The Red and Black

Issue date: 7/2/09 Section: Variety

Media Credit: WAITES LASETER Pitaya displays a retro-inspired dress with large necklaces as accessories. These playful styles are popular for the summer. [Click to enlarge]

This summer fashion reaches a whole new level, that is not actually new at all. Vintage looks recycled from decades past have never been more popular than they are today.

"Everything is inspired from other decades. Fashion is a continuous cycle, always repeating back," said Allison Tucker, a senior fashion merchandising major from Valdosta.

Today's trends are a classic copycat scenario

"Our moms talk about what they wore, but really no one had worn that before them. What will we be able to say?" she said. "Everything is just a new variation. There have been no really big changes [this summer]."

Floral, bright and romantic patterns are favored for summertime, but Tucker insists they are the usual call of the season.

The retro kickback to a simpler time not only makes it completely acceptable to look through mom's high school jewelry and accessories, but it also helps alleviate the economic stress most students face.

"Sometimes you look in your closet and just feel like you've worn everything way too much," said Hannah Angel, a junior and fashion merchandising major from Savannah, who is also an employee at Entourage Boutique on Milledge Avenue.

Angel said it's not about buying every new trend that comes along, but working with what you've already got.

"If I'm buying trendy stuff, I go to Target and buy cheap," said Angel about watching her budget. "Trends get too expensive. Also, tons of fashions that you see in magazines don't make sense here in Athens. You have to consider that."

Summer in Athens is about experimenting without consequences. The warm weather should inspire everyone, not just the fashion forward, to be daring and creative in their clothing choices.

"The other day I wore a wife-beater and an old dress, but I folded the dress down and threw my grandmother's belt over it," Angel said. "I thought it would look stupid, but I got more compliments than I ever have."

When it comes to their personal picks, Tucker is partial to retro silhouettes on a swimsuit, and Angel favors big and bright accessories.

"With coral and turquoise, you can't go wrong," she said. "They ooze summer."

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