Rock Any Trend This Season!

No one wants to be told what to do! Even as teenagers, we struggle with following authority. But yet and still we can accept the fact that someone, such as magazines and fashion blogs, are telling us what trends we should or shouldn’t wear. As teenagers we also already struggle with body image and confidence, so we really don’t need someone to tell us what we need to wear just because it’s in style. I’m not saying that trends are bad and that we shouldn’t keep up with this era’s fashion but we shouldn’t get too consumed with trends that we loose our own individuality. Yes, it feels good to know that you are wearing something that is stylish and is in for the season but it really should all come down to you. (what you like to wear, what makes you feel confident etc) So, this school year and fall season, let's focus on ourselves and developing our own style. And feel confident doing it, as well as incorporating some trends.

The hottest trend that will never go out of style is CONFIDENCE. When a person has confidence they can rock any style and trend and feel good wearing it too. This is something everyone should have and always keep because confidence will always and forever be “in” no matter what season or era it is. As young ladies, we always want to be in style and look good for each season but the most important element of style, besides confidence, is being an individual, as well as choosing clothes that fit our body type. The reason for this is there are trends out there that might be in that 1.) Don't fit your body type 2.) Don’t make you feel confident or 3.) Don’t make you feel comfortable. Therefore it's important to incorporate your own individual style. For example, what you personally like and what makes you feel good/comfortable in with trends that are in this season. So instead of throwing out your favorite t-shirt or old type dyed jeans, incorporate some seasonal trends with them. That way you can keep your favorite piece of clothing and style, while feeling confident as well as being stylish. This is a way for you to keep your individuality instead of getting lost in the cycle of trends. I think that everyone should find that piece of clothing or type of clothing that they like as well as make them feel confident.

Another element of style is to choose trends that you can rock year round. If you choose trends that go with what you already have in closet and you can wear them year round you are less likely to go out and buy trend after trend after trend. Because it’s a constant cycle, that would probably never stay the same. Here are some fall trends (yes, they follow all the style tips I included) that I believe every high school student or young adult should have:

1. Army - The army style is back this fall. I have noticed that a lot of high school students are rocking the army green style jackets as well the cargo pants in army green and cargo colors. This type of style can be worn year round. You can wear the army green with shorts or skirts for summer with sandals or flats, or with worn out jeans for winter. In the fall with boots, as well as spring floral for spring. There are even army style peacoats that can be worn through to fall, winter and spring seasons.

2. Oxfords - This old school trend is coming back these shoes can be worn with just about anything, from shorts to jeans and slacks. I definitely recommend these, they pull any outfit together. Get them in a neutral color such as black or camel colored, to fit right into your wardrobe.

3. Rugged Boots - This is definitely an optional style that not everyone may be comfortable wearing. But these are a transitional shoe that can be worn in the fall and winter with your summer dresses and shorts. These shoes are more casual and laid back even though they have a more edgier feel with them.

4. Scarves - Scarves come in all sorts of lengths, colors and sizes so there are ones out there for everyone’s style. These are always in season and can be worn with anything really and all year round also.

5. Destroyed Denim - This style is still in. If you don’t feel comfortable showing the bare skin that some jeans do show, you can wear nice patterned tights or leggings. This would also be good for the cold fall and winter season.

6. Lace - Lace has become huge in the last year or so, as well as floral. Being that the fall season is coming up lace tights would be more in than lace shirts. But you can make lace for any season. For the fall season you can take your summer shorts or dresses and wear them with lace tights and some sort of closed toe shoe like boots. If you don’t feel comfortable showing skin, which some tights or shirts or dresses do show, you can layer on a darker colored shirt or pair of plain tights underneath it creates a nice contrast also.

These are just some trends, I am quite sure that there are more. But in order to wear any trends we need to have confidence and make sure that we feel comfortable going out and wearing these trends. We should incorporate our own style with trends to make them into our own. So, this school year and this fall season ask yourself, "What do I like to wear? What style of clothing makes me feel confident? What’s going to make me stand out this school year?" Because the hottest trends of all are confidence and individuality. And these trends are always going to be around.

--Jamiah Lashay (Berkeley High School, Age 16)

Jr Correspondent