Goths, hippies...Children's Express reporters ask young people about what they wear and what it says about them.
| I think a fashion state-ment shows who you really are and what you’re about. |
Maria McFarland, 15, and Tara Stephenson, 14, Hazelrigg
"We dress the way we do because it's comfortable. We colour co-ordinate most of the time and usually wear make up to match them too. To buy clothes normally comes from pocket money.
"It was about two years ago that I think I started to look different. A fashion statement is all about the clothes you wear and doing something different from everyone else. I am scruffy at the moment but I usually would class myself as a good dresser. Jeans and a top are more casual clothes, but I like the way I look. I would not wear any Goth clothes like the chains and stuff."
Laura Caven, 15, Bill Quay
"I dress the way I do because I always find these clothes comfortable. Some people don't like the way I look but its what I feel comfy in, so I am not really that bothered. I don't co-ordinate my clothes, but I sometimes wear make-up that goes with what I am wearing. I get my money and clothes from my parents. I don't think of myself as a good dresser and I won't wear Adidas clothes or charvar stuff."
Jade Curtis, 10, Cowgate
"I dress this way because I like it and I don't wear make-up either. All my money for stuff comes from my mam. A fashion statement is about what you wear and how it makes you look good. I class myself as a good dresser."
Julie Francis, 15, Cowgate
"I like the way I dress because it's my way of expressing myself. I wouldn't wear these clothes if I didn't like them. Generally I do co-ordinate with my clothes and make-up because I think it looks nicer. I get my money from my mam and dad and also from babysitting.
"I started wearing make-up from the age of eleven because that's when my friends started. I think a fashion statement shows who you really are and what you're about. I mean, hippies didn't wear Lacoste tops did they? I think I am a good dresser because I wouldn't wear it if I didn't like it. I don't care how others feel about the way I dress."
Christie Newby, 11, Cowgate
"This is the way I dress so I wouldn't wear it if I didn't like it. I colour co-ordinate with my clothes but I do not wear make up. I started standing out on the day that I was born. I have no idea what a fashion statement is but I do class myself as a good dresser. Its me ma that buys my clothes.
"I think we have fashion to tell others who we are, like Goths and hippies and normal people. I don't care how others feel about the way I look. I would not wear black clothes even if I had to go to a funeral or big baggy pants with a big chain on it.
Emma Dickman, 11, Cowgate
"I like the way I dress. If you don't co-ordinate your clothes then people can think that you look daft. I get pocket money from my mam and she buys my clothes, but so does my nan. I think casual is all right if that's the way some people dress. I don't know how people feel about the way I look because I don't ask anyone's opinion although I do think that I am a good dresser."
Gemma Lockyer, 18, Benwell
"I dress the way I do because I like to be an individual and oppressive. I don't think you should judge people by their clothes, though, it's an individual statement. Sometimes I co-ordinate my clothes, but it depends on if I am going out somewhere special and then I will make an effort, but otherwise its just whatever I put on.
"I was probably in my teens when I started to stand out. I think a fashion statement is an expression of somebody's individualism. It also associates fashion with all types of different things like class, culture and music even. I work full time to get my money and I don't worry about how others think about me. I would not wear short skirts because I don't like my legs."
About the team
This story was produced by Leanne Allison and Cheryl Paxton, both 10. Junior Jury is a weekly column published in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.
