Check out the fashionable spectators at the 29th annual U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition held over the weekend in Imperial Beach, Calif., just five miles from the Mexican border.
Sundresses and jumpsuits proved as popular as "The Simpsons" and Michael Jackson sand sculptures. – By Kelly E. Carter
Street Style: U.S. Sandcastle Competition
Name: Katey Cooper
Age: 22
From: La Jolla, Calif. via Yosemite
Occupation: Office manager
What are you wearing? Onesie from alloy.com, H&M purse, Marc by Marc Jacobs sunglasses, Banana Republic earrings, sandals from Urban Outfitters.
Which sandcastle do you like the best? "The Michael Jackson one. It was a unique design and a nice tribute."
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Name: Sarah Pattynama
Age: 26
From: San Diego, Calif.
Occupation: Surgical technician
What are you wearing? "I got my hat at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. I just went there recently for the first time and thought it was a cute hat. I had to have it! I just bought the jumpsuit yesterday from Express. The purse is Coach, compliments of my boyfriend." Dolce Vita shoes
Which sandcastle do you like the best? "I saw a Bart Simpson one and a Michael Jackson one. They're still starting."
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Name: Johanna Huang
Age: 19
From: Temple City, Calif.
Occupation: Student
What are you wearing? Forever 21 tank top, Urban Outfitters skirt, Nu Pair sandals. "Someone gave me the purse. It's from Taiwain."
Which sandcastle do you like the best? "I like the Homer Simpson one. It's pretty amazing. I like the show."
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Name: Johanna Bradshaw
Age: 47
From: Whittier, Calif.
Occupation: Sales specialist
What are you wearing? C. Graffiti dress, bathing suit from T.J. Maxx, sunglasses from a vendor. "The jewelry is handcrafted and came from a vendor at a Samoan fire dancing competition. They fire danced with knives. It's really cool. The sunglasses are from a vendor. I won't spend $300 like we did on my daughter's Chanel glasses. I get the cheap ones."
Which sandcastle do you like the best? "So far I'm liking the one here. The guy who is making it said it's going to be a ship with an octopus and a few other little surprises. There's a lot more work involved in this one here."
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Name: Brittany Neilson
Age: 18
From: San Marcos, Calif.
Occupation: Student
What are you wearing? Ray Ban sunglasses, dress is Xhilaration from Target, Juicy Couture bathing suit, Rainbow flip flops, Emercia wristband. "These earrings are from my senior trip to Hawaii. We went to Waikiki."
Which sandcastle do you like the best? 'The Simpsons.' It's creative."
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Name: Betsy Chapman
Age: 19
From: Nashville, Tenn.
Occupation: Student
What are you wearing? Glasses from Forever 21, Wal-Mart dress, Target purse, Payless flip flops, earrings from World Trade Market. "The purse is really cool because the inside it is made of rain coat material.
Which sandcastle do you like the best? "I've only seen three but so far this one called 'Mind Over Muscle' is my favorite. It's the most funny and the most clever."
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Name: Erin Schroeder with her daughter, Claire
Age: 29
From: San Diego, Calif.
Occupation: Lawyer
What are you wearing? Forever 21 dress. "It's the only thing that fits me anymore since I'm pregnant." Target hat, sunglasses from Nordstrom. Daughter's outfit is from Target.
Which sandcastle do you like the best? "We just started walking. We haven't seen any yet."
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Name: Felicia Taylor
Age: 15
From: Encanto, Calif.
Occupation: Student
What are you wearing? Chicago Bears baseball cap, T-shirt from Walmart. "I got the dress, vest and bag from thrift stores. Thrift stores have really cheap things and when you look around you can find really nice stuff. I paid $2.50 for this vest and $5 for the dress. The bag used to have a little handle but I decided I wanted this strap so I made the strap myself."
Which sandcastle do you like the best? "I like the one of the big Asian dude, the bald-headed guy. It's just different because he looks angry."
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A detail shot of Felicia Taylor.
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Name: Katie Horrocks
Age: 23
From: Perth, Australia
Occupation: Student/Traveler
What are you wearing? Shorts and purse from a surf shop in Perth, PacSun shirt, Havaiana flip flops. "I'm a surfer and shop a lot at surf shops."
Which sandcastle do you like the best? "My camp surf team has got a sculpture happening over here so I'm going to try to find them."
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