Rocky Mountain Collegian – Blogs
Rags to Riches
May 2nd, 2007
All Sales Are Final
In light of the budget minded college student, and everyone else because we all know people like to save money, I have compiled a list of the best places and times to save money. And yes, 99% of this list deals with clothing and the 1% is simply a tag along for the stores that carry other goods.
First and foremost, time. Time is always something to think about when you are looking for a sale or even a clearance. Although time of day can sometimes come into play, time of day is left to the department stores. Everywhere else, and thee stores as well, you have to think season. End of the season sales are more often than not the largest discounted sales you can find. What do you have to know to get the most out of the sale? The higher fashion cities go on sale the earliest and every city there after follows suit. This means when the Saks Fifth Avenue has places all their Spring/Summer lines on sale in early July, Denver’s Saks Fifth Avenue might not begin until mid-August.
Second, the larger the store the larger the sale. Don’t rely on your favorite boutique store for a 75% off clearance rack, it just isn’t practical. These small proprietorships are not to keen on cutting prices so drastically as the money comes from their own pockets. Instead, leave it to the Saks, Macy*s, Bloomindales, and Neiman Marcus’ of the world. These are the stores when you can find your Dolce & Gabbana Suit for under $400 (if the retail originated at $2,000) or your authentic Louis Vuitton handbag for less than $200 (please note: authentic).
Third, go worldwide. I realize there is nothing like trying on the clothes you want to purchase or simply holding a garment in your, but sometimes price trumps all. YOOX, Bluefly, eLuxury, Diabro, Urban Outfitters, and hundreds and hundreds of other websites all make shopping online a breeze. The best part, most of these do so outside of the country. Where the best clothing designs are found.
Lastly, maybe the fact that online stores make it easy to get your hands on foreign designs is not the best part. Perhaps the best part of these stores are their sales. Online websites have the Best Deals Around. Take, for example, YOOX. A site that runs out of Italy, and has offices in the US, receives past season clothing for inexpensive prices, places it on sale several times, and before you know it you have $480 Christian Dior belt for under a $100.00. If that doesn’t suit your needs, how about a Diesel t-shirt for under $30, that’s a price competitive to GAP. On top of all of this, online stores usually (always) have sale section. You would be hard pressed to find an online store that is without a 60% Sale staring at you in bold, red letting.
All in all, take my advice; never pay full price. But if you feel you have to, pay the full price at a department store or online as you will still be saving over other stores.
May 1st, 2007
Late Nights & Early Mornings
We all know that with finals comes stress, and with stress comes any possible way to relieve it. For some of us, that means managing our time, getting a full eight hours, and still having plenty of time to review for the final in the morning. However, for others this would be a fantasy. For these people, thankfully, we have finals style.
Everyone knows, and a vast majority of us have been there. For a little less than a week, 4 hours of sleep becomes the norm. All habits change, and your focus shifts entirely on 5 tests. All the while, you have been unknowingly wearing the same shorts, T-shirt, and undergarments (although I hope not) for three days.
For some, hair begins to become reminiscent of 80s hair bands. Make-up has been collecting dust on the bathroom counter. Your closet has not even been opened since the weekend began. Nonetheless, the “style” is overlooked and accepted across the board.
I need not explain the acceptance of such looks; after all we all know that finals are like a thunderstorm from the university staff. And with thunderstorms comes rain, and we all know that anything goes in the rain, and finals week.
April 25th, 2007
When The Rain Comes Down–Anything Goes!
So we all know that April showers bring May flower, regardless of how late those showers in April come. However, April showers also wash away most people’s care for style and trying to make an appearance. I mean let’s face it, when those clouds open up, anything goes. From trash bags to trench coats, the rain brings it all out.
In light of the recent weather we have been having hear, I am sure you can all attest to the fact that people do things a bit differently in the rain. Sure, trash bags might be a stretch. Unless, of course, you were in Disney World where they basically have yellow trash bags with a large Mickey Mouse image stuck on the back and $20.00 price tag stuck inside (my complements to Disney on this I might add). It goes to show you though, when rain comes does, people reach for anything.
Now, you know I would never just write about the actions people take when the weather turns foul without giving my advice. And, my advice to you is very clear: don’t hold back.
Rainy weather is one of the best, if not thee best, excuse you will ever find to wear anything your heart desires. Better yet, wear something that is not your “typical”. I am not saying to close your eyes and start pulling from your closet, but you could try it. Instead, try this. If you’re a conservative dresser, buy a rain jacket with some flair to make yourself stand out. If you’re a bit more ostentatious with your style, there is no need to add more flair, go with an umbrella. Better yet, go with a clear rain jacket. Not only with the jacket be right up your alley, you wont have to change anything about your everyday outfit. And if you consider yourself in between, stick with a classic raincoat.
Just remember, anything really does go, so enjoy it.
April 24th, 2007
For The Love Of Simplicity
It is all too common today, people over dressing and over accessorizing their outfits that is. More often than not, these over the top and over the quantity creations are the result of contrasting style reports and trends. A style created by those who are unsure where to take their own style while keeping in the current trends. My advice to you all, keep it simple.
