Kamelia Kaveh
Staff Writer
While most schools are switching out their shorts to jeans and T-shirts to sweaters, UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) continues to find a way to incorporate beach attire into what is our definition of “fall.” Known for its lovely beaches, warm weather, and carefree lifestyle, UCSB student outfits naturally reflect that. Whether dressed in linen pants, flowy shirts, or boots, the endless summer wardrobe never truly disappears, instead, it simply transforms to fit the beach day foggy glooms. And really, can anyone be mad at UCSB students for dressing like it’s still 75 degrees by the ocean?
UCSB students’ wardrobes not only express their sense of individuality through what each person chooses to wear — each varying from one another significantly — but also reflect the commonality of their carefree and creative environment through their pieces. The coastal atmosphere of Isla Vista and the UCSB campus encourages students to dress not only for the weather, but also for comfort, confidence, and style. This approach to fashion mirrors who the students are as a community: balanced, expressive, and always connected to the beach lifestyle that surrounds them despite any unexpected circumstances. Each outfit is a reflection of how the student interprets life here. Yet, this does not mean that individuality is lost, in fact, it’s amplified.
One of the most noticeable trends this season is the campus favorite: boots. Whether for practical use or for stylistic purposes, it’s hard to miss the endless pairs that walk through campus. Leather or faux, brown, black, yellow, or even red boots have become a fall staple at UCSB. Students are seen pairing their fall favorites with pieces they wore in the summer, such as long, flowy skirts, bootcut jeans, and/or capris. Boots have become a staple in UCSB’s fall transition, embodying a mix of the laid-back with the fashionable that defines the Gaucho spirit.
Layering is another key feature of UCSB fall fashion. Whether through their choices of colorful cardigans, oversized jackets, or patterned vests, students find many ways to adapt their summer outfits for the slightly cooler weather. A pair of shorts might be paired with a sweater, or a maxi skirt with a cardigan and the infamous boot combination — another depiction of how the endless-summer wardrobe never disappears here at UCSB, it simply evolves with the season.
Beyond style, many students have also started to consider the impact of what they wear. Sustainable fashion has quietly become a part of UCSB’s identity. Besides reusing summer pieces in different ways to work with the fall weather, students have found other sustainable methods to support their fashion choices. For instance, there is an increase in thrifting. Whether attending thrift stores, clothing swaps, or vintage pop-ups, secondhand shopping has grown popular among students trying to find unique pieces that align not only with their values but with their style too. In fact, according to interviews conducted by The Bottom Line, the majority of students who were asked, “Where did you get your outfit from?” responded that at least two pieces of their outfits were thrifted or received secondhand in some other way. Instead of chasing fast fashion trends, UCSB students often restyle their clothes, proving that their love for fashion goes beyond their physical appearance, reflecting their inner values regarding environmental consciousness.
As fall continues to set in over Santa Barbara, the campus wardrobe remains as distinct as the campus itself: stylish, environmentally aware, and forever touched by the summer spirit. After all, who are we without our beautiful beaches?