There is no question that fashion trends are evolving by the minute. New styles are emerging and can be seen everywhere. Whether it’s babydoll tops, Sambas, or off-the-shoulder tees, teenagers are constantly trying to keep up with the latest stylish items. This year, students are putting their own unique spin on the back-to-school style, mixing nostalgia with fresh takes, and expressing themselves beyond traditional fashion rules.
B-CC students share their hot takes on this year’s back-to-school looks: “I’ve seen a lot of baggier pants, like jeans and sweatpants, in the hallways,” shares Junior Tadashi Mampilly. “I’ve never really been a fan of super tight, high-waisted denim jeans; they’re just not my style,” Senior Nulara Tennakone adds. The baggy-jean phenomenon has become increasingly noticeable in “Fit check” posts on Instagram and TikTok, and the once-popular skinny jeans have largely fallen out of style.
Some disapprove of certain fashion choices. Fashion “icks”— something that people find personally disagreeable in a style — have been commonly mentioned on social media. Not all styles are receiving a warm welcome. “Some things I am not excited to see in school this year are super ripped jeans, lettuce hems, cream and white worn together, Van Cleef jewelry, and Yeezys,” Sophomore Maia Losada said.
However, a more toned-down approach to these “questionable” fashion choices also arose. “I don’t really have an ick, I like when people dress expressively to themselves and wear what they like to see themselves in,” Mampilly said. This speaks to a broader sentiment among Gen Z: fashion is less about strict rules and more about personal expression. “If you like it, wear it,” seems to be the motto.
In today’s world, social media plays a huge role in personal style, accelerating trends and breaking them down into small bursts known as microtrends. These rapid, fast-moving moments give teens an endless opportunity to experiment, turning the school hallways into runways.
So, in the midst of this never-ending micro-trend chase, what will you choose to do? To stand out…or to fit in?
