fashion
WHAT’S INSIDE LOCAL
Student creates custom denim designs for gameday style
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FEMINISM
Exploring the rise of the “girl boss” movement page 4 EXPRESSION
Student uses fashion to find stability, freedom
page 6 OVERSEAS
British royals have set the bridal couture bar high. Let’s take it apart.
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HIGH FASHION
Exploring the Met Gala’s 2019 theme
MADISON OGLETREE / PHOTO EDITOR
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The Auburn Plainsman: Fall & Winter Fashion Guide
October 25, 2018
local student creates custom denim designs for fans By LAUREN PIEPER Lifestyle Writer
Tori Hogan, freshman in apparel merchandising and design, has started her own fashion business on her bedroom floor. She takes gameday wear and gives it a custom twist. Hogan’s business is called Gameday Denim. She paints the back of denim jackets with a custom design of the the buyer’s university “100 percent totally free-hand.” She said that back in January she started thinking about gameday fashion and how few people have denim articles of clothing that have school spirit. “I wanted to dress nice for gamedays and wear something that represents Auburn that isn’t just orange and blue,” she said. The idea sparked out of pure curiosity, and her observance of the lack of Auburn denim wear. “I asked my friend, ‘If I buy this jacket for you and paint it, will you wear it?’” she said. Her friend agreed and had another on board as well who even bought her own jacket. This was the beginning of her soonto-be entrepreneurial endeavor. “I just did these jackets randomly, but then people loved it and wanted them. Now, I probably do five to 10 jackets a week,” Hogan said.
Hogan sells her designs on Instagram at @gamedaydenim_. She got into selling them when the demand became high. The demand got really high for Hogan over the summer. She had to put some orders on back order. “I started doing it for my friends, and then I had so many people start asking me,” Hogan said. “My mom told me, ‘Tori, you can’t do these for people, you have to do them for a profit.’ So then I just posted on my Instagram, and I probably got 10 orders that day. Then it just kind of spread.” Her denim designs are not just Auburn specific, but anyone can order one to have a jacket with their university on the back. Hogan has even begun doing jackets with people’s sorority incorporated into the design. “I’ve done jackets from Boston College, all the way down to Clemson and to Florida State,” she said. “The most fun one to do is Florida State because of how intricate it is.” She has painted converse and denim shorts per customer request, but her main focus is the jackets. “Denim is what I gear toward because that’s what I started with,” she said. “If I branch out, then I branch out. I have thought of doing a couple different things, but I always come back to jackets because
that’s what most people want.” With the rise of fall fashion coming up, Hogan sees the jackets to be what her primary focus should be. “It’s nice to have something, especially if you are covering up your outfit, that still shows support of your team,” she said. A customer does not have to buy their own jacket, but rather Hogan already has them. However, they are not always the same style to make sure she stays on trend with what her buyers want. “A lot of the jackets I ordered offline on Forever 21, but the last batch I ordered I got white denim jackets that are super distressed from American Eagle. I get them just from whatever store is in trend that is not too expensive.” Hogan prides herself on her merchandise always being new and never used, so they uphold an integrity of being trendy and of good quality. She also never makes a jacket the same. Each painting is an original design that no other previous customer has received. Most of her customers are college students. However, her business has caught the eye of the wife of an important Clemson official. “The wife of the president of Clemson ordered one,” she said. “Beth Clements has a jacket from me. I did a ton of Clemson jack-
ets, and she knew a common person, and they had posted something about my jacket and sent something to her, and she said, ‘I’d love to order one.’” “I give people 5 percent off if they post on their Instagram story about me to spread the word,” she said. She also has one brand ambassador who receives $10 for every jacket she helps sell from her 5 percent-off code. All these aspects of the business are helping her generate more customers and create a general following that has increased her sales. As for the future of Gameday Denim, Hogan is not sure what is to come. “My dream is to have a denim store,” Hogan said. “If this was to turn into something bigger, I would have to have someone helping me. I definitely could not do it alone.” Hogan is happy to announce she has yet to have a return, which makes her so happy because she tries her hardest to make each customer love what they receive. “It’s hard because of a lot of these people I don’t know,” she said. “I always talk to the customers and do not accept payment until I send the jacket out. I send them pictures throughout. I let them pick the jacket and what they want on it.” Her ultimate end goal for each order is to make the customer happy.
