Wearing college hoodies or T-shirts is always trending on M-A’s campus. Social media has undeniably played a role in this, with influencers and athletes promoting college merch as part of mainstream fashion—meaning anyone, not just alumni or family, can join in. But is there a certain point—senior year, perhaps—when wearing a college sweatshirt means something more than just style?
Freshman Teagan Forcier-Koranda has a strong personal connection to the University of Michigan and proudly shows it through her outfits. “Most of my wardrobe is Michigan merch. I have four hoodies, one jersey, and a bunch of shirts,” she said.
Forcier-Koranda’s loyalty to Michigan is deeply rooted in family tradition. “My dad attended college there, so I grew up watching Michigan football,” she said.
“I find it a little weird when people just wear college shirts with no correlation to the school,” Forcier-Koranda said. “Like, what do you know about Michigan?”
On the other hand, rather than wearing them to show off school spirit or allegiance, sophomore Maddie Mosso sees college sweatshirts as a stylish staple that can add personality to an outfit without needing much effort. “The trends nowadays for teenagers are hoodies, leggings, or sweatpants. I feel like college hoodies are a cute and comfy option without being too simple,” she said.
For Mosso, the appeal lies in blending comfort with style, something she believes college hoodies accomplish effortlessly.
Freshman Amadou Ndiaye shared a different perspective. “I like to support my favorite college sports teams,” he said. The appeal lies in supporting a school’s athletic performance and legacy, even if he’s not a student there. “I follow a lot of good teams and support them by wearing their hoodies and merch,” he said.
But, when it comes to seniors, wearing college gear may spark a different reaction, with many assuming it’s a sign of where they’re headed after high school. This adds a layer of curiosity—and sometimes pressure—to the choice of which hoodie or T-shirt they wear.
Senior Natalie Shannon agreed with Mosso on the aesthetic appeal of college merch but holds more hesitation in her clothing choices. “If I go to a certain college, I’m not going to wear other colleges’ merch,” she said, “It’s just for right now since I don’t know where I’m going to go and I think it’s fun.”
“Honestly, our senior class knows each other pretty well, so we don’t really think anything of it until the end of the year, like on Decision Day,” she said. Decision Day is when all the students going to college wear their college hoodie, showcasing their future plans to their peers, while many take pictures to celebrate.
But not all students are as laid-back about the college merch trend, especially when it comes to the pressure of signaling their future.
“For senior year, I will definitely stop wearing certain college hoodies because I don’t want to give people the wrong impression,” sophomore Asa Grant said. While some students enjoy sporting college merchandise as a sign of school spirit, Grant is more cautious about how it might be perceived, especially when it comes to signaling future plans. “I think wearing a hoodie from a specific college could make people assume that’s where I’m going, and I don’t want to deal with those questions yet,” he said. This sense of anticipation is common among students who are still figuring out their post-high school paths, and it highlights the subtle pressures that come with participating in the college merch trend.
Whether it’s about showing school pride, finding a cozy style, or just keeping up with the trend, college merch means something different to everyone at M-A. For seniors, it’s nice to enjoy the look without overthinking it—at least until Decision Day rolls around when hoodies might offer a glimpse into the future.
