Who Are You Wearing?
UMD Student Cove Buskirk shows off her fall fashion in bright, fun colors. Photo Credit: Macie Groth
This article was originally published in the October 2026 print edition of The Bark, distributed at the University of Minnesota Duluth campus.
Picture this: it’s the first day of your very first semester at the University of Minnesota Duluth. For some of you, memories may flood your brain from your freshman year. Quickly, thoughts of the joys and pitfalls of that, perhaps chaotic first year at UMD may follow. Others may be reflecting on their current existence in the liminal space that is the college transition. Yes, I am talking to my fellow freshmen! You are not alone. If neither of these situations applies to you, I ask you to think back to the first time you came to the University of Minnesota Duluth campus. Specifically, think back to the kinds of people that filled the space and the first impressions they left on you.
When you walked on campus for the first time, we may have had a similar experience; you were struck with an overwhelming sense of individuality and acceptance. You looked around and saw human beings existing completely and unapologetically as the person they were born to be. I am talking about the first impression you get from someone's appearance. Before you share one word with them, you get to see who they are from the outside. Their eyes, the way they hold themselves, how they style their hair, their clothing, and other choices they have made to present themself to the world.
Whether you consciously notice it or not, everyone makes choices on how they present themselves. For some people, the choice of what to wear or how to style yourself can function as a form of self-expression. This can be loud, simple, hidden, modern, futuristic, old, unique, typical, etc. Either way, it is a choice that makes you, you.
UMD Student Rokahaya Niang shows off her jewelry; she has various shapes and sizes of silver jewelry to add to her look. Photo Credit: Macie Groth
I interviewed a group of current UMD students before writing this piece, and I asked them how they express themselves through their appearance. They said by wearing things they “feel good” or “most confident” in. For some people, like UMD student Amelia Bjerke, this may include wearing “a lot of Earth tones” to demonstrate one's passion for the natural world. Maybe this means wearing “merch of artists” you enjoy, or certain colors you love. If you have the resources to do so, there are many different ways of expressing yourself through your appearance.
Taking a glance at the UMD community, you can see a campus full of confident individuals who create our campus culture. When I look around and see someone wearing a bold necklace, an interesting color combination, a brand I like, merchandise I recognize, funny T-shirts, a simple piece that ties together an outfit, or a unique pair of shoes, I feel like I gain an understanding of who that person is without even speaking to them. There is something special about the fact that this person chose to wear that item, and it reflects a part of them, perhaps without them even noticing.
When people make the choice to be confident about who they are, it builds and strengthens a community of acceptance and individuality. For myself and others, this is a key reason for choosing the University of Minnesota Duluth.
For some people, being bold and expressing who you are comes naturally. This doesn't always mean wearing crazy colors or big statement pieces, but simply presenting your true self to the world is bold. This is easier said than done for some. There are those who may feel a fear of judgment surrounding self-expression. Remember, you are not alone. This fear is real, but it does not control you. I ask you to take a moment and think about your “look”. Does it feel like you? No matter how you answer that question, just take notice of how you present yourself to the world. If part of you feels hidden, I implore you to let it out. Be bold. Be brave. Be yourself.
Ralph Waldo Emerson said that “to be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” Appearance is one of the many ways society tells us who we should be. It’s so easy for society to push us over and force us into a neat box. It’s easy to choose an outfit or style that makes you feel hidden and safe. Invisibility can seem like a gift in the face of adversity, but all it’s doing is smothering the individuality that makes you who you are.
Art Student Jamelah Brown shows off her creativity in not just her art but in the way she dresses as well. Photo Credit: Macie Groth
However, take a look around campus. Look at all the people who are boldly themselves. When I see these people, I am filled with inspiration, not judgment. If you too feel inspired, use it as fuel to find yourself. Feel the fear, but don't let it hide the beautiful individual waiting to be seen.
Being bold does not always mean standing out. As I mentioned before, I see being bold as being you, no matter what that looks like. Being one’s true self is not easy in a society that idolizes conformity. This article is meant to inspire those who have doubts, those who feel they are hiding a part of themselves because of the world around them. And for those who don’t need to stand out to feel like themselves, continue to wear what makes you feel like yourself.
No matter who you are, where you come from, or what you believe in, I hope that when you look in the mirror, you love what you see. I also hope that, after reading this, you feel the support to be unapologetically bold and courageous.
With that being said, I leave you with the question: Who are you wearing?