7 Habits of Highly Fashionable Teens
October 22, 2002 | 12:00am
Fashion affects our everyday lives. More so when we’re young and still struggling to find our individual style.
Fashion undergoes change every decade or so, but lucky for us, fashion has become more consumer-friendly, adapting styles to the needs and wants of the ultra-stylish, ultra-vital and ultra-everything teenager.
With the help of American fashion icon Mandy Moore (voted Most Stylish by Teen People Magazine) and Penshoppe vice president for merchandising Alice Liu, we discuss the seven habits of highly fashionable teens.
1) Highly fashionable teens have their own persona, and so should you!
Know who you are and what you want. Teenagers who are comfortable and at home with themselves are more likely to have a solid idea of the style that suits them. This will show in the way they carry their clothes. "You gotta be yourself," says Penshoppe image model and international star Mandy Moore. "People see through the clothes. If you are comfortable, you’re going to exude confidence. Confidence is sexy," she adds.
Stylish teens know that it’s better to be a leader than a follower. Trend-obsessed youngsters tend to look "trying hard" or worse, hilarious because they insist on a fad that doesn’t suit them.
Moore adds, "It’s okay to follow trends, but incorporate them with your own style."
Alice Liu explains, "We at Penshoppe still believe that clothes merely complement the person. One great example is Mandy who has made even the most basic black tee and denim look fabulous. In the end, it’s the person who ‘makes’ the clothes; not the other way around.
"It’s also important to like yourself. You cannot create a good impression if you entertain self-doubt. Just be yourself. Remember, inner beauty makes the best impression," Liu says.
2) Highly fashionable teens know that versatility is key.
Teenagers today are busy, busy, busy! With loads of school work, extra-curricular activities and gimmicks, it’s hard to find enough time for primping. The best solution is to have pieces that can go from day to night, sporty to formal, and so on. In other words, the choice of clothes is crucial.
Think basics. In any fashionable teenager’s closet, you’ll find the following pieces: Denim and/or black pants, khakis, white tees, tank tops, and simple jackets. The magic comes in the art of mixing and matching.
Liu says, "The teens’ paradoxical need for individuality and peer acceptance requires versatility in their wardrobe. Clothes must address the youth’s demand for flexibility  from dressing down to being all-dressed up."
This also means being able to create different looks with just one piece. For instance, a silk shawl can be worn as a shawl, a haltered top, an asymmetric blouse, a chic belt, and so on.
3) Highly fashionable teens accessorize accordingly.
Remember, accessories make or break an outfit. Chic youngsters know the importance of the right pair of shoes, bag, belt, necklace, earrings, and so on. Accessories add that "oomph" to an otherwise too-basic getup.
Liu advises, "With the right acessories, you can transform any attire with a strong impression." Makeup and fragrance, she notes, are critical. "Apply the right shade of face powder with a hint of blush to get that glow. Add a touch of gloss to those lips for a finished look. Also, a hint of fragrance can do wonders. Choose one that is not overbearing and doesn’t hurt the nose."
It’s also easy to get carried away. Try not to overdo things. The function of accessories, makeup and fragrance is to accentuate. Do not allow them to rule your look so you resemble an over-ornamented Christmas tree.
4) Highly fashionable teens are price-conscious.
Don’t overuse your credit card. Remember, Dad gave it to you for emergencies. If you abuse it, he might just cut it in half, and you’ll die. If you know your stuff, you should also know there are so many inexpensive choices out there. Think bargain! The operative word here is "value for money." Why buy a P5,000 shirt if you can buy a similar one for P300 and no one could tell the difference.
Most, if not all teenagers, are still on a budget. Hunt before you buy. Don’t be impulsive. Moore narrates, "I try to get more bang for my buck. I’d rather get 10 T-shirts for 10 bucks each, rather than get one T-shirt for a 100 bucks." Now, if a highly-paid Hollywood star and world-famous pop singer thinks this way, why not you?
Liu adds, "It’s not only important to have affordable clothing, you must get value for what you pay for. This means good quality merchandise and a variety of styles that are constantly updated."
