Each person on our planet of nearly 8.3 billion seems to fit into one of several boxes. Trends circulate with impressive speed, organizing every outfit, personality and interest into a preset aesthetic. Many teens are left teetering on the edge of conformity and exploring their own brand.
For Sarie Andes, CHS junior, the delicate art of authenticity is a constant work in progress. At the start of her freshman year, Andes felt something was “off” with her style. She found herself falling into societal standards and letting others dictate her sense of self-expression.
“I wasn’t in touch with myself,” Andes said. “I felt very isolated.”
Following her freshman year, Andes embarked on a new search for style. Throughout this transformation, she had one simple goal: to dress in a way that made her happy. For the first time in a while, Andes let go of the desire to be trendy or cool — she just wanted to be herself.
“I believe authenticity is the truest and greatest form of attraction,” Andes said. “I feel that I’ve attracted the people in my life that I want to attract by being authentic.”
A natural preference for funky patterns and vibrant colors sets Andes apart from the crowd, and she likes it that way. For her, personal style is no longer just a look; it’s a sprawling collage of interests and experiences. She constantly searches for inspiration around her — it’s in her best friend Sabine Luz, the photos on her Pinterest feed and the posters in her room.
“[Sabine and I] feed off each other,” Andes said. “We inspire each other in different ways all the time.” Andes believes this approach mirrors her true personality, setting the foundation for a style that is layered, personal and genuine.
A similar commitment to authenticity resonates with senior Sam Magee. Naturally gravitating towards “masculine” clothing and styles, Magee’s key to personal style is simpler than it seems.
“Just do what feels good to you,” Magee said
Although she appears confident today, she recognizes the pressure of her past. For years, she was pushed towards a feminine look, reluctantly trying on sparkly dresses for piano concerts and other special occasions.
“I just hated wearing dresses,” Magee said. “My mom loved it, but even then I knew it wasn’t me.”
Like many teens, Magee first found style inspiration online. Browsing various media platforms has cultivated a sense of self that extends far beyond her closet. It floods into her room, where guitars hang on walls and sketchbooks clutter the floor. Still, she characterizes the internet’s influence as “a double-edged sword,” noting both its benefits and drawbacks.
“I think especially with public forums such as social media, you can make it something good just as easily as you can make it something bad,” Magee said. “Inspiration can turn into comparison very quickly.”
While Magee’s perspective on style revolves around instinct and ease, Rocky Zimmerman offers his own take on the subject. This CHS junior remains true to himself, not by fearing the internet or its influence, but by embracing it. Zimmerman figures that instead of resisting trends, he can simply reshape them into something more personal.
“My feeds are basically made for me now,” Zimmerman said. “It’s perfect.”
Although Zimmerman now admires platforms such as Pinterest, they once pressured him into conformity. Moments when he’s forced himself into categories that never quite suited him have since become lessons in trusting his gut. He knows what he likes, and he doesn’t care to be told otherwise.
“My jeans have to be wide leg,” Zimmerman said. “If I’m finding shoes, the toe can’t have a curve — it has to be flat. For sweaters, I hate polyester. The material has to be thick.”
Years of stylistic evolution have taught Zimmerman to be selective and intentional. He pays attention only to pieces that hold personal meaning, often sourcing such items from his grandmother. Together, they view fashion as a unifying force across generations. Along with the items he’s inherited for her, he’s always on the lookout for new retro pieces.
“Literally everything that I wear is all my grandma’s stuff,” Zimmerman said. “My coat, my scarves, my jewelry, my glasses. Even now, I really like coats from the ‘70s, and I’m really trying to find some Edwardian-type boots for winter.”
Zimmerman doesn’t attempt to define his style. Much like Andes and Magee, he recognizes the phases that have brought him to this point and welcomes the new ones ahead.
