FASHIONS BACK in grade 7/8

Wow, it's hard to fathom the fact that just 4 years ago when I was in grade 7, that the brands people crazed over are now easily dismissable by people now. I can't believe that back then, honestly, people at my school would ALL dress completely preppy. The big three are : American Eagle, Hollister, and Abercrmobie & Fitch. Other growing ones were Ruehl, Aeropostale, and Garage. But damn!!! Frickin now, like absolutely no one in my school shops there, I mean unless they want somethign for cheap or get like a nice pair of destroyed short shorts. But other than that, many people, including myself, I'll admit that I rarely ever go to those stores anymore! I mean I occasionally go in and check them out at Eaton's if I have extra time; but honestly, it looks all the same to me. The same styles. The same flower print. The same t-shirts. The same navy blue. It's all the same, and all preppy. Even back in middle school, those were the brands to wear, but I still sported the occasional gap and old navy piece here and there.

I guess you could say that their popularity has somewhat died down because of the 'hipster' trend that's been going for about over a year! I haven't quite noticed before, but I was kinda in a culture shock for a good chunk of my high school life while passing by Eaton Centre and Queen St. W all the time, the hippest, trendiest, fashionable, entertaining place to be! (Lawl, at the Queen St. W Neighbourhood Study Project!!) I basically had almost no fashion sense in grade 9, I was focused more on academia and hockey. But now, I the big three are: American Apparel, Urban Outfitters, and Forever 21; without a doubt! These chains have been sooo popular over the past few years because of the hipster trend. They're fresh, new, and trendy. (Lol, at Urban Outfitters for imitating expensive jewellers' designs). Anyways, they're huge. In grade 10, I actually enjoy shopping at these places. Places I kinda like are Lululemon, Zara; I hate Mango, and everything else I can't remember at the moment.

So yeah, those three are still a hit! But now, I don't completely have one favorite store because I don't want to be defined from the one store I shop at only. I like a medley of clothing from different stores/brands. Sometimes, I don't always like to shop at brand name stores. Because other people in the world do not have the luxuries to afford such nice clothing and accessories. When I spend hundreds shopping, I think of all the possibilities it could've been used as for someone less fortunate. Also, I like to be different. Not too different, but unique. I want to stand out. I don't want to be just another face in the sea of fish. And even though I may not 'fit in', being unique is what makes a person a person; how they differ from everyone else in the world. If you look at all the successful people in the world, from celebrities to presidents to businesspeople to scientists to athletes, they are all unique in their own way! If they weren't they wouldn't stand out, catch our attention and be favoured.

At my school, I swear to god, allllllllll the grade 9s this year look allllllllllllll the same. Seriously, they alllllllllll look the same. I mean, with the exception of a few people I actually know who are involved in extra-curriculars and do things that will get them somewhere in the future. I can't stress it enough. They're like products of cookie-cutting materialism. They all have Uggs, Goose jackets, MEC backpacks, Birkenstocks, American Apparel tights, and Hunter boots. Damn yo! Frick! Actually, there are only like 7 girls I know in grade 9 who aren't that bad, and like 4 grade 9 boys as well who aren't Jewish, jerkish, douche bags. Man it just totally wipes out any kind of originality and creativity that the new school already depraves from.

As for my fashion style, if you're wondering, ha, I'll get to that! I like to wear a couple of the things my schoolkids wear. Yes, I wear Uggs, I have tights, I have a A&F flannel, I have a TNA jacket, I have TOMS, I have Keds, I have Lululemon shorts, I have a North Face spring jacket ( which I absolutely LOVE btw), and I have a Swiss backpack (e.g. best backpack everrrrr!!!). But still, I like to change things up a bit-- wear vintage and just do slightly outrageous things. This does not include dying my hair rainbows, wearing make-up, and having pen all over my arms.

Basically, I have a code I follow, SPC. ( Like Student Price Card; it reminds me to actually use it). Before I buy anything, I think: Do I really need it? Is it necessary? Can I run in it? I always buy products with nature, the outdoors, and the environment in mind, all the time! So that means before I buy a new piece of clothing or accessory it has to be (somewhat) Sensible, Practical, and Comfortable. E.g., especially everyday shoes!! If I can't run in it, wear it on a rainy day on the subway, or jump in it, it's a no. I do have slight lenience and I am flexible towards some products, but other than that, I live by that SPC code! For example, I am unwilling to get any piercings on my face or private parts because it's a hassle, and in the wild, it would get caught on a branch or something. And I wouldn't be able to completely put pressure on it. Another example: I would never ever buy gladiators or flat flip flops ever; they're soooo flattening for your feet! Another example: I would probably never buy a Goose jacket (made of coyote fur) or anything made with fur and unethical, non-environmentally friendly practices. Another example: I would almost never buy a jacket without a hood! ( I mean really, c'mon, I do live in Canada here). So hopefully after reading this, you get a little sense of my fashion style: past, present, and future. I was not intending to make this little 'artsy fartsy' article/rant this long, but I feel as if I need to get it out there. This needs to be said because now that I'm maturing, I can make useful lifestyle choices that I have established just for myself.

Thank you so much!

PEACE!