by Michelle Co and Chazel Pastrana
Gone are the high school days of wearing school uniforms for students of the University of the Philippines (UP), as they have the freedom to wear whatever they want inside the campus.
Unlike other universities that require uniforms or have strict dress codes for their students, Iskos and Iskas are not limited by rules in expressing themselves through clothing.
From ‘basic’ pieces to chic attires, comfy and cozy outfits to form-fitting OOTDs, hear what these four Iskas have to say as they navigate us through their personal styles.
Krisha Dugayo
How would you describe your personal style?
Chic with a touch of vintage. I like old pieces from my mom's closet and I'd match it with basic ones!
Do you have the same style outside UP?
Yes! Although I do tone it down depending on the weather. If it’s really hot, I dress down to dresses and sandals instead of my usual white sneakers.
What do you consider and prioritize when choosing clothes to buy and wear?
I ultimately go for something basic regardless of the price 'cause I get the most of my money since I can wear it with a lot of different pieces. Ultimately, comfort is also one of my top priorities when it comes to buying clothes. If, for example, I am on my period, I wouldn't want to wear something that I can't breathe in. If it’s pouring out, I love to be in comfy mom jeans versus wearing a skirt.
Where do you usually get or buy your clothes from?
I don't really like buying from top stores like Forever 21, H&M, etc. I have clothing items from these but they were either gifts or my sister's. I enjoy thrifting and buying from bazaars. It's challenging to find unique pieces but hey, at the end of the day you'll be the only one with it!
Who is your fashion inspiration?
Ashley from BestDressed on YouTube and Zendaya. They mix vintage pieces with a modern touch!
Eljie Omandam
How would you describe your personal style?
I always hear compliments. For me, when I dress up, I don’t really give it much thought. I want it to look effortless, but still very me. When you see it, I want people to think “Oh! That’s very Eljie.”
Do you have the same style outside UP?
It’s pretty much the same. Sometimes I ask myself if I’m overdressing, but I just end up wearing whatever I want in the end. There are times that I feel less safe when I’m outside the campus. I would feel the need to wear a jacket, bring some form of protection, all that stuff. I love wearing shorts, especially now that it’s very hot, but I would think twice before wearing one outside the campus. I do think that that’s just an illusion, the whole safer inside the campus thing, since a lot of people go in and out, but I still feel safer wearing whatever I want to wear inside. The atmosphere is very different back in the province, though. People are relatively conservative back there, so I would feel like I really am overdressed. Plus, people back in my province would have this certain look when they see what I’m wearing.
What do you consider and prioritize when choosing clothes to buy and wear?
I really look at the style of the clothes. When you try it out, you really get that feeling that you know it works for you. I’m also naturally drawn to form-fitting clothes. For the price, I only ever spend a hefty amount if I’m buying clothes for class reports, but I save up my allowance before buying those kinds of clothes. Sometimes when my mom and I go to bazaars and I see an item that I really like, I would go ahead and buy it since its cheap anyways. Comfort, of course, is also very important to me. I mean, why would you wear something if you’re not comfortable in it?
Where do you usually get or buy your clothes from?
Zara. I love Zara. It’s the best. I kind of had this style development from high school up to now; from Penshoppe, to Forever 21, to H&M, and now Zara. I can somehow visualize the evolution of my style. I used to wear girly clothes, now I prefer formal wear and tight-fitting dresses.
Who is your fashion inspiration?
There’s really no one. I treat my style as an avenue for me to show my creativity, to show who I am. It’s like this, you can copy the exact clothes or style of another person, but it won’t have the same effect since you two are different people, you have different personalities. That person’s style works for them because it’s who they are, but it’s not who you are. So, with my style, this is just me showing my personality.
Robyn Cortez
How would you describe your personal style?
I would describe it as kind of classy, kind of elegant. I like wearing dresses and I’m not much into casual or overly something like overly goth or whatever. I really like to keep it classy, like have a simple top and maybe like skinny jeans or a skirt to match it.
Do you have the same style outside UP?
I like to keep it the same. I don’t really have different personalities inside and outside the school. When I mix and match, it’s the same mentality, it’s the same way I want to present myself whether I’m in or out of UP.
Why is that your preferred way of dressing?
[It’s] partly because of the weather. I don’t like feeling too hot so I like wearing stuff that’s airy so like dresses, skirts, shorts, stuff like that and also because I really like Audrey Hepburn, that’s really where my style took shape. Before her, I didn’t really have a sense of style, I just wore the first thing in my closet. But after watching her movies, I would see her wearing dresses and form-fitting stuff that just looked really nice, and then when I tried them on for myself the style fit me, so eventually I just adopted it. It morphed to become my permanent personal choice of style.
Do you dress for comfort or style?
I like looking nice, so I honestly prioritize style but that doesn’t mean I don’t take into account comfort. Of course, I still want to make sure that I don’t feel too hot or I’m not too bare, but you know, when all is said and done, I really like dressing nice and I like to present myself nicely in front of people. So I don’t mind if I’m a little uncomfortable. I don’t mind if it’s itchy or if it feels weird, if I look nice then I look nice, I’ll wear that.
Where do you usually buy your clothes?
It varies because sometimes if I chance upon something at an ukay ukay, I’ll get it but I really like getting my clothes from brands like H&M. I guess it’s my personal preference that I’m kind of brand conscious. But that doesn’t mean I ignore everything else. If I find something nice, then I’ll get it.
Who is your fashion inspiration?
It’s really Audrey Hepburn because she just looks so elegant and classy and when I was in high school, I wanted to carry that same poise, that same elegance she has. Of course I’m not at her level but I like to think I’m trying with the clothes that I wear.
Christina Quiambao
How would you describe your personal style?
Personal style is more on comfortability than what’s trendy. I always go for rubber shoes and sometimes jeans if it’s not hot. If it’s hot, I wear dresses, but the ones that are not too short.
Do you have the same style outside UP?
What I wear inside and outside of UP is the same. I guess in UP, I’m more comfortable in shorts than going to the mall, where I don’t usually wear shorts.
Why is that your preferred way of dressing?
I think I’ve been influenced by the style in UP in a sense because this isn’t how I usually dress. Normally, I just wear a white shirt and pants. But when I got into BA Journalism, legwork is really important so I always think if I have free time to do legwork, I have to look presentable.
Do you dress for comfort or style?
Comfort.
Where do you usually buy your clothes?
They’re hand-me-downs from my sister usually or if not, from Divisoria. I don’t really wear high-end brands, mostly gifts or hand-me-downs.
Who is your fashion inspiration?
I don’t really look up to anyone in particular in terms of fashion, but sometimes I look at celebrities and how they wear clothes on casual days. I guess if ever there’s someone whose fashion I’m inspired by, it’s Ash Ortega’s. Her style is very unique and I like it.
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