By: Sophia Nunn
As the seasons of our lives change, so do our personal wardrobes. Style Evolution is a look into how students of Western use fashion to outwardly express an extension of who they are and how this has evolved over the quarters.
Check out previous installments of Style Spotlight: Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Winter 2023
SOL WILBORN
Sol Wilborn posing for their picture for Style Spotlight, over its installments. Sophia Nunn // Wavelength
How would you describe your personal style?
My style is a plethora of second hand silhouettes, textures, colors, and patterns. I can look like a little boy, a shapeless runway model, or a baddie, it all depends on the day. Doesn’t matter whet the vibe is, my outfits will always be color coordinated, flattering, and just the right amount of weird.
Where/who/what do you draw inspiration from?
I get inspiration from all over. Some days I want to look like a nurse log. Other days I try to take looks I’ve seen from fashion designers and recreate it with thrifted pieces. I draw a ton of inspiration from my closet itself. I will pick a piece and find other items that have similar of complementary colors, good textures, or the same vibe. I try to wear all my clothes. Fruits magazine got me into really experimenting with my fashion. If you haven’t seen fruits definitely check it out, its endless inspiration.
Is fashion and self expression through clothing important to you? If so, why?
Yes, definitely. I don’t want to fade into the background. I want my clothing to be a mirror of my inner self and my personality, so people can look at me and maybe see bits of myself. As a non-binary person, I use clothing to express my gender. Some days my gender is the outfit I’m wearing. I want to show people the multiplicity that lives within me, and prove that you can wear whatever you want.
What would you tell your younger self about fashion and self expression?
You don’t have to buy what other people are buying and wear what they are wearing. You are on your way to more, to truly feeling like yourself when you put on an outfit, instead of just feeling like this will make other people accept you or think you look cute. You cutting your hair short and only wearing thrifted clothing is cool!
What would you change about the world of fashion?
The waste. It is incredibly wasteful. I do my part to buy second hand and give clothes an extended life. Fashion needs to become sustainable or it will never truly be innovative or worth anything. I also think that fashion is so many things, it is not just “looking good,” it is about joy and wearing things that make you feel good. People need to stop judging others for what they wear, not just those who dress “strange,” but “fashion-heads” judging people who dress “basic.” WEAR WHAT YOU WANT. Liberate yourself through clothing, don’t judge, don’t care what the judgers think.
If you could summarize your sense of style into a song, what song would you choose?
Debold by Vegyn
JADE WESTON
Jade Weston posing for their picture for Style Spotlight, over its installments. Sophia Nunn // Wavelength
How would you describe your personal style?
My personal style hinges on entirely secondhand clothing! Mixing many eras together, from the late 1800s to the 2000s.
Where/who/what do you draw inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from the past! I love vintage clothing; the details and quality, and the hunt to find rare and unique pieces. My favorite era of fashion is the 1930s & 40s.
How do you use clothing to portray an extension of yourself?
When did you become interested in fashion and what sparked your inspiration?
I’ve been interested in fashion for as long as I can remember. My spark came from starting to thrift at a young age and getting hand me downs from friends.
What would you change about the world of fashion?
I would completely halt all new production of textiles! Creating new clothes would come only from already existing fabric and repurposed secondhand clothes. Everyone working in the fashion and textile industry needs a safe workplace and livable wages.
EMMA LARSON
Emma Larson posing for their picture for Style Spotlight, over its installments. Sophia Nunn // Wavelength
What would you change about the world of fashion?
I would say leaning more towards sustainability and upcycling versus fast fashion. Also, eliminating the idea that clothes have gender. That is super important to me.
Where/who/what do you draw inspiration from?
I would say a lot of the time if I watch a movie, especially an older movie, that is inspiring to me and even just going out and about in the world and seeing people on the street. I also like drawing inspiration for my art through fashion; with the people I draw I like having elements of fashion incorporated into that. I also get inspiration from Pinterest and Instagram.
How do you use clothing to portray an extension of yourself?/Is fashion and self expression through clothing important to you? If so, why?
Fashion and self-expression through clothing is super important to me and I think that you can express a lot with an outfit. For example if you wear a lot of layers you may seem more closed off and reserved that day or if you’re wearing a lot of colors, you may seem more bright, fun and approachable. You can use it as a medium to express how you feel like interacting with the world that day.
