#12: Storey — Fashion, Crochet, Taylor Swift
“If you follow trends, you won't be able to unleash your true potential.” Bless Gen Z!
Meet the secret agents of taste. Learn what lights them up, where they find inspiration, and what they think we should all be enjoying right now. This edition: Storey, a 7th grader whose style always wows me.
If Storey were Waldo in a crowded scene of tweens, you’d find them by the one-of-a-kind outfits, the pops of color, and the spunky effervescence. Their bubbly outfits are always ah-mazing, and they wear clothes with a confidence that makes me say: “I’ll have what they’re having.” I just had to know how this Gen Z icon thinks about fashion, where they find inspiration, and what they’re reading, watching, and listening to.
Let’s start with your name, Storey. It’s so cool! How do you think it’s impacted who you are?
When people hear it, they don't think of a basic person who just follows everyone. It’s helped me be a unique person.
For sure. You can see that in your outfits. How do you think about style?
It has to do with emotion more than anything. Depending on someone's personality, their style can fluctuate between colors, different pieces, and things like that.
What emotion are you trying to convey with your style?
Definitely very bubbly and outgoing. It's colorful but, depending on the day, my style does change.
Have you always been this way?
As far as I can remember, yes. There are photos that my mom showed me when I was really little and I was wearing a sequined gown with a bowler hat.
What are some of your style inspirations?
More recently I've been crocheting a lot of my pieces; I’m crocheting a cardigan right now. I've been using Pinterest more as well. I got my sense of put-togetherness and the importance of fashion from my mom.
Plus one! Your mom has excellent style. Where do you find your clothes?
Thrift stores and other secondhand stores, plus bigger brand stores.
How do you think about putting together outfits? It's one thing to pick individual things, but it’s another to put together your look.
I think of it as a problem I need to solve. My outfits and fashion fluctuate with my mood and whether I'm getting ready for school, camp or another activity.
Do you think artificial intelligence could put together outfits the way you do?
I do not because my outfits are very much about my emotion of the day or the morning. As of now, AI hasn't shown us that it has self-awareness and emotion. When I give it prompts, it doesn't really give me a clear answer that helps me.
How do you think your style is going to change as you grow up?
When you grow up, you grow out of things and find new interests and styles. I definitely think it'll fluctuate based on my interests at that time.
Do you have any advice that you give to others about putting together a personal style?
Don't follow trends. If you follow trends, you won't be able to unleash your true potential. Trends are just going to be around forever. While some of them are good and cute, it's not as personal as just being yourself.
What are some things you would recommend to readers of this newsletter check out because you love them so much?
🎶 Taylor Swift
I love her voice and the emotion she exudes from her music. I’ve been listening to her my whole life, so it feels like home. The community around her is so tight-knit and special.
🎶 Cavetown
His music is calming and slow.
📺 Gravity Falls
A childhood cartoon that I love. I’ve watched it 17 times.
📚 “I Kissed Shara Wheeler” by Casey McQuiston
These two mortal enemies kiss and then the girl that was kissed disappears.
🧶 Crocheting
I'm really enjoying this. I would definitely recommend crocheting if you want a slow, calm activity.
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In case you haven’t noticed, I love people with good taste! In fact, I have a podcast about it for Flipboard. Check it out!
More Mia’s Queue: Meg • Sadia • Kel • Tracy • Theresa • Vasha • Eva • Sarah • James • Adi • Letitia