Garnet Report

To my dear readers,

This year has been a long one. From struggles on what to wear to how to’s on anything you could think of, we’ve made it! To those of you who read regularly, I appreciate the constant loyalty. The those sporadic readers, thank you for letting me steal your hard to catch attention occasionally. While we are bidding adieu to this semester and 2012 we are also saying our goodbyes to something a little closer to my heart. Garnet Report has made the tough decision to discontinue our fashion section. So this is it - my last article with you. But lets not focus on the bad. Instead, lets celebrate the past and everything we’ve been through.

Week one: Game Day Under $50 - Dressing to impress in garnet and black, the only way to do it.

Week Two: Defying the Laws of Labor Day - The only time it’s okay to not listen to you mom is when it comes to wearing white after labor day. Because we just love our white skinnies too much to give them up.

Week Three: The Break Up Blue Jeans - It was just a break up. Keep yourself together. And take my advise on how to look good while doing it.

Week Four: Fifty Shades of Blue - We learned the do’s and don’t of denim. Do – Wear lots of denim. Don’t – Not wear lots of denim.

Week Five: All That Glitters is Gold - Gold. Gimme.

Week Six: FALL in Love Again - My fall predictions and how to be out of the box with them.

Week Seven: Cleanin’ Out My Closet - Let’s give up the clothes that are just an accumulation of dust. They’re screaming for a night out with a new owner who will love them again.

Week Eight: That’s a Wrap - How to keep your neck warm and look good at the same time. Fashionable and practical, what could be better?

Week Nine: The Great Debate - No, leggings are not pants.

Week Ten: Fake it Till You Make It? - Those clothing articles we don’t mind spending a little more on. Just so you’ll know they last so much longer.

Week Eleven: Beauty Vs. Brains - The “dumb blonde” look was never a thing.

Week Twelve: Patterns - Leaning to be brave with our clothing pattern choices and maybe paring two you wouldn’t usually wear together can be fun. Who says polka dot and floral don’t match?

Week Thirteen: Pass The Turkey - How to dress appropriately and comfortable when knowing you’re going to consume a little more turkey than usual.

Week Fourteen: Cyber Monday! - Learn. Shop. Enjoy. Repeat.

I have decided – with a positive response to the idea  – that I might consider blogging. The blog would be about the same content as my articles with a little less filter. I have had so much fun sharing my passion of style I would hate to quit just yet. So if you leave feedback for the creation of my own blog, the idea will be considered.

And if you have only gotten one thing from my articles, let it be that leggings are, in fact, not pants. Remember that style is about you loving how you look. Have your own theme song constantly running though your head when you strutting across campus. Be confident and creative in you style decisions. And most of all have fun with it. Fashion shouldn’t be a chore. So make me proud, Gamecocks.

Happy Holidays and a very fashionable new year to you.

Much love.

XOXO

-Caroline Hafer

I hope you wonderful readers have caught up on sleep from Black Friday. I am trusting you all fought your way through countless old ladies in ugly Christmas sweaters for the best Christmas deals you could find. I will confess that I barely left my house on Friday due to the crazy people, and something else was on my mind - Cyber Monday. For those of you who are new to the idea of Cyber Monday, it is the online shopping equivalent to Black Friday but without the running, crying, and fist fighting (unless you just have a very strange home life). It is what all the Internet junkies live for. And it’s the easy was for you to finish your Christmas shopping without leaving your couch. What could be better? But if you don’t know what you’re doing it can be tricky. So here are the Cyber Monday’s Dos and Don’ts.

Do:

• Go wild – This only happens once a year, people.
• Shop smart – My favorite tip is to sort the items by price from low to high. Then you don’t have to waste your time comparing the items you want to buy to your budget.
• Be patient – It’s Cyber Monday. Expect sites to be running more slowly from the overload.
• Have fun – Buying gifts for people shouldn’t be a chore. If it is, I bet those people would be happier if you didn’t stress over it.

