by Jacy Neves

Created on: June 18, 2008   Last Updated: June 19, 2008

As a current high school freshman, the transition from a safe, if a slightly mundane middle school to a bustling, overcrowded 5A high school has been a dramatic culture shock. Surprisingly enough, the most startling change hasn't been the homework load, the treatment received by upperclassmen, or the size of the learning vicinity, but rather the new appearance and of my old classmates.

Like most teenage girls, I strive to find the latest styles and fashions in a plea to fit in but lately it has been extremely difficult to stay true to my own morals and ethics and dress fashionably. The internal battle between acceptance and popularity against modesty and values is becoming a straining everyday occurrence. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has suffered from this conflict, but from the looks of my peers it certainly makes it seem so.
One of the most in demand summer items in my town are plaid shorts, very colorful additions to any wardrobe, including mine, excluding the pairs not five inches in length. I'm sorry ladies, no matter how cute or sexy you think your hot pink underwear and thongs are I, and many others, have no desire to see them, even if they do match your new earrings perfectly and have rainbows on them.
Spaghetti straps and tank tops can also be fun and flirty, but your lacey pushup polka dot bras peeking from under your tops can be rather repulsive and definitely sends the wrong message to potential beaus. Besides, my boyfriend goes to this school too and I'd rather him not have to be continuously tempted by low cut shirts and shorts after every turn in the hallway. If you insist on staying on top in the fashion world please at least have the decency to cover your undergarments, and preferably, your cheeks.
These exploitations are very distracting and make it challenging to stay focused on school related work. The weekly lectures presented in monotone by our expressionless science teacher are hard to concentrate on, but now it's nearly impossible. If I'm complaining I can't imagine the difficulties the male population of our school goes to in order to keep their attention on paper and pencil instead of curvy, seductive, female figures. Would you want your future husband to see another woman dressed as you are? Honestly.
So please, out of respect for yourself, your fellow co-workers, and their significant others, tomorrow morning please consider how your style of dress affects others. I understand it's tough to dress more modestly when others are not doing like wise, but it is possible and I would be much obliged to you for having such understanding and self confidence.

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