Hair clips have recently become the accessory. Beyond being practical and convenient, they portray an effortless look and embody a sense of comfort and confidence.

Just like any trend that comes and goes, hair clips have made their comeback, but this time, as a personal statement. What used to be an item that stayed on the shelf in many beauty stores became an item that sells out quickly.

The hairclip comeback isn’t just following trends. It reflects people redefining what it means to look “put together.”

Wearing a hairclip can give off an “I woke up like this” look, signaling how effortless, accessible looks define style today. The popular “clean girl” and “model off-duty” aesthetics attempt to look put together without trying too hard. Claw clips accomplish that instantly.

Whether it’s to the office, a Pilates class or a snazzy dinner, pulling your hair back with a cute accessory immediately makes you look like you have your life together.

Yes, a clip is meant for your hair, but the best part about this hairclip comeback is that it can also serve as an accessory. You might clip it to the bottom of your sweater, attach it to the waistband of your jeans or hang it off your tote bag. It’s the perfect “it girl” accessory: both functional and fashionable.

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The options feel endless. Soft colors. Rhinestones. Bold patterns. Shapes like hearts and wine glasses. There’s a clip for every outfit, occasion and outing.

Are you headed to a sports game but don’t own anything in the team’s colors? Throw on a basic white T-shirt and jeans, and throw on a clip with a pop of that color. Bam — you’re game ready.

Running late to class after the gym? Twist your hair up into a clip, and no one will know you just ran five miles.

The clip’s magic lies in its versatility and accessibility.

Some clips you can find at stores like CVS and Target are as affordable as $5. Others, like the popular Emi Jay brand of “Big Effing Clips” fame, are becoming a luxury item in the clip industry. A $36 hair clip may seem insane, but as someone with my own hair clip collection, the quality makes up for the price.

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In 2025, being stylish does not mean spending hours on your hair. For some, it just means reaching for the clip that makes you feel confident and real.

Clip wearers truly make them their own. People adorn cheap clips with rhinestones and sparkles. Etsy sellers also create personalized clips. Forget custom sweatshirts for your club or team — get hair clips with your team’s name instead.

Every clip you see is a tiny glimpse into someone’s personality. Whether it’s big and sparkly or small with pastel hearts, each clip says something about the person wearing it.

It shows that self-expression and feeling confident in an outfit can be effortless and affordable.

In a world where fashion focuses on exclusivity, the clips stand out for their inclusivity. The variety of styles and prices proves the trend is here to stay.

With the colder months approaching, opportunities for stylish layering, unique accessories and fun shoes are all within reach. Add these unique pieces to your fall wardrobe, and you will be put on the dean’s list for most fashionable — whenever that becomes a thing.

Peacoats

The more frisque sister of the classic trench coat, peacoats offer a flexible and non-committal essence to your outfit. The shorter length, wool construction and big statement buttons offer a pleasing visual addition to any look. Paired with sleek pants and a clean shoe, you’re bound to have the chicest essence as you walk across campus.

An opportunity for bold coloring or clinging to neutral fall style, peacoats will fatefully enhance your fall wardrobe. As the viral Lily-Rose Depp meme would have it, make sure to button to the top to brave the chill morning breeze.

Boat shoes

I know what you’re thinking, the typical shoe for a future millennial Buzzfeed employee could never come back. Hear me out, though — boat shoes are more than their unfortunate stereotyping, and a versatile fashion weapon for the fall season.

With their brown color, boat shoes pair well with proper neutral tones. Perhaps a maxi skirt and wool sweater can add a funky yet admirable boost to your fashion compared to the current sea of Sambas, New Balances and loafers we’ve seen so far in recent years.

[UMD students weigh in on simplified Halloween costumes]

Baggy dress pants

Who doesn’t love a nostalgic business casual fashion flashback to prime 2010s Gossip Girl style? But baggy dress pants offer a grunge twist to this tradition. This clean look gives a relaxed aura to your outfit, complete with dress pants and a loose style.

The versatility is unquestionable, pairing with coats, sweaters and jackets. A baggy dress pant will complement anything already in your closet for this fall. Different from your regular pair of jeans, baggy dress pants will have you catching intrigued looks as you strut throughout campus.

Pillbox hats

Headwear is an understated essential for the colder months in your everyday outfit. From earmuffs to beanies and baseball caps, it’s all been done every year.

