Tailor Made is a regular column documenting different looks at UC Santa Cruz by Alex Zamora, a second-year art major and aspiring fashion photographer.

I have a favorite pair of electric blue jeans that I wear every time I get a chance. If I had to choose one piece of clothing to deem my calling card, the one piece that everyone recognizes immediately, I would have to say that those jeans take the gold. The people in this week’s post each have a very unique piece of clothing on that they consider the calling cards of their looks.

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_dsc9471Courtney Montellano, Porter second-year

CHP: Are you from SoCal or NorCal? Does that influence your style?

I’m from NorCal, but I don’t think that influences my style. It was sunny so I wanted to wear a dress! I can’t tell when some one’s from Nor or SoCal just from their clothes. Some people can look and tell, but I’m bad at judging by fashion.

CHP: Where’d you get that vest?

I got it from an estate sale thrift store, so basically I buy clothes from dead people!

_dsc0838Kristina Heimstaedt, Cowell second-year

CHP: Are you NorCal or SoCal, and does that affect the way you dress?

I’m from SoCal and it definitely affects the way I dress because I’m somewhere in between both sides. I’m not a stereotypical Southern California girl, but I also don’t pull out my North Face backpack and run around with it every day. I try to study style by reading Vogue, Vanity Fair and magazines like that. My wall is covered in the pictures I like most.

CHP: How do you go about picking out your outfits and what’s your trademark?

I usually look at what I have and expand on it by seeing how I can use one piece to change the effect of an outfit. This zebra sweater defines me! My friends can see it in the distance and know it’s me. I bought it in a little boutique in Newport Beach.

_dsc0854Emily Kingsbury, Porter second-year

CHP: You have a very one-of-a-kind look working for you. When did you start dressing like this and what was your inspiration?

It started in seventh grade when I first discovered Evanescence, which was my style icon and it’s been evolving since then. I’m also inspired by other bands and my family’s English, so Victorian England is a big influence too.

CHP: Where are you from and how does that affect your look?

I’m from Santa Barbara, so that doesn’t affect my look at all! They’re mostly all surfers there. In Santa Cruz I’m a little more comfortable dressing like this because I’m always with other students and it’s not a big deal. My roommates don’t dress like me, but we’re still really good friends!