Do Not:

• Pay for shipping – It’s Cyber Monday. Any business that doesn’t have free shipping doesn’t deserve your business.
• Get more than you need – I do it too. Something is a really great deal so you buy 12. But you don’t even have 12 friends…
• Buy for people you weren’t shopping for – Make a list and stick to it. Or else you’re not saving any money.
• Get people pants – There is a 98% chance that those are not going to fit, and you’re going to offend someone.

There are a few sites I suggest over others. While I don’t know their specific Cyber Monday deals, I do know they had some of the best ones last year. So start here if you’re totally lost:

1. Loft- I know they’re doing 50% off everything, and it started last night.
2. Urban Outfitters
3. Asos
4. JCrew
5. JCrew Factory – It does exist and it’s awesome.
6. Banana Republic

So what are you doing wasting your precious Cyber Monday time here? Let the shopping begin!

We should all be very familiar with the term “food baby.” But for those of you who have not, let me break it down. Imagine that feeling you get right after you eat at your favorite restaurant. It’s a mixture of feelings between “I may never eat again” and “Is it possible to gain 20 pounds after just one meal?” That terribly wonderful realization you get when you have eaten too much food and could potentially be mistaken for five months pregnant. And if you looked up the term “food baby” you would most likely see the noun “Thanksgiving.” It’s that time of year when you want to get your grub on and not have grandma asking about the “ college sixty.” So here are a few tips and pointers on how to dress to indulge.

My first work of advice is Boyfriend Jeans. Boyfriend Jeans should never be tight on the top, and they are made slightly over-sized so they can be comfortable. This gives you room to eat and not have to worry about your pants button flying off into the stuffing. Steer clear of the leggings, and if you need reasons for that you can refer to one of my latest articles The Great Debate. Just about the only elastic article you can get away with is a skirt, and you should take that opportunity. Elastic, it stretches when you do!

T-Shirts do not count. This is a family gathering and you want to make that aunt who only sees you once a year remember you as well- dressed and tasteful. So put the sorority T down. Let dad think his thousands of dollars are going toward an education and not your social life. There are plenty of flowy shirt options without having to go with a “no chance of ever having a womanly figure,” T-shirt. I suggest a cute, more fitted around the top and let out in the waist shirt. Even a sweater would be a great option. The shirt below is a great cut, festive for the holidays, and is not fitted. Just look nice and remember your kids will most likely see pictures from this day twenty years from now, make ‘em proud.

Spend some quality time with your family and some one-on-one time with that turkey leg. And have safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!  Lastly I’m thankful for you, my readers. I wouldn’t be here without you.

A recent trend I have grown to love is the print on print look. Done tastefully, this look can be eye catching and daring. The people that pull it off the best almost look like they went into their closets and pulled the two most opposite prints. And honestly, I love it. You can go with a  more conservative look or just a full on print top and different print bottom. If you like how it looks, then that’s all that matters.

First, there’s the conservative approach to this look. It can be as simple as paring a patterned collard shirt with a different patterned sweater or cardigan on top. But if you want to have the top and bottom be different prints, go with a larger print for one. In the picture below, the stylist started with a theme, America – a topic everyone loves and can be worn any time of the year. The bottom is a large white and red striped print that tends to be a very subtle look. It’s beautiful and may not be the first thing that catches someone’s attention, but I promise you, eventually it will catch his or her eye. The top of the outfit is bold with two different smaller prints, layered. The inverted colors make layering patterns flow, especially since the top layer is mainly navy and the bottom is mainly white. My eyes aren’t conflicted on where to look, but I slowly appreciate every piece that completes the outfit. In all, this look receives an A+ from me this semester.

Our next look is slightly more daring. Starting with the top, the animal print is a tough pattern to pull off. It can go one of two ways - you either have every freshman girl’s zebra print bed spread or you have the trashy cheetah print, too tight, club clothing. Neither of which I would want to base an outfit off of. This cheetah print pictured below, on the other hand, is done very tastefully. The lose fit is not provocative, while the cut and tailor of the shirt make it classy. I also love the fact that the polka-dot on the bottom almost has the same look as the cheetah print on the top. The slight difference in the prints bring a clash to the look that makes me not want to look away in the best way possible. The finishing touch to the outfit is a chunky necklace. The look is minimal but has so much going on, it’s almost a mystery! I give this fierce look a 10 out of 10.

