It Looks like School Spirit: Towson Students Sport Black and Gold

You see it on chests, backs, legs, butts, even foreheads. The Towson University logo is slapped across any type of clothing article imaginable. A walk across campus reveals a sea of black and gold with students representing pride for their school.

If you ever have trouble deciding what to wear to class, the best resort is to reach for that TU hoodie, t-shirt, or sweatpants. Having a bad hair day? Just slip on a TU baseball cap.

All types of Towson University gear can be purchased at the University Union store for reasonable prices. If you don't have that extra cash to spend but want to show your school spirit and fit in with fellow students, just attend any TU event. It is almost guaranteed that they will be handing out free t-shirts to students in order to encourage them to participate. Free gear is part of the appeal for students to get involved at TU anyway. Well, free stuff and free food. We are poor college kids, you know.

Its almost impossible to not feel left out at any Towson University sporting event if you don't represent by wearing black and gold or have the tiger logo displayed somewhere upon your person. Showing that you have school spirit is something to be proud of so do it up with the black and gold.

Personally, I own all sorts of TU apparel. Both purchased from the University Union store or obtained from TU events. So don't be surprised on a cold,rainy day if you catch me walking across campus to my 8 a.m. in my black and gold t-shirt, sweatpants with the TU logo across the butt, my north face, and rain boots. This may not be the most fashionable outfit but who cares, I am representing my school and showing my pride for TU.

Pin Up Girls Highlight the Beauty of Full-bodied Models

Pin up girls first became popular in the 1980's and were often an idealized depiction of what many men and women deemed a very attractive or beautiful woman should look like. These women were often viewed as sex symbols and admired by the masses. Pin up girls portraits were either photographs of actual women, like actress Betty Grable, or illustrations of these women.

Traditional pin up girls have very little physical similarities in comparison to some of today's hottest and most famous models. Traditional pin up girls are more voluptuous and curvy than the thin, tall models that are photographed or walk runways today.

I think that pin up girls most accurately represent women in society today. Women come in all shapes and sizes and no two look alike. Although we are not always comfortable with the way we look or feel in our own skin, it is important for all women to realize that curves are beautiful and we should appreciate our physical appearance just the way we are as long as we are healthy.

If pin up girls were featured in today's advertisements there is a chance that women would have higher self esteem rather than feel under pressure to be more like the thin, waifish figures of models. Many women can relate to pin up girls better, not that today's models are not beautiful in their own way but big is beautiful too.

Suicide girls are a modern day example of traditional pin up girls. Although they are mostly photographed in the nude, suicide girls create an alternative image of real beauty.

Practical Accessories for Rainy Days

Relating back to an earlier post, The North Face, rain boots are not only a trendy fashion accessory but are a practicality, especially on days where you trek across campus in rainy, cold weather.

Similar to the Ugg boot phenomenon, many men still question this particular fashion trend and do not understand the craze for rubber boots. They may laugh but we will let them continue to walk into class with soggy shoes.

Rain boots come in a variety styles and colors and can either be paired with a coat and an umbrella or resemble the rubber ducky you once played with as a kid. Rain boots are durable and are a purchase worth investing in once the wet winter and spring weather arrives.

Either simple or flashy, rain boots are a women's fashion trend that is negatively criticized. However, one argument strongly supports the craze, rain boots are practical for rainy, cold days. So continue to sport your rain boots with pride ladies and maybe one rainy day, some men will come to realize that they just might want a pair too.

Vogue India Stirs Political and Social Controversy

Fashion has always been associated with high priced luxury items and Vogue magazine is notarized for carrying some of the latest, trendiest, most valued products in the industry. Vogue India however, has recently stirred political and social controversy with its September issue.

Several of the the magazine's fashion spreads depict barefoot children wearing Fendi bibs being carried through the village by toothless grandmothers carrying Hermes bags. One man is in the background walking with a Burberry umbrella.

These products cost over $200 dollars or more. India functions socially under a caste system with many of the population living in poverty. Many of these people earn as little as a dollar a day.

Normally, I admire Vogue for their portrayal of current fashion but in this particular edition, I feel that the products were poorly advertised. Vogue made a very strong statement about their values and insensitivity to human needs. A real statement has been made but it is sending the wrong message.

Although a fashion based magazine, Vogue could have had the opportunity to make a political statement about the poor living conditions and social discrimination the people of India face. This would have been a better way to use their spread and provide the chance to help others and shine a light on the fashion industry.

Preparing for Summer: Bathing Suit Style Guide

As the month of May approaches, we are getting the first few days of the nice weather that compromises Spring and Summer. It is time to break out our shorts, tank tops, and sundresses. Along with this fun and flirty wardrobe comes one of the most dreaded/loved times of the year: bathing suit season.

Although I love to lounge on the beach with a good book soaking up the sun, I hate having to find the right apparel to do it in. Those winter months of lack of sunlight and cold have left me feeling pale, fat, and downright moody. It is time to shed off those winter pounds, sweat pants and hit the gym in order to prepare myself for my three month bikini clad break from school.

I can't recall ever have met anyone who has honestly said they enjoyed shopping for bathing suits. Between the outrageous price tags and skimpy material, bathing suit shopping has become more of a chore than a spree. Cosmopolitan magazine recenlty published a list of tips for women of all shapes and sizes in order to help them find suits appropriate and flattering for their body types.

For women with a curvy butt, a bottom with a low rise cut and a few extra inches of support at the hips slims down a full figured bottom.

For busty women, thick straps and a wide band provide the bra like support that your body needs for water activities. For women with a smaller top, triangle tops with lots of detail or funky design draw the eye and are attention grabbing. Good for highlighting what you do have.

Finally, for women with a fuller middle, the classic empire waist and tankini style adds inches to your torso. Classic black will also help to make you look more slender.

Bathing suit season is one of the worst things to shop for but one of the best parts of summer so enjoy your body and have fun in the sun.

Taking Back the Night in Black T-shirts

The Feminist Collective of Towson University hosted its first ever Take Back the Night Rally Thursday April 16. The rally was used to raise awareness about sexual assault, rape, and domestic abuse. Over 50 men and women participated in the March across the Towson University campus and through the Towson Community.

Participants carried motivational signs and wore black Take Back the Night t-shirts. A candle light vigile along with inspriational chants like "Yes means Yes, No means No. Whatever we wear, Wherever we go!,"created a very powerful image and sent strong messages to anyone who witnessed the parade.

I was fortuanate enough to have had the opportunity to be part of the rally. Although not a member, I was proud to be included in the group who fought for such a cause that supported the end of violence against women.

For more information about the Feminist Collective of Towson or rape and domestic abuse and how to get help, please contact the Towson University Women's Center at (410) 704-2051.

Living History: Fashion through the Decades

Glamour magazine recently published a series of photos portraying popular, young actresses as some of history's most famous women fashion icons and fearless females.

These women, both fictional and real, ranging from Amelia Airheart to Carrie Bradshaw to Michelle Obama, have not only made a lasting and changing impression on society but have also led to a revolution in the fashion industry. These women have not only influenced and empowered the nation with their accomplishments and beliefs, but have also shaped the images of women throughout history with their sense of style.

I think it is important for women of all ages to see these photos. The actresses who have taken up the roles of these historic women are sending a powerful message. Hopefully, young girls will see these and take a special interest in what women have done in the past and can do in the future. Hopefully, older generations will recognize familiar faces and inform others about what they have lived through.

I think there are many more women who can be added to this list of fashionable, fearless historical figures. I hope that these women will serve as role models for generations to come and that the list will continue to grow through the decades.

For the rest of the images, please click on the link above.