Meet Andrew Garden, a Communication sophomore from Sugar Land, Texas. You can call him Andy, but you might also casually know him as “that guy in the Cosby sweater.” On campus, he does PR for NU Intel, Dance Marathon, STITCH magazine and NCDC — all while rocking his signature cords, Chukka boots and over-sized shirts. This summer he has an internship with Nylon magazine. Garden fills you in on why the Cosby sweater is making a comeback, the best places to shop and the campus trend he can’t stand.
I hear you brought the Cosby sweater back to Northwestern. Tell me about that.
That’s the most flattering thing I’ve ever heard! I have so many cozy Cosby sweaters. I guess it’s my trademark. At NU, every day is a Cosby sweater day.
How would you describe your own style?
I like clothes with charisma. I love thrifty things that don’t necessarily fit, but are comfy. I don’t really follow trends because I don’t see a purpose. They’ll be out of style next season.
What influences your style?
What doesn’t influence my style? My friends say I look like I walked out of an episode of Saved by the Bell, so I guess [I’m inspired by the] ‘90s: flannel, corduroy pants, Chukka desert boots. Vintage.
What designer or brand would you wear every day if you could?
Band of Outsiders.
How do you plan your outfit every day?
Any day I can wear corduroy pants, but I obviously don’t have enough of those [to wear a pair every day]. I would say cuffed pants with a crew neck. I actually just got my first zip-up hoodie last week at American Apparel.
What inspired that purchase?
I was just like, “What am I missing out on?”
What are your top five stores to shop at?
Lucy in Disguise with Diamonds (a thrift store in Austin, Texas), Buffalo Exchange, Blackbird Trading Co., Value Village and Texas Thrift Store.
Were you always stylish?
I’m originally from Sugar Land, Texas, so when I came here my style completely changed with the weather. It used to be some pair of colorful shorts with an old vintage T-shirt and two-tone Sperrys.
What is your favorite weather to dress for?
Fall, because I like layering, and I love wearing chunky knit socks with a fun sweater on top.
How did you dress as a kid?
[My style] was always super colorful: an old baseball tee or a tie-dye Orlando Magic shirt I couldn’t let go of. But even as a child, I would always wear extra-large crew neck sweatshirts.
How about accessories?
No. I’ve never worn a watch in my life. I don’t like feeling weighed down, so bracelets and watches make me sweat. I’ve had glasses since I was little, but I choose not to wear them either.
What is one trend you see too much of on campus?
Hunter boots. Are those a trend? Maybe people wearing workout clothes [when not working out]. That’s a trend on this campus.
What trend would you like to see make a comeback?
I wouldn’t describe my style as ‘90s grunge, but I would like to see that style resurrected.
Give Northwestern your last word on fashion.
Even if you find yourself as a standard person, go for a non-standard style.