This year, new teaching fellow in the math department William Snead has taken the SPS campus by storm. Snead has already made a significant impact on the community as a Geometry teacher and as a Cross Country coach, but he has also stood out with his unique and colorful clothing. Perhaps you have already seen Snead on the paths in his iconic cow sweater. “I just like to wear whatever makes me happy,” he says, which is reflected in how he wears fun outfits.
Snead believes style is less about the clothes and more about how someone carries themselves in that clothing. “I value being confident and comfortable; my style is part of that,” he says. Some of his favorite style icons who exemplify these qualities include Princess Diana and Don Draper from the television show Mad Men. “They both had the elegance and confidence to pull off whatever they wanted,” he says, “and that’s something that has to be admired.”
Originally from Virginia, Snead says he was exposed there to the louder colors and patterns that “are more common in the South.” He has tied that influence into his current style, meshing it with the New England vibe. While he is not sure what the perception of his general style aesthetic is, he says he hopes for it to be “unique, colorful and clean.”
Snead says he does not do a lot of accessorizing; he believes in letting certain pieces of clothing speak for themselves. With shoes, he says, “I like rotating between loafers, sneakers, and oxfords. Your footwear choice can change the look and level of an outfit.” Snead says he focuses on keeping his outfits fresh and new, so he typically organizes his closet by how recently he wore a certain item. His outfits typically depend on the mood he’s in that day. But once again, outfits can completely change depending on what you pair together. Going back to the footwear example: a sweater, jeans, and loafers will have a completely different vibe than a sweater, jeans and oxfords.
Lastly, Snead wants us to think less about style as materialistic and more about a reflection of what makes us happy. There is no point in wearing something, he says, if it does not make you feel happy and comfortable. However, it’s important to experiment and take some risks to find that perfect balance. “Give yourself some time to figure out what you like and whatever makes you feel good,” he says.