TF Tips for the Trend Challenged

It takes a considerable amount of creative panache to assemble an eye-catching outfit from the Square’s generic clothing stores. However, there’s one place on campus where everyone seems to have that certain je ne sais quoi. Romance Languages teaching fellows are so jaw-droppingly stylish that their students may find it hard to concentrate on their verb declensions. The department imports graduate students and their sense of style from all over the world. FM imported two of these style-savvy TFs to survey the budget holiday shopping scene in the Square. Generous as well as fashionable, they offer tips not just (or even really focused at all) on holiday shopping and instead show how Harvard students can go from super schlumpy to très trendy.

Spanish TF Maritza Melendez Lopez, from Puerto Rico, adds a touch of the tropics to her outfits. French TF Mathilde Arnavon hails from Paris and London, bringing classic European style to Cambridge. Both agree that Harvard students could use a little help in the fashion department. Arnavon points out that Americans in general lack pizzazz. “In Paris, it’s a show,” she says. “If you’re on the metro and your outfit isn’t perfect, people will look at you funny.”

Don’t worry about designers. “What I like is what I like, I never worry about the tag,” Lopez says.

Spice things up. “The Gap is so boring—it’s the same stuff over and over,” Arnavon complains. She also breezes past Abercrombie & Fitch. “Some items are nice, but all that writing across the boobs and the bright colors? The style is a little sloppy.”

Lopez recommends starting out simply—a nice pair of black pants or jeans. Arnavon agrees. “I love jeans—I could buy a million,” she says. She favors dark rinse Juicy Couture jeans from Jasmine Sola ($132), while Lopez likes the comfort of Abercrombie’s super low-rise flares ($59.50).

Arnavon picks out a pair of wine red Steve Madden slip-ons to accentuate her basic black ($69). “Detail makes an outfit,” Arnavon instructs as she picks up a gray bucket cap in Jasmine Sola ($32). Lopez loves a beige sparkly scarf at Urban Outfitters. ($18). Meanwhile, Arnavon inspects how she looks holding a Go Girl leather handbag ($40).

For real shopping, Lopez heads into Boston. “The Square is just so limited,” she complains. “Of course, the best shopping is in Paris or New York City,” Arnavon says. “In Boston, I like to hit up Guess, FCUK (but it’s ridiculously expensive), and Express. Banana Republic for guys.” Both are fans of Newbury Street.

For students on a budget, the duo suggests going for simplicity and classical colors—black, tan, red and light blue for winter. Arnavon demonstrates with a collared black button down from Jasmine Sola ($21). Lopez opts for the Gap’s classic ribbed turtleneck in red or tan ($19).

Above all, the TFs’ best advice is to be yourself. “It’s really all about attitude and how you wear a piece,” Arnavon says. “It always seems like people are trying too hard to be stylish—you should wear it, not let it wear you.”