Are Teen Boys The New Style Icons?
They wear Rick Owens, Helmut Lang, and Hood by Air, styled simply and nonchalantly. They draw on their clothes and shrug at trends. They look cooler than you, and seem to be better at shopping, too. They?re teenage (or very nearly teenage) boys, and it took us some time to admit it, but some of the most inspiring style right now can be found on their Instagram pages.
Young people have always reigned over the most visible method of sartorial expression?the street (remember the power of nineties grunge?)?but this generation, enabled by heightened access to information and ever-present social media is not only more aware of fashion?s momentum than ever, they?re more passionate and more discerning about what they buy. Only with the explosion of Instagram have we had the chance to see what they really wear every day. And you know what? It?s good. Really good. It?s as if these young bucks have radar for archival Raf Simons and were born to invent new ways to tuck in a T-shirt.
Part of their prowess developed growing up online, clicking through collections and building a community on eBay from the time they were mere tots (though many say they still only shop in-person in stores). They have a preternatural understanding of patience?most advise that if you really want something, it will make its way into your closet eventually?and since they?re teen boys, their brains are developmentally hard-wired for risk taking. So if you?re looking for a fresh point-of-view on fashion, they?re your guys. We gathered six of the most fashionable young-men-about-the-Internet?from fourteen-year-old Mike Hope, AKA Mike the Ruler, who is a style icon for the downtown VFILES set, to Chet DeHart and Betts DeHart, the dashing eighteen-year-old Atlanta-based twins who started their own streetwear brand (Lucid FC)?and asked them: What style advice would you give the women who read Vogue.com? Their answers will surprise you, not to mention elevate your wardrobe.
1. Stop caring.
Just don?t care sometimes. Comfortably chic is everything. Take what you absolutely love and find a way to make it cool. And if it?s already cool, make it cooler. Put a spin on it the way you know the next person wouldn?t dare try. No matter how many or how few pieces of clothing you have, there?s always another way to look at them. I barely get .000001 percent of everything I really want, but there?s always a way to make it work.?
Zach Coffman, 21, associate in Virgil Abloh?s shop?RSVP Gallery?in Chicago.
2. Shop in-store, not online.
?I never order online. There might be a shipping malfunction, I don?t know how it really fits, and if there are any flaws. And straight up, I hate waiting for something I paid for. When I buy in store, I know exactly what I?m buying. I?m a determined and picky shopper.?
Luka Sabbat, 16, student, model, and aspiring designer.
3. You just need one pair of jeans.
I ve learned to always have a good pair of jeans. Currently my only jeans are a pair of raw A.P.C. Petit New Standards. I?ve had them for about ten months and they are amazing. Having a great pair of jeans is always great because it?s something you can style up or down.?
Ethan Holland, 15, thefootwearfanatic.tumblr.com
4. Look For What Is Your Favorite. Not What is Popular.
?Always wear pieces that are basic but have complexity behind them. Taking risks is not needed, just be yourself and remember minimalism is key. Separate color tones properly. Always remember less is more. Sometimes I used to dress a lil? over the top but I have realized that is useless. For shopping, always buy used unless you need to buy new. It?s like recycling, in a way. I find my grail pieces and then focus on current stuff. Look for what is your favorite. Not what is popular.?
Mike Hope, 14, student and artist.
5. Don?t fear the thrift.
?Thrifting is more than okay! There is no denying anymore. It is 2014, you can find anything at a thrift! I?ve even found a YSL suit.?
Betts DeHart, 18, cofounder of Lucid FC.
6. Ignore the trends.
?We just stay true to our mindset and style without following many trends. That is a huge problem with our age group. So many people follow trends and lack individuality. Individuality is rockin-rollie.?
Chet DeHart, 18, cofounder of Lucid FC.
Credits: Katherine Bernard
Vogue Magazine
