Swapping polos for personality: students showcase fashion trends

photo by Judah McClard Junior Luke Kovak is spotted outside of school at youth group, showing how personal style goes beyond school hours. Men’s fashion highlights comfort and individuality through relaxed fits.

When the final bell rings at the end of the day and the uniformity of khakis and polos is exchanged for preferences, The King’s Academy  boys can be seen wearing some of the latest trends in clothing. When uniforms are required in school, fashion can be a real declaration of self-expression during after-school hours, as students dress as they like. 

Men’s fashion in 2025 revolves around loose, relaxed fits and comfort for a casual style with a trend towards retro callbacks. Baggy pants and sweatpants have replaced regular fit jeans and joggers, while boxy cut shirts and sweatshirts have moved in, replacing oversized tops. Footwear is essential, combining classics like Nike Dunks and old school Sambas. Crewneck sweaters and blocked color patterns are adding a vintage '90s look. Some could describe this trend as vintage call-backs with a skater twist. 

Men get fashion inspiration from a variety of places: social media, friends, the music industry and even family. 

“My cousin has very good style, and I think just watching him and all the outfits that he has worn over the years has really been my inspiration,” said junior Jack Stewart. 

For some, inspiration comes from family, but for others, it comes from the celebrities and activities around them

“Something that inspired me was a lot of my favorite artists and singers noticing the way they dress and dressing more like them. Also, I began skateboarding a while ago, so my style has definitely been influenced by skating culture,” junior Asa White said.

Fashion is shaped by current trends and by personal choice. Popular styles often influence what teens wear, but many choose clothes that reflect their own preferences rather than simply following what’s most popular.

“My style is combining the fashion trends of right now and my own twists, so I'm not dressing the same as everyone else,” White said.    

While students express their individual style in different ways, fashion trends continue to evolve not always for the better.

“We have seen men trying to dress up in very feminine ways and wearing wild things to 'express themselves' but we also see a new wave of clean and aesthetic fashion influencing men,” Kovak said. “So just based on the men I see on the internet and the people I see in public, I’d say that we have improved since the 2000s.”

Although society and peers can influence teenagers when it comes to fashion or appearance, the Bible addresses this longing for the approval of their peers. In Galatians 1:10, Paul asks, "Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."