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Camila Ryder | The Phoenix

BY CAMILA RYDER

In print | Published October 8, 2009

Name: Simon Zhu
Class Year: 2011
From: New York City, N.Y.

What He’s Wearing:

“The shirt is [from Italy]. I’ve got a pretty big family in Italy, we go basically every year. I find that the Italian shirts that I can find there just fit so much better … The jacket is from H&M, as is the tie and the vest. The jeans are from Levi’s; I’ve basically always worn Levi’s jeans. The shoes, I don’t remember where exactly I got them. The hat is from Urban Outfitters and the handkerchief is from Bloomingdales.”

Zhu came highly recommended by many students as being quite a fashionable individual. The combination of a work blazer or suit jacket with jeans is a look that many men can pull off and should wear more often. Pairing sophisticated blazer and dark casual jeans is a sure way for any man to look stylish. Even women have mimicked this look when the androgynous styles began showing up again on the runways a few years ago. Zhu mentioned Giorgio Armani as a designer that he likes. Armani’s attention to well-tailored men’s suits can be seen in many of his fall collections. It’s the bursts of color though, such as the light brown belt, the brown sweater vest against the blue of the blazer and the handkerchief that make the outfit as a whole stand out amongst the regular Swarthmore College t-shirts and jeans.

How would you describe your style?

“It’s somewhere in between business and casual,” Zhu said. The blazer, tie, handkerchief and dress shoes evoke a professional look, but he balances it with the jeans and urban, fedora-like hat. Zhu insists that “style is just about having fun. If you can’t have fun with what you’re wearing, then there’s no point.”

Style Influences/ Inspirations:

Zhu, along with many other New York City residents, finds inspiration in the streets and subways in the city. “In [big] cities, there’s always so much going on and all it takes is to keep your eye open and you’ll see all sorts of different stuff,” Zhu said. “You say ‘Wow, that’s amazing. I would never have thought of that.’” Zhu also mentioned browsing The Sartorialist for ideas.

Where do you shop?

Zhu previously said how he loves to shop in Italy. “It’s always great whenever I go there to get at least one article of clothing,” he said. Zhu also shops at H&M since it’s a “pretty inexpensive place, [but] you can get a lot of great stuff.” He started shopping at Uniqlo this year after a friend recommended the store. “It’s sort of along the same line as H&M, lower prices, but still very nice stuff."

Wardrobe staples:

“Everyone has to have a nice suit, especially the guys,” Zhu said. “I obviously don’t always wear a suit, but every now and again it’s nice to take it out.” Zhu also said that 50 years ago, men were wearing suits to college and that to him, a suit doesn’t always mean a “businessman, working 9 to 5.”

An accessory that most men take for granted is the tie. “Guys don’t realize how much fun they can have with ties,” Zhu said. “In some ways, it’s like how a guy can explore something different. There are so many options you have with a suit and a dress shirt, but with a tie you can take it wherever you want.”

He wishes that more guys would consider using ties to spice up an outfit, but, he said, “whatever floats your boat.”

Do you think you’ve got great style? Then submit a photo of you in your best outfit to cryder1@swarthmore.edu. Please include your name and contact information.

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