behind the genius: beth anne casstevens
Beth Anne and I survived our middle school years together which I think is meaningful because middle school is one of the most aesthetically frightening times in the human experience. She started wearing cool glasses and bohemian clothes long before any of the rest of us had heard of hipsters or stopped wearing our boring suburban uniforms. We initially gave her crap for her uniqueness and soon after, of course, we all wanted to look like her. She is simultaneously one of the most down-to-earth, casually cool, spunky, and hilarious people I know. You can always count on her to start the dance party, which I firmly believe is one of the most excellent qualities a person can have.
So here you have her, ladies and gents. The woman, the myth, the legend. Outdoor Recreation queen. Proud Family expert. One of my original style icons & oldest friends: Beth Anne Casstevens.
WHAT DOES STYLE MEAN TO YOU?
I guess I'd describe style as an expression of the way you feel that day. Honestly there are days when my 'style' is a woodsy tee shirt and patagonia shorts but thats mainly because I'm feeling lazy that day, or feeling like I want to spend some time outside. I don't consider that an 'off-day' for the scoreboard of stylish outfits, just how I'm wanting to live that day.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLOTHING ITEM?
My favorite clothing item currently are my new Merrell walking clogs. Also a big fan of my Keen clogs (sensing a theme here...). Other than that, i'm a jacket hoarder. I literally have an entire closet separate from my bedroom that I stuff all of my jackets in and don't let any of my other roommates use for actual needed storage space. I don't know why, I can't stop myself from jacket thrifting...probably because I think a jacket is one of the most essential (and efficient) parts of a good outfit. If you aren't feeling anything else in your closet but you love your jacket, throw it on over anything! Totally acceptable to wear the same one 5 days a week.
HOW WOULD YOU DESVRIBE YOUR OWN STYLE?
For my own style, I'd say I shift back and forth from quirky hiking girl to 90's boy. Or sometimes a little bit of both. The question of 'does this look too much like a 90's boy???' is one that my roommates hear often.
WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?
I am wearing my favorite turtleneck! Gotta love something that makes you look so frumpy that your upper half resembles a square am i right?? But mainly I love it for the color and its wooly quality. A dark forest green is always pretty no matter where you are or what your hair color is. I am also wearing my Merrell clogs (duh) and my favorite scarf I won in a scarf trading Christmas party...yes that is a thing. I love the whole 'shirt over dress' concept because layering is warm and fun. Plus, mixing up patterns and colors that wouldn't normally go together makes you look (and feel) confident. Same goes for the Harry Potter glasses. Yes they are real. Yes I kind of lied at the optometrist that my vision was worse than it actually was so that I could get real glasses (Mom dont hate me if you read this). And yes I'm very aware that they make me look like Harry Potter, which is something that I love and hate all at the same time.
DO YOU HAVE ANY OUTSIDE INFLUENCES THAT HAVE SHAPED YOUR STYLE THROUGHOUT THE YEARS?
Honestly my style has changed so much through the years that I couldn't really say where it comes from. I never feel like I TOTALLY match what is currently in style, but end up throwing things together and hopefully (probably not) making them work. I've always heard people tell me that I can pull off most things that other people can't, which honestly it kind of a nice way to say that I look weird but have enough confidence (or arrogance) to wear it anyway. Looking back on my weird outfits from freshman year (and how I always wore my hair in those little Princess Leia buns), I'd say people were just being nice . . .
YOU REALLY PULL OF ANYTHING YOU WANT TO AND YOU’VE ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY. I’VE PERSONALLY BEEN WORKING ON BEING HAPPY WITH MY OWN LIFE AND STYLE CHOICES AND NOT TAKING ANYONE’S CRAP FOR IT. I THINK EVERYONE SHOULD BE THAT WAY. WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR CONFIDENCE?
I'd say I really think my confidence most comes from my desire to make people laugh. When I can get someone to laugh (like actually belly laugh), I feel like the most confident person in the world. Probably why I love being the center of attention so much (also my downfall). To get more confidence, I'd say to stop looking at yourself so much and start looking at other people. I think a lot of people (especially girls) will assume that everyone is critiquing you just as much as you are to yourself. When you finally realize that nobody really cares that much about your makeup/hair/style/awkward interaction with that waiter as you do, it's freeing! Above all else, I say you do you and don't get too caught up in what other people will think. It's way happier and you end up having a lot more time on your hands (to do other pointless things like endlessly analyze a text or stare at a wall . . . things I do often).
photos by Stay Fierce & guest-starring the beautiful miss Ricki Beigh