Is That What You're Wearing?

In movies and shows like High School Musical, Degrassi and Riverdale, the depiction of high school students is perceived as always well dressed and kept together with the highest fashion. You have the stereotypical cliques, rivals and dress code that all students magically seem to follow. But, have you ever wondered what high school students actually look like in the classroom?

We interviewed a few high school students and teachers at South Meck to get the scoop on the latest fashion trends and styles here at school.

Q1: How would you describe your style?

A: “I would call what I wear Goodwill couture. I go to a lot of cheap stores and buy what I think looks good. Most of what I wear is based on comfort, not style.”

-Andrew Berenfeld (Freshman Teacher at South Meck)

B: “Very simple, professional during the weekdays, and during the weekends jeans and top.s”

-Amy Dah ( AFM teacher at South Meck )

Q2: Does your style change frequently?

A: “It definitely changes frequently. I like the hippie style and the more grunge style.”

-Kara Seymour (Junior at South Meck)

B:“Changes with the weathers. When its winter I want to be warm.”

-group of boys

Q3: How does where you’re going affect your style?

A: “I don’t really like wearing anything fancy, so if I do go somewhere nice, I’ll probably wear a blouse and some nice jeans, but I wear jeans most of the time.”

-Jaisha (Junior at South Meck)

B: "If it's at school I like to look clean and presentable everywhere I go.”

-Amy Dah ( AFM teacher at South Meck )

Next, we gathered some information from more students at South Meck on what fashion means to them, and if it matters.

Q4: What is fashion?

A: “Fashion is danger! Fashion is what people like to look at, ocular pleasure I guess, whatever’s fun for the eyes.”

-Andrew Berenfeld (Freshman Teacher at South Meck)

B: “Fashion is what makes you who you are.”

-group of girls

Q5: What does fashion mean to you?

A: “It’s just a way to express your personality without even saying anything.”

-Kara Seymour (Junior at South Meck)

B: “Comfort.”

Group of boys

Q6: Does style matter?

A: “Obviously!”

-Andrew Berenfeld (Freshman Teacher at South Meck)

B: “ Not if you are comfortable with who you are as a person.”

Group of girls

Do students dress down for midterms, or dress the same all school year? According to an Instagram poll, 63% of South Meck students dress more comfortably for midterms. The other 37% seem to dress the same all school year. Next are the percentages for the polls we took for individual questions. For the question, “Do you feel your style matters,” 44% said yes while 56% said no. 70% of students said that where they travel affects their style, whereas 30% said no. Next, we asked if they dressed out of the “norm.” 77% said yes, while 23% said no. I found that particularly interesting, because if 77% dress out of the “norm,” it then becomes the norm. Lastly, we asked if their style changes a lot. 48% said yes, and 52% said no.

To wrap this up, the dressed to a T characters you see on TV are pretty inaccurate. Students in everyday life dress largely for comfort. We encourage you to ask yourself these questions. What is your style, does style matter? What is fashion to you?