Fashion around Oxford – Iggy Clarke

Cherwell‘s current fashion inspiration is Isabel (Iggy) Clarke, a third-year English Literature student at Trinity College. You might remember her dazzling dress from the Oxford Fashion Gala last Trinity (more on that later), or you may have seen her about Oxford in her signature cowboy boots. She shared her fashion secrets with me last week over coffee at the Lamb and Flag.

Cherwell: What are you wearing right now?

Iggy: So, going from bottom to top, I’ve got my favourite cowboy boots on – they’re blue with this gold pattern on top. The dress – white, floaty, and with a drop waist – was given to me by the costume department when I played Daisy (in the Trinity Garden Play TT25, The Great Gatsby). The jumper is a navy knit with a built-in cravat on the neckline, and then my brown check blazer was my grandfather’s. 

Cherwell: So how would you describe your personal style?

Iggy: I actually don’t know, quite frankly! It differs from day to day. I flip between trying to do something classic, like Audrey Hepburn, or I can do the opposite and channel Brigitte Bardot. Some days, I’m neither. I think my style at the moment is just a matter of me picking clothes that I like and wearing them.

Cherwell: Has Oxford affected your personal style?

Iggy: I think I dress smarter now. I’ve always had a penchant for long coats, but I’m from Shrewsbury and nobody really wears them there. When I came to Oxford, I realised that everyone dressed like me, so I felt like I had to differentiate somehow. I think I’ve had to become bolder in what I wear. 

Cherwell: What is your go-to library outfit?

Iggy: If I’m just going to go to a library, then my basic outfit would be a knitted jumper and flared jeans, with either trainers (if I’m really on an essay grind) or my trusty cowboy boots. If I’m seeing a friend, I will put in a bit more effort and wear something exciting. I don’t like to waste a good outfit on a day where I’m not seeing anyone!

Cherwell: What is your favourite item in your wardrobe?

Iggy: My lovely cowboy boots. I found them on Depop, and they’re just me as a shoe. I wear them to death – I’ve had to get them resoled three times! That, or my vintage Burberry trench coat. They’re probably my two most well-worn pieces.

Cherwell: What is your best vintage find?

Iggy: The boots, obviously! I did find a gorgeous suede leather jacket from Burberry in a consignment shop in Berlin though.

Iggy’s big fashion tip: Find a trusted drycleaners (the suede jacket has been a victim of a bad one).

Cherwell: What’s your biggest fashion faux pas?

Iggy: When I was quite a bit younger, I went through a brief Superdry phase, which is so out of character now. I had biker boots, a hoodie, and one of those coats everyone had. I would never wear that now, but it was an era. I just wanted everything from Superdry!

Cherwell: What is one item of clothing you would never wear, and why?

Iggy: I don’t do logos as much anymore – I want the clothes to speak for themselves. I genuinely adore big designers like Dior, but when they have the monogram logo all over, I think it’s just a bit too much. Although, you could probably get around anything if you style it well. Also, I don’t think I’d wear sweatpants outside of the house. I’ve always said that if I can do one thing right, it’s dress. So, if I’m going out of the house, I’ll make sure I’m wearing something that looks like I’ve put more effort in. The very act of getting ready makes me feel like I’ve started the day. I don’t think my sweatpants with ‘Trinity’ across the bum are going to see the light of Broad Street!

Cherwell: What are the clothing items you think everyone should have in their wardrobe?

Iggy: A long coat and a good pair of boots. You need clothes that you can pull out at any time, that make you happy. Or something which has a fun story. I recently brought two jumpers off a man who came in a van to where I was staying in Scotland. Apparently, he comes once a year with a collection of Persian rugs and cashmere jumpers, so I had to buy some – just for the sake of the story, really! Everyone needs fun clothes that have good stories and just make you very happy.

Cherwell: Where are you shopping right now?

Iggy: I do a lot of my shopping from Vinted or Depop. I do browse a lot, but most of the time I will see one item and become obsessed with it. If you see something and still think about it afterwards, that’s a purchase you need to make.

Cherwell: What is your favourite place to shop in Oxford?

Iggy: Oxford does have a lot of good vintage shops. I will be a fan of Ballroom Emporium until I die. I’ve got a silk dressing gown from there that I wear to death. I’ve even worn it to the club – apparently it makes hangovers look fashionable! Also, What Alice Wore (@whataliceworeoxford), who we had at the Gala.

Cherwell: You were president of the 2025 Oxford Fashion Gala. Can you give a brief description of what the Oxford Fashion Gala is and your role? 

Iggy: The Oxford Fashion Gala is a yearly event which happens in Trinity term. We call it a gala because aside from just being a fashion show, it is also a chance for artistic creatives in Oxford to showcase something. It raises money for Oxford Mutual Aid, so it’s a charity event – we raised around £1000 last year. The Gala is a chance for everyone to come together and really appreciate the creativity of Oxford’s students – it astounds me every time how impressive the designs are, especially with the workload that they have alongside!

Cherwell: Do you have a favourite piece that you still think about?

Iggy: Axel Roy has done a lot of the designs in the past, and I loved his dress with the koi fish at the bottom. He explained to Cherwell, I think, about the symbolism behind the dress – it really was beautiful.

Cherwell: Anyone who went would have remembered your dress – can you tell us about it?

Iggy: It makes me so happy when people say I dress well, because it is always the best compliment! The dress was from a small brand I found on Instagram, called Into Gaia. It has a sequined butterfly on the front and back of the dress, so I thought it was quite apt for the Metamorphosis theme. I also wanted an excuse to wear the dress – there’s not many occasions you can wear a full-length sheer, sparkly dress!

Cherwell: What advice would you give to someone trying to get involved in the Fashion Gala?

Iggy: Just apply – we’ll be doing applications this term. We really want people involved, especially if you can design, but also if you have any other talents – just let us know! In terms of filling out the forms, my advice would be to say any ideas you have, because that’s what things like this need, new ideas.

Cherwell: Do you have a fashion icon or designer that inspires you?

Iggy: This is a hard question because I don’t really know what my personal style is. I don’t have anyone I follow religiously, but I love looking through the ‘90s Ralph Lauren catalogues and the recent runways. I really liked the recent Chanel Spring/Summer 2026 show, especially all the drop waist designs and long, floaty fabrics. I think Pinterest is probably, if I’m being honest, my main fashion inspiration. Sometimes, if I’m really struggling to work out what to wear that day, I’ll open Pinterest and go through my meticulously curated boards!

Cherwell: Who in Oxford do you see as a fashion icon?

Iggy: Honestly, my friends. There will be different aspects of all their outfits, and I’ll almost just pick and choose what I like for myself!