Garnet Report

The end of the year is here. Final’s week is approaching. And the long awaited celebration of Christmas break follows. But with the end of the year, comes the end of something else – GR Fashion. This has been a fabulous semester and we cannot thank our readers enough for their continued support.  It has been a pleasure working with the writers and expressing my own thoughts of fashion and life in our Editor’s Note.

Whether it be College’s # 1 Fashion Faux Pas or Walking Away in Fashion and in Life, the Editor’s Note has covered an array of topics. We have looked at great trends to try and the always too popular ones to throw away. We have given you Gameday tips and how to prepare for finals. But the most important lesson, by far, has been to embrace your own body and your own style.

In a world where every girl is told to look and be a certain way, holding onto your identity has never been more important. Have confidence in who you are and be proud of that person. Your style isn’t just about the latest fashion and trends. It’s more than clothes, makeup, and hair. Instead, it encompasses a beauty that is both internal and external. It’s about confidence, determination, work ethic, compassion, and loyalty. A woman that can be all of these things while embracing her identity and personal style – that is who I want to be.

So if you take away anything from Garnet Report Fashion, let it be this. You are beautifully and wonderfully made.  And never let anyone tell you differently.

Also Gamecock girls, I know we have had some warmer weather, but please….

Keep it sassy but classy my friends. And good luck on finals.

Merry Christmas!

As finals week approaches, our minds are literally everywhere but where they need to be. School seems to be piling up, and concentration of any kind is futile. But there is hope, my friends. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. And the home stretch is here. To survive and finish the year strong, you will need to remember a few things.

1.  Find a Cozy Corner

The perfect place to study is the ultimate key to a successful finals week. It can be in the library, a local coffee shop, or a usual study haven. My personal favorite is on the floor among the bookshelves of the library. Just make sure there is enough lighting and there are minimal distractions. If you are studying during the middle of the day, I definitely suggest finding some natural light. It will make you feel more studious and determined rather than the normal glazed eyed zombie, studying creates.

2. Dress comfortably

You want to be as comfortable as possible when you are both studying and when you are acing that exam. The last thing you want is your mind to keep wondering back to you old sweats back in your dorm or apartment. My favorite exam time clothing article is the over-sized yet oh so comfy sweater.

3. That Hair

Up-do. Finals week is the perfect time to forget about your hair but still pull off the cutest look. The messy bun is the perfect way to do this. This also allows you to remove a possible distraction. I mean, we have all been around those girls who wear their hair down, up, half-up, pony-tail, bun, and back down again within a one hour study session. Or maybe you have been that girl yourself. The bottom line – don’t do it.

4. Energize

Whether this is sleep (5 minute naps), food, chocolate, or coffee, find your source of energy. I am a lover of coffee and its wonderful affects, but even I need sleep every once in a while. Let me tell you from experience, if you try to survive on caffeine alone, your body will shut down. Do yourself a favor and get some rest.

5. Remember to Laugh

Yes, it is finals week. But you are not dying, and I am almost positive your life could be worse. So remind yourself throughout the days to laugh and smile. It will help energize you and restore some level or sanity. Also, try to brighten up someone else’s day. It will make you feel better too.

We have all had those weeks where everything falls apart and nothing works out. You received a bad grade on a paper or worse yet, failed a test. You lost your job or broke up with your boyfriend. And maybe all of it happened at once. These are the prime examples in life when we don’t feel or look good and frankly, we don’t want to. Our one goal – hide from the world.

Thus, we tend to neglect some things in our life, and appearance is usually the first to go. Let’s be honest, sweatpants never felt so comfortable and ice cream never tasted so good. But I would encourage you to resist the urge to hibernate for the winter and instead, come out of your shell. If you excuse yourself to dress poorly based on your circumstances, you are just going to make yourself feel worse. So when you are feeling down and out, try something new or out of the ordinary in your fashion and other life choices.

1. Sparkle, Sparkle, Sparkle

I have personally never been a huge fan of the all out sparkle look. But adding a touch here or there can really brighten your day. Fingernail polish is the perfect way to do this. It’s easy, fun, and extremely “in.” And as ridiculous as this might sound, let your inner “sparkle” come out. What’s in the past is in the past. Just like fingernail polish, find other little things throughout your day to bring a smile to your face.

2. Go Casual

Now when I said before not to neglect your appearance, I did not mean you have to wear a ball gown or cocktail dress everywhere.  There is a tasteful way to go casual and look amazing. A great item to pull from the closet on a bad day is the forgiving boyfriend jeans. Take a break from the dark shades and the skinny fit, and trade them in for something a little more comfortable and easy going. The whitewashed, loose style of the boyfriend jean is perfect. You can even add an over-sized sweater for maximum comfort. Just pull the outfit together with a signature accessory, like this fabulous watch and bracelet.

