John Beckstead

What makes your style unique? How would you describe your style?

“My style is what I would describe as ‘old fashioned’. I really enjoy wearing fancy clothes, such as a suit or bow tie and I feel that it sets me apart from others around me in a really cool way. I often wear a three-piece suit or suspenders and a bow tie, which are not seen very often these days, so my clothing really stands out, even compared to modern fancy outfits.”

How has virtual school changed your style? 

“Virtual school has definitely made it easier to dress up. Since I don’t have to get ready for school as early, I can take more time to plan an outfit and try something new before actually going to class. I think it has made me try new clothing combinations that I might not otherwise have done. With that being said, I do miss the in person presentation that wearing a sophisticated outfit creates. The impact definitely isn’t as strong through a computer screen as it would be if I was in the classroom.”

How do you think your style impacts the way people perceive you on Zoom? 

“I love how my style draws attention from people on Zoom, it makes me feel good to know that people notice the effort I put into the outfits that I put together. I hope that my example has inspired some of my classmates to get creative with their own outfits and express themselves in new ways.”

How does your style match your personality?

“Like I said before, my style is very old fashioned, as is my personality. I like old, retro things. I feel like my outfits really show off that personality well, but in a way that is still uniquely “Me”. This [dressing up] started over a year ago, when me and a few friends from Ariz. decided that during our Senior year, we would do “Fancy Fridays”, where every Friday we dressed up in our best outfits for school. My friends in Ariz. are still doing it and I’m very happy with how it’s turned out.”

How does your outfit affect the way you act? 

“My outfits definitely make me feel much more confident. Most people find wearing fancy clothing uncomfortable, but I’ve been wearing flashy outfits for years, so I feel right at home in a three-piece suit or tuxedo. In fact, I’ve even thrown several 1920’s themed parties where I encouraged people to dress up in their own fancy outfits. I’m happy to say that these parties have been huge successes and I definitely plan on having more in the future.”

What fashion advice would you give your peers?

“If I had to give some fashion advice to people, it would be to dress in whatever makes you feel the most confident. Not everyone feels comfortable in the same style, and it’s important to find something that is unique to yourself. Dressing in a white tuxedo might work for some people, but not everyone will enjoy wearing that, so just find the outfits that you really enjoy wearing, and don’t be afraid to expand on your wardrobe and experiment with new styles every now and then.”

Why is it important to express yourself through your clothes? 

“I think clothing is a fantastic way to express your personality. It affects the way people think about you and treat you, so it’s important to have a style that allows you to be seen the way you want to be seen. I enjoy old fashioned things, and I think this is shown through the clothes I wear. When people look at me, they see sophistication and class, and that’s how I want to be seen.”