IS IT FASHION OR IS IT … just a regular shirt that accidentally went through a 500°F dryer cycle?

The baby tee is tiny. The baby tee is nostalgic. The baby tee is fully convinced that it is still 1999 and Britney Spears is reigning supreme. But is it fashion? We decree... this is fashion! It’s the perfect blend of Y2K nostalgia and casual edge. Just make sure you’re prepared to let your midriff brace the elements. To get that precise silhouette without looking like you literally raided a child's wardrobe, modern fashion labels have mastered the math of high-stretch, shrunken proportions. If you want the ultimate body-hugging minimalist look, the SKIMS Cotton Jersey Tee and stretchy Aritzia HomeStretch Tee offer that sleek, off duty supermodel vibe. For a more accessible everyday fit that strikes the perfect balance between thin and structured, the Abercrombie Essential Baby Tee remains a massive favorite. But don’t worry! There are still brands delivering the absolute best rhinestone and slogan designs to give your outfit that genuine, rebellious late 90s edge.

IS IT FASHION OR IS IT ... just denim that looks like it's permanently holding its breath?

The barrel leg is bulky. The barrel leg is aggressive. The barrel leg is fully convinced that it is a piece of avant garde Michelin Man style. But is it fashion? We decree... not fashion! We're sorry in advance to anyone reading this in a pair of barrel cut jeans, but unfortunately, we just don't think barrel cut is the best. For those not familiar with the look, barrel cut is an oversized, horseshoe shaped silhouette and a style we just cannot get behind. The silhouette is almost always unflattering with flared-out thighs and tapered ankles that are always excessively oversized. With so many other styles it just will never make sense to pick the pair of pants that looks so close to agricultural equipment. On occasion when styled right, with a tight fit top and a good pair of sunglasses or a spiky slick back bun we think the pants are almost okay, but it is always going to be better to stick with the classic wide leg or baggy fit. 

INDUSTRY T | Milan Fashion Week Rundown 

Corporate Chic Gone Wild - standard blazers and pencil skirts sliced and styled with corporate-lanyard necklaces

We think this is a fun way to stick it to the 9-to-5 grind, but maybe don't wear the micro mini skirt version to your actual HR meeting.

Liquid Metallics - molten gold and silver fabrics that drape over the body

We think these are absolutely stunning for a night out, but you will need to prepare to be a walking human disco ball.

Unruly Beauty - pairing rich clothes with smudged, blurry red lipstick and deliberately messy, frizzy, or wet-look hair

This intentional break from classic polished Italian grooming is refreshing for the runway, but the average person might not see the vision on the street.

INDUSTRY T | Paris Fashion Week Rundown 

Draped Divinity - Greek goddess-style jersey wrapping that hugs every curve

We decree this is pure high fashion. It's effortless, sophisticated, and makes anyone look like they belong on a museum pedestal.

Extreme Epaulets - structural shoulder additions that extend upward rather than outward

Visually striking on the runway, but practically impossible if you plan on hugging a friend or trying to put a seatbelt on.

Sheer Delusion - completely transparent trench coats and trousers layered over structural undergarments

This style requires a level of confidence, and weatherproofing, that the general public just doesn't possess yet.

CAMPUS COLLECTION | Mporium and HVSFW

Hudson Valley Sustainable Fashion Week (HVSFW)

Sustainable haute-couture met the orchards at Rose Hill Farm in Red Hook. This event proved that eco-friendly doesn't mean boring. The runway featured stunning upcycled gowns that perfectly contrasted with the rustic farm backdrop. Keep an eye out for local student designers who featured their own patch-worked creations!

Mporium Grand Re-Opening

Are you hungry for fashion? There’s a new pit stop on campus, Frankie’s Diner at Mporium! Our on-campus boutique just celebrated their re-opening for the semester that brings you to a world of nostalgia. Make sure to stop by to check what they are serving up for style!

LET’S GET LOCAL | Poughkeepsie Ross Opening

Looking for a thrill of a treasure hunt shopping day without traveling too far from campus? The new Ross location in Poughkeepsie is officially open. It’s the ultimate spot to hunt for discounted designer tags, cheap dorm decor, and budget-friendly basics. Pro tip: go early on a weekday morning to snag the best items before the racks get picked over!

FASHION 101 | The Baby Tee

The shrunken silhouette we know and love today actually traces its roots back to standard military issue gear. In the early 20th century, the U.S. Navy introduced the classic white cotton T-shirt as an undergarment. For decades, it remained strictly utilitarian until Hollywood icons like Marlon Brando and James Dean turned the plain white tee into a rebellious youth culture symbol in the 1950s.

The tee didn’t start "shrinking" into the baby tee until the 1970s, when rock-and-roll culture embraced tighter, cropped graphics. This style was heavily popularized by icons like Debbie Harry, the lead singer of Blondie.

The aesthetic truly peaked in the 1990s and early 2000s. Fashion designer Linda Meltzer is widely credited with reviving the tiny shirt for the modern era by sourcing vintage children's French cut tees and selling them to stylists. She launched the brand Preen, which produced shrunken tees that became the uniform for Gen X and Y2K pop culture. From Rachel Green on Friends to the iconic "Dump Him" shirt worn by Britney Spears, the baby tee became the ultimate symbol of casual cool. Today, it has firmly transitioned from a nostalgic throwback to an essential, everyday wardrobe staple.

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