Urkel Meets Plain Jane

The clean cut style never got old.  Conservative clothing; sweaters, knee length skirts, ties, polo’s, long pants and high socks, were the basics of style of UMBC college students in the 1960s. Such elements of style are also reflected in the UMBC Warhol Exhibit. Today, the youth of UMBC explore several different styles in the hope of being unique. Fads are present, but over the years, with the increased diversity of the campus, not only regarding races but also religions, there is no longer a single look which students strive to accomplish. Despite this vast change in selections of styles, the conservative look of the 1960s managed to find its way into most forms of current fashion at UMBC.

        Students at UMBC in the 1960s had a more conservative, almost formal, way of dressing. The guys wore long pants with t-shirts and sweaters or sweater vests and the girls would wear skirts and tops. Most of the body was always covered for both sexes. The Steve Urkel look of the sweater vest and suspenders, was not only fashionable in the 1960s, but has come back into style for some UMBC male students. At fraternity events, when males are asked to dress up for Greek events many will resort to the sweater vest choice. The plain Jane long skirt can also be found not only in the Skipjack but also on many girls today on Campus, usually with a pair of sandals rather than high socks. The styles even at that time were being changed by the students to be more rebelious, but the photos of the UMBC yearbook were only of the "properly dressed." But in the end, the orginal style has been broken down and distributed to new styles.

       The Warhol four frame piece in the library exhibit is a great link between the past UMBC and the new. Although they are the faces of famous celebrities of that day and age, such as John Lennon and Aretha Franklin, they are shown in such a modern way through the bright and eye catching colors. Currently at UMBC, the idea of a “style” is to grab the attention of others, so vibrant colors can help to make ones style more noticeable. Even though there are a wider variety of styles to choose from, the clean cut and conservative looks of the 60s have maintained even in the slightest bits. They do say that fashion repeats itself.
(360)