Whether it is because of climate or environment, students change how they dress when they leave their homes and come to Hawaii.The change in environment is why some students shed their hometown fashions. The Aloha State is known for its laid-back, hang-loose attitude. “I care more about how I look and what I wear at home than out here in Hawaii. The style goes with the laid-back lifestyle so being dressed up here doesn’t really fit in. Also, I wear more clothes at home because it is a lot colder,” said Jessica Sahlin, a sophomore in exercise and sports science from Sweden.For most students, the climate was the major reason behind their fashion changes. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the all-time low in Honolulu was 53 degrees Fahrenheit, a much warmer low than Salt Lake City, which has had a low of -30 degrees Fahrenheit. The warmer weather calls for different clothing choices. Bree Lundquist, a freshman and graphic design major from California, said, “What I would wear back home in the winter would probably be one more layer of clothing, but for spring and summer, I would wear the same things I do out here in Hawaii.”Donnie Winter, a junior in finance from California, agreed with Lundquist. He said he has made slight changes in his wardrobe since living in Hawaii. “I don’t dress that different. Maybe I wear shorts more, but I pretty much dress the same everywhere. I wear slippers a lot more here.”International student Wi Wisanbannawit, a senior in TESOL from Thailand, spoke about what she wears in her home country. “In Thailand, we wear normal clothes like everyone else on campus wears in everyday life. We only wear traditional costumes for special occasions such as Buddhist religious ceremonies, Thai traditional weddings, national festivals/holidays, etc. People also dress up when they perform Thai dancing, play musical instruments, or perform in plays.... We do have Thai casual clothes, but that’s what people back in ancient times wore. Basically, we only wear traditional clothes on special occasions or events.”
Writer: Jeff McLeod~Copy Editor
