Designer clothing: more suited to the sophisticated and well-dressed elder than the inexperienced teen. This lesson, I learnt from my glamorous nanny (and accepted 

in view of my quiet wallet). At thirteen, I rekindled lost love for 1991 film My Girl instead. Here I found a much more attainable look. Aside from her spirited personality,

Vada brought the outdated 90s into a new realm of cool. She inspired my foremost pursuit in style: to balance that transparent edge, with underlying femininity.

From her mom jeans, to her light denim shirt, to her burgundy tee; nothing was obvious. As soon as you decided she was tomboy in her dungarees or long denim shorts, 

she’d appear in a blouse and a classic red hat – every outfit finished off with converse. My attempt to emulate her, sometimes successful, other times a disaster, nevertheless

 landed me in op-shops. Often, this is where I find myself today, not just with Vada in mind.

The hat that has me feeling like Audrey: $8. Bought from a side-store in Whitianga during the holidays. The coat: $20. Bought from Glassons in Dress-Smart, 

coming up to my sixteenth birthday. I guess I was ready to feel older. The rest, like Vada’s converse, are all signatures: a gold watch, denim jeans, black boots,

 a black bag (as close to Céline as a student can get). I’ve been mixing it up, with a few things I know to be me, other things that require a trial run. 

Us teenagers experiment too often for it to cost $270 each time. Affordability lets us develop our style. It’s there for us to emulate others. 

Also, to channel where we’ve come from, or where we’re going – of which, we can still be deciding.

McKenzie xx

Photos: Mallory Christie