If, like me, you’ve recently become obsessed with Netflix’s teen series Geek Girl, (based on the books by Holly Smale), you may have found yourself captivated by its stunning fashion. Yet, unlike the typical ‘nerdy-girl-gets-makeover’ story, the series presents a different perspective on fashion – one more entwined with the idea of self-expression. So, while waiting (impatiently) for the release of the second series this year, I’ve decided to delve back through the previous series to explore the fashion depicted throughout.

Meet Harriet Manners: self-proclaimed “geek,” relentlessly bullied, and oblivious to fashion. Deciding that things need to change, she takes a leap into the world of modelling, expecting a big makeover, only to find the importance of remaining true to herself and her own style, whether it’s fashionable or not. Personally, this is a lesson I think my sixth form compatriots may have done well to remember. Although there were a fair few standout outfits worn by some, jogging bottoms, cargo trousers and hoodies remained dominant. Not to mention identical puffer jackets, so prevalent that even the teachers joked about them. Fashion-wise, arriving in Cambridge was a pleasant surprise. I’ve noticed a much wider range in styles, from dresses layered with jeans, to dungarees and waistcoats, from leather jackets to tweed blazers. Simply scanning a lecture hall, you can spot an impressive number of unique outfits and styles.

“Where’s the fun in having the same boring outfit choice as everyone else?”

Despite this, the more predictable combination of blue jeans paired with hoodies or puffer jackets still forms a large part of student style. Now, to be clear, I’m not criticising this outfit choice – we’ve all had that day where the relentless force of the Cambridge term finally hits us, leaving basic outfit decisions practically impossible. However, I think it important that, where possible, we all try to insert a bit more of our own personality into even the most basic outfit choices. For me, fashion has always been an amazing vehicle for self-expression. Where’s the fun in having the same boring outfit choice as everyone else? Even just choosing a hoodie with an interesting slogan or picture could render your outfit unique. There’s absolutely no need to overhaul your existing wardrobe, nor break the bank.

You can simply start by adding a few items of quirky jewellery (the Cambridge market is an amazing place to find such jewellery on a student budget) or experimenting with wearing your current clothes in different ways. You can wear unusual combinations of tops and bottoms, try your hand at embroidering motifs or even just tie a jumper around one shoulder (obviously, not until summer finally returns and we no longer have to wear a million layers). Personally, being a big fan of animals, I sometimes use an animal brooch to jazz up a plain jumper, but there are many ways of achieving the same effect.

“In my experience, if you act confident enough, nobody will judge you or laugh”

However, it can be daunting to stand out and many understandably shy away from bright colours or slightly more “childish” fashion, worried about being judged. However, in my experience, if you act confident enough, nobody will judge you or laugh. Trust me – I once strode into sixth form wearing a navy fluffy jumper with a sequin unicorn, expecting sniggers abound, but strangely, not one person laughed, and I even got a (non-sarcastic) compliment! Admittedly, perhaps wearing that same jumper at parents’ evening wasn’t the best idea, but at least it was comfortable.

So, perhaps you have the equivalent of a fluffy unicorn jumper at the back of your cupboard, or maybe a puffin beanie, or any wacky garment you’ve been too shy to wear. Whatever it is, if you like it and if wearing it brings you joy, forget everyone else and wear it proudly around town – no judgements from me, nor, I imagine, anyone else. Adhering to trends can be a bore: clothes become meaningless garments and outfits that change every few weeks and have no ounce of individuality. Choose instead, like Harriet Manners, to wear clothes and jewellery that reflect your own interests and personality instead of going for generic choices. To quote Holly Smale’s Geek Girl: “if fashion’s a creative way of showing the world who you are and where you belong, that’s a good thing, isn’t it? But if who [you are] is a Winnie the Pooh jumper, than [you] should be allowed to wear it […] But [at the end of the day] they’re still just clothes. They can’t make you something you’re not. They can only help to say who you are.”