Aca-Fashion: Northwestern A Capella Sings in Style

Graphic by Agnes Lee

A Capella at Northwestern is back and better than ever. With increased in-person activity throughout fall quarter, numerous A Capella groups designed new merch and staged themed performances. A Capella has always played a central role among Northwestern’s student organizations, even providing inspiration for the 2012 film Pitch Perfect. Recruitment is highly competitive, and performances are meticulously planned. Part of this planning involves group fashion, whether for performance outfits or for loungewear merchandise featuring each group’s signature colors and logos. 

Photo courtesy of the X-Factors, Louisa Conte is third from the left.

Louisa Conte is Head Designer of Merchandise for the X-Factors, a co-ed A Cappella group specializing in pop and indie music. Louisa designed the group’s loungewear, including a custom brown hoodie with delicate pink details. Flames lick the sides of the sleeves, and the front of the sweatshirt features a long peach-colored tongue, reminiscent of the Rolling Stones, flanked by two electric guitars. Louisa was adamant that the sleeves of the hoodie were decorated in addition to the front. 

Louisa specifically wanted to make the loungewear both bold and accessible. “I was interested in doing something bigger and more fun. I didn’t want it to be ‘merch.’ I wanted it to be a piece of clothing that people actually might buy,” Louisa said. “ Finding the graphic, I wanted it to be somewhat music-related, and I felt that it went well with the vibe of the flames on the arms.” 

The tongue and guitars are a lighter, rosier shade, while the flames and X-factors logo are deeper and warmer with hints of orange to complement the central graphic. “It was really about creating something that everyone in the group would want to wear and not just feel obligated to,” Louisa said. 

Louisa described the X-Factors’ purpose, themes and values as “big,” as demonstrated by the group’s hot pink theme and bold, subversive performance outfits. At the X-Factors’ most recent show, Louisa rocked a thrifted pink tuxedo paired with a blue neck scarf and sparkly winged eyeliner. To her, performances are opportunities for the X-Factors to showcase their values: notably, acceptance and the right to take up space.

When discussing the X-Factors signature pink theme, Louisa cited the group’s commitment to each member’s wellness. “We place our members, their mental health, and their feeling of belonging in the group above being the best group musically. So the pink represents the energy of: when we’re in the rehearsal space, yes, we’re getting our sh*t done, but we’re also having fun doing it,” Louisa said. 

Part of the reason why the pink theme is so important to the X Factors is because of its relevance to gender norms and stereotypes. To Louisa, the pink, which she describes as an inherently “warm” color, contributes to the welcoming atmosphere within the group and sets a precedent for playfully defying expectations. “It’s, in a way, subversive,” she sai

“We take advantage of the so-called feminine stereotype in order to say: everyone is welcome here, we want people of every background to come to the table.”

Adam Lipson of Extreme Measures described his A Capella group’s style and goals as casual and focused on comfort and individuality. The group’s colors are blue, black and white, and they always wear black and denim for performances. Contrary to the group name, members are not expected to go to extreme measures to achieve a uniform look.“This gives us good flexibility to put together whatever outfit you want: whatever outfit you feel good in,” Adam said.

For themed shows, Extreme Measures heightens the performance by picking outfits that correspond with their music. Their December performance, “Extreme Measures Gets Physical,” has a red and black athletic theme. “Our upcoming performance is an eighties workout theme and we’re wearing eighties workout outfits,” Adam said. He described his simple, yet effective, performance fit: red sweatbands and a headband, Nike running shorts and a bright red tank top from Hanes. 

Both fashion and music provide students with creative outlets. Like stylistic expression, A Capella requires courage, authenticity and the ability to let go of reservations. Louisa argued that at the end of the day, what’s most important is feeling at home within the group and within yourself. “It’s about creating a family within the group. Our outfits can go a long way in making us feel included in something, like we’re being our best selves.”