Who is Nicole Petrone?
Nicole Petrone has been a teacher at Scotch Plains Fanwood High School since 2016, this is her eighth year. Petrone teaches junior Academic Literature and AP Literature. Along with teaching, she also attends graduate school at Mercy College studying Literature. Aside from her academics, Petrone is avid for fashion.
Petrone’s Fashion History
At the beginning of high school, Petrone was timid with her fashion choices and followed trends. As she progressed through school, she began to express herself through clothes.
Throughout the years, Petrone has gone in and out of different eras. In college, for example, she loved wearing bohemian clothing.
“[I was] exclusively hippie,” Petrone said. “[I wore] flowy skirts and bare feet to class.”
This phase was a result of the counterculture, inspired by an attempt to break from trends. Petrone chose to be bold and defy social standards through her fun and unique fashion statements. She used her outfits to present to the world who she is.
She experiments with other styles such as grunge, preppy and even goes back to her college roots with some hippie aspects mixed into her wardrobe.
Picking out an outfit with Nicole Petrone:
The best outfits are picked when aimlessly strolling through a store. In addition to the supplemental TJMaxx and Urban Outfitters, Petrone is a big thrifter. The thrift store, Rebel Supply, located in Asbury Park is a personal favorite of hers.
The two biggest factors in an outfit for Petrone are comfort and flair. Something that she could spend the day in, but that also gives the world a glimpse of her personality.
“People understand something about me [through my outfits]when they see me, without having to open my mouth,” said Petrone.
Mixed-matching patterns are a favorite of Petrone’s. This may include plaid pants and a crazy
pattern top. Additionally, heels are a must, and more specifically, Steve Madden.
Fashion Trends: For or Against?
Nicole Petrone isn’t the average fashionista, reading fashion magazines like “Vogue” and “Cosmopolitan.” She is not current on what monthly token models wear on the runway. Petrone stays true to her style and focuses on the trends that she likes. Sticking to one exact aesthetic is time-consuming, stressful, and costly. Petrone, like most people in this generation, is on social media. Therefore, she is aware of the trends.
“I’m still pretty contemporary, so on a subconscious level I follow some trends. But I’m not trying to emulate them,” Petrone said.
Words of Advice from Petrone:
Petrone firmly believes in dressing for yourself, and no one else. Wearing what makes you feel confident is key. Wear what you think is cool, no matter what anyone else thinks.
“I would say try different things. See what feels good. Listen to the music you want to listen to. Consume the media you want to consume. Do the things that you love and through that, you’ll develop yourself and then your style will develop along with it,” Petrone said.
