As the new school year is now upon us, spring chickens and seasoned upperclassmen alike walk through halls with the promise of a fresh start. Wide-eyed Freshmen adjusting to the madness, weaving through a sea of long-timers who know exactly how to stake their claim. Some treat this space like an everyday obligation, while others make it their runway. While the majority of us stumble into class running off of four hours of sleep, a dinky can of redbull, and withering will to live, there is much to be learned from the few dedicated to their craft.
I couldn’t help but wonder, what’s their secret? This week, I took it upon myself to ask these trendsetters, divas, and everyday icons their fashion takes, pulls of inspiration, where they draw the line between what’s over the top, and how to avoid looking chopped amidst the infamous school-air effect.
Jack Childers:
When it comes to setting the scene for back-to-school, Jack sticks to his philosophy. In his mind, cropped tees reign supreme. “They’re the best,” he demands. On the other hand, if you ask him about Golden Goose, he’ll flatly tell you they’re “Overhyped.” He protests, “They look like they’re from Walmart.”
Jack’s motto is simple: “good” style is born through confidence. It doesn’t matter what you wear; a fit will only work if you do. That said, he sticks to pretty basic school essentials: a backpack and ID. His weekends call for more freedom, though he says the lineup “depends on the weather”: simple shorts, no shirt, sunglasses, slides, and his signature Extra Tuffs.
As for inspo, Jack remains untouched by Tik Tok trends and runways. Instead, he gives Garret Casto a shoutout as his muse, a sentiment that proves true style doesn’t require a polished campaign. Sometimes, it’s just the everyday pieces.
Sarah Gray Heinemann:
For Sarah Gray, practicality with polish is essential. She exhibits a keen eye for comfort, balance, and affordability. When it comes to what’s in, her current obsession is Free People Movement athleticwear. “They’re really trendy and comfortable and easy to work out in while being cute at the same time,” she relays. “And their prices are a lot more reasonable than other activewear brands.”
However, not every label earns her praise. “I feel like Lululemon is a very overhyped brand,” Sarah Gray explains. “Their prices are crazy, and a lot of my workout clothes I have from them are not the best quality. Plus, they’ve discontinued some of my favorite pieces.”
On the day we talked, Sarah Gray made the educated choice to throw on brands like Zara and Edikted, tied together with Vejas and layered jewelry from eNewton and a trip to Italy. For her, style is not meant for the observer. It doesn’t really matter what other people think, as long as you feel good about how you look.” She insists that a quality pair of jeans or a jean skirt are her go-to’s for a school day, while weekends are for fun and summery pieces.
Sarah Gray’s hot take is firm and deep-seated: “People should not wear slides to school. They look like slippers, like you just rolled out of bed.” In times of need for inspo, she resorts to girls on TikTok, specifically sorority rush outfits, adopting looks that prove to combine wearability and her style niche.
Sona Harris:
According to Sona, polka dots are always in. “They’re so timeless!” she insists. One trend she can’t seem to get behind? Barrel jeans. “For sure the worst.” Regularly, you may see Sona throwing together a mix of something thrifted or handed down with Hollister, making sure to include some form of texture or pattern.
For Sona, good style isn’t just attracting what’s trending. It’s about emphasizing individuality. “It has to show YOU,” she expresses. “Trends are great for inspiration, but you have to put your own twist on them.” She went on to tell me that everyone must have at least one quality pair of jeans. “Just something you absolutely love that goes with anything. It makes picking out outfits so much less stressful.”
Her weekends are more flexible. She tends to lean into comfortable loungewear, which isn’t surprising given her motto: comfort over quality. She’s a tried and true Hollister loyalist, loves to thrift, and swears by a good accessory staple. For inspirations, she ranges from the insights of Layla Blue to Y2K looks, with the occasional throwback of the 80’s and 90’s, proving her taste stands the test of time.
Zadie Hawk:
For Zadie, camo, animal prints, loafers, classic white tees, and baggy bottoms are her current obsessions. Her fashion no’s? Logo-dominated outfits and over-the-top puffy sleeve dresses. When we spoke, her fit consisted of cargo shorts, AJ1 Seafoams, and a simple shirt, emulating her laid-back energy. Zadie believes a look shouldn’t be too flashy. A balance of comfort and cool sneakers gets the job done.
Zadie emphasizes style is determined by authenticity. “Always wear clothes for yourself, not other people,” she says. This mentality is expressed through her school staples as well. While she loves a good trend experimentation, her true essential is a trusty pair of sweats, especially on mentally-taxing test days. Her weekends look similar, but she will take you up on any excuse to dress up and plan an outfit.
Zadie doesn’t feel restricted to a single brand, though she confesses her Birkenstock will be carried with her “till the day I die.” She also loves Patagonia and outdoorsy gear, thanks to her brand new job at Half-Moon. Her hot take? Zadie insists that clothes aren’t a symbol for style. It’s all in the confidence you wear them with. Her inspo is Billie Eilish, admiring her sense of layering, baggy silhouettes, and lack of care, with the inclusion of her merch.
Julia Koch:
When it comes to fashion, Julia is not afraid to call it like it is. “Worst trends? Bubble skirts and Golden Gooses,” she says plainly. On the other hand, she holds her list of favorites near and dear: “Baggy jeans, layering, cut back shirts, flare jeans, and jorts.” Essentially, maintaining comfort while exuding a “cool girl” vibe.
Julia’s style definition is refreshingly pragmatic. She promotes the idea of, “not following trends but putting your own spin on it. Balance unique pieces with basics and elevate the clothes you have.” This mantra is visible through her wardrobe necessities, being, “basic fitted tees and good jeans”, a reasonable foundation for appearing effortless.
When asked to pick between durability and comfort, she replies with “Quality,” without hesitation. She leans on brands like Abercrombie and Brandy Melville for everyday practicality and reliability. Being as opinionated as they come regarding fashion, Julia doesn’t sugarcoat her hot take: “Overdoing trends or combining looks cheap and fake.” When she’s in need of a little inspo, she’ll turn to Pinterest, but truly, she doesn’t need much help. Her look always strikes the sweet spot between poise and simplicity.
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When all is said and done, the Magnet hallways may not exactly emulate the grandeur of Paris Fashion Week, but a few Raptors with a passion for fashion keep an edge to our school, even amidst fluorescent, unflattering light fixtures and the dress code. Whether it be Free People Sets, thrifted finds, or a beat-up pair of Birks, the true trend is obvious: confidence is your best accessory.
