Fashion at Sciences Po: Does what we wear define us?

Image: Cartoon by – Brian, shoeboxblog.com

By Diana Glebova

Dress for the job you want is a motto, which indicates that the clothes we wear contribute to the self that we exude. This being said, do the style choices of fellow Science Pistes help define the atmosphere on campus, and are there further implications behind the clothes we wear? In the process of interviewing several students on campus, it was made clear that there are several elements that define the Science Piste “look”- from black turtlenecks to brown leather satchels.

Looking good can take time: “up to thirty minutes in the mirror every morning” according to one first year male. Spending over three hours per week dedicated to getting ready in the morning is an indicator that the way we look is a concrete representation of the way we want to be perceived.

“There is a definite pressure to dress well, like everything else we do,” states a another 1A student. “We have so little time between our social lives and classes, that looking good is a sort of accomplishment – like we actually have time despite our impossible schedules.”

This seems to be the common consensus, especially for those coming from a North American background. Several students cited their surprise in being in a completely different atmosphere than attending “the traditional American university campus.” One second year student exclaimed that “Most people seem ready for Paris fashion week even during exams, which is a bit surprising for someone coming from a more laid-back American fashion attitude”. Another 2A describes her style as “choosing to wear pajamas, instead of stilettos to write an exam.”

Indeed, if you ever attend a lecture in the majority of American universities, you will find a rather relaxed style of sweatshirts and pajamas, as comfort is the number one key in surviving lectures and final exam week. Although some students on campus also prioritize comfort by wearing Science Po sweatshirts, and representing their associations on their clothes, a certain look characterizes the stereotypical Science Piste.

The brown leather satchel or a black tote bag over one shoulder is the Science Po replacement of the American backpack. One 1A student states that despite a backpack maybe providing more functionality, she chooses to wear a purse “for the element of fashion.”

Clothing wise, Science Po students are definitely influenced by European fashion. Scarves are extremely prominent on both males and females, which for an American, is a bold style choice by males. The black turtleneck is also a classic on campus, tying in with the business casual Parisian look. Finally, a cigarette and a glass of champagne is a pronounced part of Science Po style, or perhaps rather of the French culture as a whole.

How we define fashion is innately a personal decision, and is influenced by one’s individual background. However, the way we dress, be that in stilettos or pajamas, defines our personalities and priorities on an external level, thereby making fashion an extremely intricate part of our society. The fashion at Sciences Po is no exception. Whether you choose to swim with the tide or choose your own fashion flow, the variety on campus proves to be an interesting mix.

Diana Glebova is a first year student at Sciences Po Campus of Reims. Born in Donetsk, Ukraine; growing up in the land of 10,000 lakes and six month winters: Minneapolis, Minnesota. Has a passion for long runs, poetry, and pot luck dinners. The Grapevine runs once a month.