At Selma High, thrifting has become the new norm for some students. For sophomore Mason Martinez, he likes shopping second-hand and prefers to buy from vintage stores. Mason tries to create a vintage look with his outfits by wearing leather belts and pieces of jewelry, such as necklaces, that will add structure to his fit.
To match the clothes he thrifts, Mason likes to wear jorts, straight leg, and bootcut jeans to easily create an outfit and still maintain a 1950’s workwear look that he aspires to go for.
He also adds a kick of retro style in his outfits by pairing his outfit with shoes that are a classic staple, but have an iconic design and colorway, such as “Vans” and boots. In the summer, Mason likes to wear sandals to enhance his vintage aesthetic.
Mason’s biggest issue when it comes to clothes is finding jeans that fit him properly. He struggles with jeans being too short or too long, but has found a solution to still be fashionable.
“I resolve my issue with jeans by sewing alterations,” shares Mason.
Lastly, Mason’s biggest tip for people who want to get into fashion is to be yourself and be creative. He mentions that this will allow you to be unique and really bring out the best in yourself through clothes.
For Estrella Nino, a current Junior on campus, she revolves her fashion around thrifted pieces. Estrella’s interest in second-hand clothing originates from her creativity on a budget. When Estrella gets the urge to splurge she finds herself at stores such as Hollister, Urban Outfitters, and Mainland. When building her outfits, she finds inspiration in sources such as Pinterest, models, or her mind before bed.
“One of my biggest inspirations is the model Giovanna Ramos, who goes by Gio. I admire how she’s able to fully be herself and express her personality through her fashion choices. I also find a lot of inspiration on Pinterest, whether it’s discovering new pieces or putting together an outfit right before bed, it really helps me visualize my style,” states Estrella.
As the warmer valley weather hits campus, Estrella has her summer staples in clothing as well. She likes to keep a casual look with fitted t-shirts or lacey halter tops. The lace adds that final polish back into an everyday look. For a warmer school outfit Estrella adds a breathable cardigan over halter or tube tops. She then ties in some fitted jeans and a California staple, sandals. Estrella shares a recent spark of confidence to style and wear long skirts. She enjoys pairing a long skirt with sandals and stacked jewelry.
Estrella explained a deep admiration for denim material. The denim material which originated from the French has become an everyday essential for many including Estrella. She loves the small details of fashion such as gold buttons or stitching on denim. Estrella aspires to collect more bootcut jeans, but for now her style consists of loose fitting jeans. But with a particular style such as Estrella, obstacles are accompanied as well.
“One of my biggest struggles with clothing is that since I buy a lot secondhand, the quality isn’t always the best and pieces can wear out over time,” Estrella shares. “Heel drag is probably my biggest issue. Since I don’t know how to sow, it’s easy for me to give up on jeans once the bottoms start ripping at the bottom. I’m still figuring out a solution, but for now I sometimes have my brother turn them into shorts.”
While facing the struggles with jeans, Estrella still finds a way to pick up the pieces and turn an issue into a new piece. What assists Estrella in the fashion world is to remember quality over quantity. She explains it’s much more meaningful to invest in a few special pieces that will truly feel worth the spend. Even when thrifting, low prices stack up quickly and lead to a cluttered closet.
Lastly Estrella adds a little tip for the readers: “Never be afraid to try new clothes and styles. Always dress for yourself, not for other people’s expectations or trends. The more you step out of your comfort zone, the more confident you become in your own style.”
