Maria Castaño Arts and Entertainment Editor
With winter still having a tight grip on the Bronx, Manhattan University students seek ways to bring warmth to their everyday lives, as well as at the beginning of the semester through fashion. The Quadrangle decided to ask Jaspers what inspires their style and what fashion trends they hope to see more of this semester.
Shu Amanuma, Linnea Wong and Amanda Taub-Runo shared their opinions on necessary, staple pieces and what they want to see more of fashion-wise this semester.
Shu Amanuma poses under warm lightning with black boot heels and a red sweater.
MARIA CASTANO / THE QUADRANGLE
Shu Amanuma ‘27, international studies major with a psychology, political science and business minor.
The Quadrangle: Why did you decide to wear this outfit today?
Shu Amanuma: I’m wearing this red sweater because I wanted to have some color on. People should have more fun with their outfits…as a way to express themselves.
TQ: Do you have anything you want to see more people wear around campus?
SA: Colors definitely. I think it’s a pity that college students fall back on grey sweatpants and hoodies so much during this time of the year. I would like to see more colors and more creativity when walking around.
TQ: Are there any pieces you consider a “must” in a person’s wardrobe?
SA: A good staple is a good, crisp, white shirt…as well as something navy, some jeans that are easy to style. Jewelry can also add a lot to an outfit. Also personally, I love a good pair of heels – I will die in heels.
TQ: Where do you get your inspiration from?
SA: It’s definitely a lot of Pinterest scrolling. It’s a good place to find inspiration and define your style.
Linnea Wong smiles for the camera while using a tie as a belt.
MARIA CASTANO / THE QUADRANGLE
Linnea Wong, ‘27, English major with a marketing and sociology minor.
TQ: Is there any inspiration behind your outfit?
Linnea Wong: Not necessarily. I recently thrifted the tie [because] I’ve been wanting to get a tie for the sole purpose of wearing it as a belt. I’m not sure where I necessarily get my inspiration [personally]. It’s not like a specific person, but mostly just a lot of Pinterest scrolling and having an interest in your unique style, just doing something that’s a little different than just putting an outfit together.
TQ: You mentioned you thrift a lot. Is there a specific reason why?
LW: Number one, money, but also my mom has a lot of cool pieces and pants. These pants are from her when I was younger. I do a lot of thrifting in my attic. Sometimes she makes some of my jewelry. I try to find things [and] I do a lot of upcycling from thrifting with my sewing machine.
TQ: Do you have any staple pieces?
LW: I have a lot of black tank tops; I feel like those are my staple pieces. I have different staple jewelry, like this necklace, my pearl necklace. Those kinds of things. I think these are some of my staple pants; I love a good cargo pant.
TQ: I also wanted to ask you about jewelry because I see you have a lot on. How do you put it all together?
LW: This bracelet I’ve had for five years, and then this one with the turquoise. I don’t take it off. I also have two pearl bracelets. One of them I got in Italy over the summer and one’s from my aunt. And then my Pandora bracelet, which is very sentimental. I just try to collect things here and there to wear every day. Like I got this one from Australia, and then this one is from Maine.
My mom also makes jewelry, so I like to wear her stuff.
TQ: Do you have anything you want to see more people wear around campus?
LW: Way more color. I see my class and I’m like, “damn, no one’s wearing any color.” Like, come on, more color, let’s go! I’m not necessarily wearing so much color right now, but I think people need to come back to color; too much monotone.
TQ: Do you feel like the cold is affecting this lack of color?
LW: I feel like every year I’m wearing black. I guess maybe it is a winter thing. In general I’m always like, “come on guys, let’s do a little [something] more fun.”
Amanda Taub-Runo stands with a comfy outfit of jeans and a zip-up hoodie.
MARIA CASTANO / THE QUADRANGLE
Amanda Taub-Runo ‘26, environmental science major.
TQ: Do you have anything you want to see more people wear around campus?
Amanda Taub-Runo: I don’t know, I like how this campus has a lot of different types of styles. I feel like I’ve seen a lot of self-expression on campus, which I like, especially within the [Kakos] School of Arts. So I like that. And I see a lot of people with colored hair, which I obviously also like. I also like piercings and everything. [Ultimately] I think everyone should try and wear what they like, instead of trying to follow trends.
TQ: Was there any inspiration behind your outfit today?
AT: Not really, instead I was just going for something on the comfier side today.