Boots With The Fur: Winter Fashion Predictions
By Isaac Escovedo, Reporter
And Kara Sears, Fashion Icon (Kara’s comments in italics)

With winter comes a whole slew of warm, comfy clothing to wear the one time a week you leave your house. In order to help the woefully unfashionable students of Vashon High School, I have combed through the season’s hottest runway looks and the design ethos of top designers to predict the coolest trends of the season.

Then, just for fun, I had Kara Sears, fashion icon, give us her take on each trend. (Icon, yikes…but sure, if shoulder pads can make another comeback, then I, too, can be an icon.)

Trend 1: Androgyny

Gendered clothing is stepping to the side this winter in favor of androgynous clothing that looks flattering on any sex. Overalls, jump suits, wide legged pants, and even shoulder pads made appearances on the catwalks this fall, and fashion commentators have predicted that within two or three years, androgyny will be the norm in the world of high fashion.

Kara: Let’s be real here, all of these styles are some variation of a women’s pantsuit… and I’m not here for it. Jumpsuits are really just adult onesies… I prefer onesies stick with humans less than 12 months of age. Anytime someone even says the word shoulder pads it makes me cringe (I mean, you’ve seen my shoulders… no padding needed.

Trend 2: The 1970s

The 1970s had a lot going on, and the modern fashion revival is equally broad in scope. Boot cut jeans are back with a vengeance, disco has inspired a whole new wave of brighter-than-the-sun sequined outfits, and due to an expensive auction and a movie about Mr. Rogers, the cardigan is back, too.

Kara: I actually don’t hate the idea that boot cut jeans are making a comeback, I just didn’t know that people wore boots that had a 24 inch diameter, but that’s cool. I don’t hate the look of the ‘70s, it just seems impractical… “Oh, sequins? I always wear sequins when it’s 30 degrees out, too.” “A giant fur vest with no shirt underneath… could probably go skiing in that.” “Annnnd the jumpsuit… I bet it’s cool to be naked in the bathroom stall.”

Trend 3: Leather

Leather is worn by everyone from motorcycle riders to dominatrixes. This year, designers worked it into dresses, suits, and even overcoats straight out of the Matrix. Leather is great. It is durable and makes any outfit ten times cooler. In fact, the only issue with it is its tendency to shrink in the rain, leading to tightening in unfortunate areas.

Kara: Honestly, when I think leather, I can only think about Chris Farley doing, “Fat guy in a little coat.” (If you don’t get the reference, search it now.) A leather jacket can look good – although range of motion is always limited, so might as well put this in the “let’s wear sequins when it’s 30 degrees out” category. However, things like leather pants just make me laugh… “Oh, you like having sweat drip down your legs at every moment of the day? Interesting.” In a world of dri-fit, align leggings, and ath-leisure, leather seems like the awkward third wheel.

Too many new styles and fashion revivals were present at this year’s winter shows to write about, but it is pretty much a given that Kara will hate every one of them. Style is subjective and everyone has their own personal sense of fashion, but all three of these trends will be reflected in the major fashion houses this winter, and as a result will be seen across the apparel industry. This winter, we can look forward to lots of cold weather, rain, snow, and Kara Sears in boot cut jeans. Oh, what a wonderful time of the year.