So tomorrow morning when you wake up and feel a little wild, why not start with a fun outfit? Maybe throw on two articles you would usually not pair together and get a little more crazy from there.

I am a strong believer in finding a deal. Name brands are good if you can afford them, but there is absolutely nothing wrong in buying the same thing without a Lacoste alligator on it. I actually prefer being advertisement free – meaning not wearing clothing with the store’s name plastered across the front or the back. While you can fake name brand tops, there are a three things in the fashion world you can’t fake.

1. Material

Forever 21 is infamous for having cute, inexpensive clothing. But next time you’re in the store, check what the article’s made of before you purchase it. If you buy a 99% acrylic sweater, it will ball up after one wear and obviously, no longer a good deal. I’m not saying that Forever 21 sweaters are bad news, just check twice before buying. You don’t have to go out and buy everything cashmere, just be aware of what you’re wearing.

2. Leather

This covers the categories of leather jackets, leather purses, and leather boots. These articles I am willing to spend a little bit more on to get real leather because I know it will last much longer. There is nothing necessarily wrong with or bad about cheap leather. But if you’re going to be wearing a purse for any amount of time, it’s worth it to spend a little more for the sake “getting your money’s worth.” Also, if you purchase any of theses items in leather, shoot for a classy look. If you but something extremely trendy, it will go out of style before you can wear it a second time. Good fake leather can be done, but it will not have the quality to last. And if you can wait, look to purchase these articles at the end of winter. You will find them for at least 50% off.

3. Hair

Seriously? I feel like this one it pretty self-explanatory. You’re not fooling anyone when you come into class with a bob one day and hair to your waist the next.

While buying the better quality items can be much more expensive, they will hold up longer. In the end, you will break even price wise and have a better looking item. And if you ever have the option between your real hair and fake hair, go with the real thing. Keep it classy my friends.

For thousands of years, men have fantasized about the idea of spandex pants – dreaming of elastic fabric being the only thing separating a woman’s body and the outside world. While some woman have seized this freeing opportunity, I have news for you - there is no such thing.

While wearing leggings as pants may be extremely comfortable and a quick outfit, you will regret the decision. The majority of people should not even be allowed to wear legging as pants. And the small majority that look good in them, still shouldn’t be wearing them. Ladies, leave more mystery as to what is underneath your clothing. Guys like the chase. What is there to chase when he, along with everyone else in the world, can practically see everything they shouldn’t.

How To Wear Leggings As Pants

The Rule of Thumb:

If your shirt covers you hind-quarters, you can wear legging as pants. In this case two wrongs make a right. While a long shirt would never be appropriate as a dress, and leggings are not acceptable as pants, the both of them together make a dream team. This concept can really turn around to your favor. It’s a comfortable and easy outfit. All you have to do is throw it on with boots, and it never gets old. Here’s a nice picture to help you if you’re having trouble.

Legging Colors

When choosing legging colors there is definitely a wrong and a right way. Black is slimming and lighter colors are not. Remember this while getting dressed. Patterns can also be a friend of enemy when it comes to slimming. Just look in the mirror every once in a while, and be honest with yourself. Does it really look good? If you can’t do that, ask a blunt friend. They don’t lie.

I’m saying all this not to bash anyone, but to help you. It makes me happy when I’m walking across campus and see a well dressed Gamecock. I also shed a tear for those students on the other end of the spectrum. So use discernment, and make me proud people!

We all have them- scarves. And it’s finally getting to be the season to pull them out again. If you are like me, you own more than you could ever wear in our fifteen day winter seasons, but there is still no such thing as too many scarves. Scarves are the easiest way to brighten up a boring outfit and even if you only have one or two scarves, you can wear them in a hundred different ways. No one would ever know if you happen to wear the same one everyday. Here are three easy ways to wear scarves in not so common ways.

Scarf # 1

Our first scarf is a square silk scarf. This is probably the easiest one to wear. It’s the perfect touch to a white sweater and riding boots.

