By Judith Van de Hillsbeek---

Hanging out on the steps, watching the AUB crowd stroll by in all their appearances seems to be the favorite pastime on campus. Clothing styles are often the topic of discussion: overdressed, underdressed or inspiring. Some people think the crowd looks too dressed; others like being around fashionable fellow students. Outlook asked students and professors for their opinions on and explanations for AUB fashion. Baggy pants, high-heeled shoes, heavy metal t-shirts: all types of dress can be found on campus. ItÕs casual wear though that dominates the scene: ties and suits are nowhere to be found, except maybe on some of the teachers. Boys seem to take this concept a little further than girls: sandals, shorts, t-shirts are their default outfit. Girls mostly wear (tight) jeans, tops, sneakers or sandals. Criticism of this style is not rare. "Most of the students in AUB are out of fashion", Hassan Mokdad, a 2nd year medical student, states. "Their style is way too childish for a university. ItÕs not mature at all.". Hassan is wearing a bright blue shirt -buttoned open- and blue pants. "Distinguished clothing is what I like, like the Italians wear." The inspiration for this Ômafia-lookÕ, as he calls it, he gets from films such as the ÔGodfatherÕ. Lara Haddadi, a junior in business agrees with Mokdad. Lara is dressed to kill; her outfit is worked out into the tiniest detail. "People look like bums. You should look tidy when going to school." But there is also appreciation for the way people dress in AUB. Zeina Estwany, a freshman in Political Science says, "People are very good looking in AUB. ItÕs inspiring to look around campus: each girl has her own style. I especially like the jeans they are wearing." While some people praise the diverse clothing styles in AUB, others criticize the lack of creativity. Sophomore Arts student, Mazin Darghous, dressed comfortably oversized, says, "As the Lebanese culture tries to adapt to the West, people go overboard. They are clones, copying each other and western society. Go and find your own identity". The need to find an individual identity is mentioned more in relation to clothing. Some suggested that the Lebanese are denying their identity by mixing so much international influences in their style of dress. According to Dr. Maher Jarrar, a Professor in Civilization Sequence Department, itÕs not a case of denying Lebanese culture or copying others, but a consequence of the open, international and global market that Lebanon is part of. He says that in the end the way of dress is controlled by global marketing strategies, not by personal taste. Global corporate fashion companies anticipate cultural signs out of society, to let people think they are making their own choices in dressing. To cut it short: "Fashion is a question beyond esthetics." The comment most frequently made is that people tend to overdress for school, eventhough in comparison to other universities in Beirut, students in AUB seem to dress the most casual. Still the few high heeled, designer clothed, fully made up girls provoke a lot of criticism. "ItÕs too bad that some people look more concerned about fashion than about academics", graduate student Casey Noga underlines this statement. The ones who do think looks on campus are important use the argument: when you look good, you feel good. They also stress their conviction that youÕre being judged on your appearance nowadays. In university you meet a lot of people, so youÕd want to make a good impression. "Through your clothing a part of your character is revealed. It represents your personality," says Farah Yassine, junior business student. In answer to the question why people dress up for school, here are the following statements: overdressing and showing off are part of the Lebanese culture; A lot of people here care more about clothing, cars and belongings than about anything else. Dr. Jarrar: "Some people think when they enter university they are realizing a certain individual freedom through fashion and following trends. I donÕt know if this is typically Lebanese. You will find this in any middle class university in the Arab World. ItÕs common for the petit bourgeoisie. They have the tendency towards extreme realism." ItÕs clear that AUB style is a language which the students interpret differently. It represents all kinds of approaches to fashion. Each student has his/her own opinion as to whether this topic is important or not, and that opinion frequently goes further than the immediate appearance. Dr. Jarrar summarized the issue well when he said the question of fashion, in AUB or somewhere else, is a question beyond esthetics.