What would you tell your younger self about fashion and self expression?
I would tell my younger self that you can get creative with what you draw inspiration from and go to the thrift store without any specific intentions, but purely based on what you get good vibes from; thinking “I like this! But I don’t know why”, that’s a good enough reason to try it on. You never know what you’ll find. With thrifting, you can get a lot more experimental without spending a ton of money. For example, you can spend $18 and get a bunch of cool things and try them on and if you don’t love some of them, it’s okay! I’m a huge advocate for repurposing things that you buy or giving them away to a friend or giving them away in a trade, instead of just letting them sit and rot in your closet. Another thing with choosing stuff you wanna buy, I believe if you don’t think you’ll wear something at least 20 times, don’t buy it, unless it’s for a specific thing like a bridesmaid dress.
SAGE OLIVERIA
Sage Oliveria posing for their picture for Style Spotlight, over its installments. Sophia Nunn // Wavelength
What would you tell your younger self about fashion and self expression?
I would probably tell my younger self that not all colors look good together and that brand names don’t make or break your outfit. I would also say thank you for being open to trying new fits.
My style is kind all over the place. It all depends on how I’m feeling when I wake up. I enjoy wearing vintage clothing and I also wear a lot of athletic wear. Most days I’m fine with wearing a pair of jeans and a tee shirt. Almost all of my shirts are either XL or XXL just because I like the feeling of loose clothing and I feel like it fits my aesthetic.
I find fashion fun and I do express myself through my outfits but it is not something I take super seriously. I want my fits to be effortless and I don’t want to spend more than three minutes picking out what I’m going to wear for the day. However, I do have to make sure that what I wear looks good.
JESS BROWN
Jess Brown posing for their picture for Style Spotlight, over its installments. Sophia Nunn // Wavelength
How would you describe your personal style?
I would describe my personal style as grungy, and artistic.
Where/who/what do you draw inspiration from?
I draw a lot of my inspiration from Kurt Cobain, Eddie Vedder, Molly Ringwald, and Courtney Love.
Is fashion and self expression through clothing important to you? If so, why?
Yes! I always love to plan my outfits out on a daily basis. They help me find confidence, and boost my mood! I love to express myself through fun, and bright makeup looks. A little eyeliner can go a long way. I try my best to match my jewelry with my outfits, it really helps tie everything together. Expressing myself has been a huge part of my life this year, I have been able to come out of my shell, and take risks.
How do you use clothing to portray an extension of yourself?
I use fashion to portray an extension of myself through my hair, and jewelry. It makes me feel on cloud nine whenever people approach me about my hair or outfit. I like to stand out and show my artistic abilities. However, I dress for myself. Dressing out of the ordinary makes me feel bold, and brings out a more fun side of me.
When did you become interested in fashion and what sparked your inspiration?
I became interested in fashion around my freshman year of high school. I remember going to Zumiez in search of a pair of combat boots. I wanted a statement piece. Then lo and behold, Doc Martens 1460 lace up boots. They were perfect for me, and they started my fashion journey. I remember receiving weird looks for wearing them, however, a year later everyone wore them. During that time of my life I was (and still) interested in Drag. Drag has inspired a lot of my makeup, and fashion inspiration. I love how bright and fun drag performers are. They have played a huge role in my life.
What would you tell your younger self about fashion and self expression?
What I would tell my younger self about fashion is that you don’t need name brand items. Although it’s nice to have it, you don’t need it. Also, don’t listen to what others have to say about what you wear. Go outside the box. Plus, throw out that flat iron, you have wavy hair, embrace it. Embrace who you are, and that will help you move forward. Be weird, be confident, and have the time of your life.
What would you change about the world of fashion?
What I would change about the world of fashion would be the body standard. I was told growing up that I was a “big kid” and that you need to be thin for society to find you beautiful. The size tag should not define you. All bodies are beautiful, and everyone has the right to express themselves, and feel confident. I wish people would be more supportive of each other, and be size inclusive.
If you could summarize your sense of style into a song, what song would you choose?
If I could summarize my sense of style into a song it would be “About a Girl” by Nirvana. “About a Girl” is a grungy, yet upbeat song that completely describes my style. It’s a love song, and I put love into my style.