How to: Follow pictures from top left, to top right, to bottom left, to bottom right.
1. Fold the scarf in half with the corners touching.
2. Tie the two opposite corners together behind your neck.
3. Fluff front.
4. Rock it.

Scarf # 2

Our next style is more of a braid. It’s a unique look that’s complicated but when done right, extremely easy. This works best with long, skinny scarves.

How to:
1. Fold the scarf in half and put it around your neck.
2. Pull one of the loose ends through the looped side.
3. Twist the looped side and put the other end through the loose side.
4. Rock it.

Scarf # 3

The last style is my personal favorite. This one involves an infinity scarf, which in case you don’t know are complete circle scarves. This look is more chunky and can go with large sweaters or cardigans.

How to:

1. loop the scarf around your neck once.
2. Twist the scarf around and loop it again.
3. Pull one side longer than the other and fluff it.
4. Rock it.

The most important direction in every how to is the last step- Rock it! While my ideas are fun feel free to invent your own.

Everyone has their guilty pleasure article of clothing. The sweatshirt with the holes that is “just so comfortable.” Or the classic “I haven’t worn it yet but it’s going to go great with something one day.” My personal favorite is the “after I lose these ten pounds it’s going to fit perfectly.” So here is your chance to let it go. Move on and give it to someone who might actually wear it. You should only fill your closet space with the things you need.

In the Name of Comfort

Remember that time you bought Uggs because they were “so comfortable and warm?” Yeah, don’t use that excuse anymore. Ever. If you’re solely interested in comfort than why do you get out of your comfortable bed to fix your hair and put on makeup every morning? In fact, you should go buy some Crocs because from what I hear, they’re pretty comfortable. You wont have to worry about feeling uncomfortable when creepy guys hit on you, with your Crocs. What I’m trying to insinuate is if you’re going to wear something ugly don’t use the excuse that it’s because of comfort.

Rule # 1

If it’s been in your closet over three months and still has the tags on it, let it go.

I know you probably got a super great deal on it and someday it’s going to be the finishing touch on your dream outfit but really, it’s just taking up room in your closet. It’s just another shirt you have to dig past when getting dressed in the morning. Simplify your life; you’ll thank me later. A trick that I sometimes use is to hang every hanger in my closet the wrong way. Then as you wear the items you turn the hangers around. After a season, any hanger that hasn’t been turned must go. If you don’t wear it, don’t prevent other people from being able to wear it. That poor article of clothing needs a night out.

Rule # 2

If you have clothing that doesn’t fit due to size, you need to reevaluate yourself.

All that article of clothing does is stare at you and tell you you’re fat. Which is personally not something I want to hear while getting dressed in the morning. If you just so happen to lose the weight, then go you. You deserve to go out and buy yourself some pants that fit. But just because you still own jeans from middle school doesn’t mean you can fit into them. They are not your friends. Pass them on.

In the end, I would much rather have two pairs of jeans that I love than twelve that are “OK.” Quality over quantity always applies in fashion. Make smart fashion decisions to be comfortable and feel confident.

It’s a new season and naturally, it’s also time to update everyone on the new fall fashions.
This season, I’m buying the same three articles of clothing - in bulk. Mornings will be much easier to get dressed and you will avoid the stylistically bipolar look.

My first article is collared shirts. I want each and every color: plaid, polka dot, floral, or plain. It might sound a little overly conservative, but this fall, button them all the way up. It was a trend I scoffed at first, but now I can’t get enough of it. These shirts will be your base coat. They will just be a pop of color in your layers of fall apparel.

Our next layer is sweaters. Mostly plain colors but block colors are also going to be a big hit this season. The top half one color with the bottom another is perfect. Even plain sweaters with some graphic on the front (like animals) will do. These will go over your collared shirts for an added layer. Also let the color show by rolling the sleeves of you collared shirt over the sweater. It’s an extremely classy look. The colors don’t have to match and you can even do print on print (it’s a little gutsy to pull off but if you can rock it with confidence, do it). Continue Reading…