October 25, 2018
The Auburn Plainsman: Fall & Winter Fashion Guide
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floridians warm up their wardrobes By LAUREN PIEPER Lifestyle Writer
For some students, the brisk Alabama fall breeze are some of the coolest temperatures they’ve felt in a while. Floridian students come from a state with an average temperature from October to December ranging from 61 degrees to 75 degrees. While temperatures can drop, it is unlikely anyone living there will need heavy-duty clothes to keep warm. Those from this region who have come to Auburn University are trying their best to prepare their sunny wardrobe for some real autumn and winter weather. Robin Shattler, sophomore in business, is from Lake Placid, Florida, and she is trying her best to figure out how to dress for the upcoming chilly months. “Where I am from it’s like maybe 70s or 60s on a cold day,” Shattler said. “Anything below 60 degrees is unheard of [during fall and winter].” These temperatures did not cause her to have reason to own clothing built for colder months.
“I have some long sleeve T-shirts, a coat that is too small for me and a jacket,” she said. “That is pretty much it.” She did not own much for chilly weather since there are so few times a year she would have to wear them. “I’d wear these around the end of January,” she said. “I’d wear my jacket most days in the morning and evening but take it off during the day.” Now that she is attending school in Alabama, she has plans to go shopping specifically for Auburn’s autumn and winter climate. “I am going to buy boots, socks, a coat that fits me or maybe sweaters,” Shattler said. There are still a lot of questions for her as to what her wardrobe needs as she has never gone through long periods of time without the weather being mostly warm. She admits to not knowing how to gauge what the proper wardrobe for fall and winter in Auburn consists of. “I feel like once I experience it and see what I have and what I need to get, then I will know what clothes I should have,” she said. Shattler has wondered what cooler gamedays
will be like. “I thought about it, and I realized I don’t have any warm Auburn stuff, so I went to the bookstore a couple days ago and bought an Auburn sweatshirt,” she said. Logan Mason, sophomore in business administration, is another Floridian student from Lakeland, Florida, who also does not have an extensive supply of warm attire. “At night, it can get freezing, but it will never snow,” he said in regards to his hometown during winter. “Typically, it would just be around 50s or 60s, nothing too serious. One Christmas, it was 85 degrees.” He claims his closet consists of some sweat pants and a jacket for the cooler time of the year. Mason does not seem too concerned with his lack of warm clothing for the temperature change. “I don’t really get cold,” he said. “I’m naturally warm.” He does not feel as though the cooler temperature will impact him too much because he likes the weather. He did go shopping for more clothes, how-
ever. “I got two pairs of sweatpants and two jackets, but not serious jackets, just some athletic, windbreaker jackets,” Mason said. As far as other pieces of outerwear go, he does not own a heavy-duty jacket of any kind. “I don’t have a big heavy-duty jacket I’ll bust out if it gets cold,” he said. “I’m going to be in trouble there if that happens. If it snows I’ll just layer up.” Mason said for him to go out and buy a heavy jacket he is going to have to be cold for a long period of time, but it is possible it could happen. Cold fashion comes in array of designs and styles. Some may want to be more practical by keeping warm, while others try to stay trendy year round. Both of these Floridians agreed that it is more important to keep the wardrobe practical during colder months because staying warm will be more important than how they look. “Since I am not used to the cold, when it is cold I get really really cold, and I am just miserable if it is not warm. I’d rather feel good than look good,” Shattler said.