5) Highly fashionable teens buy only what they need.
The term "sale" lures anyone  as in anyone  into buying items they don’t need. Don’t fall into that trap. Buy only what you need: a sport shirt for the gym, a hobo bag for school, a black tank top for that special night on the town. If you buy what you don’t need, chances are, you already have three of them in your closet and they’re gathering dust and getting moldy. What a waste!
In buying an item of clothing, try to imagine how far it will go with the rest of your wardrobe. "Will this go with the denims I bought last month? Will it match my favorite pleated skirt?" If you think this way, you will not only save money, but closet space as well!
6) Highly fashionable teens don’t care what other people say. Yet they respect the fashion styles of other people.
Peer pressure is one of the youth’s most persistent problems. More often that not, teenagers are persuaded to carry a style they don’t like. Don’t force the issue. Listen to advice and tips but don’t let these pointers rule you. If you want to wear pink with aqua, do so even if your friends say you look like Jolina Magdangal. If you’re happy, go ahead. Do whatever it is that rocks your world. Moore shares, "These days, it’s easier to take a route of portraying someone else. Everybody’s opinion around you kinda stirs you to take a path you don’t want."
Likewise, don’t judge others who have their own personal style. Fashion is relative. What may be baduy to you, may be stylish to your best friend so respect other people’s fashion style and they will respect yours.
7) Highly fashionable teens experiment and have fun!
The most stylish teenagers become stylish because they don’t box themselves in. It’s always good to try several styles until you find one that suits you. Liu advises, "We encourage teens to experiment and discover new facets about themselves  to discover their own style."
So go ahead, enjoy the clothes. Don’t think of dressing up as a task or a chore. Relax, doll yourself up, have fun. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. Moore reveals, "During the Billboard Music Awards in 1999, I wore a pink sweater and a checkered plaid skirt that looked like a table cloth in my grandmother’s house. ‘It looks so classy,’ I thought. Looking back, I think it’s the ugliest thing."
It’s OK to make mistakes! Just make sure you don’t repeat ‘em!
Fashion undergoes change every decade or so, but lucky for us, fashion has become more consumer-friendly, adapting styles to the needs and wants of the ultra-stylish, ultra-vital and ultra-everything teenager.
With the help of American fashion icon Mandy Moore (voted Most Stylish by Teen People Magazine) and Penshoppe vice president for merchandising Alice Liu, we discuss the seven habits of highly fashionable teens.
1) Highly fashionable teens have their own persona, and so should you!
Know who you are and what you want. Teenagers who are comfortable and at home with themselves are more likely to have a solid idea of the style that suits them. This will show in the way they carry their clothes. "You gotta be yourself," says Penshoppe image model and international star Mandy Moore. "People see through the clothes. If you are comfortable, you’re going to exude confidence. Confidence is sexy," she adds.
Stylish teens know that it’s better to be a leader than a follower. Trend-obsessed youngsters tend to look "trying hard" or worse, hilarious because they insist on a fad that doesn’t suit them.
Moore adds, "It’s okay to follow trends, but incorporate them with your own style."
Alice Liu explains, "We at Penshoppe still believe that clothes merely complement the person. One great example is Mandy who has made even the most basic black tee and denim look fabulous. In the end, it’s the person who ‘makes’ the clothes; not the other way around.
"It’s also important to like yourself. You cannot create a good impression if you entertain self-doubt. Just be yourself. Remember, inner beauty makes the best impression," Liu says.
2) Highly fashionable teens know that versatility is key.
Teenagers today are busy, busy, busy! With loads of school work, extra-curricular activities and gimmicks, it’s hard to find enough time for primping. The best solution is to have pieces that can go from day to night, sporty to formal, and so on. In other words, the choice of clothes is crucial.
Think basics. In any fashionable teenager’s closet, you’ll find the following pieces: Denim and/or black pants, khakis, white tees, tank tops, and simple jackets. The magic comes in the art of mixing and matching.
