What do you get when you mix a group of artistic, country loving, tree hugging, gambling, free spirited, snowboarding enthusiasts? Perhaps a hot mess or a collection of different personalities to form the perfect alliance.
They say opposites attract and in this diverse community known as Reno, Nevada, every corner has a different niche.
Fashion wise, this results in a variety of different styles members of the community incorporate into their everyday wardrobe.
But with twenty degree mornings on top of the lack of luxury shops, how does Reno stay up to date with the latest trends? When shoppers think of fashion, the reality is that Reno is not on the top of the list. Cities such as Los Angeles and New York are swarmed with A-list celebrities, designer stores, fashion weeks and paparazzi to capture every streetwear look. This poses the question, what is Reno fashion and how can one achieve an up to date look while shopping here?
The first step is to identify what is achievable. Reno may not have a shopping outlet on every corner but it has what a lot of places don’t anymore: small businesses.
Midtown especially, appears to be where a lot of the arts and cultures found in the community shines through. With an endless amount of tattoo shops and thrift stores, it offers a unique approach to modern day fashion.
Store owner of Sierra Belle Boutique, Hope Triplett, emphasizes that it’s important to be open minded when putting together an outfit when shopping and going out locally.
“I love to dress up and look cute but I was always kind of nervous to do that here in Reno,” Triplett said. “I was scared to over-dress but since taking on this role, it’s made me realize that as long as you feel confident in what you’re wearing it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. Being open minded and trying to step out of your comfort zone is so important when finding your style and I always encourage people that you don’t need one specific look. You can have different styles and wear what makes you feel good.”
Store manager of Sierra Belle Boutique, Hope Triplett. Photo shared by Hope Triplett with permission to use.
Sierra Belle is one of the many stores found in Midtown along with FreeStyle Clothing Exchange, Junkee, Bad Apple vintage and many more. With Reno also being home to the Wolf Pack, and its student population, Triplett expresses how their store’s demographic is typically between 13 and 30 and offers a stylish look that is both trendy and affordable for younger demographics.
To achieve a fashionable look without a prestigious label, Triplett recommends looking out for bold pieces whether it’s a jacket, purse or shoes, “Statement pieces as well as adding a fun pop of color can easily elevate any outfit and make it trendy,” she said. She also emphasizes how layering with a statement jacket can keep you both warm and trendy despite Reno’s sometimes harsh climate during the winter.
Sierra Belle Boutique is constantly staying up to date with the latest trends through the use of social media.
While a crop top and jeans is always a go to for a college student on a Thursday night, junior Paige Hagans is always searching for unique pieces that showcase her personality. She expresses her love for thrifting.
“I stay trendy in Reno simply through thrift shopping and looking for online sales. The malls here are definitely more limited compared to other places, and as a college student with little money, it’s hard to spend the big bucks on clothes anyways,” she said.
Clothing stores such as Freestyle Clothing offer trading programs for cash or store credit that encourages the community to donate their old clothing. This has also become a great resource for college students to save and earn money.
Hagans describes how she believes thrifting has become the new trend in fashion.
“I love freestyle clothing and I think thrifting has become way more normalized than it once used to be. I feel like I remember thrifting in my pre teen years and people thinking it was gross, and now it’s trendy,” she explains.
It’s safe to say that a majority of Reno's fashion sense comes from its younger demographic. The college town brings in students from all over the country, encouraging new looks while staying on trend.
So what is Reno fashion? The answer isn’t as cut and dry as you’d expect. With Reno’s cultural impact steering towards the arts and younger demographics, it’s clear that Reno fashion sense can be categorized but not limited to as unique, retro, practical streetwear.
This look is perfect for a day in the office, a morning class, the rodeo, even a day in Tahoe with friends. One thing is for certain, the community of Reno isn’t afraid to express their individuality through their clothing through sleeves of tattoos and quirky pieces found in stores. While staying warm and practical, Reno proves that any look is achievable. Here you don’t need a label to be fashionable, just your own personality.