Preps, punks, cowboys and gangstas; Tahlequah High School is a metaphorical rainbow of fashion trends and fashion horrors. Styles of every shape, size, color, fabric, and decade can be found parading through every hallway. No corner can be turned without coming face to face with a gaggle of teenagers dressed in various designers and sporting a plethora of diverse accessories.

Students have come a long way from the bright pink floral dresses and Captain Planet shirts their parents purchased for them as a child, as they now have the freedom to pick and choose their own clothing. Of course, there are teens that still wear bright pink floral dresses and Captain Planet shirts, but it is due to their own choice and not the choices of their guardians.

There are now several outlets from which the public can gather the latest fashion news; magazines, television, movies, music videos, malls, and the internet. Trends are taken, broken down, and rebuilt to fit a particular subculture, only to be further changed by the individuals themselves.

Take, for instance, the sudden comeback of leggings, which were an extremely popular article of clothing in the 80’s. Their popularity dwindled tremendously through most of the 90’s, but thanks to style icons like Lyndsey Lohan and Nicole Richie, leggings are once again a hot commodity item. Leggings can be – and are - worn in a variety of ways. A plain black pair worn underneath a jean mini-skirt, along with a brightly colored top, creates a simple preppy look. Patterned leggings, such as the popular polka dots and skulls, are often paired with lacey skirts or even worn with capris. When worn with a belt, band shirt, and proper amounts of eyeliner, it creates a fresh punk/emo/scene ensemble. Shorter leggings worn underneath a sequined mini-dress, and accessorized with the appropriate sandals and bling, are completely ghetto-tastic.

“I’m glad they made a comeback,” said junior Cristin Carroll. “Leggings are the singular most comfortable item of clothing I own, and they look good with everything.”

So many components go into creating a unique style that it can sometimes be overwhelming to choose. Because of this, many people have a wardrobe which they can mix and match. However, no matter how many distinct items one owns, most teenagers tend to lean towards one particular look. The decision is based on pressures, advice and examples set by family, friends, role models, celebrities, and one’s own individual taste.

While the opinions of those closest often matter a great to deal to the everyday teenager, peer pressure can, at times, lead a teen from their preferred style. Many people are bombarded with force and demands to dress, as well as act, a certain way in order to please those around them.

“Teens are pressured to follow trends, like ‘prep’ and ‘emo’. I think it’s their peers [pressuring them] because they’re trying to fit in with the crowd,” said senior Heather-Rose Nichols. Nichols speaks from personal experience. At one time, she allowed her fashion to be dictated by the crowds with which she wanted to be accepted. While Nichols wasn’t specifically told she had to dress darkly or be denied by the group, she realized, as many teens realize, that there was an implied understanding that if she was to be part of a clique, she would have to dress the part. In 11th grade, Nichols broke away from what was expected of her. She has still kept the same friends and some of the same styles, but now the only trend advice she takes is from herself. “I wear whatever I feel like wearing. I still dress darkly, because I am influenced by the metal scene. Sometimes people judge me as being ‘gothic’. But sometimes I dress really pretty and get lots of compliments,” said Nichols. “I’d like to add chains and spaghetti straps to my school wardrobe, but can’t because of the dress code.”

By following a trend that was not truly her style, Nichols eventually found her own individuality. That is not every case, of course. Some of today’s trends actually bring out the personality in people. These trends are helping teen’s independent fashion styles grow, not stunting it. People who have found themselves trapped in a world of blue jeans, tennis shoes, Adidas t-shirts and butterfly necklaces now have the means to access other types of fashion that are better suited to their personality. No longer are they bound by the average clothing of average people. They now have the opportunity to break free from the chains of typical fashion.

One example of this kind of person is freshman Alex Roberts. “I don’t like dressing preppy or anything like that,” said Roberts. “I dress punk with the studded belts, girl pants, and eyeliner. Regular, run of the mill punk.” Punk has been taking the world of fashion by storm. Many well known, high fashion designers such as Chanel and Diesel have incorporated several of the punk, emo, and goth elements, such as studded belts, arm warmers, leather and dark make up for runway models into their past collections. The popularity of punk in the mainstream hasn’t had an affect on Robert’s. “Bands like From First to Last and Taking Back Sunday influence me. I dress this way because I like black, and it’s comfortable,” said Roberts. “People stereotype me all the time, though. They think I’m weird, I guess, but I really don’t care.” He continues to dress the way that fits him, regardless of what compliments or funny looks he may receive. “All in all, I wouldn’t dress any other way. I don’t like most other styles,” said Roberts.