A pillbox hat, however, is an underground classy finisher to any fall outfit. The 1960s Jacquliene Kennedy classic combines class and excitement for both neutral looks and colorful statements. It yearns for a comeback into the mainstream fashion world; it seems to have been its own victim of the Kennedy curse.

Sport this hat and you’ll undoubtedly become niche amongst your peers.

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Column skirts

While the great migration from mini skirts and jean shorts to full-length jeans and dresses is a seasonal occurrence, a bridge between full-length style and traditional skirt coverage spices things up. Column skirts, which hem around the mid-calf, provide comfort and a sleek look to any outfit.10

A unique replacement to the usual fall legwear column skirts are practical for colder weather. Their simple yet chic design is sure to spawn your own personal admirers around campus.

From months of careful consideration, to late-night trips to the craft store and glitter in my hair until Thanksgiving, the holiday used to be an excess of effort.

Fast-forward to today, some costumes take the opposite approach with solid colors and basic pieces that subtly hint at the idea of a costume. A plain orange tee becomes a pumpkin, a white tank means you’re an angel. There’s no glitter or glue gun, just a simple suggestion.

Vedika Sharma, a freshman computer science and math major, noted the prevalence of this trend in the current Halloween scene.

“People just kind of got lazy. Either that or it’s a thing of trying to blend in with other people and people aren’t doing as creative costumes,” Sharma said.

There’s almost something Impressionist about this trend. Much like Claude Monet’s blurred landscapes or Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s hazy portraits, the “costumes” rely on implication. A single color or accessory gives just enough information to recognize the inspiration.

These costumes are not about transformation— they’re a visual shortcut. They evoke a concept, and the viewer fills in the rest.

“Those are cute, but they’re not really costumes,” Trinity Rosario, a freshman public policy major, said of the simple outfits.

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Part of the change may be cultural. In an age of fast fashion, social media and busy college schedules, it’s easy to pick convenience over craftsmanship. Many students are undoubtedly drawn to a low-effort look that still allows them to participate in the holiday, something photogenic but uncomplicated.

Michele Petrosino, a freshman hearing and speech sciences major, finds the easier costumes to be refreshing.

“I like them,” she said. “If it’s simple, then, you know, you’re saving money while also celebrating the holiday and having fun.”

Petrosino echoed how limited time and budgets prevent students from being able to hand-make or purchase an outfit they won’t wear often. Simpler costumes can take pressure off celebrating, allowing people to participate without a huge commitment.

For students balancing academic life and social plans, it’s a practical compromise.

Others believe that easy costumes detract from the spirit of the holiday.

“I think if you want to go out and really be part of the Halloween costume festivities, I don’t quite think that counts personally,” Rosario said.

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To students such as Rosario and Sharma, effort and individuality are part of the fun. Brainstorming a costume, curating a look and committing to a character all make Halloween feel like something bigger, and perhaps something close to the Halloween of our childhoods.

Today, social media plays a major role in shaping how people approach the holiday. The platforms showcase both extremes: viral hyper-detailed outfits and their minimalist counterparts.

It’s a reminder that platforms such as TikTok and Instagram dictate many elements of fashion for any and all occasions. For Halloween costumes, what was once driven by imagination and dedication is now shaped by algorithms.

Sharma said many students view social media as a mood board for outfit ideas.

“People go on social media to get inspiration for what they’re gonna wear, and different clothing trends on social media also influences what people wear for costumes,” she said.

Both sides of the debate still share the same goal: to enjoy the night, have fun and express themselves. Whether that means a last-minute combination of whatever is in your closet or the culmination of months of careful planning, the idea of “dressing up” for Halloween looks different for everyone.

With holiday traditions evolving into simple trends, it seems as if Halloween is losing its spirit and the excitement that came with the uniqueness of traditional costumes.

The answer, as Sharma puts it, may be more straightforward than it seems.

“Put a little creativity into it, you know?”

Janet Jackson and Taylor Swift streamed in the background as the club president, marketing major senior Raquel Ford, asked members to take one item from their bag that says something about them. Lip gloss, keychains and even a hot sauce bottle became points of conversation.

When Ford arrived at this university, she was excited about exploring the intersection between business and fashion. But she struggled finding a community on campus with similar interests.

With the help of an upperclassman, she took her idea to the campus runway and created the club — a space for students like her.

