From The Catwalk to the Bubble: How Keen is St Andrews on Following New Trends?

Town and Country Style

First one off the list is town and country style, a quintessential style influence of the “bubble”. According to Vogue, right now, countryside inspired fashion is more popular than ever. However, here at St Andrews, we did it first. It is possible to see pairings of wellies and Barbour jackets on a daily basis. This combination can be dressed up or down. It is a foolproof (and weatherproof) way of dressing, after all. As the temperatures drop and country-house weekends are once again the favourite way to escape the bustle of a city, the outfits also lean towards the cosy side. Jumpers, knits (cashmere, wool or anything warm), and a variety of jacketscan be seen. These items are also well loved in our town, with it being a Scottish sea-side town.

Moreover, underneath the umbrella of town and country style, one of the it-pieces of the season can be found: the barn jacket.

Although always a classic, the barn jacket is slowly taking over the runway. Prada, Fendi, Loewe, The Row and Miu Miuare some of the brands that have taken their own twist on this item. Alongside these brands, the classics lead the game: Barbour and Burberry.

The barn jacket can be styled for the city à la Alexa Chung or used to layer up for the chilly countryside weather. It looks put together whilst having the je nai se quoi. Every time you step out of the house, it is possible to spot several variations of this item here in St Andrews. It is certainly one of the most loved current trends, as it has been popular here for ages.

Boho Chic

Chloé revived the circa 2010 boho chic with the newest collection under the signature of Chemena Kamali. Reminiscent of a revamped Serena Van Der Woodsen style with relaxed and floaty silhouettes, this autumn-winter season is all about the bohemian chic. Isabel Marant and Chloéinfluences are taking over the high street and consequently the hearts of St Andrews students. Every now and then, it is possible to spot a vintage Chloé Paddington or a similar equivalent gracing the arms of students, with its unique design.

This newly embraced boho chic style can be seen through the accessorising choices made by students. Whilst remaining free spirited and feminine, the new interpretation of the autumnal boho chic is far more polished and grown up. Lace tights and details are paired with well-crafted leather and suede accessories: belts, bags, and boots. Neutral tones of frilly fabrics, mixed with pastels can be seen style choices.

Vintage Nods

Ask a student about their outfit and there is a high chance you will get the answer: “I got it from my Mum!” Or even “It’s from my local charity shop!” The sustainable approach to fashion is slowly making its way through our hearts. The reason behind this is the increased consciousness towards the harmful nature fast fashion but also the increasing trend of vintage items.

Pointy kitten heels that are reminiscent of Sex and The City remain a favourite. Whether it is for clubbing, a ball or even elevating a casual outfit, a trusty pair of kitten heels seem to be well loved. Another category where we see an ode to vintage fashion is the “bag category”.  Pochette bags that look like they are out of an early 2000s romcom for night outs and the most gorgeous well-loved leather totes for classes. Whether it is just vintage leather, suede, or a designer tote, vintage bags remain as popular as ever. Vintage dressing has been getting increasingly popular, with the 90s and 2000s coming back. This pattern is surely continuing in the bubble. A statement belt or a scarf is one of the favourite ways to spice up a rather simple outfit with endless colour and material variations.

Leopard Print

Arguably a classic, the leopard print pattern has made a sophisticated return into the runway for the collections of 2024. The classic pattern has made its way into coats, tops, scarves and more. Whether it is channelling your inner feline, or spicing up a black top with printed accents, the leopard print has been one of the top prints of the season. The influence has made its way to the bubble, with personal twists and colour combinations. Nothing says St Andrews fashion like layering your weather-proof Barbour jacket. My favourite demonstration of the leopard print has been the perfect mix of quintessential KY16 fashion and a trendy twist: The most gorgeous shade of oil green Barbour with leopard print cuffs. It is a lovely take on a classic piece. In the outfit, the jacket was paired pink, creating a sweet contrast with the neutral hues of the print.

Photography by Cecilia Ryan