Square Spotlight: Genevieve Wilson
Square Spotlight: Genevieve Wilson
By: Elena Ossoski
In the latest addition to our Square Spotlight series, I had a chance to sit down with Genevieve Wilson, a freshman currently studying Public Policy Leadership and International Studies here at the University of Mississippi. Wilson is also a member of the Chi Chapter of the Delta Delta Delta Sorority, grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, and absolutely adores cats.
How would you describe yourself concerning your style to someone who has never met you before?
“My style may seem underwhelming at first, but I love to put a spin on a simple graphic tee and jean shorts. My everyday style is very casual, so I tend to use jewelry to dress up a rather casual look. I am constantly wearing and stacking tons of jewelry.”
Do you value personal style?
“I do--but to a certain extent. I think it is cool to be able to define yourself and your personality externally. I love stalking random accounts on Instagram and buying clothes from them. It is so interesting to see how other people design clothes and express themselves through their style. I define personal style as shopping for yourself, no matter where you are. Everyone in my hometown dresses the same, so it is nice to be here in Oxford and be able to escape to a place where individual style exists.”
Do you think your clothes can impact your mood and perception of yourself?
“YES! I love the way I feel when I wear a cute sweatshirt that I can move around in comfortably, but still feel put-together. Anything I can dance in makes me so happy. Athleisure has quickly become my favorite thing of all time because it just makes me feel like myself.”
Do you think the environment around you while growing up had an impact on your style?
“Yes, I definitely do. Everyone around me was kind of lame in the sense that everyone would wear the same boring, overpriced pieces that were considered trendy at the moment. It was difficult to diverge from the expensive trends that were overly saturated in the area that I am from. I tried to branch out as much as I could, and I made a point to always wear what made me happy. I can recall feeling so great when someone complimented me for a $3 t-shirt I had on from Dirt Cheap.”
Where do you like to shop?
“I love finding good deals and one-of-a-kind pieces by shopping at thrift stores and through small businesses on Instagram. My two favorite thrift stores are Sozo Thrifts, in Downtown Birmingham, and Gibson Girl Vintage in North Carolina. I also like to shop at Anthropologie, Dirt Cheap, TJMaxx, Nordstrom, and sometimes I can even find something really cool on Poshmark.”
Do you tend to dress up more here or back at home?
“Back home, since I do not wear makeup as much here and I am just a bit more chilled out. Nowadays, I just wear what I want and what I am comfortable in.”
Do you have a favorite place to shop on the Square/in Oxford?
“Miss Behavin…it is my home.”
Has your style changed at all since coming to Ole Miss?
“Being at Ole Miss has made me more comfortable in my skin. Since I am more in-tune with myself, I have been able to get out of my comfort zone fashion-wise. I am at a point in life where I know what I want, so it has been really fun to be able to get dressed up and go shopping with a sense of purpose.”
Do you have a single favorite piece in your wardrobe? If so, why is it your favorite & what makes it special?
“I have a tie-dye sweatshirt that has an embroidered patch of the planet on the front with flowers on it. I found it on a random Instagram account that makes sustainable clothing from recycled fabric scraps; it is extremely special to me.”
What pieces are you looking to add to your wardrobe?
“A really nice pair of joggers that can be dressed up. I am looking for the perfect pair that could be worn while laying on the couch or going out. Also, I would LOVE to have one of those matching tie-dye sweatsuits.”
Do you have any style icons that you go to for inspiration?
“I am obsessed with the model-off-duty look. Hailey Bieber and Kendall Jenner always look so cool in a great pair of jeans and a simple top, and they are always keeping their looks very monochromatic. Also, I love to watch styling videos on TikTok posted by fashion school students in New York. Somehow, they always make me want to go to the thrift store right after I finish watching the video.”
What is your favorite fashion-oriented show or film?
“I have grown up watching Project Runway with my mom…we are obsessed with it. The new show founded by Amazon, Making The Cut, is really good too. Also, The Carrie Diaries is amazing! The splatter paint bag she has in that show is to die for. There is a Balenciaga bag from a few years back that is extremely similar, and I saw it in person while on a trip to New York City, and I cried over it because it was so beautiful.”
If you could describe your style in three words or less, what would you say?
“It is eclectic, relaxed, and modern.”
Look out for more Square Spotlight features in the upcoming weeks here at www.umsquaremagazine.com and highlighted on our Instagram @um.squaremagazine!
All photos by Elena Ossoski.