WHAT YOUNG FASHION ENTHUSIASTS CRAVE

Guest lecturing at a recent FIT freshman class of aspiring young menswear designers, we decided to pick their brains for insights on fashion preferences. So, we asked them where they shop, what brands they love, their most recent purchases and what they want to buy next. What follows is what they told us. Clearly, these are not your typical college students.

Where they shop: “I honestly don’t shop since I can’t afford the designers I love.” But, they do shop at SSense, eBay, Simons, Uniqlo. Farfetch and Grailed. Other stores include: Drakes, SuitSupply, Mr. Porter, The Rake, Berg&Berg, Orlebar Brown, Orazio Luciano, The Armoury, Barneys NY, Thom Browne. Depop, Urban Outfitters for basics. H&M, Hollister. Romano Studios. Thrift stores. Zara. The Real Real. Amazon. Buffalo Exchange. Vintage stores. Round Two. Pop-up shop events. Opening Ceremony.

Most recent purchase: Gucci trousers. Rick Owens fall/winter 2010 Limo Boots @ $300. Running shorts. Drakes Scarf @ $225. Thom Browne cashmere cardigan @ $2,800. Vintage Nike sneakers, used maroon Calabasas track pants from Depop. Coach tote @ $300. A reversible faux fur coat from Fried Rice NYC. Bape hoodie @ about $200. Undercover denim @ $500. Uniqlo jacket @ $150. NV Studio streetwear-style pants. Comme des Garcons jacket. Jeans from pop-up vintage event @ $35.

Favorite Brands: Prada, Dries Van Noten, Gucci, Helmut Lang, Tom Ford. Rick Owens, J.W. Anderson, Loewe, Drakes, Alden, Berg&Berg, The Armoury, SuitSupply, Thom Browne, Celine. Siberia Hills, Undercover, Prada, Supreme. Dior, Burberry. Iris Van Herpen. Kith, CDG. VLone, Rhude, Bape, Nike, Palm Angels, StockX. Undercover. Off White. Vuitton. Chrome Hearts. Needles. Warren Lotas. A Cold Wall. Tinted Futures (one of the student’s own brand- check it out!)

What they want next: Last season’s Calvin Klein (Raf Simons) boots and a new leather jacket. Dior Homme. Rick Owens TurboGeobasket boot, SS11 release @$650. A nice designer coat. More Drakes scarves, winter overcoat, new Alden shoes. Chanel sneakers. Unique vintage tote bag for school. Dior book tote. An everyday statement tote bag that reflects my unique style. VLone jackets and Rhude shorts. Recent release Supreme hoodie. Golfwang Converse. Rick Owens or Julius t-shirt @ $400 and outerwear @ $1500. Rick Owens leather jacket at $3500.

Editor’s note: Bold indicates the brand or store received multiple votes.

Our top three takeaways from this admittedly limited and atypical sample:

1. The vintage/resale platforms will continue to grow among young shoppers.

2. The trend to limited-edition drops and pop-up shops will also continue strong.

3. Streetwear-inspired designer fashion is the ultimate inspiration and aspiration among young fashion enthusiasts.