Quad Style: Chase Leito

Dec 2

Dec 2 Quad Style: Chase Leito

Hi my name is Chase Leito, I’m a second year majoring in Sociology and minoring in Inequality, Social Problems, and Change. I am currently the President of the African and Caribbean Student Association and I love to sing jazz music, dance to anything from bachata to ballet, and I love exploring parts of the city, especially Bronzeville and Wicker Park.

How would you describe your personal style?

I would describe my style as streetwear or classic chic with a little bit of hipster and artsy looks in the mix.

For this shoot I am wearing clothes that I got from different retail stores, accessories I got as a gift, or clothes that I thrifted. For the first look I am wearing a golden chain I got for Christmas, plaid pants I got from Forever 21 last year, a classic black turtleneck from H&M, and a golden bracelet with gold hoops I received as gifts

Where do you find style inspiration?

I find my style inspiration from different singers that have had a huge impact on my life as well as queer celebrities or models I follow on social media. My biggest influencers have been Troye Sivan, Keiynan Lonsdale, and Ben J Pierce because all of them exhibit similar aesthetics that I really like and they’ve helped me shape my own fashion sense growing up. Additionally, they were all amazing queer identifying people to look up to when I was growing up and figuring out what my identity as a gay man meant for me and how I wanted to express that. Besides those three, most of my style inspiration comes from black and queer people I follow on social media.

Where do you like to shop?

I used to love shopping at H&M but recently I have gotten more into thrifting clothes, which is how I got my Air Force Ones. I also shop at ASOS, Urban Outfitters, Shein, Buffalo Exchange, and other stores I find in Chicago like Crossroads or Encore Resale.

For my second outfit I am wearing a golden cross necklace that I got from my mother, a forest green sweater from H&M, blue jeans, and a white sherpa bomber jacket from Urban Outfitters.

Do you have any fashion regrets?

How could I? A king never makes fashion mistakes

“If I look good, then I feel good, I’m not as distracted, and I have a better day.

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What is your relationship to fashion? Has it changed over time?

Fashion has been a way for me to express myself, display what I think is important, remind me of who I am, and make me feel confident. My relationship with fashion has changed in that it’s become more diversified and I place more of my confidence and mood in what I wear. If I look good, then I feel good, I’m not as distracted, and I have a better day.

For the final outfit I wore one of my favorite black hats, a floral button down shirt and royal blue pants from H&M.

“[Fashion is] such a creative way to express who you are and what makes up your identity. The accessories I wear have huge significance attached to them and remind me of where I come from and who I am. I use my clothes and accessories to display who I am and what is important to me.”