Let’s admit it: fashion styles have made a drastic change in the past decade. From wearing skinny jeans in the early 2000s to competing on who has the most starched jeans in 2026, fashion has never stayed consistent. It wasn’t until the end of 2025 that we started to see old trends — as well as new ones — starting to become popular going into the new year.
From brands such as Ed Hardy, True Religion, South Pole, and even Affliction — all labels presumed to have died out in the late 2000s — are starting to resurface and gain popularity within this new generation. These are the types of brands your parents may have told you about. Maybe they also bragged about how cool they looked in their JNCO pants and oversized Affliction shirts.
All those brands mentioned earlier were basically the founding fathers of how people are dressing in 2026. They also inspired newer brands to grow in popularity. The Y2K clothing walked so that these brands could run. Brands such as Vlone, Yeezy, and Purple have created a spark on how fashion is interpreted today. Some say these new brands can create a new era that surpasses the Y2K reputation. Others say the brands are tacky and are only popular because people see their favorite streamers wearing them.
Of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion on how they dress. That's why I wanted to get a deeper understanding of how some of our students here at Otterbein express themselves through clothing.
Katherine B.
What genre do you say you fall under?
“I would say I’m more streetwear than anything. It honestly depends on the weather and my mood. Even if I’m wearing a comfy outfit, I make sure it matches and it’s put together.”
How do you express yourself through your clothing?
“I dress not only to feel confident and look my best, but also to honor and represent Jesus in the way I present myself. My mom always taught me to be presentable — whether I’m going out or just being at home."
What are your thoughts on other types of fashions?
“While outward appearance isn’t everything, it does matter. More importantly, your character and the way you carry yourself speaks volumes about who you are. Like it or not, people are always watching, and you never know who might be paying attention. It could even be someone connected to an opportunity you’ve been praying for.”
Evie F.
How would you describe your fashion style?
“I’d say my vibe is very much like maximalist, eclectic, and whimsical. That's like when I wake up in the morning, that's the type of vibe I want to emulate, is that. Whimsical … frolicking through a forest type of thing. I don’t know, haha.”
"I like the idea of being big and loud. That is why I am very big on maximalism because it's just kind of who I am as a person. So I like to emulate that through my fashion. So, the Bengals on my wrist, and the jewelry. I’m always jingling wherever I go, haha. That’s what I like.”
How do you express yourself through clothing?
“I used to not want to wear anything that was super crazy. So I used to wear jeans and a hoodie every day. But then my best friend, who has been my friend since like seven years old, started to experiment more with clothes. And you know when people you look up to start doing something, it takes your interest too."
"So I sort of started experimenting during high school. I started to develop my own sense of confidence. And my best friend really helped with that. And I thrifted A LOT. And I just found stuff that really spoke to me."
What are your thoughts on other types of fashion?
“I feel like the fashion sense in 2026 is so broad. There are so many different types of fashion. I do get lots of compliments. And I think my fashion is more on the greater side of fashion. Obviously, I’m not gonna sound all perfect and amazing, because again, my fashion isn’t for everyone. I think that with my fashion, it inspires some other people to think outside the box. I believe that the more people you inspire with fashion, the better.”
Letter from the editor
Meet the 2026 magazine staff
