The “I” in clothing
By James Burkhalter
Picture of Dominic Leading Fox (Left), Sareniti Fields (Middle) and Maggie Snap (Right) by James Burkhalter & Sareniti Fields
Clothing makes a strong first impression. It may not seem important in the moment, but how someone looks is a significant factor in expressing individuality. Some students in Owasso have found a way to manipulate this first impression and all interactions that follow with something they call “style.” While many students may walk into their closet, spin in a circle and pick whatever clothes they land on, a few Owasso Rams choose their outfits intricately.
Many say that focusing on appearances isn’t necessary for human expression, but people who disagree work hard to prove them wrong. Children arguably have the most things to express. Because their personality and ideas are constantly changing, clothing provides an outlet for those changes to shine. Sareniti Fields is a senior who dresses to match how she feels that day. While soft-spoken, she does all of her talking through her styling choices.
“I feel like in order to feel most confident, one must dress the way they see themselves … my style is basically an ode to the old version of me who wanted to be like everyone else but couldn’t fit in.”
Fitting in is a common theme among teenagers, and so is finding ways to stick out. While Fields meticulously designs her outfits every day, others take half the time and still portray themselves with little to no effort. To be able to truly represent yourself, first, you have to know yourself. Junior Dominic Leading Fox most definitely knows himself. Leading Fox is both an opinionated speaker and writer, and he unwittingly shows them both in his stylization.
“...Even though it's not the intention, it sort of reflects my beliefs in the end.” said Leading Fox when asked how his clothes reflected him as a person.
In line with these two students who have entirely different approaches to their appearance, one Owasso student has a different approach to her style, choosing outfits that reflect her unique interests. Maggie Snap is a junior at Owasso high who struts through the hallway dressed in extravagant outfits. Snap radiates an 80s punk rock style, which she attributes to her infatuation with the period and 80s pop culture. Snap’s outfits require a sense of confidence, which she possesses.
“I don’t care if you don’t like my clothes; I probably don’t like yours. What I do care about is that everyone should be respected, especially for being themselves,” said Snap.
Fields, Leading Fox and Snap all have different styles and reasons for dressing the way they do.
Whether one dresses for self-expression or just to look cool, Snap said something that can be adapted no matter how you dress; “People will let their own insecurities affect you. But when it gets down to it, you have one life and one chance to do whatever the heck you want (within reason) and be the person you were born to be.”