What are the Most Unpopular Fashion Trends on Campus?

Your clothes can determine how you feel, and how others perceive you. Wearing clothes associated with a specific meaning — like a suit, lab coats, scrubs or sweats — affects the perspective of both the wearer and the people they interact with, according to a 2012 article in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology.

While some might subconsciously judge others based on their outfit, it’s a very conscious process for me. If I see you on campus, you can trust that I’m judging your outfit, even if mine is a complete flop. I’m not the only one who consciously judges — I polled 20 students who all had a take on the worst clothing trends on campus.

While there’s no student consensus on the best overall trend, I can authoritatively say that students’ least favorite trend on campus are those baggy or four-point felt beanies. Marketing major Mackenzie Dial described them best: “The worst are hats that don’t go over the ears. The beanies that sit on top of your head. What’s the point? Why wear a beanie?”

I polled in every area in the Strand Union Building, and I kept getting the same answer. “I don’t like the beanies that all the guys are wearing,” electrical engineering major Boden Buffington said. “Not a fan of the boxy hats,” microbiology student Mackenzie Cysewski concurred. “Everyone’s wearing those, and I’m not a fan.”

The beanies had one ardent supporter, though: “All them wacky hats I see everywhere — I appreciate the hats,” said computer engineering student Aiden Christy.

Some students said another beanie trend was the worst, though. At around $60 for a blend of recycled wool and polyester, it’s the most popular hat on campus this semester — the Arcteryx beanie.

“It’s getting a little old,” finance student Conrad Hens said.

Respect to you if you got it secondhand, but $60 is a steep price for a beanie that I’d argue everyone and their mother already wears.

Students also had more least-favorite trends from head to toe.

“The worst trend: those really thick foam slides,” Lizzie Lehenbauer, a health advancement student, said.

“Hey Dudes are so weak,” said business management student BJ Kolly.

“I don’t love platform Uggs,” biomedical engineering student Anna Ostermiller said.

Some students had opinions on pants, too.

“Jorts are not in,” finance student Calum Rutherfurd said.

“Worst is them massive pants — far too big pants. I understand baggy pants, but when you need two belts to keep them on it’s a bit much,” Christy said.

I have to be honest. I love it when snowboarders wear baggy jeans with baggy felt beanies. I think it makes them look like cool cartoon characters. Who am I to argue with the masses, though?

Students don’t just hate on everything — many of the students I interviewed also had a favorite trend they currently notice. “I like crochet tops,” kinesiology student Meghan Satterwhite said. “The best one is Cinch [brand] vests,” Megan Garcia, an animal science student, said.

One student pointed out a great book bag alternative.

“The best are Longchamp bags,” said Dial. “I think they’re so cute. I want one so bad.”

And as for hit combos of the semester: “I like flared jeans with boots. I think they look good,” equine animal science student Brooklyn Rogers said. “I love a matching sweat set,” Lehenbauer said. “Who doesn’t love a matching sweat set?”

Overall, it seems students dislike overplayed trends and brands, and appreciate classic outfits and trends that are just catching on. Of course, you should wear whatever you feel best in. But the masses have spoken — so, if anything, it’s time to ditch the beanies.