Columnist Rin Jackson focuses on fall trends

“Layer after layer after layer,” fashion teacher Dana Walker said in prediction of what will be seen this fall in the fashion industry.

Fall is upon Prosper, with temperatures slowly dropping, avid shorts-wearers donning pants with a sigh and sleeves progressively thickening to alarming proportions.  Small-town high schoolers may typically shun Paris and New York style suggestions, but this season is bound to be one of all-around change.  Layers are a predictable result of this time of year – yet considerably more is underfoot.

Texans rejoice as cowboy hats have been receiving 30% more searches on Etsy than previously recorded, according to their in-house trend expert Dayna Isom Johnson.  Additionally, Pinterest clocked in with a whopping 650% increase in searches for snakeskin print.  Huffington post predicts Western style, in general, will have a chance at the spotlight.  Country chic is also in, with milkmaid tops (square necklines) being a chart- topper, and leather followed by more leather.  These professionally acclaimed styles come naturally to those with Texas roots, and will likely be seen in small towns more than most Hollywood-glam looks, including making their way into our school.

What about Eagle-centric styles?

“We’re heading away from skinny jeans and towards mom jeans,” fashion teacher Audra Claypoole said.

“Medium to lighter washes, diversity in hemlines,” Walker said, adding to Claypoole’s mom-jeans comment.

Denim proves a necessary staple.  Traditional cuts are being questioned, and silhouettes bordering on avant-garde are being toyed with, but minimal attention is being paid to color.

“Everyone will stand out all day with styles, but colors aren’t for these teens,” Claypoole said, alluding to the somber blacks, greys, and navys plaguing the halls with predictable regularity.  This year, however, a little more effort has been made to change. “I’m shocked at the amount of white I’ve been seeing,” Walker said.  

Fast Fashions Rise

Something must be accounting for all the stylish change occurring locally.  The boom of chain businesses and general populous plays a large part, yes, but there’s more.

“Fast fashion is readily available,” senior Maddi Stephenson said. Today’s youth tends to strive toward what is fast and cheap, namely fast fashion. “The industry is creating these clothes and people are buying them,” sophomore Bhabini Prasad said, explaining that trends are spreading faster than ever because of iconic monopolizing brands such as Forever 21.  Perhaps even more than whimsical teen desires are responsible, for many of these kids, fast fashion is the only option they have left.  Quality garments are pricey, and vintage pieces becoming less and less well cared for.  Perhaps trends are simply forced to spread.

If fast fashion brings in worldly styles, it’s time to start seeing “everything embellished with pearls,” Walker said.  She also predicts a rise in waffle print, statement jewelry and kimonos.  Nutty browns and creamy yellows are in, which proves predictable, but fall is also giving rise to “Dove Fruit,” an exceptionally warm, bright pink.  Even lavender is staying stylish.  A time warp is occurring, bringing back styles from the 1800s all the way to the 1970s.  Included in the trip down memory lane, comes styles American grannies would be proud of, with quilted, thrifty pieces, screaming modesty and comfort.  Ordinary citizens can feel heroic with capes entering street-style standards. Power returns to the woman through suits, which are back and bigger than ever.