Project by Sawyer Barta
"How does your outfit or style reflect your personality?"
Alex Carroll
Throughout high school, senior Alex Carroll noticed friends and peers would characterize his style by his trademark long hair and glasses. Similar to these consistent traits, Carroll stays true with his clothing choices, making them recognizable and unique to him.
Carroll draws most of his inspiration for style from his father, who passes down clothing items to him.
“My dad's style has always influenced mine, naturally. He bought the clothing and he passed it down to me, so I think [he is] my biggest influence [of style],” Carroll said.
However, his father’s style remains different from his own. Carroll describes his father’s style as “more eclectic and bold. I take what he likes to wear on occasion, [and] I wear it every day and tone it down.”
This idea of wearing clothing passed down generations until they cannot be worn any longer may contradict the clothing culture today of fast fashion and micro trends that quickly fall out of style. This fast-paced culture has led to the rise of low-quality, unsustainable, unethical and cheap clothing brands such as Shein. Meanwhile, Carroll’s style emulates what some strive to achieve in their wardrobe: staples that can be worn in different ways and combinations. Today, this idea may be commonly known as a capsule wardrobe.
On his policy of buying clothing, Carroll is particular about the pieces that he chooses.
“I buy a piece that I think I'm going to wear until it falls apart, and then I wear until it falls apart, and then I go, ‘okay, I need to find a replacement for that.' So, for example, the [sweatshirt] I'm wearing today—I bought this two years ago, and I wear it almost every day—so that's how I buy clothes,” Carroll said.
In addition to his sweatshirt, which he purchased years ago, Carroll’s jeans, which he wore in the interview, are from his dad, who purchased them in the 2000s. As a testament to his dedication to re-wearing clothes, Carroll noted that he wore holes in the jeans because he wears them so often.
It was surprising to hear that someone could wear jeans so much that holes would form in them. This contributes to the idea that fast fashion and consumerism are newer ideas in clothing. Our grandparents find it strange that younger generations would buy almost pre-worn clothing at a brand new price. Carroll demonstrates that this idea is still shared by some people.
Throughout high school, a pivotal time in young adults' discovery of themselves and how they fit into the world around them, Carroll notes that his style has grown with him.
“Throughout high school, I think I've discovered who I am as a person more, and I think I've discovered my style in the same way,” Carroll said.
Additionally, he compares his choices in the beginning of high school to his style currently.
“When I started high school, I dressed pretty similarly to how my friends dressed at the time, and as I've gone through high school, I [have] started to find what I like more. I've decided to make more choices based on what I like instead of what I think other people around me will appreciate,” Carroll added.
Naturally, as people grow and change, the environment around them influences change as well.
“I haven't really experimented with a lot of styles, but I have noticed that I usually take on elements of [other peoples’] style that I like as I get closer and drift away from people with different styles,” Carroll said.
In terms of looking for the right clothes, Carroll searches for clothes with a specific fit that he likes. He says that the clothes he likes all fit him the same way. Additionally, he describes his style as “put together, but not too dressed up.”
Outwardly, whether one is aware of it or not, clothes help shape the perceptions of a person. A choice in clothing can say a lot about a person - whether it may be truly reflective of their personality or not.
“I think everyone wants to be perceived based on their clothing choices, because, subconsciously or consciously, everyone does that when they get dressed. They think, ‘oh, what are people gonna think of my clothes?’ I think I do dress based on perceptions, but not solely based on perceptions,” Carroll said.
Going hand in hand with perceptions, it is common for many people, especially high schoolers and young adults who are still growing and learning about themselves, to conform to the style, attitudes and activities that are considered most socially acceptable. Carroll confirms that this idea is present at Redwood.
“Sometimes if you dress a little more boldly or a little out of the ordinary, some people will look and [think], that's a very strange choice, and make comments about it. Sometimes you [think], ‘Maybe I shouldn't wear this. Maybe it looks kind of stupid.’ It hasn't really affected me because I just [think], ‘No, I like [my style.], I don't really care,’” Carroll said.
