December ‘25

Yasmine Shahbandi.

@yasmineshahbandi

How do you feel your hometown influenced your sense of style?

San Diego houses a culture of free-will; I never felt judged, only passively supported, for what I wore.

Growing up influenced by San Diego’s hip-hop scene and its effortlessly nonchalant culture played a huge role in shaping my style. The energy was relaxed but intentional—being fly without trying too hard—and artists like Westside Gunn really cemented that mindset for me. I never wore exactly what everyone else wore, but it never felt odd or out of place; individuality was normal there. That environment taught me that standing out doesn’t have to be loud—confidence and authenticity do the work for you.

What is some of your biggest fashion inspiration?

My mom. She shops for me all the time. I trust her, and she gets my style.

My clothing style is deeply rooted in my Iranian heritage and shaped by my mother’s influence from a very young age. Growing up in a culturally rich household, I was constantly surrounded by the beauty of Iranian tradition, artistry, and self-expression, which naturally found its way into how I dress. My mom was incredibly inspirational—she intentionally cultivated my style choices early on, teaching me to appreciate elegance, boldness, and individuality. Through her stories, values, and everyday example, she showed me that clothing is more than fashion; it’s a way to honor my roots and express who I am.

What are your Mardi Gras Do’s and Don’ts?

The History of Mardi Gras TIDES Class I took freshman year taught me to have fun with my fashionwear during Mardi Gras, while also being respectful of the New Orleans natives I’m celebrating alongside.

I’m going about my fourth Mardi Gras how I always have– with intention and confidence. Do layer smart—comfort matters, but that doesn’t mean sacrificing a good fit. I’m all for bold accessories, statement jackets, and pieces that actually reflect your personal style instead of just throwing something on for beads. Do wear shoes you can survive in and still feel cute. My biggest concern is costumes that feel forced or sloppy—Mardi Gras style should feel expressive, not careless. If I’m going out, I need to feel confident in what I’m wearing, because the right outfit sets the tone for the entire day (and night).

I suggest fun colors on an outfit that's sexy yet tasteful. After my Mardi Gras TIDES class, I feel like there are other ways to get fun and risky by other means of your outfit. I love fun hairstyles, bold accessories, and a strong statement piece.

What are some fashion successes and failures?

Y2K wasn’t just about fashion, but culture and evolution. People who throw around the phrase fail to value the true power of that era.

When I think about fashion fails and wins, one of my biggest pet peeves is how the label “Y2K” gets thrown around so loosely, especially on second-hand websites and by in-person sellers—it’s often completely misused and waters down what the style actually represents. Another major fashion fail to me is the devolution of dressing for class; wearing something fashionable and form-fitting to class has almost disappeared at Tulane, where sweat sets and athleisure have become the everyday uniform. I wear it too, but not every day—there’s value in putting effort into how you show up. On the flip side, a huge fashion win I love seeing is people confidently and intentionally matching colors in their outfits. I tend to stick to a lot of neutrals, so I genuinely applaud those who can pull off bold color combinations and make them look cohesive and effortless.

It’s Winter in New Orleans. How should we approach it?

People think fur coats are just for fancy events. No, they are warm yet chic. I will be wearing my collection all winter long.

Winter fashion in New Orleans at Tulane is so misunderstood to me. People think fur jackets are just for dressing up, but they legitimately keep you warm, and I wish more people embraced that. I want to see more trench coats and peacoats, more flexibility with layering, and outfits that feel intentional—like a hoodie paired with a trench coat that melds together cohesively. I love the comeback of Doc Martens, heavier layering, and mixing different sweaters with jackets, or even transitioning ballet flats from summer into loafers for winter. 

What’s your New Year’s fashion resolution?

I’m going to miss the ‘communal closet’ between my roommates and me. I definitely plan to use that more going into the new year.

This year, my fashion New Year’s resolution is all about experimentation and being a free spirit. I want to have more fun with accessories—especially belts—while leaning into vintage pieces, found at local NOLA spots like Mad Liberation. I want to step out of my comfort zone with color. I mostly own neutrals, so I hope to find some colorful pieces to borrow in my friends’ closets. In my last year, I’m excited to incorporate my friends’ clothes into my own rotation, mixing energies and styles in a way that feels playful and communal. I’m channeling full Carrie Bradshaw energy—bold, unapologetic, a little cunty—and using fashion as a space to take risks, experiment freely, and have fun with who I’m becoming.