{let's talk fashion} Fleecy February fashions for fun Valentine's Day functions

It's the first week of February, reader-friends, and so I must urge you to do one thing for me: wear red!

I know it's an uncanny thing that I suggest with such fervor to wear a color that is historically over-worn Valentine's Week but that is just one reason I do it... because next week everyone is going to be in the lovey dovey mood and you'll just be another floating scarlet mist in a sea of crimson hues.

You want to stand out today, right now, right here. While you and I are thinking about it and on the subject, I do hope you fall in love or something before the fateful day of Saint Valentine (you do have more than a week). Anyway, enough sweetheart talk... it sorta makes me ill. But not really. I received fantastic feedback from you all, oh readers of my column, in regards to article numero uno. I must say that I enjoy hearing your sweet woes and your joys over the words that I pen. keep letting me know what you want to hear!

In fact, would you let me know what you want to hear, er, read? No one really helped with that last time so I must insist on making you read my opinions and thoughts. How about this one: stop wearing jeans and accompanying skirts. Is this trend for real? I seriously thought that fad went in and out of 2000 without seeing the light of a new millennium. Who's bringing it back? Hint: it shouldn't be you.

Enough of that. Let's talk winter wear. Groundhog Day was Monday and, let's face it, we really don't have any idea how long winter will really last, but, nonetheless it's here for at least six more weeks. Live in the present.

I love scarves; I am the first to admit it. Ergo I am not in support, Ladies, of scarves and tanks. If that's not an oxymoron then what, pray tell, is? Why would one leave the house in a tank with a scarf wrapped around the whole of the neck? Anyway, I'm asking too many questions. Let's get some facts out there. (I didn't say statistics, I said facts... If you want a statistic: 78 percent of our campus has fallen smitten to this most awkward fad. And yes, I definitely just made that up.)

Anyway, I can understand that we're in Malibu and it's slightly warm here (though my thermometer says "no go on tank tops") and we also want to feel as though we're part of winter but isn't there another way? I'm going to be that voice you choose to ignore every morning when you put on that short skirt in 50-degree weather (I can also be called "Mom"). When we dress in clothes that are designed for summer when it's wintertime, we look ridiculous. That's right, ridiculous. People are lying to us when they say that we "look so cute" in our miniskirt and bare arms. I mean, yes, we would look cute if we were at a beach party in July, be we are talking February here.

Don't lie to yourself either... we all know Uggs don't make your entire body warm when you're wearing a skirt that hits just about eight inches above the knee. How about we play a game of catch? I'll toss a remedy out there, catch it if you will. Take your scarf, wrap it around your neck so it hangs down both sides, and button up your cinched jean jacket just under the chest; couple that with some matching linen pants and you've got yourself a light and airy, yet classic, winter outfit - perfect for the temperate Malibu weather.

In fact, you would look great in a pair of light pink pants, a white tank or shirt, a dark fitted jacket, and a red and pink striped scarf for that hot date that you're planning a week from now. Another great thing you can pair that scarf with is the red that you are going to wear this weekend before the rush to crimson comes at the end of next week. I have to admit, I feel that it would be a stupendous outfit indeed.

Now I have to digress from women's fashions for a moment because I do have some faithful male readers and I love you all. Senior Jared Battaglia is trying to bring back the fleece vest. Now, I don't know how I feel about this but I would like your thoughts on it. He is also attempting a rash comeback of the corduroy blazer. This indeed might be too much to stomach all at once but I have to admit that it is a noble endeavor on Jared's part.

Friends, love is in the air and corduroy is on the horizon. Tell me what you think. Until then, wear red; don't wear jeans with skirts; and keep light, airy, and warm with you scarves over the next month until we hit spring break. You are going to look and feel fabulous!

{fashion focus} Why not wear your weather?

It's that time of year again, and that we live in the 'bu, we must be prepared for every season - even winter. And since a significant portion of the Pepperdine population is from Seattle, we may rest assured that some of us know what "rain gear" is.

Yes, rain gear.

In the past we have, as a collective whole, been known to wear our flip-flops everywhere. I have even been known to wear them a time or two in rainy San Francisco. But we need to now learn how to wear the weather... That's right: wear the weather.

Let's be honest here, backless shirts went out with August and were, to the dismay of myself and plenty of others I'm sure, worn throughout the month of September. But if this type of apparel were meant to be worn throughout the year, the raincoat would never have been invented, boots would not be in every department store and tiny shoe boutique, and scarves would solely be used as waist ties.

Now you must be wondering what I'm talking about with this "wear the weather" business. I simply mean to say that there is a time and a place for everything, including that Abercrombie mini jean skirt that you scored at half price during a summer sale. But, sadly, the time for those sorts of items is not now.

It's getting cold around here, even when most of us arrived on our heavenly campus a week and a half ago and it was 80 degrees out. Therefore, let's look at what's in our closets that will compliment us and our surrounding temperature. There are really cure bootcut jeans available right now that could take the place of that adorable slit-up-the-front skirt or those shorts that you guys wear that hit between your knee and calf.

As for sweaters, merino wool is the place to be. These fabulous numbers can quickly go over any collared shirt to make a nice, snappy casual outfit and the colors just don't quit. I enjoy a nice black or pink, whereas my brother really likes maroon or grey. Journey out, explore, buy - those babies are on sale now!

I digress, however, back to the rain gear.

Honestly I don't believe anyone I know own any piece. Myself, I have one thing: my automatic umbrella. With the push of a button I'm not "covered in rain" as Johnny Mayer sings, but am totally dry. Hey, with an umbrella there really isn't any need for hats or waterproof jackets.

Nevertheless, the temperature tells us what we should wear, as well as bring with us out the door in the morning. It's the middle of January, wear those bulky sweaters and pea coats - there are way too many good-looking ones out there to not wear them while you can. Let's think about it: if we weren't supposed to wear our weather, the stores would still be full with summer tanks and spring florals.

So wear winter up.

{originally written for Pepperdine's Graphic newspaper}