By Jamie Ducharme, News Correspondent
Boston may not be known as a fashion capital – GQ magazine even rated the city “worst dressed in America” earlier this year –but style experts say that while Boston fashion is still being defined, there is more to it than meets the eye.
Ariel Sansaricq, who writes the fashion blog “Jungle of Fabrics,” said she noticed an easy-going vibe more than a specific style since moving here from New York City last year.
“I don’t think people instantly look and see that Boston style,” she said. “Boston is a little bit more casual [than New York]. People take risks here, and people tend to be a little bit more experimental.”
Fellow blogger Jaime Ganson, a South Boston resident behind fashion and lifestyle blog “La Vie…J’aime,” echoed Sansaricq’s feelings about Boston’s laid-back style.
“[Boston has] such an eclectic mix of people, and the style is pretty easy-going,” she said. “People don’t show off labels so obviously,”
Ganson also explained that, because of the unpredictable New England weather and the amount of walking Bostonians do, chic outerwear and comfortable but stylish shoes are key.
“You don’t see a lot of people in high heels running around,” she said.
Senior lifestyle editor of “Boston Magazine,” Courtney Hollands said mixing styles helps give Boston a relaxed but fashion-forward vibe.
“I often see Bostonians on the street wearing a chic mix of vintage pieces, tailored contemporary pieces, and accessories from all over the map,” she said. “I think that people here are especially skilled at melding high and low end.”
Hollands also remarked on the unique stores the city has to offer.
“I love the independent boutiques that stock both mainstream and under-the-radar designers, and the wonderful vintage and consignment shops around the city,” she said.
Northeastern students and fashion experts said they feel Boston’s college town feel influences its style.
Sophomore international business major and Haute Fashion secretary Brooke Kamenoff said college students deserve more credit than they get in terms of fashion.
“I would say that when people think of Boston style, they immediately think of collegiate-type clothing,” she said. “[But] I would say that a lot of the city’s residents, particularly college students, are fashion conscious.”
Kamenoff went on to say “students are willing to experiment more with their styles, and this creates a very diverse Boston style scene.”
Sansaricq said she thinks the college students will help build the city’s style reputation.
“Because we’re such a youthful city, we’re more open minded,” she said. “We have the opportunity to change other people’s perception of what Boston style is.”
And while Ganson said she thinks Boston will always have “a niche as second-tier fashion city,” she spoke highly of the inspiration she sees around her.
“It’s amazing what street style you can see just around the corner,” she said.
Sansariq said she also looks to the city and its residents for style inspiration.
“I love Newbury Street,” she said. “ It’s so diverse, and there are people from all walks of life. I’ve picked up so many things just from going in and out of stores and seeing the way sales associates style themselves.”
