Trend Spotlight: 90's Revival

If you haven't already heard, the 90's are making a comeback and if you're like me- barely a 90's baby- you're a bit too young to understand exactly what that entails. After surveying the internet and unearthing some of the most iconic style moments of the 90's, I've noticed some definite parallels between such iconic ensembles and what we consider today as "trendy".

Typically, we can attribute one general style to each decade. For the roaring 20's we think of that Gatsby-esque luxe, prohibition period glam. With regard to the 50's we recall images from the movie Grease filled with leather jacket clad men with slicked black hair and girls adorned in pink poodle skirts. The late 60's and 70's remind us of a Woodstock, hippie vibe characterized by tie dye, fringe, and a general lack of hygiene. When we think of the 80's we are instantly reminded of disco and outlandish workout apparel. The nineties, on the other hand, cannot be characterized by one distinct trend. From Courtney Love, to Cher Horowitz, to the Fresh Prince, the 90's were a time of fashionable diversity. This diversity is what's back and what's currently occupying the racks of Urban Outfitters. Now let's take a look at some of these trends and how they've appeared and adjusted in modern style.

What is Grunge?

To understand 90's fashion, one must understand what is meant by the term "grunge". Before it was a label marketed by retailers, grunge was a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged out of Washington (though more specifically Seattle and Aberdeen) in the mid 80's-early 90's. From its roots in underground clubs and sparsely attended venues, grunge ultimately made its way to the mainstream.

Grunge style is directly associated with grunge music. Consequently, in order to more closely grasp the trend, one must come to a basic understanding of the genre. Grunge instrumental style is characterized by a defiant disregard for technical skill and precision. Lyrics typically consist of themes such as social alienation, cynicism toward societal norms and conformity to such norms, apathy, and angst. These themes, though abstract, can be detected in the general apparel associated with the grunge movement. 

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It was really the grunge musicians who popularized grunge fashion. Grunge clothing worn by these artists typically consisted of thrift store finds and is distinguished by an unkempt, unpolished nature. Due to the prevalence of logging in the towns of Aberdeen and Seattle (the birthplace of grunge), outdoor wear was common, thus bringing flannels into mainstream fashion. 

Kind of ironic how the reason you're paying almost $100 for a sweater from Urban is because 20 some years ago Kurt Cobain bought the same one for pocket change at a local thrift store. 

Some popular fashion trends of the 90's grunge movement include ripped denim, plaid flannels, concert tees,  slip dresses, chokers, combat boots/doc martins, oversized sweaters, biker jackets, and pretty much anything that conveys that "I don't care." attitude. Layering and oversized clothes are also focal points of the grunge look. Celebs and designers have brought these trends into the 21st century, modifying the look yet maintaining key elements. Here's a look at how certain "grunge" pieces compare from the 90's to today.

Velvet:

2016

1990's

Slip Dress:

2016

1990's

         

                                                                     

2016

1990's

Distressed Denim:

1990's

2016

               

1990's

2016

Moto Jackets:

2016

1990's

1990's

2016

Chokers:

1990's

2016

                         

1990's

2016

Comfy and Casual Campus Wear

If you've been active on social media lately, it's highly likely that you've seen this meme...

Tweet can be found here.

While this guy's attempt to mimic typical female campus fashion is slightly exaggerated, the humor in it is that it's not necessarily inaccurate. He's really rocking that comfy-chic look, which, in my opinion, is what campus wear is all about. You want to look on-trend, stylish, and relatively put-together, while retaining an aura of effortlessness and, most importantly, a great degree of comfortability. After all, if you have to go to class, you might as well do it looking and feeling good.

Strategic Styling: Layering

If you hadn't noticed, we're coming up on a time of seasonal transition which makes for both variable weather and difficulty when it comes to dressing properly for such conditions. My early morning trek to my 8 am's could feel like a frigid journey across the Arctic tundra as opposed to my walk to my afternoon classes which could comparatively feel like a voyage across the Sahara. From a time perspective, it's not always practical to head back to your dorm to change, particularly if you- like the majority of freshmen- live in East. So, then, what is the solution? One word: layering.

