When spring blooms in San Luis Obispo, it means Saint Patrick’s Day and the annual St. Fratty’s Day celebration is right around the corner. As Cal Poly students and local residents anticipate the arrival of the town’s most iconic yet contentious holiday celebration, here is a guide to looking stylish while celebrating at 3:17 a.m. and beyond.
With the recent addition of Cal Poly’s Morning on the Green music festival to the Fratty’s itinerary (may the Hathway block parties rest in peace), there are now even more options of ways to celebrate the holiday. As you optimize your schedule, it’s important to make sure your outfit is suitable for whatever comes your way.
While it’s tempting to buy new pieces for the occasion, St. Fratty’s only comes around once a year, for a single day. You can still add style and flair to an outfit that is affordable while also being sustainable, through buying secondhand and DIY designing.
If you’re stuck on what to wear, a great piece to start off with is a graphic tee. They’re relatively easy to thrift or find at local businesses, and having playful graphics or phrases as the centerpiece of your outfit is fitting for the day’s affairs. If you can’t find a graphic tee, you can still make one with fabric scraps, markers, thread or paint lying around that can be put on a plain t-shirt.
Any good Fratty’s outfit must include a pop of green one way or another, which can be incorporated in a number of ways to suit whatever style you have going on. If you’re growing bored of wearing a green shirt with whatever jeans you have in your drawer, opt for highlighting the green in your outfit with bottoms like patterned pants or a flowy mini skirt. Wearing a green dress is also an easy and viable option to switch things up.
Fratty’s celebrations start bright and early in the morning, so prepare to bear the ice cold temperatures outside by layering your pieces or adding a jacket. However, the weather in San Luis Obispo during early March also warms up quite a bit as the day goes on, so you still have more options for shorter length tops and bottoms to wear. Jorts are a great example of a warm weather staple that pairs with most tops. Pair them with a relaxed collared or graphic t-shirt or any tank or sleeveless top. All in green, of course.
If green clothing feels intimidating, clashes with your typical clothing color palette, or isn’t something you’re willing to buy for one occasion, you can still look festive and avoid excessive pinching by accessorizing. You can tighten your pants with a green belt or thread green laces through your shoes. Even wrapping a green scarf around your neck or head and wearing jewelry with green gemstones can take your outfit from rather simple to festive. Don’t be afraid to add some green tinsel to your hair, paint your nails with green polish or swipe green glitter on your eyelids either.
All in all, among these featured style tips and suggestions, remember that the best outfit for St. Fratty’s and celebrations beyond is the one that you feel the best and most yourself in. Happy celebrating and stay safe!
