Nike has sportswear fashion, likewise to their counterparts, Adidas.

Polo has formal wear, while Carhartt has a more outdoor appeal.

Bape prioritizes street wear, the inverse of brands like Hollister Levis and Gap which hold more casual clothing options.

Nonetheless, all these brands all sell to the same consumers. People looking for clothes items.

Every person builds their identity in a way. A very important part of an individual’s identity is how they show themselves.

In this article, we explore the wardrobes of different iSchool students and how each one of them explains clothing choices in regards to identity and style. These interviews are from the super duper cool iSchool students who showcase their custom styles of their wardrobes and fashion expression.

Fashionnovation.nyc shows the links of social media and the rapid acceleration of trends which on the other hand increases fast fashion, where influencers are one of the main users attempting to spread their influence the way they do. “Social media enables quick trend cycles to occur,” and “drives the growth of so called ultra fast fashion brands.” The article “Social media & Fashion” shows the introduction of “sustainability and ethical production” movements, which in part, are also created by social media.

History of Fashion, another article from Fashionnovation, talks on the difference in fashion from the early 1900s due to “the rise of casual wear,” “The influence of Hollywood,” and “The impact of new technologies” fashion industry trends. These advancements have made fashion more accessible to the general public and on a more personal level.

The interviews below, are student’s modern fashion perspectives as well as the responses and suggestions they choose to share.

(There were many more participates we wanted to include, but there wasn’t much time to write this piece, however, there is so much style at the iSchool!)

Oscar’s Appearance: Good Ol Days

Oscar, a very aesthetic man in his outfits, is influenced by the 80s and 90s style. That day, he wore a vintage NASCAR shirt from the Charlotte Motor Speedway 600, paired with some baggy jeans he thrifted from Depop, and a pair of dark brown Timberland boots.

“I tend to be a pretty nostalgic person,” Oscar says. “I find a lot of joy in ’70s and ’80s music, and I’m drawn to cars from that era. I think my outfits reflect that too.”

Oscar’s clothing combinations are mostly influenced by workwear and fashion from the 80’s and 90’s. For instance, his vintage blue Adidas jacket.

“It’s clothing that I have to include in my outfit because it makes the most difference into how my outfit looks,” he explains. Oscar admits that he is very picky when it comes to his wardrobe which makes it difficult at times to choose the right article of clothing.

“I usually put my mind on things that I like, which in most cases makes it harder for me to build a wardrobe that I, personally, am satisfied with, ” he expresses. “But when I have those, the combinations are endless,”

Oscar is much more cautious and careful with his fashion because he seems to understand that his self esteem is tied with his self image. “Most definitely you will feel good about yourself if the outfit you are in makes you confident,” he explains.

This allows him to combine modern day simple comfortable clothes choices with his attachment to a unique retro clothing style.

Fashion tip from the almighty Oscar: “Use color theory in your outfits. Complementary colors work well together like pairing blue with orange to create a sort of balanced look.”

Jing’s Style: Impressing the Ladies

Jing’s life consists of confidence and attention grabbing fashion. During that day, Jing was wearing a varsity jacket over a varsity polo Tee and Aritzia sweatpants, with his black pair of Timberlands. It’s easy to see how his clothing choices are unique in his own ways. For him, fashion is an important part of how he interacts with the world.

“Every time I put these things on, it lifts my spirit. I gain a lots of confidence. I just want to be able to express myself,” he says smiling. “I want to wear things that girls find attractive. Who doesn’t want to catch the eye of a beautiful girl?”

With his specific selections, comfort is a main priority, especially when he dresses to impress (THE LADIES). “If it’s windy, I wear a thick jacket,” he explains, “and if I want to look sharp, I’ll put on some nice clothes just to look decent for other people.”

What is the most stunning thing in the world to him? His Air Force 1s. “Air Forces are my first choice,”He said, it seemed like he didn’t even have to think twice about it when he said, “You know they go with anything. It’s easy to wear slip-on sneakers for every purpose.”

Unfortunately Jing is so passionate about his style, he chooses to gatekeep his shopping spots, nothing would make him spit out his s[pts.

Fashion Tip from Jing: “I use a clothing randomizer app on my phone. It helps me mix things up and come up with new outfit ideas when I can’t decide what to wear.”

