The Benilde-St. Margaret’s hallways have featured a variety of outfits and styles this school year. Male student’s creativity has been at an all-time high with fashion trends popping up around the school.
Oftentimes overlooked, men’s fashion at BSM is more prominent than ever with some students treating the main hallway like a runway. While some throw on the first thing they find in the morning, others dress to impress. Senior Franklin Nkemuoh is notorious for his color-coordinated outfits and style. Nkemuoh focuses on staying drippy, also known as well-dressed from head to toe. While limited by the BSM dress code, jewelry is a much-needed accessory for Nkemuoh as it helps complete his day-to-day outfits. “Accessories are very important … there was a time when I wasn’t wearing my earrings and my outfit did not feel the same,” Nkemuoh said.
Birkenstocks, joggers, and vintage tee shirts are among some of BSM’s most popular clothing items. Students love the versatility of Birkenstocks as they are a comfy footwear option that matches with most outfits. Although informal, pajama pants have become another trend for BSM boys who don’t feel like sacrificing comfiness for looks. Brand-wise, Nike, Lululemon, and Vuori remain favorites as students value their high-end material and looks. “I mainly see people wearing Birkenstocks … Crocs, hoodies, joggers, a lot of those [are] mainly comfortable clothing,” Nkemuoh said.
As trends come and go, shoes have always played a crucial role in piecing together a good outfit. Nike Dunks and Jordans currently lead the sneaker game as they’re seen in abundance around BSM. Many students have a rotation, or cycle of shoes that they go through as they try to match shoe color with their top. “I always have a staple pair of shoes on your outfit,” junior Khalif Brown said.
As the weather gets colder and seasons change, so will fashion. Hoodies and sweatpants will substitute slides and shorts. Long-sleeve flannel shirts over sweatshirts have been popular in recent years, and an uprising in vests is already taking place as fall begins to roll around. With some students dreading the cold weather, Brown and Nkemuoh look forward to pulling jackets, hoodies, and other warm clothes out of the closet. Although the BSM dress code doesn’t permit winter coats, some students find themselves getting away with it from time to time. “Fall and winter are where I start to layer a lot of items like flannels and hoodies,” Brown said.