As Louisiana’s heat fades into the few cooler months, students are picking up mainstream winter fashion trends.Haesun Park-Poaps, human ecology professor, said students must get creative in recreating popular clothing trends in accordance to the weather, which is why Baton Rouge trends deviate from those seen on the runway and in magazines.”It may look like [University students] are following the trends lately, but they’re not,” she said. “It’s about how they adapt to the trends. The trends in New York won’t fit our      environment.”Park-Poaps said layering clothing is a great way to mimic the popular winter styles seen in New York and also deal with the heat and remain cool.Baton Rouge will see the comeback of the ’80s in fashion this year, despite the seasonal differences, she said.Trends will bring back neon-colored leggings, off-the-shoulder silhouettes and motorcycle jackets with studded details, exposed zippers and embellished necklines.Heather Henry, owner of Vertigo Clothing on Lee Drive, said she ordered many ’80s-inspired jackets and tops for the store’s winter selection.”It’s more of an updated ’80s look,” Henry said. “I’ve even seen some shoulder pads in coats.”Park-Poaps said the modern ’80s style, or the “Dandy” look, accentuates a sort of masculine femininity in clothing.”The silhouette is the boxy motorcycle, military look [on top with] a slimmer, straight look on the bottom,” Park-Poaps said. “That’s why it’s ’80s-inspired.”Park-Poaps also said ankle boots and over-the-knee boots are the popular shoe fashions this winter.Faux fur, sequins and stud-embellished clothing populate the racks at Stella Boutique off Jefferson Highway.Heidi Gould, manager at Stella Boutique, said the clothes at her store incorporate the “girly biker” look. She said even trends like the boyfriend blazer are more oversized than a traditional women’s blazer, but they are tailored and structured to fit a woman’s figure.Park-Poaps said summer trends like plaid and ruffled chiffon dresses and shirts have translated into the girly biker look of the winter.Gould said clothes with “hardware,” like studs, zippers, chains and buckles are all over clothes, shoes and belts. She said earthy tones, with an occasional pop of purple or teal, are the popular colors this season.Nicole Steuart, apparel design senior and Hemline president, said many people are buying fewer staple pieces instead of buying a new winter wardrobe.”Rather than buying quantity, they’re buying quality, like a great leather jacket to go with the stuff they already have,” Steuart said. “It gives you a new look, but you don’t buy over budget.”Gould said Stella has a variety of boyfriend blazers and leather jackets. She said her store doesn’t stock heavy sweaters or cashmere sweaters because of the sporadic Louisiana weather.Jami Hooge, district manager of Frock Candy on Corporate Boulevard, said Frock Candy customers buy a lot of dresses to pair with boots in the winter.”[Dresses] continue to be a huge trend, but they’re being layered with vests, blazers and cardigans,” Hooge said. “We use a lot of layering pieces and items that can transition from summer to fall. You can create so many looks with five staple pieces by layering them in different ways.”Hooge said there’s been an increase in accessory sales at Frock Candy.”People may be taking an older look and adding new accessories like handbags, belts and necklaces to make it look different,” she said.
 
 
 
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