Comm Ave Runway: December Edition

Comm Ave Runway: December Edition

Our ongoing fashion series finds stylish students and asks them how they achieve their look

Aria Bitan (COM'25)

Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?

These are Hunter boots. I bought them recently because I needed rain boots. The skirt is thrifted-I think it's from Lord & Taylor. I'm wearing a belt from Urban Outfitters, and this jacket is from Buffalo Exchange. The sweatshirt is also thrifted, from the Fenway Flea, and I got the hat for free at a bodega. The bag is Longchamp.

How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?

I do like [to dress] a little preppy, but I like to do more streetwear preppy. I like mod style, and I also like a lot of chic, timeless pieces-that's kind of my usual.

Your favorite places to shop?

I like Goodwill and I like to go to different vintage markets. There's Select Markets-that's one place that's really cool. Buffalo [Exchange] is good, and I also like J.Crew, Free People, and Depop.

What are your fashion influences?

I like '60s mod [style] a lot, like Jane Birkin. I guess coquette style, too; I get into that a little bit. Mostly just Pinterest, and even my friends will be influences for me. And then, honestly, people on the street. Maybe my past self, too.

Your advice for students who want to look good on a budget?

Go thrifting… Depop is your best friend. Do your research before-if you see a shirt on TikTok, see if there's other versions of it available. Or, and I don't do it that much, I'm trying to get into altering clothes myself or tailoring.

Emma Giventer-Braff (CFA'26)

Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?

This is a dress from Cinq à Sept. I got it at TJ Maxx many years ago. My boots are Dr. Martens that I got on the street for free, and they fit me perfectly. I hand-knit this sweater, and I used two different fibers to make it. I got my earrings with my grandparents the first time they took me to Italy. They're from the Ponte Vecchio in Florence.

How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?

Eclectic maximalist. My mom says edgy Jackie Kennedy.

Your favorite places to shop?

I really like making my own clothes. That's my all-time favorite thing to do. When I'm buying ready-to-wear, I like The RealReal and Poshmark.

What are your fashion influences?

I love Parisian girls and just being in Paris. This is going to be a really weird one, but I have come around on Julia Fox-I really like her. Also opera singers, like Maria Callas, because I am an opera singer. Definitely Amsterdam street style, as well.

Your advice for students who want to look good on a budget?

First off, 100 percent thrifting. The second thing I would recommend is, if you're dressing on a budget, what matters most is dressing to your skin tone, your hair color, your body shape. That's what elevates you even more than wearing nice clothes and brands.

Dari Battugs (CAS'25)

Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?

The pants are H&M and the shirt is from Bogner. The rain boots are Chloé. I got the jacket online from Net à Porter and the glasses are Fendi.

How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?

I'd say mature.

Your favorite places to shop?

Online. Usually, I [don't] go shopping in the US because I'm from Mongolia. A lot of my clothes are from Net à Porter.

What are your fashion influences?

My mom.

Your advice for students who want to look good on a budget?

Shopping online at Zara is a really good choice, but not US Zara. Maybe like Zara Korea. H&M is also really good.

June Lim (CAS'27)

Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?

I got the jacket and pants from an online Korean store called Musinsa. This shirt is from Uniqlo, and the shoes are Adidas-they were gifted to me by my brother for my birthday. This bag is something I found on Amazon.

How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?

I go either for streetwear or for something kind of soft, like knitted sweater vests-something more soft-coded.

Your favorite places to shop?

As of recently, it's been MUJI, Uniqlo, and Musinsa.

What are your fashion influences?

I surround myself with people who dress nice, and I just try to copy them. A lot of [my style] is just based on Pinterest and random outfit ideas I see.

Your advice for students who want to look good on a budget?

If you find an aesthetic, I think you should stick with it. That's how I do it. Once you find an aesthetic and you try to dress like it with other clothes you have, you get more comfortable along the way.

Marina Lemos (CFA'26)

Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?

The trench coat is Uniqlo; the sweater is from FARM Rio; and the pants, scarf, and shoes are from Cider.

How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?

I think maybe cool-casual. I like comfortable things, but I also like different pieces.

Your favorite places to shop?

Cider, FARM Rio, and Uniqlo-honestly, everything I'm wearing. I'm from Brazil, so I'm still kind of figuring out brands in America that are affordable.

