College style is brought to life in an array of ways, from making bold personal statements to simply finding comfort during a rough day of classes. On Butler’s campus, students show off who they are through distinctive blends of color, accessories and fits. Read on to hear from the next of our Dawgs with Style through this Q&A-style interview.
Diego Gomez, a sophomore entrepreneurship and innovation major, makes every outfit a reflection of what sparks meaning to him. Whether classy or baggy, simple or glowing with accessories, Gomez allows the flow of every day to make room for experimentation.
The Butler Collegian spoke with Gomez about inspiration, change and what makes fashion meaningful.
THE BUTLER COLLEGIAN: How would you describe your personal style?
DIEGO GOMEZ: My personal style goes with how I’m feeling that day. If I’m feeling really enthusiastic, I tend to put a little more effort and thought into curating some pieces or seeing what colors go together. Some days it varies. [The other day], I went to my 8 a.m. class in boxers and a snake print hoodie.
My style has grown with me and, especially in college, has gotten more mature. As a [first-year], I would just think, ‘Whatever.’ Now, it’s really important to me, the way I present myself to others. Not that people won’t take you seriously [based on] the way you’re dressed, but I think it still is a factor. Especially as a business major, a lot of people [rely on] first impressions or questions like, ‘What do they look like?’ You never know when you’ll meet someone important, or if you come across an opportunity. Dress for the occasion.
We’re all free to wear whatever we want to. That’s what I love. [My style] is very tailored to me.
TBC: Where or who do you get your style inspiration from?
DG: It’s my roommate that has pushed me to be more experimental. We kind of push each other. I came into college [hoping for] a rebrand. Rebranding my style and the way I presented myself was not losing my identity, but bringing out those sides of me that no one had ever seen before because I was shy or I didn’t really care to show it. I’ve been able to showcase some more of my performative side, which honestly people admire and look up to. I look through my roommate’s closet and see what there is to [wear], and vice versa.
Social media, as much as I don’t like what it takes [from people], has something to do with my style. It is an important factor as well. I don’t like fast fashion, but seeing what colors are in trend or what palettes go together [are helpful]. I use those ideas and Pinterest mainly. With Pinterest and social media, it can be very difficult because it’s not always your body style, your body shape, the way you look. You can get upset. That’s happened to me. I pick out all these clothes at the mall for example, and then when I try it on I don’t feel comfortable.
For me, that’s another important thing: feeling comfortable. I don’t like tight fitting clothes that don’t represent who I am, so making sure it all goes together and showcases [me] without trying to hide.
TBC: You mentioned before our interview finding inspiration working at Gallahue Hall’s greenhouse. Talk more about some of those unconventional inspirations.
DG: My grandpa from Guatemala has a coffee farm. Growing up around that and always seeing the process of coffee has definitely led to a lot of the colors that I like, especially in my clothing. Seeing the coffee grounds go from a reddish berry to a dark roast color is one of the color palettes that I’ve been tapping into. Red has been a color that is experimental for me. I haven’t really tapped into it, but I like it. I have a red hat that I try to use year round. My grandpa uses a natural method, which uses a water wheel, and [that inspires me] as well. Then, the lush forest. One of my favorite colors to use is green. I have a lot of green basics like green tees, green shorts. It’s kind of hard to style, but at the same time, it’s a good statement piece if you use it right.
[Same with] the greenhouse. I see all the plants, all the lush greenery, and then there’s this specific fertilizer we use [there]. It’s a bright cyan blue that I’ve really been liking. It’s unconventional, but I think incorporating colors is important.
I grew up obviously in a different country with different traditions. Traditional dress in Guatemala is different. They weave their outfits by hand. It’s very beautiful, and they use bright colors, a lot of greens, a lot of purples and pinks. It’s very traditional clothing. I’m not saying that I purposely include those colors into my palette, but definitely as I reflect on what I wear, sometimes I’m like, ‘Oh my god, that matches with this.’ Obviously, I haven’t really incorporated my full traditions and my whole culture into what I wear. I don’t really have a lot of patterns, but what I do have is a hat or a keychain or stuff like that. But [I do wear] more accessories to kind of tie into the effect. Merging two cultures together, I would say.
TBC: Do you have any advice for people struggling to find their own sense of style?
DG: Take a second and look into your life. What are important things to you?
I think as a society we look specifically to what celebrities are wearing. I take most inspiration from people watching — I do a lot of people watching. I see a lot of guys wearing henleys, a lot of jean jackets, a lot of leather jackets, some of what I’m wearing today. Seeing inspiration from other people and then seeing where you can take it from there is 100% okay. Realize your style is meant for you. If you want to be comfortable in sweats, be comfortable in sweats. I’ve partaken in that. I have a lot of sweat sets that I love.
I don’t think there’s always going to be a clear answer of [how to look]. Obviously, there’s social media nowadays and, as I mentioned, Pinterest. [Those] are definitely a big help if you don’t have easy access to people watching. Just use other people that are not necessarily famous people or known for [how they] dress as an example, then build from there and see what works for you.