Teenage ever-evolving style; embracing individuality
playing dress-up begins at age five and never truly end
I watched a ‘get ready with me’ content of a thirteen-year-old on Instagram and I must say I felt so envious of how expressive parents have let their teenagers be. I was so into playing dress up when I was growing up, however, my mother was so strict that I lost count of how many times I got punished simply for putting on an outfit I wasn’t supposed to. It got so bad that my father would have to intervene otherwise I would have to stay hungry the entire day of my misconduct.
In today’s world, teenage girls are expressing their individuality through fashion like never before. With a plethora of style influences, trends, and a growing up emphasis on self-expression, modern teenage girl fashion has become a vibrant and diverse landscape. It varies greatly depending on personal style, trends, and cultural influences. However, it is important to note that fashion choices always prioritize comfort, self-expression, and personal taste. It is not appropriate for older individuals, particularly adult men, to pry upon or exploit younger girls under any circumstances.
As someone who is taking a keen observation of the growth and variance of teenage fashion, I will explore the evolving fashion choices of teenagers, highlighting key trends and empowering them to embrace their unique sense of style.
Body Positivity and Inclusivity
Unlike the previous era where beauty was standardized by specific Victoria Secret’s models, who were known for their slender bodies and pointy faces, that greatly influenced how women were seen and even the mass media leaned towards that idea of the definition of beauty. Modern teenage girls' fashion is shifting towards body positivity and inclusivity. The focus is on celebrating all body types and embracing diversity. Brands are becoming more inclusive offering a wider range of sizes and styles to cater to all teenagers. This is not to say the world has normalized obesity and glorifying of fat, some types of bodies could be as a result of underlying medical issues or people who are struggling with different habits. It is commendable for the fashion industry to embrace body inclusivity that has seen plus size models on the runway, for this has given room for many teenagers who are working on themselves as far as their body is concerned to be able to have a sense of belonging especially when they are capable to find what suits them.
Fashion Trends
It is thanks to the social platforms that we are able to discover new talents day in, day out. It is rare to scroll through social media and not come across fashion-related content, be it a ‘get ready with me’ or ‘outfit of the day’. Unlike before when fashion icons in small gatherings and few selected participants had the privilege to be discovered on fashion runways and high-end red carpet events, social media has given fashion enthusiasts an opportunity to showcase their work through visual media pages such as Tiktok, Instagram reels and so on. This has brought about many undoubtedly excellent fashion creators and teenagers have been the great creators and consumers of this content that have led to interesting trends like street fashion wear, the fusion of athletic wear, and casual fashion has gained immense popularity. Teenagers have influenced people to rock stylist leggings, joggers, and sneakers in their everyday outfits.
Gender neutral fashion
Not so long ago, a girl wearing a male-defined outfit would be nicknamed a tomboy and a boy trying to fit in a girl outfit would be called a weirdo. It would be a big deal to put on something that does not suit your defined gender. Today fashion is breaking away from such traditional norms; tanagers are embracing gender-neutral fashion. The introduction of t-shirts that are worn by both genders, unisex jumpers, sneakers, and even boyfriend shirts for females has helped to blur the lines between feminine and masculinity which have come in handy with how teenagers are using fashion to freely express themselves without fear of being called out or judged by their looks.
Sustainable Fashion
The world today is going through climate challenges, which has had activists call for people to find ways to create sustainability. Hashtags like ‘eat less meat’, ‘plant more trees’ and the emphasis on recycling is advised. There is a growing interest in ethical and sustainable fashion among teenagers. Many are opting for second-hand clothing, thrifting, and supporting eco-friendly brands. They have also seen the need to recreate outfits from their pre-loved closet through DIY techniques, where they customize their clothes with patches, and embroidery, or make skirts and shorts from trousers to add a personal touch to their wardrobe.
Self-expression and Individuality
Teenagers are finding necessary ways to express their personality. Back in the day, mothers used to be the ones to decide what their child wears and they made the final choice without a child’s say that now made its way into so many memes on social platforms to reminisce on those good old days. In this generation, that no longer seems to be the case, especially because teenagers in this capitalist era are able to work and afford to shop for themselves. Teenagers are fearlessly combining different patterns, textures, and styles to create outfits that reflect who they are. Vibrant colors, bold accessories, and trendy outfits are being embraced, allowing teenage girls to make a statement with their outfits.
Fashion should always be a source of joy and self-expression, and it is important to foster a safe and respectful environment where everyone feels comfortable and free from exploitation. Modern teenage fashion is an ever-evolving landscape that celebrates individuality, self-expression, and inclusivity. It is a platform for girls to experiment, discover their personal styles, and feel empowered. By embracing diverse trends, promoting body positivity, and supporting sustainable choices, teenagers can navigate the world of fashion confidently while staying true to themselves.
