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Publication: The Hatchet, , George Washington University , Washington, DC
While the school-from-home setup was filled with sweatpants and loungewear, this year‘s seniors emerged from quarantine with a new sense of style that embodied being true to themselves.
Whether it came from embracing sexuality, excitement about finally leaving the house again, or the influence of social media platforms like TikTok, some GW seniors went through a style evolution from 2019 to 2023. Graduating seniors said while the world came to a halt in 2020 and the fashion trends began to change, they spent their extra alone time rediscovering themselves and the clothes that represent them.
Jenna Boatman, a graduating senior majoring in English and creative writing, arrived at our interview oozing in hip style. They layered a flower-patterned patchwork vest over a sage green tank top that they paired with a white lace skirt, tights, and an oversized black leather jacket. They completed the look with a pair of platform Doc Martens.
Boatman adorned their fit with butterfly earrings, golden necklaces, and lockets that were only outshined by their hair and makeup. Neon pink and orange hair in the front and yellow and green stripes in the back met spunky winged eyeliner and sparkly eyeshadow, truly completing the look.
Boatman said their outfit marked a stark contrast to what they described as their freshman year style — “basic,” having a closet filled with skinny jeans, crop tops, and chunky white Filas. It wasn’t until the pandemic that Boatman’s style began to evolve.
“2020 was such a formative year for me and coming more into my queer identity,” Boatman said.
Joining the queer community helped Boatman...