“There are so many businesses around fashion and beauty and a lot of students want to go into that,” Ford said. “We wanted to make a community of students so they’d be able to gain new opportunities and learn about their future career goals.”

The duo pursued their goal of fostering a community of fashion enthusiasts. After finding an advisor, building an executive board and recruiting members, they grew the association into a club that focuses on the intersection of fashion and business.

“We like to connect students to exciting career prospects, but we also make sure that we nurture their knowledge in a dynamic world of fashion,” Ford said.

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Although the club started off as a small project when Ford co-founded it in 2022, it has grown in recent years due to the executive board’s desire to bring together students who love fashion.

At first, the club struggled to grow its membership. But through collaborations with other on-campus organizations that explore the professional side of fashion — such as MasTERPiece, the American Marketing Association and the International Business Student Organization — it was able to grow.

The club isn’t just limited to marketing and business, though. It aims to understand the fashion industry and its broader impact.

With the ever-increasing fast-fashion trends, members addressed sustainability by hosting events like a clothing swap last semester. They also collaborated with Depop, an e-commerce company, to share tips on selling secondhand.

Mashea Sowers, a junior economics and public health major, took the information she learned to create her own Depop shop, where she now resells clothes. Sowers feels the association provided her with lessons on how the fashion world operates and an environment that fuels creativity. It also welcomed her to a tight-knit community where she feels comfortable enough to receive fashion advice and inspiration from the people in the association.

“I’ve met new people who have recommended places to shop,” Sowers said. “So I definitely have improved my own style.”

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Brooke Glessner, a senior psychology major, said joining the association allowed her to expand her love for fashion.

She added being in the club has influenced her own fashion choices, helping her become more comfortable with what she wears and making her proud of the welcoming community she helped to build.

Ford said events with the club, such as working with name brands and speaking with professionals, increased her ability to recognize clothing trends. She believes that fall fashion is a big time of the year for different companies because of back-to-school looks, noting a boho and nomadic feel to this year’s fall fashion.

Similarly, Glessner finds herself more fashion-observant, eyeing what students are wearing while walking to class and excited to discuss them at the group’s biweekly meetings.

The club hopes this year to build on those lessons with speakers from companies that support marginalized communities, while continuing to spark creativity with activities such as last year’s Valentine’s Day-themed charm bracelet workshop.

The club also plans to partner with the university’s business school’s new career boutique.

Among the top goals for the club, Ford said, is increasing the its recognizability on campus and keeping its member retention high throughout the year.

Ford added she hopes association members will continue to develop their taste and confidence in their fashion and that the organization supports their growth.

“[It’s important] making sure that they stay true to who they are as an artist, but also professionally and how they can stand out when they’re working,” Ford said.

This simple outfit proves fashion doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive, yet lately, this trend has seemingly dominated the nightlife scene. It only begs the question: Is this a recession indicator?

The recent recession stems mostly from post-pandemic market disruptions, high inflation and interest rate hikes. Combined, these factors have lessened demand and slowed growth, leaving the economy somewhat unsteady.

The “recession indicators” meme generally refers to any pattern that hints at an imminent or present economic slowdown. Today, it seemingly encompasses every new or returning trend that rears its head.

While not every trend signals a recession, certain fashion choices can give insight into spending habits during a downturn. But today’s trends show this style is about more than just aesthetics — it reflects how we live and spend.

University of Maryland students discussed this trend, examining whether it’s out of vanity or necessity.

The rise of Labubu dolls arguably represents “recession-core” the strongest. These fuzzy plush keychains with mischievous faces are the best friends of celebrities, influencers and performative males alike.

Costing around $20-30, Labubus reflect the “lipstick effect,” the idea consumers will indulge in small purchases during challenging economic times, such as lipsticks — or in this case, Labubus — rather than big-ticket items.

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Sara Giver Olarte, a freshman chemical engineering major and owner of Wallace the Labubu, agreed the dolls can reflect economic behaviors but said her motivation was more personal.

“It’s the cuteness that drew me in,” she said. “It just makes me happy to look at [him].”

In any case, little luxuries like Labubus show how style can balance joy, self-expression and broader financial realities — all while fitting on a keychain.

As consumer prices has risen by around 24 percent in the last five years, according to a study by Bankrate, secondhand clothing has also surged in popularity. Thrift stores and online resale sites, including Depop, Poshmark and Vinted allow people to balance style and affordability.

