At Sunnyslope High-school there’s an endless amount of style and diversity. As fall is now knocking at our door, let’s analyze some of the trends we’ve seen so far this year.
Firstly, polka-dots. Many students’ go-to pedicures consist of quirky polka-dot patterns, often in shades of blue. Dots have been all the rave on Pinterest in the past year, continuing to grow in popularity with no end in sight. Aside from mani-peds, dots are also being implemented into different fabrics and accessories. Dotted headbands, handkerchiefs, and even overalls – as eccentric as that sounds – are popping up more lately.
This autumn, the go-to colors are taking a twist. Instead of the deep browns and oranges we’ve seen in past years, we can expect to see more muted colors and blue shades – like cobalt and periwinkle.
Polka Dotted nails aren’t the only place you may see shades of blue this year. Navy Blue is especially on-trend right now. This deep, shadowy shade has been a staple in both men and women’s fashion. We’ve seen the hue in teens clothing, jewelry and shoes. The navy blue color has been made into a staple on social media, if you’re looking to achieve the enamored “old money” look. The signature brand to achieve this look is Ralph Lauren. After Ralph Lauren launched their Oak Bluffs campaign this past season, the styling quickly became viral. The navy blue-dominated campaign had a country-club, old-money aesthetic. The campaign shed light on black-excellence and the wealthy people of color living in Massachusetts. Models in the advertisement wore various coastal-themed garments, embroidered with striped patterns in grey and blue shades. The newly launched Ralph Lauren polos and sweaters quickly became an internet sensation, adding fuel to the navy-blue fire.
Today, we see the color all over. Numerous students have the shade in their closet, often seen in the halls as an off-the shoulder tee, specifically from Brandy Melville. The clothing shop has a large catalog of cute baby-tees, shorts and sweatpants. The shop is an affordable choice for girls and guys to buy, and has been loved by teens for many years. Many of their most popular catalog options adhere to the navy-blue trend. Two of their highest selling products are the Christy Hoodie and the American Flag Sweater, both of which are perfect picks to fit the trends this fall.
Speaking of off-the shoulder tees, we’ve seen this design wildly grow since 2023. High-necklines and deep-v’s aren’t in style anymore – people want to show off their shoulders and accentuate their collarbones. Although more clothing brands are creating innovative off-the shoulder tops to stay up to date, many still D.I.Y their tops at home. The go-to design is a cropped shirt, with a slanted neckline – reminiscent of the mid 2010s trend.
Next, we have a more underrated trend: skirts. Whether you’re wearing a flowy skirt or a Y2k mini-skirt, this is the perfect way to elevate an outfit! Long-skirts originally were correlated to the “cottage core” trend, which was at its peak in 2020. But this year, on social apps like Tiktok and Instagram, there’s been more eyes on the NYC way of styling them. Fashion enthusiasts pair the lengthy-lace skirts with a flashy belt. This new way of putting a twist on the usual cottage-core skirt is both comfortable and chic.
But we can’t talk about chic, without talking about mini-skirts. In the famous words of Paris Hilton, she says, “A skirt should be the size of a belt.” If you’re a fan of 2000’s fashion, this is the perfect bottom for you! The mini-skirt gained traction after socialites like Hilton and Nicole Richie flaunted them in front of paparazzi. The best part of this look is that there’s so many ways to wear it: mini, maxi, or jorts. A white mini-skirt paired with a navy blue sweater is not only stylish but dress-code safe for the school campus.
So, if you’re looking to achieve the perfect wardrobe that combines all the rising trends into one, here’s what you should wear. First, purchase the “Spelman College Fleece Quarter-zip” polo in navy blue, from Ralph Lauren. This top is tasteful, youthful and appropriate for school, priced at $198.00. Next, let’s choose a bottom. To match the refinement of Ralph Lauren, a draping-white prairie skirt would be ideal. Brandy Melville’s “Olive Skirt” is exactly that, embroidered at the ends with a pure cotton. Priced at an inexpensive $38. For shoes, both ballet flats and Adidas have been a steady trend. Since we’re leaning towards a more “old money” outfit, ballet flats are the better choice.
The “Soft Leather Ballet Flats” from Zara can be worn with cream tights or by themselves. These flats are versatile and last a long time. Not to mention, if you’re looking to enter a fashion career, these are an impressive choice as Zara has been an industry favorite for years now. Priced at $79.90.
Lastly, we can’t finish a look without accessories and details. Almond shaped polka-dot nails are up-to-date and give every outfit a more refreshed vibe. Accessories are up to personal preference, of course, but you should aim to wear colors that compliment your skintone. No matter your undertone, Anthropologie has a variety of necklaces, earrings and bracelets that fit everyone.
If you’re a cool tone, silvers will make your features pop. If you’re a warm tone, then gold makes your skin stand out. And if you’re a neutral or olive tone, you can mix and match both as you wish.
And there you have it! Those are a few rising fashion trends for this school year. Now that you know how to make the perfect outfit, get ready to be the most fashionable person on campus!
