Over the past few years, social media has become one of the primary factors in the rise of fashion, with influencers bringing new and unique styles for people to try. The ability for engagement between brands and consumers gives more access to new styles both in person and online more than ever before.
The accessibility for new styles both within Columbia and outside of it, whether that be online or at other shops around the area, gives everyone the ability to diversify from one another. Here are some styles to find around Columbia to distinguish yourself from others!
Leopard Print
Clothing and accessories centered around animal prints, such as zebra, python, snake styles and especially leopard print, have been around since humans first began hunting animals for food and clothing, according to a New York Times article.
The significance and meaning behind animalistic styling has roots dating back to the medieval era. During the Middle Ages, animal prints were a symbol of royalty and a sign of wealth from the elite class, often wearing royal pieces and accessories composed from animals, according to Zelouf Fabrics.
Leopards tend to reflect confidence and are also symbols of power, bravery and self-reliance, drawingconsistent attention, according to a YourTango article from 2022.
The versatility within leopard print in particular is that it can be dressed up into more professional attire or down into simple jackets and handbags, giving no limit to how it can be worn.
Today, high-end designers continue to push the norm by experimenting with different leopard print styles and interpretations, representing the timeless and cyclical nature of fashion.
Adding charms and accessories to shoes
Although it might be a very minute detail in public, styling using golden or silver charms and pieces can add a personal, yet playful stamp of approval onto your shoes, while also being a simple conversation starter when meeting others wanting to indulge into fashion, according to a 2024 article from Vogue.
Shoe charms have become popular on most shoes due to the rise of shoe culture within fashion over the years. Some of the most popular shoes to style include Adidas Sambas, New Balance sneakers and Timberland boots, animating an entire look while also becoming a new collectable over time.
Adding stickers to everyday items
More of a youthful, student-based trend, college students all across the nation collect stickers onto their daily, everyday items they walk around with, such as Stanley cups, laptops, headphones and backpacks, according to a 2024 article from the Michigan Daily. The design and theme of the various colors around these items can tell the entire basis of someone's interests and hobbies.
The collection of stickers and adding them to everyday items — as well as seeing the residue left from taking stickers off, moving them around and more, represents the continuous change that goes on during the collegiate years while still being able to paint the story of someone's interests for a period of time.
Homemade Knitwear and Crocheted Sweaters
As the winter time approaches quickly, everyone is looking for new items to layer up for the cold, while also not losing their fashionable sense during these colder, winter months.
Many people have recently moved towards homemade knit and crocheted pieces, as they are very layered with quality fabrics, but also homemade often by people with personal connections, according to a 2024 article from The Guardian.
Social media creators on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram also provide insight and present their own pieces for users that want to make their own clothing for their own use, according to a 2024 article from The Guardian.
Along with the saving of funds, it becomes a very addicting and mindful hobby, as the rise of crocheting all types of pieces is evident, as sales of patterns for crocheted pieces has risen by more than 80%, according to The Guardian.
The personalized connection from crocheting or knitting compared to a factory creating clothing makes for more specified clothing and fittings for people. There are also benefits that come from crocheting and knitting itself such as boosting wellbeing and connecting socially with others, according to a second article from The Guardian.
Western, Country-themed casual attire
Evident by the collegiate crowd at football games and its rise on social media via hashtags and trends, country-themed clothing being worn casually has become more popular now than ever. This is known to be a trend known as Cowboy Core, according to a 2023 article from Luxus Magazine.
The roots of Cowboy Core are traced back to the inspiration by the frontier lifestyle of the American West, as 1980s and 1990s clothing brands and designers like Ralph Lauren aimed to design and imitate based off that style, according to a 2024 article from Forbes.
Western textures and aesthetics can be found in stores across Columbia, including Miss Cocky and My Kim Collection that offer items such as mini dresses, various styles of charms and cowboy hats.
Overall, these styles will differentiate people from others, having gravitating effects on others while making new conversation and friendships in the process of looking for new fashion.