Final Feature Story #39

 

Great to see you again!

        So, I wrote a draft of my feature story a few blog posts ago. However, I made corrections and fixed up the draft. Here is the finalized version of the feature story!

        In the busy halls of his high school, in the middle of the many pupils who disappear in a sea of everyday wear, Elijah sets himself apart with a naturally bold style. Identified for his many earth tones, and statement accessories, along with a few experimental phases, Elijah has become quite a style icon among most of his peers. Strangely enough, his exploration of fashion began not with publications or brand names. It began with self-discovery instead.

        Elijah wholeheartedly admits, "I started to love at fashion after I found for myself as well as who I was." To him, fashion is not just simple apparel, but a powerful means of showing who he is. Despite his fashion sense having undergone several changes across the years, he is completely content with his current clothing choices. Elijah's style, from several softer shades to many bolder styles, shows his adventure toward accepting himself.

        Elijah describes his aesthetic as American High Fashion—at least according to what is at its core. As opposed to the polished, and often easily predictable nature of customary high fashion, his style branches off into a blend of trends along with truly unexpected accessories. "I like to experiment," he says. "Always add to my wardrobe." His outfits are perpetually in flux, making it difficult to pin down precisely what his style is—but that’s the point.

        His talent for combining disparate items has made him famous for easily originating trends. On multiple occasions, a simple object or an eye-catching jacket has ignited a craze in the entire school. However, Elijah really insists he is not trying to be a trendsetter. He says with a shrug, "I usually wear the same style and occasionally throw in a different accessory or two—nothing crazy."

        While most teenagers consult well-known social media personalities on Instagram for fashion advice, Elijah seems to get ideas from sources that are much more unusual. Music artists along with certain models such as Alex Consani, Billie Eilish, Tyler, the Creator, as well as Doechii play an important role in shaping his style. Their daring fashion sense appeals to him, motivating him to try new things with what he wears.

        However, it’s not exclusively celebrities who give impetus to his creativity. Elijah gives credit to his friends from school. They are his biggest supporters. "They were the most verbally supportive of me and my fashion journey," he explains. Their firm support has allowed him to overcome challenging periods of uncertainty and confidently accept his quickly developing approach.

        If there’s one thing that Elijah always has in his closet, it’s his love for neutral shades. His closet is mostly full of browns, light creams, and lush greens. Elijah confesses it may be something he absolutely shouldn't enjoy, but he is completely unable to resist. "Most, if not almost all, of my clothes are colored in earth tones… I physically cannot let them go." 

        His dedication to using mainly neutral colors may seem restrictive. However, it is not at all. By playing with layers in addition to textures, Elijah manages to turn basic shades into looks that are elevated as well as effortlessly cool. It’s such a reminder for us that fashion has no need to be loud to make a statement.
        Elijah’s method for dealing with trends is simple: focus on the ones that matter, and ignore the others. He says, "There are certain trends that I really just find useless and don't participate in," Big companies like Gucci and Balenciaga definitely fit that description. He states frankly, "they're unnecessarily overpriced and don't look good overall" For Elijah, a few articles of clothing should focus on feelings as opposed to the brand. Many clothes should focus on how you feel instead of the specific brand.

        This specific mindset has been a large benefit to him. Instead of getting swayed by countless new trends, Elijah focuses on the building of a wardrobe that reflects his personality—one that’s comfortable, confident, as well as unapologetically him.

        One of Elijah’s most absolute favorite compliments is being called a "Style Icon." For him, there’s no better feeling imaginable whatsoever than when someone specifically asks where he acquired a piece of clothing or says they want to dress exactly like him. He states, "A lot of people, especially at school, have noticed how much effort I put into my clothes,"

        Despite the admiration for Elijah's style, not everyone gets into it. Some people figure he’s conceited just because he dresses specially. He says, "A lot of people assumed I was mean or rude based on my demeanor and my style," For a period, these certain assessments weighed on him. However, in due course, he truly figured out how to disregard those unwanted feelings. He declares confidently, "The only opinions that matter are the ones I give weight to."

        This special change in thinking is one of the biggest takeaways from Elijah’s entire style experience. He learned how to dress for himself and not for others' views. This has not only improved his self-regard but also restored his enjoyment of fashion.

        Elijah’s outfits aren’t simply about trends—they’re directly from a reflection of how he’s feeling. He says, "My mood affects my style a lot, and it's very noticeable," On days when he’s feeling particularly low, his outfits tend to lean toward substantially oversized hoodies, in addition to highly comfy pants. On days he feels especially good, he favors impressive outfits and flashy jewelry. It is a kind of authentic flair that makes his clothing approachable.

        When it comes to future plans, Elijah isn’t planning anything major—at least not at this moment. He’s certainly excited to continue experimenting. He’s also excited to continue constructing a wardrobe that’s fashionable and exceptionally true to himself. His straightforward advice for each person struggling to find their own personal style is simple: "Try to find articles of clothing that you like wearing. Then research styles or aesthetics that use a lot of those clothes." It might not be especially revolutionary, but it is definitely useful—as well as it has clearly worked for him.

        If his adventure thus far is certainly anything to go by, Elijah’s fashion story is undoubtedly far from over. Within an era when many people appear to be dispensing sartorial guidance, his dedication toward his particular mode could represent his most meaningful strength.

That is all for today!

Cover: Canva