The Music to Personal Style Pipeline
Who am I without music? I wake up in the morning and without noticing, I reach for my phone to pick a playlist. I’m never picky, I simply click the one that reflects my mood and let it lead.
If I listen to Nelly Furtado and T-Pain, I wear low-waisted jeans and a tiny top to channel my Y2K self. If I listen to Amaria and Erykah Badu, I pull up in an earthy-toned skirt and cardigan with beads in my hair.
Graphic by Chase Grivna
I don't wear a specific style and my music taste is all over the place. My varied taste reflects the different ways I dress each day. When my wardrobe is limited, I use the creativity I get from music to help express what I'm feeling with what I have.
18-year-old Tre mainly references his toddler pics to create his style. Influenced by late 1990s and 2000s fashion, he wears baggy pants, sporty-casual looks, and a lot of jewelry. Nostalgia runs through his closet. When it comes to music, Tre said he doesn't restrict himself to one genre or sound, and he agreed that his fashion decisions reflect this.
“If I’m feeling blue, I might put on a cardigan, a performative tote and listen to Clairo that day,” he said.
Photograph of Tre’s style by Sonia Heliarisoa
18-year-old Karma said, when she’s dressed up, her style is cute and vintage with a dash of twee. She said the artists she listens to inspire her fashion decisions, so when she wears bell sleeves, she's actually emulating Stevie Nicks' bohemian-witchy aesthetic.
Karma’s Style by Sonia Heliarisoa
23-year-old Savannah agreed that her style reflects the aesthetics of the music she enjoys. She described her taste as a mixed bag of R&B and girly fun. She said her outfits are influenced by the communities that consume the music she likes.
Savannah’s style by Sonia Heliarisoa
Everyone has their own way of expressing themselves. Some people’s fashion choices are inspired by music itself, some are inspired by the aesthetics surrounding it, and some find inspiration elsewhere. Music and fashion are deeply personal, so you have to find the mix that's right for you.