Puff sleeves to Y2K: Back-to-school fashion trends from these influencers | Article

Fashion influencers Kaiti Yoo, CashK and Fernanda Ramirez weigh in

⭐️HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW⭐️

• Four fashion influencers share their favourite back-to-school trends.

• Puff sleeves and cargo pants are some must-haves.

• Many influencers agree that trends are fun, but not necessary.

• Vote for your fave back-to-school 2022 trend in our poll. ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

Have you chosen your back-to-school outfit yet?

CBC Kids News asked four fashion influencers about some suggestions for how you can stay on trend this year.

YouTube fashionistas Kaiti Yoo, CashK, Fernanda Ramirez and Rubix Cubix dished on the styles they’re loving this year, and the ones that are just not the vibe.

While it’s fun to find out what’s in fashion, many of the influencers said that you don’t have to follow the trends to be a fashionable dresser.

Personal style and comfort are just as important.

Once you’ve read about this year’s trends, vote for your favourite look in our poll at the bottom of the page.

(Image submitted by Kaiti Yoo, graphic design by Philip Street/CBC)

For Kaiti Yoo, it’s all about puff sleeves this year.

The influencer loves finding tops, dresses and jackets that make her arms steal the spotlight.

Said Yoo, “Puff sleeves are the most common silhouette in my closet. I’ll never get over how elegant and extravagant and effortless they are.”

Her obsession started while she was filming a closet cleanout video for her YouTube channel.

Yoo couldn’t figure out why she loved how a specific dress looked on her and kept buying more of the same items.

All of them had one thing in common: puff sleeves.

“Over time, I came to learn that because I have a narrower set of shoulders, the enlarged ‘puffed’ silhouette balances out my proportions, making my head-to-body ratio equal,” said Yoo.

“It sounds oddly scientific, but it’s true!”

Actor Kingston Foster sports a polka-dotted puff sleeve dress at the High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Season 3 premiere in Burbank, California. (Image Credit: Momodu Mansaray/Getty Images)

Yoo says low-rise jeans are another trend that’s been blasting its way from the past.

It’s a comeback she’s been dreading.

“Don’t get me wrong, it looks stunning on others, but I’m just personally not a fan of how they sit on my longer torso,” she said.

“I’ll stick to my trusty high-waisted bottoms, thank you very much.”

(Image submitted by Ruby Matenko, graphic design by Philip Street/CBC)

Ruby Matenko is excited about starting Grade 10 this year and can’t wait to show off some of her favourite trends.

She personally loves that low-rise jeans are making a comeback.

“If I had to pick between high-waisted ones or low-waisted, I’d pick low-waisted,” said Ruby.

Paris Hilton, left, wears low-waisted jeans to a premiere in the year 2000 in Beverly Hills, California. Bella Hadid, right, sports her own take on the trend at a Balenciaga show on July 6 this year in Paris, France. (Image Credit: Frederick M. Brown/Newsmakers/Getty Images and Marc Piasecki/Getty Images)

This year, Ruby is seeing a lot of styles and silhouettes resurface from the 2000s.

“People are mixing styles that were popular years ago with what is popular now,” said Ruby.

Some of her favourite back-to-school fits include a vintage shirt or tank-top paired with low-rise jeans or flared pants.

(Image submitted by Fernanda Ramirez, graphic design by Philip Street/CBC)

Fernanda Ramirez suggests making loose pants part of your back-to-school outfit, especially a pair of cargos or wide-leg trousers.

“Wide-leg trousers are a huge trend this year and really elevate an outfit,” said Ramirez. “They make you feel so much more put together and look super effortless.”

Two recent examples of the loose pant trend, as seen on fashion bloggers Achieng Agutu, left, in bright orangey-red cargo pants, and Jasmine Fares, right, in drapey dark trousers. (Image Credit: David Dee Delgado/Getty Images and jasminefares/Instagram)

Other trends that have resurfaced include the classic ultra mini UGG boots and tube tops, which Ramirez said can be made “dress code-appropriate” by layering an oversized button-up shirt over top.

Ramirez said that personal style and self-expression are important, so there aren’t any current clothing trends she’s not a fan of.

Still, she’s glad skinny jeans are out of the picture and says she won’t be purchasing any for a long time.

(Image submitted by Kaleb Jackson, graphic design by Philip Street/CBC)

Kaleb Jackson, also known as “CashK” to his followers, shares the love for the Y2K aesthetic and hopes it’s here to stay.

He’s a fan of the “skater silhouette” in shoes, typically worn while skateboarding.

Japanese skateboarder Kairi Matsumoto wears Nike skate shoes while competing in the World Street Skateboarding Rome 2022 event on July 1. (Image Credit: Tiziana Fabi/AFP/Getty Images)

Y2K means “Year 2000” and refers to the fashions popular at the turn of the century and in the early 2000s.

Some of these include velour tracksuits, metallic fabrics and baby tees.

Jackson said the aesthetic is characterized by colourful, youthful, playful clothing and accessories, which makes it inviting and fun.

It’s also an easy look to get on a budget, as many of these items can be found in thrift stores if you know what you’re searching for.

While Jaskson said the recycling of past fashion trends is great, it’s still important to feel like yourself.

“One thing I’m not fond of is people dressing a certain way because they’ve seen another person dressed like that, rather than just sticking to who they are,” he said.

Adds Jackson, “Fashion is a perfect way to express yourself without saying a word.”

Have more questions? Want to tell us how we’re doing? Use the “send us feedback” link below. ⬇️⬇️⬇️

TOP IMAGE CREDIT: Images submitted by Kaiti Yoo, Kaleb Jackson and Fernanda Ramirez, graphic design by Philip Street/CBC