Though this is less and less the case in the Triangle, where the arts bleed across borders, most forms of self-expression still tend to separate themselves. Art’s over here in the gallery, poetry’s over there in the bookstore, theater’s up on stage, and the dance party’s down in the basement. But style? Style gets everywhere. It knows no limits, restricts itself to no certain expertise. It absorbs traits of the visual and dramatic arts. If you wear clothes—and we’re guessing you do—it’s unavoidable, not aspirational: You just have it. We sought fashion in all guises on the streets of the Triangle to capture it in the wild. Then we asked each of these Southern hypebeasts two questions. Their answers revealed that how we dress is as much about our sense of our own stories as it is about our sense of style.
Timothy Ocampo
What is the first item of clothing you remember choosing yourself?
Nike Air Jordan Cement III sneakers.
How has your style changed in the last ten years?
My style has changed from being mainly streetwear to more professional overall, but still causal and comfortable.
Jess Henry
What is the first item of clothing you remember choosing yourself?
When I was younger, I saved two months’ pay at my first job ever to buy myself a Michael Kors leather jacket that I saw at a Nordstrom and had to have.
How has your style changed in the last ten years?
I’m constantly trying to make my closet more cohesive; versatility is key.
Luke Gaines
What is the first item of clothing you remember choosing yourself?
A custom-made hoodie from New York. It had a sky print with Aaliyah in the middle.
How has your style changed in the last ten years?
I’ve been moving away from mall-type brands and trying to find more unique pieces that represent me.
Alicia Sandve
What is the first item of clothing you remember choosing yourself?
A good pair of skinny jeans.
How has your style changed in the last ten years?
I used to wear more bright colors and dress up a lot. But now, as a mother of two, I mainly wear neutrals—black and white. I like simple clothes that are comfortable and easy to move in.
Jecori Owens-Schuler
What is the first item of clothing you remember choosing yourself?
When in Copenhagen, I purchased my favorite topcoat, which I have cherished ever since.
How has your style changed in the last ten years?
My style has matured to be more classy and better fitting overall.
Mailiis Law
What is the first item of clothing you remember choosing yourself?
In seventh grade, I was shopping in Zara while traveling abroad and found a white collared shirt with spikes on the collar. I had to have it and spent way too much on it.
How has your style changed in the last ten years?
Bolder, braver, more colorful. I’ve started to wear things together that I wouldn’t have before, and try different things like pairing conflicting patterns.
Ben Daughtry
What is the first item of clothing you remember choosing yourself?
A vintage Levi’s denim jacket that has the sherpa lining on the inside. Super comfy, and it’s not often that you see the old ones anymore.
How has your style changed in the last ten years?
I’ve been adding a lot of secondhand and thrifted clothes to my wardrobe.
Rebecca Tattersfield
What is the first item of clothing you remember choosing yourself?
When I was a little girl, there was a man at the local market who had a stall and sold all-cotton bellbottoms with metallic stripes down the sides. I got a lilac pair with a matching crop top.
How has your style changed in the last ten years?
My style has become an act of kindness to me and only me! I love feeling good and being comfortable in my clothes during the day.
Taurus Miller
What is the first item of clothing you remember choosing yourself?
This jacket! It represents me and my style. The gold details on the sleeves say, “Legendary Billionaire’s Club,” and I aspire to be a billionaire someday.
How has your style changed in the last ten years?
I used simply to throw things together, and that worked, but now I’m trying to branch out in order to make outfits that really work together from all types of different places.
