Yes, you can have style in Alaska. Here are three tips for expressing it.

Alaska is not often thought of as a fashion capital. But anyone who knows me can attest I have a pretty colorful style, with one of my “basic” go-tos being a pastel pink pair of pants with white and yellow flowers on the hem

When I first moved to Alaska, I wasn’t sure if I could maintain my signature style. But even in the 49th state, I’ve found there are ways to build a fun wardrobe and incorporate unique Alaska elements too. Here are three takeaways to keep in mind as part of our Alaska Survival Kit series

1. Style and practicality are not mutually exclusive

First things first, no need to bury your Carhartts and Xtratufs! Like my friend Anjali Friedman says, necessary layers can be statement pieces. One of her favorite pieces is a green fur jacket she made herself

“I actually thrifted it for 50 cents, like the base of it, at a outlet store in Texas,” she said. “Then with a previous fur jacket that I had that was way too small for me, I cut off the fur and made it like a little ’70s look.”

Courtesy of Anjali Friedman

Her closet is full of pieces that encapsulate her “whimsical, 70s free spirit” style. She says she even has fun customizing her look with basic winter staples

“I could layer like a lace on top of the thermal so you can see it peek through,” says Friendman. “And the layers will bring in, like a warmth.”

2. Inspiration can come from your own backyard – or ocean

For Juliette Langley, creative inspiration comes from abalone shells she gathers while snorkeling in Sitka Sound. She uses the shells to create iridescent earrings

“Just knowing that I ke my family back home, and I can say this is, like, directly something that I made in Sitka from Sitka materials, it just makes it that much more special,” she said

Langley says with a little creativity, you can incorporate elements from your own backyard into one-of-a-kind accessories. But if that feels daunting, consider reaching out to your more DIY-inclined community members. And when in doubt, there are always YouTube tutorials

“The world is your oyster, or, I guess, the world is your abalone, in this case,” Langley said

3.  Be mindful about how you engage with Alaska Native designs

Alaska has no shortage of beautiful handmade designs, much of them from Alaska Native cultures. Nikki Corbett lives in Kodiak and teaches Yup’ik clothing and accessory-making classes through her business, Sew Yup’ik. She says there’s nothing wrong with wearing pieces from Alaska Native cultures, and it’s a good thing to come in open-minded and willing to immerse yourself in a community

Courtesy of Nikki Corbett

“Everybody should have a qaspek,” Corbett said. “It’s just really important, like, you make sure that you’re purchasing from people that it is a part of their culture, and it’s something that they grew up or, you know, around.”

Otherwise, she says, you could disrespect the cultural significance of items from Alaska Native communities. Going shopping at Alaska Native markets or looking up specific creators on social media are great places to start

When it comes to making your own pieces, Corbett says its OK if it’s for yourself or a gift to loved ones but don’t sell things inspired by other cultures