Thread April 2017

APRIL 2017

Cutting Edge Now Spinning Reflection Pool

COLOR CODED 2 | THREAD

thread

Table of Contents

FRONT OF BOOK

04 Haute Online 08 Editor’s Letter 09 Masthead 10 Top 5

SEAMS

18 Runway Realway 22 Celeb Style 26 Full Circle 30 Penny For Your Thoughts 36 Double Duty 42 Cutting Edge 48 Sneak Peek 52 Misfit

48 SNEAK PEEK

DIY

58 Delicate Touch 62 Scruff Stuff 64 Pup-sicles 68 Bounce Back 72 Lunch Break 76 Berry Fizzy 2 | THREAD

64 PUP-SICLES

SPRING 2017

WHO, WHAT, WEAR

80 APPALACHIAN ARTISTRY

80 Appalachian Artistry 86 Now Spinning 92 Restitched

MIDDLE OF BOOK

152 SIX LOOKS WE LIKE: FESTIVALS

98 Knockout 112 Reflection Pool 124 Cropped Vision 138 Color Coded 152 SLWL: Festivals

CAMPUS CASUAL 168 170 172 178 182

Horoscopes: Summer Which Summer Job are You? Clean Routine Good As New Blogger of the Month

BACK OF THE CLOSET 186 194 206 212 220 224 232

220 AROUND THE CLOCK

Statement Piece Au Naturel Beyond the Beat Limited Time Only Around the Clock

By Women, For Women Rant/Rave: adidas Superstars

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HAUTE ONLINE Looking for some new blogs to add to your radar? Whether scrolling for meal inspo or needing a quick DIY gift, we’ve got you virtually covered.

MR ESSENTIALIST

Alexander Atkins has us swooning over his inspiring blog, Mr Essentialist. Many look at men’s fashion as just a side-note of the clothing scene, but this gent proves that he can own the urban streets with his style just as any woman can.

Daily, Atkins provides his readers with eye-catching features, closet essentials (of course), and even grooming tips. In his recent post, “Willoughby Avenue,” Atkins takes his audience down to the western part of Hollywood, pulling off a “cool guy” outfit consisting of a taupe, ribbed sweater, a heather grey lapel coat, and some popping baby pink skater shoes from Acne Studios. This man’s love for clothes is like a lady’s dream and a man’s inspiration all wrapped into one package. Atkins is all about basic guy needs and quality living.

Scrolling through his posts, you can find travel pics, food inspiration, male skin care, aestheticallypleasing architecture, and carefully laid out treasures that become his favorites of the month. Next time you’re surfing the web, consider stopping by this “destination for the discerning man.”

– MARIHA GLENAMAN 4 | THREAD

CLICK TO VIEW THE WEBSITE!

MANMADE DIY

Chris Gardner, founder and editorin-chief of ManMade DIY, is showing us that being crafty isn’t just for women. ManMade is a blog that is centered on the post-modern man, who likes to get creative by making unique, handmade, do-it-yourself projects for home and for lifestyle.

From how to build a desk for $40, to morning smoothie recipes, this website is like a Pinterest board for men. ManMade takes on the role of providing men who enjoy being crafty a place to showcase their work and projects, and Gardner teaches them how to recreate things step-by-step.

There are four sections of the blog that are categorized with the labels “How To,” “Art and Design,” “Eat and Drink,” and “Store.” Each section not only showcases how to create something from nothing, but it also gives interesting little back stories and photos that are fun to skim and make the page look quite aesthetically appealing.

With a following of over 24,000 people across all social media sites, ManMade has brought any person who loves being crafty together, despite their gender.

Although ManMade was created to explore being crafty and creative as a post-modern male, it does not discriminate and the ultimate purpose is to teach people who are interested how to DIY. – MICAH UPSHAW OUTHREADMAG.COM | 5

GIMME SOME OVEN

What started as a place to organize her favorite homemade recipes grew to be a blog where everyone could share and adore her mouthwatering meals. Meet Ali Ebright, the food guru behind the gourmet recipes on Gimme Some Oven, founded in 2009. Ebright hopes to bring family and friends together with simple home-cooked food that doesn’t keep everyone in the kitchen all night.

This Kansas City chef’s witty personality shines through each blog post as she shares her adventure stories and how those adventures inspire the meals she makes. From “phototaking, recipe-creating, food-styling, and lots of taste-testing,” Ebright is a one-woman show. She creates all the recipes, takes all the food photos, and even records “How-To” videos with step-by-step instructions for how to make a dish. Every recipe she’s created can be found under the “Recipe Index” section that categorizes each meal by course, occasion, diet, and even by ingredient from A to Z. Beside whipping up irresistibly tasty delights, Ebright also devotes a section of her blog to DIY fashion and beauty projects.

Her knack for crafting combined with her love of food has her creating bath products like a pumpkin honey brightening face mask and a DIY coconut sugar scrub.

To really get to know more about Ebright, there is a “Life” section, where readers can see in-depth posts about trips she went on or even that she recently got engaged.

So, grab some good people and a recipe or two from Ebright as she invites you to “spend time around the table and enjoy the good stuff in life.”

– ALEX WARNER 6 | THREAD

haute online

COLOR ME COURTNEY

Combining the essentials in life — fashion, puppies, and adventures through the city — Color Me Courtney is a blog guaranteed to brighten up any day.

Courtney Quinn created the blog when she was a student at Arizona State University. After being forced to give up dance due to an injury, she decided to focus primarily on school.

This, however, wasn’t enough for her.

She began Color Me Courtney as a way to channel her creativity and style. Now, a young woman in her 20s, Courtney lives in New York City.

She poses across the city in eyecatching outfits, all featuring bright colors and bold patterns.

Her blog features several sections centered around her passion for life and fashion. She has an entire section dedicated to every outfit she has showcased on the blog — a bright testament to her individuality and unique sense of style. “My NYC” focuses on her various adventures throughout the Big Apple as a twentysomething woman.

What differentiates Color Me Courtney from other bloggers is that she is so unapologetically herself. Rather than trying to fit into mainstream blogging themes that use soft colors and aesthetics, Courtney is a powerhouse — utilizing intense colors and big smiles. She defines her own self, disregarding others’ opinions.

Everyone knows her bubbly disposition just by looking at her.

Her impeccable taste and outgoing personality encourage other women to be the most colorful version of themselves, rather than trying to fit into society’s mold.

– CARLY MCFADDEN OUTHREADMAG.COM | 7

Editor’s Note Hey Threadies!

Saying goodbye is never easy. From my first day on campus to my last that is quickly approaching, Thread has been a part of my life. I have had the opportunity to watch this magazine grow and change, and I have been lucky enough to put my own mark on the magazine this year as editor-in-chief.

This year our masthead grew and opened up to a talented staff that has been able to offer more content to our readers than ever before, including blog posts featured directly on our website and more videos integrated into our issues than ever before. (Check out P. 14 for some behind-the-scenes action).

Thread has also progressed editorially over the years, taking on a wide range of topics that we feel impact all of us. This issue, we’re focusing on how clothing choices can make a statement in our changing political and social climate (“Statement Piece” P. 186). Also, in our features section, we have a story about the stigmas women of color face about their hair. “Au Naturel” explores the history of natural hair and encourages all women to embrace what makes them feel most comfortable (P. 194).

Like always, this issue is also packed with some of our favorite trends that you’ll definitely be seeing this summer. Show a little skin in the rising temperatures by embracing the off-the-

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shoulder cuts featured in “Sneak Peek” (P. 48). Or, try DIY-ing a lace bralette that will go with everything — and will be so comfy you’ll never want to take it off (“Delicate Touch” P. 58).

You can also find some summer fashion inspiration in our latest Six Looks We Like, which features outfit ideas for six of the biggest music festivals taking place across the country (P. 152). If you’re wondering if a music festival is really in your future, or whether you’ll be stuck at your typical 9 to 5 this summer, read your latest horoscope to find the answer (“Summer Horoscopes” P. 168).

If there’s anything I know about the future, it’s that there will always be more great things to come — for me, for you, and for Thread. Thanks for reading.

WITH LOVE,

masthead

thread EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Michelle Frantz MANAGING EDITOR

Alicia MacDonald DESIGN DIRECTOR Sarah Blankenship

PHOTO EDITOR Kate Stone

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Taylor McCarthy

PHOTO CHIEF Kinsey Ball

SEAMS EDITOR Katie Pittman

VIDEO CHIEF Carley Matson

FEATURES EDITOR Kayla Blanton

COPY CHIEF Julia Brown

WHO, WHAT, WEAR EDITOR Courtney Mihocik

PUBLIC RELATIONS CHIEF Ciara Sebecke

DIY EDITOR Paige Bennett

BUSINESS MANAGER Alex Warner

CAMPUS CASUAL EDITOR Kenyetta Whitfield

WEB EDITOR Kayla Beard

FASHION MONTH COORDINATOR Erin Fausel

DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT ASSISTANT Madison Cleveland WRITERS

Nick Battaglia, Rylie Brown, Marie Chailosky, Danielle Donavan, Colleen Howard, Abbey Kay, Hailee Kepchar, Jackie Osborne, Jennifer Prempeh, Jaida Sterling, Johnathen Sweeney, LynAnne Vucovich

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Emily Barbus, Kelly Bondra, Maggie Boyle, Colby Caldwell, Melissa Cordy, Justin Gamble, Allison Haas, Kaitlin Hatton, Lindsey Lemons, Melina Triffon, Jenna Wallace, Kelly Wallace, Junior Photo Chief: Isaac Gibson

DESIGNERS

Kelly Bondra, Nicole Dinan, Samantha Güt, Holly McCoy, Brooke Sheridan, Audra Swan, Grace Ziemke

BLOGGERS

Courtney Adams, Alex Bertolini, Maggie Boyle, Vanessa Copetas, Colleen Howard, Jessica Lucas, Lindsey Mathews, Rachel O’Morrow, Ciara Sebecke, Kate Stone

STYLISTS

Alex Bertolini, Cheyenne Bodnar, Danielle Donavan, Miraluna Matar, Lauren Worley

PUBLIC RELATIONS TEAM

Bailey Kormick, Carly McFadden, Rachel O’Morrow, Rachel Sinistro, Xinyi Yan

MODELS

Ben Bowald, Lauren Boulding, Claire Brockman, Taylor Ceneviva, Mishalaina Coles, Morgan Coovert, Katlin Crabtree, Courtney Cron, Cheyenne Driskell, Michael Farkas, Eberle Ferrell, Jenna Grams, Lindsey Harden, Maggie Heltzel, Will Hippler, Taren Holliman, Alayna Hutchinson, Jayd Jones, Ian Kenyon, D’Asia Leathers, Owen Lindquist, Danica Mailap, Mariana Matar, Miraluna Matar, Taylor McCarthy, Colton McKinney, Courtney Mihocik, Demouri Muff, Sydney Otto, Jasmyn Pearl, Mackenzie Rankin, Brittany Shaw, Natalie Thomas, Jordan Wells, Hannah Wiesenhahn, Hannah Wishart, Meihan Zhang

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5 TOP

Find out the top five things that our exec board is inspired by right now.

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VINTAGE-INSPIRED FRAMES For years, I hid my poor vision by stabbing myself in the eye every morning as I carefully placed tiny, fragile contact lenses into place.

Nowadays, I’d much rather spend my mornings watching the sun rise and cooking breakfast than spending my precious time putting on my face (and putting in my eyes).

Throwing on glasses is much quicker than struggling with lenses, and I love the sense of style that comes with a cool pair of frames. To complement my outfits, I love wearing vintage-inspired eye glasses.

From my favorite tortoise print pair with a keyhole shape, to my durable pair with a cat-eye frame, my love for retro spectacles is deep. I love pairing my glasses to my outfits, and I get so many compliments on my unique frames (I certainly never received admiration for my boring contact lenses!). – PAIGE BENNETT

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BOYFRIEND JEANS From

straight fit to skinny and then jeggings, jeans have only been getting tighter, but a new trend is on the rise — boyfriend jeans. The fit is loose throughout the hip and down to the ankles with a straight or skinny leg opening. You’ll typically see these in a more distressed denim with or without holes. Style them cuffed with heels to dress them up or slide on some sandals at the beach. The loose fit and holes make them comfortable and airy for cool summer nights. Ditch the tight fits. Boyfriend jeans add a relaxed girl–next–door feel to any look.

– KATE STONE

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3

TIMEX WATCHES Timex is timeless,

and form follows function with this necessary accessory. I’ve been avidly wearing watches since I was in high school and by this point, I feel naked without one.

The great thing about Timex is the versatility in the looks. Whether you’re sporting a piece from the IRONMAN sports series or a simple leather band with a classic face, the possibilities for your lifestyle and personal style are endless.

Personally, I like to go with a dark face, light numbers, and a dark band to match.

The Weekender style is an American classic in Timex’s lineup while the Fairfield is a little dressier, yet can be worn casually everyday. The great thing about watches in general is that they’re like the cherry on top of a wardrobe while also keeping you on time for class, meetings, and work.

– COURTNEY MIHOCIK

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top 5

4

BANGS When it comes to my

hair — and, really my whole life — I’ve never been one for change. It took me years to take the plunge and get bangs, but there’s never been a more perfect time. Like all other hair trends, styles come and go in cycles.

Bangs are timeless, but they have been especially trendy in 2017. A longer fringe that hits right above the eyes is the perfect way to make a change that doesn’t require too much commitment, but still offers a fresh, new look. Because they are longer, you still have the option to pin them back on days when you just can’t be bothered, but I think you’ll want to set your fringe free.

– MICHELLE FRANTZ

5

DRAKE “Out of body: that’s just how I feel” whenever Drake’s

voice flows through my speakers. He has risen to a new level of musical domination. With the release of his newest album/playlist “More Life,” the artist has broken records across multiple streaming platforms. While it may seem hyperbolic to say everyone loves it, all 22 tracks from “More Life,” plus two other Drake jams, charted on Billboard’s Hot 100 simultaneously for at least one week. On top of casually breaking several records and becoming the solo artist with the most Hot 100 entries of all-time —154 entries to date — Drake was named GQ’s Best Dressed Man of 2017. Plus, fans of the baby-faced rapper continue to endure the emotional rollercoaster that comes with making assumptions about Drake’s love life. Really though: most of us are just waiting for the day Drake comes to claim us as the girl he’s really been singing about in all of his songs.

If he keeps making music like this year’s bout of hits, we’ll all be hearing Drizzy in our dreams.

