{let's talk fashion} Tweed, the ultimate in classy fabrics

I’m just going to say that “tweed” is the word for the month… no, make that the season. Am I right or am I right?

I am an avid reader of a certain weekly magazine and I know that it was announced a month ago that tweed is the new black. But hey, I only get to write this column every other week, so sometimes you readers just have to wait for my fashion forecast.

No matter, I have to admit that I enjoy the material, or pattern, and even my mom bought a pink tweed jacket when I traveled up to beautiful San Francisco two weeks ago.

This brings up a good point, reader of my column. Tweed is a fabric that all ages can enjoy. Why? Because it has to be, in my opinion, the definition of classic. Even “level-headed” Jessica Simpson paired it with a pair of jeans for her appearance on Live! With Regis and Kelly.

Now, as we all know, the bandwagon that I love to jump on and ride around town in is the one where I can stand up and say that women need to present themselves in a respectful light. Tweed jackets fit well, ladies, because they are so age defying and classy, and if I happen to find some pants in that same fabric, I will be the first to purchase them. Call me crazy but I enjoy things like this… don’t ask me why.

Oh! Newsflash: it’s still cold outside! That’s right… that’s fog swiftly moving atop the ocean, not some sort of sun-mist that you’re staring at outside your window. So that means wear pants and long-sleeved things. Just don’t be cold; Mom doesn’t like you getting sick.

Anyway, so there’s tweed. But get this, as we all know, trucker hats are out – um, yeah, now you know so take it off – but Ashton began another craze that has hit L.A. hard.

It’s not the fedora… no, no, no. the fad (because this one, as well, is going to fly out the door by next month) is religious wear. We have seen over the past year the “Jesus is my Homeboy” shirts all over the place – worn by the likes of Jennifer Garner and Pammy Anderson. But those tees are only the beginning.

Hollywood is going religion-happy after Mel Gibson’s release of “The Passion of the Christ” last month, and there is a sudden manifestation of celebs wanting to wear things that promote religion. Notice the influx of made-for-TV “Jesus” movies?

Now I read about this fad in a magazine that I am forced (wink, wink) to read at my internship, so I know it’s the truth. But I don’t know how these shirts and other items of clothing will come about, or what clever sayings they will bear.

Just note that the “Homeboy” shirts aren’t the only shirts that Urban Outfitters is selling down on Third Street. My apartment-mate also has a “God Squad” shirt that represents the essence of the Trinity. I mean, how great is that? I think it’s a simple way to spread the Word… but I could just be insane. I think you should check some of these things out… I don’t know, maybe buy something.

That’s right, cohorts, I am encouraging you to go out and purchase a shirt that mocks all that you know and borders on the blasphemous… but it’s all for the sake of fashion, right? Right.

Life is too short to live it by the wayside, watching everyone else wear red while you sit and wear a pale taupe color. Unless you really like taupe – it looks good on many skin tones.

Anyway, the idea here is to think outside the box. Some may hate what you wear and judge you for it; forget them. Wear that shirt from your wacky wardrobe to church and discuss the pros and cons of its message.

Find a color that you’ve never worn and dress it up for your class on Tuesday morning. Take that sweatshirt that you wear every day, toss it on your bed, and throw on a button up shirt.

Wear white.

If you like army green, wear it.

Your fashion is all about you. So play it up and flatter yourself. It doesn’t matter what sex you are, as long as you know who you are and what you like. Because, in the end, it doesn’t matter if people see who you are by what you wear, it matters if you like what you see in the mirror bright and early each morning.

{let's talk fashion} Jeans on guys: It’s time to get rid of the one-pair system

It’s another week for fashion and I’m loving every minute of it! I can hardly wait every other week to pen these words to you. However, my roommates can attest that I never really know what I’m going to write until I sit down and actually start typing away.

Good news all the same, readers of my column… last night I had an epiphany, which, as the dictionary.com defines it, it: “A sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something”

Readers! I definitely, yet unfortunately, did not come to know the purpose for our lives. That is indeed not my forte, for as you can see I am a simple fashion writer. Ergo! I did come across the idea that I should emphasize the importance of the famed material of denim in our everyday lives. This thought was brought on by my good friend… well, to protect his identity we’ll go with calling him “Willy.”

