Fashion at Potosi High School

by Maggie Schmitz

It is 3:37 pm at Potosi High School and the end of the day bell has rung. High school students dressed in different styles and colors flee their classrooms and emerge into the hallway. Some are wearing jeans and a nice top, while others are wearing a t-shirt and sneakers. But just like every other school, Potosí High School does have some common styles and fashion statements that are popular throughout the school. The fashion does change with the season and as styles go in and out, but at a small school like Potosi, many people share similar tastes in fashion. Students often take inspiration from one another and build off of other’s tastes and ideas. Other students might also get inspiration from siblings, social media, and celebrities.

The fashion at Potosí High School could be described as pretty casual. Students are going for more comfortable and easy outfits, while still trying to keep with current trends. Students want to look nice, while also being able to move around and be comfortable. Popular pieces for girls to wear are American Eagle jeans and shorts, simple tops, jean jackets, Vans, and Birkenstocks. Jeans, Khaki shorts, graphic t-shirts, and sneakers are popular pieces for boys. Athletic attire is also very popular at Potosi High School. Many students can be found wearing athletic clothing if they’re going for a very comfortable and easy look. Running shorts, workout tops, leggings, joggers, windbreakers, and athletic shoes are popular pieces to wear when going for a sporty look. The students of Potosí High School have a lot of pride and you can always spot Chieftain merchandise throughout the day as well. A maroon shirt is easily paired with a pair of black leggings or jeans for an easy casual look.

When it comes to shopping for clothing, the possibilities are endless since we have access to the internet and online shopping. Although we have the internet, many students prefer to go shopping in-store. This way they can try on clothing to see if things fit and look good. Students shop at the Dubuque and Madison malls and at outlet malls such as the ones in Wisconsin Dells and Johnson Creek. Outlet malls sell name brand merchandise for a discounted price so you can get great deals on a lot of new clothing. This is especially nice for high school students since they do not have a very big income. Lots of students feel guilty spending a lot of their money on clothing so they are smart shoppers and look for deals and reasonable prices. Stores such as American Eagle, Forever 21, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and The Finish Line are popular places for high school students to shop.

Since the fashion at Potosi High School is mainly very casual, not many students dress up unless there is a special occasion like a game day. A dressy outfit at Potosí High School might be something like a skirt and fancy top, a dress with heels, or khakis and a button-up shirt. Many students do not particularly enjoy dressing up because they feel uncomfortable. “If I have to sit in classrooms all day, I want to wear something comfortable and easy, not something that will get annoying throughout the day,” states Brady Curtis. Others do not like to dress up because they fear what people will think of them if they do. Since Potosi students typically wear very casual outfits some students feel uncomfortable expressing their different tastes and fear that other students might make fun of them. Though some fear what others will think, others do not have any problem with expressing their style in different ways. “I do not care what others have to think about what I wear because it is what I like,” says Potosi High School senior Cyrus Siegert.

Although Potosi High School is a very small school with not much diversity, the fashion at school is continuing to grow, and more and more people are beginning to feel more comfortable expressing their style. When students can express themselves freely through their outfits, they feel more confident, comfortable, and happy. “I feel better when I wear what I want because it gives me confidence, and the better I look, the better I feel,” stays Potosi student Amber Udelhoven. Students can wear what they want, which exposes other students to new styles and ideas. The fashion at Potosí High School continues to expand and become more diverse every day, helping more and more students express themselves.