Quad Style: Tasnim Khan
Hey, my name is Tasnim Khan and I’m a first year looking to major in Astrophysics. I’m part of UChicago Cheer and SASA. In my free time I like to read webtoons and eat lots and lots of food. I collect a lot of makeup and skincare and recently I’ve started to watch a lot of nail art videos.
How would you describe your personal style?
I don’t really think I have just one style. Instead, I just like to make sure all the pieces of an outfit come together to present an image. I like being comfortable, so if something isn’t comfy I won’t wear it. It’s a bit bold and edgy sometimes, but I think it’s casual enough to be appealing to the general public.
The first outfit is something I would wear when I’m feeling bold. I’m wearing a black long sleeved backless crop top, an orange camo cropped puffer jacket, a pleated skirt with metal accents from Dolls Kill and big white platform sneakers. I like wearing black a lot because it seems like it matches everything, and I added the puffer for a pop of color.
Where do you find style inspiration?
I spend a lot of time on instagram, and so if I see someone wearing something I like and I think would look good on me, I keep it in mind the next time I go shopping. I also pay attention to what people wear in a lot of the movies and shows I watch. I really like the makeup and fashion they used in the show Euphoria, and I was thinking I would do some casual Euphoria makeup eventually.
The second fit is something I would wear when I’m feeling casual. I’m wearing an oversized checkerboard pattern long sleeve T-shirt with maroon corduroy pants.
What trends or ideas in fashion are currently exciting you?
I really like accessorizing and glittery makeup. I have a big collection of earrings, ranging from cupid to pom poms to origami crane earrings. I like big lashes and dewy skin, and I especially love platform shoes. Most of my shoes are platform, and I like how they make me taller and the big shoe effect makes me feel like a Bratz doll.
Where do you like to shop?
I shop at the usual places like Zara, Uniqlo, H&M, etc but a lot of my clothing is also from online. Brands don’t really matter to me, and I like shopping during sales.
What is your relationship to fashion? Has it changed over time?
Originally, I never really cared about what I wore, but in middle school I really got into makeup and beauty. I began wearing makeup in 7th grade and haven’t stopped since. I wasn’t allowed to wear revealing clothing because I grew up in a muslim family so I had a phase in high school where I would wear crop tops and shorts under my hoodie and sweats and change in school. I’ve always dressed a bit girly, but in college, I began to buy many more clothes that wear oversized or flowy because I liked how they didn’t show a body line. My style has gotten more modest than it was in highschool, and I like wearing big clothes and turtlenecks because they’re comfortable. Most of my pants are now baggy because I like how big pants look on me. I also started wearing big shoes so then everything would be oversized. It makes me feel like a big bear and bears are cute.
The third outfit is what I wear when I’m with family or when I’m just feeling more like a woman and less like a teenage girl. I’m wearing a black button up shirt with a midi plaid skirt. For accessories, I’m wearing some metal chains and scissor earrings.
Do you have any fashion regrets?
In high school I used to wear crop tops with high waisted skinny jeans all the time and thought it was a fresh fit. Blocky brows, thick winged eyeliner and clumpy mascara was also something I thought was super cute but in reality I think I just looked like a racoon.
“When I have an outfit on, I feel like a better and improved version of myself, and I’m able to get over social anxieties”
Why is fashion important to you?
I feel like fashion is a way to differentiate from others. While looks aren’t everything, they are a big part of how people perceive you and so you might as well go all out and wear what you like. I like taking my time in the morning to get ready, and while most people might think spending 1.5 hours to get ready is overkill, it’s like a ritual for me. If I don’t dress up, I feel like I’m not prepared to tackle the rest of the day and everything feels off. When I have an outfit on, I feel like a better and improved version of myself, and I’m able to get over social anxieties. I also like when people compliment me and my outfits and it honestly makes my day.
Photos Courtesy of Christine Park