Willy led me to the realization that jeans (and I’m not talking just the color of denim here, compatriots), can be a life-altering material when worn in the right atmosphere. There is a deeper meaning that I am trying to get out there. How should I say it? Jeans are the most important part of the outfit.

On the average, a guy will wear jeans more than slacks or khakis, unless he’s some sort of annoying Cape Cod model or some such thing. Therefore, you males need to grasp the underlying truth that lies within the pockets of those trousers: girls look at them more than they look at your face.

I know it’s unbelievable. You don’t want to believe it right now. Take a moment; I’ll be here when you get back. That’s fine… now get back to reading.

I have always thought (this is crazy, I know) that a boy can own one pair of good jeans and be set. That’s right, only one. My advice was always to go out and spend a good amount of money on a single pair of boot-cut jeans and then couple them with varying sorts of sweaters and tops – this was just the best way to go. Willy, however, counseled otherwise.

As a male, he pointed out that his fantastic jeans that he spent “a good amount of money on” were not jeans that he felt comfortable in for the “nightlife”. Let’s just say, he did not feel at ease pairing them with a stiff black button up and nice black Kenny Coles for carousing the Sunset Strip.

Well, this was not good news. So, I have changed my ringtone – I now believe in the two pairs jeans policy. Of course it’s more money, but what it will do for your dating life! As Willy pointed out, guys either like their pants too big (way late 1990s, fellows; we’re in a new millennium now) or too tight (quite Euro, but I don’t mind it at all). His remedy to this problem was to buy jeans that fit just right around his waist, and lo and behold, they would fall at a perfect length above his shoe.

To us ladies this seems like the logical choice, but we can testify that we hardly ever buy clothes in our size. (A major faux pas I might add but that is an opinion for another time and you’ve already heard my piece regarding it.)

My fashion advice for this point in our lives together is this: buy a pair of jeans for everyday life and one pair of jeans for going out on the town, boys. It’s so simple. Girls don’t care if you wear the exact same pants day in and day out. If you have no fashion sense, then they’ll be happy with what you do have.

The jeans should fall to one small fold above the top of the shoes and be snug around your waist – and please note, hip-huggers are for women. Tapered jeans are detestable and should not be worn, neither should stonewash. Oh the horror of the “washed” jeans of the 1980s.

Jean jackets should never be paired with a pair of jeans but every male should own one. We all know and love Carson from “Queer Eye”. He says that mismatched jeans are OK but he is lying to you. They are a “no-go” together but a “must have” separately.

All in all, jeans are important to the wardrobe of the male. Guys, you don’t seem to always notice the urgency with which girls compliment you on your jeans or tell you to buy good pants. They are just trying to help you out.

Willy has the idea: girls are attracted to men that wear their clothes well and that means that they have to fit. They don’t have to be extraordinarily expensive, just well-fitting and boot cut. Now, boys, go out and get fitted up… out with your old and in with your new – jeans that is.

{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!

{let's talk fashion} Can boot sellouts be attributed to an Australian sheep shortage?

So it's what year again? Reader, where does the time go?


I'm not sure because I can never seem to catch up with it. But I do know one thing as the days pass on into eternity: it's January, which means it's a new year and a new you. With that in mind, I can see only one thing to do... let's talk fashion. 


I am here to help with any questions that you may have in regards to fashion. As I sit and think about this column, I am befuddled by the many topics I could include in it over the next few months. But I want to hear your opinion. What do you want to know about? Let me whet your appetite with a few of the blazing topics on my mind right now. First off, there are some ins and outs of 2004 and need to be privy to them. 


For starters, UGG boots are in. We all know it now, but let's be honest with each other, we've all known it for about four years. Don't let the media and the bandwagon jumpers get you down! Wear your ugly boots (we all have them) with pride - pride in the boot/person longevity that you possess.


Can America get a a grip, though? They aren't that serious, yet they are sold out until April. Word on the street is they ran out of some animal (I'm going with sheep but what do I know?) in Australia and need to do some breeding to get the market hopping again. Let's all hope that goes well.


On another note, I feel as though trucker hats need to be a thing of the past. They were over-worn in 2003 and really need to stay in that year. I know that Ashton Kutcher has yet to get the memo that he ruined the Von Dutch fad by wearing them to death and back again and even to bed, but I'm truly sick of seeing them on everything - including pets. (Not that I've seen them on pets but you get my point.)


