Lucia Amieva-Wang • 2019

To Lucia Amieva-Wang, style and design are forms of nonverbal communication, a reflection of how she feels on the inside, portrayed through her choice of outfit. “It is a way to speak without saying anything,” she said. “I’m not saying that someone’s fashion is their identity, because it’s not, but people who like clothes, who like to style their outfits, do it because they honestly like the clothes and a certain look.”

Amieva-Wang pulls her style inspiration from the turn-of-the-century, ‘90s, vintage motif. Her everyday outfit usually includes thrifted jeans and a turtleneck with a denim jacket thrown on over it. The ‘90s don’t just serve as her style inspiration — her taste in music also stems from the age of flip phones and low-rise jeans.

When she is not out thrifting, searching for that one piece that no one else has, or scanning fashion magazines for on-trend outfit inspiration, Amieva-Wang is out in nature, hiking, camping, climbing and exploring. She dresses in outdoor clothing, specifically from notable brands like Arc’teryx and Five Ten, suitable for a road trip up the coast or a trek through the woodlands.

Eve Donnelly • 2020

Rocking a fluffy statement leopard coat paired with black over-the-knee boots, it’s clear from a first glance that Eve Donnelly’s wardrobe says a lot about her. She uses her personal style, ranging from a daring rainbow sequin bomber jacket to a flowy floor-length maxi (all featured on her ostentatious Instagram @evefuckingdonnelly), to showcase her personality and flare. When asked about why she uses her clothing as her medium of expression, Donnelly explained that she believes how one presents themself and what people see is very important, and it brings her a sense of personal satisfaction when she likes the way that she looks.

For some students, when exploring their own personal style, a big obstacle is fear of judgement and worrying too much about what others might think. For Donnelly, however, this could not concern her less. “I probably can’t swear, but, like, f**ck those b*****s,” she said playfully. “A lot of people don’t like the way I dress — I literally don’t care.”

Leila Chabane • 2018

On weekends, she can be found boarding the Caltrain en route to some of Redwood City’s most renowned thrift stores. One look at junior Leila Chabane, and it is clear that her ‘90s hairdo isn’t the only grunge element to her look. For Chabane, fashion has always been an outlet for self-expression. “Fashion is fun,”  Chabane said. “I love being able to sew something together that I pictured in my head or being able to try a new look by thrifting with my friends.” Known to some as the thrifting queen, Chabane is always out there searching for those killer deals. “Thrifting is good for the environment, really great in terms of expressing yourself and really cheap because I’m not willing to spend $50 plus on a T-shirt from Urban Outfitters.” Amen to that girl. Chabane has a lot of wisdom to share when it comes to dressing for less. Moral of the story, don’t worry about spending hundreds on the latest trends — shop your local thrift stores and you may just stumble upon some wardrobe-defining pieces.

Taylor Duncan • 2017

From her funky Doc Martens to her distressed mom-jeans, senior Taylor Duncan’s wardrobe doesn’t just draw attention, it demands it. However, the confidence Duncan can’t help but exude wasn’t always apparent to those around her, as she struggled to find her own way of expressing herself in her earlier high school years. “My first two years of high school, I really cared about how others thought of me and looked at me,” Duncan said. “And then I realized I wanted to portray my own personality, and I’m loving doing my own thing.” Lesson learned: Wear what you’d like, because no one can control others’ opinions, and only you can control your own. Furthermore, never underestimate the power of a good outfit and the effect it can have on your confidence.

Alan Huang • 2017

With a flawless complexion and a killer wardrobe, Alan Huang is easily a senior who is “#goals.” However, like many a fashionista, Huang’s seamless style is not inborn. The transition from basktball shorts to blazers and collared shirts didn’t come instantly. “For me, there wasn’t really a point where I thought, ‘Okay, I’m gonna become fashionable now.’ It’s just a part of my life that naturally progressed as I grew up,” Huang said.

From Calvin Klein to Hugo Boss, the spectrum of men’s fashion is nowhere near as wide and diverse as it is for women, seeing as  fashion is an industry notoriously dominated by women. While girls are able to scour numerous stores and hunt online for the perfect prom dress, boys are just left with little choice.

Stereotypes cloud men’s fashion, and masculinity and sexuality are commonly called into question when a man appears “well-dressed.” “I think a lot of guys are scared that people will question their sexuality once they start dressing ‘better,’” Huang said. “But the experience will only make you stronger as a person.”

Sam Lee • 2017

Senior Sam Lee challenges society’s traditional perception of fashion as an all-female medium and affirms that it is a physical manifestation of oneself, regardless of gender. “A lot of guys might think having a good sense of fashion might be feminine, but at the end of the day, not much is going to go your way if you’re dressed like a bum,” he said.  According to Lee, fashion is a means of communicating one’s personality without uttering a word. “Fashion is a way of storytelling,” Lee said. “I feel as if I can create a vibe with the clothes I put on, whether it be through a specific aesthetic I like or just to express my current mood.” Not only is storytelling a key aspect of fashion, it’s also a necessary component of society.  “Storytelling is a part of culture, and I got to stay fresh all the time to develop the culture,” he said. It’s safe to say that Lee enjoys his fair share of fashion, and encourages other guys to explore that interest. “Don’t worry about the haters. They can judge you all you want but they are probably just upset because they’re getting worked by your style.