Designers presented fashion-lovers with a wide variety of trends during Fashion Week. Illustration by Alexis Holland, William Byrd High School

By Alexis Holland, William Byrd High School

It’s that time of year again.

Beginning on February 7, Fashion Week seems like it has just passed by. And now that we are overwhelmed by the abundance of beautiful clothes from couture and ready-to-wear lines, it’s time to start planning our wardrobes for fall.

Designers everywhere from Alexander McQueen to Marc Jacobs to Louis Vuitton had phenomenal shows.  And somehow, in all of the chaos of eyelash curlers, glitter and frantic models, the designers managed to present fashion-lovers with a wide variety of trends.

In fall 2013, keep a lookout for harem pants, chic silhouettes, flannel jumpsuits, loud colors and prints, leather and an abundance of embellishments and embroidery.

Mostly every trend will trickle down from previous trends, so items that were bought from previous seasons can be used in the fall, too.

On the runway, magazine editors and celebrities took extensive notes, and are probably already planning how they want the designers’ looks to translate into their own taste.

Though spring collections have just been displayed in area stores, fashionistas have to be one step ahead of everybody else.

That’s what makes fashion week so unique. Everyone watches the same shows, but they created different looks based on their own taste.

Spring is quite early to begin planning outfits for the fall, but there are so many trends that it’s necessary to find out which you adore and which items you wouldn’t dare own.

With the beginning of spring, water bottles are proliferating in high schools around Southwest Virginia. Illustration by Marta Kodin, Hidden Valley High School

Article by Ciara Mulcahy, Patrick Henry High School

Throughout the school day, they will be sitting on desks, brought to lunch, carried during class changes, stuffed into book bags and refilled by the school water fountains. Water bottles are everywhere in our local high schools.

The trend increases during warm weather and is encouraged by many sports coaches in order to prevent dehydration. Christian Blackwell, a freshman on the Patrick Henry cross country and varsity lacrosse teams said, “I bring bottled water to school because it is really important to stay hydrated for after-school sports.”

The benefits of water bottles have not always been available to students. In middle schools in the city of Roanoke, for instance, drinking from a water bottle during class requires a doctor’s note attesting to a health condition. But water bottles are permissible — and popular — at Patrick Henry High School. Ryan Jennings, a freshman, said, “I drink water mostly during lunch at school, and it keeps me awake.”

Salem High School recently changed its policy to allow water bottles in the classroom, while other food and drinks are still not allowed outside of the cafeteria. However, teachers have authority to choose not to allow bottled water in their classes, according to the school’s agenda book.

The new policy is good for students’ well-being and class flow, according to senior Jordan Waller. Read more »

Hidden Valley junior Anjali Patel participated in a fashion show Feb. 28 sponsored by the prevention clubs at Cave Spring and Hidden Valley high schools. Photo by Marissa Handerhan

Cave Spring sophomore Samantha Casauay walks the runway. Photo by Marissa Handerhan

Photos and article by Marissa Handerhan, Hidden Valley High School

Students draped in flowy dresses strutted down the runway the night of Feb. 28 as a rainbow of colors filled the Cave Spring High School auditorium.

In anticipation of the upcoming prom season, the prevention clubs at Hidden Valley and Cave Spring high schools were hosting their third-annual prom fashion show.

“We started the prom fashion show in order to bring Hidden Valley and Cave Spring high schools together,” said senior Morgan Firing, head officer of the Hidden Valley Prevention Club. “Both schools had a common focus, which was to promote prom night safety and to raise money for After Prom.”

The fashion show included guest speakers to aid in promoting the cause. Glenvar High School graduate and 2012 Miss Vermont pageant winner Arielle Rosmarino spoke on the importance of staying above the influence and of partaking in the excitement of After Prom. Read more »

By McKinley Saunders, Lord Botetourt High School

Sometimes, being warm triumphs over being trendy. And with the weather being as cold as it has been lately, it’s hard to worry about style.

I have found though that being in style and staying warm at the same time can be easily accomplished with a good foundation of some cute (and warm) winter go-to items.

Here is an example of the perfect winter outfit that will keep you warm and toasty from head-to-toe.

Top: Layering on the top is the key to staying warm, and it’s a great way to add color to the outfit. When it’s especially cold outside, I like to wear a soft, solid color long sleeve shirt and layer it with a bright scarf, a thick sweater and a slouchy knit hat. This will be a very relaxed look. If I want a more polished look, I will wear a printed long sleeve top with a blazer and a pea coat. If you keep the outfit in the same color scheme and mix prints with color, this will make the outfit pop.

Middle: Keep the pant selection very basic in color, and keep it comfortable. A dark wash jean will make the outfit look more polished and will pull the outfit together. Light wash jeans or leggings are also an option, but will make the outfit look more relaxed and comfy.

Bottom: A pair of thick knee high socks paired with knee high boots necessities for keeping toes toasty.

