Words by: Hailey Liemena
Art by: Hailey Liemena

Moving to Melbourne straight after the lockdowns was a life and closet-changing experience. After two years of being confined to home clothing, my 18-year-old self was ready to burst forth into the world of fashion.

I wanted to be one of the girls who made it onto strangers’ Pinterest boards. I needed to be that art kid with an immaculate sense of fashion. Walking down the deck at the Caulfield campus always felt like walking the runway for a mini fashion week. So, with those goals in mind, my fashion journey began! 

• OUTFIT 1 (2022): My cherished Jujutsu Kaisen Tee. I hung out with my first uni friend group in this, and was roasted on sight; the pictures haunt me till this day. 
• OUTFIT 2 (2022): First day of university! I loved the denim jacket & I still have it to this day. Please welcome my iconic Pink Sneakers.
• OUTFIT 3 (2022): Had a phase where I was obsessed with trench coats; thankfully, unlike my coat, it didn’t last very long. 
• OUTFIT 4 (2022): My first university outfit that I actually liked. I had an obsession with corduroy back then that has remained strong even now. 
• OUTFIT 5 (2022): Same corduroy pants, started wearing turtlenecks during my first autumn in Melbourne, and it has since become a staple in my wardrobe.
• OUTFIT 6 (2023): I genuinely forgot this fit existed, but I’m tempted to do a 2025 version of it. However, I do wonder if I was obsessed with the pink shoes? New level unlocked: CURTAIN BANGS!
• OUTFIT 7 (2023): Oof… this was a new low for me. 
• OUTFIT 8 (2023): I’ve got no complaints about this fit; she’s simple and practical for the Melbourne summer.
• OUTFIT 9 (2025): I LOVED this fit! Modified a Monash O-Week tee and couldn’t be happier about it. It’s literally my uniform for dance class now.
• OUTFIT 10 (2024): Rejoice, for she has discovered CLIP-ON EARRINGS! I honestly live in this tee now, Mofusand is my new obsession, and I can’t complain.
• OUTFIT 11 (2024): Perhaps my favourite fit of all time! I was starting to explore my personal style more. Although I don’t know what the aesthetic would be called, I like what I’m wearing, and that’s what counts. 
• OUTFIT 12 (2024): My literal university uniform when I can’t be bothered to think of an outfit for 9 am class. 
• OUTFIT 13 (2023): I discovered that I love doing slight layers. A vest and blouse combo always goes a long way.
• OUTFIT 14 (2023): My fit for casual events. I love throwing in hand warmers and rings to add more flair to the fit.
• OUTFIT 15 (2024): The cat beanie was one of my favourite purchases last year. The red and blue combo is my latest obsession.
• OUTFIT 16 (2024): I bought a batik dress, a traditional Javanese outfit, when I went back home, so I decided to spice it up by layering it with jeans. Safe to say, I wear it to a lot of events now.

That sums up my fashion journey so far. I believe that I still have a long way to go when it comes to discovering my personal style. Yet if I were to give you all and my younger self a piece of fashion advice, it would be to go all out. Don’t be afraid to explore more experimental clothing choices. At the end of the day, if what you wear makes you feel more like yourself, wear it with confidence!