Georgina, 23, studying industrial design
Do you feel people in your city have a certain fashion aesthetic?
Not necessarily, it’s tamer when compared to our other capital cities due to size and demographic. People tend to stick to the main trends. Although a multicultural influence is evident in Canberra’s fashion aesthetic, with an increase in up-cycling and recycling clothing becoming more apparent.
What are you’re seeing everywhere around uni at the moment?
Adidas Stan Smiths.
Who is your style hero?
Iris Apfel.
Warif, 19, studying science
Do you feel like people in your city have a certain fashion aesthetic?
A lot of the people in my social bubble don’t have a certain aesthetic, which I think is great. Some wear high fashion to their personal tastes, others wear what’s trending (which there’s nothing wrong with) and others just wear whatever they feel like. I’ve visited Sydney and Melbourne and all the people my age were wearing labelled items. I often ask myself if they feel more obliged to wear more expensive items to fit in with the social norms there. I’m glad that in Canberra people are beginning to express themselves through what they wear, which isn’t always what everyone else is wearing.
What factors feed into how people dress here?
The people around me aren’t catering to society, I think that’s weird because Canberra is so small so I kinda expected everyone to be influenced easily and buy into hype. I like Canberra’s clothing culture, there’s this huge thing with op-shops which I think is fucking awesome.
What’s something you’re seeing everywhere around uni at the moment?
I always see Yeezys around uni, like every single line of the shoes that has come out I see at uni, it’s wild and I always gaze. There’s also a lot of Off-White.
What would you never wear ?
Flared pants. Worst creation ever.
Describe cities style in one sentence.
Suit and tie. So many fucking public servants.
Kofi (Lil Boosie for short), 18, Journalism
How do you feel Canberra style is unique to the rest of the country?
With a lot of people I know, when they visit Melbourne or Sydney, the first thing they want to do is shop, I guess because a lot of things aren’t as available here as they are there. But it’s that scarcity of resources that sparks creativity. Sometimes we didn’t want to wear the clothes offered to us so we just made our own. Or wore the things our friends made.
What’s something your seeing everywhere around uni at the moment?
I’m seeing a lot of people rocking thongs at uni. I don’t do thongs, not my vibe. But I can’t hate, more power to you. Imma do these sandals though.
What would you never wear ?
PUT ME ON RECORD, FUCK V NECKS. If I catch you in one we’re throwing hands.
Describe Canberra style in one sentence.
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
Who is your style hero?
Pharrell. The man can literally make anything look cool — don’t come at me about the mountain hat, I will roast your ass with facts. Man could wear Glad Wrap booty shorts and GQ would write an article about “10 ways to make women like you with food storage items.”
Olympia, 20, studying law and art history
Do you feel like people in your city have a certain fashion aesthetic?
I do, but I think it varies across whatever scene you’re into. There’s definitely a thing of dressing like it’s the late 80s in London all the time, which is fine except in summer. There’s a lot of rolled up denim and esoteric band merch, also bespoke hand embroidered pieces are huge. There’s also a big market for Canberra memorabilia clothing, anything unique and hard to find and Canberra themed.
How do you feel it’s unique to the rest of the country?
I feel that Canberra is the only place where loving Canberra is acceptable and it’s probably the only place you’ll find people with Canberra-themed clothing.
What factors feed into how people dress here?
The biggest factor is what’s available and cost. Unless you’ve got a really good job or sink most of your income into fashion, you’re gonna be buying op shop pieces. The weather is also a huge factor. Scorching summers and freezing winters mean you need a versatile wardrobe so it’s not uncommon to see people rocking outdoors gear in tandem with their regular clothes.
Describe city’s style in one sentence.
It’s still 1989 if you believe it.
Jesse, 20, studying applied economics
What factors feed into how people dress here?
As Canberra is quite close to Sydney I feel a lot of the fashions statements that originate there come to Canberra.
What’s are you seeing everywhere around uni at the moment?
The influx of Superstars, Stan Smiths, Gazelles, NMDs, Ultra Boosts and Yeezy 350s around campus is astonishing. There has not been one day for two years that I haven’t seen at least two of those shoes on campus.
Describe your cities style in one sentence.
Fashion in the nation’s capital is a blend of complex simplicity. Minimalism is the way forward.
Emma, 20, studying political science and international relations
Do you feel like people in your city have a certain fashion aesthetic?
A lot of people in Canberra have their very own, pretty unique and creative way of dressing. For example, while a decent number of people follow pretty generic popular trends, a lot of the people I know will take more of an artistically inspired way of approaching them.
What factors feed into how people dress here?
I think the fact that Canberra has such a high student population is definitely an influencing factor, in addition to the fact that the population of this city is pretty small. It’s a lot harder to access certain popular brands than it is in bigger cities.
What’s are you seeing everywhere around uni at the moment?
A lot of Ultra Boosts and Off White tees.
Ray, 20, studying psychology
Do you feel like people in your city have a certain fashion aesthetic?
No, not yet anyway. That would be boring. It really depends on who you look at and their respective “niches.” Some people like their op shop looks and tote bags, then you have the hypebeasts on one side, and then there are some who just dress however they want.
What factors feed into how people dress here?
I guess with Canberra not having big streetwear shops, people tend to go to thrift stores.
What’s are you seeing everywhere around uni at the moment?
Typically CDG Play shirts and Common Projects sneakers for the locals. Kenzo and Off White for the international students.
What would you never wear?
I wore a muscle tee one time and I felt so naked, so never again. I like my shit drapey.
Jack, 19, studying education
Do you feel like people in your city have a certain fashion aesthetic?
Yeah, to be honest the aesthetic is sort of basic. I know that sounds boring but that’s the people’s choice. At uni people put on a pair of ripped jeans, a shirt and shoes — that’s the norm. People who are really out there with their own looks stand out, and I feel people persecute them for being different and unique which sucks.
What’s are you seeing everywhere around uni at the moment?
It has to be ripped jeans, I’m not hating but they’re everywhere.
Credits
Photography Arnad Hajdic