Fits for the ‘Gram’

When political science sophomore Braelyn Hall got dressed for Syracuse’s football home opener, she wanted something that kept her warm, comfortable and cute. 

She chose a Syracuse football 100th anniversary crewneck sweatshirt with orange striped cuffs and neckline, baggy straight-leg jeans and a matching pair of ‘Syracuse’ Nike Dunks. 

Hours later, she discovered she was featured on @sufits_ after people began tagging and DMing her the post.  

“It was cool to kind of see myself be caught off guard,” Hall said. 

The Instagram page @Sufits_, also known as Syracuse Fits, is a student-run page that captures candid shots of students’ style on campus. Since its launch in fall 2022, it has accumulated more than 8,000 followers and has become well-established among students. While some admit being featured on the page is a fun surprise, the page’s influence on clothing choices varies. 

For some, the page is a source of motivation. 

Photo by Jai’La Du Rousseau

Television, radio and film freshmen Shawn Ware poses with a furry hat for SU Fits.

Photo by Jai’La Du Rousseau

Freshman sports management major Isaiah stands in a black sweatshirt next to freshman film major Logan Pierre in band t-shirt as they show off their outfits for SU Fits.

“I love it, I think it’s so fun and unique and like it’s something you would see on TikTok,” Tessa Chiari, a marketing and management junior, said. “Honestly, it makes you want to dress up every day and look fire.”

Others say the page does not influence their outfits. 

“I don’t wake up like ‘I’m trying to be featured on SU Fits,’” film freshman Logan Pierre said. “I just dress for myself.”

But not all students view the account so positively. At first, advertising junior Taylor Whitmore tried to get featured on the page, but now sees it differently. 

“When you’re trying to be photographed with your outfit and you’re not actually consciously caring about what you put on for yourself and rather just for other people, I feel like it’s just sort of a problem… it’s performative,” Whitmore said. “But I do think that it’s a cute idea and I do think it’s fun.”

The account’s owner, health and exercise science senior Duane Tilghman, said when he founded Syracuse Fits, his goal was to spotlight students who put effort into their outfits. 

“That’s what it started off as, I was just interviewing people and seeing what they were wearing and just making people feel special about the outfit they had on,” Tilghman said. 

This fall, @sufits_ became an official school-affiliated organization, a demonstration of its growth since its initial launch. 

“It’s kind of exclusive if you make our page,” Tilghman said. “Like, you got to put it on.”