| | Published August 31st, 2011
| Five Seconds to a First Impression
| | By Courtney Tran |  | | Miramonte girls spend September in skinny jeans, short shorts, and bright patterned tanks accentuated by light layers. From left: Tara Leong, Alyssa Lopez, Julia Kim, Jenny Nguyen, Camille Ganacial, and Nicole Maligaya Photo Courtney Tran
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Lamorinda middle and high school students are gearing up for school with new pencils, notebooks, and, of course, new wardrobes.
Kaitlin Wong, aspiring model, Tumblr devotee, and Miramonte senior, plans to wear more green this year. "Style lets you express yourself. Like music or art. After all, you've only got five seconds to make a first impression," Wong said.
"My color this year is green. I'm moving away from black. There's been too much in past years...but I don't care about Lamorinda style," she admits. "It's pretty classic and doesn't really change. Even when there are fads, Lamorindan teens tend to stay classic and preppy, with a bit of slouch."
Though this fall's fashion trend remains remarkably consistent with that of the 2010-2011 school year-short shorts for girls, cargo shorts for guys, and graphic tees and jeans for everybody-skinny jeans in particular are gaining momentum, edging wide-cut jeans out of the mainstream style scene.
Many teenage girls are also carrying their summer sundresses and floral skirts into the fall season.
"I'm wearing as many dresses as I can to school until its cold," reported a Campolindo sophomore. "Dresses and skirts are a chance to be girly, playful, and they're practical in this warmer weather."
Inspired by celebrities like Taylor Swift and Vanessa Hudgens, others opt for bohemian styles.
"I really love the boho chic look," says Miramonte's Lisa Chang. "It's classy when young women wear long, flowing dresses with a cropped T-shirt. It elongates their figure and makes them look elegant."
Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters boast moderate prices, up-to-date styles, and soaring popularity among Lamorinda teens. McCaulou's and TJ Maxx are consistently touted as "go-to's" for affordable, nearby options.
"Brand names and stores are my thing. But I shop anywhere it's cheap," says sophomore Alexandra Chavez.
Some teens, however, take their clothing into their own hands.
"I don't really make my own stuff, but I redesign little things. I've re-colored shoelaces," says OIS student Ryan Tran. "I've also bleached a jacket. That looks really cool."
Chavez enjoys sewing details onto her clothing, changing the cut and hem of outfits, and shops specifically for items that can modify or use to amend her personal clothes choices.
"I'm going to start making clothes again," said Chavez. "It's something I love to do. Gets me through the day-if something's on my mind, I can just style something up. Great thing is, styling is easy. Anyone can exhibit original flair with a bit of confidence."
Miramonte senior Courtney Tran enjoys good music and chocolate, has never drunk a can of soda, and likes seeing life as a mildly feminist fairytale.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA