The in fashion diffrences

Teenagers Weigh-in on their journey to finding Style

“Sometimes people shouldn’t just have to care about how people feel about their styles, they should definitely be confident about their style. Whatever makes you comfortable.” 9th grader Natetiana Sledge stated, “My journey was pretty hard, I wanted to fit in with everyone else but I just decided to be myself.” Sledge tells a story about her journey to finding who she is in her style.

“My style is just some sort of y2k-.(Y2K means streetwear from the 2000s, it was mostly a style for music awards or red carpets to show authentic style.)” She said, “Whenever I’m choosing an outfit, I always try to imagine my figure, and think, “will this fit me?” Or “Will this look good on me?” A lot of my mom’s old clothing choices always influenced me as a teenager, because her outfits were always so stylish.”

She goes on to talk about where she shops, “I shop at Shein, Old Navy, Rue21, Hot Topic, Spencers, [and] sometimes Walmart.”

When she picks an outfit she goes through a range of colors. “My favorite outfits have to be pink, or sparkly, or anything that looks comfortable.” She dresses to impress herself and wants everyone to pursue further into their fashion style.

Hugo Arreola, 8th, describes his style as 90s, indie, street fashion and some y2k. “Always match it with something good like pants, shirts, shoes, etc.” he says is the most important part of a good outfit. Hugo uses people on TikTok, his aunts and friends as inspiration for his outfits. But he doesn’t always dress out.

“I just wear shorts and a baggy shirt with a jacket or hoodie,” is what he says he wears when at home or relaxed.

Alex Barker, 8th, wouldn’t describe his style as anything specific. color coordination as the most important part of a good outfit. His favorite pieces of clothing are his black turtleneck and corset. Alex also uses pinterest as inspiration.

Celebrities, time and geography are just a few of what cause trend changes in styles. Sometimes a style will stay around for decades, for example the classic t-shirt. This became a fad in the 20’s due to the Great Depression, how cheap they were to purchase, and easy to wear. They pop back up again in the 50’s when several movie stars wearing the shirt brought them back into the running. Today nearly every student at BJHS will sport one at some point.

Over the past century America has seen it all. The flappers and single breasted jackets of the 1920’s to a more conservative dress in the 50’s with men wearing pants and ties and women in poodle skirts and saddle shoes. Then only 10 short years later, everyone wore jeans and tie dye or very little of anything. In another 10 years, turtlenecks and bell bottoms in high fashion again for both men and women. Americans have seen many styles, from shoulder pads, jean jackets, parachute pants, to fanny packs, long shorts, skinny jeans, cargo pants, t-shirts with sayings or brands on them and more.

Today the true style is just being yourself. We are always bringing back some fashion choices from the past and matching it with new items.

Story By: Annabel Odom and Dexter Lowery

design by Teagan Willyard