What did your first day of school outfit say about you?

What did your first day of school outfit say about you?

Kate Knab, Staff Writer

– First installment of “Kate’s Korner” – A weekly feature where Kate Knab takes a look at some thought provoking aspects of the world around us

Early August is when it starts –  the betrayal of back-to-school commercials and ads from companies we once held dear to our fashionably weary hearts. But this year the inevitable reminders of our yearly fall fate were tragically fitting as the start of the first semester began before Labor Day.

Along with it came the stress of finding the perfect first day ensemble. I’m sure most of us can picture it well: numerous shopping trips for the one outfit that would describe who we think we are. It was no small task, especially when the weather pushed ninety degrees, but the clothing stores pushed agonizingly cute sweaters.

Sophomores want a look that has all the confidence of high school and none of the awkwardness of middle school. The key is a noticeable subtlety because blending is crucial. Perhaps she’s walking the halls in a new dress she tried on twice just to make sure. Or maybe he’s hanging out in cargo shorts and a polo picked out by his mother because it was nicer than the band t-shirt he had in mind.

Juniors want an outfit that describes a seasoned pro, trendy but unattached, because first impressions have already been made. She opts for stylishly ripped jeans her mother may not approve of and a simple color blocked t-shirt that says comfortably chic. He can be found with his group of friends all in cargo shorts and polo shirts picked out by a sister because she knows what girls want, and it’s not the patterned muscle shirt he spent all summer wearing.

And seniors, they just want an outfit that says school has started, ended, and returned to summer before the alarm clock rings. It’s impressive, really, to find any sort of style besides beachy and rumpled, but the seniors wear it well. The girls get out of their cars in ripped shorts and worn flips flops. The guys are just lucky they remembered to put on a shirt after realizing it was actually a school day. Forget about matching the cargo shorts.

But a word of advice: no matter what we wore on the first day of school, it won’t define the person we’ll be on the last day. Whether or not we choose to acknowledge it, our friends will switch, new interests will form, and life will go on. It’s all part of the high school experience. As long as we feel that we’re dressed for success, success is never too far away.