Fashion can be a powerful form of self-expression for some students, until it is dress-coded. However, an aesthetic can run deeper than clothing. Junior Maggie Noblitt and senior Lola Wrigley share their personality through their polos and skirts, proving that style can shine through even the plainest of uniforms.
In the sea of red, tan, blue and white, it’s easy to find Noblitt, whose “punk” style is a unique feature of her outgoing disposition.
“I think it’s a really big part of my personality,” Noblitt said. “I like to be really flamboyant, and I think it’s really awesome when people express themselves.”
Noblitt draws most of her inspiration from early-2000’s polaroids and rock concerts, which she finds on Pinterest.
In contrast, Wrigley loves vintage clothes and appreciates the compliments she receives when she wears bold makeup. Outside of school, she pulls inspiration from Victorian styles and coming-of-age movies. She describes her style as “girly mixed with industrial.”
With uniforms, in-school style looks a little different.
“I can’t do anything outside of my makeup and hair,” Noblitt said.” I can only dye my hair a natural color, and I can’t wear my [platform boots] or cool stuff like that.”
The stricter dress code this year marked a change from the lenience on rules about sweatshirts and other aspects of the uniform last year, but now these violations of the official dress code will result in a detention.
Wrigley and Noblitt have figured out alternative ways to express themselves in spite of the dress code.
“At school, it’s definitely more makeup because it can go with everything,” Wrigley said. “Most of my accessories don’t go with the uniform.”
Despite the uniform, both Wrigley and Noblitt have bonded with others through a shared appreciation of fashion.
“I feel like that’s how I made a lot of my friends my freshman year,” Wrigley said. “You can see the accessories they’re wearing and think, ‘Yeah, they’re cool.’”
Noblitt does not only want to connect with others through her style, but inspire underclassmen to be expressive in their fashion as well.
“I want to be able to do something that younger girls can look up to and think, ‘Wow, that’s a really cool upperclassman, maybe I should do my makeup like her,” Noblitt said.
For Noblitt and Wrigley, as well as many other students, showing who they are can be difficult in a uniform. However, getting creative is what these students are good at.
“Personal style is awesome because it really does help you connect with a lot of different people,” Wrigley said. “It shows what you’re into.”