Cost of Cool

students identify with rising costs of clothes, accessories

Freshman+Makenzie+Gibson+and+senior+Shaun+Sullivan

Graphic by Lyndsey Hill

Freshman Makenzie Gibson and senior Shaun Sullivan

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She’s met Chloe Dao winner of Project Runway and can carry on a conversation about fashion brands like a seasoned merchandise buyer for Forever 21.

Senior Callie Duty knows fashion and as an up and coming young Houston designer she also knows the expense of clothes, accessories and being cool.

“A typical shopping spree will cost around $200,” Duty said. “It’s always worth it.”

With two major shopping malls reasonably close to campus, the urge to spend money weighs heavy on the wallets of parents.

“I collect a lot of name brand shoes, with my parents spending up to $200 a month,” said junior D’mitry Khokhlov.

Money can usually weigh one down when it comes to looking for something that’s in style.

“My parents didn’t pay for my clothes,” said senior Shaun Sullivan. “I had to buy my clothes with all my birthday money that was given to me. I ended up spending $400 because I really think that the clothes you wear reflect who you are.”

Kids do whatever it takes to make sure that they are on equal grounds around their peers.

“I feel nice when I’m around my friends,” said Khoklov. “I’d feel weird if I didn’t have the ‘right’ wardrobe.”

From Toms and Converse to Nike sneakers, teens continued to search for name brands.

“I spent around $200 for my shoes because I feel that the first thing to stand out in anyone’s style are the shoes you wear,” said sophomore Alexis Dunn.

Whether it’s what you see on TV or someone in the hallway, fashion influences can be found everywhere.

“My fashion is influenced by my friends,” said freshman Madison Johnson. “They’re more relatable than stuff I see celebrities wearing.”

However, junior John Schneider believed society’s influence on fashion was just part of fitting in.

“To me, the pressure to fit in with society makes me think that it’s kind of how it’s supposed to be,” said Schneider. “Having the clothes you wear blend in with today’s style, I feel it’s only natural.”

Peer pressure and finances doesn’t seem to affect some as it does others.

“I don’t care what people think about what I’m wearing,” said freshman Makenzie Gibson. “As long as I like it, that’s all that matters.”

“The pressure to fit in isn’t enough to change the way I shop,” said junior Rachel McIntosh. “I already have clothes that fit, and the most I ever spend is around $50 for clothes at one time. I feel that anyone can pull off whatever they’re wearing as long as they have confidence.”