By Sophia Lennox
Elm Staff Writer
Junior Anna Treadway has a distinct sense of style that combines elements of hippie, modern, grunge, boho, and other aesthetics that she has “refined” during her time at Washington College.
She said that she has adopted a “less is more” attitude about her outfits and balances originality and personal style to not overshadow each element of her outfit.
Staples in Treadway’s closet include long skirts, baggy jeans, unique vintage and handmade jewelry, family heirlooms, and her beloved Dr. Marten shoes.
“I love Dr. Martens. I have four pairs of shoes, three of which are Dr. Martens,” Treadway said.
Outfit inspiration comes to Treadway in many different forms. She often picks a certain color, piece of jewelry, or item that guides the rest of the outfit, careful not to only pick items that have worked well together in the past, but experiment and try new combinations.
Additionally, music is important in helping Treadway construct the right look for the day. Her outfits tend to reflect the genre she listens to while getting ready, such as 1970s, grunge, and hippie, among others, and that the “vibe of the song helps [her] feel the outfit more.”
Another inspiration for her outfit choices is her boyfriend, Roman Lopez. According to Treadway, Lopez has a very niche fashion sense, which she lovingly refers to as “old-man style.”
One way the pair spends time together is building outfits, experimenting with different clothing, and “playing dress up,” which Treadway said has helped her expand her ideas about what pieces can go together.
Sustainability and reducing waste are very important to Treadway, and, as a result, she purchases nearly everything second-hand at thrift stores. In addition to being helpful for the environment, getting clothing second hand allows Treadway to find unique, high-quality, and vintage pieces that she would not find by shopping exclusively at the mall.
In the past, Treadway purchased a few fast fashion clothing items, but she has continues to reuse and implement them as much as possible in her wardrobe. She said that since she already owns those pieces, it is better to keep using them in order to be more sustainable and conscious of her consumption.
Treadway was most excited to talk about the pieces that previously belonged to her family members.
According to fashion journalist Madeleine Guiné, inherited fashion can go beyond sustainability and “become iconic pieces through which a relative is remembered.” This sentiment rings especially true for Treadway, as she values a connection to her family members and deeply cares about reuse.
Treadway’s signature trench coat originally belonged to her great-grandmother. After her great-grandmother passed, the coat went into the back of her mother’s closet and was not worn for many years, until Treadway found it and asked if she could have it.
Treadway said that her mother is “really happy it’s getting worn,” and that by wearing it so frequently, Treadway is “honoring the generational value and story told by a piece of clothing.”
The trench coat is one of many pieces she has from her family. Her favorite black skirt was once her mother’s, and many of her jewelry pieces are from her grandmother.
According to Treadway, her grandmother offered her everything in her jewelry collection after her grandmother decided to change the kind of jewelry she wore. Not only did this increase Treadway’s collection of unique and vintage necklaces, earrings, and rings, but it also gave her a special way to feel connected to her grandmother.
Treadway creates the rest of the jewelry she wears. She makes earrings, necklaces, and rings for herself, her friends, and her family. She also crafts pieces to sell, either at art markets or to individuals who reach out to her. She finds many of her supplies at thrift stores and crystal shops and has built a large collection of beads over the years.
According to creative reuse store Art Hive, sourcing art supplies from second-hand places is good for the environment because it reduces the high volume of art supplies that get thrown out every year and is also creatively enriching, as you can get high-quality, one-of-a-kind pieces for a significantly lower cost than retail.
Treadway’s creativity, exploration of personal style, honoring family through clothing, and steadfast commitment to sustainability have contributed to her iconic fashion sense.
If you are interested in Treadway’s handmade jewelry, she frequently sells at the Art and Art History Club’s semesterly Art Fair, and she can be contacted on Instagram @Anna__Treadway.
Photo courtesy of Anna Treadway.
Photo Caption: Junior Anna Treadway often combines vintage and thrifted items to create original outfits.