Moving to Bellingham to attend Western Washington University opened my eyes to a Street Fashion scene unlike anything I had experienced before. The creativity was everywhere – from unexpected pairings like skirts over jeans to the bold display of individual style through countless piercings and effortlessly cool baggy pants. It was a revelation, sparking an inspiration I hadn’t anticipated.
My own fashion journey had been quite different. Navigating middle school meant rotating between basic soccer tees and brightly colored socks. High school in Arizona saw a brief foray into a statement Supreme shirt, quickly abandoned due to self-consciousness. Even for formal events like prom, I opted for oversized hand-me-downs, a far cry from the tailored tuxedos and bowties of my peers.
Returning to Bellingham’s street fashion now, I am still captivated by the same sense of wonder that first struck me. To truly capture this spirit, I spoke with twelve individuals whose styles embody the unique and diverse nature of Bellingham’s street fashion. Their perspectives offer a glimpse into what makes this local fashion scene so compelling.
David Watson, 24
David Watson embodies a vibrant, color-forward approach to street fashion, unafraid to stand out with bold choices.
What part of your outfit are you most proud of?
My hat. It’s a story of serendipity, really. I found it right on the ground. It felt like it was meant for me, a piece destined to complete my look that day.
How would you describe your day-to-day style?
I gravitate towards a lot of colors, something that’s definitely “in-your-face.” It’s funny because I consider myself quite reserved, a bit of a loner. But my style is loud, hard to miss, which is the opposite of my personality. There’s something about wearing brightly colored pants that really grabs attention, especially when you consider most people opt for neutral bottoms like black, tan, or jeans.
What are your thoughts on the Bellingham street fashion scene?
I absolutely love it. There’s a strong current of that Lauryn Hill, Boho, earthy vibe here, which is cool. I enjoy putting on my headphones and simply observing what everyone is wearing. It’s a constant source of inspiration.
Terra Souriall, 39
Terra Souriall’s street fashion is a celebration of all things pink, embodying a fun, girly, and unapologetically extra style.
Terra Souriall's head-to-toe pink ensemble, complete with bow and matching accessories, showcases her bold and joyful street fashion.
What part of your outfit are you most proud of?
Definitely my dress. The moment I saw it, I knew I had to have it. A friend of mine owns a boutique in Texas and she always curates pieces that resonate with my style. And of course, it has pink in it!
How would you describe your day-to-day street style?
Pink is a staple. There’s always a bow in my hair. I love incorporating gold and diamonds too. I just aim to make it fun and very girly.
How would you describe the Bellingham fashion scene in relation to your style?
I do feel like I might be a little “extra” compared to some of the prevailing styles in Bellingham street fashion, but I’ve always been this way, even as a child. This is authentically me, it’s how I express myself and shine. If something catches my eye and brings me joy, I buy it. It’s simply my jam!
Danial Hall and Nicholas Genge, 19
Danial Hall and Nicholas Genge represent a practical yet personalized approach to street fashion, focused on sustainability and individual expression through customized pieces.
What part of your outfit are you most proud of?
Danial Hall: For me, it’s this T-shirt. I cropped it myself a while back – it was the first shirt I ever cropped. And my friend Nic screen-printed an “S” onto the back, adding a personal touch.
Nicholas Genge: I’d say my pants. These are Carhartt double knees that I’ve modified. I removed the logos and widened the legs. They’ve been through a lot, so I’ve repaired them numerous times. They’ve truly become my pants, unique to me.
How would you describe your day-to-day street style?
DH: Pretty consistent. I wear these same pants every day. Seriously, every day since December. I believe in wearing your clothes to the absolute limit, getting as much use out of them as possible. Why else buy them? It’s about moving away from overconsumption and investing in pieces you truly wear and value.
NG: We’ve definitely inspired each other in our approach to fashion. I share the same ideology now. Tailor your clothing to perfectly match your preferences. Almost everything I wear has been personalized in some way, reflecting my individual style.
What have you noticed about the Bellingham street fashion scene?
DH: It’s incredibly diverse, drawing influences from everywhere. I haven’t really identified one dominant or designated style.
NG: Particularly on campus, you see a lot of people who invest time and thought into curating their look. I’d say, on average, people in Bellingham dress with more intention and style than in most places.
What’s an outfit that has stood out to you recently?
NG: I’ve noticed more people wearing Keffiyehs – the Palestinian scarf. It’s been interesting to see how personal beliefs and ideologies are influencing how people present themselves and choose to dress. Street fashion becomes a form of expressing personal values.
Matthew Turner, 26
Matthew Turner’s street fashion is playful and colorful, embracing thrifted finds and bold combinations to create a unique and joyful personal style.
