Attention, Muhlenberg; the sun is shining! And on the fourth day, skater dresses and aviators were created, amiright? Though we technically trudged into spring on our March 20th snow day, it took this Friday’s heavenly 70 to make it official: the plunge has been made! What did you do to celebrate? Don your first shorts of the year? Toss a frisbee around? Maybe indulge in ATO’s annual pie-a-bro out in Parents Plaza? Maybe you did a big, fat, wonderful “Nothing.”?
Me? I sat down with three of our very own collegiate fashionistas, representing Muhlenberg Fashion Society. We could probably fill a fabulous magazine with all of their observations and insight, but until The Muhlenberg Weekly’s printing press gets an upgrade I guess we’ll just have to make do. Enough with the ado — Here’s the inside scoop!
Muhlenberg: Meet Melissa Kaplan, Rachel Szachera, and Nate Rosario. (And a hidden cameo by Taylor Gibb! Where is Waldo?)
So what’s the current climate and the future forecast?
“I don’t think any item is really timeless,” says Szachera, “except for maybe the little black dress. I do think all styles eventually become trendy again. Right now, we’re seeing a lot of 70’s to 90’s trends.” She cites the bell-bottom jeans, suede, lace and natural colors of the 70s; scrunchies, high waists, big sweaters and leggings from the 80’s; and from the 90’s we’ve got overalls, chokers, and denim. “I personally love the 90’s looks, so I’m happy that’s becoming a style again!”
(Rachel Szachera)
Rosario cites the recent uptake of round sunglasses and his joy at the recent rebirth of red flannel. “I see them all over, now.” Kaplan and Szachera agree that denim is something we should be seeing more of — and they have no complaints there! “I’ve definitely seen celebrities and people on TV starting to wear them, too,” says Kaplan. To add to the spring mix (no salads intended), she recommends having an array of light scarves and snazzy earrings at the ready. Beam them up, Scotty.
Szachera speculates on the (possibly worrisome?) incline of the socks-n-sandals combo: “I’ve seen a lot of this around campus especially, which I like to call birken-socks.” Optimistic about this trend, she adds, “[it’s] a great way to wear sandals even if your toenail polish is chipping.”
In other shoe trends, “heels with chunky platforms attached” are quickly gaining popularity, says Kaplan, as are revealing shirts (think cropped, tight or sheer) and knee socks. (Hopefully with something in between, right?) “Also, neutral colors: Black and white are definitely in.”
(Melissa Kaplan)
How does ‘Berg stack up?
Both Rosario and Kaplan agree that Muhlenberg has a decent fashion sense, but could use some encouragement. Why? “I think people like to play it safe. It’s also impossible to say who is doing fashion right.” “Don’t be afraid to try more eye-catching stuff.” says Kaplan, “You can spruce things up and be adventurous. You can dress it up!”
For a brief but fabulous appearance, fashionista Taylor Gibb pops her head in: “Don’t be afraid to play with color, patterns, and texture! Case and point: My brightly-colored hats for a pop to basic outfits!”
(Rachel Szachera)
(Nate Rosario)
Rosario offers that you should focus on where your eyes go when you look at your outfit. That’s where others’ eyes will go, too! Citing his brother’s fashion motto “less is more”, Nate begs to differ: “For me, more is more?!” He’s all about the jewelry, too, but when it comes to the overall outfit: “When you don’t where eyes will go, that’s how you know you have too much. Usually, everyone I see can add more and be fine.”
The consensus seems to be that we’d each do well to add a little “more” to our day-to-day outfits. All right Mules, let’s step it up tomorrow! ;)
So why develop a better fashion sense, and how?
“Let yourself have fun with it!”, says Kaplan.
Ever heard any of those *fashion rumors* about how you look can make or break your day? “It’s definitely true you should dress how you want to feel”. Rosario jokes how if you dress “tired” with sweats-on-sweats, then that’s how you’re going to feel all day! “Let what you wear enhance how you feel about yourself.” He says, “You express yourself with what you wear. You do you, but also, make sure you are looking the best that you can.”
(Melissa Kaplan)
So how do you pick out an outfit in the morning? Rosario always takes into account two things: His own mood and, of course, the weather forecast. “If you think that something’s missing, then try to find it!” “When I dress up, I have this extra confidence. I am ready for the day. So dress it up a little.”
What does fashionista Szachera have to say on the matter? “I love fashion because it’s a great way for me to express myself. I love knowing that I look good and not for anyone else but for me. It really boosts my self-confidence when I can look in the mirror and be happy with what I see. I might not always be the happiest with my body, but I know I can always be happy with what I’m wearing. And that’s what’s great about fashion — it’s for everybody. No matter who you are you can be involved in it and feel great about yourself no matter your gender or race or size, it can make everyone more confident.” Wow. Be my best friend?
I don’t know about you, but for me, these guys have definitely shed some light. In closing, I think we should heed their advice: Make the choices that will let you say, “I am gonna SLAY today.”
So go now; take all of this marvelous Fashion Society insight and fly back into the world!
*All images taken by Emma Adams*