This week on Fashion on Fifth, I want to know what your wardrobe staples are. As we leave winter behind, perhaps your everyday puffer jacket will begin migrating to the back of your closet while sun dresses and blouses make their way to the front. Some staples supersede all weather conditions, like my red cowboy boots and graphic t-shirts. These students may have pieces that are familiar to you, or some may inspire you to dig through the local thrift for a staple that you didn’t know you needed until now.

Famke Kristensen she/they

@swamp_witcch, second-year Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts psychology student

Famke’s staples are her big platform shoes. She stomps everywhere she goes, and switches between these Demonias and her other platform boots with silver moons and stars all over them. Her purple/silver hair is celestial and contrasts the red of her outfit, beautifully clashing the first color of the rainbow with the last one. Famke often wears lots of color, but on days when she only wants to wear black, she considers her style goth-Harajuku. I inquire what she considers herself on the colorful days. “Then I’m just plain harajuku!” Plain does not come close to how I would describe Famke’s outfit. She assures me that this is toned down for her, which just makes me hope I run into her again on a day when the sun is shining and she’s decided not to tone herself down.

Cris Wang she/her

@onlyonecris, first-year Parsons School of Design communication design student

Cris is donning her staple proudly: chunky silver headphones. Everyday she and her friends coordinate their outfits, and today they chose skirts and dresses. To combat the rain in the forecast, she added leg warmers and a cozy fur vest. Cris’ combination of colors and textures reminds me of a mutant girl/polar bear video game character ready to conquer the arctic tundra – or New York City on a gloomy day.

Clementine Hecker they/them

@cr.sh.r, first-year Lang Journalism and Design student

Clementine’s staples are colorful tights and button-down shirts, neither of which they chose to display on this dreary day. However, their red clogs are a new and welcomed addition to their list of staples, being the only pair of shoes that Clementine owns right now that aren’t broken. Despite the clogs being their only footwear option, I consider it a wise choice: ruby red slippers meets edgy librarian. Clementine considers this jacket a staple, and combined with the pinstripe pants, messenger bag and braids, they embody your lax professor who probably slept in their clothes and lets you grade yourself at the end of each semester.

Mario Gamundi he/they

@mariogammy, third-year Parsons fashion design student

You and I can guess Mario’s staples just by looking at him: a good black leather jacket and black boots. Looking straight out of the Gen Z matrix, his bright orange eye makeup makes this look vibrant despite the dominant color. Redbull is a necessary accessory as we approach the end of the semester, polishing off on our final exams and projects. Mario’s mixture of leathers and shearling looks sad to bid winter goodbye, yet his belted crepe jumpsuit is welcoming spring.

Kiane Efondo he/she/they

@i.dontslapwhales, fourth-year Parsons fashion design student

Kiane embodies their staples on this gloomy day: button-down shirts and pastel colors. They caught my eye from across the street in their purple and green knitted hat that looks like a blueberry and matching floral sweater vest. Depending on the season, Kiane layers their button-downs with turtlenecks, sweaters, and jackets. Their friend jokes that this is a modeling opportunity for Kiane, and I can’t help but agree. They immediately struck a pose and gave me a smize that would make Tyra Banks proud.

From leather to tech, these students’ staple pieces shape the way they dress no matter the occasion. As humans, we have core values and beliefs, and perhaps our staple clothing pieces are like the core values of our outfits. The seasons are changing and we’re transitioning into warmer weather. In just a few weeks we’ll be out of school. I encourage you to reflect on what clothing, shoes, and accessories are your staples, and how you can continue to love and appreciate them instead of buying new clothes for the new season.