Hukk It

Ever find a piece of clothing or accessory you felt like you couldn’t live without? Did that item also just happen to be a tad bit out of your price range?

As a college student who is not a trust fund baby (yes, they do exist at Syracuse) I always like a deal.  So if you’ve ever debated numerous times like I did, on whether or not it is worth eating Ramen for a month just to get the shoes you’ve been obsessing over, good news: problem solved.

A bookmarklet (stored as a URL of a bookmark in your web browser) called Hukkster has officially been launched.  It is a free online shopping tool that allows you to track products and merchandise you like, and alerts you when those things go on sale.

All you have to do is request an invite through Facebook or Google.  Once accepted, you simply install the “hukk it” bookmarklet into your browser’s bookmarks bar.  When you see products you love, click “hukk it,” and choose to get notified via email about when the product goes on sale.  Hukkster works with hundreds of retail sites that include Jcrew, Bloomingdales, Anthropologie, ShopBop, and more.

For those of you fortunate enough to be able to swipe daddy’s credit card, do him a favor, and use Hukkster anyway. You never know, maybe he’ll even buy you your next David Yurman with the money you saved him.

- Lauren Levine

The Four People You Meet on Halloween

The one of a kind: “What are you?” A girl dressed as the Princess Bride can turn into Bridezilla if she’s asked this question in her Halloween costume, and no one would notice the difference.  When creating an original costume, keep the idea simple. If it’s too complicated, you’ll spend most of your night explaining yourself, and at that point you might as well have made as a sign that says, “Hello, my name is…,“ which would cause the least amount of confusion for all involved. Let’s be honest, Lil’ boozie at the party isn’t going to be able to tell you’re dressed as a bag of Franzia after a few rounds of slap the bag.

The slut: Anyone who has seen Mean Girls knows this quote, “Halloween is the one day a year where a girl can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it.” If you believe that, you’re not living in the real world, you’re living in girl world. Snap back to reality… girls talk and pass judgment 365 days a year. The may not say anything to your face on Halloween (if they’re nice), but those stares are worth 1,000 words of judgment. The same applies to guys with a dick-in-a-box costume. You’re not a present to women, you’re most likely a douche, and are probably compensating for the small gift that’s inside the box.

One hundred of the same person: Group costumes are a blessing and a curse. Remember the episode of Friends where Chandler kisses one of Joey’s sisters and tries to figure out which one it was? This could easily be your Halloween night. The up side is that you and your friends make the costumes together and you look less ridiculous when there’s many of you wearing the same thing. What’s the down side? I already laid out that scenario. Overall, the pros outweigh the cons and you and your friends will get a lot of attention!

All natural: I’m not advocating that you run around naked on Halloween, although some of you probably will. I’m telling you to go as yourself in party clothes. If you decide later in the night that you wish you’d made a costume, change your name for the rest of the party. Otherwise, if you’re normal, you’ll go home and put on last year’s costume since people have only seen you wear it once. It’s okay to be lazy and not wear a costume, just pretend you are. No one will know the difference.

- Jenna Jacobsen

Girls’ Halloween Costumes Lack in Creativity

With October 31^st just around the corner, I thought it was only necessary to write a post about every college student’s favorite holiday. Traditionally, Halloween is a night that rolls around every fall, when one would dress up and go from door to door asking for candy. For college girls living the Halloween dream in their late teens and twenties, the door to door innocence has faded and has turned into “the one day a year you can dress as a complete slut and no one can say anything about it.” (Props to Cady Heron)

Whether for theme parties or an attempt to show off for the boys, girls’ costumes are getting less and less conservative.

For some reason, girls either think they can wear anything or nothing at all.  Maybe it’s the added alcohol that wasn’t in the mix when we were kiddies, but I’m positive that if a dad ever saw his daughter’s Facebook photos from Halloween, he wouldn’t be calling her his little angel anymore.

So in the spirit of all things fashion, here is a list of the few categories that, year after year, girls seem to love.

Occupations: I’m talking police officers, nurses, firefighters, flight attendants, and maids, just to name a few.  Ordinarily, these occupations outfits are pretty drab; however, on Halloween it is a completely different story.  Girls just love to hike up those hemlines.  Not to mention, people love to have accessories like handcuffs and whips.

Animals: These are usually the go-to outfits that people make last minute.  It is easy to find cat ears and a tail anywhere, just add on some eyeliner as whiskers with a tight skirt and bandeau and you’re good to go.  Some of the more intense outfits I’ve been seeing include the black latex bodysuits that legit show off your every curve. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE if you plan on wearing this make sure you can actually pull it off!  It’s highly unlikely to be able to do this if you’re over a size 2 and not taller than 5’6.

