Brianna, 24, studying naturopathy
Do you feel like people in your city have a certain fashion aesthetic?
I think Brisbane is still in the process of establishing its identity. The city is expanding and evolving quickly and I feel this is reflected in the fashion you see day to day. In terms of particular aesthetics, I guess that depends on what postcode you’re in.
Do you feel it’s unique to the rest of the country?
Brisbane is unique in terms of having a pretty laid back attitude to fashion. Nobody is overly judgmental or cliquey when it comes to style, which fosters a great environment to express individuality.
What’s something you’re seeing everywhere around uni at the moment?
People at my school are very environmentally conscious so I see a lot of up-cycled clothing and ethical brands.
Describe your city’s style in one sentence?
Weather permitting.

Henri, 21, studying fine art
Do you feel your city’s style is unique to the rest of the country?
People seem to treat it as a bit of a joke. Tracky dacks, sandals and a Ralph Lauren polo type thing. There are quite a lot of ironic clothing choices. To be honest I think it’s totally mocking the exclusivity of designer brands, but, people still appreciate their quality. Finding them in op shops is both great and really funny.
What factors feed into how people dress here?
I think Australia in general has a real problem with tall poppy syndrome, where it’s almost cultural to cut down or shun people who are doing well for themselves. Maybe that’s led to this reality of Brisbane style being quite anti-fashion.
What’s something you’re seeing everywhere around uni at the moment?
Kanken bags. Everyone’s got one. I see them around uni all the time. I’ve dreamt of animals wearing them. I bought one the other day.
Describe your city’s style in one sentence?
Hey, can I borrow your Billabong shirt? My cousin invited me to a ball.

Iris, 19, studying fashion design
Do you feel your city’s style is unique to the rest of the country?
I reckon elsewhere there is more of a balance between fitting in/standing out, but in Brisbane there’s more emphasis on fitting in and the security consumers get from wearing brands… maybe it’s the heat? People just want to put something on long enough until they can get to a pool/beach and strip. But I’m totally generalising, I do see street style I admire.
Describe your city’s style in one sentence?
A chocolate chip cookie that is sometimes raisins and sometimes chocolate chip.
Who is your style hero?
Just the attitudes of dogs at the beach.

João, 20, studying economics
Do you feel like people in your city have a certain fashion aesthetic?
There are like tons of different groups. The only thing I could pick which seems consistent across all of them is that it’s not very out there — it’s just comfortable for them to wear and doesn’t draw too much attention. Other than that, Brisbane’s music scene definitely has an impact on a lot of people’s choices.
Describe your city’s style in one sentence?
Risk-free core.

Shani, 26, studying speech pathology
Do people in your city have a certain fashion aesthetic?
I think that in Brisbane, form follows function. Style reflects our way of life — easy, breathable clothing and comfortable footwear. We tend to forgo a lot of texture and layering, as the weather is often too warm. I think that this allows for a more playful relationship with colour than in other cities.
Describe your city’s style in one sentence?
Fashion in Brisbane is uncomplicated and instinctual.

Jonas, 19, studying architecture
Do you feel like people in your city have a certain fashion aesthetic?
There are pockets of Brisbane that have distinct fashion styles; Westend has this cool mix of grimy hipster and hipster musicians and artists who really stand out! With the coast so close and the temperature relatively high most of the year, people tend to dress in neutral styles that allow them to manage the heat and stay comfortable.
Describe your city’s style in one sentence?
Practical but culturally informed.

Isabel, 21, studying fine arts
Do you feel like people in your city have a certain fashion aesthetic?
Yes! It is generally quite relaxed and cool. Maybe because it is quite relaxed it feels very unpretentious, effortless.
What’s something you’re seeing everywhere around uni at the moment?
It’s hard to pinpoint an overarching specific trend or piece, but a practical, comfortable approach seems common, maybe jumpsuits.
What would you never wear?
I wouldn’t rule anything out. I consistently wear things that I would have once considered heinous. I currently have some degree of a mullet. I did not see that coming!
Who is your style hero?
Stacey Nishimoto and Solange.

Seamus, 22, studying fine art
Do you feel like people in your city have a certain fashion aesthetic?
Not on a whole but in terms of the various creative cliques, yeah I guess so. It’s an even mix of gender fluidity/exaggeration/piss take/anti-aesthetic. You feel like you’re free to wear what you want when you please but then you go to the shops and some middle aged bald broncos supporter calls you a wanker.
What’s something you’re seeing everywhere around uni at the moment?
Skate brands. Not just uni, but everywhere. Keep on mall grabbing.
Describe your city’s style in one sentence?
Go-between chic.
Who is your style hero?
An even mix of Mum, Dad, doggo, Ed Templeton, Mark Gonzales and Nelly Furtado circa I’m Like a Bird.

Alex, 19, studying biomedical science
Do you feel like people in your city have a certain fashion aesthetic?
I wouldn’t narrow it down to a certain aesthetic as such, if anything Brisbane is lacking that certain aesthetic that other cities such as Melbourne or Sydney possess with all their high street fashion/hipster edginess. But although it is so small-scale, I could defiantly say it has grown immensely in the past couple of years.
What’s something you’re seeing everywhere around uni at the moment?
Sneakeeerrrrs! Especially white ones and slides too! Or maybe I’m too busy staring at people’s feet to notice anything else.
What would you never wear?
Never say never… but because you’re asking, wouldn’t rate the cargo pants I keep seeing floating around.

Chloe, 20, studying fashion communication
Do you feel like people in your city have a certain fashion aesthetic?
I wouldn’t say there’s one definitive fashion aesthetic here. People like to mix and match. Brisbane is generally a lot smaller than other cities, so the fashion subcultures here are quite intimate. It can be harder to find common ground, but at the same time there’s more space to find your own niche.
What factors feed into how people dress here?
Brisbane sits on the periphery of rolling fields and farmland, with the nearest beach just forty-five minutes south, so country and coastal influences definitely seep into what people wear. Travel is also a point of reference; my friends don vintage and contemporary safe-keeps from all over. I think it all integrates into a unique Australian context. Essentially, people compromise somewhere between dressing their identity and dressing for the heat.
What’s something you’re seeing everywhere around uni at the moment?
Everyone is wearing really great pants. Also, I’ve seen some beautiful reading glasses.
Maggie, 21, studying fashion communication
Do you feel like people in your city have a certain fashion aesthetic?
I feel like we do have a fashion aesthetic that is tangibly different to other Australian cities. Our aesthetic is directly influenced by the warm climate so the overall result is casual, minimal, informal and usually a little bit undone.
What factors feed into how people dress here?
The weather is a massive factor. The other big one is the highly commercial brick and mortar shopping experience that we’re subjected to. I don’t think Brisbane has truly found its own sense of self yet. So much of the shopping experience here is defined by what’s trending, which results in mass homogenisation. Often if people want something beyond that, they turn to vintage store and online retailers.
What would you never wear?
A Camilla kaftan.
Credits
Photography Claudia Smith