– KAYLA BEARD OUTHREADMAG.COM | 13

CELEB STYLE

DIY:BERRY FIZZY

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SPRING 2017

VIDEOS

Click play on behind-the-scenes moments from this issue’s shoots, DIY instructions, and more MOB: COLOR CODED

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MOB: SIX LOOKS WE LIKE

152

thread FOLLOW

@THREADMAG

FACEBOOK.COM/THREADMAG

@THREADMAGAZINE

+ Watch videos made by Thread on YouTube, including behind the scenes looks at the making of our photoshoots!

THREAD MAGAZINE VIDEO OUTHREADMAG.COM | 15

SEAMS

From the runways to the streets, and everything in between, here are this season’s most soughtafter trends.

FULL CIRCLE /// 26

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Runway Realway As summer approaches, take inspiration from the Palmiers du Mal Spring 2017 collection to create the perfect beach-bum look.

BY NICK BATTAGLIA PHOTOS BY SPENCER HAWK

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he recently debuted menswear label, Palmiers du Mal, showcased their Spring 2017 collection during New York Fashion Week, making waves big enough to match the finely polished surfer-look they were going for.

Long-haired, extra tan models walked the runway in soft-blue tie-dyes, cotton pants, and even the occasional caftan in a style that seemed to cross music festival culture with beach-time indulgence.

The looks, inspired by designer Shane Fonner’s recent trip to Marrakesh, Morocco, were a glorified take on the beach-bum lifestyle.

Embracing dark blues, burnt oranges, and sandy tans and creams, the whole collection was reminiscent of a paradise sunset or something out of Disney’s “Moana.”

Fonner and his co-designer, Brandon Capps, found a balance between relaxed and professional.

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elements that rarely ever meet, but Palmiers du Mal makes a great case with burlap pants and male caftans refashioned into blazers.

How easy is it to transition a Moroccan-inspired look into everyday style? The idea that every other man on Court Street would be walking to class with his caftan billowing behind him is not that likely. However, there are ways to incorporate aspects of the collection into a more conventional outfit. Embrace casual silhouettes, which can be a simple addition to any spring or summer outfit.

In an extravagant attempt to maintain a carefree and luxurious look, Palmiers du Mal hits the mark. The ambiance of enjoying a tequila sunrise at sunset has been captured and exuded through a palette only experienced on the coast.

To have money and a beach house is nothing but a dream for most. But the reality of that dream has been sewn into a look for anyone to take inspiration from.

Palmiers du Mal

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Fendi 20 | THREAD

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Karl Lagerfeld and Silvia Venturini create a Spring/ Summer 2017 collection that honors the longest standing collaboration in fashion history.

BY HAADIZA OGWUDE PHOTOS BY SPENCER HAWK

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fter the tremendous success of Fendi’s Trevi Fountain fashion show last summer, Karl Lagerfeld and Silvia Venturini returned to Milan with another eccentric collection.

Lagerfeld described the ethos of Fendi’s Spring 2017 collection as a “modern rococo muse.”

Inspired by the late Baroque artistic movement and the style of Marie Antoinette, Lagerfeld and Venturini created a collection that combined fairytale-like qualities with modern tastes.

The quirky Spring 2017 collection was an amalgamation of unusual pairings. Athletic sock booties, rugby stripes, floral prints, and intricately designed handbags were joined together to create looks that were both utilitarian and artistic.

Lagerfeld stated that much of the collection was enthused by the Queen’s famous apron.

Whimsical dresses and skirts with open backs and tied waists, ribbon-tied aprons with golden fabric, and khaki jackets with floral embroidery were among some of the many pieces that evoked the romance that Lagerfeld was trying to convey.

The Fendi Spring 2017

collection is anything but mundane. Recreating some of the looks from this line may require a bit of creativity and ingenuity. However, with the right staples on hand, one can create an outfit that mimics the collage-like collection.

Fluid materials, like organza and silk, are important pieces to have in one’s wardrobe. Blending vertical and horizontal stripes is another way to mimic some of the looks in the collection. Pink and white, navy and cream, and crimson and yellow were some of the color combinations displayed with the line.

Sumptuous handbags with floral embroidery and other embellishments are important accessories to include when creating an outfit that imitates the collection. The athletic sock booties of this line would also make for an easy DIY project.

Karl Lagerfeld has spent the last 51 years designing for Fendi, making it the longest standing collaboration in fashion history.

The Spring 2017 collection is the perfect ode to the successful and fairytale-like partnership between the legendary designer and Italian label.

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Tyler, the Creator

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CELEB STYLE

Tyler, the Creator keeps it West Coast cool with his skate-friendly fashion choices.

BY HAILEE KEPCHAR PHOTOS BY ALLISON HAAS

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nown as much for his personality as he is for his strides in hip-hop and fashion, Tyler, the Creator exudes one message loud and clear: be unapologetically you.

Tyler grew up in California, skateboarding and dreaming of becoming a rapper. He rose to fame as one of the original members and founders of rap group Odd Future by posting their songs on the blogging site Tumblr.

The lyrics in Tyler’s songs are sometimes too bizarre and even offensive for some people’s tastes, but he pays them no mind.

Lighthearted and carefree, Tyler told one interviewer he means no harm by his lyrics.

“My lyrics aren’t offensive.

Some people find everything offensive,” said Tyler to BBC Newsnight’s Steven Smith.

Tyler’s lyrics are certainly bold and so are his fashion choices.

In his earlier years of fame, Tyler would often be seen rocking Supreme snapbacks, a loudly printed short sleeved button-down shirt, and a pair of jean shorts. He often completed his look with a pair of Vans skate shoes.

These days, Tyler is usually seen in Golf Wang, a brand he started in 2010. His first fashion show debuted the summer of 2016. The runway show consisted of a floral bordered stage that doubled as a skate park.

The models were all of different shapes, colors, and sizes. The clothing was typical Tyler — West Coast geeky-cool. Tyler himself modeled throughout the show, skateboarding and driving mini motorized bikes down the runway.

Tyler recalled a fashion turning point for him in his youth after the show. He had been in a pink hoodie and a pair of blue shorts, when a man made an example of him to a friend. The man said that real men don’t wear pink.

To channel Golf Wang’s energy into your own look, don’t be afraid to mix patterns.

Incorporate a collared shirt or a graphic tee and some patterned shorts. The brighter the colors in your outfit, the better. A pair of colored sunglasses and a few layered chains provide perfect embellishment to your ensemble.

Try on a pair of Vans with some high socks to finish the look.

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Scream Queen Keke Palmer may be young, but the 23-year-old has a style that would inspire even the most seasoned trendsetters.

BY KENYETTA WHITFIELD PHOTOS BY ALLISON HAAS

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auren “Keke” Palmer, the self-proclaimed “Millennial Diva,” is no stranger to the limelight. The 23-year-old actress, singer, and songwriter rose to prominence after her breakout role in the film “Akeelah and the Bee.” Since then, Palmer has graced both the big and small screen, starring in hits like: “Jump In!” and most-recently, the hit Fox show, “Scream Queens.” Palmer has transformed herself from an adorable Nickelodeon star to a certified mega-star, and in the process, she’s been able to create a name for herself in the fashion world.

What is iconic about Keke’s style is her mixture of bold colors, cuts, styles, and accessories.

Palmer’s style combines the past and present in a way that is truly fashion-forward. At the 2016 American Music Awards, Palmer paid tribute to another icon fashion diva — Lil Kim. Palmer turned heads in a silver midriffbaring two-piece by Natalia Fedner, which she paired with an oversized baby pink fur coat, rose-tinted sunglasses, and a dangling silver choker. The singer topped off her look with a sleek and sexy short haircut.

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That’s how Keke does it. She takes the extravagance of ‘90s hip-hop-inspired streetwear and pairs it with trends happening right now. Many of her looks incorporate sheer tops with a bit of peeking nipple, tight tops, oversized outerwear, and stilettos.

Much like other street-style icons like Rihanna, Palmer’s looks exude glamour even when the clothes she’s wearing aren’t particularly that glamorous. In December 2016, Palmer wore a daring outfit that included leather flared leg pants with Leonardo DiCaprio’s face all over them.

While the look doesn’t sound like it screams “fashionista,” Palmer wore it effortlessly. It is outfits like those that define Keke’s style.

There are no rules that dictate the young actress’ style.

In attempting to recreate the daring diva’s style there are two things to keep in mind — be bold and break rules. Mix sheer pieces with baggy bottoms. Play around with texture and color. Try wearing undergarments as outerwear or disregard undergarments entirely.

Most importantly, mix the old with the new and have fun doing it. Palmer’s outfits are functional but impractical, and that is what makes them iconic.

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Keke Palmer

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Full Circle

What goes around, comes around. Refresh your spring wardrobe with this classic accessory.

BY ALAYNA HUTCHINSON PHOTOS BY EMILY BARBUS

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o many people, hoop earrings are considered a staple rather than a fleeting trend. This jewelry symbolizes the intersection of culture and fashion and has been worn throughout history, including in ancient Sumerian and Roman cultures. Hoops have also had a place in American subcultures throughout the 20th century, with large, silver ones during the ’70s disco era, and the thick, gold bamboo style of ’80s and ’90s hip-hop culture. Hoops have been largely associated with everchanging urban styles.

Several cultures have tried to claim hoop earrings. This debate has spawned articles like i-D’s “Who Owns Hoop Earrings?” which brings up points about their cultural impact, as well as cultural appropriation. It is something that should be considered when thinking about how they are worn 26 | THREAD

and their importance to different groups of people.

More recently, this accessory has seen a resurgence in mainstream and high fashion. Hoops made a recurring appearance on the runway during the past two years.

In Celine’s Spring 2016 show, models sported a thick, black hoop earring along with the brand’s signature sophisticated and feminine ensembles.

Marc Jacobs’ Fall/Winter 2017 collection, which was inspired by hip-hop culture, featured models wearing oversized gold hoops with chains and bucket hats.

In 2017, hoops have become more versatile than ever, being paired with everything from gowns — like Kim Kardashian’s look at the Impact awards — to tracksuits á la J.Lo. They add a cool vibe to even the simplest of outfits, like jeans and a plain T-shirt or a hoodie. Hoops can also give an unexpected edge

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when worn with more formal looks.

For some, it can be an intimidating trend to pull off, but there are countless sizes and styles to play with. Like any accessory,

Another way to style them is wearing more than one pair at a time. Mixing and matching different sizes and styles is a playful way to rock this accessory.

A popular trend of the moment is pairing hoops with chokers.

“THIS JEWELRY Layering some dainty gold chokers SYMBOLIZES THE and adding a pair of thin, gold hoops to match makes for a soft, INTERSECTION understated look. Big, silver hoops OF CULTURE AND paired with a thick, black choker will complete any bold ensemble.

FASHION...”

With summer quickly an oversized pair makes more of a approaching, it’s the perfect time statement. For a subtle look, midsize to play up your accessory game by to small hoops are the way to go. rocking a pair of hoops.

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Penny for Your Thoughts Simplicity and versatility make the loafer a shoe for all occasions.

BY JULIA BROWN PHOTOS BY CAITLYN WITHERS

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espite the name loafer, this shoe style does anything but loaf around. Loafers have seen a recent spike in popularity.

This spike is due largely to the reincarnations of the classic loafer created by Gucci, Chanel, and Prada. The shoes, which are typically pointed and low to the ground, come with a variety of embellishments and styles so it’s easy to find the loafer that fits your needs.

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Tieless shoes — whether you call them slip-ons, moccasins, or loafers — have been a part of the American wardrobe since the 1930s. They are an adaptation of a Norwegian fishing shoe that was developed between the World Wars. The loafer style was introduced to the United States in 1936 by the Bass Shoe Company, who named the shoe “weejuns” as a tribute to their origin.

Another origin story comes out of England. In 1926, Raymond Lewis Wildsmith created a style of loafer as a casual house shoe for King George VI — who was the subject of the 2010 movie “The King’s Speech.”

This style of loafer is still sold today under the name “Harrow.”

The term penny loafer has more uncertain origins. Some claim it comes from a trend created by students in the 1950s who would stick a penny in the diamondshaped slit on the top of their loafers. Others argue that the term comes from being able to fit two pennies into the slit, which would have been enough change to make a pay phone call in the 1930s.

Whatever the origin of their name, loafers were popular with college students in the ’40s, but they lost their popularity after those students graduated to dressier shoes for the workplace.

Despite what people entering the workforce in the ’40s might have thought, loafers are totally workplace appropriate. The best part of loafers is their versatility.

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of pantsuits. Loafers can even be worn as a way to dress up athleisure outfits.

For a more distinctive look, try sporting a colored loafer, like a mustard yellow or spring green color. You can also mix it up by wearing a loafer that has a bit of a heel, which will not only distinguish you from other loafer-wearers, but will also allow you to dress up what is often seen as a more casual shoe.

Loafers also come in a backless mule style, which is great for spring and summer months when you just want something that is easy to slip on and off. You can also pair the iconic shoes with lacy socks to give a nod to the ’90s.

”TIELESS SHOES — WHETHER YOU CALL THEM SLIP-ONS, MOCCASINS, OR LOAFERS ­­— HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE AMERICAN WARDROBE SINCE THE 1930S.” If you can’t afford the $1,000 price tag of Gucci loafers, many fast fashion stores like H&M and Forever 21 offer their own versions of the shoe. However, the fast-fashion version might not come encrusted in glass pearls or lined in real fur like the Gucci loafers. If you want those extra embellishments, you’ll just have to save your pennies.

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DOUBLE DUTY

Throw your expectations out the window and try something new with these innovative uses for your everyday makeup products

DOUBLE DUTY Throw the old rules out the window by trying out these innovative makeup techniques.

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BY KATIE COULTER PHOTOS BY LINDSEY LEMONS

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here are no set rules when it comes to using makeup. In fact, most makeup products can be used in a variety of ways beyond their intended purpose. Whether you’re looking to experiment without the cost of buying new products or you forgot your favorite blush, here are some ways to make the products you have work double duty .

Powder products are universal.

Eye shadows, bronzers, blushes, and highlighters can be used on any part of the face. Quality powder products should be longwearing and easy to blend no matter where they are applied.

Bronzers can easily be used as eyeshadow to add subtle definition. Diffuse the bronzer into the crease of the eye with a fluffy eye shadow brush. To save more time, let a powder highlighter do double duty. Sweep it on both the high points of the face, and the inner eyelid. A bright, shimmery color all over the lid helps widen and brighten eyes. For the most vivid color payoff, pack it onto the eye with a flat eyeshadow brush or a clean finger.

It is important to prime the eyelids before applying shadow.

