Crop tops or cargo pants? Bell bottom or sports jacket? Fashion is a non-verbal communication that can represent one’s political and religious beliefs, gender identity, profession and essence. Intentionally or not, the way you dress can send a message to others about how you see yourself and how you want to look.
Fashion began in ancient Egypt and Rome, “where clothes made the difference between the poor and the rich,” according to fashiongonerogue.com. Fashion has now expanded into a way for people to creatively share their identity with the world, including but not limited to their financial status.
Andrea Taylor’s style: ‘Definitely not indie.’
“I wear whatever I’m comfortable in,” said Andrea Taylor, a theater major. “Anything that suits my body type and just things that are in style, sometimes usually showing a lot of skin. But there are some days where I want to cover up a bit, especially on the colder days.”
Taylor believes that fashion can be used to convey whatever message you want. She also thinks that many people tell their stories through fashion.
“I get a lot of compliments on the way I dress and it makes me feel great,” Taylor said. “I think I try to give off a good vibe with the way I dress. I try to invite people to come and talk to me.”
Taylor remembers when fashion became important in her self-expression.
“My sophomore year in high school is when I really started to care about what I wore,” Taylor said. “That was a great way for me to build confidence.”
Taylor’s favorite parts about fashion are planning her outfit the night before school and shopping for new clothes. One of Taylor’s favorite trends are 1970s-inspired styles like flared jeans and leggings.
Channing Moore’s style: ’90s mom trying to be stylish.
“[Fashion] it matches my identity,” said Channing Moore, an art history major. “I also feel like there are limitations because every time you dress up, you’re limited to what you currently have. You do your best to represent how you feel and what you think you want to portray yourself.
For Moore, fashion means a way to represent herself in an artistic form if she chooses to do so.
Moore believes that the way people dress can also affect how others judge them. She explains that without knowing someone else’s story, people can think too quickly or unfavorably about others. “If they’re in clean clothes, I automatically assume that they try to take care of themselves and take care of their appearance,” Moore said.
Moore, who values stylish comfort in her fashion choices, said her style continues to evolve.
“I think it’s great to say you’ve found your style, but I think that means you’re limiting yourself growing up,” Moore said. “I think this style is definitely different from fashion or being fashionable. Your style is always adapting and relating to who you are and what you are going through. Whereas if you are simply fashionable, then you wear everything that is [trendy].”
Leo Morales Style: ‘Colorful, feminine, fun.’
“[Fashion] it means for me to express myself through the way I present myself,” said Leo Morales, a graphic design major. “A lot of my style choices are a lot more pink and girly and feminine — it’s a way to express my identity. My friends like to see me as someone who likes to dress up even if we’re not doing something. Even if we’re just at home, I’ll just dress up like it’s an event.”
Morales said past fashion trends also influence his style.
“Sometimes I go for ’80s and ’90s trends. Just because I’m kind of jealous, I didn’t grow up with that,” Morales said. “Growing up, I always thought, ‘Oh my god, that person looks so cool on TV,’ but I was a kid, so I couldn’t dress like that. Now that I’m older, I have the money and the self-expression to dress however I want.”
Morales recalls using fashion to express his identity since high school.
“I didn’t want to wear the school uniform, so I made a petition or permission slip,” Morales said.
At his school, they allowed children who had their parents’ permission not to wear the school uniform.
“My two other friends in high school and I just started wearing different clothes,” Morales said. “That’s kind of where I started and that eventually led me to where I am today.