Liu says, "The teens’ paradoxical need for individuality and peer acceptance requires versatility in their wardrobe. Clothes must address the youth’s demand for flexibility  from dressing down to being all-dressed up."
This also means being able to create different looks with just one piece. For instance, a silk shawl can be worn as a shawl, a haltered top, an asymmetric blouse, a chic belt, and so on.
3) Highly fashionable teens accessorize accordingly.
Remember, accessories make or break an outfit. Chic youngsters know the importance of the right pair of shoes, bag, belt, necklace, earrings, and so on. Accessories add that "oomph" to an otherwise too-basic getup.
Liu advises, "With the right acessories, you can transform any attire with a strong impression." Makeup and fragrance, she notes, are critical. "Apply the right shade of face powder with a hint of blush to get that glow. Add a touch of gloss to those lips for a finished look. Also, a hint of fragrance can do wonders. Choose one that is not overbearing and doesn’t hurt the nose."
It’s also easy to get carried away. Try not to overdo things. The function of accessories, makeup and fragrance is to accentuate. Do not allow them to rule your look so you resemble an over-ornamented Christmas tree.
4) Highly fashionable teens are price-conscious.
Don’t overuse your credit card. Remember, Dad gave it to you for emergencies. If you abuse it, he might just cut it in half, and you’ll die. If you know your stuff, you should also know there are so many inexpensive choices out there. Think bargain! The operative word here is "value for money." Why buy a P5,000 shirt if you can buy a similar one for P300 and no one could tell the difference.
Most, if not all teenagers, are still on a budget. Hunt before you buy. Don’t be impulsive. Moore narrates, "I try to get more bang for my buck. I’d rather get 10 T-shirts for 10 bucks each, rather than get one T-shirt for a 100 bucks." Now, if a highly-paid Hollywood star and world-famous pop singer thinks this way, why not you?
Liu adds, "It’s not only important to have affordable clothing, you must get value for what you pay for. This means good quality merchandise and a variety of styles that are constantly updated."
5) Highly fashionable teens buy only what they need.
The term "sale" lures anyone  as in anyone  into buying items they don’t need. Don’t fall into that trap. Buy only what you need: a sport shirt for the gym, a hobo bag for school, a black tank top for that special night on the town. If you buy what you don’t need, chances are, you already have three of them in your closet and they’re gathering dust and getting moldy. What a waste!
In buying an item of clothing, try to imagine how far it will go with the rest of your wardrobe. "Will this go with the denims I bought last month? Will it match my favorite pleated skirt?" If you think this way, you will not only save money, but closet space as well!
6) Highly fashionable teens don’t care what other people say. Yet they respect the fashion styles of other people.
Peer pressure is one of the youth’s most persistent problems. More often that not, teenagers are persuaded to carry a style they don’t like. Don’t force the issue. Listen to advice and tips but don’t let these pointers rule you. If you want to wear pink with aqua, do so even if your friends say you look like Jolina Magdangal. If you’re happy, go ahead. Do whatever it is that rocks your world. Moore shares, "These days, it’s easier to take a route of portraying someone else. Everybody’s opinion around you kinda stirs you to take a path you don’t want."
Likewise, don’t judge others who have their own personal style. Fashion is relative. What may be baduy to you, may be stylish to your best friend so respect other people’s fashion style and they will respect yours.
7) Highly fashionable teens experiment and have fun!
The most stylish teenagers become stylish because they don’t box themselves in. It’s always good to try several styles until you find one that suits you. Liu advises, "We encourage teens to experiment and discover new facets about themselves  to discover their own style."
So go ahead, enjoy the clothes. Don’t think of dressing up as a task or a chore. Relax, doll yourself up, have fun. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. Moore reveals, "During the Billboard Music Awards in 1999, I wore a pink sweater and a checkered plaid skirt that looked like a table cloth in my grandmother’s house. ‘It looks so classy,’ I thought. Looking back, I think it’s the ugliest thing."
It’s OK to make mistakes! Just make sure you don’t repeat ‘em!
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