A new student-run Instagram account named Oxy Fitz, under the username @oxy.fitz, captures photos of Occidental’s most fashionable students nearly every day. Most recently, the account featured students wearing bright color combinations, necklace combinations, mini skirts and more. The Instagram account made its pilot post Sept. 15 and has since amassed almost 500 followers as of Oct. 1.
According to Aani Sinnott (sophomore), she was unexpectedly approached on campus and asked to be photographed for the account. Sinnott said she was on her way to class when she met the manager of the account, who asked if she wanted to be featured.
“Some girl stopped me and she was like, ‘I love your outfit! Is it okay if I take a picture of you to be on Oxy Fitz?’” Sinnott said. ” And I was like, ‘Okay!’ I was running to class and I ended up being five minutes late because of it, but I’d say it’s worth it.”
According to Prahlaad Das (junior), the Instagram account reflects the fashion and diversity of style in the Occidental student body. Das said he felt encouraged by friends to showcase his own style and also sees this acceptance of self-expression reflected in the student body.
“I feel like there’s a lot of room to experiment,” Das said. “There’s a lot of people that are more like punk types, or people might wear more colors or more black.”
Das said he also appreciates Oxy Fitz’s diverse representation.
“They feature a lot of students of color, at least from what I’ve observed, which I think is cool,” Das said.
Sinnott said she thinks Occidental students are unique in their styles.
“I think [Occidental’s fashion culture] is very eclectic. Everyone has a very, very unique and distinct style,” Sinnott said. “I think Oxy students definitely try harder in their outfits than a lot of different college campuses I’ve seen, which I really enjoy because I don’t feel weird being the only person dressed up for class.”
Shae Campbell (first year) said she found out about Oxy Fitz the same day she was featured on the account. Campbell said she admires the unique aesthetics of her peers at Occidental.
“I pay attention to everyone’s outfits,” Campbell said. “I’m freaking obsessed with it, from haircuts to hair dye.”
Campbell said she noticed that LA fashion culture is relaxed, but it reminds her of street fashion in her hometown, New York City.
“I feel like the actual California culture is honestly just like New York street culture,” Campbell said. “A lot of street fashion is just wearing the things that people wouldn’t wear in a corporate space.”
According to Campbell, one of her primary style influences is her art. Campbell said she felt that her definitive sense of style emerged when she became more focused as an artist.
“I started really dressing in 10th grade and that’s the same time I became really interested in art and wanted to pursue art,” Campbell said.
As a result, Campbell said she created her own sense of style.
“It’s the ‘Shae aesthetic,'” Campbell said. “I really love colors, I love color coordinating.”
Das said that developing his style was a mix of his willingness to try new things in both clothing and life.
“My dad’s from India, so I incorporate a little of that in sometimes,” Das said. “Celebrity-wise, definitely A$AP Rocky. He has been my inspiration for, like, forever.”
Sinnott said her fashion sense is a product of both her daily mood and a change in perspective due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She said she sees her style as a more intuitive process.
“[My style] changes on the daily. I definitely don’t think I have a set aesthetic, it’s definitely changed over the years.” Sinnott said.
Sinnott also said that her style is influenced by Oxy Fitz itself.
“I get a lot of outfit inspiration from the account,” Sinott said. “It’s also a good way to meet people.”
Campbell said the account is a fun way to build community among fashion-oriented Occidental students.
“I feel like a lot of people at Oxy are very open to expressing themselves in ways that people on other campuses aren’t,” Campbell said. “Being able to showcase [outfits] and having people looking forward to the chance [of] being featured makes it more attractive and more of a funny thing.”
