Styled by Raynee Quillen
Models: Ailish Conley and Katie Walter
If there is anything to be known about this generation, it's that the word "basic" inflicts an inherent discomfort within individuals, whether that be related to music, food, or fashion in particular.
Okay, that is surely an overstatement, but there is no denying that the urge to look against-the-grain is very prevalent in today’s perception of fashion. Y2K, distressed sweaters, asymmetrical cuts, and the urge to type “aesthetic” before every Pinterest or Instagram search are common trends and practices that have allowed people to deviate from the implications of “basic” in the new age of fashion as we know it. However, with the constant drive to look different mixed with the widespread exposure to these new trends, a cycle preventing originality from being born has formed itself among the general population.
Now, the cyclical tendency of fashion trends has always been around, but with popular social media platforms like TikTok and new waves of microtrends accumulating ever other month, perception of fashion and aestheticism has evolved from discovering one’s own style to joining another type of style. While there is really nothing wrong with hopping on the bandwagon, this pattern certainly conflicts with the need to avoid being “basic” when it comes to one’s own fashion sense. If so many people are consuming the same "OOTD" TikToks, or seeing the same trends, or buying the same clothes, there is no real new aesthetic being offered on the table. In some ways, fashion has become a bit… stagnant.
To really gauge the sense of how the perception of fashion has changed, I spoke to Trysta Kerekes, a 19-year-old Brand Representative at the Altar’d State located in Columbiana Mall. As someone who aspires to become a luxury photographer and observes firsthand people's spending habits on various types of designs and clothes, she has a lot of great insight on how the ability to build an original style has weakened over the years.
Q: What has been your experience with working at Altar'd State?
Trysta: My experience with Altar'd State honestly has been really good! It's definitely the type of company that really supports you, and really takes care of its employees. We're all allowed to have our own creative expression as far as, like, having so many different vibes in the store. You can either be retro, or you can be western, or you could be super dressy, or chill and casual.
Q: In terms of creative expression, what has been your personal outlook of fashion and your personal style?
Trysta: So I feel like I don't really have a set style. I kind of dress all over the place. Like, one day I could be really southern, or really casual, and sometimes I'm really dressy. I feel like my style has shifted to more business casual since I've been doing more with my photography business.
Q: Throughout the course of your life, have you seen your style shift from one aesthetic to the next?
Trysta: I would guess, yeah. When I was growing up, I was very athletic and did a lot of sports. I also have horses, so I was a little bit of a horse girl. So, I kind of shifted from "horse girl" to "athletic," and then I went through a phase where I solely wore athleisure clothes. Now I feel like I'm really developing my style, you know, buying key pieces I can style many different ways. I feel like I see a lot of different things, and I look at them and I'm just like 'ehh, is it practical?'"
Q: Totally fair point. So, what is the general demographic you see at Altar’d State among buyers?
Trysta: It’s definitely more catered towards younger people, since we only carry predominantly junior sizes. Some older people come in, but usually they buy for their kids.
Q: Do you see a common theme behind what people are buying these days?
Trysta: Oh yeah. A lot of people are really into the smiley face designs, and also, because our store is based in Knoxville, Tennessee, we have a lot of Nashville stuff. The country or western vibe is very popular in our store. We also have a lot of brides and bridesmaids that come in to look for bachelorette party wear. Also, recently we've seen a lot of the "disco cowgirl" look.
Q: Working in retail and seeing these consumers buy the same things, do you see the difficulty in trying to remain individual in fashion?
Trysta: Absolutely. We'll have people come in and be like 'I want a dress like this, I want to look like this because it's trendy right now,' so I definitely see people are trying to look for the trend-setter vibe. Some people on the rare account are trying to be individual, and dress with what makes them happy. But, a lot of people that come in and shop with us do glue to a certain trend.
Q: Do you see the same things cycling through the store?
Trysta: Kind of. Every three to four months, we get all kinds of new stuff. So, this year we do see some stuff that is the same from last year, for example, sweater vests. We have a ton of sweater vests all the time, but nobody is really buying them. So, I feel like the basics that they are trying to keep consistent are not really selling because everyone is coming in to shop for the "cool new trendy stuff." But, in reality... people come back and return that stuff when the trend dies. So, it never really was bought to be for them.
Q: Do you think it’s harmful to try and fit in a box in regards to fashion?
Trysta: For sure, youth today have a lot of pressure to look a certain way. Social media can be good, but a lot of people on TikTok especially are, like, idolized. Like, if someone watches someone who looks traditionally cool, they'll just try to look like that person instead of how they want to. And, like, those people online make it look effortless when not everyone has access to clothes like that, so there's a lot of pressure to look like that without really being able to.
Q: So, what do you let define your individual style?
Trysta: I really like versatile pieces that I can use a lot! I just wear things that make me feel confident, beautiful, and happy! Things that are comfortable, pretty, and timeless are what make me feel best.
Q: And what would you tell younger individuals about how to view fashion in an individual sense?
Trysta: I would tell them, just wear what makes you happy. It is hard to do that with all the pressure to already have your own style, and bullying too. But, who really cares? If you are happy and content with how you look, I think that's what matters.
As Trysta mentioned, it can be hard to break out of the pressure put upon younger people by society, social media, and trend cycles alike. The effects of social media influencers with their PR packages and luxury brand deals make forming a style seem easy and relaxed; however, that usually cannot be the case for people who do not have access to those means of style. Plus, as Trysta stated, a lot of the "trendy" clothes that are being bought in bulk end up being returned just as quickly, eliminating any possibility that those articles of clothing acclimate to one's own true style.
At the end of the day, anyone can have a sense of fashion and style - the challenge occurs when individuality comes into play. Building a style can be just as hard as finding one, but it seems that there is a common point of advice for achieving this: wear what makes you happy, and what makes you comfortable.
