Young trendsetters spot frugal fashion
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Only eight years out of high school and I’m already falling behind. As much time and energy as I devote to fashion, I can never be as hip as today’s youth.
And what is it that makes them so trendy? Effortlessly, our teen fashion experts roll out of bed every morning in the cutest, most colorful designs, throwing items together that I could never dream of possessing — much less matching.
Whether youth equals fashion or fashion equals youth, it’s clear that our teens have an edge — a fearless way of dressing themselves that inspire the world-class designers and fashionistas alike.
And as of late, the fashion world has stopped to hone in on the opinionated voices of fashion-savvy youth.
Tavi Gevinson is a 14-year-old who writes a fashion blog called Style Rookie, that she started, unbeknownst to her parents, at age 11. She has become an overnight fashion sensation and a muse for designers from Tokyo to the Rodarte sisters.
Style Rookie attracts 54,000 readers every day, and the teenage fashionista has been featured in French Vogue and has written for Harper’s Bazaar. She even obtained a much coveted ticket to the Marc Jacobs show during New York’s fashion week.
Describing herself as a “tiny … dork who sits inside all day wearing awkward jackets and pretty hats,” Gevinson’s blog is refreshingly creative and stimulating, albeit a bit bizarre. The precocious girl flippantly throws together ideas and concepts that would normally clash, but like fashion, somehow flow into a style that is undeniably cohesive.
But she’s not even able to drive a car — in most states.
Once again, I’m wowed by the energy and fashion initiative of the youth.
So the thought crossed my mind: what would local teenage trendsetters find in local thrift stores?
Enter Daron Whitedirt, Andrew Crenshaw and Jonelle Lauer — three of Ronan High School’s most fashion-savvy teenagers.They may not have front row seats at Milan’s Fashion Week as of yet, but these kids can do more with less.
On Monday afternoon I found the three of them engaged in an energetic song of hokey pokey. It was their last period drama class, and the thespians were a bit worn-out and were obviously enjoying the jolt of energy.
The fashion idea was enthusiastically accepted by the three and off we went to Nifty Thrifty.
As always, I was awed by their creative choices.
Whitedirt immediately grabbed a long black and white skirt. With a belt and a long necklace, she created a chic Urban-Outfitter inspired dress from an outdated flowing skirt.
After having a heyday in the sweater department, Crenshaw spotted his very-own purple sports coat. He didn’t seem to mind the irony of a Ronan student clad in Polson colors and was excited to show off his find the next day at school.
Lauer found a long lime-green tweed coat that’s a perfect autumn accessory to dress-up with heels or to dress-down with an interesting belt.
Ok, so Lake County’s thrift stores may not be Rodeo Drive, but that’s besides the point. With their fresh ideas and creative geniuses, these trendsetters are the muses that inspire the fashion on next year’s runways.
And in the height of fashion without the price of fashion, they may take that world by storm.
Move over Tavi Gevinson. You have company.
