Street Style
BY ALYSHA TAMAYO AND DIANA BIFFL
While walking past Groucho’s, you spot a 22-year-old with a vibrant pink-to-purple-ombre 'do sharing the sidewalk with a friend who doesn’t seem to see the need for shoes; her free spirit matches her flowy floor-length skirt. Behind this eclectic pair is a couple with matching Easter-egg-toned shorts and button-downs. On any given afternoon, a walk down King Street will reveal the diverse style that is Charleston fashion. With so many transplants and visitors from around the world, Charleston is a melting pot of stylistic choices. Here's a look at just a few.
Name: MiMi Thomas
Age: 20
Hometown: Charlotte, N.C.
Occupation: Student
Style: “Athletic.” Yoga is a part of her routine, and her clothing reflects her active lifestyle.
Charleston influence: Thomas feels pressure to wear heels and tight dresses on the bricks of Charleston’s street when she goes out at night.
Fashion challenge: “Girls put forth a lot of effort here, so it’s harder to stay true to yourself.”
Favorite store: Lululemon. Thomas is a self-proclaimed “sucker for expensive workout clothes.”
PHOTOS BY DIANA BIFFL
Name: Francis Smalls
Age: 20
Hometown: Charleston
Occupation: Salad artist at Verde
Style: “Simple.” Smalls tries to “blend in and have a clean sense of style.”
Charleston influence: The “old money and historic essence of Charleston” does come out in his style, along with a relaxed and comfortable feel.
Fashion challenge: Smalls feels more pressure to fit in and not look too outrageous since he is an African-American male in Charleston.
Favorite store: Express
Name: Riana Husted
Age: 19
Hometown: London, England
Occupation: Receptionist at Toska’s Salon
Style: “Unique.” Blending fashion trends from London with a splash of hipster, Husted feels her style is different from anyone else in Charleston.
Charleston influence: “Since I moved here when my sense of style was already set, I don’t believe Charleston’s charm has found its way into my style.”
Fashion challenge: “I am pretty confident in whatever I wear, so I don’t find anything about style challenging. I just wear what I like.”
Favorite store: Forever 21.
Name: Kati Morris
Age: 20
Hometown: Fort Mill, S.C.
Occupation: Sales associate at Francesca’s
Style: “Chic.” Morris has traded in her old favorites, Bebe shirts and “anything with rhinestones,” for items like her favored cut-off jean shorts.
Charleston influence: “My friends here push me to get out of my comfort zone and try different outfits. If I see something that I wouldn’t normally pick out be cute on them, I’m more willing to try to wear it.”
Fashion challenge: “It’s hard to stand out in a community that is so versatile already.”
Favorite store: Francesca’s, obviously.