Primer allows for eyeshadow to blend easier, wear longer, and apply with a stronger pigment.

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colored eye shadow.

Liquid and gel eyeliners can dry out quickly, but any mascara will do the job just as well. For the longest lasting formula, try waterproof mascara. Take product straight from the wand onto an angled or bent eyeliner brush.

From there, apply to the lash line like any other liner.

Purchasing bright pink or purple liquid eyeliner may not always be practical, but liquid lipstick can be an easy substitution for a fun pop of color on the eyes. A matte, longwearing formula will work best for this trick — it will prevent smudging and ensure the line stays in place. Again, apply the product with an angled or bent eyeliner brush.

Lipstick can easily double as cream blush. There is little difference between lipstick and cream blush — just be sure the lipstick is a sheer formula for the easiest application. For a monochromatic look, apply the same lipstick to lips and cheeks.

For the cheeks, first warm the lipstick up in between clean fingers. This will help the product blend more seamlessly on the skin.

These tricks could boost any makeup veteran’s beauty game, and it can save money, too. Makeup is all about experimentation — it isn’t permanent, so don’t be afraid to try something new.

THIS WINGED LINER WAS ACHIEVED WITH LIPSTICK!

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“MAKEUP IS ALL ABOUT EXPERIMENTATION — IT ISN’T PERMANENT, SO DON’T BE AFRAID TO TRY SOMETHING NEW.”

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THIS LIPSTICK IS REALLY EYELINER!

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Cutting Edge Go against the grain with an unconventional, shaved hairstyle.

BY COURTNEY MIHOCIK PHOTOS BY MELINA TRIFFON

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ver time, the act of shaving one’s own head could symbolize religious purification, rebellion against systems of power such as the patriarchy, or control over one’s life. For women, especially, having long, flowing locks can be seen as the basis of self-value or perceived worth, so cutting or shaving one’s head is a way to gain control over self-worth.

This trend, though, has moved far from the serious light of religious purification and rebellion against oppressive systems. Instead, it has begun to permeate the fashion world, with celebrities and musicians alike shaving part of their head for an unbalanced, yet spunky look.

One of the most notable celebrities with a partially-shaved head is Natalie Dormer, known

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for her roles as Margaery Tyrell in “Game of Thrones” and Cressida in “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay.” She originally shaved half of her head for her role as Cressida, but ended up loving the look, telling Elle in an interview that it was “liberating.”

Other celebrities have followed suit, including Katy Perry, who now sports a blond pixie cut with the left side buzzed short. People reported that Perry wanted to “redefine femininity,” noting that it’s possible to be a woman with short, shaved hair and still find yourself attractive.

There’s myriad of ways to cut and style hair to fit in with this trend. The important thing is to find the version of the look that aligns with your personal style.

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TRADITIONAL UNDERCUT One very simple and noncommittal way is to go with the undercut. A traditional and simple undercut is just a horizontal buzz right at the nape of the neck, and it can be as short or long and as wide or narrow as you’d like. This can be done with any length and type of hair, and can be a simple buzz at the nape of the neck or have an intricate design tucked away under the locks. This style allows you to tie your hair up to show off a new cut or design, but gives you the versatility to leave your hair down to hide the unconventional hairstyle at your own whim.

SIDECUT Another common version, which is more attention-grabbing, is shaving the side of the head where the part is. There’s a little more freedom associated with this cut because not only can you choose which side you want to cut and how short you want it cut, you can also choose how far back the style goes. This means it can be a few inches back, stopping right at ear level, or it can run all the way to the back of the head. When styling this cut, it’s important to utilize a finetoothed comb for back-teasing and some hair spray and molding hair gel to keep the shorter hair from sticking up and longer hair from flopping over the part to the other side.

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TRADITIONAL UNDERCUT

ALL- AROUND CUT

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ALL-AROUND CUT Very similar to the coif, this feminine version employs longer locks that still don’t quite reach the shoulders. It can be styled into a faux hawk, a bob, or an uneven bob and colored with pastels or bright, gradient hues.

The buzzed section reaches from one side and down around the back of the head to come fullcircle to the other side. Longer strands of hair can be styled on one side or the other if needed.

This versatile cut allows for a wide berth of creativity, while also enabling the wearer to express personality.

Women shaving their heads, while still unconventional these days, is a way to express creativity and break norms about what it means to be attractive. Women do not need to feel that their worth or beauty is defined by the length or “normality” of their tresses. The most important thing to keep in mind when deciding which hairstyle is your next move is to feel free to express yourself and your beauty through your fearless hair.

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Sneak Peek

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As temperatures rise, show some skin in a piece with a classic off-the-shoulder silhouette.

BY ELIZABETH SWANSINGER PHOTOS BY KAITLIN HATTON

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he fashion world is a revolving door for trends.

As quickly as something can become “the look” of the season, it can become a fashion faux pas. Off-the-shoulder necklines, however, have proven to be an exception. It has remained a popular silhouette among generations because of its universally flattering look.

By accentuating the shoulder and collarbone area, attention is drawn to the natural curves of the body. This allows people with all body types to feel comfortable and confident.

Additionally, the neckline allows the wearer to show off a little bit of skin without revealing too much, making it comfortable for wearers of any demographic.

In the 1950s and 1960s, French model Brigitte Bardot and movie star Grace Kelly popularized this style. The look conjured up visions of the glamour and elegance of the French Riviera mixed with the simplicity and ease that comes with vacation. In the ’90s, the trend resurfaced thanks to popular culture icons.

The wardrobes of television characters like Kelly Kapowski from “Saved by the Bell,” and supermodels like Kate Moss and Cindy Crawford inspired the population to incorporate bare shoulders into their daily look.

Since resurfacing again in 2014, the trend has been adapted in many ways.

Off-the-shoulder variations of everything from dresses to bathing suits have become extremely common. Haute couture fashion houses have been eager to put their own spin on this sophisticated look.

Experimenting with different fabrics, colors, and structural elements has allowed designers to reinvent this look to not only suit the modern woman, but also fit into the overall style of the brand. The use of florals and light, flowy fabrics in Chloe’s Spring 2017 Ready-to-Wear collection provided a bohemian twist on the retro neckline.

On the other hand, more moderately priced brands like Zara and Brandy Melville have been known to use form-fitting fabrics and neutral colors that OUTHREADMAG.COM | 49

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pay tribute to the 1990s.

With temperatures finally starting to rise, people are given more and more opportunities to incorporate this style into their closet.

An off-the-shoulder shirt or dress is a great way to break free from the confines of cold-weather gear and let the sun shine on your shoulders.

People looking to emulate the retro styles of the 1960s can opt for a patterned off-the-shoulder dress paired with wedges. Those who are looking for a more modern look can couple an off-the-shoulder bodysuit or crop top with high-waisted pants and booties. Both looks, while very different, embody the elegance that the neckline has represented throughout history.

As seasons change and trends go in and out of style, designers continue to add new spins to the off-theshoulder trend to keep it fresh and interesting. It is a style that has withstood the test of time and does not seem to be disappearing any time soon.

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Misfits Don’t be afraid to let your sleeves run long, this trend has been gaining ground as one of the staple looks of the season.

BY MARIE CHAILOSKY PHOTOS BY JENNA WALLACE

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hort girls everywhere just breathed a sigh of relief. What we have been wearing for years finally has a name! “Lampshading” (yes, this a fashion term, not a weird internet word) is the newest type of outfit worn by celebrities and college students alike.

Lampshading refers to the shape an outfit makes when one wears a long sweater or sweatshirt and thigh-high boots.

Imagine being a large floor lamp — stay with me — your top would be the lampshade and your legs the lampstand. It’s a very literal term. Lampshading can be called the modern sister of the shift dress and go-go boot

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combination, which was a classic look in the 1960s.

Lampshading has slowly, but surely made its way into mainstream fashion. What short girls have accidentally been wearing for years has finally crept its way onto the runways and red carpets. Take cult Parisian brand Vetements, for example, debuting their version of lampshading at their Fall/ Winter 2015 show. Dior and MSGM have also sent down their models in a high-fashion version of lampshading. Ever since its runway debut, lampshading has been a staple for street style pros like Rihanna, Ariana Grande, and the Kardashian-Jenner clan.

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Recently, Ariana Grande was seen sporting the trend at the Women’s March on Washington.

What — nay, who — was on her sweatshirt was the highlight of the outfit, however. Malala Yousafzai, Pakistani women’s rights activist, author, and youngest Nobel Prize laureate, was displayed proudly on Grande’s sweatshirt, which was worn with denim, heeled thighhigh boots.

It’s also the easiest outfit to create as one can mixand-match wardrobe basics to create this look. Have an oversized T-shirt? Yep. How about a large button-up blouse?

Absolutely. How about over-theknee socks instead of boots?

Of course! A fashion trend is what you make it, and tailoring that look to your personal style is the first step in rocking a new trend. Lampshading is a great way to look put together for class, but also stay comfy throughout the day.

Lampshading is just another trend that proves that the meter is tipping toward the “less is more” approach. Some say the “lazy look” (stylish pajamas as

outfits, sneakers being the “it” shoe, natural hair, athleisure) is becoming the look of our generation. We want to look sophisticated, but we also want to be mobile.

A lampshade look can be dressed up — à la Kate Moss in a sleek black turtleneck dress and brown suede thigh-high boots — or dressed way down per the Kardashian-Jenners’ version with impossibly torn-up sweatshirts and oversized Kanye West concert shirts.

For a night out, lampshading ticks all of the boxes for the perfect outfit. It’s comfortable, cute, and doesn’t require a team of friends to help you use the bathroom. It’s basically all you could ask for in an outfit. It also doesn’t have to be expensive. A go-to oversized T-shirt can come from the men’s section of Goodwill for $2 and thigh-high boots run about $20 from Forever 21.

Of course, there are always expensive and better quality pieces on the market, but for college students, a cheap and unconventional outfit is all that we really need.

“LAMPSHADING TICKS ALL OF THE BOXES FOR THE PERFECT OUTFIT.” OUTHREADMAG.COM | 55

DIY

Crafting the most intricate of knick-knacks, working out the mind, body, and soul, and making the most delicious of treats.

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Delicate Touch Get rid of the breast constraints and let your girls breathe for once. Bras are out; bralettes are in.

BY JAIDA STERLING PHOTOS BY LINDSEY LEMONS

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t’s time to get rid of uncomfortable underwires, and put on something simple and sexy. And no, this isn’t just any bralette: it’s a lace bralette. This DIY gives you a comfortable and affordable way out of your usual intimate-wear choices. These steps are all you need to craft a lace bralette that’s bound to become your new breast — err, best — friend.

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Materials:

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Lace Scissors Thread Needle

Pins Thick elastic Thin elastic Bra clasp

diy: craft it

Steps: Step One: Find a bralette template online. Pick a template that has two triangles that are not the exact same shape. Print this out and cut out the pieces. You may also freehand draw a template.

Step Two: Cut out four pieces of lace. Two should be the shape of one triangle on the template, while the other two are the shape of the other triangle. Make sure the lace patterns for each piece are identical.

Step Three: When placing the triangles together, they should not be identical. One type of triangle pattern should be placed with the other type. Pin these triangles together along the straight line that you cut. There should now be two triangles instead of four.

Step Four: Pick up one triangle and sew along the pins that you have placed. Repeat on the other triangle.

Step Five: Now, take your elastic and wrap it around under your bust to measure how much elastic you need. Stretch out the elastic slightly as you do this. This way, the strap will grip onto your body a little bit when the bralette is finished.

Step Six: After cutting the piece of elastic you need, place the elastic at the very bottom of the two triangles and pin it.

Step Seven: Sew along the pins you have placed.

Step Eight: Take your clasps and place them at the ends of the elastic. Make sure they are facing the right way so that when you put the bralette on, you’ll be able to keep the bralette in place.

Sew on the clasps.

Step Nine: Try the bralette on and measure how much thin elastic you need for the straps. Make sure the length of the straps are even. Then, sew the thin elastic onto the bralette, putting one end at the top of the bralette and the other on the back of the thick elastic. Repeat with the other thin elastic.

Step Ten: Lounge around, go to sleep, and just relax. Your girls can breathe. Now, so can you.

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Scruff Stuff

Up your beard game with oils that hydrate and tame.

BY PAIGE BENNETT PHOTOS BY COLBY CALDWELL

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rom deep, woodsy scents to refreshing fruity aromas, beard oils are versatile to suit your preferences. While they are essential to nourishing and moisturizing facial hair, many of these products retail at prices high enough to make you want to shave off months (or years) of growth.

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Customize your own batch of oil and tailor it to your skin and hair type using carrier and essential oils from your cabinet or local health store.

Be sure to pick up some amber bottles for storing your oil to prevent damage from light (your oils won’t be effective if they aren’t protected in a tinted bottle).

MATERIALS NEEDED: • Bottle of carrier oil (I used sweet almond oil, but try jojoba, grapeseed, rose hip etc.) • A few drops of 3-4 your favorite essential oils (I used cedarwood, lavender, tea tree and eucalyptus) Step One: Fill the amber bottle 3/4 full with the carrier oil of your choice.

Step Two: Add four drops of each of the essential oils. Too many drops of essential oils can be damaging to the sensitive skin on your face, so be careful not to overdo it.

Step Three: Using the dropper, carefully stir the oil mixture.

Step Four: Fill the bottle to the bottom of its neck with more carrier oil. Leave enough room to put the dropper lid on the bottle without the oil overflowing.

Step Five: After showering or before starting your day, massage about five drops of the homemade oil into your beard. Enjoy the invigorating scent as you run your fingers through your moisturized, voluptuous beard.

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Pup-sicles Show your puppies some love with these easy-to-make, healthy iced treats.

BY RYLIE BROWN PHOTOS BY RILEY PERONE

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magine being able to give your pooch something a little bit tastier and more nutritious than an ice cube. As temperatures start to climb, our puppies cannot wait to walk and play outside and then indulge in an icy treat to cool down. Sure, a simple ice cube will do the trick, but letting your fur baby snack on a mixed berry or peanut butter low-fat yogurt pupsicle will put you high on their favorite human list and won’t require a lot of effort on your part.

MATERIALS NEEDED

1 small package of strawberries 1 small package of blueberries 1 32 ounce container of low-fat, vanilla yogurt 1 jar of smooth peanut butter (substitute for fruit in peanut butter version) 1 ice cube tray 1 blender

STEPS (MIXED BERRY)

Step One: Cut off the green stems of the strawberries.

Step Two: Wash the strawberries and blueberries.

Step Three: Put a handful of strawberries and a handful of blueberries into the blender.

