Is There a St Andrews Aesthetic?

Minty Rawlins

Since starting St Andrews last year, the people I’ve seen around town are pretty much walking Pinterest boards, combining an effortlessly chic appearance with their

own well curated wardrobes. I’ve always felt somewhat influenced by the St Andrews style, which I can only describe as a Scandinavian-Bridget-Jonesy-New-Yorker vibe. I don’t know if it says more about how well-dressed the students here are, or just how easily influenced I am, but I’m consistently finding myself about to buy items I’ve seen around town (highlights include Venetian slippers, many a skinny scarf, and clogs) rather than actually studying.

I’ve noticed that the most common outfit for the St Andrews student nearly always starts with a pair of jeans, usually wide leg and, more often than not, low rise. The relaxed pair of jeans feels like the closest this town gets to sweatpants, as everyone always seems to be just a little bit dressed up. The stereotype of international students at UK universities being best dressed rings true, particularly in St Andrews. The sheer number of international students at St Andrews, making up 40% of the student body, certainly contributes to the overall St Andrews look. 

The goal of looking “casual yet elevated” continues with the top half, relying on tops that usually fall into a category of having interesting shape, pattern, or colour,  and will probably change depending on what the weather is that day. These tops are usually very similar to something I’ve probably saved on Pinterest before under either my ‘Scandinavian Blouse’ board or my ‘Sweaters I Want’ board.

 The final step is usually a jacket, which ranges from a suede or leather number to a fashion show committee puffer (the ultimate fashionista status symbol). Personally, I’m always guilty of wearing a jacket that is never quite warm enough, so of course, I’m always throwing a scarf on top. 

After talking with my friends and observing my surroundings, I’ve come to the conclusion that if you’re wanting to craft a cute St Andrews outfit but don’t know where to start, here’s a formula you can follow: 

Jeans + Scandi blouse/colourful jumper + cute jacket 

  Though there’s the simplified outfit formula, the true key to achieving the St Andrews look is accessorising. While most accessory choices hold a functional value, like hats and scarves for the weather and bags for schlepping to and from your lectures, St Andrews students always seem to find pieces bridging the gap between fashion and function. The plethora of accessories in the St Andrews students’ arsenal is often colourful and/or patterned, showing the influence of Dopamine Dressing. This method involves choosing clothes to boost your mood, usually manifesting itself in bright colours, as a way to get through the overwhelmingly grey winters.

Shoes similarly fall into the colourful and comfortable Venn diagram, with adidas consistently being the shoe of choice. In my 4-person flat’s entryway, we always have at least 6 pairs, which also seems to be a running theme whenever I visit anyone else’s house.  

While trainers are a uni student staple wherever you are, as put eloquently by one of my friends, ‘people f*** with a boot here’.  I’ve got to say I agree with her, the heeled knee-high boot in particular seems to consistently appear on the three streets. I think this is a pretty clear example of how much the nature of our university informs the St Andrews aesthetic. In a small town where nothing is really further than 15 minutes apart, a cute shoe (which may not be the most comfortable for long distances) is perfectly fitting.  

The St Andrews look is a distinct one which, while universally chic, aligns with the specific nature of our university. What people decide to wear usually relates to the weather, but it almost always considers both purpose and style. The small yet international student body means well-dressed people from all over the world are consistently churning out their best looks for either lecture or library attendance... and potentially a shout out on crushdrews.