How fashion allows for self-expression and individuality

Lesslie+Cuevas+22%2C+Karla+Diaz+22%2C+and+Lauren+Rabago+23

Carter McKee

Lesslie Cuevas ’22, Karla Diaz ’22, and Lauren Rabago ’23

At La Quinta High School, many students believe fashion helps them feel confident in themselves, as well as a means to share their personalities through their style.

Fashion has been a passion for Amaya Guerrero ‘22 since her very early years since grade school. 

“In kindergarten, I would put on a bunch of plastic jewelry [and] wear tutus and ribbons to school. In middle school, I would wear sweatpants, baggy pants and big hoodies. I was a dancer so my style was influenced by the hip-hop genre,” she said.

Carter McKee
Amaya Guerrero ’22 wears some grey cargo pants, vintage style boots and a cropped mesh long sleeve on top.

 For Guerrero, her style remained the same until her sophomore year when she started dressing from the ‘70’s disco era. 

“I changed my style hopefully one last time this past year. I started wearing a lot of my mom’s clothes. I would pick out a lot of old clothes she had from the garage and I’d start dressing as she did in her ‘20s,” she said. 

Guerrero views fashion as a way to connect with her childhood. Her mother’s style during her teens has inspired her style today. 

Carter McKee
Karla Diaz ’22 wears thermal printed pants, a clean pair of white Air Force 1’s and a white long sleeve layered with a white t-shirt shirt on top.

“I felt at home, I have a very deep connection with my childhood, and that era, the 2000s, inspires what I wear now,” Guerrero said.

Karla Diaz ‘22, co-president of the Fashion Club, describes fashion as a positive outlet for her as she has used her self-expression to her advantage. 

“Fashion really helped me find a sense of control outside of myself and negative things. I used my self-expression as a way for others to view who I am,” Diaz said. 

Individuality is a big part of fashion in its entirety. Although there are always trends that basic fashion withstands, such as plain colored t-shirts, basic denim and basic shoes. For some students, these pieces don’t apply to their wardrobe. 

Carter McKee
Lauren Rabago ’23 wears a relaxed fit with Doc Marten boots and a colorful tote bag.

For Lauren Rabago ‘23, having a unique wardrobe portrays her unique individuality. 

Carter McKee
Lesslie Cuevas ’22 wears Doc Marten boots, bootcut jeans and a white tank top layered with a vintage-style jacket.

“[It] sets me aside from the norm, I love to have my own individuality,” Rabago said. 

Fashion has no limits and crossing the lines and rules of gender revolved styles is frequent. Lesslie Cuevas ‘22 often finds herself loving many masculine styles while also having a feminine wardrobe. 

“Going with a specific style gets boring. I like switching it up by wearing men’s streetwear. I feel masculine but in a good way. It makes me feel confident. Then again, I wear really girly things and that makes me feel confident,” Cuevas said. 

Through these unique styles, some believe that it makes it easier to find like-minded peers. Fashion has bonded many together, including Guerrero and her friends. Guerrero has noticed that people with similar styles often have very similar interests and passions with one another. 

“I’ve been able to find my people,” Guerrero said.