By Tyler Martin
It’s surreal to think that another year has flown by in a whirlwind of fashion and trends. This column has truly been the highlight of my sophomore year, providing a platform to connect with my peers and share my passion for style. As we wrap up this semester, I wanted to take a moment to recap some of my favorite discoveries across various categories, and hope that you will enjoy.
Favorite Fashion Influencers (TikTok)
I was originally a TikTok hater, but I’ve come to realize that TikTok is an incredible source for daily fashion inspiration. Among the myriad of creators, a few standouts have consistently caught my eye. About six months ago, I discovered Hannah Chody on TikTok, and her style has truly captivated me. Being from Texas, she exudes a casual, relaxed feel with all of her outfits while still maintaining an elevated look. I love referring to her content when I am unsure of how to style my daily outfits; she might suggest throwing on a cashmere knit or adding a pop of color in your shoes.
Alice Marzacco has been a favorite for a while. I actually wrote a previous column article on this European influencer. She has phenomenal, high-end taste, and I always take note of the designer items she’s styling, adding them to my future wishlist.
Angelica Livolti is chic as can be. I’ve been following her for over two years on the app, and she never fails to look clean, polished, and chic in quite literally everything she wears. Her style, with the exception of some of the going-out looks, is easy to replicate, so I look to her when I want to elevate my loungewear for a more polished day to day outfit for class.
Lastly, to round out the TikTok faves, Nick Cafua has such an edgy New York style that I find so inspiring. While his style leans more towards street-wear and bold pieces compared to mine, I love to look to Nick for inspiration when I want to step out of my comfort zone with a look, perhaps by layering a leather jacket over pleated shorts. He’s always pushing the boundaries with fashion in a way that feels approachable yet undeniably cool.
Favorite Fashion Influencers (Instagram)
Does Hailey Bieber count as a fashion influencer? Because she’s been consistently at the top of my list throughout the whole year with her effortless charm. Beyond Mrs. Bieber, Instagram has introduced me to a plethora of style mavens worth the follow.
Over the past year, I’ve loved following different stylists on Instagram. Cameron Quittner is one of my faves. I’ve been following her for quite some time, but when I saw the eight-look roster she styled for Tate McRae that was sporty but incredibly chic and timeless, I was in complete awe. I definitely refer back to her page when I have a question about layering or color theory.
I can’t mention my favorite fashion influencers on Instagram without mentioning Morgan Stewart. I have now written two articles dedicated to my love for her style and her new brand, Renggli Studio, which launched this year in September. I love that she rarely follows specific trends, but always looks timeless and current with every fashionable look.
Favorite Accessories
Two accessories remained massive staples in my wardrobe throughout this whole year. The first being any and every belt from Heaven Mayhem. I have mentioned this brand several times in my articles before. All the belts are genuine leather made in LA and the brand was founded by the most chic influencer, Pia Mance, which is why their creations are so trendy yet timeless. These belts go with everything, they’re high quality, and make me excited to get dressed in the morning.
Another fave that has stuck with me from last year well into this year are the Le Specs sunglasses, specifically in the style “Outta Love”. Bella Hadid knew what she was doing when she sported these. These glasses are the perfect oval shape. They’re classy enough to wear with a dressy outfit, but casual enough with the plastic frames to wear with your favorite workout set. Not to mention they are $65 on Amazon and regularly on sale. Run, don’t walk.
Favorite Brands for Basics
While statement pieces add flair to our wardrobes, basics form the foundation. I have tried so many different brands this year, but here’s a quick recap. If you want knitwear at an approachable price point, try COS. If you want a matching sweat set that is durable and high quality, try Eterne. If you need a button-down, polo, or summer breezy pant, try James Perse. And lastly, if you want to drop an exorbitant amount of money on the best white t-shirt that you’ll reach for every time you get dressed, try Khaite.