What are your fashion influences?

Right now, Dakota Johnson. She has that sort of casual chic.

Your advice for students who want to look good on a budget?

I think you have to try the clothes on before you buy them. Don't wear clothes that you don't feel comfortable in, because then you won't feel good and you won't feel comfortable.

Dave Feng (CAS'28)

Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?

I got my shirt at Newbury Comics. The character on it is a Japanese manga character. The jacket, belt, and pants are from Muji. I got the shoes in China.

How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?

I just like to try a different combination of things every day. It totally depends on my mood.

Your favorite places to shop?

Newbury Street. I like to find things that relate to what I like-it's not about brands, it's about culture. For example, this T-shirt is about anime, and I have a T-shirt for Game of Thrones and also T-shirts for a video game called Outer Wilds. I just like clothes that reflect your experiences.

What are your fashion influences?

Can I say [the brand] Apple? I like simple things with smooth transitions that make everything visually comfortable.

Your advice for students who want to look good on a budget?

Before university, I was not really confident in myself…[but] you've got to reflect your culture. It's not just [about], 'I need to wear this brand' or 'I need to wear that brand.' It's all about your style and how you would like to reflect yourself and connect with other people.

Amarais Towle (STH'25)

Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?

The jacket was from Amazon, the pants are Uniqlo, and I've had the turtleneck literally forever. I don't even know where I got it, it's so old. A friend gave me the shoes, actually. The belt is from Target.

How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?

I like to keep it simple and sleek. I like it to be feminine, but there's always a kind of masculine edge to it.

Your favorite places to shop?

That depends. I do really like Uniqlo. Cotton On is a fun one. I do a lot of thrifting.

What are your fashion influences?

It's a lot of people I see around. One of my best friends is also a fashion influence on me, if I'm being honest.

Your advice for students who want to look good on a budget?

Get outside of Boston to thrift. Thrifting in Boston is not necessarily that cheap, and everything is picked over. If you can get outside of [the city], there's always much better stuff.

Solomon Fife (Questrom'25)

Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?

The jacket my dad gave to me. I got the white shirt from K&G Fashion. I also got the pants and shoes from there.

How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?

Honestly, low-key basic. But I've been transitioning to making some better outfits.

Your favorite places to shop?

I love Depop. Some of my stuff is from Zara. I also like thrifting around [Boston].

What are your fashion influences?

I like how A$AP Rocky dresses, but I would never put on [what he wears], you know what I'm saying? Usually, I'll see an outfit on TikTok or Instagram that I like.

Your advice for students who want to look good on a budget?

Shop online. This is what I will say: I feel like pants can make the outfit. If you're shopping on a budget, I'd say pants are the more important part.

Cameron Heffernan (CAS'26, Wheelock'26)

Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?

These jeans are from GAP, and my jacket is from my friend's family's brand, Veronica de Piante-it's a great label. I'm also wearing a Theory sweater, and my scarf is from a store called Susmie's.

How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?

I'd say it's pretty classic, with a focus on basic pieces, but I like to add a pop of color to keep things interesting.

Your favorite places to shop?

Some of my favorites are Zara and Reformation. Lately, I've been loving GAP, and surprisingly, Old Navy has amazing sweaters.

What are your fashion influences?

I get a lot of inspiration from Instagram influencers, especially Ruby Lynn and Ella Rose. They have great style and shop at unique places like small Instagram boutiques. I love how their clothes often feature funky, unconventional shapes.

Your advice for students who want to look good on a budget?

Take advantage of sales. Black Friday is a great time to stock up! Also, sell your old clothes. If you're over your Princess Polly era, sell those items to a store like Covet and reinvest in new pieces

Heide Atkins (SHA'26)

Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?

My boots are from my mom's closet, and so are these gauchos-her style is everything. My belt is thrifted, my sweater is thrifted too, but it's Free People. My shirt is from Intimately by Free People, and the necklace is also my mom's.

How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?

Diverse. I draw inspiration from a lot of different people and places.

Your favorite places to shop?

Goodwill, for sure. I also love bigger designer brands like Diesel and Margiela.

What are your fashion influences?

