Isabel Aquino-Menendez

Itzel A. Rodriguez in her strawberry shortcake graphic long sleeve paired with brown casual pants.

The big question on campus isn’t what’s up on the next test, but what to wear.

The students’ way of openly expressing themselves with their unique style with different ensembles may affect students without them realizing or with intentions meant to capture everyone’s attention, including ways that their outfits can be offensive to themselves or others. Maybe it is even deemed not appropriate based on the school’s policies regarding proper attire. Throughout the school year, on a day-to-day basis, students are attending school and attracting negative attention from their peers, there is no specific timeline as to when students are wearing eye-opening outfits, the seasons play no role in deciphering what young adults are wearing. I asked seniors what their opinions were about the latest fashion trends and which ones are engaging and which ones not so much. A majority of students claimed they choose clothing that is loose fitting to get through the eight hours of school and that clothing, although it’s used to display oneself as a form of art, can affect others, even without a person realizing it. Ultimately, students find they can carry out how they are as a person in their attire or consciously put them together without too much thought because they are putting on what is fitting to them and their merits. I spent some time with a few a students to find out what influences the way they dress. Here’s a snaphot of my conversations.

Interviews:
Itzel Aniela Rodriguez
Grade 12
IR: “My style, wearing crop tops represents my confidence that has prospered, confidence in my body, I like to dress appropriately to my settings.”
IR: “My ideal fashion trends are street wear, baggy pants, a combination of femininity, crop tops with baggy clothing such as jeans, gold jewelry paired with outfits and jorts, (jean shorts).”
IR: “Graphic tees that have inappropriate sayings, clothes that appear to be undergarments, see-through clothing, clothing that matches the skin color.”
IR: “Something that makes sense to me is long but comfortable clothing, or jewelry that really goes with the outfit but still looks presentable such as jeans and a stylish top.”

Fernando Orozco
Grade 12
FO: “I just wear whatever I have that is clean.”
FO: “My ideal fashion trends are whatever is affordable, whatever is the comfiest, trending accessories such as rings, crosses, etc.”
FO: “Shirts that have offensive things can be problematic.”
FO: “Wearing coats in winter, windbreakers and clothing that allows one to heat them-self, suitable clothing based on the season.”

Mary Mendez
Grade 12
MM: “My style represents my overall personality since I choose my clothing by the grab-and-go motto.”
MM: “Ideal fashion trends are casual or stylish, such as color-coordinated, chic, doesn’t have to stand out but is loose, I love being able to move around and not worry about being restricted by movements based on my clothing.”
MM:“ I feel like they can, if they are offensive or inappropriate, make remarks that are aimed at specific groups of people.”
MM: “Light clothes, warm jackets, beanies and hats for autumn, boots, tennis shoes as the weather starts to get colder.”

Students who typically dress more warmly are more prone to dressing according to the periodic weather where they don’t feel they have to dress themselves in having to participate in the current trends since they are wearing what goes with their flow for the 6.5 hours in which they have to navigate the school with their schedules that can be completely scattered around the entire campus. Not to mention the different cultures and environments for students to dress moderately or dress in revealing attire, or possibly to fit into society’s overall standards. It is best stated that highlighting respect, diversity, and expertise generates a more optimistic and immersed learning atmosphere.

Isabel Solorzano

Grade 12

IS: “For me when I try to dress up more and put energy into my outfits, my outfits can be very bold and expressive because it’s how I like to stand out. I like to wear bold colors such as red and black, wearing skirts and dresses and putting on accessories. My personality is very bold, I love talking to people, and my passions in music and mix my interest with my style and having jewelry that represents my interests, also my with my personality into my style.”
IS: “I like tights with different patterns, 90’s grunge aesthetic, wearing band shirts, baggy jeans, and baggy sweaters, I like to wear leather jackets, skirts, and tights with boots.”
IS: “I think they can if they are being disrespectful to people of different races or gender. I think that sometimes certain clothing can disrespect culture or religions because it seems like it’s a trend and that’s when it can be problematic.”
IS:“ Knit sweaters, cable knit sweaters, leather jackets for the fall, which appear to be in a rock-star style.”
IS: “Casual street wear, nothing expensive, sportswear, baggy jeans, jerseys, comfortable but allowing channeling confidence.”

Trends:
-High rise jeans
-Loose fit ripped jeans
-Cropped long sleeves
-Leggings
-Cropped hoodies
-Kami’s
-Over-sized jeans
-Cropped/off the shoulder graphic tees
-Cropped tops
– Sweatpants
-Shiny belts, rhinestone,hearts etc
-Black crosses, earrings or necklaces
-Tight shirts
-Knitted open crop tops
-Uggs
-Nike shoes
-Fur boots
-Flair pants/yoga pants
-Gothic tops/jeans