From summery babydoll tops to thick puffer jackets, the seasons are changing, and so are the closets of Edison High School students. Today, more than ever, students are embracing a unique range of fashion trends.
For EHS students, clothing is more than just a piece of fabric; it’s a sense of identity and representation of the current culture. Each outfit is crafted and chosen to suit an individual’s personality. The diverse styles within the student body highlight a balance of comfort, individuality, and the current social trends.
“It seems like the style for EHS students today is more relaxed and casual than in my high school days here,” said Personal Finance and Economics teacher Mrs. Lauren Cassella.
The high school fashion trends from the early 2000s greatly differ from those of today. Students were commonly seen in colorful capri pants (tapered trousers to the calves), shirts paired with unique necklaces, and brightly colored shoes to complete the look. Further into the 2010s, fashion at schools shifted into a more casual and comfortable field. During this time, many students were seen wearing skinny jeans, oversized graphic tees, and bomber jackets (a style of jacket with distinctive cuffs) on top. Now, to continue the shift from past trends, fashion at school has also changed.
As the school year goes on, more and more popular trends have arrived through the front doors of Edison High, and many of these trends are heavily influenced by social media.
“At the school, along with quarter zips, baggy jeans have remained a staple piece in most people’s wardrobes. Both men and women, for the most part, have a pair and wear them on the regular,” said Shahmir Tariq ‘28.
Over the past few years, there has been a rise in baggy jeans, stemming from the original mom jeans that were in everyone’s closets amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, in the media, the trending phrase “Performative Men” highlights the idea of men adopting a more sophisticated aesthetic. Wearing quarter-zips has been a recent trend that came from that idea, and it has been a popular hit within both the younger and older generations.
Another popular trend among students at EHS is the priority of comfort in outfits. For students with heavy workloads and long nights, many tend to favor relaxation and ease in their outfits.
“Many people show up to school in sweatpants and hoodies,” said Sophia Chen ‘29. “I myself included, I think it’s a way to be put together and comfortable.”
Besides dressing for comfort, many students simply wear what they please. At EHS, many students have expressed their liking for a specific piece of clothing in their closet.
“My favorite piece of clothing is a hoodie, a bright royal blue from Nike. It’s so comfortable and cozy and cute,” said Ananya Chandrashekarappa ‘28.
Athletic apparel brands like Nike, Adidas, and Lululemon have remained a staple in people’s closets for generations. Their popularity stemmed from the 1980s with the fitness boom and growth in hip-hop culture. Many saw these pieces of clothing as trendy and comfortable, yet aligned with school dress codes. By providing comfort and staying trendy, these companies remain popular to this day.
Aside from sportswear, jeans have also continued to reside in people’s wardrobes. As time passes, many new styles and variations of jeans have appeared, which have provided a more inclusive outlet for many shoppers. The origins of jeans can be traced back to the 1870s, when they were mostly used by workers for denim’s comfort and durability. However, as time went on, jeans could be seen on all sorts of people, and denim came to be seen as casual wear.
“My current favorite item has to be my flared jeans,” says Jessica Yuan ‘27. “It matches a lot of the clothes in my closet and is just a great staple overall.”
Flared jeans are another growing trend within the younger generation. Tracing back to the disco era of the 70s, flared jeans added character to standard skinny jeans. The popularity of flare jeans has grown due to their flattering silhouette and versatility.
Many popular trends of today have been recycled even as far back to the 1950s, including patterns like polka dots.
“My favorite piece of clothing is probably my polka dot tank top,” said Sophia Chen ‘29. “I have seen it trending a lot on social media lately, and I think it is adorable.”
Polka dots have been a classic style for women since the 1900s. Today, many stores are selling this specific pattern, favored for its feminine and playful energy.
Fashion at Edison High has showcased many aspects and categories of style. Fashion among each student can be based on many different preferences—whether it be comfort, the latest trends, or older trends.
As trends in fashion rise and fade, one thing is clear: EHS students will always find a way to make fashion personal to themselves.