By Mitchell Alexander, Northside High School

It boggles me that regardless of the weather, there will always be guys that wear shorts every day.

Now, I’m no fashion expert, but I do know one thing: wearing khaki shorts when it’s 17 degrees outside is not the best idea.

I’m left wondering, “Do they ever get cold? Is there a risk of frostbite? Why didn’t their mothers force them to put on some pants?”

Plus, pants aren’t that hard to find. Find some jeans or khakis, but for their core body temperature (and my sanity), I wish they would cover their legs up until old man Winter isn’t quite so harsh.

Now let’s talk about shoes. I would be rich if I had a dollar for every guy walking around school with long Nike socks and a pair of sandals.

That might have looked fresh at the beginning of seventh grade, but it’s no longer a good look.

Before you leave the house next time, use some common sense.

By Blair Thurman, North Cross School

Evans Schmedtje’s favorite part of her standout outfit is her turquoise jewelry. Photo by Blair Thurman, North Cross School

Evans Schmedtje, a junior at North Cross School, was spotted walking down the hallway wearing a simple outfit that despite dark colors stood out from the rest with her use of ankle leggings under a fitted dress. Here is what she had to say about her standout outfit and sense of style.

Q.) How do you express your style while following the dress code?

A.) Mainly, I try to find dress-code-appropriate pieces that have an unusual cut or fit than the standard. I also love to accessorize.

Q.) What influences your style?

A.) Oddly enough, I am very inspired by the costumes in “The Sound of Music.” Even though I am not wearing traditional Austrian garb on a day-to-day basis, the attention to small embroidery and unique details that homespun and traditional clothes have is something I try to mirror in my own wardrobe.

Q.) What is the focus/ favorite part of this outfit, and why?

A) My favorite part of this outfit is my turquoise. I got the necklace and earrings at a Native American craft store in Jackson Hole, and just love the small silver-work on the earrings and the irregular stones in the necklace. Read more »

By Jessica Wiegandt, Lord Botetourt High School

It’s all about style.

A person’s surroundings can have an effect on the style of clothes they wear. At Lord Botetourt High School, outdoor clothing — loose and comfortable — has become the new thing.

Students wear running shorts, mesh shorts, outdoor shoes (such as toe shoes, Tevas, Chacos) and sports shirts. Some students even have Camelbak backpacks, a backpack used for easy water carrying while doing outdoor activity.

When walking through the halls at Lord Botetourt, it looks like the student body is ready to go on a school-wide hike.

“It’s what we’re comfortable in, we go outdoors a lot so we might as well wear it [outdoors clothing] to school,” said sophomore Macey O’Neill.

The outdoors trend is growing, and more students have begun to wear their outdoor apparel to school.

These comfortable, movable clothes allow students to be ready for activity, no matter what the weather.

PLUG INTO is a bi-weekly column that touches on the latest trends with teens in the Valley.

Hidden Valley junior Kelsey Broadwell has a retro style and loves to get fashion inspiration from 1970s movies. Photo by Marissa Handerhan

By Marissa Handerhan, Hidden Valley High School

Hidden Valley junior Kelsey Broadwell charms the halls of her high school with her unique fashion sense. On Dec. 12, she was spotted wearing her favorite eggshell-white eyelet and lace top, a billowy floral floor-length skirt and cream crochet Toms. She tied it all together with a simple brown leather belt cinched at the waist and a pair of classy pearl earrings. Here’s what she has to say about her vintage style:

Q: How would you describe your style in one word?

A: Retro

Q: Where do you get your fashion inspiration?

A: ’70s movies

Q: What’s the boldest thing in your wardrobe?

A: Plaid high-waisted bell bottoms. I’m obsessed with bell bottoms. I have so many.

Q: How do you use fashion as a way to express yourself?

A: I don’t mind what people think. I dress how I feel.

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Kelsey wears what she wants and advises teens to be themselves. She breaks fashion rules and boundaries while keeping it classy. Kelsey does, however, warn of one fashion faux pas. She cautions teens to stay away from combining navy and black.

Edge readers, do you know someone at your school with great style? Email us at theedge@roanoke.com with your suggestions.

Julia Holland, a Glenvar High School senior, says her style is influenced by comfort and functionality. Photo by Amber Montgomery

By Amber Montgomery, Glenvar High School

Julia Holland, a senior at Glenvar High School, was rocking her look Sept. 24. Here’s what she had to say about her chic, yet school-friendly, outfit.

Q: How do you express your style while following the dress code?

A: My style objective has never been to be provocative. … There are many ways to avoid dress code scandals, the primary being to cover your body!

Style doesn’t have to be outlandish; you can be bold and appropriate at the same time by making effective use of color, patterns, textures, etc.

Q: What influences your style?

A: My comfort level … and functionality. To be honest, I don’t get up every day and perform fashion miracles on myself. On days when I have to be at school early and dance at BCAT, I’ll often dress down.

Today, when I know I have a long haul of class work and homework ahead of me, I like to dress for confidence. Read more »