In understand that some of us may be attached to the mesh back of the hat or the foamy front that cushions our foreheads and absorbs stray moisture. I am taking this into consideration. So my suggestion is this: take time with your hats over the next few weeks and transition them out of your wardrobe. Just wear them less is all I'm proposing. That way, we don't get sick of them as quickly and we can still keep our investment... after all, I'm sure we all though that the look was going to be classic.


Now that I have purged those two issues from my system (they've been weighing on my heart for some time now), we can move on to more important things. 


While writing the first part of this column, I have decided what I will be sharing with you each week. We need stability, don't we, person who reads my column? Thus, it shall be granted to you. In each bi-weekly column I will include a few things such as color of the week; "In the Closet", which will list an item that I think should be taken out of one's wardrobe; outfit of the week; and tip of the week. That way we both feel like this column is doing something for the great, big expanse that we call the world.


As for the tip of this week: wear what fits. Just because Mom and Dad got you those cute jeans or tight black pants two sizes too small doesn't mean that you have to wear them. It's not about what size the clothes are, it's what looks good on you. Exchange clothes that don't quite make you feel beautiful and opt for a larger size so that you can walk with more confidence each day. Clothes that rock your closet come in all sizes and can be worn by anyone at any time.


The more comfortable you are in your clothes, the higher your head is when you walk because you know that you feel good about who you are. I know it may sound superficial, but it's not. Clothes don't make you but comfortable, respectable, and still classy clothes do give you confidence.


I'm sure that a study has been done on the relationship between confidence and comfort, and if you want me to look it up, I'll try my hardest to do so. Just shoot me an email.


{originally written for Pepperdine's Graphic newspaper}

{fashion focus} Styles for a sensational summer

You guys! It’s my last article of the year … is this a joke? No, it’s for real and I am saddened at the thought of it. So let’s get personal, shall we?

I am sitting here wondering what pieces of snappy fashion information I could leave you with for the duration of your summer. We will all be in various places across the country, dare I say the globe, so what could really be of interest to you now? I for one might be in the lovely city of Detroit (a personal favorite) and others of you may be in Cancun for an “internship” or what have you. Wink, wink. So I racked my brain thinking of something that would be of interest to you.


And it came to me! Beachwear of course!

Though I really have not so much to say about the subject, I want to encourage all of you — male and female alike — to remember to respect your bodies this summer. We already had our discussion on it, but I do want to reiterate to the men that Speedos are blatantly unacceptable in any situation. I mean, just think of those of us who have to look at you in those heinous, shouldn’t-have-been-invented pieces of material.

We can all agree that swimmers, water polo players and the like are allowed to show us their tanned bods, but no one else. Don’t even think about it. It’s just wrong. Nothing short of wrong. It’s just not right. So let’s get that splendid idea out of our heads. Even if you’re in France for the summer … don’t.

For you lovely ladies, I don’t have much to say to you, but I do want to bring up an article from earlier in the semester that discussed color. Let’s remember that color is important. White and baby blue look beautiful on tanned skin, so work that out. I can only wish I could wear a white bikini. It’s summer so bring out the pastels and brights — try to stay away from blacks … live up the season while it’s here. Don’t just wear your weather; wear your weather’s colors.

Take a break from classes and work every once in a while and look around you. The world is full of beautiful people and beautiful things to enjoy. It will be summer in just a few weeks. Some of us will be graduating and starting our new lives. Some of us will be venturing on to new wonders before we start up again in September 2003. I think we all deserve new beach attire. As Pepperdine students, we have earned it … though I do know that we spend most of our time at the beach anyway.

On a personal note, I hope each and every one of you takes care of yourself as you embark on journeys that might possibly change your lives this summer or that might just enhance the comfort of where you are right now.

No matter what, dress to impress, dress to kill. Life awaits you — be dressed and ready for it!

{originally written for Pepperdine's Graphic newspaper}

{fashion focus} Something for the imagination

For once in my life, I got an e-mail regarding my last article. Woo hoo! So I thank you, Nate Watts, for your thoughts.


Though Mr. Watts did send me some love in the inbox, I got many a reader who talked to me personally about the sentiment of saggy baggy pants on women. And since I love each and every one of you who reads my column every other week, I will write shortly about the issue of showing underwear among femme fatales.

