Finally sunshine, jackets off: Roeterseiland instantly turns into a kind of catwalk
The snow has finally given way to sunshine. Jackets off, time to strut. The Roeterseiland campus (REC), also known as the UvA’s fashion week, transformed into a catwalk filled with stylish figures.
The crocuses are blooming and the sun has been working overtime lately. Spring seems to have arrived, which means it's time to take off your coats. At REC, it also means that fashion lovers can feast their eyes. It's no coincidence that this part of campus is also known as the UvA's Fashion Week. Folia took a stroll and spoke to three fashionistas about their style choices and style advice.
Hadjja Fatmata (28), studies interdisciplinary social sciences
Fashion advice:
Just do it spontaneously and follow your instincts. You know what feels right for your body. And don't pay attention to size. Sometimes a size larger or smaller fits better, and it varies from shop to shop anyway. Wear what is comfortable; the most important thing is that you feel good in something.
‘Is fashion and style something I find important? Not necessarily, I just try to play around with it as much as possible. I don't think about it that much – although, I don't have a wardrobe, I have a room full of clothes, so maybe I do think about it... I just have a huge collection of things, I think. I get a lot of things from my friends; when they see interesting items of clothing, they think of me. And I still have a lot of things from secondary school.
In the morning, I mainly look at what's hanging on the washing line. I saw this outfit yesterday and thought: I haven't worn this in a long time.
I also go with my gut feeling, depending on my mood. I do use clothes to express myself a little, but not consciously. It's really a matter of feeling. And I do like statement pieces. I think that because everything in my outfit is quite intense, it all seems as if it's been very carefully thought out, but that's not really the case. Style is something you have to play with, that's the most important thing. Sometimes you wear things that you might not find very cute, but the important thing is that you've tried something.
I don't worry too much about what other people think, but I don't get any really negative reactions either. Some people think these shoes are crazy, but I've been wearing them every day for two years. I love the split toe.’
Hermine Teske, 20, studies psychology
Fashion tip: When you go shopping, before you buy something, picture how it will go with your wardrobe. You can love a piece, but if you have nothing to combine it with, it will stress you out.
‘I don’t really like planning my outfits. It’s more of a feeling in my body that I go with. I usually start with one piece of clothing that I feel like I really wanna wear that day. I build my outfit around that, and stick to that. Otherwise, it gets too confusing and I get an outfit crisis. Today I started with these leggings cause I was in a comfortable vibe, and then it goes automatically. I have this vision and my head and somehow it works out. Some days I’m more motivated to out time in my outfit, other times I just go for the next best thing.
I try out a lot at home, fahsionwise. I try to combine different directions, see what works and what doesn’t. I always want to try out something new. Mix up feminine and masculine pieces, of sporty and more formal. Have something confusing about it, so it ctaches the eye. I want people to think: I can not really put her in a category, she’s not typically alternative or typically elegant, what is she doing?
I would say I have a good eye for fashion. It makes me so happy to see people living out their own style, expressing themselves. It’s so lovely to see something of a person's inside in their outfit and that is what I try to do as well.’
Alexander Smith (21), studies anthropology
Fashion tip: Just, like, have intention. It’s not just about seeing something on someone else and thinking, I like that, but think about the entire vibe.
‘Even if it’s really cold, I still have to wear something nice. All my warm stuff is still nice stuff, I don’t think I’ll ever sacrifice looking nice for the weather. When picking out my outfit, I also take in consideration where I’m gonna go. If I’m meeting my friends, I’ll definitely wear something nice. At the same time, I don’t own that many clothes, so the stuff I wear to uni I could also wear to a party. But meeting my friends, I’ll definitely put in a little more effort.
When I first started going here, in summer, I would often wear my favorite stuff, which sometimes would feel a bit too much. I would sit in class and think, wait, am I overdressed? But now, honestly, I don’t think it matters that much. Usually, other people are not judging.
For inspiration, I follow people on Instagram and I have a pinterest board. I don’t stick to a specific era. I don’t like to wear things that feel trendy for 2026, for example, I definitely go for a specific vibe instead of a period of time. My friend told me the other that that they could feel intention in my style. I do think about what I’m gonna wear, and I really like to think about silhouette. Buy things that compliment my silhouette, that make my legs look longer or my shoulders wider.’
