How you look is the first impression that others get of you.
Not the way you talk, nor the way you walk.
They look at your face, your hair, your outfit— ugh, those shoes are so last Vogue.
The way you dress is your first impression, which could double as your lasting impression.
Whether your style varies from basic to alternative to soft, it’s the foot in the door to a world of fashion. Trends that ebb and flow throughout the years, subcultures becoming more popular, and finding your own individual style are all factors that lead to personal expression showing through your fashion. Senior Rachel Yang has had her own journey in fashion.
Although personal expression is very much welcomed, good quality clothes and specific items might be very expensive, leading to the rise of fast fashion, promoting websites and apps such as Temu, Aliexpress, and Shein.
“I really hate the rise of fast fashion,” Yang said. “It’s poor quality and it doesn’t last.”
As certain fashion styles or niche subjects become popularized, they also get oversimplified and watered down.
“Another thing I hate is how subcultures like Goth and Punk are being watered down to just a fashion because it is so much more than just clothes,” Yang said. “It’s the music, it’s the political movements, it’s the history of the subculture.”
History permeates all, which is evident in Yang’s unique style. Her specific style has lasted years before her, having passed down the torch of self expression.
“I did not dress alternately at first, I started dressing alternately after 9th grade,” Yang said. “I wanted to find a way to express myself.”
As Yang dresses in an alternative style, the courage to look different isn’t without external pressure. Coupled with the freedom to dress however you’d like comes with the freedom to judge what is worn, which is a worry for those who dress “out of the norm”.
“I get tired and dressing in goth fashion everyday takes time,” Yang said. “Also, I do not want to get bullied or harassed at school.”
As style and taste in fashion fluctuates between person to person, they all have one thing in common: assurance in yourself.
“It makes me feel more confident in my own skin,” Yang said.
