The Orion Online

Issue date: 11/19/08 Section: Features

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If people would have said three years ago that everyone would be wearing skinny jeans and "Star Wars" boots almost every day or that the man scarf would be the new hot trend, they would have been laughed out of the room.

Trends seem to go through decade-skipping patterns, the '60s came back in the '80s, the '70s came back in the '90s and the '80s came back in the 2000s.

Author Oscar Wilde once said, "Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months."

Fashion is destined to repeat history, which means guys will soon be sporting the '90s prison-hillbilly-grunge look and women will be rockin' the super cool Spice Girl platforms and everyone's favorite little belly shirt coupled with Jnco jeans.

The resurgence of these "stylish" movements is evident in the plaid shirts currently hanging on the racks for men and women. But don't think about investing stock in Timberland boots just yet.

"Everything keeps getting repeated, like wide-leg jeans, and there are the same sweaters every year," junior and Gap employee Jorie Westley said. "They just use different textures or patterns and the fabric gets thicker or thinner."

Celebrities influence many people's attire, said Westley, who is reading Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's book "Influence."

And while these "Full House" former kiddie stars may have caught the ladies' attention, for the guys the music industry is now the cradle of fashion. Artists such as Pharrell Williams and Kanye West are crossing the line to become style icons.

Aaron Sullivan, the retail manager at Zumiez, said it's all about the man jewelry.

"Gold jewelry, hell yeah," he said. "It's the late '80s and early '90s - just look around at what's sticking."

Consulting the plethora of fashion Web sites, blogs and fashion retailers, it's apparent there are a few trends to watch for this winter.

And with the Black Friday sales coming up, students cannot live solely in flip-flops and Sierra Nevada sweatshirts. They will have to mix it up every now and then.

Hats

Dudes will be able to cover their slop mops with a plaid hat of almost any kind or with the classic fedora, those felt hats with a rolled-up brim and a crease in the crown that all the hipsters love. This season you can throw a scarf on pretty much every outfit and it's going to look good.

Sunglasses are also the man accessory for every outfit.

Jewelry

The bling is also back, but make sure it's gold. Guys, you can even steal some of your girlfriends' jewelry, and you'll probably be able to pull it off.

Chains of all kinds on everything from shoes to jackets and shirts seem to be a piece students can build off of.

There is a huge influx of all kinds of accessories. Victorian cameos and imperfect stones are easy ways to add some style points.

Color

This season it's all about purple on everything for both men and women. Guys in purple hats and ladies with purple bags - it's a violet revolution.

Wings

Wing-inspired jewelry, shoes or pins are trendy spring fashion - but only in small amounts. Big printed wings across a shirt are fashion don'ts, but one wing painted on your shoe or a wing charm bracelet is just right. Just don't go crazy with the bug-covered clothes.

In the end, anything you find with a handmade touch is to be desired. It makes things look more expensive and almost custom.

Rugged chic

The motorcycle-chic look, with leather-jacket-inspired sweatshirts or imitation leather black pants, is all the rage. And the heavy-duty boot is also something that would work here in Chico - not the complete combat boot, but a less clunky rendition.

Camouflage is no longer in, but the military fit - layers and easy-to-breathe-in jackets - is back. Search for the fitted short jackets for women and the longer winter jacket look for men.

Shoes

Solid, single-color Vans and Keds are coming back for both men and women.

"The shoes you can paint and be creative with are it," said Zumiez retail manager Aaron Sullivan.

Vans store manager Trisha Porch noticed the store's classic old-school shoes become a staple for many people's outfits.

"Kids come in every week to get stuff to match perfectly for their outfits," she said.

The ankle boot and the colorful chunky pumps are still stylish and art deco seems to be slowly creeping back from the '90s. But if it looks like your shoes were designed by a clown, maybe you should reconsider the retail choice.

Ruffles

Ladies, we have the market cornered in ruffles. They are going to be on everything from purses to shoes, and can even work as tiny accents to make an outfit have that little thing that stands out.


Be wary of baby ducks.

Many of us have baby duck syndrome when it comes to fashion - we follow the first trend we see. Many people tailor their identities to specific styles, but this does not mean you can't be the same person in a different style.

"I would have to say the best look is the one that looks good on you," senior Evan Jaquez said. "The worst trend is the one that doesn't fit your style or personality - it's all about what you think looks good."

Jessica Rhynalds can be reached at
jrhynalds@theorion.com

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