High school fashion is far more than mere fashion; it’s self-expression, a signal toward social movements, and is a reflection of cultural fluctuation. Modern high schoolers wear unique trends that mash vintage styles, eco-conscious choices, and social media influences into something that is their own and is still quite modern.
Jonna Tran, a student at Moanalua High School, has a style that blends street casual and business casual. Tran owns a pair of low-waisted, gold-embroidered black jeans and says, “I chose them because the detail was really nice, and I like the look of the black wash.”
“Some modern trends are rooted in past trends, like the way that some items are layered, but I think overall, I tend to wear more modern individual pieces for simple outfits and more vintage pieces when I want to dress nicely. I lean towards the style I’m most comfortable with,” Tran adds.
The early 2000s aesthetic, or “Y2K,” is returning to high schools. Y2K fashion consists of bright colors, low-rise jeans, cargo pants, and striking accessories in the form of chunky jewelry and butterfly clips; due to the TikTok and Instagram platforms that allow the students to revisit their favorite icons such as Britney Spears, Destiny’s Child, and films in the early 2000s. For today’s students, it’s a way to put a playful, retro touch to their outfits and stand out with bold, colorful choices.
Chevy Cadiente, a student in fashion here at Moanalua High School, has been recognized by others for having a great sense of style.
Cadiente says, “My everyday outfits are directly inspired by the 70’s-00’s. Sometimes, I combine different accessories with different pieces from different eras to create my own style.” He uses pieces such as a Ben Davis half-zip workwear shirt and Fubu Jerseys.
“Everyone has access to every type of fashion out there through TikTok and Instagram. It is so easy to see what older generations’ sense of style looked like, or how other parts of the world are dressing” explains Cadiente.
Thrifting has become a mainstream trend that enables students to be eco-conscious while being capable of saving money on clothes. Finds from thrift stores add a great sense of uniqueness to style, combining different elements from different decades. All of this creates a growing trend away from fast fashion and toward personal, sustainable fashion choices that also support local and independent shops.
The athleisure trend has not only been constant but is also very strong, especially among students who are concerned with comfort within their everyday style. Athleisure wear includes leggings with oversized hoodies and/or sweatpants. More students started to choose outfits that would take them from the classroom to their extracurriculars. Clothing brands such as Lululemon, Nike, and Adidas are worn often because they make for functional pieces that maintain a balance between fashion and comfort.
Other students like minimalist styles or even monochromatic attire because they love clean lines and simplicity. They usually consist of neutrals such as black, white, beige, and pastel shades, with minimal accessories to give an accomplished look. In addition, minimalism is also easily manageable and always in fashion for the busy student on the go.
It is social media that seems to aid all these emerging trends, where students take cues from influencers, celebrities, and friends across the globe (Świątkiewicz, 2024).
The likes of TikTok, Instagram, and Pinterest will provide limitless inspiration so teens can keep themselves abreast of fashion trends worldwide while adding their own signature flavor to them. This flow of ideas has made fashion at once more accessible, varied, and accepted, encouraging students to mix and match styles in creating outfits reflective of their personalities.
From Y2K throwbacks filled with nostalgia to eco-conscious choices and gender-inclusive style, today’s high school fashion trends are showing off a generation valuing individuality, comfort, and social responsibility. These set the trends not only in what students wear but also in self-expression and interaction with others in an ever-changing world.