Eleanor Lawson
Sawyer Barta: How do you think your style has evolved since you started high school?
Eleanor Lawson: I have to say, our start of high school was definitely a gray area. I don't even remember what I wore during COVID when no one would see me — probably just the same thing every single day. But once we got back to class, that's when I started putting clothes together that I wouldn't normally wear. I wore some pretty questionable outfits, I have to say, but it definitely evolved as I made friends who were also pretty fashionable in a sense, where [their clothes are] all secondhand so nobody else really has that [piece of clothing]. And you do your best to style it. But [my style has] definitely evolved mostly through my friendships.
Sawyer Barta: Looking back, do you think that evolution has mirrored any personal growth or any changes in your personality over time?
Eleanor Lawson: Confidence definitely does play a big role in finding myself and what I'm most comfortable in. I remember sophomore year, I wore a lot of jeans and long sleeve shirts, even on the hottest days, and black leather coats and black leather skirts. As of more recently, getting over some personal issues, [I’ve been] really wearing what I want to wear, because I like how it looks.
Sawyer Barta: Do people's perceptions ever influence what you wear or what you think of when you're putting together an outfit?
Eleanor Lawson: Yes, but not in a negative way, as a lot of people would take that question. More that I want to impress [certain people] as much as possible, and really show myself as put together as a way to share my excitement for being there.
Sawyer Barta: If you were to describe your style to someone or what kind of vibe you want to give off, how would you?
Eleanor Lawson: Definitely vintage and retro because I do wear a lot of clothes that are older from those time periods.I'm inspired by a lot of those styles and themes, in my life in general, but specifically in fashion. So retro, wacky and secondhand.
Sawyer Barta: How does that extend into other parts of your life?
Eleanor Lawson: Mostly in my artwork, and how I spend my time and what I read. [Through] doing things [like] going out and seeing things and [listening to] older bands.
Sawyer Barta: Do you have any examples of what kind of music you listen to or what your artwork may look like?
Eleanor Lawson: I listen to a lot of older things. I've gone out and seen a bunch of tribute bands, which are always really fun, because they're kind of funky, just a fun crowd and fun to go see… And [in terms of] my artwork, a lot of it right now is portraiture of my friends, but painting on their outfits and styles in a more fashionable way like, basically Art Nouveau, so that's very vintage [and] antique.
Sawyer Barta: In terms of what inspires you, do you have any people or specific trends or time periods in the past that inspire your style?
Eleanor Lawson: One thing specifically that I always will be inspired by is the model Twiggy, from the 60s, and how she does her makeup. That's gonna be my prom look, and that's my look here and there.
Sawyer Barta: Can you recall a specific outfit or a specific piece of clothing that you feel really embodies you or is your favorite?
Eleanor Lawson: I have this one shirt that is a cream color. It's off white and it's just a tank top with two straps on each side and it's covered in sequins and it's very loose fitting. I need to get it fixed because I don't wear it that much, but when I do, it's going to be my favorite thing.
Sawyer Barta: Have you ever felt any pressure throughout high school or before to conform to trends or how other people dress? Or does that not really affect you?
Eleanor Lawson: I mean, I think about it, but it's not really an issue. It's just something I noticed, and I really loved seeing people also evolve around me [from] freshman year to senior year now, [and become] very stylish. It's maturity, but also, circumstances and what you have time for.
Sawyer Barta: What is your approach to shopping for clothing? How do you go about shopping for clothes and determining what you want to pick out to wear?
Eleanor Lawson: It's all secondhand. [Thrifting is] a thing that I do with my friends and since there's so much at every thrift store, it's really deciding what you need, and what you love so much. It is kind of hard to choose between [clothes] because I shouldn't be spending that much money on clothes when I already have so many.
Sawyer Barta: What are your favorite places to go thrifting?
Eleanor Lawson: The Goodwill off the highway in Petaluma is the number one. I always find so much there. Or the Salvation Army on Geary Street in the city is really good. They always have really good deals.
