When quarantine began, students at San Luis Obispo High School with excess time on their hands turned to social media in order to connect with others. This increase of exposure to social media trends and extra free time allowed teens to explore their identity and interests, and more significantly, their style.

  To give insight into these changes, Expressions interviewed seniors Maggie Zuniga and Jayda Monreal to discuss their style and why this shift occurred.

Expressions: Would you say your style has changed over quarantine? How so?

Senior Maggie Zuniga: Yes! My style changed a good amount. I have gotten rid of a lot of clothes and found styles that are more my speed.

Senior Jayda Monreal: My style definitely changed. I shaved my head and dyed it purple and changed how I dressed. While in quarantine I stopped worrying about what others thought of me, I dressed in clothes that made me happy.

Expressions: What influenced you to change your style?

Zuniga: I found people on the internet and around me. By seeing what they’re wearing, I was able to find things that help me exude the same energy they had that I liked. 

Monreal: My mom shaved her head in college, and I wanted to try it too but was nervous. One night, with encouragement from a friend, I had a rush of adrenaline and did it. With my clothes, I had a lot of time to figure out what I really liked. 

Expressions: Do you think your current appearance would be different without quarantine?

Zuniga: I think eventually I would’ve found the same style, but by being isolated I was almost forced to figure it out. Also, by not having to go to school, I could experiment without judgement. 

Monreal: I don’t think I would’ve shaved my head because I would’ve been worried about going to school the next day. With my style, I hope I would have, because I like it and feel like it’s really me.