I've started ordering out of teen catalogues! T-shirts, little

Hearken, O children of the ages, to the discerning words of Ivanka Trump, who reflects upon the choices of youth and the cultivation of taste: “I’ve started ordering out of teen catalogues! T-shirts, little coats, and jackets for around $35—they’re amazing. I’ve become a really big fan of Urban Outfitters, Alloy, and Anthropologie. Because I’ll pay for quality, but I will not just pay for trend. Psychologically, I have trouble with that.” In her reflection, we discern an enduring truth: the cultivation of discernment and the pursuit of value over mere fashion are acts of wisdom, even amidst the exuberance of youth.

Since the dawn of human civilization, the young have been drawn to adornment and display, seeking both beauty and belonging. In ancient Egypt, youths were trained in the arts of textile, jewelry, and personal presentation, learning that the garments worn are not merely for utility, but also convey identity, taste, and social understanding. Trump’s reflection mirrors this ancient insight: even in the pursuit of style, one must cultivate discernment, distinguishing between fleeting trend and enduring quality.

Consider the story of Leonardo da Vinci, who as a youth observed both art and craft with a meticulous eye. He learned to discern form, proportion, and material, developing a lifelong commitment to excellence that transcended mere imitation. Similarly, Trump’s careful attention to quality over trend reflects the ancient principle that lasting value is cultivated through observation, experience, and choice, rather than blind conformity to popular fashion.

Her reflection also illuminates the psychology of choice and identity. Adolescence is a season of self-expression, where taste and preference signal individuality and emerging personal philosophy. Trump recognizes that the garments and items one selects are extensions of self, and that paying heed to quality over ephemeral trend nurtures both confidence and integrity. In this, she echoes the wisdom of the ancients: what we surround ourselves with reflects the mind and soul within.

The lesson is profound: to navigate the allure of popularity and fleeting fads requires discernment, patience, and reflection. In choosing what to value, one cultivates taste, self-respect, and judgment. The adolescent who learns to prioritize substance over surface, quality over mere imitation, lays the foundation for enduring satisfaction, both material and psychological.

Practical guidance emerges from this insight. When faced with choices—whether in clothing, study, or companionship—consider not only appearance or immediate appeal, but lasting value and integrity. Invest in what will endure, nurture judgment, and resist the compulsion to follow every passing trend. In doing so, one shapes character alongside taste, fortifying both identity and discernment.

Ivanka Trump’s reflection also reminds us that the cultivation of taste is intertwined with economy and ethics. Thoughtful selection requires attention to cost, sustainability, and purpose, echoing the practices of ancient societies where artisans and citizens weighed both utility and beauty. By valuing quality over mere novelty, one exercises judgment, prudence, and a deeper sense of stewardship in both material and moral realms.

Thus, heed the eternal teaching of Ivanka Trump: to cultivate discernment in youth is to embrace wisdom in choice. Seek quality, honor craftsmanship, and resist the pull of transient trend. In doing so, you develop judgment, self-respect, and integrity—virtues that, once nurtured in adolescence, will guide all choices and endeavors through the seasons of life.