Trying to follow all of today’s trends is going to bring more chaos and frustration to your wardrobe than it is aesthetic appeal. Just in following recent trends reports, and trying to cover them all, would leave you with white denim jeans, an organic cotton shirt, anorak jacket, and you would still have to fit in a bit a yellow, touch of a pattern, and be graphic free.
All in all, you can see it just doesn’t work. Your best bet, pick your favorite, which more often than not will be the one that requires the least amount of change to your current closet. I have mentioned a few of today’s trends before, try using them as a guide. Or take a look at the trends more in depth- for the Women and for the Men.
So until you find your style and fill your closet with “I love to wear” pieces, don’t get lost in the complexity of today’s numerous fashion trends. Instead, keep it simple and you will never go wrong.
Please Note: Simple does not mean sloppy.
April 23rd, 2007
A Fashionable Corporation
Who would of thought, the same companies you look to for your stylish clothing are also being traded on Wall Street? In fact, a majority of today’s popular brands and stores is all publicly traded. Even more stores and brands can be included when you take into consideration that these businesses often have a lot of brands under them.
For example, take the recent uprising of Urban Outfitters Inc. On the surface, the company seems to be nothing more than 195 stores in the
Abercrombie & Fitch, yes a publicly traded company, owns and operates Hollister and RUEHL brands. Bebe Stores Inc owns and operates all of their different bebe brands under the corporation. True Religion and Polo Ralph Lauren Company are currently corporate companies being traded on the market. Even Gucci, yes the high fashion work of Gucci, is being traded, on the Euronext market though. Nonetheless, the company does carry with it Sergio Rossi, Yves Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Balenciaga, and Stella McCartney.
Before you get all uptight and irritated that some of your clothes, the ones that you thought were coming from small, boutique style labels, in fact, come from major corporations-don’t worry. All it really means is that the label carries more money behind its name, whereby they get more money for quality designers and material. Besides, every company hasn’t gone and surely will not being going public.
Giorgio Armani, and all seven labels, still remains a private company. Diesel is another private company, currently holding the Diesel brand, 55-DSL, Diesel StyleLab, and Diesel Denim Gallery (good luck finding these jeans).
April 19th, 2007
Everyone Has Their Favorites
In light of all of this, there are times when the curiosity takes over in me and I can’t resist knowing what everyone else’s favorites are. So I did. I took what I consider a very random sampling of what these few people like to wear when the weather warms. I also asked them to name one of their favorite stores to shop, and I can tell you those answers varied more than the clothes.
What is your favorite item to wear when the weather warms up?
Sophomore Mark Wilson said, “I love to wear board shorts in the summer with sandals and I like to shop for clothes at usually Zumiez or PacSun.”
Junior Kirsten Anthony said her “favorite thing are capris and she loves H&M!”
Freshman Kelly Pizzuto hesitantly replied with “Umm. I like to wear flip-flops and tank tops mostly, and I love to shop at Target because they have everything.”
Junior Griffin Faust likes to “wear un-layered T-shirts and low-ankled shoes sans the socks.”
Junior Danielle Rawlings enjoys “wearing skirts and tank-tops and likes to shop at Forever 21.”
As for me, I prefer the button-down in both short and long sleeve lengths paired with shorts or khakis. And as far as the shopping goes, I enjoy stumbling on hard-to-find items regardless of what store they are in (
I appreciate everyone who allowed me to, and answered, my question on their favorites for the upcoming warm weather.
April 16th, 2007
How Will You Accessorize?
All jewelry aside, we all have our favorite accessories that often reflect our personalities and sometimes even bring them out. So as the weather begins to warm, I hope I don’t jinx us all again, it is time to put away the hats, scarves, and gloves. Now is the time to reach for bright handbags and belts, hats and vintage sunglasses, as it is time for some spring/summer accessories.
This season is perhaps one of the most original seasons in the past few years in terms of accessories, as there appear to be no common ground. No trend to follow, nothing that will take over the industry, just a variety of good pieces.
I wont mention shoes here as I have recently covered what I can on shoes. The only real trend here is actually in menswear and that is the change from square to pointed toes. Instead, I will begin with bags. Not just pertaining to women anymore, men’s bags have also been scattered over runways shows. Unlike the smaller handbags for women, the men’s bags were often larger duffle style bags reminiscent of vintage bags. In ladies handbags the most popular theme is NOT a white or brown bag plastered with
Hats remain a low-key item again, changing constantly from season to season and designer to designer with seemingly only one theme; if it works for you then wear it.
While aviator and oversize have ruled the world of sunglasses lately, there is another style in the mix this season; vintage. Going back to the Ray Ban Wayfarer, this year’s addition of the vintage style is okay by me.
All in all, I really wish I had more to give you on this year’s accessories but for now the style remains the same. For the most part anyway. Just remember that an accessory should always add something to an outfit and never take away.
April 12th, 2007
Try Kicking It This Way
For starters, I have to admit that footwear has never been my area of expertise. As much as I enjoy a new pair of shoes, boots, slides, et cetera, the limited amount of sizes makes it a bit of a struggle. Believe it or not trying to find a comfortable 14E is not an easy task, nearly impossible if trying to do so in a store. Enter, Zappos.
