McNeese Cowboy Closet

Belt It

Belt detailing is off the fashion runways and on the waist of one-piece swimsuits, cinching in waists and adding a designer touch to bikini bottoms. Some are built into the suit as a monochromatic style detail while others look and feel more like a traditional belt buckled or tied at the midsection. Either way, belts offer up an optical illusion that makes your waist look slimmer and that’s a style trend we can all celebrate!

Sporty & Functional

The classic one-piece swimsuit makes a return this season and it is anything but demure. Look for one pieces with plunging necklines, low backs, and off the shoulder styles. These athletic inspired suits are easy to wear, low maintenance and offer functional accents like zippers. Go bold with color and choose bright red to stand out in a crowd or trendy color blocking styles. Sporty bodysuits borrow from surfer style by featuring wetsuit type material, high necks and long sleeves for a look that can easily protect you from the hot summer sun and then top a stylish outfit when paired with a mini skirt and sandals.

Cut It Out

Celebrities and influencers have embraced this trend and you can too. Cut out one pieces are everywhere! Look for options with easy and flattering keyhole details or the monokini for more dramatic cut out looks. The beauty of this flirty style is you can choose which body parts to expose where the fabric cuts away to emphasize your shape and cover the rest. Knotted fabric in strategic areas of your body will also highlight your best assets. Cutout one-piece suits also double as a bodysuit under a pair of jeans or shorts. The only downside of this fun swimsuit trend? – awkward tan lines!

White Hot HAIR by Kerry Andersen

As women age, hair dye has traditionally become a key part of their anti-aging routine to cover up gray locks and disguise the passage of time. During the pandemic, many hair salons were closed, and women had to learn how to handle hair color chemicals themselves or just let it all go and embrace their silvery natural hair color. Celebrities like Jane Fonda, Jamie Lee Curtis and Sarah Jessica Parker all unveiled new white hot hair during the pandemic and made going gray stylish for all of us.

Ginger Vine Salon owner Allison King Everage

says, “The pandemic allowed people time away from the world to grow out their hair and embrace a more natural low maintenance look.” If you’re not ready to go totally gray just yet, there’s a process called ‘gray blending’ that starts to slowly weave your natural gray hair into your current color much like natural highlights for a more subtle approach. Going gray is not for everyone. Everage says, “Most clients love the transition to a new lower maintenance look, but some miss the smoother texture that hair color gives them and are switching back to covering the gray.”

The trend even has some younger clients weaving silver shades into their natural hair color for an edgy modern look or intentionally choosing the drama of all-over locks in differing hues of gray. It’s important to ask your stylist what shade of gray or silver will flatter your skin tone. A cool toned platinum blonde will work for some while those with warm skin tones will want to keep their natural roots and blend the new color in for a more natural look. To make sure your new gray color holds, delay washing for two to three days after your color appointment and avoid extremely hot water.

If you do decide to ditch the hair dye and embrace your natural gray or choose to go gray intentionally, Everage says it’s important to change the way you care for your locks too because natural and gray hair require a bit of TLC. These are her tips for rocking a head of white hot hair:

• Use purple shampoos to keep silver and gray hair from turning yellow and to boost shine (try Aveda Blonde Revival). • Turn down the temperature on your styling tools to 380 degrees or below. When tools are too hot, they can damage hair and leave it looking yellow. • Use salon shine treatments and toners to help with a healthy transition to your natural hair color. • Beware of damage. Dying your hair gray requires extensive bleaching which can weaken your strands. Switch to products that pamper bleached, dyed, and processed hair.

Ginger Vine Salon is located at 4720 Nelson Road (Suite 150) in Lake Charles. Visit gingervinesalon. com for hours of operation or to make an appointment. The salon is closed on Sunday and Monday.

Cowboy Closet Will Help McNeese Students DRESS FOR SUCCESS DRESS FOR SUCCESS

Clothing Donations Now Being Accepted

by Tori Hebert

If your spring cleaning included updating your professional wardrobe, your unwanted blazers and trousers could help McNeese State University students make a lasting impression at upcoming job interviews.

The new Cowboy Closet is expanding the access McNeese students have to career-ready clothing. According to McNeese’s Career and Professional Development Services Director Andrea Burton, “Many students do not have the means to purchase professional attire. We do not want this need to be a barrier to their success.”

The closet is housed in the Burton Business Center on the McNeese campus and will be open to students once per semester.

“When students makes an appointment to visit the Cowboy Closet, they will first have a consultation with a staff member to evaluate their needs,” says Burton. “That discussion will help us determine what clothing is needed and if they will require to take home more than our standard five-item limit.”

The Cowboy Closet has received support from the McNeese Foundation, McNeese Student Government Association and the Women’s Business Network with the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance. “We are proud to support McNeese’s effort to help students put their best foot forward with potential employers,” says Erica McCreedy, chair of the Women’s Business Network. “This initiative directly aligns with the Women’s Business Network’s mission to provide resources to future business leaders across Southwest Louisiana.”

The Cowboy Closet is currently accepting men’s and women’s suits, button-down shirts, blouses, dresses, slacks, shoes, belts, ties, scrubs, outerwear, McNeese polo shirts and coat hangers.

The Office of Career and Professional Development Services supports the development of professional skills in students by connecting them with networking opportunities and potential employers. The office also hosts a Career Expo, Internship Soirée, and Education Professionals Recruitment Day each semester.

To find out how to donate clothing or support the Cowboy Closet in other ways, visit www.mcneese. edu/career/cowboy-closet.

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