Chapfits features Chapman’s fashionistas
Mixing different styles together to create one cohesive outfit consisting of racey tight lace, flowy fabric, sharp edged sunglasses and gogo-esque boots is how Liv Janicek, a sophomore screenwriting major, has come to be known as a fashionista on campus. Photos by MADDIE MANTOOTH, Staff Photographer
Self expression is the root of many fashion moments throughout history. A bright personality can be expressed through color, a quirky demeanor through eye-catching patterns or an emo state of mind through spikes and leather.
Chapfits, an Instagram account run by students, is aiming to showcase the wide array of styles that people strut the halls in with confidence at Chapman University.
Liv Janicek, a sophomore screenwriting major who is the co-founder of Chapfits, told The Panther she and Vivienne Ayres started Chapfits because they wanted a place for all the outfits worn at Chapman to live.
“(Vivienne and I) thought Chapman was super fashionable, and we were like, ‘These people need a space, and we saw a lot of other universities had (outfit) accounts,’” Janicek said.
When browsing campus for the next fashion mogul, Janicek noted that people who layer different pieces of clothing really stand out to her.
“I look for a lot of complex outfits, where people have layered a lot or try different pieces together,” Janicek said.
Janicek also said people catch her eye when they exude confidence as they do a model-like walk down the street between classes.
“(When people) are very confident in their outfits, it shines through,” Janicek said. “That's how I can usually tell they've got a fashion sense. They're very confident about what they're wearing, and they're willing to try different things. I gravitate toward anyone who's got that model-walk going on campus.”
Grace Larey, a junior film production major who has been featured on Chapfits, told The Panther she agrees that style is all about what makes people feel confident.
Sunnies, a pearl choker and a corset are all Liv Janicek, a sophomore screenwriting major, needs to beat the spring heat.
"(Style) can tell a lot about a person; like for me, because I’m in the arts, I just really like self expression and wearing clothes that make me feel confident when I'm going to school," Larey said. "I love wearing band tees or things that kind of tell who I am (or) music that I'm into.”
Recently, Larey has been reaching for dresses when getting ready for her day, which she attributes to the simplicity of them already being an entire outfit. In fact, Larey was sporting a denim dress and her classic red cowboy boots when Chapfits snapped a picture of her for their Instagram.
“I found that a lot of times, (dresses) are more comfortable than jeans,” Larey said. “I feel like I can just put on a dress, and then I don't have to try to think of jeans and a top too. It's kind of like your outfit is already on.”
Larey said she often pairs her outfits with her favorite accessories to add a pop of quirk. Specifically, she loves her red cowboy boots, which she was inspired to buy when she visited her friend in Texas. She also reaches for staple pieces of jewelry like her Vivienne Westwood jumbo pearl necklace, held together with a safety pin.
“A month ago, (Vivienne Westwood) came out with that necklace,” Larey said. “It's like the pearls, and then it has a safety pin with her little logo attached to it, and I just love the safety pin look. I just fell in love with it, and I knew I needed to buy it.”
Bella Gerencser, a sophomore screenwriting major who has also been featured on Chapfits, said that finding your favorite pieces is key to making easy yet self-inspired outfits.
“I just think that having favorite (pieces of clothing) can really elevate a person’s mood. I started buying clothes that actually fit me right and doing research on what looks good on me or what would look good on me. It’s definitely improved my self confidence significantly, especially since coming to college.”
Gerencser finds a lot of the stellar outfit pieces she sports at the Rose Bowl Flea Market in Pasadena, where there are a bunch of vendors selling the kind of hidden gem pieces you would normally have to scour a thrift store for.
The sophomore fashionista said she also is inspired by N0ra B0ra on Tiktok, who blew up for her heavily-textured grunge looks. Gerencser adores the way B0ra finds new ways to wear clothing.
“(N0ra B0ra’s) whole thing is wearing clothes the wrong way, so she'll take pants and make it into a shirt or tie it up and have a bunch of layers,” Gerencser said.
These eccentric sources of inspiration suit Gerencser’s aesthetic well, which she described as very “alt.” Gerencser also said she gravitates toward extravagant clothing in darker tones, even in sunny Southern California.
“Lately, it's definitely been my attempt to stand out and get as crazy as possible, which is kind of ironic, because the photo of me on Chapfits is one of the more boring outfits that I've worn recently,” Gerencser said. “But lately, I'd say it's a mix of darker colors, darker clothes, a lot of blacks (and) a lot of netting — like loose knit crochet. Basically, just whatever I feel like that day, but I guess it’s ‘alt’ with archival fashion elements.”
Gerencser concluded that, at the end of the day, personal style is all about being empowered by what you wear and loving it. Plus, the added bonus of being featured on Instagram is the cherry on top.
“Just finding whatever empowers you personally is really important, because I think it can really change your mood when you're in an outfit that you like,” Gerencser said.