“People don’t want to spend as much money on clothes anymore, so thrifting is a good option for them to go and get resale clothes,” said Nicole Akintola, a freshman public health science major.

Thrifting also offers shoppers a broader range of original choices, as many stores carry vintage or deadstock pieces unavailable elsewhere.

Akintola added social media influences the trend, showcasing these unique finds to a broader audience.

“When people see other creators thrifting, they want to go thrifting, even if they have money to buy designer things,” Akintola said.

Brands like Coach capitalized on these feelings, becoming a Gen Z staple in wardrobes everywhere thanks to several strategic marketing moves. Once a forgettable “mom brand,” their quality materials and reasonable retail costs, as well as extensive celebrity campaigns and redesigns, helped many see them as a smart investment and a great recession buy, reaching a cult-favorite status.

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While some students embrace a vintage, inexpensive look, others turn to faux-opulence.

Animal print recently made a comeback, with leopard and cheetah patterns leading the way. Its resurgence reflects the typical trend cycle but also evokes luxury and sophistication, especially in real fur-inspired prints, letting consumers embrace its glamour more ethically and affordably.

As a recession-era trend, animal print offers something neutral-toned, yet visually exciting, attainable and adaptable.

Aden Besefat, a junior public health science major, said animal print allows her to express individuality while staying within an adaptable wardrobe. Bold, personal and accessible, animal print thrives even during economic downturns.

“It’s definitely a statement piece,” Besefat said.

Whatever the reason, it’s clear these trends aren’t just phases. They’re here to stay.

As for Olarte, her Labubu is now a permanent fixture to her backpack.

“He’ll never go away,” Olarte said. “Wallace will be there to stay.”

The term, which earned its name from its short-lived nature and describes trends that change frequently, evolved with social media. So much to the point that many fashion influencers use their platforms to promote and predict the next fashion trend.

As social media becomes bigger and bigger, small fashion brands also suddenly become fashion influencers themselves.

Parke, a brand popular for its stylish basics such as jeans and sweatshirts, has garnered attention thanks to its clever marketing tactics. Known for its high-end appeal, PARKE’s sweatshirts often retail for more than $120, establishing itself early on as luxurious.

Just about two weeks ago, Parke’s Valentine’s Day drop sold out in minutes and its creator posted an apology for the website’s overwhelming overload. But the question stays the same — do consumers truly value the exclusivity these brands offer, or is this just another example of trend-driven consumerism?

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Parke’s rapid rise — growing from a small business to a $15 million company in less than a year — proves the power of social media and its ability to catapult someone like creator Chelsea Parke, from obscurity to influence. Through strategic marketing, such as posting TikToks showcasing how she styles her pieces for different outings, Parke perfectly transformed her brand.

Still, why are so many eager to snag a piece of apparel that has a random middle name on it? At least similar brands such as Kim Kardashian’s Skims or Mason Spector’s MadHappy have distinct identities beyond a bold printed last name.

Perhaps Parke’s seemingly overnight growth reflects society’s increasing desire for authenticity. With its high-end pieces and limited drops, the brand successfully creates a sense of exclusivity — leaving those who manage to get their hands on its products feeling superior to those who miss out. I experienced this first hand after snagging the Parke x Set Active mock neck during its original release, even as the website crashed.

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As consumers seek products that reflect their values, whether it’s uniqueness or status, small businesses that cater to these inclusive feelings are thriving. Consumers in today’s fast paced society are drawn to brands that curate a sense of belonging to a specific status, often parallel to a wealthy one.

Even retailers such as Target and Zara are mimicking the mock neck look to prove it’s not just brands, but entire styles, that cycle through microtrends.

As I reflect on Parke’s rise, I can’t help but notice the sudden surge of microtrends shamelessly taking over the fashion scene. Chocolate brown is everywhere — a color I once couldn’t imagine wearing, but somehow found its way into my wardrobe.

Is my changing opinion of microtrends is driven by my internal desires to fit into the fashion world, or did I genuinely started to appreciate these new looks?

With influencers and social media constantly shaping what’s “in,” one thing is clear: trends no longer follow the seasons, instead they move with the fast track of internet virality. Whether it’s the next must-have sweatshirt or the rise and fall of a new color, what’s in today could be easily out tomorrow.