Step Four: Put 2 cups of low-fat, vanilla yogurt into the blender with fruit.

Step Five: Blend until smooth.

Step Six: Fill up the ice cube tray with the mixed berry and yogurt blend.

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Step Seven: Place tray in freezer and let treats harden.

Step Eight: Let your dogs know how much you love them by giving them their treats.

STEPS (PEANUT BUTTER)

Step One: Put 3 tablespoons of peanut butter into the blender.

Step Two: Put 2 cups of low-fat, vanilla yogurt into the blender with the peanut butter.

Step Three: Blend until the mixture is smooth.

Step Four: Fill up the ice cube tray with the peanut butter and yogurt blend.

Step Five: Place tray in the freezer and let treats harden.

Step Six: Tell your dog to sit and shake and give them the treat that’s easy to make.

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Bounce Back

This workout is a slam dunk. Up the level of difficulty of your fitness routine by using basketballs to test your balance and agility.

BY JAIDA STERLING PHOTOS BY AILSA HECKSCHER

PRESS PLAY Bounce Back - Big Sean Bad and Boujee - Migos Team - Iggy Azalea Energy - Drake Run Up - Major Lazer ft. PND and Nicki Minaj Work - Rihanna ft. Drake Undercover - Kehlani Player - Tinashe ft. Chris Brown Overtime - Bryson Tiller Deja Vu - Twenty88

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diy: work it

D

on’t be fooled into thinking a basketball is only meant to make three-pointers and be dribbled between your legs.

Use one to make your usual abdominal workouts more challenging (no basketball knowledge required).

Tired of the same old exercise routine you’ve been doing for ages? Pump up the difficulty by using that basketball that’s been sitting in your garage all winter, or head to your local gym and borrow one that they have. Bounce back from your routine rut with this quick and easy change — it’ll give you the post-workout satisfaction that you’ve been missing lately.

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PLANK WITH FEET ON BASKETBALL Begin in a plank position with the basketball close to your feet. Carefully put one foot onto the basketball, and then put the other foot onto the basketball. After you find your balance, plank for 60 seconds.

Rest for 10 seconds, then repeat twice.

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RUSSIAN TWISTS HOLDING BASKETBALL Sit on the ground with your knees bent and feet touching the floor. Pick up the basketball, then lean back at a 45 degree angle and lift your legs. Begin twisting your body to the right as far as you can.

Then, twist your body to the left as far as you can. Repeat this for 60 seconds, and then rest for 10 seconds. Repeat the process three times.

LEG LIFTS WITH BASKETBALL Begin by lying on your back with the basketball between your legs and near your feet. Lift the basketball up with your legs and bring the basketball back down with your legs. Continue this up and down motion for 60 seconds — do not let your feet or the ball touch the ground as you do this.

Repeat three times.

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LUNCH BREAK

Lunch just got a whole lot more fun with snacks that will bring you back to your elementary school days.

BY EMILY MCINTYRE PHOTOS BY COLBY CALDWELL

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one are the simpler days when mom would fill your lunchbox, and you would have a solid half hour to sit down and eat with friends. While cafeteria culture has changed in college, oftentimes the dining hall lines are just as long as they were on pizza day in elementary school.

When you’re in a hurry, these quick lunchtime snacks are a great grab. Don’t be surprised if a friend asks to trade!

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COOKIE TRUFFLES

Materials needed: 1 package store-bought cookies 8 ounces cream cheese, softened Chocolate chips (optional)

Steps: Step One: In a food processor or large sealable plastic bag, crush cookies into until crumb-like texture is reached.

Step Two: Place cream cheese in large bowl and gradually add

BROCCOLI CRUNCH SALAD

Materials needed: 2 cups broccoli florets 1/2 cup light mayonnaise 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 2/3 cup plain Greek yogurt 1/3 cup bacon bits 1/4 cup diced red onion 1 cup shredded carrots 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1/3 cup dried cranberries Steps: Step One: Bring 4 cups of water to a boil, then add broccoli and steam for one minute (note: do not overcook; florets should be bright green and crunchy).

Step Two: Strain the broccoli and place in a large ice bath to halt cooking.

Step Three: In a small bowl, whisk together honey and vinegar; add yogurt and mayonnaise.

Step Four: In separate large bowl, mix broccoli, bacon bits, red onion, carrots, walnuts, and cranberries.

Step Five: Coat with dressing and chill salad in fridge for at least two hours and serve.

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cookies, mixing thoroughly until no clumps of cream cheese remain (tip: use hands to combine when “dough� becomes thick).

Step Three: Refrigerate one hour.

Step Four: Roll mixture into 1-inch balls and place on a baking sheet or plate.

Step Five: Freeze for one hour.

Step Six: If desired, melt chocolate chips and dip truffles in chocolate.

Step Seven: Freeze until you are ready to serve.

diy: make it

BAKED POTATO CHIPS

Materials needed: 1 large russet potato 2 tablespoon canola or olive oil 1 teaspoon onion salt 1 teaspoon garlic 1/4 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon pepper

Steps: Step One: Preheat oven 400 degrees.

Step Two: Rinse and scrub potatoes.

Step Three: Using a sharp knife, thinly slice each potato.

Step Four: Submerge and soak slices for at least 30 minutes.

Step Five: Drain, spread slices on plate or clean surface, and then pat them with paper towel until totally dry.

Step Six: Place slices in a sealable plastic bag, add oil, and shake until completely coated.

Step Seven: Line a baking sheet with foil and scatter slices in a single layer.

Step Eight: Combine all seasonings, then sprinkle on the mixture.

Step Nine: Bake for 10-15 minutes until golden brown and serve.

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Berry Fizzy Don’t worry, Be fizzy. Relax and unwind with this beautiful and tasty drink.

BY DANIELLE DONAVAN PHOTO BY KELLY WALLACE ILLUSTRATION BY SARAH BLANKENSHIP

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diy: make it

SUMMER IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER, and there’s no better way to cool off than with a refreshing drink. This blueberry-lavender beverage contains the perfect mixture of fruit and fizz — it’s ideal for those long, humid days of the season. The blueberry syrup from this recipe has multiple uses, such as a topping for ice cream or pancakes. Lavender is known for its calming abilities, so this blueberry-lavender fizz will take the edge off of any stressful day.

Materials Needed: Syrup 4 cups of fresh blueberries 1 cup of water 1/2 cup of caster sugar Juice of 1 lemon Five 1-2 inch sprigs of lavender

Materials Needed: Blueberry Fizz 2-4 ounces of blueberry syrup 1 ounce of coconut rum (optional) Club soda Lime wedge

Steps: Syrup

Step One: Combine the blueberries, water, and sugar in a sauce pan.

Step Two: Crush the blueberries and add lemon juice and lavender to the pan.

Step Three: Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat, and let it simmer while stirring occasionally until the mixture has thickened.

Step Four: Strain the mixture into a large bowl.

Step Five: Let the syrup cool, then refrigerate.

Steps: Blueberry Fizz

Step One: Combine all ingredients in a large glass filled with ice.

Step Two: Take a sip of this fizzy drink and enjoy.

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WHO, WHAT, WEAR

A glance into some of Athens’ most captivating people, places, and events.

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Appalachian Artistry

Each year, The Dairy Barn Arts Center holds a festival for local artists.

BY HAADIZA OGWUDE PHOTO BY COLBY CALDWELL

W

ith Ohio University nestled in the heart of town, Athens, Ohio, is often given the reputation of a party metropolis. When students move here, they can become engrossed with the Court Street culture, forgetting what lies beyond uptown.

However, the place that so many of us now call home is more than just the brick-and-barlined streets. Just a short journey past campus can take you to some of the best places the area has to offer, including The Dairy Barn Arts Center.

The Dairy Barn Arts Center began as a dairy farm in 1877 when Lt. James Bower, a Civil War veteran who came to Athens County to work as a blacksmith, established a dairy farm and secured the contract for supplying milk to the state hospital. In 1912, however, the hospital purchased the Bower farm and paid to have the Georgian Revival style barn constructed. The barn was 80 | THREAD

completed in 1914.

The farm and barn remained in use until 1977, when the hospital could no longer use their patients as an employable labor force. With only nine days before the scheduled demolition, the Hocking Valley Arts Council, led

by Harriet and Ora Anderson, rallied area residents and artists to create a citizens’ task force committee to preserve the barn and turn it into the non-profit arts center that it is today.

Located off of Richland Avenue at 8000 Dairy Lane, The Dairy Barn Arts Center now offers exhibitions, events, and educational programs that nurture and promote artists and artisans. They also aim to develop art appreciation across all ages, provide the community access to fine arts and crafts from outside the region, and draw attention and visitors to Southeast Ohio.

One of the most anticipated events of the year is The Dairy Barn Arts Festival that takes place during Ohio University’s

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Moms’ Weekend.

“In 2003, we started what we call The Dairy Barn Fest which gives local artists an opportunity to sell their work in the springtime, especially for Moms’ Weekend,” said Jane Forrest Redfern, executive director of the center.

The Dairy Barn Fest is a juried show, meaning artists submit an application with pictures of their work, and then the jury selects the artists that they want to participate. This past fest featured artists from all over the region that make ceramics, jewelry, woodworking products, and more. The festival had an 82 | THREAD

average of 40 vendors and artists and an estimated 400 attendees throughout the weekend.

Terri Huntley, owner of Sparkleez Crystals, was one of the many artists featured at this year’s fest.

Huntley specializes in making jewelry using Swarovski elements, sterling silver, and other quality beads. Although she has been making jewelry her whole life, she only recently began doing it as a profession in 2004. According to Huntley, she has been a participant of the fest for the last four or five years.

“The Dairy Barn is an excellent place to experience art on your

“THE DAIRY BARN IS AN EXCELLENT PLACE TO EXPERIENCE ART ON YOUR OWN TERMS. IT IS A LOVELY FACILITY AND A GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE.” TERRI HUNTLEY, ARTIST

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own terms. It is a lovely facility and a great group of people,” Huntley said.

The Dairy Barn also hosts other notable events during the year, including the Athens Voices USA that features 42 artists from across the country, the April Happy Hour Workshop, Quilt National Artist Reunion, and the Spring Swarm with The Wild Honeybees, which is an Earth Day celebration that consists of live music, special honey beer and cocktails, raffles, and more.

The arts center offers myriad of educational opportunities for the community as well. There are many ways The Dairy Barn opens their doors to the Athens community including adult art classes and workshops that teach

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people various types of art such as pottery and stained glass.

There is also a summer art camp that not only allows children to experience art in unique ways, but also fosters learning in areas such as math, science, and history. Saturday studios also allow community members to utilize a free and open studio to create their own work.

“We support all media and feature no one [specific] type of art,” Redfern stated when discussing the art showcased at the local arts center.

This sentiment of diverse artistic representation is visible by the estimated 20 artist members The Dairy Barn has on its roster.

Still life painters, jewelry

who, what, wear

makers, and sculptors are just some of the types of artists that can have work displayed in the halls of Dairy Barn. In addition to their art being featured in the gallery, artist members have the opportunity to be listed on the Dairy Barn’s website as an artist with links to personal or professional websites. They are also given access to meeting spaces free of charge as a benefit of their membership.

Artist members can share studio space and art equipment as well.

The Dairy Barn also partners with OU’s School of Art and Design in a number of ways. The arts center allows students of the university to exhibit and sell art, as well as share visiting artists. They also provide students with internships and

volunteer opportunities.

“Show your art, share it with others, and work to identify teaching and networking opportunities,” Redfern said when asked what kind of advice she would give to young and emerging artists.

The 103-year-old barn that was built on the grounds of the former state hospital has been a rich source of history and culture in Athens, Ohio. What was once a dairy farm has been transformed into a non-profit arts center for the whole community to enjoy.

Open year round, The Dairy Barn Arts Center encourages all community members to stop by and enjoy the many exhibitions, events, and workshops that they have to offer.

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Now Spinning

Haffa’s Record Store has been an Athens favorite among music lovers and vinyl record collectors for years.

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BY LYNANNE VUCOVICH PHOTOS BY HANNAH RUHOFF

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inding the right song for the moment can create a special feeling in anyone, especially after flipping through a record collection. Whatever mood someone’s in, placing a record on the turntable and watching the vinyl spin can be relaxing. The music’s sound is more organic, and the listener appreciates how it plays with the bumps and scratches of the needle.

Garrett Bower, a recent Ohio University graduate, remembers their first time going into Haffa’s Record Store before becoming a student at OU. The store has been a staple in Athens culture since 1975, when it opened in the same building it is in today. Back then, the store was located in the basement of the building, but it moved upstairs in 2003.

“I never had a record store growing up, and I would have to order them off Amazon,” Bower said. “On my first trip to Athens to check out OU, I came in and I bought a Dr. Dog record and an Alkaline record, which Andrew has since called the ‘Welcome to College’ package.”

Andrew Lampela has been working at Haffa’s since 2000 and now co-owns the record store with Eric Gunn. The store sells new and used vinyl records, CDs, and DVDs, but Lampela said vinyls are the most popular.

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said. “As far as vinyl versus CDs, vinyl is winning for sure.”

In an article for The Guardian, Vanessa Higgins, the CEO of Regent Street and Gold Bar Records, and an independent label member of British Phonographic Industry Council, said: “People think millennials just stream and are just digital but actually I think we are going to see increasingly over this coming year that young people still want something tangible and real and that’s where vinyl is taking on the role that the CD used to have.”

Lampela started working at Haffa’s before the internet was as accessible as it is now.

“It was a lot busier,” Lampela laughed. Haffa’s still has a daily flow of customers coming through the store, though. “We definitely have a crowd of regulars and it’s everyone from college students to just people who live here.”

Lampela claimed people mostly collect vinyl records these days, and even admitted to having his own collection of vinyls.

“It’s probably a lot smaller than what most would think,” he said.

“I tend to only buy what I really, really like.”

Working at a record store, to Lampela, is more frun than a “real” job. He enjoys seeing records of bands he likes come into the store, and always likes sharing new music with those in Haffa’s.

“Watching people get geeked

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out about music is pretty fun,” he added.

Bower said they try to make it into Haffa’s at least once a week, and has been buying about a record a week since coming to Athens. “I’ve looked through these bins so many times I could tell you what’s new or not,” they said.

“Andrew’s been a good buddy to me, and he’s more interested in getting good music into the right hands than the profit or whatever people think that records are about now.”

From metal to hip-hop, the shop sells a little bit of everything.

