American fashion designer Rachel Zoe said it best: “Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.” Students at Campolindo live by this saying more than they know. Whether this be through new jeans and a cute top or baggy sweatpants and a sweater, clothing allows students to be and express their best selves. It’s hard to see the impact that style has on the student body from an average day in school but really, the smallest detail can hold significant value.
Sophomore Sofia Chan said, “fashion is my favorite way of personal expression. I think you can tell a lot about someone through their clothes and how they choose to present themselves.” Chan carefully crafts her outfits to showcase different aspects of her personality. Chan added, “I really like draping and layering.” By combining different pieces and rearranging them in a way specific to her, Chan is able to successfully create outfits that showcase her creative desires while also staying functional.
Style is more than just matching your shirt to your shoes; it can dictate a person’s mood throughout the day. Senior Eli Baltz expanded on the infamous saying of ‘look good, feel good’, describing how, “a good outfit just radiates good energy…it adds more confidence.” Confidence allows students to become their most authentic selves without fear of judgment from their peers.
Through clothing, students at Campo have the opportunity to make an outfit that not only makes them look good, but also boosts their self-esteem that could otherwise be diminished by the force of social media. Senior Katie Feldman noticed how, “social media, especially sites like instagram or tiktok make comparing yourself to others really easy.” Feldman believes that combating these issues comes easily through fashion, “A good outfit makes me feel secure in my own skin and I think that is incredibly important.”
Fashion also allows students to present different facets of themselves depending on their mood of the day. For instance, Chan plans her outfits based on how she’s feeling that day, “there are some days where I’m really going for a specific look, because maybe I’m trying to show that I feel effortless that day or maybe sometimes it’s a little more complicated because I’m trying to show like, yes I can wear that!” With a dark red scarf or bright pink sneakers, students can add detail to their day that would normally go unnoticed.
Each fashion choice is uniquely individual, put together to subtly accentuate a feeling or trait. Many students didn’t believe that they were capable of assembling an outfit that was so in tune with how they are feeling but surprisingly, many peers do just that without even realizing. Baltz often wakes up and, “just put[s] on a pair of sweatpants and a sweatshirt.” Upon closer intention, we can see how Baltz’s mood that day decided his outfit. Baltz unintentionally selected an outfit that fit with how he was feeling, “it depends on how tired I am.” Students at Campo have shown that no matter if you try to or not, style reflects how you are feeling and who you are.
Style is more than just clothing put together in a pleasing way, as Feldman makes clear, “the ability to create my own style gives me confidence and a sense of fun that is hard to find at Campo.” Feldman and her peers agree that style is more than a flashy outfit, it symbolizes parts of your personality that cannot come through in words. Next time you are walking to class, sitting in the library, or eating lunch with your friends, take a look around and notice the impact of style on your peers.
