` In the ever-evolving world of high school style, students are always redefining their looks. With the influence of social media, trends now spread faster than ever before, and the hallways become a fashion melting pot. Among the major shifts in younger fashion, streetwear, vintage, and retro have stood out as popular. Thrift shopping has been gaining immense traction over the past decade due to its ability to supply unique pieces at affordable prices. In the twenty-first century, there is a clear push towards individuality in high school fashion.
Senior Alejandro Flores is all about blending comfort with a dash of retro style. “I like to wear a lot of older style denim just because I like the way they look, but I add something current as well, like a new pair of shoes or a graphic T-shirt,” said Flores. For him, the mix of the past and the present is what makes fashion today. “It’s not about copying just one period or style — it’s about taking pieces from everything and doing your own thing,” said Flores. Like others, Flores is exploring his self-expression through his style, combining different pieces from eras of fashion that he has an interest in.
Another comeback has been Y2K style — fashion from the early 2000s. Whether students are in school or hanging out with friends, the old-school style has become a classic statement piece. Pieces such as baggy jeans, low-rise pants, and chunky jewelry are no longer relics of the past. Brands like JNCO Jeans, Affliction, South Pole, Depop, and more have made it easy for teenagers to embrace the throwback fashion without sacrificing the contemporary feel. Comfort is the appeal for the majority of students in baggy pants, and the Y2K fashion offers them the freedom to try out expressive fashion. This combination of nostalgia and uniqueness gives high school students a refreshing way to experiment with their style.
Senior Raman Pyzhyk has a more minimalist approach to style. “I do not think about overdressing my appearance. Simple shades like black, white, and beige are preferable to me,” said Pyzhyk. His fashion is all about minimal lines and relaxed appearances. As a response to the trend pressure, Pyzhyk emphasizes uniqueness. “Trends come and go, but wearing something that makes you feel like yourself makes you fashionable,” he said. Pyzhyk stresses that it is more important to be authentic with your style than to copy everyone else’s wardrobe.
Senior Miguel Aless enjoys sticking to what he likes wearing. “I like to wear a lot of baggy articles of clothing, such as hoodies. I think I have found my style, at least for now,” he said. Aless never worries about breaking fashion rules and always mixes streetwear with other items he enjoys. “Fashion is a way of expressing who you are, and I like expressing that I’m not one way — I can wear whatever based on how I feel,” said Aless.
Accessories are also a part of the teen trend today, including chunky gold accessories, layered necklaces, and rings, which have the potential to add that extra spice to even the most basic of outfits. Students are utilizing accessories to bring simple styles to the next level, demonstrating that sometimes, even the smallest of details can make an enormous difference in the way an outfit is perceived. Bucket hats, beanies, and headscarves have also made a comeback, adding to this new wave of fashion.
Nowadays, high school fashion is more diverse than ever. Trends may rise and fall, but there’s one thing that stays stagnant — students are making fashion their statement. With the advent of social media and an increased sense of freedom about what to wear, students will continue to shape the fashion landscape even as new trends rise and fall.