By: Jacob N., grade 9
What drove or is driving your teenage fashion choices? The answer may differ from what you think.
Teenagers have always had a fascination with fashion. From the baggy skater jeans to the ripped skinny jeans, teenagers have always taken fashion to heart. As technology and culture continues to evolve, so does the way teenagers dress themselves. In MIS many high-schoolers are wearing very trendy clothes, but where do they get this style from? And why do they wear the clothes they wear?
Teenagers today are influenced by a variety of factors when it comes to fashion choices. One of the primary drivers of teenage fashion is social media. On platforms like Instagram, YouTube and TikTok, teenage fashion influencers share their unique styles, giving their followers the ability to emulate their looks. This can range from an up-and-coming streetwear designer to a celebrity who has recently released a clothing line. By following these fashion influencers, teenagers can quickly adapt to the latest trends. Though this is not obvious when roaming the halls at MIS, many teens get their style from social media.
Peer pressure is another factor that drives teenage fashion choices. Whether it’s the right shoes, the right backpack or the right hairstyle, teenagers often feel the need to keep up with their peers’ fashion choices. This pressure to fit in can lead to costly purchases to stay up to date with the latest trends.
One of my peers, solely got a pair of sneakers because all his friends had a pair. With the desire to fit it, he purchased a pair without thinking about if he genuinely liked the shoe. He later realized that he didn’t like the shoes as much as he originally though he did.
Finally, teenagers are also influenced by celebrity fashion. Whether it’s on the red carpet or on the pages of a magazine, teenagers are constantly exposed to the latest looks from their favourite celebrities. Teenagers strive to look like their idols, and the desire to replicate their look can lead to high-fashion purchases.
The majority of students at MIS have access to technology and therefor social media. One of my classmates, bases his fashion choices on what her favourite celebrity wears. When her favourite celebrity posts a picture with new clothes, she automatically is jealous and wants the same exact clothes. Another friend of mine, saw a sweatshirt on his favourite celebrity, LaMelo ball, and then bought the sweatshirt from the internet. This is why celebrities have sponsors that pay them to wear their clothes.
Overall, teenage fashion is driven by a variety of factors, including social media, peer pressure and celebrity fashion. All of these factors stem off of the social environment that the teenagers are put in to. For example, if a teen lives in Germany, his social media will be full of German influencers. This can lead him to wear the products and brands that the influencers on his social media are. If this same person were to live in America, his social media would be full of American influencers wearing American fashion. Even though this teen is the same person, him being in different social environments, leads him to have different styles. This teen then influences his peers and peer pressure take its role. Teenagers today are more exposed to fashion than ever before, and they’re constantly striving to stay up to date with the latest looks.
Are you caught up in this endless loop of trying to stay fashionable?