Disclaimer: This was written by Art students. We promise there was no bias (simply, Art students have the coolest sense of style). Miranda says so.
Camperdown is the new Milan and Eastern Avenue is your catwalk. The Twitter trolls are lurking in the New Law Annex and they loathe low-waist maxi skirts… beware! Dress to impress with our cohort-specific style guide, straight from the offices of USyd’s very own Runway, Honi Soit.
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
They’re everywhere from East to West. The bane of every student’s campus existence (including other Arts students’). “Poor”, pretentious, pompous, and always politically correct. If you can’t identify them through overheard parleys about whether Marx or Trotsky was a better socialist, here’s how to spot them from afar… mainly so you don’t have to get close enough to hear that conversation.
The main characteristics to identify an arts student:
- Mixed metal rings
- A jagged haircut that looks so cheap it must have been expensive
- Vintage patchwork jeans from a weekend market that hugs all the right places
- A graphic baby tee with a phrase they don’t understand (they swear it’s cultural, guys!)
- A mesh bag made of recycled bottles from a Barcelona brand you haven’t heard of yet (but you will…)
- Doc Martens
- Skinny scarves (self-crocheted, of course)
Faculty of Engineering
Ah, engineering. The height of the academic superiority complex. Whilst you’re all insanely intelligent, we fear you lack the fashion-eyed qualities that Arts students have. Your mix of creative and mathematical brains seem to confuse you in other areas.
The main characteristics to identify an engineering student:
- The first pair of trackies or chinos they found in their laundry basket
- A loose white or beige shirt
- A baggy jumper (make sure it shows the collar of your shirt!)
- Earphones (with the wire)
- Worn-out sneakers
- An Earthy-coloured cap
- A backpack that all of your notes are in (crumpled paper is a MUST)
Faculty of Science
One might say these students fade into Eastern Avenue like one of their solubles. It seems they are still figuring out the scientific equation for a fashionable outfit. The value of comfort will always be greater than x.
The main characteristics to identify a science student:
- PPE-approved boots
- Carhartt (they wish people would stop buying this out when they don’t actually need it!)
- Camo shorts
- Courtesy pop socket from their high school Women in STEM expo
Faculty of Medicine and Health
Med-students tend to go one way or the other; gym clothes or basic jeans and a polo shirt. We suppose this depends on which section of the school you’re from. An aversion to Charli’s apple dance performed once a day… We hear it keeps them away.
The main characteristics to identify a medical student:
- A USyd merch hoodie to remind their parents why they no longer load the dishwasher
- Plain polo shirt
- A Sydney Uni Sport bag for practice between classes
- An ugly heirloom watch from their Dad
- A USyd merch keepcup (hopefully the barista will ask them what they’re studying!)
Sydney Law School
They got the highest ATAR in their high school and now they’re fighting Moots. It’s safe to say these guys are used to the spotlight, that’s why their clothes are so sleek. They sure put in the effort to submit to the higher ups. #corporatechic
The main characteristics to identify law student:
- A white tank top under an oversized blazer
- Something from Kookai
- Strangely, corporate pants (who are they trying to impress?)
- Freshly manicured gel nails
- Sambas
- A slick-back bun (with a colourful clip so we know they still have a personality!)
- A polished bag from Charles & Keith
Sydney Business School
If they’re not men walking around with beige board shorts and a Ralph Lauren Polo shirt, they’re men in strangely wedding-esque black-and-white suits. A prop-only Red Bull in hand suggests they’ve been grinding all night long on a five minute presentation on basic economic ethics (they really struggled with this part). Business girls, we pray that the glass ceiling cracks before your psyche does.
The main characteristics to identify business student:
- A linen button-up made in Bondi
- A Dell laptop backpack (bought to fit in with the Millenials at their start-up)
- Very strong cologne
- A Macbook stamped with the QR to their LinkedIn
Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning
Where cutting edge-design and sleek aesthetics meet practicality. We can only hope this manifests in their infrastructure.
The main characteristics to identify a design student:
- A Crumpler shoulder bag
- Platform Crocs (on trend again, who knew?)
- Silver waterproofed earrings
- Flowy white pants
- Lace camisoles
- Anything with an interesting shape
Sydney Conservatorium of Music
The ghosts of the university. If they’re not on stage in all-black recital clothes, then we don’t know what they’re wearing because they’re hidden away practicing at all hours of the day.
The main characteristics to identify a Con student:
- Red-raw shoulders from the indents of an instrument case
- Very long or very short nails (based on instrument specifics)
- A cute skirt or dress that matches their music taste
- Black recital shoes