Over the last few years the people at Zappos have worked to try and create one of the largest, easiest, and cheapest online shoe stores. And as of now, I have to say that Zappos has accomplished all three.
When I say accomplished, I say it with confidence. With regard to them being the largest shoe store, I think you can trust me. Especially considering the competition has just under 12,000 Men’s shoes, compare this to Zappos who carries 6,600 in size 14 alone. Switch a more common size, say a Women’s 7, and you will find over 46,000 different shoes, pumps, wedges, flats, boots, and then some.
Now, I know easiest may be questionable. After all, Zappos makes you pay for shipping costs and you only have 14 days to return your items. Yeah right, Zappos offers free shipping both ways and you can return them within 365 days. Doesn’t get much easier than that, except for the frequent offers they have for free upgraded shipping to 2-Day and 1-Day shipping.
Lastly, Zappos is one of the cheapest shoes stores. This one is actually debatable as Zappos carries a 110% Price Protection where as Shoes.com has a 15% Price Guarantee. Try and tell me they were not thinking about how to one up Zappos on that one.
While I am not trying to steer anyone away from the pleasantries that come with trying shoes on in stores, or actually holding them for that matter. however, if you have problems finding your size, style, or price I strongly recommend them. And if you find another site that compares to Zappos, please let me know.
April 12th, 2007
In Light of White (Ear buds that Is)
We have all seen them — they are everywhere on campus. And thanks to Apple Inc., there are 100 million of them spread across the world, probably a few more by the time you read this. After all, back in January of 2006 an article reported iPods were selling at a rate of around 100 a minute. But where does fashion fit in?
Easy — the white headphones, or ear buds to be more proper, are now so prevalent in our everyday lives they become part of our style. Like a necklace, bracelet or ring, the white ear buds are just another accessory and will perhaps be the accessory of the 21st century. But it doesn’t stop there.
Some of today’s top designers and clothing companies have made or are in the process of making clothing items around iPods.
One example is the work that Levi’s has done with the iPod. In its line of Redwire jeans, Levi’s has worked the denim around the iPod. In their deluxe, or DLX, line, controls and a docking station are placed discretely within the jeans.
Not wearing jeans to work? No problem. Thomas Pink, a top designer in men’s dress shirts and ties, has introduced his solution to the growing trend. The Pink Commuter Tie features a hidden pocket on the back side of the tie for you to slip in your iPod. However, it is not a recommended solution to passing time during long meetings and lectures.
There are countless clothing items that have been made iPod-friendly. In recent months the iBoxer has come out for those of us who enjoy our music in the morning, but are still not quite ready to change out of our bedtime apparel. While I am sure the idea of the iBra is already in the works, I think the limited space of the thong is out of the question.
If you have any other iPod-friendly items you have heard of in the works or on the shelves, feel free to comment as I would love to know about them. As for now, just imagine the day when your iPod is in your backpack and wirelessly transmitting to the ear buds (which will remain white) in your ears.
April 9th, 2007
Fashion And Sex Meet On The Runway
You don’t need to take a course in advertising to know that sex sells, and to know it sells almost anything and everything. From Diet Pill advertisements on television to the ads for Sunray Apartments in the Collegian (unless she comes with the apartment when you sign the lease) sex is selling everything, including today’s new fashions.
Take notice, this is in no way a complaint for the recent increase in sex-based advertising that has gone on in the industry throughout recent years. No, this is just my way of complimenting the industry on their tactics for increasing sales.
Alright, so we all know that it only takes a few minutes of flipping through the first 20 or 30 pages of Elle, W, GQ, Arena, you get the idea, to know that you are more inclined to stop when you see a bathing suit for Summer than a business suit for Winter. And even more inclined if you are paging though one of the British editions of these magazines as showing skin seems to have rather different guidelines. But what about the Runway, the RTW (Ready-To-Wear) shows specifically wear the change has not gone as noticeable. Let me explain.
Start, for example, the Hussein Chalayan show for Spring/Summer 2007 clothing. While the designer is known for some of his theatrics, try and tell me that creating a dress that was able to slide up model Leah De Wavrin and into her hat, leaving the model naked I remind you, doesn’t shout out “Check me out”. Again, finishing a show with a naked model is not something I am about to complain about, but I must applaud Chalayan for taking it a step further, both for his line and for the industry altogether.
Here is where the big subliminal advertising comes into play, more and more of the outfits that are part of the RTW shows are not always seen in stores. And while some of the theatrics are done to show off the designer’s talents, not everyone has a couture show you know, it is of no coincidence that there are always few of those outfits that seem to bare a lot of skin. Now, I can’t imagine (in my mind I can but not in reality) there will be another show finishing with a naked model, but you can’t argue that it worked well. Despite all the skin that shows with a Dsquared2 bathing suit that I could fit in my palm or the Dolce & Gabbana models wearing only a towel, it is the Hussein Chalayan show that really has you talking.
All in all, I have to tip my cap to the designers and their talents, but I never thought I would be applauding them for their sly addition of sex appeal to the runway to gain attention.
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