local
clearly fashionable: transparent bags steal the spotlight
By MIKAYLA BURNS Lifestyle Editor
Fashion rules are normally based on colors, textures and patterns, but Auburn Athletics has made transparency the new trend for gameday fashion. The clear-bag policy enforced at Jordan-Hare Stadium requires that all purses and bags be see-through to ensure safety for games, which began for the 2016 season. More venues, like concerts, are also requiring clear bags nowadays. The Auburn Family, always fashionable, eventually found ways to incorporate style with their clear bags. Local boutiques started selling clear purses to accommodate any sense of style. Trendy, grungy, neutral or natural, there is a purse for everyone, available in Auburn or online. Behind the Glass Boutique in downtown Auburn is down to their last purs-
es since their original shipments in the beginning of the semester. Prices range from around $40 and up, and Anna Brown, Behind the Glass employee and junior in apparel merchandising, said the best seller was a smaller, rounded purse. “It’s becoming a more widely accepted rule,” Brown said. “It’s not just for football games anymore. People are buying nicer ones because it’s not something you’re going to just throw away. It’s becoming a staple to have.” Brown sports a rounded, tan and neutral bag on gamedays that goes with all of her toned-down orange and blue pieces. At Therapy Boutique on Magnolia Avenue, Madison McDaniel, an employee, said the shop was cleaned out of the clear purses fast after everyone was coming in on gamedays searching for a cute one. “[A clear purse] is just a staple piece that everyone had to have,” McDaniel said. “Everyone wanted more fashion-
able ones, more than you can get at a drug store. All of them are under $50.” Therapy Boutique’s hosts focused on getting different leathers, textures and neutral colors available for the Auburn Family in need of a fashion forward bag. Price tags can run high, but some students turn to online retailers, like Amazon, to find affordable options. Brooke Payne, senior in business management and lover of a good bargain, bought her purse on Amazon for $15. She was excited to find something cute, clear and way cheaper than options she had seen before. “I always have my purse with me, and with all of the new stadium policies, this makes it a lot easier to be able to have everything I need,” Payne said. No matter the new policies, the Auburn football community will find a way to bring Auburn-style fashion into their new bag requirements.
MIKAYLA BURNS / LIFESTYLE EDITOR
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The Auburn Plainsman: Fall & Winter Fashion Guide
October 25, 2018
FEMINIST FASHION By MALLORY PITTS Lifestyle Writer
More often than not, the fashion industry seems as though it’s stuck in the 20th century. Hiring emaciated models and retouching their bodies feels disproportionately outdated considering the creative, cutting-edge nature of the industry. However, many labels have become forward thinking lately, taking steps to impact the industry in positive ways and shed light on issues that have been overlooked for decades. With increased awareness of sustainable shopping, the rise of the “girl boss” movement and the beginning of the body positive era, social movements have become an integral part of the fashion industry. While some have been more successful than others, these campaigns can’t be ignored. Many fashion labels have adopted feminism and used the movement in recent collections. For her debut collection at French fashion label Dior, Maria Chiuri sent models down the runway in T-shirts that read “We Should
all be Feminists.” These shirts made feminism a hot topic in the fashion industry and encouraged countless conversations about the movement and the appropriateness of its different iterations. Although some fashion media outlets deem the shirts inappropriate and feel they were created in bad taste, they started meaningful discussions about what it means to be a feminist and how it looks dress like one. While shows at Paris and New York fashion weeks have created considerable amounts of buzz on the topic of feminism, this social movement is not limited to high-end labels. Popular mall store Aerie prides itself of the promotion of body positivity and female empowerment. Apparel merchandising major Avery Adams said Aerie is one of her favorite instances of the marriage of fashion and feminism. By using models with different body types and refraining from retouching them, “Aerie regularly promotes body positivity and girl power in its ads, especially on Instagram,” according to Adams. In addition to external change, many fash-
ion-related businesses are promoting feminism from within. Sophia Amoruso, founder of Nasty Gal, became a household name after writing her first book and coining the term “girl boss.” Amoruso has used the momentum from the success of her book and Netflix show to promote women in the fashion and beauty industries with her annual Girl Boss Rally and Girl Boss Radio podcast. Although many big names in fashion have been lauded for their clearly feminist-inspired collections and campaigns, some consumers worry that the feminism and fashion mix is just a fad and won’t last. Margaret Lillian of the fashion and lifestyle platform Man Repeller raises the question of whether we should to use feminism as a fashion accessory and the right way to mix the two. “As feminists braving the new frontier of the internet, we can keep riding the popular feminism wave as long as we ensure that feminism ultimately moves past being #trendy and becomes a timeless condition of equality,” Lillian said.
