( CNN ) -- Carefully constructed looks that borrow from another time are all the rage on the streets of St. Paul and Minneapolis . But with vintage and thrift clothing stores popping up on every corner , the vintage look of the Twin Cities almost ca n't be helped . Since 2006 , Minneapoline blogger Ellen Lawson has been documenting the evolving street style in her hometown . She has watched the neighboring cities shed a DIY-esque style and celebrate the rise of local designers . After moving back to Minneapolis once she finished college in Iowa , Lawson found her style evolving as well . `` The blog was really bare bones at first , '' Lawson said . `` I had a point-and-shoot camera , and took photos of everything . I think I 'm a little more edited now . I have a grasp of my own personal style . Dressing up in Dallas . `` There 's a difference between 25 and 31 , as well , '' Lawson said with a laugh , referring to her age . The individualism in the Twin Cities challenges Lawson to capture as much of it as she can . Feminine lace and crochet meet up with menswear and masculine footwear to create a mash-up of different styles . `` We are a really interesting , creative city , '' Lawson said . `` I do n't think a lot of people know that . '' Below , Lawson describes the basis for Twin Cities style . CNN : What was the 2006 fashion scene in Minneapolis like when you started the blog ? Lawson : I had noticed around that time the local fashion scene was picking up -- a lot of local designers and more fashion shows popping up . People thought more about what they were wearing . They were evolving from a DIY aesthetic to more of a regular fashion aesthetic . Colorful layers of style on Chicago 's streets . We kept that grassroots feeling at the base of how we evolved , but now it 's kind of a hodge-podge . CNN : How would you compare the style now ? Lawson : I think people are really budget-conscious here , so thrifting is big . There are so many styles , but it 's largely 'budget-friendly creative ' . We 're just getting to be more open to paying high-fashion prices , but it 's a little hard for a lot of people here to get their minds around it . But they 're creative , and always carry a retro element . We do have a big hipster contingent in the city , so that affects the style . The high-waist/accentuated waist has been very popular and it goes back to the retro feel of Minneapolis . When you have a lot of people thrifting , you 're going to end up having clothes from another time . CNN : Is the local designer scene still alive and well ? Lawson : I just found out one of our local designers is going to be on Project Runway . We 've had five people from the city in Project Runway . We also have a big fashion show each spring called Voltage . It 's a runway show mixed with a rock concert . And then we have MNFashion , a collective support group for local designers . I know they want to start sewing cooperatives , where designers help each other sew their collections . There is a huge support network for local designers here . Get smart : Portland street style . CNN : Who are some of the favorite local designers and where do the style-inclined shop ? Lawson : Raul Osorio , Danielle Everine , Maritza Ramirez , Emma Berg are a handful of designers . You can find some of their designs at Design Collective . As far as thrift stores , Rewind , Blacklist Vintage and Via 's Vintage are all popular . There 's so many . They kind of pop up all over . All of the sudden , you 're going down the street and then there 's another vintage store . CNN : What are you looking for when you scout street style ? Lawson : Someone catches my eye first . I get a better overall , thoughtful look at them and decide if it hits me more in my brain and not just my eye , then I approach them . My personal style tends towards kind of boyish , almost menswear-inspired . That always catches my eye , but also outfits where a lot of pieces come together . But at the same time , I 'm developing an appreciation for seeing the beauty in one simple dress . Fashion from Tokyo to Toronto .
Ellen Lawson 's Minneapoline blog captures street style in the Twin Cities . The Minneapolis Star Tribune is a daily newspaper that covers Minnesota and its surrounding areas. Individual creative and vintage looks make up the style scene .