Since the beginning of the digital age, character customization has captivated the user scene. As a kid, I always wanted to dress the same as my on-screen character in Animal Crossing or Splatoon (although Japanese fashion has made this a reality, alas, too late for my taste.) Now, with the combination of fast fashion and disposable materials, any style of clothing is extremely accessible to the public at an inexpensive price. 

Movies have influenced the fashion world for years. Audrey Hepburn in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” helped popularize the Little Black Dress and Ray-Ban supposedly saw a 40% sales increase for their “Aviator” sunglasses after the release of “Top Gun.” More recently, the world went pink (and still has not gone back) after the release of “Barbie” last summer.

Latinx everyday fashion and style is a complex variety of traditions, cultural influences, and personal narratives. Each style tells a different story of identity, heritage, culture, and self-expression. This article dives into the three styles shown in our recent photoshoot: preppy/classy, streetwear, and grunge. These styles are commonly worn by people of the Latinx community and by discussing them we can highlight the richness and diversity of Latinx everyday fashion and style.  

Cargo pants have had a fascinating presence throughout history. Generation after generation has styled cargo pants in their own unique ways, making them a significant clothing throughout the years. 

Have you ever seen an outfit you loved and thought, “Wow I would never have put those pieces together, I wish I could pick out outfits like those.” Well, look no further!  If you are anything like me and enjoy dressing both masculine and feminine, this can be a fun and easy way to combine both sides of your wardrobe. This is your guide to fun clothing combos that play with androgyny and will freshen the wardrobe you already have.

When you hear the word “redneck” what do you imagine? What does redneck mean to you? If you ask most people, they may go on about sunburnt farmers or rural, working-class white people. However, contrary to both, historians and everyday West Virginians tell a much more radical story in where the “red” in redneck comes from. 

Remember those leather pants you haven’t worn since replicating the iconic Sandy from Grease costume? Those leather pants you have stored in the back of your closet are back in, so think twice about throwing them in the donation pile. If you go outside and stroll the town, you’ll spot numerous leather jackets, handbags, pants, tops, jumpsuits, and even phone cases.

Widely recognized as the greatest band of all time, The Beatles have been a fixture in music circles for decades. When thinking of The Beatles, an image that comes to many minds is four feminine-looking men with shaggy hair who sing jangly guitar tunes. In an age that expects dynamism, The Beatles are often viewed as icons frozen in time, static in both image and sound.

Fashion trends can be tons of fun and a great way to try out new styles. However, trends also serve a purpose from a historical and cultural viewpoint. We can observe current and past trends in fashion as a sort of visible representation of the culture, conflicts, and values of the time. One of the most revolutionizing trends in women’s fashion was so profound that we still see it at our costume parties: The 1920’s Flapper Girl. 

Gone are the days when pajamas, slips, boxers, and bloomers were strictly confined to the bedroom. Today, a growing number of people are embracing the delightful freedom of wearing sleepwear beyond the walls of one’s own home, stepping out in both style and comfort. This trend is not only a fashion statement, but a rejection of the traditional standards in clothing that are “acceptable” and “appropriate” to wear out of the house. 

Get out of here clean girl aesthetic! It is time to make room for the unconventional. I am talking colored mascara, geometric eyeliner, asymmetric haircuts, and thin eyebrows. “Ugly” is starting to become the new pretty. Gen-Z is completely redefining the idea of beauty- we see makeup being used more freely instead of adhering to traditional styles.

The French bob haircut creates a beautiful silhouette and adds an element of elegance to any look. This style is a short bob, typically falling around the jawline. Many people have been shortening their bobs and leaning into the French hairstyle. Vouge UK states that this haircut is particularly easy to style and maintain. They also claim the French bob suits any face shape, hair texture, and age.

Successful luxury brands and entrepreneurs like Coco Chanel and Tom Ford have concocted ways to create their best-selling perfumes. Fragrances and perfumes are what provoke one’s confidence, memory, and even their lifestyle. Perfume combines complex elements to develop alluring scents, enhancing any lifestyle. 

In modern media, fashion, and beauty content, it is rare to see diversity in age. Unless it is an advertisement for makeup that will make you look younger or take away wrinkles, older people show up less in beauty-related media. This diminishes representation for a large portion of the population. There is so much beauty in the aging process, and this photoshoot was designed to show this beauty in a raw, unfiltered way. 

In a style reminiscent of the 70’s and 80’s, shags are becoming a haircut staple. Chopping off layers and layers at a time, this effortless hairstyle is easy to maintain and looks gorgeous. We can thank some of the best influencers of this haircut such as David Bowie, Stevie Nicks, and Joan Jett for the start of a world renowned trend.

After that harrowing dip into clumpy concealer and dark-alley run-in with chalky eyeliner, a seasoned makeup-wearer has earned the right to experiment. Create a dark-eyed look,  a pop of color with bold eyeshadow, or heavy blush and fake freckles–the possibilities are endless. 

