The brilliant thing about street style is that it is attainable.
I will be the first to admit that I am never going to actually possess any of the clothing I’m seen wearing on the runway. I rarely look that put together or expensive. That’s not to say I don’t appreciate the fashions glossing the pages of Vogue and Bazaar…I’m just waiting for the day I win the lottery and can actually afford them.
Street style has been my saving grace. To me, street style is relaxed fashion. Pieces you throw together with detached ease, playing around with shapes and proportions, mixing different eras and twisting in your own unique spin. Layers. Accessories. An abundance of black (ok, maybe just me.) Street style is 60% fashion, 40% attitude. Street style is just, cool.
What’s even cooler is that runway fashion is starting to take a backseat to street style. This past fashion week I swear I saw more pictures tagged #modelsoffduty than I did other kinds of photos. Apparently people want to see what models wear when they’re not draped in luxurious designer silks, or hoofing it in 10-inch stilettos. My friend Ana Cristina is notorious for her bold statement pieces, like bomber jackets with “No Hay Mas” written on the back, or acid wash jeans with drawings of The Powerpuff Girls. The girl even makes her own jewelry…from animal bones. Her style is quirky. It’s a conversation starter. And she’s certainly got the attitude to pull it off.
Even babies are admired for their street style. If you (unlike my dad) keep up with pop culture, I’m sure you’ve heard of North West, the glorified baby of Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. I recently saw a picture of the toddler wearing a leather jacket embroidered with flames, complete with choker and scowl. 60% fashion. 40% attitude.
Public School NYC, a brand brought to fruition by cool guys Maxwell Osborne and Dao-Yi Chow, is the epitome of street style. Public School designs street clothes aiming to be fashion instead of fashion trying to be street – in other words, they look to higher fashion for inspiration. If you know my style, you know why I stalk their Instagram. Blacks, grays, olives. Baggy everything. Occasional belt. Interesting seam here, novelty fabric there…modern minimalism at its best.
There are also well-known designers like Alexander Wang, DKNY, and Rag & Bone, who continue to flourish with their street wear inspired aesthetic.
Of course, street style hasn’t taken off with everyone.
I went shopping with my mom a few days before I left for India. First stop, H&M. She was oil. I was vinegar.
“Oh my gosh, this is so cute,” I said, pointing to an acid wash high-waisted skirt. The same was said to a gray denim backpack with frayed edges and interesting patchwork.
“Meghan, we aren’t living in the 80’s anymore,” said my mom, a look of disgust, mixed with (was it pity?) on her face.
Clearly, I was born in the wrong era.
xoxo
Meghan
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