Definitely my mom. She has such an unapologetic sense of style, very '70s and '80s vibes. She dresses however she wants, and I love that.

Your advice for students who want to look good on a budget?

Thrift! Go through every single rack and look at every single item. You won't find great pieces just by glancing around. You've got to get your hands dirty and really dig in.

Ava Benzan (CAS'25)

Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?

This bag is my mom's from the '90s. My coat was a Christmas gift from her, and so was this Banana Republic shirt. I thrifted the pants, but don't know where they're from, and the belt is thrifted, too. I work at Coach, so the shoes were free-they're part of my uniform. The hat is my dad's. Honestly, I just take stuff from my parents!

How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?

I kind of just wear what I want. I'd say my style is very streetwear, baggy, '90s-inspired, and eclectic. Honestly, it changes every day.

Your favorite places to shop?

I'm from Massachusetts, so I love the Savers/Value Village up on the North Shore; it's like a Goodwill, just another type of thrift store.

What are your fashion influences?

I'd say my fashion influences come from the people around me, especially my family. I grew up with a dad who's really into fashion, even though he's a cop. He has a real passion for Ralph Lauren. My aunt also worked in fashion, for brands like Calvin Klein and Burberry. They're definitely my fashion icons.

Your advice for students who want to look good on a budget?

Never dismiss a piece because of its style-anything can work if you style it right. Also, learn how to sew! I do a lot of upcycling, and it's such an important skill. And don't thrift a T-shirt for $40-that's just crazy.

Jack Lalos (CAS'25)

Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?

My boots are from Johnston & Murphy, and I think the jeans are Levi's. The coat is from Italy-I ordered it from Rome, but don't know the exact brand. The sweater is Ralph Lauren.

How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?

I like to feel good in what I wear. I care about my appearance and how others perceive me, but ultimately, I choose outfits that I enjoy and not just what I think others will like. My style varies because I base it on combinations that resonate with me.

Your favorite places to shop?

Ralph Lauren is a go-to for me. Cole Haan is also great, especially for guys transitioning into the professional sphere. Calvin Klein is another solid option.

What are your fashion influences?

I grew up with my grandparents, and my grandpa had a fantastic sense of old-school fashion. He always dressed well and took pride in his appearance. I've adopted a lot of those basics, like a nice coat and boots, and added a modern twist.

Your advice for students who want to look good on a budget?

Don't get hung up on brands. Everyone has a different budget, so if you like it, whether it's Gucci or Amazon, go for it. It's about how the piece makes you feel, not the label.

Camden Lawton (CAS'25)

Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?

My jacket is from Zara, the sweater is from a small shop in my hometown, the pants are from Uniqlo, and the shoes are from Kith.

How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?

It's different and diverse. I like wearing a lot of different pieces, and my style tends to change day to day.

Your favorite places to shop?

Recently, I've been into Zara and Uniqlo. They're affordable and practical, like what I'm wearing now. I also like lululemon.

What are your fashion influences?

Honestly, I don't have anyone specific in mind. I'd say social media plays a big role, and some of my friends have great style, too.

What's your advice for students who want to look good on a budget?

Look for deals. There are plenty of places to find affordable clothing, so you don't need to shop at high-end stores to have good style. I love thrifting; a lot of my pieces are thrifted or from consignment shops. Even Goodwill or local consignment stores can have great finds-sometimes even high-end items-for way less.

Kathryn Christianson (CAS'25)

Tell us about your outfit. Where did you get each piece?

My scarf is from Acne Studios; it was my sister's. The coat is Vince, my pants are from Free People, and my cardigan is from Target. My sneakers are Golden Goose, and my bag is from The RealReal.

How would you describe your fashion sense in a few words?

I'd say mostly plain, but I love layering in the winter-it makes everything more interesting. Overall, I just go for what's comfortable.

Your favorite places to shop?

Zara is a favorite, and I like The RealReal for standout pieces, though not for everyday shopping. Free People is another go-to.

What are your fashion influences?

My sisters, for sure. I'm the youngest of five, and I have three older sisters. A lot of my style comes from them. I get so many great hand-me-downs.

What's your advice for students who want to look good on a budget?

Thrifting is a great option. Goodwill has awesome finds if you're willing to dig a bit.

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Comm Ave Runway: December Edition

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