Quad Style: Eric Gu
Today's Quad Style focuses on fourth year, Eric Gu. Eric is an Economics major and Comp Sci minor. On campus, Eric is involved with campusCATALYST, Alpha Kappa Psi, and Water Polo.
What or who is your style inspiration?
I decide a lot of my wardrobe based on people and things I see around me. For example, my roommate Grant bought two pairs of the exact same shoes so now I have two copies of every single item in my wardrobe. My other roommate Chris really likes the music festival Ultra so sometimes I’ll just wear a gigantic Ultra flag and nothing else. The baggy sweater I’m wearing in the set of pictures is actually inspired by the spirit jerseys that a lot of sororities have. I bought an XXL sweater from Old Navy and just trimmed it shorter, and it’s one of my most comfy sweaters.
“I don’t think I’m particularly inventive in what I wear, since I mostly get inspired by what I’ve seen other people already wearing. However, I think a good word to describe it would be personalized. ”
How would you describe your style?
I don’t think I’m particularly inventive in what I wear, since I mostly get inspired by what I’ve seen other people already wearing. However, I think a good word to describe it would be personalized. I made the patch sweater after going into a store and seeing a similar looking sweater for $200+. I went out and bought a different colored sweater, as well as chose a bunch of patches that had to do with food. Similarly, I really liked the trend of paint splattered sneakers that were cool like 3 or 4 years ago. Instead of using minimal low-top leather sneakers, I decided to use some flashier canvas sneakers, as well as limited the color palette of paint. In the end, I made things that were similar to expensive or designer items, but personalized them enough so that they’re unique. More than that though, it was fun making something by myself, and I always feel more cheerful when I’m wearing them.
What is your relationship with fashion?
I think it’s a good way to seem interesting to make up for my utter lack of personality otherwise.
What’s your favorite current trend?
I like the trend away from slim and skinny pants towards flowy and almost baggy pants. I assume the natural conclusion of this trend is when everyone is wearing amorphous blobs for pants and no can tell what other people’s bottom halves look like. Ideally, a random person on the street could be a mermaid and no one would be able to tell. My least favorite trend is average global temperatures in the last 10 years.
Favorite store or website?
As a copout answer, I really like thrift shopping and looking for goofy sweaters. Besides thrift shops, I’d say my second favorite store is Bonobos. Their clothes fit pretty well, and their stores are great because it’s more of a place to try on clothes and get advice from their employees. They’ll also serve you beverages and even beer, so sometimes I go and pretend to try on clothes but really, I’m just there for the drinks.
Your house is on fire. What item are you going to save?
I wake up. I sniff the air. I first think that someone’s been making toast. I pause – that’s not toast – that’s the stench of a three-alarm fire! I quickly tumble out of bed and look for the most important item I’m going to save. Is it my wallet? Is it my computer? Is it the glossy poster of my roommate Grant I’ve lovingly hung over my bed? Not feeling satisfied with any of these, I dash into the hallway, at first slipping because socks are slippery on hardwood flooring and I sleep with my socks on. As I cough, I fumble around for the light switch so I can make my selection easier. I notice that smoke is pouring out of the living room corner. I investigate. Atop a fluorescent green yoga matt are the charred and flaming remains of my roommate Chris. So this is the source of the fire. Looks like he’s been practicing his Zumba dance moves a little too much and literally set his impromptu dance floor on fire. I begin to panic. It’s 180 words in and I still haven’t chosen my most important item. I glance around frantically before inspiration strikes! The jade gleam catches my eye from the kitchen corner. I dash over before clutching desperately for our potted plant. With treasure in hand, I dash out of my apartment amid the anguished screams of the other apartment residents as they realize that their lives are burning down around them. I feel sorry for them, but at least I’ve saved my potted plant.
What’s your go-to outfit?
I really like black jeans with anything. It looks kind of put together when I’m lazy, but it also lets me wear something brighter or standoutish without looking too out of place. Even if it’s a really ugly shirt, it still looks a bit more presentable with black jeans.
What’s your favorite fashion faux-pas (aka your guilty pleasure)?
I have a glittery black long sleeve t-shirt that I got on a middle school field trip to Washington DC. It has a large print of Obama’s face over the chest, and his family looking wholesome in the background. It’s framed with a glittery cursive phrase that says “Mister President” while fireworks go off above the Obamas.
“A ton of people are into fashion to give off a certain vibe, so knowing whether or not your outfit fits the impression is huge. ”
Most important part of any look?
Definitely your understanding of how it makes you look. A ton of people are into fashion to give off a certain vibe, so knowing whether or not your outfit fits the impression is huge. For example, nautical stripes are pretty popular, especially in lighter or subdued shades. But if they’re too bold and have too much contrast, you might look like someone who rows a gondola.
What are your biggest fashion/style regrets?
In elementary school, we had a uniform that required white collared shirts or polos. I wish I had had the foresight to pop my collar.
All photos are courtesy of Rebecca Cho
