This High School Senior Has Been Documenting Every Outfit Since 8th Grade
Plus: A genius class presidential campaign💡
Welcome to Late Bloomer, a newsletter and community for teen girls.
Hi!
It’s been a minute since I’ve published one of these. If you’re new here (👋🏻), my name is Taylor. I’m a journalist (and former teen editor) who lives in Brooklyn with my husband and delightful dog, Fran. I originally launched Late Bloomer during the pandemic as a fun passion project to amplify the voices of teen girls. Last year, I didn’t have the capacity to produce Late Bloomer (life, ya know?), but now, I feel like I finally can. And I’m excited to get back into it.
But before we do: If you know an awesome teen girl who might be interested in being featured in Late Bloomer — maybe you are one yourself! — fill out this short questionnaire.
Bloomer in the Spotlight 🌼
Meet Maxine, a 17-year-old from Dallas, Texas.
The high school senior is an actor, playwright, and is involved in a slew of extracurriculars, ranging from Student Council president to PERIOD Club, where she provides free menstrual products in restrooms. On top of that, she’s been documenting her outfits on Instagram every day since eighth grade — meaning, she has literally hundreds of videos. We chatted about them — along with topics like Sex and the City, her brilliant Student Council campaign, and her can’t-live-without-makeup products — below.
Tell me about @stylebymaxine.
It’s my fashion Instagram and TikTok page where I post daily outfits and lifestyle content. I’ve posted every single day of high school. I started my Instagram page back in 8th grade when we first started going back to school during COVID. I had been exploring my style during quarantine and thought this would be a good way to document my style evolution and grow my confidence. [I figured if] I posted every day, I would get more comfortable with taking photos of myself and trying new outfits — kind of like exposure therapy.
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How would you describe your personal style in three words?
Experimental, feminine, and colorful.
What are some of your favorite brands to shop?
Free People, Urban Outfitters, Doc Martens, and Favor the Kind.
What do you like to do in your free time?
This year I started driving, so I really like to go pick up my friends. We’ll go for a walk around the lake, try new restaurants, or go to the mall.
Walk me through your perfect Saturday.
I would say wake up and grab an iced matcha at White Rock Coffee. Recently, I started reformer pilates and I'm really enjoying it. So I’d take a morning class and after that, I would meet up with my friend and grab brunch. Then maybe I’d go shopping with them for new clothes or go to a bookstore. A perfect night would be to go to a concert and then end it back home watching a movie. I’d be asleep around midnight.
I know one of your interests is politics. Can you tell me about that?
I've always been interested in politics and law. [During my] freshman and sophomore years, I was considering either going to law school or being a politician. For my AP Research project, I staged a production of this play called Cato where I surveyed the audience before and after to see if the production could have a shift on their democratic ideals. What’s interesting to me is art and theater, what role they have in revolutionary ideas, [and] how they can impact the way people see the world.
How are you feeling about going to college? [Editor’s note: Maxine has committed to Chapman University]
I cannot wait to live in California. And I'm really excited to be studying screen acting because I'm hoping to be an actor one day. It's definitely going to be a big shift as I'm an only child. I've never lived by myself before [or] with a roommate. There are aspects of it that are scary, but I am very excited for the change.
Who are some of your acting inspirations?
I love Emma Stone and Emilia Clark.
What’s something that’s bringing you joy right now?
Well, this morning I actually just finished watching all of the seasons of Sex and the City and I love it. I can't wait to start watching the movies. It’s been so much fun.
Do you identify with any of the characters? Like, are you a Carrie or a Charlotte?
I definitely think I’m a Carrie — I know people either love her or hate her — and maybe 20% Charlotte.
Other than Instagram and TikTok, what are your most-used apps?
I use Co-Star every day.
What’s something you’re looking forward to?
The next weekend is the Mock Trial State Competition, and it's very special to me because I've been on Mock Trial for four years. It’s what I've spent most of my time in high school doing, so this will be the last state competition ever.
I love being in the courtroom. I'm a lawyer on the team. It's such a hard activity. Being able to see my growth from the beginning to now has been so much fun. I love the competitive aspect of it.
Is there anything else you’d like to mention?
We just had our school dance and as Student Council president, I was in charge of it. I was like, “We already have prom. Let's not have another formal dance.” So, I thought of the idea: “Club 75201” — that's our school's zip code. And it was called the Teenage Rave. We made it rave-themed and everyone showed up in their outfits at the Frontiers of Flight Museum [in Dallas]. I wanted to try something new and I didn't know how it was going to land, but it was incredible.
What was the campaign you ran on for student council president?
I did this thing when I was running: “Have a concern? I have a solution.” I made an anonymous Google form where anybody could submit any of their concerns. I would post it on Instagram, and I would have an answer. No matter how absurd [the concern] was, I would talk to faculty or just think of a solution myself. I was going above and beyond in the sense that I would try and solve their problems before they actually happened — and I actually did solve some of them.
That’s genius — yet so simple. A few rapid-fire questions. Who’s your favorite musical artist?
Nirvana.
What are your can’t-live-without skincare or makeup products?
Neutrogena makeup remover wipes, Glossier Ultralip in Portrait, and Half Magic Flik Eyeliner.
Who is your celeb crush?
Finn Wolfhard.
What’s your favorite TV show?
Who is your favorite follow on Instagram or TikTok?
Addison Rae. Her rebrand has just been so interesting. I love “Diet Pepsi,” "Aquamarine,” “High Fashion.” Her aesthetic is messy, free, and fun — she's definitely my style icon.
Beyond the Algorithm 🔮
In which Maxine shares a few of her favorite things:
Glossier You perfume. The scent adapts to your own body, creating a unique smell no one else can replicate. I wear it for every occasion!
Duolingo. As I write this, I’m on my 972nd day streak. And I’m still not fluent in my target language lol.
Reformer pilates. I recently got a membership at Club Pilates and I’ve started going twice a week. Love it!
Iced matcha. If I’m ordering a drink at a cafe or restaurant, it’s bound to be this. Matcha >>
Photobooths. I looove physical photo strips. Wherever I’m vacationing I always find one so I can bring back a piece of the location with me.
tysm, Maxine! 🌼
P.S. Get in touch 💌
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