‘We probably don’t see Warwick campus as a culture, but it is’: Warwick Clothes Circuit on What’s Warwick Wearing

Armed with a smartphone, tiny mic, and a keen eye for second-hand style, the exec of Warwick Clothes Circuit have taken on the guise of the modern-day hunter: the street-interviewer.

Inspired by the YouTuber, Not So Blonde, and her series What Are People Wearing in Paris?, Haneefah, Circuit’s Head of Social Media, saw an opportunity to showcase Warwick’s own sharp and sustainable dressers. 

“You really get a taste for somewhere, a destination, and a lot of inspiration and vulnerable bits of humanity, which would seep through into their fashion interviews,” Haneefah remarked. “I wanted to do this in and around uni, inspired by the people I generally saw walking around or from the bus stop.” 

And so, What’s Warwick Wearing (WWW) was born. Hailed on their Instagram as the “perfect way to convey what the environmentally conscious baddies (all inclusive) are wearing on campus”, Circuit have taken to promoting their sustainable, ethical, and circular message through the art of the street interview montage on Instagram Reels.   

When I think about Circuit and what it’s promoting, it’s primarily circular fashion and sustainability

– Orla Watson, President of Warwick Clothes Circuit

“For finding and approaching people, it’s really a trial-and-error process,” said Orla Watson, Co-President of Warwick Clothes Circuit. “When you’ve been charity shopping for a while, it’s easy to identify someone who is wearing something that may be thrifted.

“Sustainability is definitely at the forefront though. The first questions we ask are ‘what are you wearing?’ and ‘is anything sustainable today?’. It does get increasingly difficult with a lot of retail brands making vintage designs, and it’s also difficult getting people to understand that. If you look at a lot of fast fashion now, like Jaded London, it rips off a lot of small and sustainably sourced brands. When people think it’s the ASOS Vintage line, it’s like, it’s not vintage, it’s still contributing to environmental degradation.” 

And that ‘environmental degradation’ is a key concern for the Circuit team. Launched four years ago, during Covid, by a group of friends who were as equally environmentally conscious as they were fashion-focused, Circuit was originally a way for people to enjoy second-hand fashion in lockdown, swapping clothes whilst social distancing. Since then, Circuit has grown to occupy the cross-section of creative and green societies on campus, creating its very own Warwick-centric fashion community that champions the environment. 

“When I think about Circuit and what it’s promoting,” said Orla, “it’s primarily circular fashion and sustainability. It’s about not contributing any more to how many clothes we currently have in the world, because we have more than enough already. 

Circuit are […] striking the balance between pushing the stylistic boundaries whilst respecting environmental ones

– Orla Watson, President of Warwick Clothes Circuit

“But where a paradox comes in [between the environment and fashion] is, I’m very passionate about creative fields and would hate to see the end of new fashion ideas just because we want to keep things circular.”

Therefore, a series like WWW could not be timelier or more important. In showcasing montages of the very best sustainable fashion on campus, Circuit are proving that striking the balance between pushing the stylistic boundaries whilst respecting environmental ones is an easier feat than expected. 

“Haneefah said that for her, and I think a lot of the other Circuit girls would agree, that some sort of DIY aspect is important [when looking for outfits to include in WWW]. If you can tell someone has really changed a piece to suit them, maybe they’ve added a lacey hem or some crochet, or just shown some thought, then that is really nice.

“For me personally, I really notice when people pay attention to the quality of an item and longevity. It doesn’t necessarily have to be super out there, but just something that suits them and is functional. So many styles go around, like Cottagecore and the Mob Wife aesthetic, but if we think about it people used to wear these things because they did live in a cottage or have that ‘Old Money’ Italian lifestyle. Whilst choosing and experimenting with a creative identity is good, so is choosing something that suits your life. It’s important when people engage in their culture – if you listen to rock music, reflect that in your style and go for it.

“We probably don’t see Warwick campus as a culture, but it is. It does have its own distinct culture. And in being able to see individuals [in WWW], it can shine a light on all the individuals that we have at Warwick as well as promoting our sustainable outlook.” 

People are up for engaging in a creative, social space because, unfortunately, it is lacking a little at Warwick

– Orla Watson, President of Warwick Clothes Circuit

Receptiveness to the series may have been somewhat split, with some – mainly girls – being excited by the prospect of showing off their outfits, whilst others – mostly men – have declined Circuit’s requests. However, it is undeniable that Circuit’s presence on campus continues to grow.

“We’ve been trying to think bigger,” said Watson, “and we’ve been doing a good job of it. People are up for engaging in a creative, social space because, unfortunately, it is lacking a little at Warwick. [Fashion] is great in cities – it is so much more accessible, which is why I think it’s important at Warwick because people don’t necessarily have a fashion scene on campus. It’s good for people to be able to express themselves, and to be given the outlets to do so.”

As for, say, 60 years into the future: “I think we’ll need the Circuit message even more, making sure that we keep working in a circular community to keep people mindful about consumption. I think with the way the environment’s going and the way capitalism is reaching this peak, we’ll reach a point in 60 years’ time where there will be a rejection of consumption. Hopefully in 60 years, Circuit will be bigger. It will feel natural to join the society as opposed to a statement.” Indeed, What’s Warwick Wearing may be just the series to propel Circuit, and their sustainable message, to that status.

So, on campus, keep an eye out for the well-dressed exec of Warwick Clothes Circuit in their street interview ammo. They may just be on the lookout for you and your sustainable wardrobe.