Sawyer Barta: Could you walk me through the outfit that you're wearing right now and how parts of that might reflect your personality or why you chose to wear them?
Eleanor Lawson: My jewelry was all gifted to me. It’s just something pretty that I wear but also a memory. And my shirt is from a concert that I went to over the summer. It was a perfect night, so I love wearing this shirt. [My] miniskirt is actually Brandy Melville so I do conform sometimes — I do like Brandy Melville. And these shoes were a gift from my mom. I love silver. I use a lot of silver in my art, so it's my thing. This big red coat [is] from the Salvation Army, which is very cozy. It matches my lipstick.
Caroline Keneally
Sawyer Barta: How would you describe your style if you had to describe it?
Caroline Keneally: I don't think I have one specific style. I think some people have one specific style that they always revolve their clothes around, but I feel like my style depends [on] where I'm going, [and] how I'm feeling that day. Some days I'll feel like [wearing] something that's very trendy. One day I'll be dressed up in boots and a leather jacket and jeans, and the next day I'll be wearing a floral dress.
Sawyer Barta: Could you talk me through your outfit right now and how that may reflect your personality?
Caroline Keneally: I'm wearing a pretty casual outfit right now. I have jeans, a jacket and a tank on. I always have my sunglasses. I never go anywhere without my sunglasses. I love sunglasses and if it's possible I will wear them in all of my outfits. I can use them as a headband, [and] I love the way [they] sit in my hair. I feel like everyone has a certain piece of clothing that they buy the most of. For me it's sunglasses. I could not explain why. [There’s just] something about them. They go with everything.
Sawyer Barta: Since freshman year, do you think that your style has evolved at all, and how do you think it has evolved?
Caroline Keneally: I feel like freshman year I was just trying to fit in, and so [I was] doing what everyone else [was] doing. Same with middle school. Middle school is a really judgy [environment] and everyone [thinks] you have to look a certain way and act a certain way. That carries into freshman year a little bit too. There's also expectations of other certain types of clothes to wear, like if you're going to a party, you should be wearing a short skirt or a tight dress. I think you should wear whatever you're feeling comfortable in.
Sawyer Barta: In terms of becoming more comfortable in your style, can you name any personal growth that you may have gone through [simultaneously]?
Caroline Keneally: Throughout the years of high school, I got more confident in my own style, in what I liked and what I wanted to wear, and I stopped caring what other people thought. After freshman year, you realize no one really cares what you're doing as long as you're not bothering anyone else. I think after I figured that out, I [thought] ‘Why am I wearing these things that I don't want to wear?’ That's when I started to [wear] boots and a leather coat to school [because that] is what [made] me happy.
Sawyer Barta: Have you had any people who have influenced your style or have certain style icons that you follow on social media?
Caroline Keneally: I think the biggest influence in my fashion is my older sister. When I was younger, she was very critical of things I wore and my style has developed into a little bit of hers. Our closets probably have half of the same clothes in [them]. But I think as I get older, I tend to be more experimental with what I wear compared to her. I think that sometimes I can be more out there in terms of my choices than her. She's not the type of person that would have worn boots to school.
Sawyer Barta: Is there anything specifically about [your sister’s] style that you admire that you try to emulate with your own?
Caroline Keneally: I don’t know if there is anything specific about her style. I think her style gives off the vibe that she's very put together, even when she might be a little bit of a mess at the moment. That’s mostly what I caught onto — having that feeling that I'm put together and everything's fine [through my clothes].
Sawyer Barta: Can you recall a specific outfit or fashion choice that felt particularly expressive of who you are?
Caroline Keneally: I really liked this outfit that I wore to the Harry Styles concert. It was this green silky shirt dress with a white corset top over top. I wore these cream colored platform boots with it. I really loved that outfit. I felt more like myself… Having that vibe of everyone else also being all dressed up and excited about what you're wearing made me feel even more comfortable in what I was wearing.
