Fashion on Fifth: You’re either in or you’re out

This week’s Fashion on Fifth is an ode to icon Heidi Klum, because as she says hundreds of times over 16 seasons of hosting “Project Runway”: “In fashion, one day you’re in and the next day you’re out.” As the new year came and went, resolutions got repackaged by Gen Z to be “ins and outs” posted in the form of TikToks, Instagram stories, tweets, and some kept secret in personal Notes App lists. Personally, I didn’t want to state publicly that bras and boyfriends are so out! I guess it’s too late now. 

Now that we’re about six weeks into the year, the only resolutions left are the ones people actually stuck to. Or, if you’re like me, you waited until February to start working out because of how crowded gyms and yoga classes are in January. But I digress: back to Heidi Klum. The fashion trend cycle, especially in recent years, has sped up so much that every day spawns a new core or type of girl. (What is “normcore?” Who are “glazed donut girls?”) Now more than ever, supermodel Klum has nothing but wisdom to impart on young fashion enthusiasts by reminding us that ins and outs are important. These students have their own strong opinions about what’s in and out, not only in fashion, but also in this budding spring semester.

Asia Hickman she/her — @4siaj4den

Second-year Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts music composition student

Asia clearly knows what’s in because several people walking by paid her compliments as I stopped her for an interview. “I hope your head is massive right now,” I told her. She giggled in response: “It is!” If you respect Asia’s outfit, then you’ve got to respect her opinion; she thinks furry boots are totally out. To which I say, did she read my last issue of Fashion on Fifth? Kidding. But I don’t think fur is going anywhere anytime soon, which is fine because, as Asia says, this is just her opinion after all. She’s glad she didn’t buy the tall furry boots that rose in popularity after Miu Miu’s Fall 2021 collection which featured knee-high abominable snowman footwear. Luckily, Asia still loves chunky black boots and says they’re in, along with little prescriptionless glasses reminiscent of the 1990s. Her outfit is a marvelous mashup of textures and patterns with a black fur jacket, a white knit sweater, a plaid mini skirt, a Coach monogram bag, and most interesting, her loafer/Mary Jane ballet flat/knee-high shoe situation. I’m glad I caught her on a warm day otherwise I would’ve had to write about another pair of chunky black boots.

Jax Zhou he/him — @2pm2pmpm_jaxz

Third-year Parsons School of Design fashion design student

Jax says doing homework is out. I say, good luck! I truly hope he passes this semester. Conversely, buying garments is in, “But only the garments I like,” he said. Sometimes, consumerism can fill a void that no amount of academic validation satiates. But if only the clothes that Jax likes are in, I’d better gear up for a winter of puffer vests with an oversized attached scarf, gray denim jackets, acid wash cargo jeans, and Balenciaga Bulldozer Boots. That was a mouthful. Jax has found the perfect balance of casual mixed with high fashion in this combination of garments, and I applaud him for it.

Isabel Weed she/her — @i5483l

Second-year Parsons fashion design student

Isabel wants everyone to know that “wearing whatever the fuck you want” is in. “I feel like people are trying to follow trends too much,” she said, and I have to agree. I’ve heard too many people online and in real life expressing their wish for certain styles to come back, and today might be their lucky day. Fitted is the new oversized, and according to Isabel, baggy pants are out. So, if you’re a millennial or another demographic who prefers fitted to flared and skinny to spacious, your time is coming, whether or not you’re ready for it. Isabel truly wears whatever she wants in an outfit that almost disappears into the background of the photo. A camouflage jacket is layered over a hoodie, layered over a t-shirt, paired with the cutest plaid mini skirt (the second we’ve seen in this issue), sheer ripped tights, knee-high platform boots, leather fingerless gloves, a patchy messenger bag, and lastly, oversized sunglasses. Forgive me if I forgot anything.

Matthew Ma he/him — @matthew_ib

Third-year Parsons fashion design student

“Smoking is in,” Matthew told me as he plucked a cigarette from his pack of Marlboro Vistas, specifically tropical splash flavored and imported from Korea. I didn’t ask him to elaborate on this statement because, frankly, who am I to disagree with an addictive substance? As long as he keeps his fruity-flavored straights in the smoking area (aka the sidewalk of Fifth Avenue), I will admire his outfit from afar. He wears an oversized black trench coat with contrast stitching along the lapel and shoulders, layered over a black sweatshirt, black trousers, and classic black Air Forces. A baseball cap, an iced coffee, a crossbody bag, and a white tote bag are his accessories. The double bags are necessary for schlepping 30 minutes home to Jersey. “Commuting is out,” he said, rolling his eyes and telling me his affordable rent makes the journey somewhat worth it. But let’s be honest, cheap rent is always in.

Catherine Jennings she/her — @catei.77

First-year Parsons architecture student

Catherine says extravagant outfits are out and simple outfits are in. I don’t think she gives herself enough credit. Although her outfit might look uncomplicated at first glance, it turns out to be a beautiful concoction of textures and materials. Her jacket is a sumptuous suede thrown on top of a button-up knit gray top and a ruffled sheer brown skirt. She added thigh-high socks to her knee-high brown suede platform boots to finish off this tactile ensemble. I think extravagant and simple outfits need one another. Extravagance cannot exist without its antithesis because what would they be without the other? Opposites attract, some might even say. Catherine, keep doing what you’re doing, and have pride in your simplicity, for it is also your strength.

Sawyer Ingram they/them — @sawyer4president

Third-year College of Performing Arts playwriting student

Sawyer says pink is in! It’s like Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” summer never left. As someone who has dyed her hair every color of the rainbow, I truly believe one can’t be your favorite until you’ve applied it to your hair at odd hours of the morning with a cheap box dye. So, Sawyer, you’ve sold me. The bedazzled baby pink cardigan is the cutest cover for a hot pink cutout crop top and Pepto-colored trousers. Platform Docs are everyone’s staple, but part of me wishes they’d chosen one last pink piece to finish off the fuschia fit. Sawyer’s out is smoking before class, but according to them, it hasn’t been working very well. Luckily, not all resolutions are meant to be kept, but I hope Sawyer finds a balance between their education and recreation.

No matter what’s in and what’s out, all that matters is that you — to quote Tim Gunn, another “Project Runway” alum and former chair of Fashion Design at Parsons —“make it work!” Trends come and go, but you, my dear reader, are forever. “You must fight in life for what is dope and chic,” said writer Rachel Tashjian in a 2020 tweet that I’ve immortalized in the form of a sticky note on my bathroom mirror. So finally, here is my opinion and my verdict, since I know it’s all that you’ve been waiting for. In: having taste. Out: trends. Instead of waiting for the next trend for permission to wear something, I encourage you to just wear it. Don’t wait for the trendsetters, become one! It will set you free.