Woolly Fashion: President Michael Elliott and Quincy Smith

After interviewing the first two students featured in “Woolly Fashion” this semester, I’ve had my eye on a few more people whom I believe have a style distinct from the rest of the student population. For this installment, I chose to focus on one student in particular: Quincy Smith ’25E. The other person I chose to interview was not a current student, but rather a former one: I built up the courage and asked President — and Amherst alum — Michael Elliott if he would be interested in sharing his style philosophy with the college community. He said yes. This week, both Elliott and Smith’s interviews demonstrate a connection between fashion and self-expression shared by Amherst students and the college’s president himself. 

Quincy Smith ’25E:

Smith shared that fashion was, to them, an extension of how they express their character and uniqueness. They are very interested “in what kind of personality [they] can summon, through the different ways that [they] dress.” Different forms of dress bring out a new Quincy Smith — one who is equally confident in every style. 

Smith’s style varies between streetwear and a style they refer to as “earthy or earth-tone.” Their earthy aesthetic typically features brown or green, fitted clothing that is tied to nature. Smith tells me that when they wear their earth-toned clothing, it looks like they are “someone who has a lot of crystals.” On the other hand, they also wear streetwear, which to them is characterized by graphics, baggy clothes, and many darker colors.

Being loud through clothing is a goal of Smith. “Most times I am the more interesting person in the room, and I feel that has power,” they said. Having a sense of independence and control over the stylistic decisions is something Smith holds dear. They understand that expression can take many forms and that it is essential to embrace what one enjoys rather than conform to societal expectations. That way, they can be confident in their appearance independent of others’ opinions.

President Michael Elliott:

Elliott also thought fashion and self-expression were important. “Fashion is a part of our culture and it is a way that people express their relationship to [said] culture,” he said. “It can be an expression of individuality, expression of affinity to a particular group, [or an] expression of projecting a certain position within a social system.” 

When asked about his fashion sense, Elliott put it simply: “I would not describe myself as having much of a sense of fashion.” Comfort is greatly important for him, however.

His perception of fashion was the same when he was a student at Amherst. “Fashion for me has always been constrained by my desire for physical comfort and the means that I had,” Elliott said. 

As a student from Arizona, he was not accustomed to the cold New England winters; his primary goal was to stay warm, which meant ensuring he always had enough layers on. As president, his comfort remains a priority, but he now has a greater responsibility that must be upheld and reflected in his daily attire. Despite this, he believes that "simplicity matters” above anything else.

He likes wearing clothes that make him feel good and help him perform his role as Amherst’s president — the suit and tie that we see him in every day. It perfectly encapsulates his role as president of Amherst College.

Diverse Fashion

As I wrapped up the interview, I asked Elliott for his thoughts about student fashion on campus. He explained how students are now exposed to a greater number of options thanks to the internet. He was particularly intrigued by the confidence students exerted through their varying approaches to fashion: “Our students look very comfortable in what they wear and are comfortable with who they are,” he said.

Fashion has no single look. It can range from the streetwear that Smith wears for comfort and function to the business-ready attire that Elliott wears daily. There is no one correct way of dressing up.