Jayden’s Outfit: Standing Out with Color

Jayden’s outfit of choice includes a red Carhartt hoodie, a Bape shirt, thrifted jeans, and metallic Jordan 5s from 2016. His style is a blend of bold colors and classic streetwear, allowing him to stand out in a crowd.

“I like bright colors, and I want my outfits to stand out,” Jayden says. “Red is one of my favorite colors, so I make sure I incorporate it into my wardrobe as much as possible.”

For Jayden, choosing what to wear involves checking his schedule and deciding if he’s in the mood for something “laid back” or a bit more on the fashion side. “If I have gym class, I’ll wear sweats. If not, I might throw on something like jeans with a black top,” he explains.

Jayden’s favorite item is his metallic Jordan 5s: “They go with everything,” he adds. “You can’t go wrong with a black shoe.”

He also agrees with the statement that looking good leads to feeling good. “When I’m confident in what I’m wearing, I walk into class feeling better,” Jayden explains. “But if I’m not feeling the fit, it affects my confidence.”

Fashion Tip from Jayden: “Always wear what feels right. If you’re wearing something that matches your vibe and fits your style, you’ll feel comfortable and look good doing it. Make sure you’re wearing the clothes and the clothes ain’t wearing you, you know?”

Mabelis and Olivia: A Tale of Personality Through Fashion

Mabelis and Olivia share insights into how their wardrobes reflect their personalities, with an emphasis on how mood and comfort influence their choices.

Olivia’s outfit today includes a pink cardigan, a Hollister T-shirt, Hollister jeans, and Adidas Sambas. Mabelis, on the other hand, is rockin’ a Charlotte Russe sweater, Hollister jeans, and a pair of Adidas Sambas as well. Both emphasize

Comfort but also express different aspects of their personality through their clothing.

“For me, fashion is all about how I feel that day,” Olivia explains. “If I feel like wearing something baggy, I’ll go for that. Some days, I’m into crop tops or something more revealing, and that’s okay too.”

Mabelis seconds this, admitting that her outfit choices depend on her mood and the weather. “Sometimes it takes me a while to figure out what to wear,”. “But I always feel confident once I find the right things.”

Both these girls share a love for accessories, with Mabelis favoring jewelry and Olivia focusing on shoes as her main outfit feature. “I base a lot of

my outfits around shoes,” Olivia says. “They’re the statement piece for me.”

Fashion Tips from Mabelis and Olivia:

• Mabelis: “I love matching my top with my shoes. It just feels better and makes your outfit have a clean look.”

• Olivia:  “Baggy clothes are the way to go. Pairing a baggy with baggy always looks good to me.”

Ben: Unique, Comfortable and Thrifted

Ben’s Outfit of the day involved some black jeans, Yeezy boots, a hoodie, and a Cameo jacket

Ben’s is all about standing out and expressing himself for who he is. Today he was rocking black jeans paired with Yeezy boots, a comfy gray hoodie, a Cameo jacket, really showing off his art for combining pieces to make a statement.

Ben describes his style as a way to stand out while remaining comfortable. “I like to wear clothes that not everyone wears,” he explains, emphasizing his love for thrifting.

Lately, Ben’s been loving the Yeezy boots. He feels they elevate his look to a more fashionable level. His go to shopping destinations are niche thrift stores, like Urban Jungle in Williamsburg. When it comes to creating a fit, Ben focuses on color coordination but making sure it’s unique, ensuring that his outfit expresses his mood and personality.

For him, fashion isn’t just about looking good, it’s about feeling good too. He wholeheartedly agrees with the statement “if you look good, you feel good.” “When I feel drippy, I feel confident,” Ben says with a smile.

Fashion tip from Ben; Always include two colors in your outfit for balance one subtle and one bold.

Dee: Expressing Personality Through Clothing

Dee’s Outfit of the day included Leopard print top, baggy pants, thick belt, Adidas Superstars, and vintage jewelry

Dee’s closet reflects her ever shifting mood. She recalls, “I select what to put on including makeup and hair.” For this interview, Dee opted for oversized pants and a leopard top. This is part of how she expresses herself. Dee loves to decorate her outfit with a pair of Uggs and her favorite spike side bracelet.

Her way of planning outfits is different to say the least. She lays every outfit for the rest of the school week on Sunday afternoons. “I set out clothes for each day, but I usually switch them around if I feel like it,” she says. Each piece has a special meaning for her and when combined creates a huge kaleidoscope of colors as each item individually is beautiful. She also incorporates what she calls “the seven-point method” , scoring an outfit according to design, jewelry, and other embellishments aiming for seven or more points.

