When I was putting together this outfit I couldn’t help but feel like it fit that preppy high school stereotype. {You might notice I’m totally loving this style right now}. I mean you have a tweed mini skirt, a gray sweater with a bow on it, and a ladylike pair of flats. Preppy, am I right? While I definitely feel like this is a modern outfit, it makes me think of my high school experience. Did you fit a high school stereotype?
My high school experience was a pretty positive one, thank goodness. Our school had 287 students in the graduating class which meant we all knew each other even if we weren’t super close. There were definitely cliques the football players and cheerleaders, the band kids, the nerds, and then those that were kind of in between. I put myself in that in between category.
In high school I took AP classes and took school pretty seriously. I spent hours on my homework and aimed for As but definitely got some Bs {and unfortunately a C one semester in Physics}. In this way I was kind of nerdy. My best friends also took school seriously so there weren’t any “dog ate my homework” excuses, although that did happen one time in all seriousness!
I also played soccer throughout high school, and was on the Track & Field team my junior and senior year. By playing sports I hung out with some of the athletes but it wasn’t something I excelled at. I enjoyed it but wasn’t a star player.
I felt like my biggest concerns in high school were wondering where was I going to go to college, and did my crush like me back. I had one boyfriend my sophomore year and then the rest of the time I felt like a typical girl fawning over boys. My diaries would be so incredibly embarrassing to reread! One of these days I should do it just for the entertainment factor. And to submit them to Mortified!
If I could go back in time and talk to my high school self I would probably say I needed to not care so much about what other people thought of me. There were two girls in particular who were just so rude to me and for no justified reason. One girl actually didn’t like me because that sophomore year boyfriend dated one of her friends in 8th grade. Yep, middle school! She wouldn’t let it go until the end of senior year if you can believe it! It bothered me so much that these girls were so mean though. The glances they’d give me in the hall, the rumors they probably started, and the sneaky comments they’d say just within earshot. It makes me glad I don’t have a daughter to worry about right now!
SHOP THIS POST
denim jacket. sweater . skirt {25% off with code SHOPNOW}. flats {comes in more colors too!} . bag . watch and band . bracelet . sunglasses . lipstick in Fireball Matte
I know some girls and boys have it so much worse than I did. I just pray that they can find a group of like-minded friends that can support them. I don’t know where I would be if it wasn’t for my best friends. They gave me the confidence to believe in myself, say no to peer pressure, and to celebrate my unique qualities. Life is so incredibly short to be bothered by people who tear you down or feel bad about yourself. It’s just not worth it. If there’s any silver lining to being bullied it’s that so many of them grow up to be stronger because of it and have more confidence.
Do you feel like you fit a high school stereotype?
xox
P.S. See this skirt styled with a turtleneck!
photos by Valorie Darling
