Trendwatch

Bienvenue, Exonians! Welcome back to campus, Exonians, and to another year of Trendwatch! Selected by the most fashionable members of the class of 2013, our job is to seek out the hottest looks on campus, from passing phases to the preppy classics. At a school of one thousand students standing out is something that deserves praise, so dress to impress this year and you may just see your name in bold print one Thursday.Hey Exeter! I’m Elle MacAlpine, a four-year senior from Rye Beach, New Hampshire. Growing up in the somewhat homogeneous state you all know and love, it should come as no surprise that I’m a fan of the classics- boat shoes, a navy blaze and a well matched belt or tie. That being said, I love it when people are able to put their own spin on those classic looks, perhaps with a unique color or piece. Anyone who is ambitious enough to veer away from leggings and a baggy sweater, will earn points in my book, but remember, when you dress yourself well you feel more confident, which comes out in class and around campus! For the fall, I’ll be looking for a mix of natural colors. Something as simple as a brown cropped jacket over a white polo and dark jeans can be truly eye-catching. Hair, makeup and accessories can make an outfit, but I tend to see elegance in simplicity. I look forward to writing about what you can put together in the year ahead!What’s good, Exeter? My name is Alec Hernández and I’m a three-year senior from Greenville, South Carolina. This summer I jumped across the pond to live and study in gorgeous St. Petersburg, Russia for a month, spent time at home in the sweltering South Carolinian heat, and visited relatives in Maine. I’ve lived in so many vibrant parts of the world, spanning from Puerto Rico to Chile, and South Carolina to our quaint little Exeter, meaning there isn’t much in terms of style that I haven’t seen. That said, in my opinion, the most impressive sense of style someone can have is when he or she is able to attach aspects of popular trends into his or her own look, creating the ultimate distinctive appearance, avoiding boring assimilation into mainstream looks. I don’t think that there is one specific style or trend that works particularly well with everyone (except for bow ties), and that it also takes tremendous judgment to decide what works best for you; however, if you still are trying to find your own unique sense of style, Exeter is the place to try it out! Keep us on our toes, Exeter.Hey! I’m Mia Arefeaine and I’m a three-year senior from Las Vegas, Nevada. I grew up in the Bay Area of California, surrounded by a large and vibrant Ethiopian community; both experiences have molded my love of fashion. In the past couple of summers I’ve had the chance to experience the landscapes of Ethiopia, Costa Rica and India, all utterly unique in their contributions to my constantly evolving taste. While I’ve been blessed with experiences that have shown me many intricate colors and patterns, my favorite items tend to be simple neutrals. Outfits that catch my eye usually combine a white, black, or neutral clothing item and either a neon element or cool hued piece. I usually don’t focus on makeup, but a bold lip is a great way to brighten up an outfit! While at Exeter I’ve had ample time to observe and most definitely take part in the “I’m done wearing clothes that sane people wear” week(s). While finding my way out of that abyss of sweats, Crocs and Lisa Frank shirts was pretty hard, the satisfaction of finally putting on jeans and joining society outside was worth it. No matter how much of a slump you’re in, just remember that we want to see your unique, simple elegance and that doesn’t have to take a long time or a lot of effort. We here at Trendwatch truly can’t wait to see what you come up with! Here’s to a great year!Elle, Alec and Mia