Matthew Turner celebrates their birthday in a colorful, thrifted outfit, showcasing Bellingham's eclectic street fashion.
What part of your outfit are you most proud of?
This coat is definitely a highlight. It’s from Teddy Fresh. I loved it so much I even had it tailored to fit perfectly. But also, these pants – a thrift store gem. They were originally $200 pants, still with the tags on, and I snagged them for $20. It felt like an unbelievable find. And my Big Thief shirt! I saw them live last year, and they were incredible. I genuinely love every element of this outfit.
How would you describe your day-to-day street style?
I love incorporating color, lots of it. Color matching is key for me – or sometimes, deliberately not matching, just throwing in as many colors as possible. It doesn’t really matter if it conventionally “works” or not. It’s about expression.
How would you describe the Bellingham street fashion scene?
I really appreciate the thrifted aesthetic that’s so prevalent in Bellingham street fashion. It’s a very piecemeal approach. You see people mixing vintage pieces, like grandma’s clothes, with oversized punk T-shirts, frilly skirts, and platform boots covered in buckles. I absolutely love that eclectic mix!
Sharon Wagner, 83
Sharon Wagner demonstrates that street fashion is ageless, with a focus on statement pieces and a rejection of conventional “old lady” style.
What part of your outfit are you most proud of?
Oh, these shoes! I adore them. I bought them while in Portugal. They were in a shop window, and I just knew, ‘I’ve got to have those shoes.’ They were a must-have piece for my street fashion collection.
How do you like to dress day-to-day?
My main rule is: I don’t want to look like an old lady. That’s my guiding principle when choosing my outfits and embracing street fashion at any age.
How would you describe Bellingham’s fashion scene?
It’s wonderfully funky! It truly is. You shouldn’t be surprised by anything you see in Bellingham street fashion. It’s lovely, genuinely lovely. And it’s not just confined to the university; it’s all over town. I think Western Washington University sets an example that encourages everyone to wear whatever they want, fostering a culture of individual street style.
Sun Day, 26, and Braden Feathers, 33
Sun Day and Braden Feathers showcase flowing, expressive street fashion, breaking age and gender norms to embrace personal style and self-expression.
Sun Day and Braden Feathers, showcasing their flowing and witchy street fashion, challenge norms and embrace self-expression in Bellingham.
What part of your outfit are you most proud of?
Sun Day: I’m really excited about tall boots and legwarmers right now. I honestly think they need to make a comeback for everyone. They are such a fun and expressive street fashion accessory.
Braden Feathers: This is actually my first time publicly cross-dressing. I’m really enjoying starting to build a wardrobe of witchy, drapey, flowy pieces. It’s a new and exciting avenue for my street fashion journey.
What inspires your fashion sense?
SD: There’s been a real shift in my thinking, like, ‘Wait, I’m 26, and did I miss out on wearing all the fun, cute things I wanted to wear as a teenager?’ Now I think, ‘I want to wear that! Life is definitely too short to hold back.’ Don’t let any expectations about how you “should” dress for your age hold you back from expressing yourself through street fashion.
BF: I’ve been drawn to expressing myself like this for about a decade, but I was always too anxious and nervous to actually go out in public and do it. Now, with what’s left of my youth, I’m making an effort to bring this side of myself out whenever I can through my street style choices.
How would you describe the Bellingham street fashion scene?
BF: It’s all over the place, very diverse. It seems somewhat age-based. You have younger people who are really putting in effort, wearing fun, curated pieces they’re clearly proud of. I feel like a lot of older folks lean towards simpler styles – not that there’s anything wrong with that, of course.
SD: Within our age group especially, a lot of people are into upcycling and custom printing. Upcycling, taking old clothes and transforming them to give them a whole new life, is a big part of the sustainable street fashion trend here.
Ashley DeLatour, 44
Ashley DeLatour’s street fashion is bright and cheerful, favoring bold colors and feminine styles that reflect her vibrant personality.
What is your favorite part of your outfit?
I think it’s the dress because I just got it today! Yellow is my absolute favorite color. The yellow shoes are actually Rothy’s, and I’m particularly proud of them because they’re made from recycled materials, and you can wash them over and over. Sustainable street fashion choices are important to me.
How would you describe your day-to-day street style?
I love dresses, generally feminine styles, cool funky patterns, and bright, primary colors – anything within that vibrant realm.
How would you describe the Bellingham street fashion scene?
It’s cool and relaxed. There’s a really great mix of styles within this community. Bellingham street fashion embraces individuality and comfort.
Bob Peck, 62
Bob Peck’s street fashion is a bold declaration of his passions, proudly displaying his love for Iron Maiden and rock music.
