Every year, there is a new wave of fashion. Sometimes, styles get recycled, but there is always a line drawn between what is perceived as fashionable and what is not. At the beginning of each school year, it is commonplace for students to go back-to-school shopping. One common theme is apparent in students’ choices of clothing this year; despite the colder weather, teens appear to be opting for shorter hemlines, skinnier shirt straps and lower necklines.
Even though it is October and chilly weather is beginning to set in, students can still be seen around campus sporting crop tops without the layer underneath, and short shorts with inseams (stitch length) that are shorter than general boxers worn by males. Brand names like Abercrombie, Urban Outfitters and Hot Topic fuel this trend by pairing controversial clothing with promotional sales. Some retailers, like American Apparel, have even come under fire for hyper-sexualizing minors in their advertisements.
Because the teenagers are a key consumer, brands are looking to attract this specific age group more than ever. With this movement comes a change in fashion. English teacher Genevieve Thurtle has seen a change in clothing trend. She notes that crop tops have made a huge comeback over the past year.
In recent years it seems that teenagers are sporting more provocative clothing than ever before. Senior Olivia Lindorfer says, “People just want attention. Like, when you see a girl wearing a pink bra under a white shirt, you’re like, what’s she thinking?”
Sophomore Mary Fitzgerald adds, “I think wearing short shorts or crop tops is fine. But if you’re wearing them both at the same time, I think that’s a little too much skin.”
Although there may not be explicit pressure to dress in a revealing manner, one reason students wear suggestive clothing may be attributed to the trendiness and attention that one receives for dressing a certain way.
Freshman Lynn Jiao says, “I don’t think girls should feel a lot of pressure … we should be allowed to wear whatever we want.”
While school dress codes are developed in order to minimize clothing that may distract other genders, some feel that these regulations are unfair. Junior Vivian Shen says, “Why do we need to stop wearing what we want because of guys?”
Occasionally, the opposite gender’s clothing choices can be very perplexing to individuals. Senior Darrell Ten says, “I’m cool with short shorts on girls, but I kind of think they’re not necessary.”
Senior Rick Miyagi adds, “Crop tops? I don’t really get them. No one really needs to see your stomach.”
While Miyagi points to a phenomenon that occurs when girls opt to wear crop with clothes over them, some girls choose to wear something over the crop tops to cover their stomach. Lindorfer says, “If you’re going to wear crop tops, put something underneath or over it. I mean, they’re great if you want to wear them to the beach, but it’s not necessary for school.”
According to Aragon’s dress code, bro tanks and chubbies (shorter shorts for males) are not allowed, with the exception of bro tanks that have straps exceeding an inch in width. However, many people, especially guys, opt out of this restriction, donning bro tanks. Freshman Anthony Sandoval, who occasionally wears wifebeaters, says, “Wifebeaters are cool. It’s not a problem [at school] because I wear it underneath a sweatshirt or something. They’re good when you’re exercising.”
While sagging is not necessarily a new trend, it still quite commonplace amongst adolescent males. English teacher Tiffany Wang says, “I’ve definitely seen sagging, and it’s been around for a long time.”
And even with crop tops, short shorts, and tank tops, there’s not a limit to what is trendy or not. Stylish clothing does not necessarily mean that clothing has to be suggestive. Fitzgerald says, “Cords are great, especially in chilly weather.”
Shen adds, “Sweaters are great, especially cardigans. They’re great, even for warmer weather. You really don’t have to wear short shorts all the time.”
Although retailers and popular media seem to constantly reinforce the fact that fashionable clothing has to be revealing, students can remain fashionable while maintaining modesty.
