Pretty much all the girls at my school worship Abercrombie and Hollister and such. I am not exactly a fan of those stores...in fact, they scare me...it's always so dark...and the music is so loud...no on ecould hear your screamss................
Anyways, I don't go in there, and end up sticking out like a sore thumb. (Which on occasion, I love!) But sometimes, i just feel like maye if I wore those clothes I would be cooler...or more popular...but i stick with my Nordstrom's and Kohl's clothes...(quite a combo, I know!)
How can I fit in, but still stand out? (You say oxymoron? I think not!)
<3 ALyssa

Middle school and high school are both really weird times and very different times. When I was in middle school all I wanted was to fit in, even if it meant spending a bunch of money on clothes I didn't really even like. But once I got to high school I just stopped caring about fitting in, and I think it's like that for most people.

Besides, there's nothing wrong with nordstrom and koh's clothes :)

Stace is right, for some reason when you hit around 15 all of a sudden you don't care what people think and you want to be different. So it sounds like you are a little advanced in your thinking (you must be a smart girl), so keep doing what you are doing and learn to love your fabulousness!! Who wants to look exactly like every one else? B-o-r-i-n-g! Besides, none of the great leaders or best artists followed the pack, they carved their own way - so keep carving!!! :)

I'm older, but I'm still in highschool and I can totally relate to what Alyssa says, lol. Most of the girls in my highschool have the same style of clothing, it's like an uniform which mostly consists of... leggings, miniskirts and sequins! or the combo: skinny jeans + peep toe shoes. Like.. wtf, that's not only so 2006, but also.. let's just say that it shows a sheer lack of imagination. Well, that being the case.. I refuse to fit in. I completely reject the concept of herd follower, and I found a couple of girls who're not afraid to be themselves, have their own personality and be wild enough to think for themselves. Lucky me, I guess..
It's not that hard to personalize your looks.. and if people don't accept me the way I am (or dress) well.. their bad, I totally don't need this kind of narrow minded people anyway.
I don't say I'm a paria or something.. I think you can still fit in, and be accepted in a group, but without making compromises of this kind.

Bottom line... Attitude is what makes you stand out, and your true quiddity shouldn't revlove around clothes and what others think about you.