Your weekly dose of campus fashion
It is often said that the eyes are a window to the soul, but sometimes it seems as if the eyeliner surrounding a pair of eyes can tell just as much about a person. Fashion can be an expression of personality, culture and comfort and carries different connotations for each individual wearer.
To Jacquelene Obeid, a second-year political science and Chicana/Chicano studies double major, style is a balancing act between effort and effortless. Her personal style falls somewhere between pop and grunge, and her wardrobe oftentimes includes culturally and politically significant pieces.
ASW: Can you tell us about your outfit today?
Obeid: So the kimono I got on AliExpress. It was cute and super cheap — two of my favorite things. The Free Iran shirt is from American Apparel. I’m a pretty political person so instead of talking all the time, I’d rather wear [my statements]. I’m also wearing Vans that don’t match [my outfit] because that takes too much time.
ASW: Do you choose style over comfort?
Obeid: Nine out of ten times I put style over comfort, but if I’m just hanging out, I want to be comfy. I don’t need to look this good to study.
ASW: Are you a fan of makeup, and if so, what are some of your favorite products?
Obeid: I really like Sephora’s liquid eyeliner. The only downside is it runs out pretty quickly as I wing my eyeliner every day of my life. Also, doing my brows is essential since society has made it a thing now. And you can’t forget foundation for those sleepless nights.
ASW: Who are some of your fashion inspirations?
Obeid: Definitely Rihanna. She’s a tomboy one day and a girly-girl the next. I try to incorporate that into my fashion choices.
ASW: What’s your go-to outfit when you’re not sure what to wear?
Obeid: A T-shirt, shorts and Docs. I’m also usually wearing a Keffiyeh — a Palestinian scarf that represents resistance.
ASW: What do you think your style says about you?
Obeid: I want it to show that I don’t really care, when I actually do. To show that I don’t put in a lot of effort [in my outfits] when really I do.
ASW: What era of fashion attracts you the most and do you try to incorporate into your outfits?
Obeid: Definitely the late ’90s to early ’00s. I really liked the grunge look, but also the Britney Spears, jean-on-jean, too many accessories look. Whatever lies in the middle of grunge and pop, I would say I incorporate that in my outfits.
ASW: Would you say that you reflect your culture and region in your daily fashion choices?
Obeid: At Davis, people have said that I look like I’m from LA. Whether they meant that in a good or bad way, I assume they got that based on my choice of dress. I also incorporate my father’s culture by throwing on the Palestinian traditional scarf on almost every outfit. I feel like it adds so much to each outfit. Occasionally I have henna/mehndi tattoos on my hands which originate from India and Pakistan.
