Spring fashion at Lake Forest College
Atala Johnson ‘28
johnsonael@lakeforest.edu
JOUR 320 Writer
dden under layers of winter clothing, Lake Forest is about to trade in its puffer coats and reveal a new fashion season. But what you see in town will probably differ from what you find on campus.
For Chrissy Davis, a business developer at a women’s fashion boutique, the Lake Forest Shop, her trend predictions for this spring are a nod to the styles emerging in New York. On the Lake Forest College campus, the upcoming spring aesthetics stem instead from what students see on social media.
After returning from an East Coast buying trip last month, Chrissy Davis is looking to the Italian clothing brand Max Mara’s return to nautical looks to define this spring’s lookbook. She says that horizontal stripes, sailor collars, vibrant colors like blue, and a ‘90s preppy vibe set the tone for the spring season.
“Vibrant colors, patterns, and florals,” she said.
The style of the 1990s “preppy girl” aesthetic emphasizes how color and cleanliness can make a statement of sophistication. This look is iconic for taking classic academia-inspired wear, such as collared shirts and knit sweaters, and tailoring the color and silhouette to complement the model’s edgy-but-chic side.
“For spring, there is a vibe kind of going back to the preppy and nautical looks” said Davis. “Max Mara is coming back with a lot of stripes, blue-and-white stripes, and orange-and-white stripes. I’ve been saying that a lot, too. Bringing it back to ’90s prepster.”
At her shop and others, those predictions have already materialized. However, Mia Hernandez, a 19-year-old sophomore at Lake Forest College, is not convinced that this spring will be marked by florals.
As The Devil Wears Prada’s Miranda Priestly said: “Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking.”
Hernandez agrees, anticipating a different palette for the upcoming season.
“I don’t think floral patterns are really in anymore, at least for the springtime,” Hernandez said. “I think my spring fashion prediction is going to be pastels mixed with dark colors. Lots of pastel yellows. I’ve seen [on Instagram] some imperial purple with vibrant orange, like jewel tones.”
Sasha Lindstrom, 22, a senior, shares a similar opinion about jewel tones making an entrance this season.
“I just went shopping the other day. I saw a lot of emerald green in the stores. That might be a color that we’ll see a lot,” she said.
Lindstrom pointed out that her trend predictions arise from her social media feed.
She’s not alone. UNiDAYS, a student-oriented digital discount platform, surveyed over 20 million students about Gen Z’s relationship with fashion. According to the survey, 49% of respondents said that the fashion they consume is influenced by what they see on social media, specifically TikTok and Instagram.
While the ‘90s displayed the preppy style through fashion magazines and iconic movies like Clueless, the 21st century uses digital platforms to serve as a trend hub for influencer marketing and Gen Z fashion.
For instance, Lindstrom said, “I saw a trend prediction [on Instagram] that was called ‘fisherman style.’”
This style, which is essentially the glam version of a fisherman’s closet, features knit sweaters, knee-high boots, and long denim shorts.
Cassie Clark, 23, a junior, said that Pinterest is the first place she goes to seek out fashion trends. Based on her feed, long, flowy skirts will continue to be hot on the market. Like the fisherman style, the trend is functional yet fashionable.
Lake Forest College students seem to be leaning into a style that prioritizes comfort over shape-defining clothing this year.
“No more mini,” Clark said.