Fictional Characters: Most of these costumes stem from Disney movies.  Although these costumes are sexy, they still somehow manage to be cute.  Most girls that wear these tend not to be sluts in real life, makes sense considering they are picking Disney characters for Halloween.

Whoever or whatever you choose to be, just remember that it is the one night of the year when you can be anything you want, so have fun with it!  And before the night’s festivities begin, remember to ask your friends “does this make me look fat?” Even though it’s one night, there will be pictures to document it forever. (Thank you, social media.)

- Lauren Levine

Killin’ it in Oxblood

Oxblood: the name alone seems kind of scary.  However, the color is quickly becoming fall’s go to color, and my current obsession.  I’m not going to lie, part of the reason I was originally drawn to the color was because it reminded me of wine, but who could blame me?  The deep, rich, dark brownish red color gives off a romantic vibe that is bound to look ahh-mazing on all skin tones.  It is popping up all over Hollywood, from the Emmy Awards, to the streets.

If you have the confidence, wear the trend as a lip color. It practically screams vixen!  I suggest Nars Pure Matte Lipstick in Volga – deep aubergine.  If not, try the trend in anything from belts, to dresses, to handbags.  Feeling bold? Pair it with a dark orange, cobalt blue, or my favorite: mustard yellow.  If you’re a little more reserved, try oxblood in either gray, black, brown, or a camel color.  I’m thinking an oxblood wool sweater with a black leather mini skirt paired with black leather booties or suede heels as a perfect look for a date night, where I’d be killin’ it.

-Lauren Levine

Fall into Fall

Well, it’s finally here!  Between the changing leave colors, the pumpkin spice lattes, and the haunted hayrides, fall is my favorite season. It is also the time of year I get to wear my favorite wardrobe staple, sweaters!  Whether its cable nits, graphic pullovers, or cardigans, they are all perfect for the chillier months ahead.

Once it starts getting colder, I think it is essential to layer, which sweaters are great for!  Not only does layering keep you warmer and prepared for any weather, but it allows you to show off the contrast between different colors and cuts of clothes.  When you layer, make sure to mix different fabrics and avoid wearing more than three items.  If you do this it may look too bulky.  It is important to remember that the thinnest garment should be worn closest to the skin while the thickest garment is on top. Don’t be afraid to mix different patterns and colors.  Fall is the perfect time to try something new!

-Lauren Levine

Studs Are Officially in Season

No, I’m not talking about Hollywood’s hottest bachelors, although good looking men are always in style.

Studs are nothing new to fashion, but the way they are generously applied to clothing this season is an upcoming trend. The muted colors of fall, combined with a spiky edge, are catching everyone’s attention.

Vince Camuto and Steve Madden are just two designers that have applied the stud appeal to entire shoe collections. Some styles though, are more practical than others. Simple studs down the back of a heel are a way to jazz up ordinary pumps, but pumps with toe-capped studs are ambitious and slightly dangerous.

Another risky move with studs is seeing them applied to every-day classic clothing pieces that exist in almost every girl’s wardrobe. Studs have appeared on button downs, one-shouldered little black dresses, jean jackets, leggings, jeans, and even sweaters.

There is such a thing as overload for a fashion trend. The key to not taking this statement too far is to wear just one piece with studs, whether it’s the shoes or the button down with studs on the tips of the collar. Less is more is no exception to this fashion trend. Shoes are subtle as compared to studded clothing, but keep in mind that you get what you pay for. Quality comes with a price, but it’s usually worth it for one or two clothing items each season.

Be aware though, there are some clothes that look bejeweled this season and it is a cheap look. It takes balance, quality and a fun personality to make this trend appear fresh.  It also runs a fine line between trendy and that awkward middle school fashion phase.

- Jenna Jacobsen

Meet the Bloggers: Lauren Levine

Sup, Jerks! I’m Lauren Levine, and I’ll be covering all things fashion. Before I get ahead of myself, here’s a little bit about me.

Year and Major: I am a sophomore in Whitman School of Management majoring in Retail Management (obviously I love clothes and fashion)!

Hometown: Morristown, New Jersey

Most Embarrassing Moment: Walking into a glass door after I woke up from having anesthesia and becoming unconscious… not one of my finer moments.  Thank god I was already at the hospital.

Biggest Lie I’ve Gotten Away With: Unfortunately I am a terrible liar and when I try to lie I start laughing, so it never really works.

Movie I Could Watch Over and Over Again: This is a tough decision because I literally think I have seen about two thirds of any movie ever made. (Well, the ones worth seeing anyway) but I have to give the typical girl answer and say The Notebook.  Who could blame me? It’s the cutest romance movie ever made which every girl wishes was based on her own life.

For more about me, follow me on twitter @DoubleLss.

Fashion Faux Pas: Career Fair Edition

Last week, SU undergraduates put on their business best to attend the Career Fair. There were a few, however, who did not seem to put much effort at all into their appearances. Clearly, no one ever told them that what you wear is like a physical résumé.

