Quad Style: Jessica Choe
Pleasure to meet you all! I’m Jessica Jiwon Choe, a second year Comparative Human Development and Psychology double major. On campus, I’m involved in Phi Alpha Delta, Amnesty International, and ENoK (Empowerment/Emancipation of North Koreans). I’m an avid foodie so I love searching and showcasing my culinary adventures on my food instagram (@ssicachic.a). You’ll also probably see me running around campus in my red backpack and thigh high boots because being right-on-time for class has unintentionally become a hobby.
How would you describe your personal style?
Chic, classic, and confident. I see fashion as means of self-expression and I think the c-trio, as I like to call the aforementioned character traits, really take center stage in my personality. I wear lots of chunky shoes–thigh high boots being my go-to footwear in the winter (warm and stylish if you know what I mean). Accessorizing is also something I like to experiment with! It’s hard to miss me jingling across the Quad with ear-cuffs and dangly necklaces.
Where do you find your style inspiration?
I’m a fan of Keira Knightley’s style because she’s always elegant and personable. Her outfits express enough of herself for her charm to shine through, but also achieve a happy medium alongside following hot trends in fashion.
For this look, I’m wearing a leather vest from Zara over a blouson jacket with white string detailing across the length of the arms from Korea and denim shorts from Hollister with ankle boots from Guess.
“Unrestrained by a dress code, my world literally morphed into a fascinating array of new possibilities and I’m having fun exploring it everyday.”
For this look, I’m wearing a tartan bomber jacket draped over a white lace blouse, coupled with a leather skirt, all from Korea and chunky boots from Guess.
What is your relationship to fashion?
Fashion is a way for me to express myself, with no context or explanation required. I enjoy listening to how all my friends saw me before and after we started talking because my fashion was pretty much the grounds for any first impressions. Apparently, there’s quite a contrast between what my style conveys and what I am actually like. It’s intriguing to think of how much an outfit can say and how tied that impression is to a certain accessory. Besides its social aspects, fashion ultimately remains a creative outlet for my imagination to run wild.
Has your relationship to fashion changed over time?
Last year was my official foray into escaping high-school Polo shirts and it’s just shown me how much room for imagination daily life can offer. Unrestrained by a dress code, my world literally morphed into a fascinating array of new possibilities and I’m having fun exploring it everyday.
Why is fashion important to you?
[Fashion] is my distinct visual representation in a world that is out of my control. From strutting to Harper like a model to rocking sweatpants in lecture, fashion allows me to shine the spotlight on my individuality.
The earrings and bracelets are from Korean street vendors, Garosu-gil and Hongdae.
“Fashion is my distinct visual representation in a world that is out of my control. ”
All images courtesy of Andrew Chang.
