Deborah Yap | dycube@gmail.com
theridge
A NUSSU Publication
For this month’s article, the ridge chances upon two undergraduates both of multi-cultural descent! Let’s see how they carry off studying in style in Singapore!
Name: Natasha Mano Year 3 FASS
Natasha’s bright and cheerful style stood out in the sea of students in a lecture theatre, complimenting her sweet demeanour. Lucky for us, she wasn’t in a rush out of the lecture, which gave us ample time to photograph her for this issue’s fashion regular.
Natasha is of Indian-Chinese descent, and majors in History in her faculty. We love the way she dresses because it truly reflects her personality! Although some might argue that floral prints are a trend of the previous year, the best part about personal style is recreating old trends and looking current.
Natasha clearly understands the rules of fashion as she pairs a floral top with a comfortable jersey skirt. Her boldly coloured top certainly adds that extra punch and pizzazz to her outfit!
Also, if you look carefully, there are extra details that Natasha has added into her image for the day – braids in her hair! Braids are a great way to jazz up your entire look without over-accessorizing with glaring headpieces or gaudy hairclips – which unfortunately can really scream “I’m trying too hard”.
The item of contention has to be the transparent nature of the Nine West tote bag that Natasha is carrying. One look and we’re able to see the intimate items that she carries – dangerous or fashion forward? You decide! Lucky for a fashionista like Natasha, she knows how to make herself look organized and colourful when baring a slice of her life – I spy a bright green water bottle, a notebook with vintage print, a colour blocked wallet and moisturizer!
Natasha’s usual shopping haunts include Topshop and Forever 21, but generally she shops wherever her feet take her. She chirps, “Dressing up always makes me happy! So if you have a bad day, have fun putting on clothes and don’t care about what the world thinks!”
Name: Toshiyuki Mori Year 3 FASS
Toshi is of Japanese-Chinese descent, which certainly is evident not only in his looks, his ability to speak the Japanese language, but also in his preppy style. He assures us that he is not quite the fashionable type, and we happen to be lucky to catch him on the way to a formal event. No worries, the ridge appreciates everyone’s personal style, on good days or bad!
Now let’s look at his preppy style for the day: some might argue that a cardigan over a fitted shirt is too impractical in a climate like ours, especially when one is rushing from class to class. That might be true, but at the same time, the freezing temperature of some lecture theatres might just render a cardigan useful – and who said cardigans were only for girls anyway? Also, his choice of plaid instead of a simple colour definitely was a wise one.
One might question Toshi’s choice of plaids on plaids in the case of his Muji cardigan sweater and the backpack he is sporting – too much? Firstly, the ridge supports the choice of a backpack – it takes the load off carrying that laptop around plus it retains that element of conventional school style. In the debate of plaids on plaids, we say, we like it! In this case the red and blue seem to work together seamlessly to compliment each other in the outfit. Toshi-san, ichiban!
Toshi proclaims his love for Threadless t-shirts (an online store) that are at its best value when the online sales come around. Be careful though, he warns, there have been times where he’s come to school and seen another person wearing the same shirt! Yikes, that must’ve been awkward!
This month’s fashion faux pax
I’m keeping it simple for this month, and simple truths usually speak the loudest. Ladies, go easy on all that eyeliner and mascara.
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