“Obviously since we’re right next to a college campus [we sell] a lot of indie rock,” Lampela said. Classic bands like Pink Floyd and The Jimi Hendrix Experience are still popular among customers. “[Classics] continue to sell for a reason.”

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Duran and The Police, but now he likes all different genres of music.

“Then I got into metal, and now I’m into everything,” he said.

Vinyl records have gotten more popular in recent years, especially after Record Store Day started in 2008. Sales of vinyl records were up 32 percent in 2015, according to Fortune. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, this was the highest level of sales since 1988.

Flipping through the record boxes and finding that album can be more rewarding for music lovers, rather than thumbing through the iTunes Store or Spotify.

“I think the internet makes it super easy to commodify things in a sense that you don’t get a scale for things,” Bower said. “But there’s something crazy about a record that has meant a ton to you, and going through a bin and seeing it there, and holding it, is incredible.”

who, what, wear

“I certainly can’t see [vinyls] being as big as they are now for an extended period of time, but I don’t think it will ever go away either,” Lampela said. “It’s like anything, everyone thought CDs were going to be the next thing, and I’m sure most people in college don’t have a CD player.”

Many of those involved in the Athens music scene come to Haffa’s for records. “A lot of those involved are record nerds,” Lampela said. “[Athens music] has always been pretty awesome, being a little town in the middle of nowhere you have to do something, and a lot of people start bands.”

Bower started coming to Haffa’s for their love of music and records, but since has developed a place of community in the store.

“It’s nice to come to a place where you have a similar interest with someone, who is also very knowledgeable,” Bower said.

Bower loves finding new music, and goes through lots of music phases. Some records in their collection don’t have the same value as when purchased, but Bower still prefers the medium over any other. “It’s good to have stuff that you have an attachment to, and what’s better than art?”

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restiched Patagonia and Ohio University teamed up to spread sustainable clothing repairs at Worn Wear.

BY JACKIE OSBORNE PHOTOS BY ISAAC GIBSON

On a silver rack, clothes sat just waiting to be thrown away. Rips and holes covered each of the six garments, which hung haphazardly from mixed and matched hangers. Each of them were brought in by students with hopes for them to be repaired or to be turned into something new.

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“WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ENGAGE PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT AREAS, THAT WAY WE CAN ATTRACT AS MANY STUDENTS AS WE CAN.” KATE BLYTH

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Patagonia, a popular and sustainable outdoor clothing company, began touring the nation many years ago to teach people how to fix their own clothes and to educate them on what it means to live a sustainable life.

By bringing items back into the store, Patagonia could recycle the clothing and turn it into something completely new or simply fix it.

They christened the program “Worn Wear” after the wife of a Patagonia ambassador — athletes who travel across the world while wearing the Patagonia brand — started a blog about the items that people brought in to be fixed.

She found many were lifelong customers, and their old clothes had stories attached to them that held sentimental value.

Today, the blog still exists, filled with stories such as couples who have kept their Patagonia coats for 20 years, a recount of a climber who gave away his own jacket to a poor teenager in Argentina, and pictures of toddlers wearing their parents’ own Patagonia toddler sweaters from 25 years ago.

There seems to be no end to the history and love that Patagonia helps share with its customers.

Starting in 2016, Patagonia teamed up with the Post-Landfill Action Network to take their repairing show on the road for a college tour and visit 21 universities across the United States. Due to Ohio University’s campus recycling partnership with PLAN, Athens was chosen as the

13th stop on Patagonia’s tour.

“Each school definitely has its own personality,” assistant tour manager, Cheney Caldwell, said. “They’ve been pretty polar.

Anything from North Carolina and a tiny little agriculture school … to Yale and the [Fashion Institute of Technology] in NYC.” Under the work of OU’s Zero Waste Initiative, Patagonia’s presence was welcomed by an event called the Spring Reuse and Repair Fair, where many local Athens and campus organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity and Campus Recycling, came together to educate students about and support the idea of sustainability.

Kate Blyth, Zero Waste Initiative’s senior student coordinator, began planning for the event a year in advance.

“We spent a lot of time deciding as a team how to best highlight the Zero Waste aspects in our community. We want to make sure we engage people from different areas, that way we can attract as many students as we can,” Blyth said.

Blyth hopes the event and presence of Patagonia helps to teach more students about what kind of sustainable efforts are happening on campus, as well as what they can do in their own lives to become sustainable.

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important,” Blyth said.

Blyth and her team aren’t the only sustainability enthusiasts who walked around Ping Center March 29. Joanna Sokol, a junior who is part of Campus Recycling, proudly wore a dress made entirely from plastic bags. In her hand she held a sign that said “1 year, 1 shopper, is 500 bags.”

Although her dress was covered with many layers, she confirmed that even the creator of the costume could not fit 500 bags on to it before running out of space.

“It’s a very heavy, very dense outfit and that shows you something,” Sokol said. “In my eyes, I think it’s important to educate campus about recycling and how to recycle.”

Behind a table with two sewing machines were Patagonia’s repair technicians, Claire Beaumont and Evan Franz, both Washington-state natives. Silently observing the event, they worked all day to repair the clothes brought in by students and Athens residents.

As he stood contemplating how best to fix the horribly-ripped seam on a mossy-green pair of pants, Franz said that he learned how to sew from his grandmother before getting into the repair business and moving to Portland, Oregon.

Both Franz and Beaumont are only on their first tour with Patagonia, but are already loving the time they’ve spent with their coworkers.

“It feels like a really tight family … We instantly loved everyone, but it was wild. We felt really lucky to come into such an amazing dynamic with everyone,” Beaumont said.

As previous coworkers in the repair industry, the two repair technicians found their way to Patagonia through their shared passion for sustainability and mutual friends who led them to this opportunity. They’ve been able to teach others how to repair their own clothes and connect with people along the way.

“I think it’s important to connect with people that can’t afford to get a lot of nice things over and over again,” Franz said. “So the appreciation or sentimental value of having an item that lasts you a long time, especially after it’s fixed, is really important in our consumer society.”

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K N O C K O U T

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Step into the ring with looks that pack a punch.

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Reflection Pool

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Dive deep into the light of shimmering waves.

PHOTOS BY JUSTIN GAMBLE

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Cropped Vision Skewed proportions will change your point of view.

PHOTOS BY ISAAC GIBSON

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COLOR

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CODED

Stay in sync with a monochromatic color palette.

BY ANNA VENTRE

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SIX LOOKS WE LIKE:

FESTIVALS From the deserts of California to the hills of Tennessee, these festival styles have you covered from coast to coast.

PHOTOS BY MAGGIE BOYLE

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Coachella Indio, CA April 14th-16th & April 21st-23rd

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Hang Out Gulf Shores, AL May 19th-21st

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Bonnaroo

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Manchester, TN June 8th-11th

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Warped Tour June 16th-August 6th Cuyahoga Falls, OH July 18th Cincinnati, OH July 19th

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Lollapalooza Grant Park in Chicago, IL August 3rd-6th

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Burning Man Black Rock Desert, NV August 27th-September 4th

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CAMPUS CASUAL Lighthearted reads for the quiz-taking, listicle reading, horoscope believin’ spirit in all of us.

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HOROSCOPES:

Summer Predictions

BY KENYETTA WHITFIELD

ILLUSTRATIONS BY AUDRA SWAN

As the end of yet another spring semester rolls around, there are plenty of questions left to be answered. Will you land that internship? Where should you take that much-needed beach vacation? What does postcollegiate life have in store for you? With all these questions and very few answers, the only place to turn is the stars. After all, summer is the season of adventure, change, and new beginnings and opportunities.

ARIES (MAR 21 — APR 19)

Summer — the time of year when you can truly do all of your favorite things, Aries. Not only does the warm and sunny weather lend itself to your adventurous outdoor pursuits, but it also means that you can lead your pack of friends on fun trips. There won’t be many times this summer where you want to stop and think about professional life, but remember that adventures will always be around, while opportunities may not. Make sure in between all your fun that you take your energy and apply to that new job or internship.

TAURUS (APR 20 — MAY 20)

Taurus, you love security. That’s why summer is so hard for you. The end of the school year means making decisions and getting out of your comfort zone — both of which you hate. But just because you hate change doesn’t mean it hates you. This summer will be one dedicated to learning to be flexible. When things don’t go your way with jobs, grad school, or even family, it’s time to embrace the changes and go with the flow. Not only will you transform your summer experience, but it’ll also make you a better version of yourself.

CANCER (JUN 21 — JUL 22)

There is no better time for your loving and imaginative spirit than summer, Cancer.

This summer is a great time for you to be around all your loved ones because, as everyone knows, you love to love. It’s also a wonderful time for you to explore career options that need your overwhelming sympathy and care. Don’t be afraid to market those traits as strengths because they are!

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GEMINI (MAY 21 — JUN 20)

Gemini, you’re such a people person and that is your biggest advantage this summer.

After months of chatting up professors and making contacts, the time has come for you to use all those contacts to your advantage.

Look into jobs or opportunities related to your professional goals. You’re bound to win the hearts of the higher-ups and land yourself in a once in a lifetime opportunity.

If not — at least you know you’ll have plenty of people to hang out with on those warm summer nights.

LEO (JUL 23 — AUG 22)

Summer! This is when you shine, Leo. Much like the weather outside, you are warm and exciting. Now is the time for you to take your creativity and your attention-grabbing personality and transform them into something great. Whether it’s a job or a summer hobby, make sure you get out there and do something. Don’t let your occasionally bossy nature get in your way through. If you start a joint project or business venture, remember that just because you are the lion doesn’t mean you are the king.

VIRGO (AUG 23 — SEPT 22)

Virgo, the queen of preparation. You are meticulous and practical and these are the traits that have worked in your favor.

Chances are you’ve got a ton of things lined up this summer. Vacations, jobs, volunteer opportunities — all the things that a good college student takes time for over the summer. However, if your summer isn’t perfectly planned don’t sweat it! Haven’t you noticed everyone has moments of not knowing what’s next?

You deserve to experience moments of uncertainty, too. You’re only human.

LIBRA (SEPT 23 — OCT 22)

So maybe you have a lot left to figure out this summer, Libra. Don’t fret. You are familiar with loose ends because you have a tendency to be indecisive. That could work in your favor though, because you aren’t hard pressed for anything in particular. Your easygoing attitude could land you some really memorable moments. Impromptu trips could be in your future, and all you have to do is be ready for the ride.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV 22 — DEC 21)

SCORPIO (OCT 23 — NOV 21)

Sagittarius, for many, summer is the most amazing time of the year. That could explain why you’re are looking forward to it. No, you’re not a child, but you have a childlike spirit that makes this season one of your bests. Use this summer to lend your optimism and energy to causes you are passionate about. Non-profit work would be a great fit for you. It’s a total resume booster, plus you’d rock at it.

CAPRICORN (DEC 22 — JAN 19)

Aquarius, while plenty of your friends and classmates are excited about being around loved ones they’ve missed this year, you have other plans. Of course, you miss your family and friends, but you also miss the chance to explore independently. For you, summer is a chance to be alone or to spend intimate quality time with a few very close companions. It also means visiting plenty of your favorite quirky restaurants and shops, so explore while you can.

Scorpio, your unique combination of slight compulsive behavior and determination are actually great assets for you this summer. Put your passion and determination to the test and really go all out. Apply for any job that interests you and go for any opportunity that you know you’d benefit from. The reason they exist is for people like you to take advantage of them. And hey, if you make some great friends on the way who help you to open up a little bit, then so be it.

You’re always so practical, Capricorn. And that’s great! However, you can also let your pessimism get in the way of greatness.

Take the summer as an opportunity to not only get plenty of important professional and personal goals accomplished, but also as a time to let your hair down and enjoy the sun. A good dose of Vitamin D is sure to perk you up a bit and change your outlook on life.

AQUARIUS (JAN 20 — FEB 18)

PISCES (FEB 19 — MAR 20)

Pisces, summer is your perfect fantasy. After months of weathering the cold of winter and the stress of the semester, you can finally let your daydreams run wild and act on them. Take those trips you’ve been fantasizing about, and bring a friend along with you.

Just don’t let your need for escapism lead you away from your professional goals. You can take road trips and fill out applications — it is all about balance.

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WHICH

SUMMER JOB ARE YOU?

BY RYLIE BROWN ILLUSTRATIONS BY AUDRA SWAN

1

What time do you get up during the summer?

A. At the crack of dawn B. I’m just getting to bed when the sun’s coming up C. Just in time for breakfast and a quick workout D. Whenever I’m fully rested

2

Your summer style is best described as: A. Hipster B. Boho C. Beach bum D. Casual

3

During the summer, your cash flow is best described as: A. Predictable B. Steady C. Sporadic D. Subsidized by my parents

4

Which summer hangout spot are you?

A. A coffee shop B. The mall C. The pool D. My friend’s house

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MOSTLY A’S:

MOSTLY B’S:

Barista

Retail Worker

You’re an early bird who likes a routine just as much as you like coffee. You’re probably sporting a flannel with a pair of distressed jean shorts on most summer days, and you rarely ever worry about your bank account due to all of your morning shifts.

You love playing with your summer style and basking in your free time spent at the mall. You love keeping track of the latest trends, which is probably why you stay up so late scrolling through your phone.

MOSTLY C’S:

MOSTLY D’S:

Lifeguard

Babysitter

To you, summer is all about keeping up your tanned glow and laying in the sun. You’re not too worried about how much money you make because you’re more infatuated with taking advantage of the prime daylight hours.

You’re a homebody, and that’s okay. You like to take advantage of your time at home and the chance to earn some cash by looking after the neighbor’s little ones for the afternoon. A little cash under the table never hurt anyone.

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a.

Clean Routine

BY MADISON CLEVELAND PHOTOS BY KATE STONE

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b.

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c.

Learning to love your skin and taking great care of it should be the most important component of your beauty routine. The market is bustling with many effective products to choose from for when it comes to maintaining a glowing complexion. The key to any freshfaced routine is to find products that work best for your skin type and use them consistently to see the best results.

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e.

d.

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“WHILE [EXFOLIATING] ISN’T A STEP YOU HAVE TO DO TWICE A DAY, IT CAN REALLY IMPROVE THE TEXTURE OF YOUR SKIN IF YOU DO IT DAILY.” Step 1: Removing Makeup While this may seem like common sense, removing your makeup is the most important first step. There are nights when it’s easier to crawl into bed and go to sleep rather than remove your makeup — don’t do it! Sleeping with makeup on clogs pores and leads to pimples. Makeup removing wipes are best for getting your face squeaky clean. Products like Neutrogena’s Makeup Remover Wipes for your face and Neutrogena’s Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover are ideal for getting rid of every last flake of mascara. Neutrogena’s products are gentle for all skin types, and they get the job done.