October 25, 2018
The Auburn Plainsman: Fall & Winter Fashion Guide
Nail it with these new trends By STEPHANIE TUNNELL Lifestyle Writer
Signature Nail Systems, also called dip powder, is the most recent trend in women’s cosmetic, outcompeting the once popular gel nails. When it comes to applying color to nails for aesthetics, there are a variety of options: basic polish, acrylics, gel, SNS and some variation of the options listed. But why the sudden popularity of SNS? Some might agree that SNS nails are winning the popularity battle because of the longevity and the durability this new method has on applying color to nails. “We dip each finger in the colored powder over a period of three layers,” said Tyler Le, owner of Luxury Nail Spa on North College Street, explaining the process of SNS. “This process lasts longer and leads to no damaged nails.” The past trend in nails was gel, but because of the possibilities of harmful radiation, SNS has become a healthier option for natural nails. Le even recommends SNS over gel to his clients because it “lasts longer on [the] natural nail and can be removed at home.” An employee at Envy Nail Spa on Moore’s Mill Road also said SNS is more popular now. The employee also said it “lasts better and stays better.” Although SNS is slightly more expensive and application takes longer, the employee at Envy Nail Spa adds that SNS can last over two weeks and up to four weeks; whereas, gel typically lasts two weeks. “SNS stays on longer, and it’s thicker so it gives your nail more shape,” said Ivey Jacobs, sophomore in pre-nursing. “SNS helps to make my nails grow faster,” said Karoline Gray, sophomore in pre-public relations. Whether you are already on the SNS bandwagon, SNS is making strides in popularity among many in the Auburn community and especially among students.
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The Auburn Plainsman: Fall & Winter Fashion Guide
October 25, 2018
MONOCHROME MONDAY
Mental health’s intrinsic link to fashion, gender presentation By JESSICA BALLARD Standards Editor
For Auburn Kelton, fashion is a means of self-expression and exploration — a way to express herself as a graphic designer and a way to explore gender presentation. Fashion, to her, is also intrinsically linked to mental health. About a year ago, Kelton, senior in graphic design, and her friends decided to throw a Halloween party with a theme. They decided on “monochrome,” and everyone came to the party dressed in one solid color. Kelton started thinking about all of her clothes and began creating piles of clothes sorted by color. When she realized she had
so many, she decided to make an entire personal project out of it. Every Monday, she would post a photo on her Instagram of that week’s outfit. White linen pants paired with a white top, pearls and a white flower crown posed in front of a white wall in downtown Auburn. Full light-washed denim garb complete with jeans, button down, jacket and hat posed in front of the light blue doors that once led into Freewheeler Bicycle Shop. “It was just something that was a fun challenge for me, I guess,” Kelton said. “But to make it even more challenging, the real challenge was to find matching backgrounds.” During her freshman year at Auburn,
the school she’s named after, Kelton said she gravitated toward almost exclusively black and gray clothes, and she found that it had a profound effect on her mood. “For the first time, because I was on my own, I was realizing just how badly I was depressed and dealing with anxiety,” Kelton said. After recognizing the state of her mental health, the road to dealing with it encompassed a lot of things, but her appearance and her fashion were certainly factors. In May 2017, she was still sporting long brown wavy hair that she said she usually threw into a ponytail or under a hat. “When I cut my hair off, that really gave me the freedom to just go for it because when my hair was long I felt like I had to —
even on the days when I would be wearing a flannel and jeans — I felt like I was still immediately read as feminine all the time.” Now, Kelton has a pixie cut; her hair is short, and sometimes she lets it drape over her forehead naturally and sometimes she wears it spiked. “There’s a difference between gender identity and gender presentation,” she said. “So, at the core of it, I’m a girl. I’m a [cisgender] woman, but there are days I wake up feeling masculine, and there are days I wake up feeling feminine.” Cutting her hair allowed her freedom of self-expression and gave her the room to dress how she wanted, and that, she said,
» See MONOCHROME, 7
October 25, 2018
The Auburn Plainsman: Fall & Winter Fashion Guide
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‘sock game strong’: the new go-to accessory
By TRICE BROWN Campus Reporter
Look at the clothes you are wearing — their patterns and colors. What do they express about yourself? Now take a look at your socks. What do they look like, and what function do they serve? Are they just a barrier between your shoes and your feet, or do they also convey a message about who you are as an individual? Recently, crazy socks have become a popular accessory for both men and women. They can feature whimsical motifs, bright colors and eye-catching patterns. Around Auburn’s campus, students can be seen sporting a wide variety of off-the-wall socks. “I pick socks that I don’t see and have cool designs,” said Taylor Kyser, junior in computer engineering. “I like to stand out in my sock game.” Kyser said he likes animal-themed or patterned
socks. He said his Australia-themed socks are one of his coolest pairs with kangaroos, boomerangs and koala heads on multicolored bands. Kyser estimated he has around 40 pairs of crazy socks, many of which he doesn’t wear because he never gets to them. After washing his socks, he prefers to wear his favorite pairs instead of ones he hasn’t worn in a while. Tylin Wilbourne, freshman in biomedical sciences, said she has always worn crazy socks she thinks are cute or fun. Before she knew she liked crazy socks, she said she would mix and match her socks in elementary school. People like to ask why I’m wearing crazy socks, so it’s a way to start conversations, Wilbourne said. She said her first pair of crazy socks had a red, white and blue pattern with cigar-smoking ducks on the sides. “There are so many different kinds that you can
usually find a sock that expresses who you are personally,” said Heather Fordham, freshman in German. Fordham said her first pair of crazy socks were cat-themed socks she found at a department store. She said she doesn’t have a theme with her socks, instead she gets whatever sparks her interest at the time. “I really just go for the most obscure kind I can find, honestly,” said Camille Preston, freshman in psychology. “I like the kinds that don’t match anything I own. I go for those.” Preston said she likes wearing all of her clothes with flashy patterns and colors, not just her socks. She said she likes animal-themed socks the most. Preston said she was obsessed with firetrucks when she was around 6 years old. Her mother gave her a pair of knee-high, bright-red firetruck socks for Christmas, which Preston credits for sparking her interest in crazy socks.
