The youth of Konawaena display a variety of fashion sense

Fashion is an amazing beacon for self-expression. There are a variety of different trends you can see being sported around campus.  From undoubtedly adored style choices to even the most fashionably questionable clothing articles. Whether the subject is local brands, vintage shopping, street wear, or dress code the question remains, What are the students of Konawaena wearing? 

The dressful landscape on campus presents a diverse array of styles, surfwear and basic brands frequently observed alongside a notable amount of brands that carry differing genres of clothing, reflecting a varied range of consumer preferences. Minimalist aesthetics, characterized by an emphasis on comfort and ease of wear, can also be heavily spotted throughout campus. 

A statement from Konawaena student, Ellison Morgan, “My personal style is very basic, bland & lazy.”

To elaborate, a wide percentage of the student population prefers to be comfortable rather than fashionable when at school. Being that the topic of fashion is so subjective, critics will always follow. Morgan shared that he personally believes excessively long socks to be distasteful and have a lack of stylistic coherence. 

These observations underscore the complex relationship between personal preference, prevailing fashion trends, and many other broad reasonings that help shape style choices made by teens at Konawaena High. 

Dress code, a controversial topic surrounding fashion around campus. Some believe it provides them with structure allowing fashion to be an ease. Others see it as a restriction that keeps them from further self expression. 

Styles like strapless tops with high cut silhouettes and graphic shirts that contain designs that don’t meet the schools appropriacy standards. Though some may find this restraining, this doesn’t  necessarily mean you have to go against policy to create fashionably forward outfits.

Exhibiting popular brands that don't particularly go against policy,this list could include Benoa, Acacia, Tenore, Pro club, Levis, Skims, Aritiza and more. Emphasizing on this, many turn to accessorizing to bring out character in their personal style. Most notably seen channeled through jewelry. 

Alea Kaniho a 12th grade student said, “I love when people wear jewelry, it brings out character and contrast in their outfits, I complement anyone that I think has a good stack.”  Trends including keshi pearls, gold bangles, Hebrew shells. Notable brands including hinas treasures, keshi co., and bangles by kui.  Confidence, one of the most crucial aspects of fashion. It’s quite easy to tell when someone isn’t accurately representing themselves when they wear something they noticeably don’t feel comfortable in. Lole aloha or aloha attire  has recently had a vast resurgence.

 Majority of Students fond of this specific group of clothing most often display pieces from their collection exclusively on aloha Friday, while a small percentage of such chose to wear the bold stylistic choice throughout the week. 

Quoted from Karlie Kahalioumi, 12th grade student, “I love how everyone isn’t shame to wear aloha wear on days other than Friday.”

Notable hawaii fashion icons Kalu Simpson and Gianna Marie are a great portrayal of assertiveness within fashion and wearing what you enjoy without shame.

Both pronounced influential people within Hawaii's youthful generation of fashion media, they possess contemporary styles that are somewhat a mix of trendy and old hawaii. Bringing attention back to the topic of lole aloha, or even just fashion in a whole, second hand shopping has become a popular way of sourcing clothing pieces around campus. Apps like depop, poshmark and mercari being quite favored, Brands like manuhealii and kealopiko are able to be found at somewhat a better price than retail. 

Fashion is a particularly broad spectrum of self expression and has no rules to it. Konawaena unveils this perfectly as many of its students can be spotted in exceptionally curated outfits.