COMFY OR STYLish?

The fashion choices of Junior High students differ widely depending on one’s preferences. These are are then separated into different aesthetics, but there are two main categories often debated today: Style, or Comfort.

Clothing for humans has evolved since centuries ago, while fashion design has believed to have originated in 1826. Years have passed since then and so have trends, but is it “trendy” to be flexible and comfortable, or to be stylish and fashionable?

As stated by artsandculture. google.com, fashion plays a vital role in many societies. The fashion industry is also said to be the second biggest worldwide economic activity, with an estimated value of $3 trillion.

Clothes may often have a psychological effect on an individual and their peers. As according to brainfodder. org, fashion can affect one’s behavior, perception of themselves, confidence and self-esteem.

Thus, the clothing choices you make are still a reflection of you. Many underestimate how important fashion is as a method of self-expression. What you wear could be someone’s first impression of you!

Regardless, people will still choose to prioritize comfort than concern themselves with appearances. This is evident in studies made by forbes. com who claims, “over 8 in 10 people (81%) prioritize comfort over costs or style.”

A poll was run in our Junior High and from 41 different responses, 87.8% of students said they prefer wearing comfortable clothes, while the other 12.2% said they would rather be stylish.

A student who voted for comfort said “It’s easier to make it through the school day when the clothes I’m wearing are comfortable, it’s hard to learn if I’m focused on my clothes.”

Meanwhile, another student who voted for style answered, “I enjoy feeling like I have a good outfit on. It helps start my day with something positive as well.”

We also questioned whether trends played a role in students’ fashion choices. From the results of the poll, 53.7% said clothing trends didn’t matter to them, 26.8% stated they did, and the remaining percentage said it depended on the trend.

Whether you choose to dress comfortably or fashionably, it’s important to wear what you personally enjoy, so long as it is appropriate for what setting you are in.

Don’t feel obligated to wear simply what’s “trendy” or what everyone you know wears. Your clothes are a part of your identity and it’s important to not let others take that away from you.

Story by: Ivana Wang Art By: Jenna James

Addison Warford