As this cycle continues, we must ask — are we investing in timeless style, or just playing into a never-ending game of trend-chasing with the most expensive, exciting and fleeting era of fashion?

With 7.2 million followers and the influencer magic wand, she declared a skinny jean comeback. Thanks to The Alix, a jean collection created in collaboration with FRAME, a luxurious clothing brand, Earle has sparked renewed interest in the fashion trend. 

Are skinny jeans — seemingly ditched in the late 2010s — driven by Earle’s influence and massive following, or are they truly making a return to the fashion scene?

Natalie Hosie, who’s involved in MasTERPiece, a University of Maryland club dedicated to exploring the fashion industry, sees Earle’s attempt to reinvent the tight-fitted pants as disingenuous.

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For Hosie, Earle is an influencer, but not necessarily within the fashion world. She questions how the skinny jean revival fits into our current fashion landscape, which she views as more open and diverse than the height of their popularity in the 2000s. 

“Skinny jeans coming back is really interesting in this period of time,” the freshman economics and government and politics major said. “I feel like the fashion world is so much more body positive and a lot more open than it was back in the 2000s.” 

Customers have posted photos of themselves on social media wearing The Alix collection, showing off how they styled the jeans. Most featured the jeans styled with tall boots, conveniently hiding its most defining and controversial feature: the tight-fitting ankle. 

The change contrasts with popular styles such as the bootcut, flare and bell bottoms, all of which have faded in and out of fashion cycles, most recently as a replacement for skinny jeans. The new and improved skinny jean trend may only have staying power where the ankle shape is concealed.

Depending on the color, The Alix pants are either $128 or $148. The hefty price adds to the question of whether this collection is a result of a change in style or a baseless money grab.

“I don’t think [skinny jeans] really ever left [the fashion scene] especially with the body-con era and the BBL fashion era we hit over the past like decade or so,” Auri Walker, a sophomore computer science major who’s also involved in MasTERPiece said. “Anything that can give you some curvature is going to go on the body.”

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To Walker, the flared ends of bell bottoms are in, so pairing skinny jeans with tall boots isn’t particularly groundbreaking.

Uche Onwubalili, creative director of En’Rage Models, a modeling team at this university, agreed that slim-fit jeans worked in the 2000s, but fall flat in the current style cycle. 

The sophomore civil engineering major added that she understands Earle’s attempt to bring them back, but doesn’t think now is the right time. When walking around campus, she said she still sees most people wearing baggy jeans. 

“For a moment, it seemed like we started shifting towards 2000s, but there is another side of the coin,” Onwubalili said. “Right now, I feel like it’s baggy all the way.”

For fashion enthusiasts, the dream is to have designer pieces hanging in their closets, but eyebrow-raising prices often stand in the way. The latest collaboration between SKIMS, a brand Kim Kardashian co-founded, and the Italian fashion brand Dolce & Gabbana lets the everyday shopper claim a small slice of the high fashion house.

The collaboration featured bras, underwear and loungewear infused with the iconic Dolce Vita lifestyle. The highly sought-out pieces come with price tags far below original Dolce & Gabbana designs.

SKIMS staples, such as underwire triangle bras and ribbed tank tops, keep their iconic shape, now featuring cheetah print and sleek black-and-white silhouettes. The bras are chic and the sweatpants transformed into flowing lounge pants, perfect for lounging around an imaginary Italian villa.

These collaborations have surged in popularity over the past decade. Last year, Gap and LoveShackFancy pasted daintily feminine, yet notoriously expensive, floral prints to Gap sweatshirts, joggers and jean jackets. That same year, Mugler partnered with mallbrand H&M to deliver customers an intriguing blend of avant-garde fashion and wearable jeans. Perhaps the most unexpected pairing was the 2011 Missoni and Target collaboration — a throwback that can still be spotted on thrift store racks today.

But there’s something unsettling about seeing a classic Italian brand on a reality TV star or an iconic Parisian fashion house on an H&M website, especially when online chatter around the collaboration was boosted by a petty Kim and Kourtney fight on The Kardashians.

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High fashion has hit an all-time low, or perhaps low fashion has reached an all-time high.

The public adores these unorthodox collaborations, eagerly queuing up online to snag a designer piece for a fraction of the price. In fact, the SKIMS campaign was so coveted that the website crashed upon the launch of the collection.

