As we come closer to the holiday season and the start of winter, temperatures at University High begin to drop, and students exchange tees and tanks for sweats and hoodies. This change in the weather encourages students to stay creative and keep warm while staying true to their personal style.
With cold mornings and warmer afternoons, students should dress in layers. Junior April Craciun says she has a few closet staples that can keep her comfortable in the cold but are also light enough for the few times the weather decides to switch up.
“I would say some staples for winter are obviously big and oversized hoodies because most days are cold but not freezing, and they tend to keep me comfy,” Craciun said.
Although California has moderate cold days, the winter months require a wardrobe change. Junior Sam Kiemm suggests Aritzia for winter clothes. Although he acknowledges that Aritzia clothing, especially thicker pieces such as sweatpants and jackets, can be pricey, he notes that the quality materials make for long-lasting garments.
“My staples are the Aritzia sweat sets all day, every day,” Kiemm said. “They are the softest, warmest material with very high quality, so it lasts me a long time and is worth its price. They are pretty basic, being just a classic solid color sweatsuit, so you do not have to worry about it going out of style over the years.”
Craciun usually chooses more affordable options at chain stores and secondhand online retailers, allowing her to purchase unique pieces at lower prices.
“My favorite place to buy winter clothes is probably Urban Outfitters and Pacsun for retail stores because they are good prices and quality,” Craciun said. “I also get 50% off my clothes on Depop and am able to find more unique items that fit my personal style the best.”
For more sustainable options, sophomore Cara Liao wears her summer clothes year-round, even when temperatures start to drop. This way, she can avoid spending unnecessary money on clothes and can instead utilize the resources already in her closet.
“I like to use my summer clothing as a base, and I layer outerwear or long sleeves,” Liao said. “That way, I can still recycle some of the pieces I wear year-round, so I don’t have to constantly keep expanding my wardrobe.”
Liao does not actively seek out different shops for warmer clothes; instead, she relies on her favorite shops to introduce them. This method allows her to go to shops she knows she likes while also getting new pieces she knows are relatively affordable. Winter basics such as hoodies, long sleeves and Ugg boots tend to be teenagers’ favorite staples.
“I stick with my usual shopping spots, since they change up their pieces in preparation for colder weather,” Liao said. “I usually go to Aerie, Brandy Melville, Urban Outfitters, Gap [or] Garage for the best basics and rely on these companies changing their products based on the season and weather.”
Recently, old trends such as Y2K fashion have been gaining traction among teenage girls, with the comeback of low-rise jeans and babydoll tops. Many brands have tapped into this revival, introducing throwback winter collections, such as Hollister’s new one. These teen clothing stores have offered comfortable winter clothes and made winter fashion more accessible by rebranding their stores to reflect popular trends.
“I think living in a warmer area makes people believe they have to give up their personal style, which revolves around the heat,” Liao said. “However, I believe there are many ways to maintain such a style while also staying warm in the rare cold months of California.”
From Aritizia sets to secondhand hoodies and repurposing other clothes, UHS students have found plenty of ways to keep comfortable and stylish. Much of high school fashion is marked by adherence to social media trends and shopping at the same popular brands. Some students try to branch out and distinguish their style in unique ways, while others lean into trends, leading everyone to develop their own personal style.
