Living in the 21st century, young college students, males and females way of dressing has evolved from generation to generation and molded by the mainstream popular culture, social expectations, ideals, and beliefs.
Fashion among students has always been something outstanding in society but it is always changing.
For example, we had the 50’s where high school girls would wear their petticoats or full skirts, and sweaters.
On the other hand, men would basically dress up as John Travolta in Grease and do something very weird to their hair.
Pretty much, college students mimic what they see as a trend, this is why the fashion industry is up to date with the trendiest styles.
For example Zara, a clothing and accessories retailer knows that having the most stylish clothes means that a young audience will want to keep on consuming no matter what the price is.
So how do you keep up with it when you’re young and broke?
Cerritos College student Jeffrey Aaron who is pursuing a career in music- audio engineering, says that fashion is very important and it is much more than what one wears.
He said, “It is what makes you you and what makes you stand out from everybody else.”
Aaron also says that his way of dressing is influenced by different cultures, but mainly his friend’s success, who got into the fashion industry by designing clothes and bought a house because of his dedication.
Aaron shared, “I do have an expensive taste, but the thing is, people put a logo on something and think their prices should go high. If you want to create your own style, why not create your own clothes?”
He also shared his thoughts about Kanye’s shoe line “Yeezy Boost” which run for approximately $1,000- $2,000, saying that he loves the design but that the price is outrageous.
“See, the trend is going to be the death of art,” Aaron expressed.
Computer software engineering major, Abraham Lopez, agrees that his way of dressing is influenced by his 80’s heavy metal, thrash metal, music preference. “I kind of see what those band members wear and I try to find what they wear,” Lopez shared.
Lopez belongs to that group of people who do not shop a lot but instead has those favorite pants or shirts from years ago that he won’t let go of.
“That’s kind of the cool thing about it, is that they get super ripped and faded, and that gives the image that I’m trying to go for. A lot of people buy new jeans and they kind of make them fade or cut them on purpose, when mine just happened naturally over time,” Lopez said.
Also, Lopez believes that if a design is worth his money, there are other options for a lot cheaper.
“I have seen shirts that have wholes and it is ridiculous that people pay that much money for a shirt when I can make myself one from a $2 shirt that I find at a thrift shop,” Lopez added.
Another student who is a fashion aficionado is psychology major with minor in dance Irving Meza, he says that one’s first impressions are what matter the most which is the reason for him to dress as a certain way.
“What you’re wearing when you walk in a room is the first thing people see,” Meza said.
Meza’s expensive taste requires him to not touch his savings account whatsoever. “For me, it’s how many hours are this pair of shoes or how many meals do I have to sacrifice to get the pair of shoes,” he said.