MONOCHROME » From 6
drastically helped her mental well-being. “I’ve become more of myself,” Kelton said. “To do a whole project (Monochrome Mondays) around wearing as much color as you can, living the most vibrant life that you can, going out and doing photoshoots in spaces that people are going to see you … I just felt so much myself doing that.” Kelton said the project not only changed her relationship with her mental health, it also allowed her explore different aspects of her personal style. She said her pink monochrome outfit is a lace dress, but it’s still true to her because she wore a motorcycle jacket and her hair is spiked. And while pink and lace are so naturally linked to femininity, there are other outfits in the series in which she wore slim-fit men’s trousers and a button down. “I’m working on breaking down what society has told me I need to be and making my own definition of what it is to be a woman,” Kelton said. For Kelton, Monochrome Monday outfits were just the beginning of living and presenting herself as authentically as possible. “I think dressing well makes you feel good,” she said. “When you put care into how you’re expressing yourself, you feel better.”
CONTRIBUTED BY AUBURN KELTON
IRELAND DODD / PHOTOGRAPHER
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The Auburn Plainsman: Fall & Winter Fashion Guide
October 25, 2018
VIA MIRROR
British royals set the bridal couture bar By MATHESON ELLER Campus Writer
The American obsession with British royal relationships is undeniable and arguably stronger than ever. With the two most recent weddings of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, to American actress Meghan Markle, and Princess Eugenie to Jack Brooksbanks, royal love is fresh on the minds of many. The American public — and younger generations in particular — have woken up at early morning hours to witness the historic royal weddings on television, often with festivities such as tea, scones, crowns and British flag napkins in hand. A few traditions for royal weddings that spectators watch for are bridal bouquets, including a specific myrtle flower to leave at The Tomb of The Unknown Soldier, and the groom wearing a military uniform. At the forefront of the chatter, though, are the royal wedding dresses and the world of wonders behind them. A few unique rules for royal wedding gowns: the monarch must give written permission on the final design, designers are recruited many months in advance and often produce the gown by hand, the gown must be white — no off-white, cream or blush — and the gown must have a conservative neckline. The royal bride who established the white-only wedding dress tradition was Queen Victoria in 1840. Up until this point, royal women had worn wedding gowns that were pink, orange and blue. She had such a strong desire to stand out in a then-atypical white gown that she requested all guests wear
darker colors to ensure her noticeability. Now, it is a tradition followed by many around the world. Other staple pieces that originated from royal wedding dresses and are now frequently seen in other cultures’ bridal fashion include lace, lengthy trains, veils and long sleeves. Interestingly, though, queens, princesses and duchesses over time have worn wedding gowns that both reflect personal taste and iconic styles for their times. This has demonstrated that the gowns are uniform in some degrees and unique in others and follow certain protocols while subtly breaking others. Although seemingly silly to some, royal weddings are monumental moments and are as significant to the public as the royals are symbols of stability and leadership that have stood the test of time. When the royals highlight certain aspects of life and current events through personal clothing, it invites and inspires a sense of creativity across the globe. A prime example of this is Queen Elizabeth II’s wedding gown in 1947. The gown was inspired by Botticelli’s painting Primavera and invoked a sense of “rebirth” to her people during the second World War. The pure silk gown was produced in China over the course of seven weeks, and the queen saved her ration cards to purchase the gown. At the top of the list for perhaps the most show-stopping and glamorous wedding gown is Princess Diana. Elements that contribute to its iconic nature are the puffed sleeves and ruffled neckline, hand-stitched beads, the incorporation of lace that once belonged to Queen Mary and her 25-foot long
