Words and images by Eleanor Antoniou, interviews by Lexi Covalsen 

Girl Talk’s long-awaited Aisle Style feature is back with a new winter edition to inspire and excite your fashion taste buds.  We ventured under the bright lights of the Mainsbury’s catwalk, in search of the most stylish students at Cambridge right now, and were not left disappointed.  The supermarket became our very own fashion show, and we returned to the darkness of Sidney Street dazzled by the levels of style that have been kept up through to the end of this Michaelmas term.  Read on to find out what we discovered about Cambridge’s student fashion scene: is it true that each subject has a certain style, and can one’s fashion sense really be summed up by a single supermarket item? 

Uppy, doing an MSt in Writing for Performance at Selwyn 

So, what are you wearing today? 

Uppy: It’s very much whack something on, on the way to grab some lettuce, while still wearing your sports top from earlier. A mix of everything.  The earrings are actually from a woman on a boat, she makes them on her boat in Loughborough! 

How would you describe your style in general? 

Uppy: Very casual, I like to go for statement pieces rather than everything having a cohesive look.  

Would you say your subject has a specific style?  

Uppy: Yes, writers have a look.  Blazers, the rings, I sometimes fall into that trope too.  

Do you have any style icons? 

Uppy: Anything that Jennifer Aniston wears, and not just in Friends, but in her everyday life as well.  And I wish I was brave enough to dress like Maya Jama – maybe one day!  

If your style were a supermarket item, what item would it be? 

Uppy: Well I would hope it would be some kind of exotic flavoured crisps, maybe a sweet chilli. Something that’s palatable to everyone, but not just a ready salted.  Something with a little spice, a little extra.  

Emily, Phys Natsci Fresher at Kings  

What are you shopping for today? 

Emily: We’re doing a floor come dine with me tonight, so I’m buying dessert for it. 

And what are you wearing today?  

Emily: Just a classic – it’s always a skirt with a big jumper, I feel like a skirt with tights and a top is a classic! 

What’s your favourite element of your outfit right now? 

Emily: I like my lace top underneath the jumper, the crocs maybe not… 

How would you describe your style in general?  

Emily: Urban Outfitters meets charity shop.   

Would you say your subject has a specific style?  

Emily: Yeah, my subject is more like you go in for a practical and it’s hoodie and joggers.  A lot of college merch goes on, especially from Trinity, it feels like there’s a lot of college pride. Sometimes I walk in and I’m … not. 

Do you have any style icons? 

Emily: Violet in the first season of American Horror Story, when she wears the lace top underneath.  That’s what inspired me to do the lace top! 

If your style were a supermarket item, what item would it be? 

Emily: I think this outfit is giving oat milk. 

Carrie, doing a PhD in Plant Sciences at Selwyn, and Maria, visiting her from Germany 

So, what are you wearing today? 

Maria: The things I wear when I’m travelling. I’m from Germany, and I’m here just a few days. 

How would you describe your style? 

Carrie: Mine is very lazy and outdoorsy. 

Maria: Mine actually changes a lot. 

Carrie: She’s fashionable, low-key she is, and she’s an actress so that helps a lot! 

Would you say that your subject has a specific style, or what about actors? 

Maria: Yeah, they do dress the same. People tend to look special, and I think a lot of them just buy outfits because they’re cheap. I do it too! 

Carrie: It’s just very casual and comfortable in Plant Sciences.  

And finally, our favourite question, if your style were a supermarket item, what item would it be? 

Maria: I think mine would be an apple. 

Carrie: An eggplant! 

[Lexi: you guys compliment each other then – fruits and vegetables!] 

Yufei, doing a PhD in Architecture at Jesus 

So, what are you wearing today? 

Yufei: Just a casual outfit, I grabbed something warm to go to the supermarket. 

What’s your favourite element of your outfit right now? 

Yufei: The oversized coat because it feels so warm.  

How would you describe your style in general? 

Yufei: I don’t think I have a very big style, just a casual style.  

Would you say your subject has a specific style?  

Yufei: Yes there is a certain trend. Architects tend to dress in black. It’s their colour! 

Last but not least, if your style were a supermarket item, what item would it be? 

Yufei: Maybe an orange, it’s wrapped inside its coat like I am.  

Milly, Bio Natsci at Pembroke (who has just graduated!)

What are you shopping for? 

Milly: I’m making a friend’s birthday cake tomorrow so I’m buying things for that!

And what are you wearing today? 

Milly: Something very casual, I just kind of threw it all together.   

What’s your favourite element of your outfit right now? 

Milly: Probably the coat. I nicked it, well I was “given” it by my mum!  

How would you describe your style in general? 

Milly: It’s quite casual, but occasionally loud with some statement pieces – I have some other very bright coats,and big shoes. I like to have maybe one big, bright piece per outfit.  

Would you say your subject has a specific style?  

Milly: Yes… but not in a good way. I think Natsci people are known for just dressing practically.  Going up to labs, I would turn up looking a bit more like I was going to an event, though not intentionally! 

Do you have any style icons? 

Milly: I love the designer Christopher Kane – a bit weird but cool and casual at the same time.  

And to finish, arguably our best question, if your style were a supermarket item, what item would it be? 

Milly: A good finest hummus.  

With that, we checked out and walked home in the cold, feeling envious of Yufei’s gorgeous coat.  Thank you to everyone who chatted with us and provided us with some much-needed fashion inspo for this season.  Keep an eye on the Girl Talk website for our next instalment of Aisle Style, coming soon to a supermarket near you!