Step 2: Cleanse After your makeup is removed, it’s time to cleanse your face of any residue left behind. Look no further than Neutrogena’s Keep Clean Daily Cleanser. This orange gel cleanser lathers up with a little bit of water and leaves the skin feeling crisp and clean. This product is for normal to oily skin types and can be used in the morning and night.

Step 3: Exfoliate Now it’s time to exfoliate your skin. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells to make way for a smooth, glowing complexion.

While this step should only be done every couple of days, it can improve the texture of your skin

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g. f.

if done consistently. A wonderful exfoliant is Simple’s Smoothing Face Scrub. This product is gentle enough to use daily and won’t leave your skin feeling parched.

Lush’s Cup O’Coffee face mask is another effective exfoliant option — the mask contains coffee grains that gently clean and buff the skin.

Step 4: Tone Almost finished! After your face is nicely cleansed and exfoliated, use a cotton ball to rub toner all over the face. Toners are ideal for acne-prone skin because they help to reduce oil buildup. They also restore the natural pH level of your skin after washing your

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face. Lush’s Eau Roma Water toner, which is infused with rose water and lavender, is an inexpensive option to incorporate into your routine.

Step 5: Moisturize With so many moisturizers on the market, it can be difficult to find the one best suited for your skin. For dry skin sufferers, try Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel which keeps the skin hydrated without being too oily. For combination to oily skin, opt for an oil-free option like the Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer, which is fragrance free and won’t clog pores.

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a. Neutrogena Deep Clean Facial Cleanser, $5 b. Cup o’ Coffee Face and Body Mask, $11 c. Simple Smoothing Facial Scrub, $6 d. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel, $27 e. Eau Roma Water, $11 f. Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover, $6 g. Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes, $7

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Good As New

Get the most out of your wardrobe with this guide to making clothes last.

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BY JOHNATHEN SWEENEY ILLUSTRATIONS BY SAMANTHA GÜT

Everyone’s experienced that dreaded moment — some catastrophe comes along and ruins your favorite wardrobe staples. OK, maybe not that dramatic, but sometimes bad things happen to good clothes.

It’s an unfortunate part of the clothing life cycle. However, if the right preventative steps are taken, the likelihood of a clothing disaster is minimal.

BUY TO LAST Buy quality clothing as often as possible. Price isn’t always an indicator of a garment’s worth.

As you shop, you’ll get a sense of what brands offer better clothes than others. Stick to the brands that you know are of good value, but also, don’t be afraid to venture out, especially if you’ve heard good things about other brands. Look for clothing that is made from materials that last, like denim or jersey. Online reviews can be a great resource in finding quality clothes. Price shouldn’t be OUTHREADMAG.COM | 179

the only factor considered when making a purchase. Look out for good clothing construction and try to stray away from fast-fashion retailers that make their clothes from thin, synthetic materials.

WASH WITH LOVE Washing garments is an important part of keeping them looking pristine. Taking extra care before throwing clothes in the wash could add years to

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delicate pieces. Closing zippers and clasps and tying up strings on hoodies before machine washing are small steps that can prevent damage later on. Always read the washing instructions on a garment’s label. It’s a good idea to read those labels before you buy a garment, so you can avoid items you won’t be able to wash properly later on.

Synthetic fabrics, although sometimes cheaply made, can easily be taken care of.

Wash fabrics like polyester and spandex in lukewarm water and hang them to dry. For natural fabrics, like wool, silk, and cotton, wash with detergent for delicate fabrics in cool water and hang or lay out to dry. If you’re short on time, you can toss cotton items in the drying machine to tumble dry on cool.

However, no matter the fabric, it’s always easier on the material to air dry it instead of tossing it in the dryer.

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BACK WITH A PURPOSE Remember how your dad wore old, ragged jeans to paint the house? Well, believe it or not, your dad was being savvy. Keep a few worn-in clothes in your closet for any time you’re crafting or doing something outside. Students who work in science labs or with art supplies are more likely to spill substances that could stain their clothes, so taking a spare pair of old pants or an old T-shirt can help preserve newer clothes.

PLAY DOCTOR Sometimes, you’ll have to do surgery on your clothes. You can get a sewing kit and do things like sewing on buttons, repairing seams that develop holes, patching holes, or sewing a hem.

EMERGENCY CARE Sometimes you just need to seek professional assistance. Much like life itself, clothing mishaps can be quite complicated and out of your hands. Seeking professional clothing repair can be challenging and costly, but sometimes the things you love and admire need to be taken into someone else’s care.

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Q&A WITH THE

BLOGGER OF THE MONTH:

Rachel O’Morrow shares her passion for fitness, not to mention easy tips and tricks for how to maintain a healthy lifestyle in college.

1

WHAT INSPIRED YOUR BLOG?

I knew that by having a blog, I could pursue my excitement for fitness and passion for writing all in one.

2

WHAT DOES HEALTHY LIVING MEAN TO YOU?

Choosing a lifestyle that best suits your goals and pushes you to be better both mentally and physically. I can carry over my dedication toward fitness into other aspects of life.

3

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WORKOUT?

The more I sweat, the better! If I had to choose a specific workout it would be an ab circuit with the ab wheel, weighted moves, and cardio-based ab moves.

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4

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE YOU?

5

YOUR BEST TIP FOR A WORKOUT?

Before heading into a workout, make sure to plan what you want to do during your workout and what your goal is. Also, get excited about your workout by listening to your favorite music and be sure to eat something ahead of time.

blogger of the month

6

GO-TO POST WORKOUT SNACK?

Chocolate whey protein mixed with water. If I don’t have that, a glass of chocolate milk is super tasty. Both replenish calories and help maintain muscle.

7

WHO INSPIRES YOU?

My family and friends inspire me the most. Each person has taught me something different about myself. I’m able to learn from them, which helps me be motivated and thoughtful.

8

WHAT’S A GOAL FOR YOUR BLOG?

I hope I’ll be fitness inspiration for readers with my exercises and tips.

I want to demonstrate that you can still make fitness a priority while being a college student.

9

FAVORITE PLACE TO CHILL ON CAMPUS?

Recently, I have begun to love doing homework at Brenen’s Coffee. I like its aesthetic and it helps me feel less on campus.

10

FAVORITE JUNK FOOD TO INDULGE ON?

Cheddar and sour cream Ruffles or any type of ice cream with peanut butter, caramel, or chocolate.

11

BEST PLACE TO BUY WORKOUT GEAR?

T.J. Maxx and Marshalls. I buy all my workout tops and pants from there.

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BACK OF THE CLOSET An in-depth look at today’s most buzz-worthy topics.

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Statement Piece From the red carpet to the runways, fashion is serving as an instrument for political passion. Where is it going next?

T

his year, the phrase “fashion statement” took on a whole new meaning.

Award season came and went with beautiful celebrities donning stunning couture gowns and tuxedos, all while triumphantly declaring their political stances and demanding a call to action during acceptance speeches.

Talking politics isn’t the only way people and celebrities are voicing their opinions — they are wearing them, too, with the help of passionate designers with big ideas.

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This year, the Academy Awards featured celebrities adorned with pins and ribbons. Emma Stone and Dakota Johnson wore small gold pins in support of Planned Parenthood.

A plethora of stars like Barry Jenkins, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ruth Negga, Karlie Kloss, and Busy Phillips all wore blue ribbons to show solidarity with the American Civil Liberties Union, the main organization that has legally confronted President Trump and his administration in regard to his travel ban and other executive orders.

BY SARAH WEINGARTEN PHOTOS BY PROVIDED

Even the ACLU couldn’t believe the celebrity support they were receiving. On Oscar night, they tweeted out, “Who even thought we would be fashion icons? #Oscars.” That wasn’t the first time celebrities wore ribbons on the Oscars red carpet. In 1993, red ribbons to symbolize AIDS awareness appeared all over the red carpet.

At the Oscars, director Ava DuVernay took it a step further and made her entire outfit a political statement. She wore a gown designed by Mohammed Ashi from Ashi Studio, a Lebanese fashion

house located in Beirut, Lebanon, in the Middle East. On her Twitter, she posted a snapshot of herself from the red carpet with the caption, “a small sign of solidarity” and went on to say that she wanted to wear a gown from a predominantly Muslim country.

However, Hollywood doesn’t deserve all the credit for starting this year’s collision of fashion and politics.

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“pussy” hats in support of the Pussyhat Project. The hats came in various shades of pinks, even ‘Millennial Pink,’ and had two pointed peaks on top to mimic cat ears. The hats have become so popular that during Milan’s Fashion Week, Missoni sent all of their models down the runway for the finale wearing the pink-eared hat with iconic Missoni stripes around the hem.

Pussy hats aren’t the only wearable political statement. There are a slew of political graphic T-shirts that were seen on runways and all over the accounts of Instagram influencers this pastfashion season. The political shirt trend ignited with Maria Grazia Chiuri’s debut Dior Spring 2017 fashion show. Chiuri made a bold statement as Dior’s first female creative director by showcasing plain white T-shirts with contrasting black print that read “we should all be feminists.”

Since the Dior show, Prabal Gurung, Christian Siriano, Creatures of Comfort, and Public School all had graphic political garments on their Fall 2017 runways. Gurung took the trend to the extreme and during the finale of his show, each model walked down the runway wearing a different statement on their shirts. Siriano and Creatures of Comfort had slogan shirts on their runway, while Public School did a sarcastic play on Trump’s “Make America Great Again” campaign hats with hats that said “Make America New York.”

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On a larger scale, The Business of Fashion started the hashtag #TiedTogether during Fashion Month. Editor-in-chief Imran Amed explained the movement on BoF’s site when he wrote, “The Business of Fashion invites the fashion industry to stand together and make a clear statement of solidarity, unity, and inclusiveness, and raise donations for the ACLU and UNHCR [United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees].” Amed went on to further explain, “This

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is not a political statement, it is a positive statement in support of humanity during a time of turmoil and fear in many nations around the world.”

White bandanas helped symbolize the movement. Amed explained that the symbol is an accessory “because in fashion, visuals often speak louder than words.” Designers and models flocked to the bandanas and wore them throughout Fashion Month.

Tommy Hilfiger’s Tommyland went a step further and put the

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white bandana on every seat in its show. Needless to say the bandanas and #TiedTogether received a lot of attention.

Fashion statements like these and celebrity support help give political movements a larger platform, but they also run the risk of sensationalizing the movement, making it trendy as a result of their received attention.

Anyone in the fashion industry knows that trends eventually die out. How many Instagram style stars are posting about

their white bandanas now? What does wearing an expensive designer T-shirt do if that same person doesn’t attend rallies or donate? This is where the complicated intersectionality of activism comes into play. How can politics, feminism, capitalism, and fashion come together?

Business of Fashion’s donors and benefactors donated $5 to ACLU and UNHCR for every post with #TiedTogether until they hit a goal of $50,000. Gurung’s website says that a portion of

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“TALKING POLITICS ISN’T THE ONLY WAY PEOPLE AND CELEBRITIES ARE VOICING THEIR OPINIONS; THEY ARE WEARING THEM TOO...”

the $195 price of his shirts will be donated to ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and Shikshya Foundation Nepal, the organization that Gurung is a brand ambassador for. But, Dior hasn’t made any donations to organizations from the sales of their shirts, or at least it hasn’t made it public knowledge. The Missoni Pussyhats aren’t raising money for the Pussyhat Project.

Some would say that it’s the act of wearing these shirts and hats that is the act of protest.

It’s the symbol of defiance and political solidarity. But when the money to purchase these politically charged garments is going back into huge fashion conglomerates like LVMH or Kering, how much help is it contributing?

Overall, though, politically charged clothing has given activ-

ism a larger platform. It’s made certain issues, like women’s rights, reproductive rights, and the refugee crisis more visible and accessible to people who may have been ill-informed beforehand.

Even though not all of the politically-based clothing is making a financial impact to proper organizations, they are still influential by making activism visible.

To keep clothes political, but also beyond the barrier of trendiness, follow DuVernay’s footsteps.

Support designers who aren’t massive fashion houses, designers who are minorities like people of color, females, queer, Muslim, Jewish, disabled, and so-on.

Putting your money where your mouth and political views are is more rewarding than shelling out dough for high-end fashion with a quick expiration date.

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The evolution of African-Ame battle to

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erican hair from the “good hair”/“bad hair” a “natural” community.

BY KAYLA BEARD OS BY MELISSA CORDY

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he term “natural hair” holds different meanings for different people. For some, the term is a reference to holistic hair care products sans chemicals. To others, it embodies the acceptance of one’s natural hair color and texture — the hair one was given at birth.

For women with kinky hair, specifically women of African descent, the term commonly refers to texture: the natural kinks and coils of afro-textured hair types. But, the term has recently taken on another noteworthy meaning, becoming the name of a movement created by and for black American women and women all over the world with afrotextured hair who are choosing to care for their hair in its natural form.

The “natural hair movement” is a movement of men and women — but particularly black women — who have embraced their own individual hair textures and have committed to learning how to care for them. This may seem like a minor thing, but to understand the need for a natural hair movement within the black community, one must first understand the history of African hair in American culture.

Ayana D. Byrd and Lori Tharps explore this complex topic in their book Hair Story: Untangling the Roots of Black Hair in America (2002). They explain that the term “good hair,” a phrase used commonly in the black community to refer to looser curls and straighter textures, comes 196 | THREAD

out of slavery. Hair textures which were looser and silkier could signify a person’s relationship as a daughter or son of a free man, usually a white man, which could give them access to bare necessities to which other black slaves may not have had access.

The legacy of slavery and the implications that hair texture and skin color had for slaves survived in the job market and in the media — the necessary qualifications to be considered “employable,” “attractive,” and even “respectable,” have traditionally involved grooming and “taming” the natural curls and tangles of African-American hair into smooth, straight, Euro-centric styles. The critical point here is the “natural” bit. Afro-textured hair is not meant to be straight — it is curly, it is wavy, it wraps around itself, it binds to itself, it grows out, it grows up — it behaves in a way unique to itself. But rather than embrace the differences of African hair, American culture has ostracized and criminalized black beauty and, in doing so, has ostracized the black people who embody it most.

A black woman’s hair must always look “done.” It has to look just right.

“I think all women have attachments to their hair,” said Vivian Thomas, a junior studying English at Ohio University. “I can’t say all, but I think a lot of women widespread feel like ... they have to worry about their hair… It’s just a

“YOUNG BLACK GIRLS HAVE SEEN MORE PUBLIC CELEBRATION OF THEIR NATURAL HAIR TEXTURES THAN BLACK GIRLS OF PREVIOUS GENERATIONS.”

