As the weather drops, students may feel more inclined to reach past last season’s summer clothes for a more cozy wardrobe. Winter is perfect for experimenting with layering and accessorizing to spice up daily outfits.
The Paw Print talked to some West Ranch students about their winter fashion preferences to truly capture the diverse styles present during these cold months. Each student shared insights into their favorite trends, inspirations and tips for staying warm and fashionable.
Daniela Lesmana:
West Ranch junior Daniela Lesmana loves experimenting with her style, especially during winter. Lesmana, who loves to thrift and has a good eye for accessorizing, combines classic and modern elements to create elegant yet functional ensembles.
She has the skill of creating a wardrobe that is exclusively her style, drawing inspiration from her sister and the limitless possibilities of Pinterest. “My sister taught me how to find things that feel very ‘me’ and like I am expressing myself, even if that piece of clothing isn’t necessarily trendy,” Lesmana vocalized.
“My favorite winter outfit is my flare jeans and a black long sleeve with my brown puffer North Face over the top, tied together with a sparkly brown belt and brown buckle boots,” Lesmana described. This combination of structured denim with a trendy puffer jacket reflects a balance of practicality, comfort and personal style. Her chosen accessories add a personalized flair, showcasing Daniela’s knack for elevating classic pieces into something uniquely hers.
Mishal Ahmad:
Another student who likes to emphasize their style is West Ranch junior Mishal Ahmad. During the winter season, she loves to balance her outfits by staying comfortable but fashionable at the same time.
Ahmad likes to elevate her outfits with accessories. During colder months, she said, “I wear more rings and bold earrings because you can’t see bracelets with long sleeves.” Her accessorizing takes her ideal winter outfit, a graphic hoodie and baggy jeans, to a new look that captures her aesthetic. When creating outfits, she takes inspiration from streetwear accounts on Instagram and tends to lean towards dark colors toward the end of the year. “I particularly like blacks and navy blues,” Ahmad commented. However, Ahmad still likes to experiment: “My personal style is curated to me, I switch it up every day.”
The chilly weather has brought new fashion and winter trends from previous years. “My favorite winter trend would definitely be Uggs and Carhartt jackets; they are both so cute,” Ahmad proclaimed. These trends are both pieces that are warm, comfortable and trendy. For winter, Ahmad’s fashion trend predictions are “Fur coats, animal print, hoodies with denim and scarves with hats and hoods.”
Andrew Franquez
West Ranch junior Andrew Franquez enjoys highlighting cozy knitwear and vintage jeans during winter with his love for thrifting. For Franquez, thrift shopping is not about buying cheaper clothes, it is a way of exploring identity and expressing creativity.
“I really love to thrift—[it’s] my favorite hobby and it’s where I get most of my clothes. I like to search for sweaters, pants, [leather] coats and anything else that would keep me warm and comfortable throughout the winter months.” Students can create a wardrobe that is exclusively their own by thrifting for items like a variety of accessories, an oversized jacket or even a pair of vintage boots.“Thrifting is a great eco-friendly way to shop for unique clothes that I feel can specifically represent my own personal style,” Franquez said.
His winter attire is fashionable and versatile, and shoes are a terrific way to tie it together. “Converse [are] easy to wear and it complements nearly any outfit,” Franquez explained. To stay warm during the winter, he likes to wear high tops with thicker socks.
Kingston Foster
Last but not least, West Ranch freshman Kingston Foster’s winter wardrobe is centered around warm and adaptable hues. “Warm browns, soft creams and deep greens are my favorite hues,” Kingston said. Her palette’s abundance of earthy tones creates a serene and organic atmosphere, ideal for the winter.
For most people, their classic winter ensemble is a light-colored sweater worn with jeans and Converse. Because of its comfort and adaptability, Foster loves this combination. “I adore sweaters because they’re so adorable and comfortable, and they go well with everything,” she said. For her, sweaters are the ideal item to try out several styles. “Sweaters perfectly capture the essence of winter. I can experiment with layering them or wearing them with other styles because they are warm, whether it is casual or something a little dressier” Foster exclaimed.
This winter, students are embracing the opportunity to update their wardrobes with cozy layers and stylish accessories. The diverse winter fashion choices shared by West Ranch students highlight how creativity and comfort can go hand in hand, with each individual putting their twist on seasonal trends. Wildcats, we encourage you to explore new outfit combinations and discover ways to stay warm while showcasing your style this winter.
