From bell bottoms to low-rise jeans, teenage fashion has changed significantly through the ages.
Some of the most iconic, outgoing fashion looks were worn in past decades. Specifically, teenagers were becoming rebellious with their style after the Vietnam war. Bell bottoms, tie die, and halter tops were in fashion, and style choices reflected the personality and beliefs of the wearer.
“In the 70s, everyone was going to the Army Surplus store. You could go to one of those Army Surplus stores and get stuff that the army was done with. So it was popular to get. I had some kind of supply bag that was khaki green canvas with big brass hooks on the closures. I used it as a purse, decorating it with different buttons that expressed the culture of the time, like the women’s movement, for instance,” Vicki Heidenreich, former teacher, said.
Fashion trends today reflect a much more casual vibe. Trends today are widely influenced by social media, popular brands, and celebrities.
“Trends for boys right now are bootcut sweatpants and boxy t-shirts. For girls, a lot of jackets and zip-ups with hoods are popular, and bootcut denim is making a pretty big comeback,” junior Everett Nickolaus, Hollister employee, said.
Older generations view this shift in fashion as negative and unprofessional.
“When I was teaching, I think it got more casual; people were starting to wear the athletic wear clothes or the lounge wear clothes to school. I did not care for it that much. It is probably an age thing, but the sweatpants and all that, that is for when you are sitting around at night watching TV and you are checking out, that is when you wear those clothes. So if you show up to school or you show up to your work, you should be wearing something that shows you are ready to work,” Heidenreich said.
The younger generation, however, views the shift into a more comfortable style as a positive thing.
“When people wear sweatpants to school, I think it still looks dressed up. Some girls will wear a monochromatic, bright outfit with lots of jewelry, which is in style,” junior Biaktha Khun said.
Despite the gap in fashion opinions between generations, many people of all ages are choosing to thrift vintage clothing, weaving together styles from all decades to curate a unique style.
“I love that young people are getting into thrifting, I am not kidding. I love it because the young people are really into the sustainability of it. It is not just the older people that are thinking that way. The younger people are very, very self-conscious about that. I do not like disposable clothes. I just see nothing in the future but vintage getting more and more popular,” Tammy Dyson, owner of The Vintage Gypsy, said.
