Roeterseiland so Stylish?
By Luna Lampikoski | Culture | April 4, 2024
Cover Illustration: Close-Up of Ella’s Shoes, 2024. Andrea Michel / The Amsterdammer
Reporter Luna Lampikoski explores the fashion scene of the Roeterseiland Campus to find out what guides students’ outfit choices.
Walking into Roeterseiland campus often feels like walking into New York Fashion Week. This sentiment is echoed by many of my peers. As early as 9am, every corner of the campus floods with students who are not only eager to learn, but also to express their unique style. From classic silhouettes to avant-garde accessories and vintage fabrics, each student is the creative mind behind their very own fashion show. Beyond surface-level aesthetics, is there a deeper significance to the fashion culture at Roeterseiland?
A well-chosen outfit serves a greater purpose for students than simply looking presentable in their lectures. As one would expect, some students use the power of a put-together outfit to feel more confident in their own skin or their academic performances. Ella, a 21-year-old psychology student, is on her way to a presentation when I stop her for an interview. “I’m very nervous. So I usually compensate for the nerves with an outfit,” she says. Lucas, a 24-year-old politics student — as well as Yasmin — discuss how wearing a nice outfit to university makes them feel more productive and perform better academically. Sasja, a 20-year-old studying political science, mentions how he has been wearing suits since high school, combining it with casual pieces to look professional yet youthful.
Others suggest that putting effort into outfits for university is a way to appeal to other students’ perceptions. Marina, a 20-year-old sociology student, points out how students may be centering the opinions of their peers when they choose their outfit for the day, particularly in the first year when they are still seeking out their circles. Your outfit plays a role in who you want to attract, as people in “different hubs” give off similar energy through their style, echoes Meg, a 22-year-old sociology student.
However, as the years go by and one’s identity becomes more solidified, clothing choices evolve as a means for students to project their identity rather than conform to certain groups. Meg says: “my biggest fear is if someone else dressed me, and I had to walk out into the world. I would be freaking out.” Emmi says she chooses to put effort into what she wears to university because she loves dressing “a little out of the ordinary”. The 20-year-old interdisciplinary social sciences student does so to evoke thought in others and inspire them to do the same. Despite the shift from using clothes to gain external validation to using clothes for self-assertion, the influence of peer perception persists, albeit subconsciously. This is because, as Bibi puts it, style is “a small piece of your identity” and if what you are wearing to campus on a particular day is not representative of this, then “people misinterpret who you are in a sense.”
“Walking into Roeterseiland campus often feels like walking into New York Fashion Week. (…) As early as 9am, every corner of the campus floods with students who are not only eager to learn, but also to express their unique style.”
However, this can still be misconstrued. While what you wear can be an extension of your identity, it is not your entire identity. Ella discusses her experience with a professor who did not believe her to be a hard worker due to how she dresses for class, saying she evokes the image of a “fashion-rebellious type.” Ella’s experience serves as a reminder that peoples’ complexity and depth cannot be accurately captured in superficial judgements based on their attire.
There also appears to be differences in fashion choices and motivations across academic disciplines. Furthermore, what is considered fashionable — or unfashionable — among students may vary because of these differing priorities in their fashion choices. This is echoed by Sarah, a 21-year-old sociology student. Within the social sciences, fashion choices seem to be strongly guided by identity and self-expression. On the other hand, within the economics faculty, professionality may be at the forefront of students’ minds when picking their outfit for the day. The attire I commonly observed among economics faculty students — clean lines, ties, and button-down shirts — may be driven by a desire to present themselves in a manner aligning with their field. As Emma, a 23-year old urban studies student notes, this emphasis on professionalism may be motivated by perceptions of competence and suitability for their future career opportunities. This may ring true as Lukas, a 19-year-old business administration student, donned a tie and button-down shirt to meet with “big companies”.
Finally, the internationalization and nature of Amsterdam as a city appears to influence students’ fashion choices. “International students really bring the spice over here,” says Lukas. The diversity of students and cultural backgrounds is mirrored in the array of outfits you encounter each day on campus. The diversity of the city makes it more acceptable to be creative and eclectic in one’s self-expression, especially at university. As Yasmin puts it, Amsterdam “is a city where you can be free, and be who you want to be. A lot of people express that in their fashion.” Bibi observes that in a city where art permeates many aspects of life and its culture, people may feel a greater inclination to explore and showcase their creative sides through their clothing, even in everyday settings.
So, as you navigate crowded lecture rooms and the bustling hall of the ABC building, take a second to appreciate the range of styles that you see among students around you. In observing each outfit, remember that every choice represents more than fashion — they all serve to create a rich and vibrant tapestry that characterizes the Roeterseiland community.
Luna Lampikoski is a university student in Amsterdam. The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Amsterdammer.