This frenzy around a seemingly basic marketing gimmick has heightened as influencers, content creators and average internet users post and repost their favorites from the collection, give “honest” reviews on the luxury loungewear and urge others to rush to the site.

But this surge of shoppers wasn’t just social media hype. The limited-edition nature of these collaborations tapped into the shopper’s anxiety to load virtual or physical carts with low-grade imitations of high-end clothes. There’s an urgency to grab everything before other shoppers beat you to it.

With the seemingly random collaborations, shoppers get the feeling that this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Consumer culture has made us feel like we need these items, and the collaborations have done the hard work of plucking an unobtainable fruit and bringing it down to earth for the average shopper.

The SKIMS Dolce & Gabbana robe is priced at $498, while a bathrobe from Dolce & Gabbana comes in at more than $1,700. Although the SKIMS price is still steep for something as mundane as a bathrobe, it’s much more affordable than the original.

By leveraging the collaboration, both high and low brands form a fashion-forward symbiotic relationship. The luxury brand becomes more relatable, with these pieces serving as affordable status-symbols for consumers to buy into the Dolce lifestyle. Meanwhile, the everyday brand gains elevated status, temporarily launching from “mall store” to an exclusive designer brand.

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Is it a win-win for everyone?

Perhaps under it all, the cheetah-printed bra from the SKIMS Dolce & Gabbana collection is nothing but a fake Prada bag on Canal Street. It may have all the allure and “wow factor” of a real Dolce & Gabbana piece, but it lacks that authentic Italian summertime air.

But isn’t it time for high-end brands to make room for the rest of us who can’t afford to buy clothing directly from the fashion house? Thanks to the Skims collection, people can now proudly say they own a Dolce & Gabbana piece, even if it was a $50 pair of underwear.

In an age where consumerism culture has spiraled out of control, these high and low fashion collaborations come as no surprise. Fashion designers may be rolling over in their graves, but at least the average person can enjoy an iota of luxury in their day-to-day life.

The event — sponsored by Student Entertainment Events — invited eager students to browse their collection outside Memorial Chapel.

Founded in 2012, PrettyLittleThing describes itself as “the brand taking over your social media feeds with our killer looks and next-level aesthetic.”

With showrooms across the globe and even a campaign launch featuring supermodel Naomi Campbell, it’s no wonder PrettyLittleThing has maintained a strong fanbase, including senior government and politics major Rhiley Jones.

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“I feel like girls, like, we love PrettyLittleThing. So we’re gonna come no matter what,” Jones said.

Students queued outside the bus that took pretty in pink to the next level. The inside featured pink shelves, a pink closet, a pink bookcase and a large mirror to resemble a compact boutique.

A representative for the company said the pop-up aimed to engage students on the East Coast and meet their core demographics.

The event was a hit-or-miss for some students. Many seemed to love the pink aesthetic, freebies and a chance to meet surprise guest TV personality and actress La La Anthony. Anthony, a PrettyLittleThing brand ambassador since 2023, stunned students with hugs and selfies when she popped out of the bus.

But others were dissatisfied that the clothes displayed on the bus were not available for purchase.

“I just wanted to see what they have, like experience the aesthetics,” Christina Fatusin, a freshman biology major, said. “The bus I thought was cute, but I was sad that we couldn’t buy anything.”

Organizers told students that they could purchase items online, as it would be cheaper. What they could take from the pop-up included freebies such as PrettyLittleThing cups, hoodies or phone charms.

Camille Dickerson, a senior criminology and criminal justice major, managed to get a cup when she stopped by the pop-up earlier in the day, but the pop-up ran out of items when she returned later . She said she was also disappointed that the clothes were only for display.

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Nonetheless, Dickerson said she still enjoyed the pop-up. She and Jones attended the event together and said that they’ve liked PrettyLittleThing since late middle and high school.

They also expressed their excitement about La La Anthony. Especially Dickerson, who missed meeting Anthony, but said the actress is in one of her favorite shows, a crime drama called “BMF.”

“I love La La … She’s such a powerhouse, and I love that show so much,” Dickerson said. “I’m really sad I didn’t get to meet her. I wish she was here longer.”

Wearing my favorite plaid sweatpants and a torn T-shirt, I’ve compiled a list of the best and worst dressed stars who graced the carpet to honor the Met Costume Institute’s spring exhibition, “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.”

