Fashion Below Freezing: How Students Express Themselves in Winter
By L. FRANKS
It’s February. The excitement of the holidays and winter break have faded as we settle back into a new year. Winter sports are winding down. Outside, temperatures are consistently below freezing; sleeves are long and morale is low. In recent weeks, students paid close attention to COVID-19 numbers and the weather, hoping for a long weekend. Or three.
In the midst of the chaos, the bleakness of winter and hallways crowded with lethargic hoodie and sweatpant-clad teenagers, some Talawanda students stood out: the ones who put the extra thought into their outfits.
When I asked classmates to tell me who had the best outfits, several students were recommended multiple times. Friends recommended each other. One student volunteered themself and suggested two other friends.
Juniors Isabelle Schroer and Julio Fuentes, shown above, complained lightheartedly when I took their pictures that I’d found them on a “bad day.” Regardless, their graphic t-shirts and their confidence give their casual outfits character.
Looking at junior Anna Reiff, it was clear that every piece of her outfit was intentional. Her gold hoop earrings stand out beautifully next to the darker colors of her shirt and mask. The brown of her pants and the lighter green and beige in her shirt combine to make a perfectly paired palette of natural tones. Her round-framed glasses seem to fit her look perfectly.
Junior Landon Cannup’s collared shirt, necklace and corset together are an amazing combo that resembles a stylish pirate outfit. The matching shades of their mask and sweater vest tie the outfit together. The burgundy, black, and white in their outfit and their tall and confident stance gives them an air of sophistication. 
When asked about her personal style, Isabelle Schroer described it as “preppy or dressy” and added that she loved wearing skirts and dresses. Senior Olivia Urlage, on the other hand, described hers as “dynamic and unique.”
In terms of inspiration, Urlage listed, “90s Winona Ryder, Courtney Love, Kurt Cobain, and Drew Barrymore but also Devon Lee Carlson and Barbie Ferreira,” and said that her style usually reflects her interests. “It definitely changes based on what shows I’ve watched, movies I’ve watched, or music I’ve listened to recently… and I love that!” Urlage said. Additionally, she said she enjoyed finding ideas on Pinterest and shopping at thrift stores, specifically naming Goodwill and Valley Thrift.
For Schroer, picking out an outfit is more about what she has readily available. “I love picking out a piece of jewelry like some cool earrings and then building an outfit based on them,” Schroer said.
Finally, how did they adapt their styles to stay warm in the winter? “In the winter I love to layer a turtleneck and leggings under dresses,” Schroer said. Urlage, on the other hand, said she “made no effort” to stay warm in the winter. “I’m honestly not a huge fan of layering, especially in Talawanda High School,” she said. “So I definitely enjoy adding scarfs, jewelry, and makeup to enhance my outfits!”
While the two students’ styles don’t have much in common, both are unique in a way that makes them stand out in Talawanda’s hallways.
