by Jules Vanselow, Reporter
Throughout the media, there are tons of styling tips offered for teens, but they often feel impractical and unhelpful. This is mostly due to the fact that the people working for magazines and websites that provide fashion help aren’t teens.
In hopes to get a better insight on what high schoolers are actually wearing, I asked some students for their tips and tricks.
“I would describe my style as almost kind of edgy but chill,” said junior Lauren Langworthy. “Honestly, my style is inspired by Kendall Jenner or Zendaya.”
Many people have personal styles that are heavily influenced by celebrities, whether it’s supermodels, actresses or musicians.
“I wear a lot of ripped jeans, Justin Bieber merch,” said freshman Talia Spurlock. “My style is inspired by Justin Bieber!”
Plenty of students have a distinct style associated with the Pacific Northwest. Common staple pieces include flannels, vests, Patagonia fleeces, and plenty of black.
“I love the look of something which is… well made, stylish, and adventure-ready. Something you can wear while hiking or exploring a city,” said senior Hart Easley. “I mostly shop online on websites like Urban Outfitters, eBay and Ralph Lauren.”
Often, northwesterners are notorious for their lack of color in their wardrobe.
“I have a lot of pairs of black leggings and black boots,” said Langworthy says. “Black goes with everything!”
With such easily recognizable styles, it’s important to maintain a sense of individuality. Even if you’re dressing according to current trends, there’s always a way to make your style your own.
“Don’t listen to people. People will be like, oh you’re a fruit for wearing this, or that’s too bright, or that looks stupid,” said freshman Mitchell Nye. “They’re just mad ‘cause they haven’t done something that original before.”
Personal style is important, for the sake of self expression and individuality. An easy way to maintain a sense of individuality is to find standout pieces that are unique to your own style. Thrift shops, yard sales and websites like Etsy and eBay are great places to find unusual clothes.
“Some of my favorite places to shop are Forever 21, Express, and Grannie’s Attic!” said Langworthy. “They have the looks that I want for cheaper.”
Inexpensive brands, like Forever 21 and H&M tend to take cues from high-end designers (think Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and other similar brands) to decide what styles they’ll produce for upcoming seasons. You can easily find dupes for high-end, standout clothing at inexpensive stores – it just takes a little digging.
As a student, there are many things you can do to create a look that is unique to you. Just put down the magazines and start searching for what really inspires you. It can be a celebrity, an era, or even an activity such as ballet. Find pieces to represent the style you want to exude and wear them with confidence. It simply takes a muse and a little effort.