Layering is a functional method of styling which serves a dual purpose in it's capacity to both add dimension to an ensemble and to add warmth. In order to achieve the perfect effortlessly chic look, pieces such as flannels, chambray shirts, oversized cardigans, and versatile zip-ups are key. As the day progresses and the sun hits peak exposure, these items can be easily tied around the waist or stowed in a backpack. Here are some examples of layering techniques I think really worked!!

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These Shoes Were Made for Walking (to class)

A commonplace mantra among women is that "beauty is pain". However, when it comes to campus wear, this motivational maxim is certainly not applicable. In order to get from one class to the next both swiftly and comfortably, you're going to need to cop yourself some sensible footwear. I'd like to politely ask you to forget what you heard about "sensible shoes" and just trust me when I say that sensibility does not negate the potential for aesthetic appeal. Minimalist sneakers such as Converse, Vans, and Adidas are completely on trend at the moment as, I'm sure you've heard, the 90's are coming back in a major way. Some examples of such fashion-forward footwear are shown below. 

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Incorporating Athletic Wear

One sure-fire way to remain casually comfortable throughout the school day is to find a way to fashionably incorporate athletic wear into your everyday wardrobe. Joggers, leggings, and slouchy tees definitely have a place in a chic wardrobe, when paired in a strategic manner. Unless you're aiming for an Olsen-twin-esque, exceedingly oversized grunge look, my suggestion is to stick to the rule that where one article of clothing is oversized, the other is comparatively tighter. For example, this girl pairs her oversized tee with leggings, thus balancing the look. 

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In terms of t-shirts, almost anything can be incorporated into an effortlessly chic ensemble. This goes for concert tees, graphic tees, and even collegiate tees (meaning even more opportunities to rep your school!). Whether you want to wear it oversized, as portrayed by the funny guy in the meme, you want to tie it up, or you just want to wear it the old fashioned way you can't go wrong. 

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Whether you're popping out of bed 15 minutes prior to your 8 am or you're struggling to crawl out of bed for a noon class after a late night study sesh, don't stress, it IS possible to be cute and comfy. Just remember, you're never fully dressed without a smile. (:

Game Day Fashion: Get Tailored for Those Tailgates

With game day swiftly approaching, I thought I'd take advantage of the present KAIROS and share, with you, some tips with regard to what to wear when you head up to Beaver Stadium this Saturday. As a freshman, navigating tailgate season trends can seem like an unapproachable, confusing task. I don't know about anyone else, but in high school, I could easily get away with casually showing up to the football games in jeans and a t-shirt. However, as a Penn Stater, this is not at all the case. Judging from my observations during the last home game, it is not unordinary for people to go ALL OUT. Whether or not you choose to do so, it can't hurt to be aware of some popular trends among student section-goers.

Snipped and Styled Tees

One unavoidable trend among students, particularly girls, is cut t-shirts. There are thousands of ways to personalize shirts by cutting them and I'm fairly certain Penn State students have experimented with and/or discovered almost all of these ways. Girls wear XL tees fashioned into dresses, tees cut into halter tops, penn state crop tops, distressed tees, and so much more. Some examples, designed by yours truly, are depicted below. 

Accessories are Key

In addition to shabby-chic ensembles, girls at Penn State-particularly on game day- have accessorization down to a tee. From flash tattoos to reflective sunglasses to cute, PSU socks, accessories often times make the look. You'll typically see people with a paw on their cheek, a nittany lion under their collar bone, or silver and blue temporary tattoo bands around their arm. Stores like McLanahan's and Family Clothesline offer ample accessories such as scrunchies, socks, and headbands with ears to amp up your look. Of course, all of the aforementioned items can be found to be adorned with the nittany lion or some type of Penn State emblem. Additional "accessories" which I've observed to be popular are flannels and chambray shirts which girls will typically tie around their waist, adding a more grunge-y vibe to the outfit. 

 

Temporary tattoos from McLanahan's.

Who said accessories can't be functional? Pieces like sunglasses and hats really come in handy during these day games. Typically you'll see girls wearing round-framed or thick-framed reflective sunglasses, a trend reminiscent of this past festival season. Here are some of my faves...

https://www.lulus.com/products/how-soon-is-now-black-and-blue-mirrored-sunglasses/351972.html

These and other similar shades can be purchased at Lulu's for just $8.

http://www.quayaustralia.com/search?page=2&q=blue+

At a little bit of a higher price, you can purchase frames like these from quayaustralia.com.

