“Pachucos stand tall in who they are, even when society tries to push them to the margins,” said Fullerton School District trustee Vanesa Estrella.

With pompadoured hair accented by a sparkly rose, a floral short-sleeved blouse and high-waisted and wide-legged burgundy slacks held up by black suspenders, Vanesa Estrella looked like a model for her family’s store, El Pachuco Zoot Suits in Fullerton.

She’s been working there for 23 years, ever since she married into the Estrella family, which owns the iconic shop. Business has been bustling lately, as pachuca and pachuco fashion has enjoyed some shine beyond SoCal this year — whether in the costuming at Rauw Alejandro’s “Cosa Nuestra” concerts, or on the runways of Willy Chavarria’s fashion shows.

Yet to Fullerton residents, Estrella

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