Name: Christine Ohenewah ’15 Major: Political Science and American Studies Hometown: Mankato, Minnesota

TMW: How would you describe your style?

CO: I usually like to go for solid, plain colors. I’m not much of a pattern person. I don’t know why. Also, I like neutral colors, not really bright ones, you know. Turtlenecks are my favorite, they’re cool. They’re so fall and winter. I even sneak them into summer too, if I can get away with it. I also really like collared shirts, long sleeved dresses and heels. I always feel like heels make the outfit. They just accentuate what you’re wearing. Also, I’m a skinny jeans person, definitely.

What made you choose this outfit today?

The weather, really. Also, I’ve noticed that I’m really drawn to black and white. So, whether I’m wearing black pants or white pants, there has to be some article of black somewhere.

Would you describe your style as formal?

I guess so, according to other people.

Do you get a lot of comments about your clothes?

I do. I mean, people always say “Oh, you always look so dressed up.” I personally don’t feel like I’m dressed up, but I guess I am. I always go for presentable. I think it all started with my mother. When I was young, I was actually the worst dresser ever. I would just throw on whatever. So, she was like, “Christine, when you’re wearing clothes you have to make sure that they match.” My style really evolved in high school. But then when I got to college, I just really transformed.

How would you say your style changed from high school to college?

I would say I explored more in college. I explored more with the kinds of shirts that fit me and the kinds of pants that I like. In high school I never wore skinny jeans. I always wore those flared pants. I also just wore sneakers as well in high school, or canvases.

Besides your mom, who else influences the way you dress?

I don’t know if television has had some sort of influence? You could say I’ve always admired women who dress in some sort of professional way.

What’s your favorite thing to wear?

That’s hard because again I love turtlenecks. I do wear them a lot. Otherwise, and this isn’t too different, but I love turtleneck dresses. I have a lot of neutral colors. I have a red turtleneck, a gray turtleneck, a lot of white turtlenecks, quite a few black turtlenecks and then one brown one. It’s really an odd variation.

Do you feel like where you lived has influenced the way you dress?

I would say, yeah. Now that I think about it, definitely. Living in the Midwest influenced how I dressed in high school. I guess when I got to college, seeing the people who go to Macalester and the wide variation of clothes they wear, that probably did have some influence. If you go down to St. Thomas, people look pretty much the same. I feel like that really reflects the Midwestern, suburban style of dressing.

Is there anything you like to wear accessory wise?

For some reason I don’t do much of those. I always wear this white watch.

Do you have a collection or is this the one?

It always switches out, but I always go for white watches for some reason. This one was actually given to me by my father for my birthday last year.

I see your bag follows your black and white ensemble as well.

Yes! I always carry a purse with me. That’s another must accessory.

Is that also your backpack?

Yes. [Real] backpacks cramp my style! I just don’t do them, unless I’m travelling. I’m also not a light traveller, so I need extra space. That’s the only time I do backpacks. Otherwise, I like purses. They’re easier and it fits.

Do you wear any makeup?

Not really. Just foundation. I’m not much of a makeup person. Although, this year I’ve been trying red lipstick. I never thought that I was a lipstick person, and then this summer I kind of just put it on and was like, “Wait, I actually like how this looks.” So, this year every once in a while I’ll put it on. And I usually always wear it with blacks, whites or tans.

Do you cringe at some of the outfits you used to wear?

Oh my God, yes! Like the bellbottoms, and what else? Ugg boots, sorry. Not that there’s a problem with them, but I just cringe at those. Also, you know moccasins? Definitely cringeworthy. Some people pull them off. It’s just, for myself. . . It’s like reading over a paper you wrote back in your freshman year of college.