Bob Peck's Iron Maiden sweatshirt, adorned with patches from 20 concerts, boldly expresses his personal style and passion for music.
What part of your outfit are you most proud of?
Definitely the fact that I get to let everyone know I’m one of the biggest Iron Maiden fans out there! I went to my first concert in 1982. Each time I go to a show, I add a new patch to this sweatshirt. I’ll be going to my 20th concert this fall. This sweatshirt is a timeline of my street fashion journey as a fan.
How would you describe your day-to-day style?
During the weekdays, I have to wear scrubs because I’m a nurse. But even then, I get to choose my scrub patterns. I haven’t found an Iron Maiden pattern yet, but I have Kiss, The Who, Aerosmith, Looney Tunes, and a few others. I definitely don’t like plain scrubs. Even in uniform, I try to inject my personal street style.
How would you describe the Bellingham street fashion scene?
I think it’s pretty fantastic. People from all walks of life can come here, meet each other, and discover that we have a lot of shared interests, even if our individual tastes differ. Bellingham street fashion is about community and acceptance.
Danielle Baumgart, 49
Danielle Baumgart’s street fashion is eclectic and adaptable, shifting from heels to scrubs to outdoor gear while always maintaining a sense of fun and personal flair.
Danielle Baumgart's 70s-inspired glasses, a sentimental piece from a Vegas trip, add a retro touch to her eclectic street fashion.
Does any part of your outfit have sentimental value?
These glasses definitely do. I bought them when I went to see the Eagles in Vegas with my oldest daughter, who’s 27. We just had such a wonderful time together. I saw these glasses and thought, ‘I want those glasses!’ And she said, ‘Mom, those are so ’70s.’ Now I wear them all the time. They remind me of a special moment and add a vintage touch to my street style.
How would you describe your day-to-day style?
Pretty eclectic is the best word. I might be in heels – most people tease me because I’m already quite tall, but I wear heels almost every day – but then I could also be in scrubs, running around doing yard work or something else practical. We fish a lot too, so I could easily be wearing Grundéns. My street fashion adapts to my day and activities.
How would you describe the Bellingham street fashion scene?
It’s really fun because you genuinely can wear anything you want. I love that over the last decade, I’ve seen people embrace more playful elements, more skirts perhaps, but paired with cowboy boots or Xtratufs with super cute shorts. It’s about unexpected combinations.
I think we’re also getting some really cute boutiques around here now. I used to only go to Vancouver to shop. With all the college students in Bellingham, they bring in so much fun and fresh style. You can walk down the street and just think, ‘Ooh, that’s cute. Ooh, that’s cute!’ Bellingham street fashion is constantly inspiring.
Ashley Rainey, 52
Ashley Rainey’s street fashion is sustainable and thoughtfully crafted, emphasizing upcycled materials and a blend of classic and punk influences.
What part of your outfit are you most proud of?
Definitely my purse because I made it myself. The fabric and straps all came from Ragfinery, a local upcycling center. Then, the inside lining was fabric I found abandoned in my basement garage in my condo building. So, it’s completely upcycled. This is actually the only project I’ve ever timed to see how long it would take and what it would cost if I were to make a living wage from it. Turns out, this is like a $300 bag in terms of labor, even though it only cost me $10 or less in materials. Sustainable street fashion can be both beautiful and valuable.
How would you describe your day-to-day style?
I’m a big fan of stripes, especially navy or black. And who can resist Chucks [Converse Chuck Taylor’s]? I like to buy pieces that I know will last a long time, and then I can adapt them with the changing seasons. I prefer a style that’s durable and classic, but I always add a quirky spin. My mom was very elegant, and I was very punk. So, I’ve carried a little bit of that punk edge into my classic style. I don’t think she ever fully realized how much her style influenced me in the end. Street fashion is also about inheritance and evolution.
How would you describe the Bellingham street fashion scene?
I’d say it’s a little disappointing at times because everyone tends to be so casual. But I think some people are starting to put in more effort. When I first moved here, it was very woodsy and outdoorsy, like people had just come straight off a hiking trail. I’d love to see people not be afraid to put on some jewelry and accessories, to make their outfits a little more interesting, even just for a coffee run. Bellingham street fashion has the potential to be even more expressive and less uniformly casual.
Bellingham’s street fashion scene is a vibrant tapestry woven from diverse personal styles, a testament to individual expression and community acceptance. From bold colors and upcycled creations to timeless classics with a quirky twist, the individuals featured here highlight the unique and evolving nature of style on the streets of Bellingham. It’s a place where fashion is not just about clothing, but about personality, passion, and the freedom to be yourself.
