Looking around campus, two trends seem to dominate all others — either a tight top and baggy sweatpants or an oversized hoodie and baggy jeans. Fashion usually serves as a tool for self-expression, but for teens, it often reflects collective trends rather than individuality.

When those choices are dictated by what’s popular online and among peers, self-expression begins to blur into imitation. Sophomore Amber Wang believes that wearing the same clothes as everyone else is an easy solution for students who want to fit in rather than develop a distinct style. 

“Especially for our age group, when we’re still trying to find our style, we tend to lean towards whatever is popular at the time instead of trying to figure out what really interests us,” Amber said. “Everyone sees something that a lot of people are wearing, and it’s just a tendency to want to buy that.”

Social media amplifies that instinct to conform. The moment a new style starts trending on Tiktok or Instagram, it spreads instantly. The resurgence of Y2K fashion, known for its low-rise jeans, cropped tank tops and playful colors, has seen a 40% increase in global sales compared to 2024. Algorithms push the look, and within weeks, brands like Shein fill their racks with copycat pieces of whatever just trended online. The rapid cycle of trends leaves little room for personal exploration, replacing genuine creativity with the pressure to keep up. 

Junior Varun Kaushik noticed the shift in popularity from flashy luxury brands to those that sell more casual clothes, especially among the younger generation. The rise of streetwear, especially baggy hoodies and jeans that lean towards subtle, ‘90s retro aesthetics, has evolved the meaning of luxury. 

“Back in the day, everyone wanted luxury brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton, but now it’s Stüssy and Chrome Hearts,” Varun said. “You’d expect streetwear to be cheaper and more affordable because it’s what skaters are going to wear, like a ‘broke skater boy.’ Now, they’re quite expensive.” 

This obsession to stay on trend feeds into a broader culture of consumerism, fueling the rise of fast fashion. The constant change of trends pressures people to buy new clothes just to keep up with new styles, pushing people towards mass-produced pieces that are cheap and easy to find.

Amber pointed out that even though thrifted clothes might be less expensive than popular styles, many people still continue purchasing from these mainstream brands in order to keep up with what’s popular. 

“There’s a push towards popular stores that may cause us to overlook other sources of fashion like handcrafted jewelry and pieces of clothing, or clothing that’s more distinct.” Amber said. “That follows the trend of consumerism where if something is not popular, you don’t want to wear it anymore, which causes you to buy more clothes that are popular and considered in style.”

Another reason for the sameness has less to do with fitting in and more to do with time. For many students, fashion isn’t a top priority. For instance, senior Sophie Pellet noticed that for Harker students, many of whom juggle rigorous classes, leadership roles and extracurriculars, convenience often wins out over creativity. Students often wear outfits that mirror what everyone else is wearing just because it’s the easiest option. 

“If they’re not super passionate about fashion, and they’ve got other stuff going on, like important pitches and competitions, they just won’t have the time to prioritize that,” Sophie said. “It takes a little bit more effort to find clothes that are different from what everyone else is wearing. A lot of times, if you’re looking for something specific, it takes time. I love dressing up because it makes every day special. To me, it’s very important, so I’m going to spend that extra time looking for clothes, because it’s like a treasure.”

While social media and peer influence shape what students wear, the overlap of style isn’t always about conformity. For Varun, dressing like others isn’t imitation. It’s simply about feeling confident and comfortable in his appearance.

“I see these influencers, the people around me and what they’re wearing, and I want to mimic them because I want to look good,” Varun said. “It’s less individuality, but I don’t really see any harm in it. People can wear whatever they want and whatever they think looks good on them.”