train. “The People’s Princess” had a dress that was in may ways larger than life and certainly designed to make a statement beyond her wedding in 1981. For instance, puffed sleeves quickly rose to popularity for American brides in particular almost immediately following her wedding. Kate Middleton took great inspiration from both Princess Diana and Grace Kelly for her wedding gown in 2011 and ushered in an era of modern bridal couture for the royals. Her lace sleeves and deep “V” neckline were traditional yet stark against the simple bottom portion of the gown. The overall dress form and waistline was tastefully fitted to her figure with clean hem lines. Grace Kelly and Meghan Markle — both figures of Hollywood who married into royalty — took different approaches to their wedding dresses. Grace Kelly’s gown in 1956 was all the glitz and glam of the time. The silk and taffeta gown is the most expensive and detailed gown of designer Helen Rose to date. In contrast, Meghan Markle’s gown from her May 2018 wedding is known for its simple elegance and a sense of timelessness. Her veil included floral details and complemented the shining tiara. Both of these elements were louder than her gown, yet the gown’s starkly plain nature was the rave of many critics and spectators. There is no doubt that the British have influenced bridal fashion and set some standards. Their gowns and the traditions that follow behind the gowns have been remembered and implemented by women across the world and over time.
October 25, 2018
The Auburn Plainsman: Fall & Winter Fashion Guide 9
WARDROBE STAPLES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS By OLIVIA WILKES
presentations, conferences and the like. For guys, add a tie for a more polished look.
Community Reporter
From career fairs to attending class to having fun downtown, every college student needs staple clothing pieces in their closet that work for various occasions. These fundamentals should be versatile, functional items that you can style many ways. Compiled with the input of Auburn apparel students, this list of essential pieces will give college students the wardrobe basics they need for every college situation.
ATHLEISURE For college students, comfortable is the new fashionable, making athletic wear a closet staple. “Since we go to college in Alabama, it’s hot, so shorts, athletic wear,” said Emily Fayard, senior in apparel merchandising, recommended for staple items. Breathable shorts or leggings combined with a tank top capture the Athleisure look.
JEANS Denim goes with just about anything, and at least one pair of dark-wash jeans is essential for every wardrobe. “They can be dressed up or dressed down,” said Anne Landau, junior in apparel design. Wear jeans with a T-shirt and sneakers for a relaxed look or with a button-down shirt and heels or Oxfords to dress them up.
PENCIL SKIRT OR SLACKS For career fairs and interviews, college students need to dress to impress. A pencil skirt or pair of slacks is classy and professional. Landau recommends pairing a black pencil skirt with a white button-down shirt. “Very simple, but can either be dressed down to be business casual or dressed up to be business professional,” she said.
BUTTON-DOWN SHIRT A professional button down is necessary for
KHAKIS For the guys, a solid pair of khakis to pair
with the button-down will make sure you look sharp and professional during that career fair or presentation. RAIN BOOTS Considering how Alabama’s finicky weather can go from clear skies to rain in a heartbeat during all seasons, a quality pair of rain boots is a must. “It rains year-round around here,” said Valencia Smith, senior in apparel merchandising. For boots, neutral colors like navy or black go with every outfit, so you’re prepared when a rain shower pops up. BLAZER College students should “definitely” have a blazer in their closet for formal events, Smith said. Combine a well-fitted blazer with khakis or slacks and the button-down and you’ll be prepared to put your best foot forward no matter the professional situation. OVERSIZED T-SHIRTS Depending on whether or not you’re a fan of the standard large T-shirt and Nike shorts
college girl uniform, you can take or leave this one. While Landau is good with the shorts but doesn’t like the oversized T-shirt trend, Smith and Fayard are on board with the whole outfit. “It’s easy,” Fayard said. COMFORTABLE SHOES College students get a lot of steps in every day, so a functional pair of well-fitting shoes is a must for traipsing across campus. Brands like Nike, Adidas and other running shoes go well with the athleisure look. Or, pick up a pair of what Landau calls “cute-ugly” shoes: Birchenstocks, Tevas, OTBTs and the like. “You’d only see them on a college campus, not really anywhere else,” Landau said. DRESS Whether for a scholarship luncheon or a night on the town, every college girl needs a flattering but classy dress in her closet. The little black dress is always a dependable choice, or select a pattern that shows off your personal style.
