The Red & White

Around campus, we often recognize exceptionally fashionable students. People who you can tell put thought into their personal style and don’t just throw on whatever clothes they have lying around, we recognize it as almost a part of their identities. This article will recognize the overlooked icons on this campus, the unexpectedly stylish teachers. Whether it’s Mr. Cramer and his infamous sandals, Ms. Furtado and her monochrome outfits, Mr. Jackson and his cardigans, or Dr. Boger with her colorful skirts and dresses. Each of these teachers has a unique style while still adhering to the dress code. Luckily, I was able to get a couple of interviews with these fashion icons, where I gathered insight on some fashion tips as well as their origin. 

Starting us off is Mr. Cramer. Mr. Cramer is the guy who will push the boundaries and express himself to the fullest extent possible while still following the rules. If you’ve ever met him, it’s easy to tell he’s a very free-spirited man, and his outfits definitely reflect this freedom. When Mr. Cramer was a student at St. George’s, sandals were banned in the dress code; however, Birkenstocks, specifically, were not. Whether it was 78 degrees and sunny or 32 degrees and snowing, Mr. Cramer wore his Birkenstocks every day, even for chapel. After decades, Birkenstock and sandals remain staples in Mr. Cramer’s wardrobe.

Dr. Boger’s outfits typically consist of colorful skirts and a pullover knitted sweater. Her outfits are flawlessly color coordinated, matching even down to the color of her earrings. What a lot of people don’t know about Dr. Boger’s styles is that she knits her own sweaters. It was actually her high school Latin that teacher taught her to knit, Dr Boger claims “She noticed I was fidgety and one day she offered to teach me how to knit, she would teach me the basics and from there I learned everything I needed to know about how to knit, she even cancelled class one day to take me to the knitting store.” To Dr. Boger’s teacher, I thank her for allowing Dr. Boger to put on a runway fashion show every day with her outfits. When I asked Dr. Boger for a piece of advice on how students can find their own style, she said, “We take our cues from the people around us to find style, but sometimes end up doing exactly as others do. Be inspired, but don’t be afraid to wear the things that you like. The ones that get attention are the ones that wear what they want. Dress for yourself, not other people.” So next time you have that experimental outfit you want to wear, but are worried about what other people will think, simply remember Dr. Boger’s words. 

Ms. Furtado is a teacher many are still unfamiliar with since she started new this year. Regardless, she has made a statement with her distinct monochrome black-based outfits. It’s not every day you see someone with such a unique style, and this begged the question, “Where does your style come from?” Today, Ms. Furtado picks a black clothing item and builds around that, but there was once a time when she dressed completely differently. She explained that when she was a child, her mother would wear only dark colors, and she claims, “As a way of active rebellion, I would wear pink and floral clothes growing up.” Through influence from her mother, the music she listened to, and thrift stores, her style changed throughout time. In high school, Ms. Furtado enjoyed bands like Smashing Pumpkins, Deftones, Pixies, and Radiohead. Her typical style was influenced by these bands, consisting of a band t-shirt, dyed hair, and an overall “alternative or emo” look, reflecting the music she listened to. When I asked her for a piece of advice, she would give a student in search of their own personal style, she said, “Find individual clothing pieces that you like, and build around that until you find something that sticks. Don’t be afraid to do your own thing; don’t be pressured into another fashion trend. Wear what you want, because I would wear something, get made fun of for it, then it would become a fashion trend later on anyway.” 

Lastly, we have Mr. Jackson, often recognized for his signature cardigans and sneakers. Similar to Mr. Cramer, when Mr. Jackson was a student at St. George’s, sneakers were banned in the dress code. Being the sneaker head he is, Mr. Jackson and his friends would buy all different types of sneakers and would only wear them outside of school. Now, since sneakers are permitted in the dress code, Mr. Jackson wears sneakers in every outfit he can, as a form of self-expression and rebellion to the old dress code, showing every day that fancy attire accompanied by sneakers can still look sharp and professional. Although Mr. Jackson consistently puts on great outfits in school, his outfits outside of school are nothing to be slept on either, whether it’s designer Salehe crocs, or a Jorja Smith concert t-shirt, Mr. Jackson never misses with his outfit. When I asked Mr. Jackson for advice for students finding their own style, he told me, “Before you hop on Pinterest or try and emulate someone else’s style, look across and see what your parents are doing. They have a lot of good stuff in their archive. I used to go through my dad’s stuff and he had a lot of stuff like carhartt, just look back through your family’s closet. Before you look outward, look inward. I used to wear sweaters a lot when I first got here. Holly Williams pointed out that my mom and I dress the same when she comes up for family weekend. Look for what you like that your parents like too, 9/10 they have a lot of the clothes you’ll like somewhere.” Along with taking inspiration from your parents, he also advised that you take your time. “Rome wasn’t built in one night, or as Gucci Mane states, ‘If you don’t got no sauce, then you’re lost, but you can also get lost in the sauce.’” Mr. Jackson didn’t find his style overnight, and neither did any of the other teachers I interviewed. The best thing you can do is wear what you want to wear when you want to wear it, and let your style evolve freely over time.