{style and substance} The perfect dress for the perfect night

If there is one thing that is going through every girl's mind right now, it's the thought of this semester's Greek formals - guy's and girl's. Though some of the big days have already passed, some are quickly approaching and girls are still scrambling trying to get that "perfect dress" for that "perfect date".

As if trying to get the special someone to go with you wasn't enough, ladies, fashion always gets us down when it comes to what to wear. The seasons are changing and the options are getting slim; should you buy a new dress or borrow one?

Whichever you choose, remember this: color scheme. It's already the middle of November and therefore it's, completely, fall. Taht's right ladies, fall. Don't try and get away with wearing last spring's pastels or last summer's floral patterns. That is a no-go. Be young and beautiful in deep reds, browns, and maybe go crazy and throw emerald into the mix. I am not a fan, personally, of the ever-prevalent black dress, but with this year's climate, a little black number might just hit the jackpot.

Now, far be it from me to sound a bit motherly here, but a lady who goes out without anything around her shoulders is just not thinking ahead. Go buy yourself a wonderful matching shawl or wrap for the big event. A deep mixture of colors is a good offset to a solid dress. Thought it would be wonderful if your handsome date were to give you his jacket, you can never depend on a man when it comes to this stuff, so it's better to have your own warmth readily available. It's cold out there! And if you want to stand out, try a lovely fur muff or any other faux fur accessory to add a beautiful holiday flare to the evening; it can also really accent a solid dress. Oh! Don't forget the jewelry either, as most of the time it makes the ensemble complete.

With all of this said, don't forget to have fun. Take time and get to know the people around you. And enjoy your date's company. I know, for me, he was the best part...

{originally written for Pepperdine's Graphic newspaper}

{style and substance} The Shawlshank Redemption

They were originally meant to fend off the elements for ladies going to evening soirees. For years they were thought to be for older women who wanted to look sophisticated while staying slightly warm. As fashion has evolved, however, the shawl has become an accessory, if not a staple, in every girl's closet.

Where shawls used to cover the shoulders, women are baring it all and trading their belts for a wrap.

Shawls, scarves, and ponchos are gracing fashion magazine pages with new placements each month. Take, for example, the highly European look of the shawl wrapped around the waist. Two years ago no one would have ever thought that throwing their mom's old scarf around their hips would make a tremendous statement. Today, a bias cut shawl can elongate the legs, giving a tinge of Euro or South American flavor

A shawl, wrap, or scarf can be used as a belt for the everyday snappy casual outfit, or a fringed number will do a saucy trick for the first date. Either way, the girl with the shawl around her trendy waist always gets a second stare.

The lady who enjoys shawls but doesn't like the constant upkeep of the waistband look shouldn't worry - there are more styles out there. After all, it does get a bit bothersome always pulling the ends of the material to make sure it stays tight. Instead, one can fold it in half - lengthwise of course - and pin it to her shoulder, letting the ends hang in front and in back of her. This does nothing for warmth, but it is quite princess-like. Of course, there is the way mom likes to wear it: strangely wrapped around the shoulders creating either a choking sensation or that of a straightjacket. The materials, in this case, would be more elegant, not that of a regular, everyday shawl.

So, where did this trend start? And who would ever want to accessorize with a large piece of material? Designers from Europe took inspiration from the South American and Spanish cultures. Whatever they put in the windows of stores, and on the pages of In Style we want and therefore the style begins.

Of course we know that, most likely, within the next year or two shawls will be "last year" and no one will don the sultry trend. Fashion items like these go in and out, but always leave wonderful pictures behind.

And besides, every girl will grow up and go to those lovely evening soirees. She can just keep it in her back pocket, or around her waist, until it's her time to look sophisticated while staying slightly warm.

{originally written for Pepperdine's Graphic newspaper}

{style and substance} Be O-Town or The Boss if you want

First things first - No, I don't know what I will be for Halloween this year.

It seems that lately all I keep hearing is, "What are you going to be this year?" as though I was something good last year and I have to think of something better to outdo myself. I must ask myself how I cannot be something more interesting being that one of my girlfriends and I were Cloud Nine a year ago and there is no way that this year's costume won't beat the cotton balls that were scattered on my $5 shirt of last October 31.

That said, I must try and analyze now the point of Halloween costumes. I will admit that I have no idea whether we wear costumes to blend in with the goblins or whether we're trying to scare them away; every year I think that I seem to do the latter. However, it has become a staple in American life to dress up like who knows what and ask people that we have never met to fill buckets and pillowcases full of candy - all while making sure that they think we look the best in our outfit. Well, I still do at least - you can score a good month of Reeses from those trips...

But I don't think that I can handle another generic cowboy or cowgirl (being that I'm one every other year) or a generic rock star for that matter. Let me be frank with you here: if you want to be famous, dress like the person you wish you were. It's the one day that you can go all out, right? Be O-Town if you want. Or you can try dressing up like The Boss. Now that's a costume.

Whatever we decide this year, it seems to me that Pepperdine students are shying away from the clowns and witches of old. This year is all about new and totally random. I think we'll look fabulous no matter where we go or what we do. After all, the night is really about candy and real fun. However I still have no idea what I will become Thursday night...

{originally written for Pepperdine's Graphic newspaper}