What are the characteristics which define a “granola girl?” Is it unshaved armpits and legs? Wearing Birkenstocks or Chacos all seasons of the year? Shopping exclusively in Patagonia? Depending on who you ask, the answers vary. Three granola girls from the Northwest cover their interests, habits and style.
The evolution of the granola girl style has changed throughout the past decades, although one of the main traits that has survived in the aesthetic is being environmentally conscious. Chloe Duso, a self-proclaimed granola girl, works at Bogus Basin ski resort in Boise. Duso views granola girls as people who like the outdoors and seek to protect it.
“Usually, people who enjoy the outdoors are people who also want to protect the outdoors, too,” Duso said. “So that’s a pretty good stereotype of what people like that are. If you’re not doing things outdoors, you don’t really care what happens to the world, you know?”
Duso grew up actively climbing since she was 11. She said her involvement with the sport kept her outside. As Duso got older, she started camping, paddle boarding, hiking, fishing and backpacking.
The material side of being a granola girl includes clothing is notorious for the aesthetic. Duso said sustainable clothes are desired, to perpetuate eco-friendliness.
“It’s either stuff that I feel like you would typically find in their (Patagonia) store because that’s sustainable, like helping not have a bunch of clothes going to the landfill, but definitely gear that’s going to last like Patagonia or the North Face,” Duso said.
Dayna Schwerd, a senior at the University of Idaho, connects with her granola girl style through her multiple pairs of Chaco sandals. Schwerd was first given a pair by her aunt for Christmas a few years ago and has kept up her collection. Now, she has five pairs of sandals.
“They have so many different patterns and colors that they’re very versatile for any person,” Schwerd said. “Even if somebody said they don’t like them, there’s a pair out there just for them,. I swear.”
Schwerd said her wardrobe aligns with her positive attitude with bright colors. Her daily minimalist style includes a pair of Chacos, a tank top, that’s probably been thrifted and bottoms that match the season.
Schwerd prefers to find her clothes in thrift shops, not only to save money as a college student, but also for sustainable clothing options. She shops at northern Boise thrift stores to look for brands accommodating outdoor activities.
As a hiker, Schwerd finds movement outdoors. She also enjoys hanging in her hammock, she purchased early into her college career. Another outdoor activity Schwerd is involved with is training for a marathon.
Growing up in Idaho, Schwerd said she was naturally influenced to be active outside, including water and snow skiing. Tamarack is one of the ski resorts she’s frequented throughout her life.
“It’s such a pretty place to live,” Schwerd said. “I feel like I’m very blessed I grew up here because I grew up in a time where it wasn’t very populated yet, there weren’t very many neighborhoods and more open land to do things. no hate against people that play video games, but my parents didn’t let me play video games. I was one of those kids that were forced to play outside being pulled on rollerblades.”
Schwerd said she’s accepted a summer internship in San Diego and looks forward to learning how to surf and visiting the farmers markets.
Sarah Margaret Horn, a freshman at UI, recalled her friend identifying her as a granola girl this past year. Horn’s daily outfit consists of Birkenstocks, jeans and a flannel. Her granola style can be attributed to her upbringing in her hometown in Oregon and eventually living closer to Portland.
Horn said her home was close to a river, towards mountains outside of Salem. Her parents influenced her Pacific Northwest upbringing. Since growing up in Oregon, Horn said her style has evolved further into the granola girl look.
“I think that’s just evolved in my style, like growing up on the river where I look at my closet and 90% of it is like greens, browns, blues and white, “Horn said. “I own flannels. I feel like I wear a lot of leggings, like it’s the type of thing where I want to wear things that will be functional. I am a sucker for American Eagle and because I like their style generally and now the company is gearing towards an eco-centric thing where they’re trying to go carbon neutral which I really like. I think I just generally like to learn more outdoor style and to a more natural and earth tones color palette.”
Horn’s time spent living close to Portland has influenced which recreational brand she buys from. Columbia, headquartered in Portland, is found heavily in her closet. Similarly, to Schwerd, Horn also thrifts her clothing as a sustainable source of shopping.
“I like shopping from a more sustainable source,” Horn said. “I think it’s just better for everybody in general. And I’m not super minimalist, but I’m starting to realize now being in college and like going into other people’s places a lot, seeing their closet and I have less clothes than most people. And I think it’s just because I would rather have quality over quantity.”
Hiking is an important activity for Horn, which coincides with her passion for birdwatching and rock hunting. After taking a geology and ecology course in high school, Horn’s interest was piqued in both subjects, and she started to explore them during the pandemic.
Horn said she doesn’t mind the title of granola girl.
“I think it’s the type of thing also where it’s a Pacific Northwest thing where it’s part of the culture and I’m proud to be a part of that,” Horn said.
While every granola girl is unique in style, location and beliefs, one common trait seems to tie them together. Granola girls seek environmentally friendly habits to encourage the wellbeing of nature. Whether it is how food is consumed, how clothes are purchased or how nature is used for health benefits, granola girls find different ways to be sustainable for the future.
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