Fashion tip from Dee: Fashion is adjusting the look and putting them through her own personal touch.

Adriana: Drawing Inspiration from Art and Music

Adriana’s fit of the day includes. She has on a shirt she borrowed from a friend, with some thrift jeans and basic sneakers. To her, it is important that her clothes are functional, but still capture her essence. When it comes to jewelry, Adriana has meaningful ones like: The cross necklace from an antique store in Boston and another from a store in Bushwick. These, as she puts it, are what allows her to add a personal touch to her clothes while incorporating more complexities and exceptionalities.

Adriana’s style is an artistic expression rooted in the music and art that she loves. “I dress to exemplify the music I listen to and the kind of art I’m into,” she shares. Adriana’s outfit today, which consists of thrifted jeans and jewelry from antique stores, mirrors her aesthetic simple yet meaningful.

Her method of choosing outfits is often spontaneous, driven by what she’s feeling at the moment or the weather. Adriana enjoys accessorizing to elevate a basic look. “I use my jewelry to add personality to a simple outfit,” she says.

Fashion tip from Adriana; “Don’t follow trends just because they’re popular, create your style based on your personality.” For Adriana, fashion is about authenticity, not fitting into a box.

Mo: Fashion as a Reflection of Self-Expression

Today, Mo went all out on his fit. A Hollister jersey, Nike thermal, True Religion jeans, Timberland boot. Mo’s outfit reflects his expressive personality, mixing comfort with bold fashion choices. Today, he’s rocking a Hollister jersey over a Nike thermal, paired with True Religion jeans and classic Timberland boots.

Through Mo’s clothes, he can express and show different versions of himself which in turn makes his clothes tell a story of his personality: “When it comes to fashion, you can describe yourself.” With him, it’s usually how he feels for the day. Brighter colors for high spirits and his go to comfy clothes such as a hoodie and signature Timberland boots when he wants something more subdued.

To Mo, fashion is a more of a subtle approach rather than a bold statement that has to be made. Preferably striking a nice balance that’s casual and effortless.

Fashion tip from Mo: “Don’t be afraid to use the sandwich method, especially when starting out. You don’t have to match everything perfectly to look good.” Mo’s approach to fashion is grounded in self-expression and confidence.

Jason: Casual, Comfortable and Authentic

Jason’s style is laid back and practical, with a focus on comfort and functionality. “If it wasn’t for the fire fits, I wouldn’t feel as confident.” His go to style usually involves layering, today for example he’s wearing a vintage Carhartt vest over a hoodie, paired with Timbs and thrifted jeans. Jason prefers to avoid trends, favoring unique clothing choices that reflect his personality.

For Jason, the key to feeling good is looking good. He agrees with the sentiment that “if you look good, you feel good.” behind what he puts on he’s confident in what he’s wearing, it boosts his overall mood.

Jason’s Fashion tip; “Don’t wear skinny jeans as a dude. It looks like Shit” Jason advocates for style without following mainstream stuff and trends.

JJ: Chill and Organized

JJ’s style embodies a sense of order and comfort, reflecting his personality through carefully chosen, comfortable pieces. “I like when the colors go together and everything feels organized,” he explains. His outfit today includes a black bandana, a Nike FC long sleeve shirt, and Levi’s jeans. JJ is a fan of thrifting, enjoying the thrill of finding great pieces at bargain prices.

When it comes to fashion, JJ’s process is influenced by practicality. He takes the weather into account and avoids wearing the same outfit two days in a row. His favorite clothing item? Hoodies, which he considers versatile and stylish.

JJ’s fashion tip; simple yet effective, “You can never go wrong with a white T-shirt. Build your outfit around one if you want.”

Everyone in this article demonstrates how style is a creative choice by which they express themselves. From thrifting, accessorizing, or simply dressing, their closet decisions make parts of their personality and way of life.

Whether it is the bold colors that Ben chooses or the artistic flair to which Adriana dresses, fashion becomes a language in a way, through which people show and tell the world who they are.

Fashion goes beyond trends as these interviews really capture the essence of many people. Every single one of these individuals narrates his or her choices, it becomes evident that fashion revolves around the concept of looking good, feeling good and most importantly, being yourself.