MIA VORKOPER / CONTRIBUTOR

In a city where perfect weather is perpetual, San Diego spring fashion is less about changing layers and more about the turn of trends. Across the country, this season results in various spring collections hitting the runways and eventually they cycle on to the hallways of USD. As a campus known for its beauty, the “look good, feel good” mentality doesn’t just apply to  lifestyle habits, but to everyday clothing.

Although many students are searching for their own unique sense of style, part of that journey is noting the various trends taking over. USD junior Jansen Grubbs reflects on the trends dominating the campus. 

“I would   say summer colors are coming back in, but really bright  and bold colors, less pastel,” Jansen said. “I also think ballet flats are really big right now. And I feel like flowy tops have been in, like ponchos and layering tops.”

Jansen’s statement directly reflects the “trickle-down” aspect of fashion. Trends that debut on runways don’t stay there for long, they filter down into boutiques and department stores before making it into your closet. The recent spring collections in high-end brands focused on the primary colors: red, yellow and blue.  Jil Sander focused on scarlet and violet and Chanel turned to tangerine, bright greens and raving reds.  Brands like Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga, Khaite all used texture as the center of their looks, adding an aspect of “feeling” to their fashion.

The kaftan pieces from Dries Van Noten parallel the beachy ponchos and draping tops seen across campus. Tiered maxi skirts overtook the runways, highlighting the greater embrace of emphasizing structured proportions. USD first-year Mary Koch noted brands playing with proportions. 

“[I really like] Baby doll tops where it shows out at the bottom, but it’s tighter up near your chest,” Koch said. “Lot’s of capris and midi skirts too —  anything below the knee. I think those are really cute and I definitely see them around campus a lot.” 

The capri comeback is a trend few saw coming. A style emphasized in the early 2000s, this is a throwback to Carrie Bradshaw’s “The Sex and the City” iconic strappy kitten heel and cropped trousers. Capris aren’t where the longline proportions stop. Lowrise midi skirts have been taking over: able to range from beachy casual to springtime preppy, midi skirts are a fresh change from the long time full length maxi skirts and jeans. With the jean shorts getting longer and longer, and trousers shorter and shorter the happy middle of “just below the knee” is where all hems currently stand.

But spring fashion doesn’t stop there — no outfit is completed without accessories. Scarf styling with big prints and accents took over with Celine, Kall Meyer and Veronica  Beard recent collections. This emphasis continues to other styles as well. USD freshman Avery Jones commented on trending accessories. 

“Everyone here is kind of accessorizing with a little belt number usually seen in outfits that have baggy jeans with a little belt, and then like a shirt or layered with a jacket,” Jones said 

Belts are no longer just an accessory, but rather the main event. No longer is it just black and brown leather, but rather dangling chainlinked  and studded western pieces. An emphasis on structured belts and buckles took over this spring; Masha Popova emphasized criss-cross belts while Chanel showed a variety of colorful statement belts. 

The takeover of trends on our campus is directly attributed to greater fashion brands, influencing and curating what we see and value. Meryl Streep said it best in the Devil Wears Prada.

 “And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of eight different designers,” Streep said. “And then it filtered down through the department stores and then trickled down into some tragic ‘casual corner’ where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin.”

Although popular trends are influenced by various high-end designers, it’s only to an extent — San Diego remains a center of a specific taste and unique style.

Toreros partake in the embrace of individuality in fashion. As a recent  No. 5 most beautiful campuses, USD students try to make sure their outfits match the beautiful campus. USD sophomore Annie Dorelien reflects on the standard of fashion. 

“I’m influenced by seeing people get up at 7 a.m. and actually get dressed for class,” Dorelien noted. “I think seeing everybody’s different uniqueness and their different ways of expressing themselves inspires me to do the same.” 

With an increase in pursuit of sustainability and creativity, thrifting has become as much an activity as a “look.” USD sophomore Christina Pellegrini reflected on the style brands such as Free People try to imitate.

“The Bohemian style is meant to be so  thrifty and mimic a culture that   San Diego is trying  to adopt,”  Pellegrini said. “It’s just kind of an   interesting observation that Free People does  mimic a different culture than the people that are actually wearing it.” 

The Bohemian style draws roots from an emphasis on natural woven cloth, an unconventional lifestyle and rejection of materialism. Fast fashion imitates this style for a cheaper quality — sacrificing the integrity and foundation on which this style was conceived. Since the price point of brands like Free People is far greater than the point of the style it reflects, it provides an opportunity to reflect on the impact of wealth within fashion. 

From the 1920s flapper girl to the 1960s counterculture movement, fashion has played a key role in expressing creativity and societal attitudes. Tracking trends can be another tool in exploring the way art shows up in everyday life. Regardless of the cyclical nature of fashion, its role reminds us to challenge previously held beliefs on not just what is “cool” or “in” but more pervasive structures like masculinity and conformity. 

USD first-year Avery Jones works to apply his attitudes of creativity     toward     clothing as a way to be intentional about expression. 

“The way I want to present myself to the world and what I want to express through what I’m wearing is honestly the biggest factor of fashion in my life,” Jones reflected. “I really try to be intentional about wearing things with a purpose.”

The simplest act of choosing clothing can be grounding. USD senior Willie Legacie uses his clothing as means to express himself. 

“I think it allows you to have agency in a world where we often feel like we don’t have agency,” Legacie said. 

Although Legacie noted it on the individual level, his understanding reflects why fashion maintains relevance. 

The “trickle-down” effect connects each item of clothing to a high end brand, designer or collection, all influencing one another. That unusual top in the back of your closet may be part of something bigger than you think. It is clear that regardless of whether midi skirts and belts make it into your closet, style ultimately remains a fundamental part of expression.

Spring clothing has taken over the USD campus. Art by Kyra Lefebvre