Footwear

Despite the fact that highly freshmen-populated East Halls are within close proximity to Beaver Stadium, all that tailgate-hopping and other various sorts of pre-game activities can really take a toll on your feet. Therefore, one must not underestimate the importance of sensible footwear. Let me just clarify that a "sensible shoe" is not necessarily an unattractive shoe. Chucks, otherwise known as Converse, and minimalist sneakers such as original adidas can serve as a sporty complement to any game day outfit. Not to mention these simplistic styles pair extremely well with socks like these...

Whatever you end up wearing on game day, you'll undoubtedly have a blast cheering on the football team, participating in the "WE ARE" chant, throwing your pompoms into the air, possibly getting tossed (or tossing someone) after a touchdown, or taking full advantage of free tailgate food. Never forget, you're never fully dressed without a smile. (:

What's Going Down Downtown

When I first arrived at Penn State, I was reluctant in that I thought I would have to spend the next four years becoming an expert in the formidable task that is online shopping. If you're unfamiliar with this fear, trust me when I say that online shopping for clothes, especially when you're a female, is a gamble. I can recall my good friend Haylie's dismay when her dress arrived one week before prom and could barely zip half-way. But before I even had the chance to explore or entertain this fear, I realized that I was completely underestimating what downtown State College has to offer. If you've not yet had the opportunity to explore downtown or you're just in search of a place to purchase your next outfit, you're in luck because in this post I'll give a comprehensive list of my favorite go-to shops downtown.

Metro

 

Location: 320 E College Ave

Price Range: varies from mid-range to expensive depending on the type of item
General Type of Clothing Sold: primarily female going-out clothes in addition to shoes and accessories

If you're on the hunt for something to wear to your next outing with your friends, Metro is your go-to place. Not only do they offer a myriad of rompers and dresses, but they don't fall short in terms of crop tops and body suits as well. While they do accept LionCash, you need to watch yourself because these items tend to be pricey and tend to add up fast. In addition to their stock of trendy going-out clothes, Metro also sells pre-cut Penn State apparel. So if you're running short on time before game day or you simply just do not trust yourself with a pair of scissors, Metro could help you out on that front as well.

People's Nation

 

Location: 126 E College Ave

Price Range: Fairly expensive

General Type of Clothing Sold: everyday boho-chic wear in addition to a collection of dresses, rompers, and accessories

If you're familiar with the clothing brand Free People, you're safe to assume that People's Nation markets upon a similar front, that new-age boho chic. In fact, Free People-brand clothing can actually be purchased at People's Nation. Luckily for Penn Staters, the clothes sold at People's Nation are generally less expensive than that of Free People, of course with the exception of the Free people merchandise itself. I highly recommend stopping by People's Nation if you're a fan of similarly modern clothing stores such as Urban Outfitters and Toyshop. Oh and they accept LionCash.

Blue I.V.

Location: 226 E College Ave

Price Range: affordable mid-range

General Type of Clothing Sold: on-trend dresses and rompers in addition to accessories

If you have a special occasion coming up, I highly recommend checking out Blue I.V. They tout a vast collection of rompers and dresses, as well as skirts and tops, sure to offer the perfect outfit for any occasion. I actually happened to have been wearing a romper from there last night! The most

notable thing about Blue I.V. is the frequency and quality of their sales. I know, at this moment, they're offering 15% off the entire store. This is not unusual, as they tend to offer some of the best sales in State College.

Connections

Location: 130 S Allen St

Price Range: fairly expensive

General Type of Clothing Sold: chic, everyday casual wear in addition to some dresses and jackets

Although connections is almost guaranteed to put a dent into your pocket, they offer some of the cutest clothes around. While primarily what they sell is Free People (I know. It's everywhere.) they also offer a collection of items from brands that are less well-known. Not many people are familiar with Connections, as it is not located on the main stretch of shops and restaurants. However, it is certainly worth going out of the way.