Style and fashion are a big deal for modern teens, and most teens enjoy reading about new styles and trying out the latest clothing and accessories. Experimenting with style and fashion as a teen can help you figure out your own aesthetic preferences and determine how you like to dress.
Teen Fashion Influences
What teens wear is often influenced by other teens. If your peer group at school tends to wear certain types of outfits, wearing similar clothing can help you feel more in tune with the group. Friends who dress in a similar way are also easily identified as part of the same group or clique.
Magazines for teens are another source of fashion inspiration, and many feature the styles that teen celebrities are currently sporting. Some teens spend a lot of time looking for the latest gossip about celebrity styles, while others simply adapt to the trends once they have become established. Popular styles seem to come and go incredibly fast, though, so something that was in style a few weeks ago might be viewed as outdated today.
Parents and Teen Clothing Choices
Parents and teens often experience fashion conflicts, and parents may expressly forbid their teens from wearing a particular outfit or style of clothing. In some cases, this restriction can be in the best interest of teens, such as when a parent forbids the teen from wearing gang insignia or dressing in an overly provocative manner. Parents may also disallow specific outfits for certain circumstances, such as wearing short skirts to school. While dealing with parental restrictions can be frustrating, you can often find an alternative outfit that looks great while also satisfying your parents.
Body Image Issues
While teens can find great fashion tips and learn what styles are popular by reading the leading teen magazines and websites, these types of media can also lead teens to have body image issues. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, about 37 percent of the articles in the top teen magazines focus on appearance, and about half of girls in middle school and high school report that they need to lose weight based on the images in popular magazines. If you know someone who has developed an eating disorder or is having significant body image issues, talk to a parent, counselor or medical professional.
Special Circumstances
Sometimes, teens need a few wardrobe items that are intended for specific occasions or circumstances. Teens looking for a job need an interview outfit that looks professional without looking like they’re trying to hard to be perceived as adults. A couple of suits can serve a teen not only for job interviews but also for college admission interviews and special events. A teen who has a part-time job or goes to a school that requires a uniform may have a few uniforms in his or her closet as well. Other special clothing collections you might want to consider include:
- Formal dresses, including dresses for proms and homecoming dances
- Sports and exercise clothing
- Holiday outfits or costumes
- Sleepwear
- Nice yet modest outfits for specific events
Developing a Personal Style
The best way for teens to develop their own fashion style is by looking for elements of fashion that they like and then personalizing those elements in some way. Don’t simply follow along with the crowd; instead, try pairing popular items with something unusual. It’s fine for teens to try out different looks on different days, so feel free to dress in urban street style one day and sport a post-punk goth or casual romantic chic look the next day. The best thing about teen fashion is that there are no rules.
