This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Texas chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.
One of the many great things about UT is how you can stroll down Speedway and see so many amazingly unique styles (aside from the big t-shirts and Nike shorts). Style is an important way for people to express themselves and their personality. However, style can sometimes become the only determinate of a person’s status, when in actuality a someone’s personality is so much more than just what they decide to put on in the morning. This has been perpetuated countless times in the media. One of my favorite movies, The Devil Wears Prada, is a huge proponent of this idea. Anne Hathaway’s character Andy Sachs works her butt off but isn’t taken seriously until she starts strutting around in Chanel boots and has a Dolce blazer slung over her shoulder on one finger. Or maybe Miranda Priestly was impressed by the confidence Andy carried with her in her new ensembles. I know I have a certain pep in my step as I walk through the Six Pack when I’m in a cute outfit. Here’s my question: How much do we let the media influence our decisions concerning beauty and style?
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Several months ago
we introduced you to theater studies major Sarah Marcum, as well as Paige Brown, an acting and African and African Diaspora studies major. These two teamed up in an attempt to answer questions like the one I posed above. Since we last chatted with them, they have been creating a theater piece entitled “Eye of the Beholder: The Beauty Play,” that would start a real conversation about women’s body images and the media’s unrealistic
construction of ideal beauty. We caught up with Sarah to see how she thinks style reflects one’s personality, and gave us an update on Eye of the Beholder.
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Her Campus Texas: How would you describe your style?
Sarah Marcum: Honestly, I have no idea. My Pinterest board definitely has a clear view but other than that I have no idea. I really just wear things I feel good in. What I feel confident and comfortable in. Also, I’m poor. So I focus on classic pieces or items I can wear a lot of different ways.
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HCTX: What is the outfit that makes you feel your best/most confident?
SM: My favorite outfit… I think it’s just when I’m wearing my coral pants, a white button up and this super comfy gray cardigan I have. Also, toms. I love Toms. The flats, the wedges, the classics. All Toms. Basically, when I feel classic. Hardly any makeup, my hair it’s natural wavy/curly mess and comfy shoes!
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HCTX: How do you think style influences confidence for women our age?
SM: Style really provides an opportunity to show your personality. For example, I can be impatient and am often tired but I’m still pretty happy. Therefore, I wear clothes that can be put together quickly, are comfortable but still stylish (hopefully). Style allows you to be confident in who you are and showcase it a bit, and at our age- we’re young, wear whatever you want and like!
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HCTX: Can you give us an update on Eye on the Beholder?
SM: It’s going well. We’ve decided to not only cover women’s issues but men’s as well. Some(and formerly me) may think that men don’t struggle quite as much with their body image as women do. That’s not true at all. They just struggle in different ways sometimes. We are in rehearsal and still writing and devising. It’s fun, we have a super brilliant cast. I can’t wait to see the final product.
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Eye of the Beholder: The Beauty Play, plays from March 25-29, 2013 as part of The Cohen New Works Festival presented by the University Co-op. Check out
this link for more details.
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