What does style mean to you?

Style is often thrown out into the world of fashion and trends. You hear phrases like, “You have great style,” or “I love the way you styled your outfit.” However, What does this mean? Is style simply a way of putting clothing together or could it be something much more. Merriam-Webster defines style as, “a distinctive manner of expression.” So all this talk about what is “in” and what is not, could actually be going against the intentions and purpose of the word itself.

Over this past semester, Cal State Long Beach students have embraced style by defining it for themselves. It is not what someone told them to wear but what they felt suited them best.

Rumi Neely's wardrobe for January 2011. Photo Credit: fashiontoast

Diana Alcivar, 20, a Journalism major had this to say on the topic, “I think style is the way that you go about doing something. It can be in the way you talk, write or in this case dress.”

“It’s something personal that only you can truly pull off because it’s specific to everyone’s own taste.”

This way of being in essence controls how you present yourself to you and everyone else around you, but it needs to be natural and embody your true identity. Christina Almaraz, 21, an English major reflected on this mentality, “You cant take someone else’s style and expect it to work on you…figure out what looks great on you, what flatters your figure and best represents your personality.” Style is the opportunity to express the uniqueness you possess, “its certainly the ability to outwardly show your inner confidence!” Almaraz said.

Furthermore when deciding what to wear or what to buy, pick things that represent who you are and not what society deems is suitable.

“At the end of the day you answer to yourself” –Justine David

Written by: Alexis Sparks

Recycled Fashion

Red Light Off: My final interviewee is a fellow classmate who I had yet to talk to, after our 12:30 sociology lecture I approached him and luckily he said yes. We found our way to a bench outside the PE building and began our quick chat…


Jeans from United Boardshop $40, Vans shoes, Triple A shirt, Vest from father, Kangol hat online, Glasses from Lenscrafters (had them tinted)

Red Light On: Preston Gruettner, a double major in Film and Philosophy, keeps it simple with his laid-back fashion-sense. The Music minor describes his style as being a mixture of many things. Noticeably by his tinted eyewear, it is no doubt that Gruettner, is influenced by Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas author, Hunter S. Thompson. “He doesn’t care about what he wears at all…he’s sophisticated and smart but yet he kinda sees that you don’t need to portray yourself like that,” he says. “Its all kind of arbitrary, like what makes a tie so special, why can’t you just wear a Hawaiian shirt and white converse.”

Hunter S. Thompson in 1977. Photo Credit: Corbis

Although you won’t catch Gruettner hitting the pavement with his skateboard anymore, due to a previous injury involving steel plates; He is still influenced by skater style and clothing. When looking for pieces, Gruettner goes the inexpensive route. He has shopped at various thrift stores including Buffalo Exchange (Off 2nd Street in Long Beach) and the Salvation Army. However, he obtains most of his wardrobe from friends, neighbors and his Dad. Embracing a way to recycle old looks into updated outfits.

His favorite item in his closet is his Kangol hat, which he purchased online (photographed above). He believes it’s the perfect combo with his retro prescription shades, “the only way I can make these glasses kind of work I guess would be if I had this hat,” he says jokingly. “So maybe if I get new glasses I can lose the hat.”

Ultimately style comes down to dressing for yourself, “do whatever you want, and don’t listen to anybody.” Gruettner suggests that if you like something you should go ahead and buy it no matter what people say, “I don’t think you should worry about anything else, but if you like it why not.”


Photos/Written by: Alexis Sparks