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male leggings are here
By EDUARDO MEDINA Campus Writer
In a pursuit of comfort and functionality, more men are ditching their track pants for something a bit tighter and athletic — compression leggings. Sometimes dubbed “meggings,” the compression wear is becoming more of a common sight, especially in colder months. Students around campus are often seen sporting the leggings at this time of year. One of those students is Charles-Michael DeVenny, a chemical engineering major. “I usually wear leggings when it gets really cold. … My thinner sweatpants don’t give me a lot of heat,” DeVenny said. “I also wear shorts over them.” Like most people living in the South, DeVenny isn’t a fan of seeing his breath on chilly fall mornings or feeling goosebumps on his neck.. “I just hate when my legs are cold,” DeVenny said. “I have some hairy legs, but that just doesn’t cut it.” He used to run cross-country at his high school in Tuscaloosa, and that’s when the need for compression
leggings became evident, he said. “Running in track pants gets a little bit uncomfortable, and when you start sweating, it can get tiresome,” DeVenny said. DeVenny recalls never being apprehensive about purchasing leggings. To him, it was just something that seemed beneficial to his exercise. “I was willing to try them out because I knew other runners used them,” DeVenny said. “I definitely wasn’t like ‘lets buy 50 of these,’ but I was interested in seeing how they could help with my running.” There’s also an economic benefit to leggings for DeVenny — it cuts his electricity bill. As soon as the leggings get put on indoors, the heater gets turned down. With those leggings, he’s willing to sacrifice a few degrees in the apartment for some dollar bills, he said. “I definitely recommend some leggings,” DeVenny said. “As soon as it drops down to the 40s or 50s, that’s when I’ll start wearing them.” Assuming the degrees keep dipping in Auburn, more guys will, too.
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The Auburn Plainsman: Fall & Winter Fashion Guide
October 25, 2018
‘Camp: Notes on Fashion’
Exploring the Met Gala’s 2019 theme of exploration, grit By GABBY DANCE Assistant Campus Editor
When most hear the word camp, they think of Boy Scouts roasting marshmallows around a fire. However, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York plans to introduce the world to a different definition of camp at their 2019 Met Gala, themed “Camp: Notes on Fashion.” The spring 2019 exhibition will be based off of philosopher Susan Sontag’s 1964 essay, “Notes on Camp.” In the essay, Sontag describes camp fashion as “love of the unnatural” and “artifice and exaggeration.” Camp has no explicit definition, but we know the concept marries high art and pop culture to create extravagant artwork. It can include many elements, such as irony and parody,
to create a bold product. The concept of camp traces back to the extravagant style of late 17th century France under rule of King Louis XIV. In more modern history, the term has described theatrical style prominent in the drag queen community. Sontag’s essay was the first to explore the term in a serious manner, and she describes the outlandishness of many things as camp, from Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” to the Art Nouveau movement. This theme has no specific guidelines, so we should expect to see many different interpretations of it from Met Gala guests. This contrasts from 2018’s theme, “Heavenly Bodies,” which was much more straight forward in terms of what to wear.
The Met Gala will be sponsored by Gucci. The celebrity co-chairs joining Gucci’s Alessandro Michele and Vogue’s Anna Wintour will be Harry Styles, Lady Gaga and Serena Williams. Lady Gaga especially has embodied the essence of camp throughout her career, which has showcased outlandish art. Her infamous 2010 MTV Video Music Awards dress made entirely of raw meat, for example, is camp at its finest. The museum’s 175-piece exhibition, which will include both men’s and women’s fashion pieces, is predicted to be special and relevant to today’s issues, so political and pop culture references can be expected. The 2019 Met Gala will take place on May 6, 2019, and the exhibition will be available at the museum from May to September 2019.