Outfits are judged based on presentation, which means that they should style like a professional-looking résumé. The men that wore business suits and the women that wore business professional clothing hit the nail on the head. If their résumé was as good as their outward appearance, they will most likely get a second look from employers.

While these professional-looking students mingled on the turf of the Carrier Dome, there were others that stood out like sore thumbs. If it wasn’t noticeable from the bleachers, it was up close: an episode of what not to wear waiting to happen.
The First Offense: I noticed a number of students hauling full backpacks in between the Career Fair booths. Did they not realize that this was a four hour event? They certainly had time to drop their baggage off at home, or at the very least, at a locker on campus. They looked like well-dressed turtles that also double as part-time students.

The Second Offense:  It’s bad enough to wear a club skirt to class, but it’s a whole other offense when these questionable length skirts come out to play at a Career Fair. So for the women who committed this offense, here’s a tip: an appropriate length for business skirts is mid-thigh and knee length; styles that fit within these lengths are the pencil skirt, high waist, and a-line. Another guideline for skirts is to keep them classic and simple. Avoid studs, multiple zippers or busy patterns; they’re distracting. A black skirt with a silk top is fresh and classy, which is what many employers are also searching for when considering additions to their companies.
The Third Offense: Camoflage in cargo shorts, jeans, and camouflage pants. Need I say more? None of these options are appropriate to wear to a Career Fair, especially if a student is serious about procuring a post-college job. Business suits are the classy way to go, but even chinos would have been a better wardrobe choice than the camo/cargo atrocity.

Just remember: clothes act as creative outlets to express personality each and every day. A sheer top says that a person is transparent, and lacks imagination. It is also distracting to future employers when they’re left to stare at a bra carefully paired with a see-through shirt. A little modesty goes a long way when it comes to fashion in the business world. Good fashion sense doesn’t hurt either.  If your résumé was as chic as your outfit, you probably left a good impression. Check out the outfits below, compliments of Express, and get some ideas. Happy internship and job hunting!

- Jenna Jacobsen

Meet the Bloggers: Jenna Jacobsen

Hey Jerks! I’m Jenna Jacobsen, and I’ll be bringing you the best and worst of fashion, starting with the dos and don’ts of what I like to call “Career Fair Fashion.” Before I get blogging, here’s a little bit about me.

Year/Major/Minor: Senior Spanish major and Psychology minor

Hometown: Rochester, Minnesota

My Most (recent) Embarrassing Moment: It occurred while I was at work. (Abercrombie and Fitch) I just happened to be staring at one of the shirtless greeters at the front of the store (isn’t that what they’re there for?) and ever-so-gracefully walked right into a table. My manager saw the whole thing and couldn’t stop laughing.

The Biggest Lie I’ve Gotten Away With: My height is listed on my driver’s license as 5’11”.  I’m in denial that I’m actually 6 feet tall.

Movie I Could Watch Over and Over: I could watch “The Guardian,” starring Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher all day, every day.

For more embarrassing stories regarding shirtless male models and lies about my height, follow me on Twitter at @Jenna_Nicoleee.

Fashion Trends Someone Needs to Explain

Recently flipping through my stack of fashion magazines I began to question more pages than not.  Now obviously for any slave of fashion, September is the God of all months.  It rules the fashion world, it forecasts the trends for the year and basically sets the tone for every designer out there.  This month can make you wildly famous or basically kick you to the curb and ruin you forever as a designer.

One of the first magazines to have their September issue out is “Glamour”.  And as I’m flipping through the pages I found some trends that seemed debatable.

For example, number eight on their Top 10 Glamour Dos and Don’ts list is a picture of Rihanna in a pink accordion pleaded skirt with a sheer lace bandeau and converse.  The title: “Going Totally Sheer in Public.  Do? Don’t? Discuss!”.  Honestly is that even up for debate?  I’m pretty sure a nip slip is completely inappropriate so why would ‘going sheer’ in public even be a question.

Then there is trend number six of fall fashion: collars.  And no this doesn’t mean oxford button downs or or a cute polo.  It literally just means a collar that you wear over your sweater or shirt.  Styles range from a Graziano pearl collar to Marc Jacobs metal and chain collar.  Even crocheted and studded ones exist.  I just don’t understand how this makes your outfit look chic or why you would wear something that resembles the fashion version of a dog collar.

Another trend that has trickled down to the mainstream: hair jewels.  I mean its great for a runway show.  But when you try to wear a claw of jewels on your head it just doesn’t work for everyday style.  At all.  Just because all the sparkling broaches clipped in an updo and gold chain wrapped buns are screaming ‘BUY ME’ doesn’t mean you should.

Don’t follow a trend that isn’t following you.

-Sara Freund