Vandy’s most fashionable freshmen: Bailey Lowe

This week, I got to meet one of the most fabulous people on Vanderbilt’s campus. She’s one of those magical forces of nature who gives off so much positive energy that you can’t help but smile while you’re around her. When we asked her to describe some of her favorite hobbies in high school, a seemingly simple question, she didn’t quite have an answer. Instead, she told us:

“In high school, my desire was to be the everything person. And I think I did it. I think so. I don’t know. I was that person. I was valedictorian. And cheer captain. And class president.

“I needed to be the everything person. And it was fun. But now I’m here and I’m like nah. No way.”

Talk to me a little bit about what you’re studying and the kind of stuff you’re involved with on campus.

I’m an HOD major, hopefully education policy track and maybe double majoring in educational studies. That’s my interest. I like people learning and me learning, and learning about people learning.

And learning about learning?

Learning.

Very meta. I am currently in VSG, I’m president of Memorial, my lil’ house on Commons. I am also part of Hidden Dores.

Explain Hidden Dores.

It’s an organization for minority groups on campus, but you don’t have to be a minority to join. It’s all about empowering the minority, whatever that means. It could be gender, race, religion, ethnicity, like any of those things.

How about a little background? Where you’re from, any fun details, revealing secrets you have to share with the world.

Well, I hope my parents aren’t listening. I’m from Chattanooga, Tennessee, so like two hours from here. Not far, just over the mountain and through the woods (to grandmother’s house we go).

I, let’s see, have a pretty normal family.

That was a lie. As soon as it came out, I was like, that was a lie. I’m not that normal. My dad has 23 brothers and sisters.

What.

Yeah, that keeps things interesting. You know, you meet a new one every day. It’s fine.

I bet family reunions are fun.

Oh yes.

I’m used to working with a lot of people. That’s a little bit about my background. I like… eh. I like people. But I also like myself, like being by myself. I like that.

Would you describe yourself as an introvert or an extrovert?

I would say an introvert that knows how to disguise herself as an extrovert. That’s what I am. People are like, “Wow, you just love everybody!” I’m like, “Yeah I do,” but I also really like being by myself. Just like a moment with me is really nice.

When you’re putting together an outfit, what are you trying to accomplish?

First of all, functionality. Check the weather. Always check the weather. Don’t ever make the mistake of not checking the weather.

So weather. What’s clean. And then, how much effort am I trying to put into today? Do I need to extra-shower? Am I going to need to, like, put on extra makeup? Am I gonna need to shave my legs? That’s a big one.

Dealbreaker.

That’s a huge one. Yeah, I got up early this morning to shave because I was like, this is it. Today’s the day.

Also, if you look at my closet, it’s mostly neutral colors. But I’m cool with that. It’s like navy and gold and burgundy and grey and black and white and that’s about it. You know I’m in a really good mood if I’m wearing pink. People are like, “Wow. Today must be a good day.”

That’s pretty much how I decide what I’m gonna wear.

What do you think your clothes are communicating to the world about your personality? Whether intentional or not?

They probably tell people what time I got up this morning. Like today for class, I was in some wrinkled shorts and a t-shirt. But I changed. It’s better now. I am together. I am mentally stable.

They also probably tell people a little bit about how I portray myself. Like I said, I wear mostly neutrals, so I’m more of a calm person. I think I play it more safe than the extreme fashionistas. I’m like, you go, you do you fam, very proud of you. I’m going to wear this blanket to class.

What do your friends think about what you wear? Do they have an strong opinions?

I’ve gotten compliments. Those are always good. I’ve also gotten, “We’re going to dinner, why are you dressed like you’re going to the Emmy’s?”

What are some of your favorite pieces of clothing or accessories?

My accessories are probably this watch and this ring. I don’t ever go to class without ‘em. If I do, you know I literally woke up two minutes before class started and sprinted to main campus. They’re both from my boyfriend so that could have a little bit of something to do with it. I don’t know. Just a little bit.

Normally, I’m without my glasses. I purposefully changed my glasses ‘cause I was like, I need to look like I’m smart, you know, not just geeky. They also double as grandma glasses, depending on how far they slide down my nose.

What is your least favorite girl’s fashion trend that’s out right now?

Ooh that’s a good one. I’m always not a fan of the things that you see The Basics wearing. There’s a difference between like, Oh wow, that works, and like, everyone else has one, so I’m going to wear it, too. And it doesn’t always work for everybody!

You know that one type of dress that’s like the high neck and the cutout to the sides. Like yeah, it’s cute. But that’s not everybody’s style!

I have one. And I’m like, that’s my muumuu day when I’m wearing it. When I’m not feeling it, I wear that and some flip flops.

Not a super fan of the L.L. Bean boots. Not a super fan of those.