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part of the culture.”

Thomas thinks that the pressure women feel to keep their hair looking a certain way is amplified for black women, many of whom have internalized society’s teachings about how their hair should look. “You don’t want to have ‘nappy’ hair or coarse hair or ‘ugly’ hair,” she said, using air quotes. After coming to college, Thomas wanted to grow her hair a bit longer and decided to grow out her natural hair texture — a decision others have made in the past, and increasingly make today.

Amid all the pressure to change and style their hair, black people have innovated and adopted numerous ways of achieving the straight textures of European locks. In the early 1900s, Madame C.J. Walker, the first black, female self-made millionaire, coined the “press-and-curl” method for straightening black hair using heavy hair oils and heated iron combs.

In 1909, Garrett Morgan Sr., black entrepreneur and inventor of the three-way traffic signal, accidentally discovered a chemical solution to make kinky hair permanently straight (hence the misnomer “perm,” commonly used to refer to chemical relaxers). The straight look quickly became the coveted style for both men and women in the black community.

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began to gain popularity in the U.S. By then, there were a variety of acceptable ways to “tame” and style afro-hair. Hot-combs and flat irons turned afro-textures straight, and relaxers made hair stay straight with no curl whatsoever. The Jheri Curl — a chemical treatment made popular in the ’70s and ’80s — and texturizers helped achieve looser and smoother curls. Wigs and weaves covered hair up and hid it completely, allowing the wearers to brandish any hair texture they should deem fit.

Like any characteristic of any race or ethnic group, black American hair varies tremendously from person to person, such as redblonde to dark brown color and thin cascading ringlets to thick pillowy afros with no definite curl.

As stated on the African American Registry’s website, “Though there are exceptions, the hair of blacks is usually coarser in texture, tighter in curl pattern, more naturally delicate, and more vulnerable to damage,” but, “because of our multicultural heritage there really isn’t any one typical ‘type’ of African-American hair.” This means there isn’t any one way to style or care for afrohair: each individual must learn how her/his own hair behaves and what it needs, which can be a daunting task for some.

Thomas said she often worried about her hair when it was relaxed.

“I felt really self conscious about it,” she said.

For her, choosing the perfect

hairstyle is simply about having hair that fits her lifestyle. Nowadays, she often wears box braids — a popular style — not only as a means of protecting her own hair, but also for convenience.

Low-maintenance “protective” styles like weaves, wigs and braided extensions cover or wrap around a person’s own strands and protect the hair from outside elements. A lot of women who choose to keep their hair in its natural state opt for these styles to allow their own hair to grow and remain healthy underneath.

Once her hair is in the braids, Thomas doesn’t have to do much to it — no combing or pressing — and the style can last for several weeks: “When [my hair is] in braids, I still have to wash them ... but I don’t have to wash them nearly

as much [whereas] when I have my fro, it needs to be at least wet every day.”

Due to the time-consuming process of washing and detangling afro-textured hair, as well as the level of skill it takes to successfully achieve more complicated protective styles, many black women and men rely on other people — parents, relatives, and professionals — to style their hair.

In fact, a lot of black women don’t even know how to style their own hair in its natural state, and some never really learn.

Thomas said before she left for college, when she still used chemical relaxers, she would have a hair appointment about every two weeks. “In high school, that worked; my parents could take me to go get my hair done every OUTHREADMAG.COM | 199

two weeks. But I was realizing; in college, I can’t really do that.

I don’t have the money for it, keeping up with it,” Thomas said.

Paying for both hair and professional labor for one of these styles can cost between a couple hundred and several thousand dollars, depending on the style — and for anyone who hasn’t had ample practice, it can be difficult to complete such intricate styles in one sitting, and could take multiple hours, even days.

It’s no wonder recurring trips to

“THE NATURAL HAIR MOVEMENT REPRESENTS A PUSH BACK AGAINST ALL THE OPPRESSIVE STEREOTYPES WE HAVE BEEN HEARING ABOUT OUR HAIR ALL OF OUR LIVES.”

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a salon are a common side effect of most traditional black hairstyles.

Although chemical treatments and heat styling methods present a convenient option by making afrotextured hair more manageable, excessive heat can cause strands to weaken and break, and chemicals could literally dissolve hair at the follicle in severe cases. Those factors, combined with the financial and time constraints of regular hair appointments, have persuaded an increasing amount of black women to forego harmful treatments and

instead, learn to care for and style their hair in its most natural state.

For some, that involves what people within the black hair community call “the big chop”— when someone cuts off all or most of her hair to get rid of any damaged or chemically-treated hair, allowing her natural texture to grow back in. Others choose the process of “transitioning” — allowing chemically treated hair to grow until the natural-textured roots reach a length at which the wearer is comfortable cutting away the chemically-treated ends — which often includes the use of protective styles to avoid hair breakage.

An individual’s decision to “go natural” could derive from a variety of motives — be they economic, personal, or healthrelated. So, it goes without saying: each person’s natural

hair journey is different and not everyone uses the same products, styles, or rules-ofthumb when caring for their natural textures.

For some women, cutting their hair off or shaving it completely could feel like losing a part of their own identity. But for others, including the author of this article, the act of chopping away one’s own hair can be a liberating experience and could serve to motivate anyone with a commitment to learning and caring for their own natural texture.

According to the “Good Hair” Survey, conducted recently by the Perception Institute, black women in America report spending more money, time, and energy on hair care than do white women. Black female participants of the survey reported scheduling more hair OUTHREADMAG.COM | 201

“THESE WOMEN HAVE INSPIRED AND HAVE BEEN INSPIRED BY COUNTLESS OTHERS WHO HAVE DECIDED TO GIVE THEIR OWN HAIR A CHANCE, GIVE IT A BREAK, AND SHOW IT SOME LOVE.”

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appointments than white female participants, and were more likely to have difficulty finding products for their hair. More than half reported they haven’t been able to find any products for their hair compared to their white counterparts.

The same survey also found that while most women in today’s society worry about their hair to some degree, “black women experience high levels of anxiety” over their hair more than their white counterparts, and that black women are twice as likely to “feel social pressure to straighten their hair for work” as compared to white women.

The headline finding of the survey was the revelation of a widespread implicit bias against “black women’s textured hair” held by the majority of participants of all races, but especially among white women. These findings reflect the prejudice that has existed toward afro-hair in American society for decades.

Significantly, though, millennial participants of all races demonstrated more acceptance toward afro-textured hair, and millennial “naturalistas” unsurprisingly exhibited the most positive attitudes towards afro-hair of all women in the sample. There’s still progress to be made but most importantly, young black girls have seen more public celebration of their natural hair textures than black girls of previous generations.

America at large is slowly wisening up to the diverse and unique beauty afro-textured hair has to offer. The truth is that afrohair doesn’t need fixing. It can be professional, well-groomed, and accepted if those who have this hair embrace it and teach others to do the same. Enter: the natural hair movement.

Following in Madame C.J. Walker’s footsteps, some modernday black entrepreneurs — like Lisa Price and Richelieu Dennis — have dented the black haircare market. After noticing a lack of products that cater specifically to natural hair, individuals, small business owners, and major corporations alike created hair care products made specifically for natural afro-hair types to address the growing need.

Today, some “non-ethnic” brands, like L’Oréal and Pantene, have brought their own natural hair lines up to the same store shelves as their other products, slowly integrating traditionally segregated hair aisles. In fact, it’s never been easier to find products designed for black women and afro-hair.

Just as the haircare market is changing, society’s impression of black hair via popular culture is also evolving. The number of black women wearing natural hairstyles in movies and on television has increased tremendously in the last couple of decades. Women like Tracee Ellis Ross, Lupita Nyong’o, and Viola Davis have sported natural kinks and curls on red OUTHREADMAG.COM | 203

carpets and magazine pages.

Today’s bright young naturalistas are experiencing a world that is finally beginning to see black Americans for who they truly are. The momentum for the movement, however, was kickstarted by outspoken and wellknown black activists.

Jamaican immigrant and black nationalist Marcus Garvey in the 1920s independently encouraged black Americans to celebrate their natural hair and “reclaim” an African aesthetic; in the ’70s, civil rights activist and feminist Angela Davis exemplified the beauty and strength of afro-textured hair and insisted “We are Black and we are proud!”; Kathleen Cleaver, the first woman to be appointed to the Blank Panther Party’s Central Committee, declared alongside her BPP sisters, “My Black is Beautiful” each time they wore their spherical ’fros in public in the late ’60s through the ’80s, despite being labeled as militants because of them.

At its heart, the natural movement is a call to action for African-American women to ditch harmful chemical treatments and heat-straightening routines, and to embrace their own kinks and curls from nape to brow. But beyond that, the movement has shed a light on the truth about black hair culture. “It’s kind of embracing that [differences] aren’t ugly: it’s not nappy, it’s beautiful,” Thomas said. “It’s just how your hair is — 204 | THREAD

it’s, like, different.”

Though there has been controversy — some people feeling like natural hair is supposed to have one specific look or another, others debating whether hair dyes and heat-styling can be included in a “natural” hair routine, and more arguing whether or not women of other ethnicities can participate in a movement designed for women of African descent — the big takeaway from the natural hair movement is that everyone is unique and should embrace their individuality.

While textured styles can be fun and creative, traditionally, black hairstyles have swung in and out of popularity on the international fashion scene, and accusations of cultural appropriation have been quick to follow sightings of white women in afros and braids.

From braids to afros, straight cuts to aimless curls, hair products and treatments to hair pieces, the variety of styling methods designed for afro-textured hair types have influenced the hairstyles of popular culture and fashion at large. Over the years, major stars like Kylie Jenner, Gigi Hadid, and Miley Cyrus have all found themselves caught up in the complex boundaries of black hair appropriation.

“I think it’s truly, truly, truly a lack of education on white people’s part about black hair,” Thomas said.

“There’s so much ignorance.”

Many black women find themselves in the position of

having to either educate or slap a friend about their own natural hair textures. “Just the questions you get about your hair ... It’s weird,” Thomas said. Questions like ‘Is that your real hair?’ and ‘How did you get it to do that?’ and ‘Can I touch it?’ are unoriginal and generally not helpful. Being made to feel like your hair in its natural state — the way it grows out of your skull — is some kind of abnormal, mysterious thing can feel degrading to some, reminiscent of the days when slaves were put on display for slave-owners to examine. Though some may not mind, most black women are protective of their hair and complain when strangers treat it like a museum display—touching without permission, or asking questions without invitation.

Thomas believes many of these

awkward encounters can and should be avoided. “It’s like, it’s 2017 — Google it!”

Perhaps one of the most exciting characteristics of afrotextured hair is its versatility: the style options for black hair seem endless. But unfortunately, many of these styling options were born of a culture that has judged afrohair, in and outside of court, as sub-par — even sub-human.

For black women in particular, however, the natural hair movement represents a push back against all the oppressive stereotypes we have been hearing about our hair all of our lives. It is an opportunity to show the world the true potential of afro-textured hair, and to say: my hair is not a problem — it’s all mine and all good, naturally.

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Beyond the Beat From NWA to Beyonce, influencers far and wide are keeping hip-hop fashion alive.

BY TIFFANY BEY PHOTOS BY PROVIDED

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ashion is an art form that is constantly transforming into something new.

There are many categories within fashion, such as chic, bohemian, grunge, and edgy. However, hip-hop fashion is one of the most distinctive, popular, and evolutionary trends today.

Hip-hop is a cultural and social movement was started by African Americans in the South Bronx in New York City. During the early 1970s, those pioneering the hiphop movement invented sampling — using one sound from a certain song in the creation of a new song.

Through trial and error, hip-hop creators made new music by mashing songs and beats together.

Clive Campbell, otherwise known as DJ Kool Herc, hosted block parties at his house.

Which, according to PBS History, were some of his first official gigs. People flocked to him breaking and scratching at his sister’s birthday party on Sedgwick Avenue.

Hip-hop is a combination of things — it’s beat boxing, emceeing, b-boying (a form of dance), graffiti, and more.

It began with those first four factors, and it quickly developed a fashion and cultural element.

SPORTSWEAR: Hip-hop urban fashion became a phenomenon in the 1980s when gangsta rap was at its peak. Rap groups, like NWA and Run-D.M.C., are just a few of the people who created a large impact on hip-hop music and its following. Rapper and actor Ice Cube was one of the leading members of NWA, and he was known for rocking an Oakland Raiders cap and jersey to match.

Today, many still wear jerseys or caps from their hometown to exhibit a sense of belonging and respect. The current sportswear trend, influenced by a long history of hip-hop fashion, is definitely en vogue right now.

Many people wear their favorite sports jersey to college festivals or rock their favorite team on a cap on a day-to-day basis.

The NWA members wore

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oversized nylon jackets, similar to the bomber jackets of today.

The bomber has been a popular jacket silhouette during the past couple years, and it is definitely not going anywhere, especially with the plethora of different colors and patterns to choose from. Artists like Big Sean or singer-songwriter John Mayer can be found rocking bomber jackets today. Influenced by a

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long history of hip-hop fashion, the bomber jacket has been popularized by many style icons.

Many people wear their favorite sports jersey to college festivals or rock their favorite team on a cap on a day-to-day basis.

ADIDAS: Run-D.M.C. always rocked adidas Superstar sweatpants, striped shell-toed shoes, and bucket hats with gold chains

around their necks. Celebrities today, like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, and Zendaya have been seen wearing both a gold chain and a classic matching adidas sweatsuit. Kim Kardashian has also been spotted in adidas sweatpants paired with a sensual body suit and heels. Bucket hats have also become more popular in the past couple of years. A lot of people are choosing to throw on a bucket hat

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for a casual, laid back look.

WEST COAST VIBES: Rappers Tupac Shakur and Biggie Smalls were known for being some of the best rappers ever, but they were also known for their fashion sense.

Tupac was a West Coast-based rapper, and he would typically wear jeans, a bandana tied around his head, and no shirt with a chain around his neck.

According to Vogue, “The rapper has been an icon of socially conscious cool, and that’s exactly what his style entailed.”

Tupac was also known for his nose piercing, as very few men were getting facial piercings in the ’80s and ’90s. However, he paved the way because many men and women opt for nose piercings today.

EAST COAST VIBES: A$AP Ferg raps that, “Coogi down to the socks, like I’m Biggie poppa,” in his song “Shabba.” Biggie Smalls was known for his signature Coogi outfits. Coogi may not be a brand that is popular today, but Smalls made it possible to emulate his look by wearing various types of patterned sweaters and other pieces.

