Photo by Bryce Owen ’17 – Paul Cassidy ’19 (left) and Elias Sabbagh ’17 (right) showcase their different fashion styles.
The Issue: In a world of fitting in, it is becoming harder and harder for students to have and display a unique style.
Our Stance: Students should be proud of their tastes, and not afraid of being judged by others.
A recent study attempted to answer the controversial question of “What type of music do the smartest and most successful people listen to?”
Often, people will answer this question with their own favorite genre of music.
Instead of actually finding a positive correlation between intelligence and one genre of music, the researchers found that the most successful people were the ones who listened to their favorite music every day.
This highlights an important point: Style is something that is extremely subjective, and no one style is better than any other.
However, independent minded people who develop their own styles and express them are those who achieve the most in life.
But how does one have a unique style, especially when most of high school life consists of trying to fit in with the crowd?
Your style should simply be what you like the most. Style should not be used to try to impress others, but should be a reflection of an individual’s tastes.
A simple rule to see if your style is truly what you like best, and not what you have been influenced to like best, is to ask yourself this question: Is my taste in music my favorite out of all my friends? What about my taste for clothing? Do I watch movies that I would like?
These questions seem ridiculous at first. But there is no reason our answer to any of them should be no.
After all, we are the ones who pick out our own clothes and add songs to our playlists. We have much less control over what our friends do.
Obviously, other people can influence our style. They can introduce us to an artist we’ve never listened to or a brand we haven’t heard of.
It’s important to recognize students who have a particular style, students like Jim Stickell ’16, Tucker Brown ’17 and Paul Cassidy ’19. Cassidy’s unique combination of prints and fabrics offer a refreshing breath of air to a mostly solid or striped school.
Stickell’s button-downs and ties show that students should not be afraid to show their class, and that dressing nicely is important.
Brown’s affinity for bow ties and rolled up sleeves show that being classy and progressive simultaneously isn’t impossible.
These students have a certain style and engage in their individuality. We should look to them for inspiration, not by copying them but by using them as a starting point.
Having a style is what we may be remembered for. Being our own person is something all of us should strive for, and wearing our favorite clothes or listening to our favorite song is a good place to start.
By Anthony Cardellini ’17, Cameron Bray ’16 and Chase Manson ’16
Staff editorials represent the view of The Roundup. Share your thoughts by e-mailing roundup@brophyprep.org or leave comments online at roundup.brophyprep.org
