As you grow up, you develop as a person, moral-wise, personality-wise, and in how you dress. And, although to some, the clothes you wear and what you choose to wear aren’t all that significant, to others it’s the development of a person. Fashion is a form of art, being one of the oldest forms of expression and identity.
The culture and values at Willow Glen High School are expressed heavily through individualism and art for a majority of students. One student, Vidal Barba (‘25) says that “fashion is the only way to express one’s looks besides the face they were given,” emphasizing the sheer significance fashion has to him alone and most likely others who feel the same way. He expanded himself further as a person through his wardrobe. Similarly, for other students, like Rianna Kochman (‘25), to Rianna, fashion is a “direct reflection of [herself] and what [she] enjoys in life.” She says that she finds herself “making friends with people who have similar styles and people with different and unique styles.” Fashion truly brings people together and it just goes to show the plethora of things fashion can do.
Besides the self-image parts of fashion, there are also many other motivations and reasons for dressing the way people do. Elias Nixon (‘27) describes fashion as something he shares with his brothers. He developed his style and got inspiration from his brothers by thrifting. Fashion can be passed down, changed, or remain the same. Wherever your motivation comes from, whoever impacts it the most, it remains a central feature in your character. In more ways than one, what you choose to wear impacts lives and who you are as a person, whether it’s realized. As we humans are endlessly creating and recreating ourselves, what better way to show who we are than to explore our intrigues?
One commonality between every person interviewed was the fact that no matter what you wear, let it be you and don’t let anybody tell you differently. What you choose to wear is your statement and your story, not anyone else’s. It’s the beauty of why you wear what you do, not the validation of others. Validation is just a constituent of your outfits, but wearing what makes you, you is the most important factor. Raymond Cortez (‘25) talks about what he views as a good style, which is “inspiring other people and showing you don’t care what other people think.” He believes in dressing for yourself and influencing others through his fashion choices.
Another commonality we noticed amongst the student population was thrifting. Thrifting is found to be environmentally friendly, versatile in a multitude of styles, and affordable. Some common local thrift stores mentioned were Savers, Crossroads, and local flea markets. It has shown a significant influence on today’s style and fashion trends. Its recent popularity was instigated during quarantine and served as a big influence on people’s styles by bringing back old and more vintage trends that weren’t as common in recent fashions.
In the end, fashion is so much more than just the clothes we put on each day; it’s an evolving narrative of who we are and who we strive to become. From influencing friendships to connecting with others or making bold statements about individuality, fashion is deeply personal, yet universally impactful. Each choice we make in what we wear reflects our identity, a small piece of the larger perplexity that defines us. Whether it’s expressing creativity, drawing inspiration, or challenging the norm, fashion is an ever-changing aspect that allows us to explore and celebrate our unique selves. So, what does fashion mean to you?