Junior Candice Hammons has found that her clothing compliments her personality and individual tastes. “I’ve dress country since I was little,” said Hammons. “I dress this way because I’m used to it, and my whole family is nothing but country.” The country look, consisting usually of boot cut jeans, simple t-shirts and button ups, and boots, is a very popular style, especially in Tahlequah. “My country icon is Jamie Johnson the singer, and Johnny Cash,” she said. “People misjudge me. Depending on what I wear and how I wear it, I get a lot of good attention, or a lot of bad attention.” Even with the occasional unpleasant comment towards her clothing, this country girl is happy with her style. She finds that others can sometimes be inappropriate, while others just don’t appeal to her. “Some trends make kids feel good about themselves and make the school look good. But they’re just not for me.”

Sophomore Eric Warren has been dressing Goth since he was in 7th grade. His style icons include Marilyn Manson and Ozzy Osborne. “I dress this way because I can pass for it,” Warren said. There are a few people who think the gothic look consists of nothing but black clothing, boots, white face paint, spiked hair, and accessorizing with chains and studded wristbands. In actuality, Warren thinks about the clothing he picks. He wears it, not for its dark appeal, but because he likes it. “Sometimes I get judged on the way I dress,” he said. “Once you get to know me, I’m a nice guy.” Warren personally tries to never base his opinions on clothing. “People are who they are.”

Senior Steven DeLorge has been dressing preppy, as he says, since his freshman year. “I like to look nice,” DeLorge said of his style his choices. It’s a common answer for many teenagers. The preppy style, which is made up mostly of collared shirts, fitted tees, blazers, and jeans, is a practical yet modern, fresh look that suits the majority of teens today. Plus, it’s always easy to find a nice polo shirt, pre-ripped jeans, and flip flops. “People have complimented me,” said DeLorge. “Some other kids look at me a little funny, but I generally get nice responses, which is good.” DeLorge is happy to have gotten his own style down, since he knows of the fashion demands put on students today. “There is a lot of pressure to look a certain way. Haven’t you seen the magazines? You just can’t be different,” he said. “I try not to judge people based on things like the way they dress, because I know all about pressure. But if there’s some kid with dirty pants whose been wearing the same shirt for two months, it’s hard not to just think, ‘Whoa.’ Also, there’s the gender swap of clothing. Girl jeans that guys wear and the guys’ clothes that girls wear.” The latter of which seems to baffle DeLorge.

There are many students, such as DeLorge, who’ve had their styles for years. Then, there are others who have only recently discovered what types of trends affect them.

Before junior Jon Knox was introduced to the influences that would eventually lead him to his style, he had no interest in fashion at all. “I would consider my style now a healthy mix of military and Classic Street. It hasn’t always been this way though. Years ago, I used to not really care how I looked, but one day my niece, who is more fashion-aware than I, took me aside and introduced me to the glories of rap and hip-hop, and made me dress nicely everyday.” Like many teenagers today, it was his music which most heavily influenced his clothing choices. “I enjoy the comfort of military clothing,” Knox said. “But it’s something like a collard shirt, or a silver chain, or ring bling that really is the icing on the cake. If I had the money or motivation, I’d buy some grills like Paul Wall, just for the heck of it.” Since Knox discovered the military and gangster trends, he takes more pride in his appearance, even if the reactions he gets are not always positive. “I have gotten some negative comments whenever I wear camo,” he said. “Someone may amble up and ask, ‘So, goin’ hunting?’ or ‘You going into the army?’ I try not to generalize about a person by the way they dress, though, and I expect the same from others.”

Other students completely disregard the latest trends or what clothing fits their personality. The only factors influenced their apparel purchases are budgets, availability of clothing, what they deem personally appropriate.

Junior Lauren Campbell, who identifies herself as having a casual, somewhat sporty style, has simple reasons for dressing the way she does. “I don’t really care that much and I don’t want to waste my money on clothes that aren’t comfortable,” she said.

Apathy and lack of funding are common causes for fashion, fortunately, stores like Wal-Mart, Target and Goodys cater to those who don’t particularly care about their clothing, or don’t want to spend a small fortune on a new piece of their wardrobe. These stores carry tops, bottoms, shoes and accessories that are always in style.

“I think what people wear depends on how much money they have, how they’re feeling that day, and they want people to think of them,” Campbell said. The latter though is one that rings true within every group. Whether teens admit it or not, they do consider what others think of them before they dress. “I do want to dress differently sometimes, but I don’t want people to think I’m crazy,” she said, joking about her would-be fashion choices. “Sometimes I judge people on the way they’re dressed. I honestly don’t know why,” she admitted.

Whatever the reasons teenagers have for choosing the styles they do, and rejecting or simply not caring about the others, it is an undeniable fact that there will always be a diverse crowd of fashionistas in Tahlequah. As the years continue passing, more crimes against fashion will be obliviously committed, and more faux pause will be corrected. Trends, such as the ever distasteful and always obnoxious cameo print, will come, go, come back again, and be ruthlessly banished by those who are tired of dealing with it.

As the styles continue to change, coming in and out of popularity, so will the students of Tahlequah High School.