It seems like every other day a new TikTok trend appears, begging users to showcase and scrutinize their natural features. The most recent victim: side profiles. Whether its a filter that automatically generates an outline of your side profile, or one that gives you a cartoonish, large, hooked nose so you can breathe a sigh of relief when the filter comes off, an emphasis on tiny, ski-slope noses and “traditionally attractive” features is festering on certain sides of the internet.

Jewelry pieces such as evil eye pendants, street-weaved and beaded bracelets, and even rosaries are accessories seen today, but where did these jewelry pieces initially come from? Why are they predominantly attached to the Latinx community? These jewelry pieces are more predominant in the Latinx community because they are a part of the Latinx culture and because, in recent years, they have brought the most awareness to these pieces of jewelry. 

Walking into Stick It In Your Ear, a swarm of posters advertising local music events cover the shop window and customers are greeted with a wave of “hello”s from the Stick It In Your Ear staff. Music in the store accompanies guests on their vinyl journey. For over 30 years, the local record store has been welcoming customers from all walks of life, providing the Springfield community with their vinyl and music needs.

The great Edgar Allen Poe once said, “Because I feel that, in the heavens above, the angels, whispering to one another, can find, among their burning terms of love, none so devotional as that of mother.” Our mothers will always have an impact on our lives in some way.

George Sr. once said, “There’s always money in the banana stand.” This beloved joke comes from one of the nation’s most beloved sitcoms: “Arrested Development.” For years, people have laughed, cried and gasped with the ensemble casts typical of a multi-cam, studio audience sitcom. The audience seeing themselves on-screen through character dynamics and humor, principles typical of a sitcom, made these shows into the classics that they are.

Who knew that the market for miniature wood chairs, plastic baby-doll heads, and kodak slide lamps would be on the rise in Springfield, Missouri? These objects, among others, are the product of donated materials that have come directly from Springfield residents.

Whether it is moving into your dorm, apartment, or house, we all know how daunting it can be to have to furnish and decorate your space. As a college student on a tight budget, thrifting home decor has not only helped my stress, but my bank account as well. Thrifting decor can also allow you to find fun and unique pieces that bring character to your space. 

Something that I love about Springfield is the live music scene. I am drawn to the fact that local musicians and artists can show off their passion wherever; whether it be house shows, front yards, or someone's basement, the location doesn’t matter as long as they can play. However, this year, some local Springfieldians decided to amplify the platform that musicians have had in past years and created an all day festival for bands.

Where’s the best vintage in Springfield, MO? Most of us would reply to this question with something like Springy Jeans, Relics Antique Mall, or Red Racks. Though some of these are small businesses, I challenge you to go even smaller. Booth 63 is a 11x20 foot vintage shop located in a booth of STD Flea Market. Ten years ago, Aaron Long wrote down his phone number on a one-dollar bill for a girl at a party with a cool hat, Alina Viknyanskiy.

At one point or another, you most likely have encountered a gallery wall. Whether you looked up “aesthetic wall decor” on Pinterest, saw a collection of framed paintings and certificates at your grandparent's house, or watched a movie where the cool older sibling character had a wall filled with posters. Gallery walls are a great way to add interest and personalization to any room.

If you've ever needed a last-minute, one-of-a-kind gift, look no further than Relics Antique Mall, located at 2015 W Battlefield Rd in Springfield, Missouri! Relics is the largest antique mall in Missouri, sitting at 90,000 square feet. This antique mall is a personal favorite of mine and a place I recommend to everyone. With all that space, you are bound to find anything you can imagine—they truly have everything.

We all know and love the famous Rama Thai restaurant for their delicious Thai cuisine that has been leaving customers happy and satisfied for over 8 years. What you might not know is that Rama Thai has officially opened the doors to their new sister restaurant: Thai Square. 

Throughout history, cats have consistently been portrayed as a representation of femininity. In Ancient Egypt, cats were displayed as gods and put on a pedestal. During the 16th-century witch craze, cats were feared, and seen as a symbol of evil and witchcraft — they were worshiped and mistreated all in the same breath. Both of these perceptions built the modern portrayal seen today. 

Do pets really look like their owners? This idea has circulated for a long time and has recently gained traction on social media. You might see a video of someone with a very round face owning a pug or someone who likes the goth aesthetic owning a black cat. It is a funny juxtaposition, though, when a particularly masculine person has a bunch of cute little bunnies. Still, pets can be a reflection of your lifestyle, or personality.

Studying abroad can be a truly amazing experience filled with new experiences and opportunities that aren’t available here in Springfield, Missouri. It can also be massively overwhelming if you don’t know where to start or what exactly might be waiting for you when you get there. There is a lot going on in the world right now and it’s good to keep that in mind, but if you wait for the perfect time to study abroad it might never come.