Style Up Every Season

Serena Young, Director of Advertising
October 6, 2022

Every generation has its trends, but with Gen Z, social media allows everyone to be a fashion curator and critic. As a result, popular aesthetics sweep TikTok feeds, Pinterest boards, and Instagram pages with lightning speed. On a positive note, jumping on trend is easier than ever before, especially when outfits can be assembled using pieces already in the closet. Here are four aesthetics to style up to during each season.

Cottageccore is an aesthetic that incorporates a romanticized version of rural life, although more recently with a Victorian twist. This is mainly due to the popularity of shows such as Bridgerton and adaptions of Jane Austen novels. The outfits have an element of a corset, puff sleeves, and floral prints. Think about taking a garden stroll while bread is baking in the oven. Shoes can be soft leather boots and short to the ankle. Wear a straw hat for the sun and adorn with delicate
jewelry. Comfort and simplicity are prioritized, whether
through soft cottons or handmade accessories. As
long as everything is minimalistic and intentional, it is Cottagecore. Photo by Serena Young. (Photo by Serena Young.)
Dark Academia is best described as vintage uniforms seen on students from elite boarding schools (think of Hogwarts). The main colors are black, dark brown, and beige. Add anything with an elite university feel to it: coats, checked trousers, vintage tweed pants, scarves,
and long socks. Elegant shoes and a leather satchel are
the perfect accessories. This look is lightly accessorized, perhaps a simple wristwatch or wire-framed glasses. Imagine writing brooding poems whilst taking long sips of coffee. This look is lightly accessorized, perhaps a simple wristwatch or wire framed glasses. Imagine writing brooding poems whilst taking long sips of coffee. Photo by Serena Young. (Photo by Serena Young.)
Grunge is categorized with dark tones clashing with bright colors, mainly consisting of black, maroon red, and bumblebee yellow. Modern grunge has shifted from the
thrift-store bagginess to a layered, waist-defining silhouette. Belts, corsets, and chockers are all accessories for experimentation. Some people go for metal, leather,
or velvet. Fishnet or mesh is a great choice to pull an outfit together. Popular choices are fishnets being used for leggings or fingerless gloves. Whether it’s combat, faux leather, platform, thigh-high, no other footwear screams grunge as loudly as boots. If fashionistas must have a second option, black Converse are coming
into the scene. Photo by Serena Young. (Photo by Serena Young.)
Barbiecore comes from the renewed popularity of the doll, directly connected to the highly anticipated 2023 release of the movie Barbie. This look revolves around
one aspect: the hot pink for which Barbie is well known. If it’s for a glam event, accessorize the look with diamonds and sparkles, something Barbie absolutely loves. If it’s a Malibu summer feel, add pink heart sunglasses and platform sandals. For Barbiecore, latex, silk, cotton, sparkles, leather, anything goes. As long as pink is the main event, it counts. Photo by Serena Young. (Photo by Serena Young.)