Sawyer Barta: Would you want people to perceive a certain image of you based on what you wear and what image would you want to give off?
Caroline Keneally: I like to give off the image that I'm very put together, even if I'm not. Putting on an outfit that makes me feel more put together tricks my mind to [think I’m] doing fine. That's what I get most of when people comment on my outfits.
Sawyer Barta: Have you found yourself at all experimenting with different specific aesthetics? Caroline Keneally: I definitely have certain trends or aesthetics that I've caught on to and incorporated into my style. Usually I try to wait a couple months when it starts to become really popular because I [think] I like it right now but how am I going to feel about it in a month or two… And then there's certain [trends that I] love and I want to incorporate more [into my style], like with bows coming back. I've been loving the bows. Especially because when I was little, I was the bow kid. I wore a bow every day in my hair.
Sawyer Barta: How do you approach shopping for clothing, and do you prioritize certain factors like sustainability, comfort, or aesthetics?
Caroline Keneally: A lot of my shopping is spontaneous unless I'm shopping for a certain event, like a concert… I try to shop sustainably, but it's hard, because usually the clothes that are more sustainable are a lot more expensive… With expensive stuff I don't want to get that ruined, so I'm going to wear it less because I want to be more careful with [more expensive clothes].
Sawyer Barta: Do you find yourself leaning more towards buying stuff new or thrifting or online shopping versus in person shopping. In other words, how would you say you go about shopping?
Caroline Keneally: I definitely shop [for] newer things. I haven't gone thrifting as much… and I think sometimes it can be hard if you have your mind set on a certain type of style or something that you like. It can be hard to find [items] at a thrift shop [even though it is better for the environment].
Sawyer Barta: How do you think your own personal style reflects your personality?
Caroline Keneally: I feel like style doesn't really [reflect] personality. I did a couple summer programs, and when I was there for the first time meeting new people, they [later] told me that when they first saw me, they were a little intimidated [by] me… So I feel like personality isn't really reflected in style. I know a bunch of people who dress in a way that you wouldn't think that they act.
Author's comment
Some people choose to dress comfortably. Others dress to impress. Clothes serve as more than just coverings for our bodies. They show layers of ourselves, conveying an expression of identity. In high school, clothes reflect personality in the midst of peer scrutiny and societal norms.
At an age where many struggle with finding themselves and fitting in simultaneously, clothes serve as a canvas of experimentation — a statement of who someone is or who they want to be. Whether that statement is true to their inner self or just an attempt to fit in or be comfortable, it says something important nonetheless. Why someone chooses to dress the way they do is often overlooked, and yet is a choice that can give us insight into our peers.
Nobody arrived at who they are today out of the blue. They didn’t just wake up one day and decide to have a new personality. We are all shaped by the environments around us and experiences we have been through, as well as influences in the media and people we look up to — whether that be in terms of fashion or personality. In a constantly moving world, it’s common that most high schoolers change their outer appearance with the movement of trends, and by the end of high school there are some that have established their own style independent of societal norms.
Fashion and decisions of appearance are snapshots of who we are. When we change and our style changes with us, that’s normal. The beauty of fashion is that it is not a permanent declaration of who you are; it is a daily reminder of what you want to present about yourself to the world.
What’s more is that clothes evoke emotions in both the wearer and those around them. “Trendy” clothes may make some people feel more comfortable and confident, while for others they may get that feeling from a more personal style. The freedom of dress and to explore what makes an individual feel best is essential, especially as developing young adults.
Clothes are a significant part of who we are as humans, and how we present ourselves at Redwood High School. Whether consciously or unconsciously, every ensemble communicates a narrative about the person who put those clothes on in the morning, shaping perceptions, interactions and communicating identity.
In this project, I chose to explore how students’ outfits are reflections of their personalities across all grade levels, or instead, how they differ from who they are inside. I honed in on seniors to explore how a select few individuals with developed style choices and opinions have evolved this form of self expression throughout high school.