As students return to Trinity’s campus this September, with the last weeks of summer still warming the lawns and peeking through the trees, and friends gather outside to soak up the sun, a new cohort joins the community: the Freshers. For this group of individuals, an intimidating and nerve-wracking first week lies ahead. After all, you only get one chance to make a first impression, and before you have even said hello, your posture, clothes and fashion choices can begin to speak for you.
I believe there are certain stages every Junior Fresh student experiences when finding their own style. Even choosing not to put much thought into what you wear is, in itself, a choice. You may encounter some, all, or none of these stages, but developing your own fashion identity can play an important role in finding your people and your place within Trinity. The first-day outfit is rarely representative of what you will wear by the end of first year or of who you will become. However, in that first week, when nobody knows you yet, you have to let your clothes do the introducing.
Stage One: “I Have My Life Together”
I fear we all strive, or have strived, for this kind of look, externally or internally. But who in first year really has it all together? To any first years reading this: even if you think someone else has everything figured out, they are probably just as clueless as you are. In fact, perhaps the real Stage Ones are the Senior Sophisters. They know the ins and outs of this campus, have made friends across multiple years and know all the best spots in town for a quick study-break snack, although this comfort will soon halt after they’re left to enter the real world….
During Freshers’ Week, this look is defined by new clothes, carefully put-together outfits, matching accessories, spotless trainers and structured, pristine bags. Students can arrive on campus with a pre-decided uniform, carefully chosen to project who they want to be. What they do not yet realise is how much they will change, both internally and externally, by the end of the year. At this stage, fashion is not always about what they genuinely like; it is about projecting an identity before they have had the chance to find one.
Stage Two: Society and Group Influence
Once first years start making friends, their style begins to shift. If you have not already noticed, friendship groups have a strange habit of dressing alike (I cannot count the number of times I have accidentally matched my own friends). As groups form and friendships develop, shared interests and passions inevitably begin to influence what we wear. Sports societies may lean towards athletic and casual pieces, while Fashion Society students might experiment with more unconventional silhouettes. The Arts Block, known for its creative energy, is no exception; its students often bring that same creativity into their wardrobes, from eccentric vintage finds to more experimental styling.
Freshers arrive on campus as individuals, but gradually, the people around them become part of how they dress. It is not necessarily about consciously copying your friends; sometimes, the same places, interests and routines simply lead to similar choices.
Stage Three: “I Know My Way Around”
This is where the carefully planned fresher wardrobe starts to disappear. Suddenly, comfort matters. Your favourite pair of jeans are worn three times a week, hoodies become essential, and going-out clothes become an entirely separate category. The Dublin weather starts dictating your outfit choices, and soon you will have mastered the infamous Trinity uniform: an oversized jacket, basic top, jeans, trainers and a tote bag.
But perhaps this is not a fashion failure. It is when students begin to realise that looking good and being comfortable do not have to be mutually exclusive.
Stage Four: The Reinvention
By second semester, students have usually started to figure out what actually works for them, what they like, what is comfortable, what feels stylish and, perhaps most importantly, what feels like them. After months of being surrounded by new people and new influences, there is a sense of freedom to experiment again. Maybe that means discovering vintage shops around Trinity, trying different silhouettes or colours, developing a signature look, becoming more comfortable repeating outfits or mixing old pieces with new ones.
Personally, this is my favourite stage to see around campus. It is so inspiring to see students move beyond simply following the current trend and begin making more individual choices. University gives students the freedom to experiment with identity through clothing, away from the people and expectations they grew up around. By the end of first year, the wardrobe may look different, but more importantly, it can feel more like its owner.