Favorite Trends
A trend I’ve loved this year has been vests, specifically as tops. I think wearing a vest instead of a tank or strappy top is a great substitute when going out. It adds a chic and polished touch instead of appearing boring and casual. For me, I like to wear a t-shirt or short sleeve sweater underneath my vest and then pair it with denim or trousers. Again, it’s all about elevating the daily basics with those added layers.
Denim on denim has been a massive fave of mine. I think it’s partly carried over from everyone’s obsession with matching sets in general, whether that be athleisure or a suit. Several stylists on social media have reinforced that we shouldn’t be afraid to mix shades and weights of denim – it all works. That said, I am still on the hunt for that perfect matching dark denim set to complete my summer wardrobe.
Favorite Fashion Book
For those looking for a poolside read this summer, try an educational fashion book to broaden your knowledge and maybe learn something new. I recently read “Capsule Wardrobe: The Complete Guide to Find Your Style and Create Your Own Capsule Wardrobe” by Sophie Claire and it really gave me a lot of insight. While I haven’t been too successful with editing down my closet, I have been more mindful of my purchases, keeping in mind the themes of the book. When I want to buy something, I now ask myself: “How many pieces will this go with?”, “Does this work for multiple seasons?”, “Will this go out of style shortly?”. The book really helped me understand why fashionable people utilize a capsule wardrobe because we all know what we look good in and what suits us. So instead of giving up trying to find an outfit in the morning and wearing workout clothes for the 5th day in a row, pre-plan some looks to save in your phone or have “your uniform” accessible to throw on in a pinch. For me, that’s a great tee, good fitting denim and a fun shoe, along with layers and accessories, of course.
On my summer reading list is Allison Bornstein’s novel “Wear It Well: Reclaim Your Closet and Rediscover the Joy of Getting Dressed”. I am eager to discover some of her dressing tips to apply to my wardrobe in the coming months, as her style is impeccable.
Favorite Beauty Products
I think beauty and fashion are very intertwined. For me, my outfit is not complete without a full skincare routine and a great fragrance to give myself a boost. I am a huge fan of Rhode. I think it offers amazing quality for the price. I love to use Rhode’s daily skincare staples like the “glazing milk” and “peptide glazing fluid” in combination with my sunscreen in the morning, and then the same Rhode staples with my nighttime skincare actives like retinol and an exfoliating toner. But in my opinion, the best product from Rhode is the “peptide lip treatment”. At this point, I’ve lost count of how many I’ve purchased. I always have it on me, and you can find one in every bag and corner of my apartment – it’s truly the best.
Other than Rhode, I recommend checking out these two brow products as recommended by Azi Sacks, a renowned brow artist in New York. I’ve been using the brow serum by Typology and brow gel by MAKE instead of my typical Sephora finds, and I am wowed by the results. Both are an easy swap in your beauty routine that will pay off in the long run when it comes to hair growth and overall brow health.
Favorite Column Articles
Lastly, I’ve loved writing this column so much that I have to include one of my own articles as a yearly favorite 😉 Among my favorite articles that I’ve written, I’ve loved interviewing people the most. From K.J. Moody (Beyonce’s stylist) to Morgan Stewart, and different influencers, including those based in Dallas! Each person I’ve interviewed has inspired me in different ways. For example, K.J. Moody reminded me that we all find inspiration from somewhere. Or Morgan Stewart emphasized the importance of core, elevated basics for entering the workforce. SMU Look alum Alexa Field reminded me how amazing the SMU Fashion Media and Journalism programs are and how it helped her score an incredible job right out of undergrad. Yes, I can share my opinions, but learning from these masters in fashion has been amazing, and these interviews have been hands down my favorite articles to write.
I have to give credit for all of the amazing cover artwork by Athena. Your artistry makes the articles come to life… despite the fact that this last one is a bunch of solo shots of myself. You’re the best!
Thanks so much for your support all semester with Tyler Talks Fashion. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for the Fall! Have an amazing, fashion-forward summer.
Cover Artwork by Staff Member Athena Mamatas
