Throughout years of school, graduating seniors have donned many different first-day outfits.
Looking back at the outfits worn by you and your family can be scary, but the clothes that filled your closet serve as milestones of trends and times in your life.
From tracksuits to fedoras, flip through closets past and reminisce before your current trendy wardrobe becomes a timestamp for college.
1996 – 0 years old
1996 marked the premiere of the third season of “Friends” and the release of Tupac’s iconic song “All Eyez on Me.” Here’s a reminder of what everyone wore when you were born.
Your siblings stuck to what was in style. When your sister saw you in the hospital, she probably had Jennifer Aniston’s iconic hairdo. If she preferred her hair tied up, you can bet that the colorful butterfly clips popularized by the Spice Girls were her go-to. Your brother owned more than three pairs of Adidas wind pants and way too many branded tees from Abercrombie & Fitch.
Looking back, your parents might be considered fashionistas by today’s standards. Your mother was ahead of the trend because the mom jean hit its peak in the mid-to-late ’90s. With white New Balance sneakers and knee-length shorts, dad’s clothes were also timeless. But fashion did not favor the bold fathers who wore sweater vests – especially over short-sleeve shirts.
2001 – 5 years old
In 2001, Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake were still a couple, and they ushered in a new age of denim overload, countered by punk looks.
You wore whatever your mom gave you. She either filled your closet with bedazzled denim and tees or overalls. If you needed an outfit for a trip to RadioShack, you had plenty of blocky striped shirts to go with your light-up Sketchers. Afterward, a Happy Meal was guaranteed.
Your older siblings began to explore mainstream skate culture. Your sister ditched her Aniston hairdo for feathered and dyed hair, and she had Blink-182 lyrics as her AIM away message. Pop stars brought back belly buttons, coupled with low-rise jeans and crop tops. Meanwhile, your big brother traded the tracksuit for camo cargo shorts.
Your parents either dressed conservatively or responded to trends. Your mom took some style inspiration from each woman on “Sex and the City” or picked you up from daycare in a Juicy Couture tracksuit. Dads relied on a casual dress code – a white tee tucked into too-big jeans with a belt was the dress code at any barbecue.
2006 – 10 years old
At 10 years old, you could finally create your own style. But split between goth looks and preppy outfits, 2006 fashion was divisive for all trendy tweens.
You rocked the coolest of children’s clothes, including brown gaucho pants from Limited Too or a newsboy cap from Delia’s – when you weren’t wearing hand-me-downs. For classmates’ birthday parties, getting invited to the local trampoline park meant showing off the Aeropostale pullover you got after making honor roll. Boys wore jerseys and tank tops when not dressed up in a pinstripe holiday button-down.
Your older siblings either wore bootcut or super-skinny jeans paired with a basic top and a Hollister sweatshirt. If they went the edgier route, black nail polish and Hot Topic graphic tees were perfect for anyone with an emo-themed MySpace page.
Your parents were ready for subtle style reinventions. Mom stepped out in brightly patterned dresses with three-quarter sleeves cut from Banana Republic. Your dad added some flair to his tube sock, New Balance combo with a daring pair of Crocs.
2011 – 15 years old
As a high school freshman, cool clothes were the highest priority. Pinterest rose in popularity, which meant designer clothing – with fast-fashion substitutes – defined your wardrobe.
You either fell into one of two style stereotypes: bohemian or country club. High-waisted jeans, ombre hair and aviator shades were staples in womenswear. If you weren’t a fan of the free-spirited style, you stuck to a peplum top, jeggings and obsessively-straightened hair. Boys copied the hipsters with fedoras, comically large glasses and denim in most of the color wheel.
Your older siblings probably dressed like you, but without the restrictions of a high school dress code. Your sister undoubtedly raided American Apparel for basics and the perfect leotard. Your brother took a page out of Jason Mraz’s book as he filled his closet with oversized v-necks and skinny jeans.
Your parents either tried new trends or stuck to the foundations. Your mom picked you up from school in a pair of Tory Burch riding boots and an infinity scarf. While mothers tried to experiment with style, your dad probably kept the same clothes from the past five years – one button-down for each day of the week and a pair of tan slacks.
