POSTED: Wednesday, August 4, 2010, 9:10 PM
Neighborhood Watch finds Philly's most fashionable.
For
Erika S. (19), punk music feeds both her soul and her style. Her choice of dark colors and feminine pieces were the perfect elements of soft grunge. The Art Institute student says, "I shop in the men's section way more than women's." She adds that her gray acid wash tee was a men's shirt from
H&M that she simply cut. Her multi-color pocketbook was definitely made for the ladies, though; it's a vintage piece passed down from her great-grandmother. The Maryland native loves
Marc Jacobs because "he's edgy and takes a lot of risks with his designs" and
Harry Potter's
Emma Watson. "She models for Burberry, which I love," says Erika about Emma. Erika lives by the rule: wear what you want and don't worry about what other people are wearing.
West Philly girls
Natasha W. (18, left) and
Kathryn R. (18, right) had an agenda of their own when I bumped into them on 18th and Chestnut. They were out searching among Philly's eccentric crowds for their blog,
homegrownphi.tumblr.com. Kathryn's classic pieces — oversized cardigan, high-waist skirt and snakeskin
Cole Haan flats — make for a timeless look. "
Less is more," she says. "I like to let the clothes speak opposed to my accessories." Natasha, on the other hand, boasts soft pastels and colorful accessories. Her knit tunic is from
H&M and triple tier necklace is from
Urban Outfitters. She says, "Make everything your own. Any piece you have, wear it and be unique, never generic." Both girls share an equal love for celeb stylist
Rachel Zoe. "Her look is boho-hippy but still glamorous," Natasha says. "Her personality speaks through her style."
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| Nyidera Edwards |
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Cara P. (25) says she woke up feeling "
hippie-ish" on this bright Tuesday. Her floor-length, tiered skirt was purchased at
Target and her leopard disk necklace is from a thrift shop. The Pittsburgh psychologist, who recently relocated to NoLibs says, "Buffalo Exchange and UO are my favorites. The thrifts and Goodwill are great for accessories." However her motto is: "Always take one thing off before you leave the house so you won't overdo it." Cara says she dig the Olsen twins for their "hobo-chic" look and her top designer is
Marc Jacobs. "His style is sort of casual and a little dorky," Cara says. "Nerdy is always good."
Curran S. (23) is one of the few guys that has caught my eye for Neighborhood Watch. His use of daring, bold colors and mod pieces equate a look of pure distinction. Hailing from Mt. Airy, the stylist and event planner simply says, "I dress according to my mood." Judging by his pairing of bright coral and royal blue, someone was clearly feeling good this morning. Complementing his choice of color is a white
YSL belt and
Alfred Sargent lace-up loafers. Curran notes his favorite store as his father's "eclectic and preppy" shop,
Kamouflage (2385 Cheltenham Ave.) and is quite fond of designer
Paul Smith for his use of stripes, colors and polka dots. In style, he admires
Outkast's
Andre 3000. "He's always been labeled as 'different' and I can relate to that," says Curran. "My nickname is Three Stacks."