I don’t get the aesthetic. The, “I’m goin’ on a hike. Doin’ some fishing right after class” look.

Yeah, I’m like, “But you just walkin’ back to…” Anyway. It’s fine.

I encourage people to wear what they feel like wearing, and I mean, if that’s what you feel like wearing, cool fam, but don’t wear it because the trend is to wear it. You know? That’s how I feel.

A favorite guy’s fashion trend?

I’m always a big fan of plaid or flannel done right. That’s a turn on for me. Oh yeah. That subtle lumberjack look. I’ll take it.

I’m also a fan of like the ‘nice’ shoes now. Guys are getting out of the habit of wearing the tennis shoes all the time and they’re wearing pretty nice dress shoes. I’m a fan of that. Yes.

At this point in the interview, Chris, our eavesdropping photographer lets out a profound and celebratory, “Yes!” He’d decided to go for his caramel-colored leather brogues that day instead of his usual Vans. It was at this moment that he’d realized he had made the right decision.

*Gesturing to Chris’s entire outfit complete with slouchy black jeans, a striped t-shirt, and backwards hat* Basically this look right here. I actually am a very big fan of this look.

I’m also – it has to be done really well – but I’m a fan of facial hair when it’s done really well.

So you talked about following trends just for the sake of following trends, but what’s another major fashion mistake that a girl can make?

This is more of a thing you should do, because I’ve not done it before and it is rough. If you’re going to wear a flowy dress, and you know there are lots of tour groups that day, wear some shorts underneath it. One time, I was walking to class and I was like, “ I look great, this dress is wonderful” and the wind was like, “No it’s not.”

I’m still not a fan of Uggs. Just leave them in the past. Move on. Fashion evolves, so should you.

I’m trying to think. I don’t think there’s a whole lot that I’m like, “No don’t you ever dare.” If you like it and it looks good on you, go fam. You did it. Proud of you.

Who inspires you fashion-wise? Either famous people, or just regular, everyday human beings.

Imma shout out my RA real quick. She’s very earthy. Like more earthy than I am. And I love it. I bought some overalls ‘cause I saw her wearing overalls, and I’m like, oh yeah, that looks great. I’ll try it. I don’t look like a farmer, so I’ll go with it.

And then I would say, I like Rihanna. Though I can’t afford the things that she wears. But like, if I could.

I realized my Instagram explore page is just fashion, dogs, and Disney World. Half of the things that I see or desire are like rollin’ through my explore page. Or a lot of trends that I like will come from me seeing a singular piece of clothing somewhere and then putting it into Pinterest to look at the different outfits that come up.

I’ll see this one piece of clothing. I don’t know how to wear it, so I’ll go on Pinterest. It’s also how I convince myself to buy things, ‘cause I’m like,  “I won’t ever wear this,” and Pinterest is like, “Here are five ways you can wear this.”

I honestly just use Pinterest to figure out how to wear things or figure out how to get stains out of the clothes that I have!

Gotta love the moms on there posting tips and tricks.

Mhmm. It’s either moms or 18-year-olds also like me trying to figure out life. Plus, I will be that crazy mom one day so it’s fine. Just lookin’ at the future.

Any advice for ‘The Basics’ who may be lost wearing what everyone else is wearing? What’s one tip you would give them?

I would say to just experiment. That’s probably why my closet is so large. I will buy something and think it’ll be great and it may not be. Or it’ll be fabulous. And so that’s where I start to form, you know, where I’m going.

I don’t think I have a distinctive style. I would warn against trying to fulfill a singular style. Just wear what you feel like wearing and whatever you think looks good on you. Don’t try to formulate your opinions of fashion based on what other people are telling you.

One last thing. Talk to me about the pixie cut. I have seen very few people – normal, regular people who are not celebrities – pull off a pixie cut like you do and I just want you to talk about it.

I have a love-hate relationship with my pixie cut. There are days when I’m like, “This is bangin’. I feel wonderful.” Then there are days when it’s like, “You are a middle-school boy.” And I’m like… “You’re right.”

I used to have longer hair and then in tenth grade, I was like, I’m an edgy person. I’m going to shave half of my head. So I did that. And it looked good! And then I was like, I can’t do this anymore. This is hard. So I grew it out to a pixie, and my stylist was like, what are you doing? Keep growing it. Why am I still cutting your hair? I was like, no, trust me. It’ll look good.

That’s how I developed a pixie. It’s honestly so easy. You don’t have to do much to it. The fun thing about it is that when you go on a girls’ trip, everyone pulls out their flat irons, their blow driers, and I literally have a 3/4th’s of an inch flat iron that’s just for the front of my head. Then it’s done. I love it, but there are also some days where it just ends up looking like a helmet.

Well, you rock it.

Thank you.

Photo Credit: Christopher Bell