Hip-hop fashion may have come to be decades ago, but it is definitely still around. And no matter how the years go by, it isn’t going anywhere. When a trend — like a funky sneaker or a popular color — fades out, hiphop fashion always finds another way to come back to the light.

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LIMITED T

As the fast paced nature of life b habits, many on-the-go shoppers get the latest and

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TIME ONLY

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begins to manipulate shopping s are turning to pop-up shops to d exclusive trends.

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BY COLLEEN HOWARD PHOTOS BY PROVIDED ILLUSTRATION BY MICHELLE FRANTZ

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ere today, gone tomorrow is a phrase that conveys the newest shopping trend — one that is sweeping away the traditional norms that many shoppers rely on. Pop-up retail — also known as flash retailing — refers to the opening of short-term stores to take advantage of the best trends or seasonal products to sell.

“The pop-up concept continues to evolve as a greater variety of companies embrace experimental and whimsical approaches to retail,” a Zady article said.

Pop-up shops are the newest and most exclusive way to get ahold of those jeans or lightweight jacket that not many people have access to. Aside from fashion, these shops have also served Coca-Cola, Godiva, and many other brands looking to get some seasonal shoppers intrigued by their products.

Business Insider’s take on the trend is that, “they’re cheaper solutions than year-round rentals, and they can generate a lot of buzz for companies during essential months.”

The trending shops can be found anywhere from as far east as New York to west on California’s coast, but why are they so popular now?

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fashion turn. With that in mind, it’s no wonder these spontaneous and buzzing shops have begun to take the world by storm.

In the past, on-the-go shoppers looked to online shopping when the brick-andmortar environments in most malls collapsed. History may repeat itself, pushing the awe of online shopping to the back of shopper’s minds and making popup shops their new focal point.

In 2008, Reebok opened a popup shop that defied all customer expectations. The brand took 3,000 square feet to develop the ultimate temporary store, FLASH, for shoppers to purchase their shoes and clothing for the short time they were open.

According to Freshness Magazine, “what differentiates FLASH from pop-up stores we typically see is the thoughtfulness Reebok has put into the project.”

Another sneaker shop taking the trend to new heights is Nike.

The company opened a shop just last year that collaborated with Kith, owned by Ronnie Fieg, in which they sold rare sneakers and casual streetwear. The spontaneous venture into pop-up shops led to Fieg’s success and GQ Magazine bestowing him the title of the King of Sneakers.

Even the global corporation Target developed a seasonal shop during the 2015 holiday season to accommodate the

“THEY CAN GENERATE A LOT OF BUZZ FOR COMPANIES DURING ESSENTIAL MONTHS.” BUSINESS INSIDER

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needs of the always-adapting shopper. Their idea was to offer “more in-store experience for special merchandising and making it easy for customers to shop,” as explained by Fortune on their “Wonderland” themed shop.

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grew, there were, of course, critics who began bashing the hype that came with them.

Social media guru, Kylie Jenner, has opened a few of her own pop-up shops, announcing their locations and her in-person meetings with customers on her

social media pages. The critics of her shops point out the glaring flaws in some of the details of her stores. One writer for Cosmopolitan spent a whole morning trying to score a peek into Kylie’s shop, dodging piles of trash around the busy New

York City street and enduring the long lines in the cold weather — she ultimately left the line without entry.

Another pop-up shop that received a criticism from Highsnobiety’s website was the famous “The Life of Pablo” brand OUTHREADMAG.COM | 217

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that Kanye West revealed in over 21 cities in the past year. The major flaw that people disclosed was the uniformity of the brand in each shop. The clear issue was a result of the idea that pop-up shops are meant to be one-ofa-kind, spontaneous, and full of limited-time items for consumers to get at the right time and place.

Although they’re still working out the kinks, companies that have ventured into developing a pop-up shop deserve credit for changing consumer shopping habits. It is these proactive and socially aware companies that are paving the way for the future of the fashion industry and its consumers.

“IT IS THESE PROACTIVE AND SOCIALLY AWARE COMPANIES THAT ARE PAVING THE WAY FOR THE FUTURE OF THE FASHION INDUSTRY AND ITS CONSUMERS.”

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Around the Clock A Thread-approved guide to the most relaxing and rewarding of morning and night routines.

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BY ALICIA MACDONALD ILLUSTRATIONS BY SAMANTHA GÜT

A

mid neverending assignments, studying for exams, and having a social life, it seems unimaginable to maintain any kind of consistent routine in our lives. We’ve all heard the same suggestions for improving our morning or nightly routines — eat a breakfast full of whole grains, dress your best to increase productivity, spend five minutes a day meditating.

But these seemingly endless suggestions for how to better our lives through routine make it even more difficult to follow one.

The key to creating a morning or nightly routine, or altering a current one, is to take each day at a time and switch it up each week.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make, the better.” So, practice a morning or nightly routine as your latest experiment, and find yourself enlightened by the possibilities.

WAKE UP, SUNSHINE The allure of the snooze button is tempting, especially on an early morning packed with meetings and classes, but the repercussions of extending your sleep cycle could negatively impact your day. According to a CNN article written by Erinn Bucklan, “The snooze button messes with your brain hormones … Disrupting the OUTHREADMAG.COM | 221

circadian cycle [by hitting the snooze button] can impair your ability to feel awake during the day and sleepy at night.”

To invigorate your body and lessen the likelihood of hitting snooze, begin the day with a cleansing burst from a glass of warm water combined with the juice of half a lemon. This surprisingly simple beverage allows the body’s pH levels to balance, leading to better digestion and eating habits throughout the day.

If you still find yourself feeling sluggish, consider a short, 10-minute walk around your neck of the woods to wake the mind and muscles. Meditation can also be practiced as an alternative.

Blocking out 10 minutes every morning to sit in silence without distraction from technology allows each day to begin optimistically through self-reflection.

Do last night’s festivities have your skin feeling puffy and dull?

Steam works wonders for the skin’s surface by opening clogged pores and allowing the skin’s surface to reset by the removal of debris from pores. Following a quick facial steam, Thread makeup artist

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Alex Bertolini recommends a face mask at least three times a week.

“Masks help with reducing pores and creating a smooth, radiant complexion,” Bertolini said. “I notice an instant improvement whenever I use one.”

Despite studies that claim dressing for success leads to more productivity, it’s undoubtedly up to the wearer to determine if an outfit leads to checking more boxes on a to-do list. Lisa Williams, lecturer of human and consumer science at Ohio University, said that dressing for success doesn’t necessarily define productivity.

“There are days that I will spend in my pajamas if I’m not teaching, but I am still getting work done when I wear them,” Williams said. “There’s a level of professionalism that exists in my field that you have to meet, but I personally don’t think that dressing a certain way should affect your productivity.”

HIT THE LIGHTS, IT’S BEDTIME Winding down for the night is a varying ritual that’s different for every person’s schedule and lifestyle habits. While some prefer

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to work until the early morning hours, others invest time to clear the mind in preparation for a good night’s sleep.

As college students, the idea of restricting caffeine could seem like a menial lifestyle change to incorporate into a nightly routine.

But, according to the National Sleep Foundation, “While it is important to note that caffeine cannot replace sleep, it can temporarily make us feel more alert by blocking sleep-inducing chemicals to the brain and increasing adrenaline production.”

Drinking coffee within four hours of bed could be the reason why you find yourself tossing and turning until the early morning hours.

Do you find yourself aimlessly scrolling through social media before bed? Not only is the UV light emitted by phones damaging to the skin’s surface over time, but studies show that turning electronics off one hour before bed prevents the brain from remaining alert and wakeful when preparing to sleep.

Cheyenne Buckingham, an Ohio University senior known for her TEDx Talk focused on reshaping school lunches at elementary schools, shares the importance of creating a nightly routine that works for your lifestyle.

“Drinking water before you

go to bed is so important, and sometimes people tend to forget that the body needs to be hydrated before you go to sleep,” Buckingham said. “I also try to do yoga for 10 to 20 minutes before bed because it puts you into a meditative state that helps ease you into sleep.”

If a good night’s sleep is what you crave, lavender oil may be the answer to your wishes. A few drops of lavender oil on a pillowcase before bed reduces stress, anxiety, and insomnia due to lavender’s anti-inflammatory properties.

Follow up with an eye mask, like the Binchotan Charcoal Eye Mask

by Morihata. This innovative eye mask infused with charcoal has been shown to reduce pressure surrounding the eyes and helps to ease tension that can lead to headaches or migraines.

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By Women, For Women One Tennessee couple built a fashion brand around women, by women, to empower all women.

BY ERIN FAUSEL PHOTOS BY PROVIDED

O

ne company is making it easy for shoppers to support women around the world who face difficult circumstances. In 2010, fashionABLE was created by Nashville, Tennessee, natives Rachel and Barrett Ward, after their experiences living in Ethiopia. The couple witnessed firsthand how the women and girls they met had limited resources and opportunities to make a living for themselves. They realized that, unfortunately, prostitution is one of the paths many are forced to take. The Wards took it upon themselves to provide women with another choice.

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THE GOOD IN THE GOODS Handmade jewelry, handwoven scarves, home goods, and leather products make up fashionABLE’s product line. The scarf material derives from 100 percent Ethiopian cotton and is dyed colors like Blush, Sea Glass, and Serenity Blue.

For the home, a variety of functional cloths are available for purchase. Legesse Tea Towels are great for kitchen or bathroom use. Plus, pillow covers and blankets add extra comfort to sitting and lounging spaces.

Rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets are crafted in Nashville using 14-karat gold fill, sterling silver, 14-karat rose gold fill, and various colors of quartz stones.

The Ring Bar featured on the site allows customers to build their own sets of hand candy. Choose from simple and stackable bands to personalized pieces stamped with a word of your choosing, up to five letters long. Another perk: the more you buy, the more you save!

The bracelets can feature Cambodian howlite — which resembles marble — beads, or simple cuffs and chains with tiny heart or triangle embellishments.

Earrings come in stud and dangle varieties, some featuring stones like quartz, amazonite, or pyrite. The necklaces vary in length and design, yet are easily paired with one another.

Thin chain chokers can come with longer chains, making the OUTHREADMAG.COM | 227

jewelry simple yet buildable.

Beyond the impressive list of jewelry, fashionABLE offers a leather line devoted to totes, clutches, cross-body bags, and other handbag variations made in Mexico or Ethiopia with 100 percent genuine leather. Each of the leather products can be made unique in the “personalized” section by adding initials for an additional $8.

PROMOTING WOMEN Rachel and Barrett’s approach is one that balances the fine line between providing charity and providing chance to do more for women.

According to their website, “It is widely known that if we are to end extreme poverty two things must happen. One, we must create jobs for those lacking opportunity, and two, we must do so for women. That is the gap that fashionABLE wants to fill.”

FashionABLE is not only working to relieve homelessness, addiction, poverty, and lack of opportunity, but to reverse it for women. The company believes its purpose is to hold the companies they trade with in Africa to high standards of employment practices and to encourage other businesses that are doing similar work.

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an important message in mind: defining feminism. A red leather pouch and white T-shirt each adorning the word “FEMINIST” in black text were available for purchase to support recognition of Equal Pay Day April 4.

The company’s site also offers a breakdown of facts, history, and legislation regarding women in America, as well as tools for taking action to promote feminism right now for current employees and employers. Each purchase of a pouch or shirt contributes to a global message: it is necessary to help women earn the equal pay they deserve for completing equal work.

THE NEXT DIRECTION FashionABLE is currently working toward launching ACCOUNTABLE, a program designed to help the company meet “the highest level of accountability achievable related to labor and environmental practices,” according to its site.

In addition, FashionABLE is what they call a B Corporation, which represents a legal standard for businesses in Tennessee that wish for their transparency, responsibility, and performance to be tracked. FashionABLE report cards in regard to their B Corporation standing will be available to the public in the months to come, according to the company’s website.

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RANT/RAVE ADIDAS SUPERSTARS RANT

BY KATIE PITTMAN

Another fest season has come and gone, and with it should go its chosen shoe: the adidas Superstar. Despite my chagrin, athletic jerseys have stuck around as part of the fest uniform, along with the Superstars.

Like most every trend that seems to be coming back right now, the late ’90s and early 2000s are still dominating the fashion scene. We’ve got tracksuits, chokers, and now, a resurgence of the Superstar. What’s next? Those shirts with the tattoo sleeves?

First worn as basketball shoes in the ’70s, the Superstar has come back into the limelight about every 20 years. In the ’90s, the leather sneakers were adopted by the skateboarding community, as their rubber toes were hard to damage and stood up to everyday wear and tear.

Fast-forward to today, where the 2015 “it” shoe is still trying to have its moment. What began as a cool and sporty alternative to heels has mutated into a mud-caked going out staple. Just add a Cleveland Cavaliers jersey and some ripped skinny jeans and it’s a “look.”

Listen, I’m all about a comfortable alternative to heels. But, after a while, seeing 96 people wearing same white and black sneakers gets a little boring. Fashion is all about taking items and styling them to make them your own, not about taking items and wearing them to match everyone else. Go out there and make that “it” piece your own, and don’t be afraid to stray from what everyone is wearing.

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ILLUSTRATION BY GRACE ZIEMKE

RAVE

BY ABBEY KAY

First of all, I’m all for unisex fashion trends. I love it when anyone can wear the same trend, but personalize it in their own way. adidas’ Superstar apparel and sneakers have been in the spotlight over the past year because everyone loves comfortable fashion. And with a name like Superstar, the garb must automatically make you look cooler, right?

Recently, athleisure clothing has taken over the fashion game. Nike was in the spotlight for years, dominating the sportswear industry, but watch out — it’s adidas’ time to shine. The trefoil logo has become a staple in street style all over the world.

The classic pieces embody looks that any personal aesthetic can embrace. You can wear an adidas Superstar hoodie to class, to the gym, or even out to a party. I’ve never been comfier going out than I am while rocking this look.

The Superstar line was first introduced in 1969. At that time, the black and white sneakers were the first all-leather, rubber toe sneakers to hit the market. They were featured as a low-top basketball shoe, but today the redesigned sneakers are taking college campuses by storm. They make a statement and are extremely versatile because they look effortless paired with anything — from a cute shift dress to jeans and a plain white T-shirt. Why wear five inch heels when you can achieve a trendy look with comfort?

This trend is not only affordable, but the Superstar line can be found in a variety of shops and online, making it very accessible as well.

If you don’t own any adidas Superstar items, I highly suggest you hop on that bandwagon.

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