Junior Caitlin Kall, a dedicated student and amazing performer, always puts 100% into her looks, often showing up to school “fashionably” late. 

Kall’s outfits prove that she values comfort but would never shy away from unconventional pieces of clothing. 

“I would never wear something that looks super pretty but that I can’t sit down in,” Kall said. “At the same time, if I do work in pajamas I would probably doze off.”

According to Kall, confidence is key. Whenever she goes out to dinner with her friends, she makes sure to look at her best. She emphasized that her friends are very important to her and being distracted because of a wardrobe malfunction could ruin the time they spend together.  

“[My friends] and I have very contrasting styles and personalities,” Kall said. “They have a major influence on my style and help me feel confident.”

Not only does her social life at school impact what she wears but celebrities do too. Kall’s main inspiration is Matilda Djerf, a Swedish model and social media influencer whose style mimics that of the 1990s. 

“[Djerf’s] style is super classy yet perfect for the work environment,” Kall said. “I like older stuff from previous decades as opposed to stuff that is trendy now.”

She finds her clothes at Hillsdale mall or at thrift stores in San Mateo. Kall prefers to go to these places over popular name brand stores because she can find clothing that truly speaks to her.

“I definitely dress according to the season but I find that pink is one color that I wear the most,” Kall said. “I try to stay away from certain colors that don’t compliment my skin tone and opt for things that make me feel good about myself.”

Junior Taryn Hallum, a dancer and musical theater enthusiast, has developed a unique style throughout her 3 years at Burlingame.

Growing up, she was strongly influenced by her sister’s impeccable fashion sense. She not only used her sister’s wardrobe as inspiration but also would borrow a few pieces every so often.

“My style definitely mirrors hers in some aspects,” Hallum said. “But I am growing into my own skin and starting to wear stuff that [my sister] would not normally buy.”

Now that her sister is in college, Hallum has begun to define herself as a minimalist. While gravitating towards neutral colors, she has found a rhythm of wearing a basic top and selecting matching shoes. 

“Jeans with a tighter shirt are a classic combo,” Hallum said. “Even though I like to wear jackets, I try not to wear baggy clothes too often.”

Her looks typically center around one piece of clothing. However, she loves to make things fun by shopping for special occasions. Whether it be hand-me-downs from her sister or thrifted items from Plato’s Closet, she emphasized that she loves wearing eccentric clothes everyday.

“Wearing something I like makes me feel confident and energized,” Hallum said. “Sometimes when I am feeling unmotivated, wearing an outfit that I am excited about helps me look forward to the day.”

Sophomore Charlotte Chan, a lifeguard and swimming instructor at the Burlingame Aquatic Center, is an up and coming influencer according to her friends. 

Her casual wardrobe appears simple at first glance, however it is anything but basic. Each morning, she makes sure to look at the weather forecast before picking an outfit. During the winter season, when the likelihood of rain is high, she opts for comfortable jackets and adds accessories to enhance her personality. 

“Wearing something cozy makes me feel good,” Chan said. “Going to school is about being practical and not drawing attention.”

According to Chan, pants are step number one. Although they are a very basic clothing item, they can make or break the look. A good pair of pants, whether that be jeans or sweats, piece the outfit together in a way that balances simplicity with comfort. 

“Black, white and gray are my typical colors,” Chan said. “They are kind of bland but they are easy to play with, which makes my outfits [consistent] all year.”

She gets inspiration from big social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. As someone who is very active on these apps, she knows what’s happening at Burlingame. Her style choices reflect her dedication to staying up to date on the latest trends. 

“I love shopping,” Chan said. “Online shopping at Zara, Emmiol and YesStyle is my go-to.”   

Even though she pays attention to fashion trends on a broader scale, her motivation comes from a more closely-knit community: her friend group at school. 

“Friends are great people to depend on,” Chan said. “It is really nice to have a unique style within a friend group because it gives you a special quality that makes you stand out from others.”