The theme, “Garden of Time” — taken from English writer J.G Ballard’s 1962 short story about a couple surrounded by their magnificent garden who eventually destroy it to hold back a mob beyond their walls —  honors the beauty and destruction of nature. For the first time in a while, it was tough to narrow down a list of my top looks from the evening.

The whimsical, fantastical and uninspired graced the carpet Monday night, with an unfortunate lack of a few iconic Met Gala attendees including Rihanna and Lady Gaga.

Best Dressed

Tyla – Balmain

The Grammy-winning singer’s innovative dress sculpted with sand and microcrystals cemented her as the stand out of the evening. 

Her long train and asymmetrical strapless neckline created the mythical image of rising from a sand dune right before the event — complimented by the patches of textured sand pressed onto her body and brushed on her shoulders. Completed with an hourglass handbag and wet hair, the singer’s magical ensemble embodied the passage — or garden — of time unlike any other. 

Anok Yai – Swarovski

Shimmering crystals akin to mermaid scales covered the supermodel’s body in a jumpsuit made by Swarovski. Yai, a growing staple of the Met Gala for her impeccable style and modeling talents, transformed into a naiad-like deity underneath the flashing cameras.

The contrasting baby blue and navy tones adorning the ensemble sparkled on her skin combined with the form fitting design to enhance her slender figure, immediately drawing all eyes to her and creating one of the most impactful looks of the night.

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Harris Reed and Demi Moore – Harris Reed

Reed and Moore brought a much needed suspended reality element to the Met Gala.

Moore, who said her dress was made entirely from wallpaper, wore a black gown with a massive heart-shaped sleeve design, finished off with what appeared to be large cherry blossoms painted on the side and bottom of the gown. But the most striking element was the arrangement of sharp arrows protruding from her sleeves and matching Reed’s own circular, halo-esque headpiece.

Reed wore a matching look to Moore with a stunning two-piece gold and blue ensemble — featuring a corset spreading into wide pointed ends like the blossoming leaves of a flower along with thick fabric and a playful wide-leg pant. 

Wisdom Kaye – Robert Wun

Wisdom Kaye — who has recently taken the online fashion scene by storm through his innovative TikToks  — refused to conform to the lackluster outfits often worn by male attendees. The influencer stood tall in a long crimson coat seared with burn marks at the hem, a top hat and tightly ruffled sleeves with finishing touches of tar embellishing edges of the fabric, creating an enchanting homage to the beauty of fire. 

Zendaya – Givenchy

A best-dress list wouldn’t be complete without the princess of the Met Gala. While many online raved about Zendaya’s first dress — a luxurious deep navy and moss mermaid gown likely honoring the feathers of a peacock — I enjoyed her morbid and heavier second look of a lacy vintage Givenchy gown more. 

Not leaving out a single color in her wide spring floral hat, the actress and co-chair of Monday night’s event’s all-black look personified the death of spring and the inevitability of a dark end. The gown’s long train and curtain-like fabric brought the beauty of mourning to the forefront. 

Rebecca Ferguson – Thom Browne

This look brought “Quoth the Raven ‘Nevermore’” in an outfit. The form fitting, sequined gown dripping with silver crystals from the chest down, embodying an evil queen fairytale. Similar to Zendaya, Ferguson’s look is a dramatic take on “The Garden of Time” and celebrates the beauty of nature at night. The vine tendrils woven into her dress and birds captured mid-jump within the folds of the gown give a writhing, living feeling to the outfit. 

[Students present creative dance pieces at UMoves performance]

Worst Dressed

Doja Cat – Vetements

The wet look has been done. The sheer, nudity moment has been done. For Doja, who has been at the forefront of edgy, experimental fashion in the past couple years, the dripping mascara and all-white gown drenched in water felt quite pedestrian. 

Amelia Gray – Undercover

The princess Belle imagery doesn’t save this model from a complete miss of a Met Gala look. The bulging, slightly sheer skirt filled with scattered roses seems to expand a block from her waist.

Camila Morrone – Chanel

Chanel is always at the scene of the crime. Trapping a stunning woman like Morrone in a frumpy black and white ensemble is unforgivable. With the ruffled top resembling a coffee filter and her tassel skirt mimicking a car wash spinner, this was easily the worst and least inspired look of the night.