The Rise and Fall of College Fashion

The 2010 spring semester at Towson University started Monday, January 27. Rather than the usual assortment of Towson apparel, many students were decked out in casual dress clothes. Several girls could be seen in cute sweaters and tops, Uggs and high heels, and pea coats and North Face jackets. Several guys were seen wearing oversize hoodies with fresh kicks, name-brand tees and hats, and ski coats.

The excitement of the first day of school doesn't end once you graduate high school. Many people still see this day as a chance to make a good impression amongst their peers. A lot of college students still hit the mall and go school shopping in order to find that perfect first day of school outfit. Who knows, that cute guy or girl in your finance class at 8 a.m. might notice your brand new sneakers and strike up a conversation.

The concept of looking so fresh and so clean for classes in college however quickly changes as the semester passes. Once the work load finally sets in, social lives are renewed, and exams are around the corner, the way you look no longer matters for that 8 a.m. class. Many students resort to the comfort and classic appeal of old favorites: sweatpants and hoodies.

It is considered the just crawled out of bed look. Students barely have time to brush their hair or teeth before they hurry on to class after a long night of cramming over text books. I know that I am guilty of it on an almost weekly basis. My usual attire is sweatpants, a tee shirt and jacket, and my good ol' Red Sox baseball cap covering my unruly and tangled hair.

This look isn't for everyone and some days are better than others. After some rest and recovery, some students have the energy or resolve to improve their look and wear real clothes to class. Once the semester is in full swing however, those days are few and far between.

I think that looking a mess is just a part of the whole college experience. No one should be embarrassed about what they come to class in because I can guarantee you, the people around you probably look just as tired and under dressed as you do.

"Tipping makes you look sexy": How Public Behavior Reflects Personal Appearance

"Tipping makes you look sexy." This comment can be found on the tip jar of the counter at a local ice cream shop in Annapolis, Maryland. As a server in a restaurant, I found this joke not only to be funny but also true.

The percent that a patron tips a server or any other attendant reflects on that persons character. Although leaving a good tip might not actually make you look sexy physically, it does however affect how others consider you. A good tipper can be seen as generous and appreciative while a bad tipper can be seen as cheap and rude.

Current economic times are tough for everyone and I understand the need to save money but many people do not seem to realize that if they are suffering from financial turmoil due to the economy, so is everyone else.

The custom percent to tip has been debatable for centuries but today many agree that 18 to 20 percent is acceptable. However, many people are still only tipping 15 percent for services rendered. An article from The Temple News Online accurately expresses my feelings about the lack of awareness many people have about the wages of servers and what is considered appropriate tipping behavior.

As a server, I only make $3.85 an hour. Taxes and other fees are removed from my paycheck each pay period, usually resulting in a paycheck of negative numbers. Like many others in the service industry, I rely upon the tips I make to pay bills and my college tuition. It is not just frivolous spending money but my life blood. I do not think that many people are aware of that.

I cannot say that all servers or attendants deserve 20 percent if their service is not quality and up to par. But remember, the next time you go out to dinner and enjoy a nice meal with great service, that your server works just as hard as you do and deserves that 20 percent tip. It will certainly make his or her day and will reflect positively on you.

Sexy Little Things: Underwear Changes Attitude

Underwear, an essential part of one's daily wardrobe. Although usually not seen by others very often, what we decide to wear underneath our clothes is just as representative as the clothes we show to the rest of the world.

Underwear may seem like just another routine garment but actually has the power to change your attitude and appearance. Nothing makes a woman feel sexier than a well fitted bra and comfortable panties. It can be something as simple as a plain white pair of boy shorts or as racy as a lace trimmed, cheetah print see-through chemise.

Like all women, the best part about underwear is that it comes in all sizes, shapes, and colors and will fit all body types. It may take some trial and error and long hours in the fitting rooms, but you are bound to find a style that suits your body type perfectly and make you feel good about yourself.

Victoria's Secret hosted its annual fashion show on December 1. The models showcased a variety of the latest under garments in the Victoria's Secret line for the upcoming year. Each model wore a different piece of underwear, ranging from corsets, thongs, bikini briefs, sheer bras, and bathing suit tops. Although these women all represented a different style, they all rocked the same sense of confidence and the feminine playful, sexy attitude that is characteristic of Victoria's Secret Underwear.

Sometimes you just need to throw on your most ragged pair of granny panties to lounge around in on lazy days, but on days where you need that extra boost of confidence, slip into something sexy or that makes you feel good about yourself. Other people may not see what you have on underneath, but they will definitely notice your attitude and mental, emotional appearance.

Check out January's edition of Cosmopolitan magazine for advice from Victoria's Secrets' Angels themselves about which underwear they like best and what style is most appropriate for each body type.

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.