Credit: Cata Laje
As someone with no credibility to be making claims on fashion or style and shops by asking herself “Would Carrie Bradshaw wear this?”, I thought it would only make sense if I discussed fashion’s latest Hots and Nots.
It’s best to start with the bad news first right? Pleather. I’m sure the masses of us all have some fake leather pants, jackets, or skirts laying around in our closet, myself included. Your favorite influencer said TikTok shop had the pleather skirt for less than the price of a Starbucks drink, which means you had to get it, right? Wrong. Instead of skipping one $7 coffee at Starbucks, consider skipping two weeks worth and indulging in some real leather. Pros are that it won’t smell like you just got off a fishing boat after a few wears, and if you source it ethically, you won’t be supporting child labor… I realize the argument against leather is that it is made from animals and is expensive, which is why many succumb to stores like Edikted (which gained popularity from their trending flared leather pants circa 2021) to find their faux leather pieces. Sounds hopeless, I know – where will one find a leather jacket?! The answer isn’t easy because it does involve time sifting through graphic tees, but all my favorite leather pieces are secondhand from thrift stores. Best of all you can find leather jackets from vintage stores for cheaper than the shipping fee you get when ordering from China.
Now for the positive: What’s in and why should you care? Remember the Sofia Richie Grainge “quiet luxury” style? As teenagers, I’m not suggesting we need to be dressed as attorneys, but we can take some inspiration from what our parents have been saying: “modest is hottest.” Because, honestly? It just may be.
As teenagers we often use fashion to make us look older, whether that’s to be able to fit in with an older sister and her college friends, or in an attempt to not receive the kids’ menu at a restaurant. Personally, I think we have been trying to look older in all the wrong ways. Wearing ripped clothing or short shorts as a way to age yourself only emphasizes the angsty teen trying to rebel from their parents trope from all the 2000s movies. In reality what gets you respected the most is wearing pieces that you are confident in and chose because you genuinely like them, not because Alix Earle was last seen in them (e.g. skinny jeans).
Okay, so what does this have to do with being modest? Well,the more clothing you’re wearing, the more opportunities you have to show your unique style. Our goal isn’t exactly covering up, but having fun mixing and piling pieces together to show your authentic style.
I know some of us are visual learners, and you can’t have a fashion piece without showing clothing, so here are some examples of how what’s really “hottest” in fashion is finding your unique style and wearing it confidently.