October 25, 2018
The Auburn Plainsman: Fall & Winter Fashion Guide 11
l casua upgrading athleisure: taking a casual look up a few levels By MALLORY PITTS Lifestyle Writer
It’s undoubtedly the biggest trend at Auburn, and it’s here to stay. Athleisure isn’t going anywhere, and many Auburn students are finding ways to dress it up for classes, errands, the gym and everything in between. For those looking to appear more put together for class, an oversized T-shirt can be
traded in for a more fitted graphic tee, according to McKenzie Shaffer of Therapy Boutique. “My biggest tip for wanting to look fashionable in class is coordination,” Shaffer said. “You’ll instantly look more pulled together when you’re color-coordinated and matching.” Mary Greenlee, junior in apparel merchandising, said she adopts a “less is more” mentality when putting together a casual outfit. She said students can avoid looking messy by “not
having too many patterns or colors going on and sticking to neutrals.” Although both Shaffer and Greenlee advised a simpler, more cohesive color palette for athleisure looks, students shouldn’t be afraid to add fun touches that let their personalities shine through. Recent trends like bomber jackets, cropped hoodies, graphic tees and denim jackets can add interest and give an instant boost to an otherwise simple outfit. Greenlee suggested finding more interest-
ing pieces online— especially through some retailers who you wouldn’t expect to sell athletic clothing. Among the sites she suggested are Forever 21 and Missguided. Because the trend is so ubiquitous these days, there is an abundance of inspiration for those seeking comfortable-chic outfit inspiration. Shaffer cites Instagram accounts @ theskinnyconfidential and @emilyanngemma as some of her favorites for insight on the latest athleisure trends and labels socks.
Jumpsuits, sets are taking over By ANNAGAIL HOLTON Sports Writer
Jumpsuits, rompers and matching sets are becoming essential wardrobe pieces for young adults and teens. The jumpsuit began as a flexible, sporty style for plane divers. It was practical for this type of job, but not fashionable at all. Today, it can even be considered a classy and timeless alternative to a gown for a formal event. Many famous actresses and singers including Taylor Swift, Jennifer Anniston and Selena Gomez, to name a few, have been spotted walking red carpets in fashionable jumpsuits in past seasons. While they can be a little bit pricey, wearing a jumpsuit prevents having to worry about finding a matching top or bottom to finish off an outfit. This means skipping straight to accessorizing with jewelry, handbags and shoes. A jumpsuit is perfect for every season as it can be transformed with simple accessories. In the summer it will be cool and can go with light jewelry to top off the look. In the fall and winter seasons it can be paired with a jean or leather jacket to keep cozy; in the spring, a thin cardigan can add a pop of color to go along with the new season. “Jumpsuits are completely versatile. Think about it; we’ve seen jumpsuits in blue and white-collar jobs. They make any outfit quick and easy! Honestly there’s no perfect place to wear jumpsuits because their versatility makes them wearable to many places,” said Lauren Gibson, sophomore in apparel merchandising. A romper can be considered a shorter version of the jumpsuit. Rompers can provide comfort and style in the hot summer hours. They’re great for beach days, pool parties or even a girl’s night out. Rompers and jumpsuits are essential statement pieces
to have in a wardrobe, and they make great college football gameday outfits. Two-piece sets have also become a face of fashion lately. Matching sets are often used in children’s clothing but recently have become extremely popular among the young adult crowd. Two-piece sets often come with a matching tank or crop top and a skort, skirt or shorts. These outfits often sport a trending pattern during that season including polka dots, stripes, gingham, plaid, etc. The outfit comes ready to wear, so no searching for a matching piece. One benefit of two-piece sets is that they can be mixed and matched in sizes for best fit. Another is the top or bottom from the set can be reworn with a basic tee, jean short or another simple style to save money. Nobody will even recognize it. The last one-piece fashion that has been brought back is overalls. Overalls can be a perfect casual outfit for any season as well. Stores carry overalls with shorts, pants or a skirt bottom. Overalls can be dressed up or down depending on the wash style and the rips. Boots are commonly paired with overalls for a farm-girl look, but pairing suede, alligator print or leather boots with a cleaner cut, dark, acid-wash overall provides a more city-girl look. Overalls used to be considered a mom fashion, but that has been long overlooked. All of these fashions have made an impact because of their uniqueness, versatility, comfort and simplicity. This winter, break out a one-piece fashion or a twopiece set to spice up a wardrobe and impress friends and family. In the midst of football season and with the holidays just around the corner there are many opportunities to show off statement pieces.
VIA UNSPLASH / PARKER WHITSON