The Complete Guide to Transcending Trends
Replacing the old with the new.
by STELLA RINGBLOM ★ NOVEMBER 23, 2022
While Golden Goose, Aviator Nation, and Stoney Clover are brands commonly seen across campus, but they are almost too commonly seen. Our generation is lucky because there are endless brands; we have an immense amount of options. I’m going to highlight some alternatives to the three brands mentioned above. Some, I know many will already be familiar with, while others, I’m sure some of you may never have heard of.
Let’s start with two alternatives to Golden Gooses. If you're a huge Golden Goose fan, please tell me why you're paying over $500 for a pair of uncomfortable sneakers that look beat from the day you purchased them. I have never invested in a pair of Golden Gooses, so maybe it's wrong of me to judge, but I don’t understand the hype. I get why some may like them because they aren't just a boring pair of white sneakers; however, there are plenty of white designer sneakers that have that same fun twist. Here are some examples:
Celine Trainer High Sneakers: These sneakers are some of my all-time favorites simply because they go with everything, but with the addition of the green stripe, they add something to my outfit. I love pairing these sneakers with an all-white outfit and matching them with my green Bottega Jodie bag. Matching my purse with sneakers immediately makes me look 10x more put together. Additionally, they’re great for every season, almost making it worth the cost. Considering they’re primarily white, you can wear them all year round. In the fall, I like to pair these sneakers with flared denim jeans, a black bodysuit, and a black blazer; in the summer, I prefer to wear them with white overalls and a crop top. Both of those outfits are fairly plain, but with the addition of the shoes, they are immediately elevated. Every time I wear them, I get so many compliments. The only complaint I have about these sneakers is that they are a little tricky to put on; however, once they are on, they are incredibly comfortable.
Off White Out of Office Sneakers: It would be morally wrong of me not to write about my Off White Out of Office sneakers, considering I live in these shoes. Although I have them in the red and white combo, they still go with most of my outfits. I love doing an all-black look and then adding sneakers. My sister recently sent me some new Levi’s, so I matched them with a plain long-sleeve from Aritzia and a black puffer vest. Because the look is simple, the shoes pop a lot more. I usually create outfits based on what sneakers I’m wearing for the focus to be on the shoes. All black is a more wintery/fall option, so opting for an all-white look during the summer is another option. The white overalls and cropped top would work equally well with these shoes as the Celine trainers. I could wear these sneakers for hours and not get a single blister because it feels like I’m walking on clouds. There are so many color combos, making it possible to own a pair for every outfit.
When it comes to sweat sets, there are so many options, other than Aviator Nation. Two of my favorite brands are 7 Days Active and the TNA sets from Aritzia. The majority of girls own at least one piece from the TNA collection; however, I have yet to see anyone wear something from 7 Days Active.
7 Days Active: My mom discovered this brand about two years ago, and they have a range of sweat sets in so many different colors for both men and women. I have a purple set, and my mom has both gray and black. Last winter, my dad claimed he was jealous because we all looked cozy, so I surprised him with a set for Christmas; he wears it all the time. These sweat sets are extremely oversized, which I love, but if you’re not a fan of the oversized look, I would recommend sizing them down. They’re on the more expensive side; however, I have had this set for almost two years, and it’s still equally as soft and comfortable as it was when I bought it. I’m one of those people who makes it a priority to get up and get dressed every morning, but some days I don’t feel like wearing jeans. Finding a comfortable yet stylish set was the best thing to happen to me, and this outfit became a staple in my closet during the colder months. All you need is a beanie, white sneakers, and maybe a puffer vest, and you’re good to go. For your convenience, I have added the links to a few options: 7 Days Active Crewneck, 7 Days Active Hoodie, 7 Days Active Sweatpants.
Aritzia (TNA): Aritzia is my go-to when it comes to comfy clothing. I like their sets because they are so simple. Many may find that boring, but there is nothing like pairing a gray or black set with some gold hoops and sneakers on a rainy day. Aritzia also has a variety of sweatpants, ranging from wide legs to regular oversized, so there’s something for everyone. Wide-leg sweats are coming back this year. I have already added the heather gray set from Aritzia to my cart, but it’s back ordered until the end of the month. Like I said above, having a complete set instead of two different colored pieces makes you feel more put together. There are also many ways to dress sweat sets up and down. For example, I have seen girls dress up in sweats with heels and a blazer but also dress it down with sneakers. I wouldn’t mix heels and sweatpants, but it’s an option; like most college students, I opt for sneakers. Shop the sweatshirt and sweatshirts here: Aritzia Sweatpant and Aritzia Sweatshirt.
I’m not 100% against Stoney Clover because they have some cute makeup products, but I still think we should have left monogramming back in 2016. There aren’t many backpacks that I find cute because I think every backpack I have ever owned destroys my outfits. Lululemon has some nice options, and so does MZ Wallace.
Lululemon: My current backpack is from Lululemon, and it fits everything and more. I have a camo one that tends to clash with many of my outfits, but this one is my favorite out of all the backpacks I have owned. It’s from two summers ago, so I can’t find a link to it, but I added another option. Although black backpacks are “boring,” they allow you to wear whatever you want with them. Mixing a camo backpack with a floral dress would probably give Anna Wintour a heart attack, so for her physical and mental health, let’s stick with plain backpacks if you want to wear patterned outfits. It’s also possible to wear an all-black outfit with this and add some colored sneakers to “spice up” this look. Hint: the “OOO” sneakers from Off-White are a perfect option.
MZ Wallace: MZ Wallace backpacks were a thing when I was a freshman in high school, but I have noticed they are still lingering. I have never owned one, so I can’t comment on whether they are worth the money, but I do like their look. The Lululemon one is a classic option; it’s plain and goes along with everything. But, if you’re like me and hate being basic (lol, I think I’m the most basic girl ever), this MZ Wallace backpack has more of an “edge” because of the material. It’s a subtle but nice addition if you want something different.
Following the trend is a common habit; we all do it. With the help of this article, I want to encourage you to transition from becoming basic to more unique. On campus, many girls wear the same thing, something I like to call the “Syracuse Aesthetic,” which includes Golden Gooses and Aviator Nation sets, but let’s make a communal effort to ditch that aesthetic and branch out. I used to be extremely scared of trying new brands because I knew that if I blended in with everyone else, no one could say they didn’t like what I was wearing. Regardless, I have noticed that as I have found new brands that not everyone wears, I have gained an immense amount of compliments. It always boosts my confidence when someone likes my outfit, and I enjoy the conversations that spark from it. Being able to introduce others to new brands is a great feeling, so I encourage you to spend some time scrolling through Instagram and shopping from a new website. You never know who you can inspire. At UGirl, we should all be trendsetters.