. The style in St Andrews reflects the eclectic student body that makes up the university population, which is representative of an array of global perspectives that define St Andrews. Where else will you find Barbour coats and Aritiza SuperPuffs, saris and kilts, or cowboy boots and wellies in the same place?
Photography by Charlotte El Hage