Walking through the hallways of high school, most students pass by each other, exchanging compliments, giving dirty looks, and are frightened, excited, or happy. Often people look at the outer appearance and judge. They judge whether others are good or bad or someone they won’t give any more thought to. Oftentimes, this is determined through someone’s style.
Fashion is an expression physically through clothes and personal style. It is a non-verbal type of communication which expresses what type of person lies behind all the accessories. Different types of styles all deserve their own spotlight, and each one is unique.
“I think fashion is really important to the community so you can express yourself to people in a way you want to be expressed,” junior Owen Johnson said. “It’s an art, it’s a way of life.”
Appearance plays a big part in people’s everyday lives. There are lots of different ways to style one’s self, and different ways to express it. Juniors Owen Johnson, Ainsley Stueve and Kenzie Fessler all have very contrasting styles. All of them are proud of their styles and have different thoughts.
“It doesn’t matter what you wear, if you like it then it shouldn’t matter what other people think, you just got to go with the flow,” Johnson said. “I think that everyone is fashionable in their own way.”
Looks change and so do trends. At all different stages in life, others figure out they even have a sense of fashion and passion enough to pursue it then, they can find out what works for them and what doesn’t. It’s all a part of growing as a person and developing personal interests.
“At the beginning of junior high, I realized I could use fashion as a way to express myself and it’s definitely varied over the years,” Stueve said. “I’ve been emo and ‘SUPA’ goth.”
Personal style is greatly influenced by those around us and develops alongside the persuasion of friends, trends, celebrities, family, and social media. Other influences can be what goes well with our complexion and body types and how good different colors look on us.
“My current style is pretty much based off of Pinterest and what I think is comfortable and cute,” Fessler said. “I usually go for a navy blue, white or a butter yellow.”
Hair can also tie into fashion and plays a huge role in what kind of perceptions others are taking when first glances come along the way. Hair ties together outfits and adds the finishing touch to feel put together and complete.
“I personally don’t style my hair a super bunch, but when I do it definitely completes everything,” Stueve said.
Fashion is subjective and applies to only the person wearing what they think is right to wear, and sadly some people are afraid to wear what they think looks good to them. Rather they would wear what society deems acceptable. Being able to express and communicate what’s really on the inside is important. And feeling safe enough to do so, is something that should be more common. The fear of losing friends and not fitting in for the way you want to dress
“I wish people knew that they could wear whatever they want, I feel like people are too afraid to dress the way they actually want,” Stueve said. “Some people feel pressured to fit inside a normal box of what you’re supposed to look like and what you’re supposed to wear and what’s trending.”
Judging a book by its cover is incredibly important, and the same goes with taking care of yourself and demonstrating what type of person lies behind the clothes. Fashion is fun and exciting, but it can also be lots of pressure and a constant battle between what goes on personally and what goes on externally.
“I think fashion is a really good way to present yourself and take care of yourself,” Fessler said. “You really do express yourself by how you dress and that gives a type of communication with others that shows you who you are.”
