By the time most people hit their junior year of college, they're juggling coursework, maybe a part-time job, and tentative dreams about what comes next. Alycia Elizabeth is doing all of that — and running a vintage fashion business on the side.
Originally born into a military family in Fort Lauderdale and raised across multiple states including Texas, Kentucky, Georgia and Alabama, Alycia is no stranger to adapting. That resilience and curiosity led her to the University of South Carolina, where she's entering her senior year in the university’s acclaimed Department of Retailing.
"I wasn’t set on a specific school at first," Alycia says. "But when my family moved to South Carolina, USC just made sense — especially with its strong fashion and retail curriculum."
Fashion isn't a newfound passion for her. Her roots go back to high school, where Tumblr, MySpace and an early love for photography sparked her creative spirit. After graduating in 2014, she attended community college in Phenix City, Alabama, and began reselling vintage clothes as a hobby. That hobby soon became a side business — one that continues to thrive today.
Her approach is refreshingly thoughtful: "I’m very particular about fabrics and aesthetics," she explains. "I like timeless pieces — things people can pair with what they already own. Natural fibers like cotton, linen and silk are my go-to." Her curated vintage finds, often discovered at local thrift stores like His House or during sourcing trips to Charlotte, are sold primarily through Instagram and online marketplaces. But that’s just the beginning.
"I want to move beyond e-commerce," she says. "Pop-ups, local markets, styling — I want to connect in person." That passion for community shows up in her styling work, too. She recently created a personalized style bundle for a male client in Charlotte and enjoys working with anyone who resonates with her aesthetic. "My pieces are unisex a lot of the time. I just want people to feel confident in something one-of-a-kind.”
While she’s committed to growing her business, Alycia is also open to merging her entrepreneurial energy with a larger brand. Companies like Poshmark — where she’s already an active user — intrigue her with their blend of fashion and tech. And heritage brands like Ralph Lauren, which has long been a staple in her family, also speak to her design sensibilities.
Her current internship at Gamecock iHub, USC’s Apple Authorized Campus Store, has further expanded her skillset, giving her firsthand experience with customer service and technology. "I've always been an Apple person — iPod, MacBook, all of it," she laughs. "Working here, I’m learning even more, and I really enjoy interacting with people."
Being a nontraditional student in her late 20s hasn’t always been easy. "I do feel out of place sometimes," she admits, "but I've learned to embrace it. I think of myself as a big sister to a lot of my classmates — and there's a balance. We learn from each other."
Looking ahead, Alycia is excited for what’s next — whether that’s continuing to build her brand or bringing her fashion eye to a company that values authenticity and creativity.
"I'm not sure where exactly I'll land," she says, "but I know it'll be somewhere I can combine everything I love: fashion, storytelling, and connecting with people."
And wherever she ends up, you can bet her outfit will be perfectly — and intentionally — vintage.
📸 Follow Alycia’s vintage fashion journey on Instagram @simplyalyciae.