Let me first say: Let's not let that happen, Ladies. I mean, come on! Do any of us really think it's attractive to show off what doesn't need to be seen?! Wear a belt. One that fits. My seeing your choice of underwear is totally unacceptable, including classlesss. Yep, I said it. Sure, it happens to me and I get totally embarrassed. I mean, I should buy some extra belts, too, ya'll.

I will say one thing as a woman (I have this urge to stand on my soapbox so here we go): We as ladies cannot give men reasons to disrespect us - whether in action or in dress. It's easy for them to see us as property or easy targets for hormonal pleasure, but we are so much more than that. We are daughters of a King who wants us to love ourselves, our bodies, and who we are as much as He loves us.

I am saying this much, Beauties: tight clothes and low-rise jeans do not need to define who you are - be you and love it. Any man who wants you because you dress or act a certain way is worth as much as my faux Tiffany bracelet (and that was free, OK?). Here it is - fashion is something that I like to pride myself on; we all do. But as my mom says, "It doesn't matter what size it is, it matters if it looks good on you."

I'll admit that I'm not the skinniest lady in the world, nor am I built the best, but I know who I am and I love it. The man of my magazine dreams may walk on by and not glance at me once and it's OK. I don't have to impress anyone with how I dress, what perfume I buy, or how many times a month I get my toes done (though twice a month is highly recommended). Because that man who I've always dreamed about, he won't take me for granted, he will respect me, he will cherish me, and he will treat me like a princess. And, most likely, I'll fall in love with him without even knowing it.

Ladies, and you guys as well, when it happens, it happens. Know who you are because you love to sing or dance or write. Fall in love with his stare or with her smile. Cover up and respect your bodies because they're temples. After all, we want to leave something for the imagination - and let's be honest here, underwear hardly ever matches.

And that, my friends, is just tacky.

{originally written for Pepperdine's Graphic newspaper}

{fashion focus} I see France now pull up your pants

This week I decided on boys. I want to write on boys. Well, not on them per se, but about them — I wanted to write on the subject of boys. I feel as though I leave you all out every other week and I thought I should mix it up a little bit.

We go to a school where the boys are notoriously known for dressing better than the ladies at times … I daresay much of the time. But our ladies are vixens of fashion so this can only mean that we have one heck of a beautifully dressed school. But what happens when bad clothes happen to truly good people? I can tell you one thing that happens … saggy non-baggy pants.

It’s been the style for more than five years now, am I wrong? This whole sag your pants and wear them baggy below your bottom and down to your knees thing? Really, am I right or am I right? I thought they went out with the formerly ever-present skort but much to my amazement, the fad has outlasted Jennifer Love Hewitt’s career.

I myself am all about it … I admit that I am indeed a huge Eminem fan and love the look, but what about when you boys forget the baggy part of the equation. Lately I’ve noticed that boys like to wear tight jeans (which I enjoy heaps more than baggy pants) sagging around their thighs. Is that right? I mean, honestly, is that okay? What is the sense of having jeans that are wrapped around your thighs with a belt holding them “up?” Is it comfortable? Is it in? I need to know because I find it disconcerting and totally unattractive when I look at a fabulously dressed male and suddenly I’m staring at a mix of Ralph Lauren plaid boxers, a studded belt and tight jeans hanging around skinny legs. Pull them up!

Let me tell you what I’m really hot and bothered about. The pants are usually too short. That’s right, they are just too short and the mix of the non-butt, cropped pant just boils my water. It’s just too much all at once. I am not one to complain and leave you with no resolution, however. Indeed I’m not. So, what can we do to remedy the situation?

Well, if you’re wearing these pants without the accompanying hat, shirt, shoes, and look that really make the jeans say “bah-dow!” then you just need to revert back to normal pants coupled with a Pepperdine t-shirt. If, on the other hand, you want this punk rocker look, we can help with the saggy non-baggy problem. Jeans that fall just above the hips (us ladies call them hip-huggers) with an un-assisting belt wrapped around them would make the look complete. You’d have a bit of a sag without the unsightly appearance of underwear.

So pull up your pants, throw on a trucker’s hat from the Goodwill, a used shirt from the Salvation Army (or Urban Outfitters … any will do), some Converse All-Stars, and you are set for a night on the town. After all, we are a beautifully dressed campus; we need to make sure we dress accordingly.

{originally written for Pepperdine's Graphic newspaper}