Wardrobe Wednesday: Julia’s Whimsical Wardrobe
Wardrobe Wednesday: Julia’s Whimsical Wardrobe The culture of 90s fashion is ever present in VCU sophomore Julia Karns’ closet. With style icons from prominent 90s and early 2000s pop culture such as Lorelai Gilmore, Buffy Summers, and Jackie Burkhart, Julia’s wardrobe is nothing short of exceptional. Filled with classic silhouettes, rich earth tones, and soft grunge pieces, Julia’s closet pays homage to the illustrious decade which brought us the whimsigoth aesthetic. Karns’ has a knack for highlighting sleek, feminine elements, while adding flair with unique, grungy pieces; she does this through her collection of romantic, floral maxi skirts, never-ending leather jackets, and one of a kind accessories. Julia’s day to day staples include her classic, black Jeffrey Campbell platform boots, and her quintessential shade of wine colored lipstick which rounds off any look. Making outfits her own has been routine for Karns since she was 7-years-old; dressing up in a burnt orange corduroy suit, in lieu of a party dress. Julia’s wardrobe is full of personality and spunk from her vast collection of shoes, to her reservoir of vintage outerwear. Julia’s stockpile of thrifted jewelry, belts, and curated handbags allows her to truly wear her clothes, instead of her clothes wearing her. Whether she dreams up an outfit days in advance, or spends hours going through her closet swearing she has nothing to wear, Julia consistently looks put together, thanks to her closet full of curated, quality garments. Karns effortlessly showcases her individuality through her one of a kind wardrobe, and continuously absorbs inspiration from new and old pop-culture. (Very) frequent thrifting trips have allowed Julia to perfect the sport that is sourcing vintage clothing. Resulting in a wardrobe with everything she could want (of course not counting her dream Ganni ballet flats).
Indie Sleaze: The Comeback of Messy Rage
Indie Sleaze: The comeback of Messy Rage By: Stephania Jugo Garcia December 9, 2022 After the over saturation of Y2K’s comeback, the more muted sister version of “Indie Sleaze” makes a return from music to couture. The TikTok-named era spanned from 2006 to 2014 in the midst of the 2008 Housing Crisis, similar to the incurring recession today. Indie sleaze revolves around an escapism from reality, while rebelling against societal norms in a grungier way. This era pulls from the 70s and 80s carefree, rockstar look with more of a fitted shape. Oversized fur and leather jackets are a staple to make this look effortless, compared to the blazers and longer fitted coats at the time. It draws more attention to the movement of the person while contrasting the tighter layer beneath the jacket. While tights have been a staple for their practicality and classiness, indie sleaze takes another approach. Tights start to have a “worn in” look to them with rips and holes. Patterned and colored tights have come back in a bigger wave this time around, as seen with Valentino and Mugler’s most recent runway shows. Knee-high tights have also been another adaptation of this trend that can be seen this winter. Shorter skirts and shorts also contrast both the bulkier jackets and figure-hugging tights, seen on the infamous MiuMiu micro-bottoms. Skinny jeans, specifically low-rise, were all the rage as well. While skinny jeans might not be in the foreground, low-rise has made a comeback with the help of Y2K trends. Makeup looks and hairstyles have come and gone, but it’s essential to what makes this era what it is. The smudged eyeliner paired with silver shadow and “unstyled” hair give a more relaxed, carefree look. This “not trying” appearance is what the whole era is about, going against the stricter, basic beauty standards. The return of “Indie Sleaze” can be attributed to the fashion cycle circling back, and society mirroring that time before it. Bands, such as the 1975 and the Arctic Monkeys, who created a path for the “Indie” music heard the first time around have released new albums just in time to set the new anthems. Devon Lee Carlson and Suki Waterhouse are just two fashion influencers that have brought the “rockstar girlfriend” or “rock girl” look to the forefront, which gives a nod to the original style icons, Anita Pallenburg and Alexa Chung. Social movements have only expanded to a larger sense of rebellion, like the fight to protect gay marriage during the early 2000s shifting to transgender rights currently. It’s not only fashion recycling and revamping, but society as a whole; the comeback of “Indie Sleaze” is only one example. Photographer: Carolina Gomez Stylist: Sydney Robinson Models: Sophia Arabia, Catherine Nguyễn, Annabel Chilton, & Karley Kozlowski Editor in Chief: Caitlin Thompson Creative Director: Carolina Gomez Fashion Director: Madden Cook
Transitional Fall Must-Have’s
Transitional Fall Must-Have’s By: Bria Roberts November 2, 2022 Fall has always been a favorite season for many reasons, one being the endless possibilities of new and innovative Fall fashion fits it has to offer. Autumn sets the tone for stylistic trends in the new school year and incorporates clothing pieces from each season. So how do you create the perfect transitional fall fashion outfit? Here are some tips! When choosing what to wear at this time of year, keep in mind that the shifting autumnal weather and mood allow for the most versatility and exploration in styling. Fall is all about comfort, bring some of your favorite comforting Summer items like a breezy skirt or a playful tank. Everyone has these fashion basics in their wardrobe that can easily be buildable for those cooler Fall days. Swapping your colorful platform sandals for comfy furry boots or darker-toned platform shoes are easy ways to start incorporating fall trends into your wardrobe, as well as incorporating textured pieces into your outfits, like faux leather and fuzzy accents. Another tip is when in doubt, layer it out. Some of our favorite layering pieces this season are chunky, knit cardigans and cozy leg warmers. Accessories are also another essential part of any outfit. Opting for more elegant and classic jewelry, like pearls and gold accents can completely change the vibe of any outfit. When all else fails, denim and earth tones are the go-to transitional fall wardrobe essentials. These stylistic factors never go out of style and are easy communicators of incoming colder weather and comfy vibes. Fall fashion is all about experimentation. Make sure that whatever you wear is an extension of your personal style that makes you feel confident and ready to take on the day. Editor in Chief: Caitlin Thompson Creative Director: Carolina Gomez Fashion Director: Madden Cook Photographer: Mary Rushforth Stylist: Sydney Robinson Models: Jada King, Madelyn Carter, & Maddie Martin Follow us on Instagram!
Sustainability Spotlight: Kotn – For Lasting Ways of Life
Kotn has comfort and practical use in mind when creating all of their designs. They want to create clothes that let customers buy less and enjoy more. Kotn has a variety of products including womenswear, menswear, accessories, and home styles; all of which can transform any wardrobe and home into a sustainable, minimalist one. Kotn’s promise of sustainably made and sourced clothing does not mean they compromise on quality. Kotn sources their cotton from Portugal and Egypt from family-run farms to get the best quality fibres. Kotn also works directly with the family-run farms to ensure the workers are receiving above fair pay and constant safe working conditions. When looking for sustainably made stylish and quality clothing look no further than Kotn.