Teens talk fashion influences

By Avrah Urecki
Charleston Catholic High School

For teens, clothes are more than just a way to cover up. They give confidence and reflect personalities. They play a huge role in our lives.

It is no coincidence, then, that stores and brands are constantly competing for our attention. But is teen fashion all about trendiness or are there other things that inspire teens in their individual style?

Since the world is full of competition, many teens do try to be popular by following the trends. We’re encouraged by commercials, celebrities and pictures in magazines and catalogues to look a certain way. Plus, magazines like Seventeen and Teen Vogue offer plenty of popular style tips for a variety of occasions.

Whether you want to look ultra feminine, clean and casual, trendy or even mysterious, these monthly magazines help the fashion conscious stay on top and see what their style idols are wearing.

For Haley Means, a high school junior in Richmond, Va., this is her preferred method of fashion inspiration. “I like getting styles tips from Seventeen and Teen Vogue. I also enjoy watching my favorite actors in their apparel to get inspirations,” she said.

Another key influence in style is entertainment. Teens have easy access to music videos that feature the latest looks, and popular entertainers like Gwen Stefani, Sean Combs, J.Lo and Hilary Duff even have their own clothing lines.

New reality-based fashion shows are also popular among teens. These shows give people complete makeovers and offer alternative styles that not only fascinate viewers each week but also give them great fashion advice. From The Style Network’s “How Do I Look?” and “Style Star” to Bravo’s “Project Runway,” shows abound to not only introduce you to hip and chic styles but also to help you pick the right colors and textures for your skin tone and choose good outfits for your body type.

“I wear whatever looks good, but I love to watch ‘What Not to Wear,’” said Charleston Catholic junior Anna Clarke.

Of course, not all teens follow fashion trends. Some like to create their look based on what they like and how comfortable the clothes feel. They like to stand out with their own personal style.

You don’t have to completely give in to trends, but the media does offer many “hip tips,” so whether you want to look your best for a particular occasion, embrace who you are or strive to emulate a particular celebrity, you’ve got plenty of places to look to for inspiration.