“Define Kenyon Style in One Sentence.” [Editor’s Note: That’s simply impossible!]

I charged each individual I found to provide a definition which encompasses the variety of styles found on the Kenyon campus. Kenyon Style is hard to define and even harder to relegate to a single sentence- more after the jump!

Gushing over her skirt to one of my classmates during Senior Seminar (Art History majors), I quickly approached Phoebe Rotter ’14 and interviewed her on our walk to Peirce after class. Her responses were just as cheery as her outfit- “Kenyon Style is practical but very inventive! Everyone’s style varies- and not just in terms of the people who go here but also the people who have gone here.”

Rotter is as cute as a button wearing a hand-me-down shirt from her older sister, a belt “inherited” (stolen!) from her Dad, a Vintage 1940s skirt from an antique store in West Stockbridge, MA, H&M ballet flats, and earrings from a craft fair in Boston.

Over the course of four years, Phoebe has seen her fair share of trends parading along Middle Path. However, her style is a direct reflection of her personal growth at Kenyon: “I got more comfortable with both my body and choices. In High School, I was very impractical: I would wear a dress in the dead of winter with jeans underneath! Now, I dress for me, I wear clothes that make me happy.” As a fellow Senior, I can most certainly relate to Rotter on this one!

I caught up with Chris McCann ’16 and Marissa Morte ’16 at the Deli to discuss their must-have items for fall and how they plan to incorporate them into their Kenyon Style. For McCann, the Rustic Merino Elbow Patch Sweater from J.Crew is a necessity once the weather begins to cool. Commenting on women’s must-have items, Morte says “Printed Pants and Driving Mocassins will be big for fall”. When asked about her definition of Kenyon Style, she responded with one word: “Intimidating”.

A Perfectly Put-Together Pair: McCann is wearing a Vineyard Vines oxford and belt with J.Crew Club shorts and Driving Mocassins and a Fossil Watch. Morte is wearing a Lilly Pulitzer dress with a Monogram Necklace from Etsy, H&M shawl, and J.Crew flip-flops and Starfish earrings.

The transition to Sophomore Year is also intimidating: Good-Bye, Freshmen Quad! Hello, South Campus (or in my case, Mather)!  Sophomore Year is filled with choices, ranging from major selection to a new social circle. Similar to McCann’s response on Kenyon style, each new year on campus “has potential.” The beginning of the school year is an opportunity for reinvention: preppy, All-American style, as demonstrated by McCann and Morte, is a tried and true classic.

Nevertheless, Kenyon style comes in all shapes and sizes. A good case in point? Stephan Beavers ’14 and Issa Polstein ’15, two tall gentlemen I spotted on my walk to Club Olin. On Kenyon style, Beavers gave one of my favorite responses, “Boho Clean-Cut,” while Polstein blankly stated, “People who care way too much trying to look like they don’t care.” As an upperclassman, one develops a Kenyon Go-To Outfit, or as I refer to it, “The Uniform.” For Beavers that means a fitted, cotton t-shirt tucked into slim slacks and a pair of Creepers fit the bill. “A button-up shirt, tucked in,” has been a go-to for Polstein since childhood.

Beavers is wearing an Express Cardigan, H&M t-shirt, Blank Denim, Vans High-Tops, AJ Morgan Sunnies, gifted to him from Andrew Pochter ’15, and jewelry from various festivals and a ring bought in Vatican City!

Polstein is wearing an impeccable thrift store ensemble: a tasteful floral print shirt, herringbone blazer with elbow patches, a Kenyon Bookstore Crest belt, J.C. Penney Sunnies, and Steve Madden Jazzman oxfords.

And last but not least, I met Emily Carter ’17 outside of the Bookstore, where I was curious to hear her take on Kenyon style as a First Year. “Athletic Hipster,” Carter replied. “But, maybe that’s just the people who hang out in our room,” her roommate interjected. I couldn’t help but chuckle at her response.

 Carter is looking chic in her sister’s Adriano Goldschmied skinny jeans, her Mother’s Barney’s NY sweater, J.Crew Chambray shirt, Topshop Oxfords, a necklace from a vintage market in Paris, and a Fjallraven backpack.

From First Year to Senior Year, Kenyon style is anything but easy to define and most certainly, far from boring!