We’ve all seen them: arrowhead shaped earrings, Navajo print jackets and Minnetonka moccasins. The latest “native” trend motifs have been hitting the Fall 2011 runways and quickly finding their way into department stores (and our closets!). These motifs have been spotted at Isabel Marant (pictured here), Proenza and Shouler, and Sasse & Bide, just to name a few.
So how exactly does one pull off these trends without looking overdone? To find the answer, volunteer model Hope Winfield and I hit the quads of Duke. Her outfit? A suede romper, turquoise necklace and bracelets, a pyrite ring, feather earrings, and, of course, braided hair to top off this Navajo look.
As we walked our way through McClendon Towers and through the main quad to enter onto the BC plaza, Hope’s ensemble received some blatant stares. But when we actually started talking to passerby, most girls seemed to appreciate the styling. Kailey Leinz, prospective freshman, thought the look was “adorable—especially with the [accessories of] feather earrings and turquoise.”
Others seemed less sure what they thought of the look. We asked Jake Cunnane for a guy’s perspective: he genuinely seemed confused while looking at the outfit and said it “came off as a costume” more than anything else.
As we made a final tread through the BC Plaza, couple Natalie Ferguson and Alessio Santoro gave Hope’s outfit a curious look. I asked them to give us their input.
Natalie Ferguson: What is this look all about?
Kirsten Walther: Well, we’re trying to bring Native trends from the runway to the hallway. What do you think?
NF: I think it looks cute on her [Hope].
Alessio Santoro: It does look comfortable.
KW: Would you ever wear something like this?
NF: Well—I’ve never personally found a romper that fit my proportions in the right way—but if I found something, maybe I would—
AS: I’d have to say no to that.
NF: Wait—what?
AS: Have you seen those shorts?
NF: [gives Alessio pointed look]
AS: What? I’m saying I would never wear that.
NF/KW/HW: [laughing]
NF: Oh. I was like, what are you trying to say here?
KW: But overall, would you say you like this [trend?]
NF: Yeah, I think it works.
The verdict? Most people responded positively to the native jewelry—especially the feather earrings and “pop of color” accessories, but seemed unsure about pulling off the look as a whole (and also many hang-ups with the romper.) As the tablers on the BC plaza commented, “It looks good on her, but personally [we] would never wear it. [We] don’t know if the ‘normal’ person would wear a look like that.” I asked Hope her advice after we had called it a day and returned back to the dorms. “Well, to be fashion bold means to wear whatever you have on with confidence. Deep down I think people like to see others wearing something different. I know whenever I see someone walking in the street, and they’re in a fashion forward outfit, it definitely makes me happy.”
We couldn’t agree more. The best way to wear fall’s hottest trend is to be armed with confidence. Here are some other tips for working this trend: go for earthy textures, bold jewelry, and fringe. The good news is that Native trends are great for staying warm, too. Many stores offer rich suedes, warm printed knits, and even wool ponchos. We’ve found that the best way to incorporate this trend is to find one piece to make your outfit “pop,” like this printed clutch or chunky earrings we found at Urban Outfitters. So while you may not want to go for a head-to-toe brown suede-romper look like our model, why not try a native pattern or accessory here and there? If paired with a smile, any attempt would be a do!
You’ll look like Pocahontas—in a good way!
Photocredits:
stylecupid.typepad.com ßIsabel Marant runway picture
http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/ <--gold earrings and beaded clutch pictures