Haldane High School students are academically inclined, athletically gifted, and theatrically talented beyond belief. But students’ creativity isn’t limited to classes, teams, and clubs.
Students can showcase their personality and unique sense of self through their fashion choices.
Despite Haldane being a small school, each student represents their style. Students use fashion to diversify and individualize themselves, maybe without even knowing they are doing so. Each student differs in what inspires them, where they shop, how their style represents their personality, and how school may affect their choices.
Students are inspired by many sources, including celebrities, social media, and even each other. When asked about who inspires her, Ashley Sousa, a senior at Haldane, replied, “Pinterest inspires my choices in clothing and what I see on social media, but also people at school.” Other students use their own feelings to inspire their clothing choices for that day. Louise Denehy, a junior, responded, “My mood, I think. Wearing stuff that’s colorful or has cool designs helps show that I’m happy.” The weather and season also inspire students. Scarves, boots, and red nail polish are not trends but staples during this time of year.
With all this inspiration, students take advantage of the many opportunities to shop both online and in-store. Haldane students buy popular name brands, but they also use other resources such as thrifting in-store, Depop, or swapping with their friends. Students use their creativity in coordinating outfits and finding different pieces that work for them.
Beyond influences, students use their fashion choices to represent their individuality. Each student has a unique style of expressing themselves, even if that is not their motive. Some students don’t need to put much thought into their outfits. “I don’t know, I just kind of wear what I like. I don’t think I’m trying to show off; I just wear what I enjoy. I don’t think there is a bigger meaning to it.” said Sousa. Some students are unapologetically themselves; they don’t need to consider how to stand out or fit in. They wear what feels right to them, and often enough, it is right. Other students would rather put effort into trying something new and different. “I like to think I’m very creative and open-minded, so I like to experiment with different colors and styles in hopes that one fits me,” said Mimi Scarpino, a senior. Whether these students are trying something new or trusting their gut, their choices help to represent who they are. Sometimes it is intentional, and sometimes it is pure luck- either way, it works.
Individuality is important among students, but style can also show a sense of togetherness and school pride. Many Haldane students play sports and enjoy wearing merchandise representing and supporting their teams. Teams also have traditions that influence how they dress during the school day. Many girls’ teams dress up on days that they have home games. “For home games, we dress up in skirts, dresses, hair, makeup, et cetera,” said Varsity Volleyball team member Scarpino. Girl’s soccer, tennis, and volleyball are fall sports that support this tradition. Dressing up signifies to other students that they have a home game that day. When one team dresses up, it involves and connects the whole school. Likewise, when teams have away games, they wear Haldane-branded clothing.
Whether dressing to stand out or to be a part of a team, the school dress code could impact fashion choices. That being said, the dress code is not very prominent at Haldane. Students often understand what is acceptable and do not cross the line. “The dress code doesn’t affect the way I dress because the way I dress doesn’t break the dress code at all,” says Jenny Knox, a junior. The lenient dress code forces students to be mature and learn what is acceptable while still being able to express themselves creatively. There are instances where the dress code is violated, but they are few and far between at Haldane.
Haldane students dress in impressive and inventive ways. Inspired students continue to inspire and influence each other while also staying true to themselves. Many use their fashion to show their own diverse and creative style, but they also come together through school spirit to support each other and Haldane High School.