When you are having a bad day, it’s important to look on the bright side and be positive. But you in no way should pretend that everything is rainbows and unicorns. There is nothing wrong with admitting you aren’t OK. Its simply not OK to stay that way. So go casual and be comfortable today!

3. Rays of Sunshine

Most of my friends have seen me, at one time or another, wear my yellow skinnies. In fact, they are probably the most worn and favorite item in my closet. But whether it be skinny jeans or a trench coat, add a pop of yellow to your day. You will look like a little ray of sunshine, perfect for when you are feeling more under the weather.

 4. Push the Limits

Fashion is all about pushing the limits. Make a bold statement by wearing all white. It will definitely catch people off guard, but it looks fabulous. White jeans and a white sweater are a great combination to try, and you will have no regrets.

 5. Dare to Explore

Red lips. They are daring, but oh so beautiful. Our beloved Taylor Swift is the queen of the red lip, and she delivers it perfectly. It doesn’t matter if she is on the red carpet or running errands, this country sweetheart often adds the little extra color to her many looks. Try it. I promise it will make you feel unstoppable. 

Also try something new today. Go out of your way to explore and take a leap of faith. Sometimes it’s hard to do but afterwards, you will be feel like a new person. I mean we are young and free. We only live once, right?

Bad days, weeks, and months happen. It is, unfortunately, a fundamental part of life. But there is no reason to wallow in your sorrow and make you feel worse. You are a beautiful person, so treat yourself like one and take care of your body. Adding a few things or trying something new can be the perfect way to take your mind off whatever is wrong. And looking fabulous is always a plus.

Body Image – It’s a topic that no one ever wants to address but one everyone knows should be, especially in the world of fashion. Let’s face it ladies, there has been a time in your life, no matter how strong you may be, in which you have questioned your body. Those questions might have been harmless in the beginning, starting with a simple “I wish my hair was a bit longer or thicker or blonder ect…” But so often, once we open the door to uncertainty and start questioning our confidence by finding fault with ourselves, deeper issues surface.

The modern day media, of course, has not helped with this issue. It seems like the models for ads and commercials keep getting skinnier and prettier. Many girls, ladies, and women forget that these “flawless” females are fakes. Technology has a done wonders to removing blemishes here, a few pounds there, or adding a little something extra wherever needed.  And these altered, touched-up individuals are perfection, or at least that is what we are told. This begs the question: How are we ever supposed to strive for something that’s unattainable in the first place?

Like I said earlier, it doesn’t matter who you are, but as women we have all struggled with this to a certain extent. I, myself, was in denial of this fact for a quite some time. Growing up as a ballet dancer, I was used to staring at myself in a mirror for 3-5 hours a day, perfecting an imperfect body. Outside the studios, I was constantly watching my weight and eating certain things and not others. But I never saw this as a struggle with body image. I made excuses that weighing myself several times a day or learning to not eat the week of a show was normal. It was in the name of art. And I believed this with all my heart.

Part of my denial was embedded in my need to “be strong.” I have always been a stronger-willed, outgoing individual and for some reason, weakness was my greatest fear. And having body issues would fall under weakness, right? Actually, I gradually learned that having issues with your body image falls under the category of being human.

If you are struggling with your body image, you might be asking what to do about it. These 10 steps are great way to start.

My favorite is number 5. It is true that the people you surround yourself with can and will either bring you down or build you up. Make sure your friends respect and love you and your body. Also, find a close girl friend to confide your fears in. Having someone on your side, understanding what you are going through can make all the difference. And trust me – if this is an issue you have buried, it will be hard to talk about it. But bringing it out in the open is a great way to start moving on with your life, as the beautiful person you are.

Note: I specified “girl” friend. Other than the boyfriend who is about to become your fiancé who will then become your husband, this is not an issue for the male gender to tackle. Please spare them.

Fashion, even though a rather simple thing, can sometimes enlighten us about other areas in life. The way in which we dress, embrace or reject trends, praise or critique others’ style is 100% related to the way we interact with others and act on a day to day basis. One of the more recent connections between fashion and life I have observed is the idea of “walking away.”

For me, this has always been a hard concept. I love trying new trends and seeing what works and what most definitely does not. But everyone can have the tendency to embrace fashion trends they shouldn’t. We have already discussed one of these fashion mishaps – tights as pants. It simply doesn’t exist and can go wrong so many more ways than go right. Thus, it’s better to avoid altogether.

Another popular look has been the short shorts and the tall socks with tennis shoes. Unless you are planning to find a pickup game of soccer, this is an unnecessary choice of attire. Sporty? Maybe. It, unfortunately, also borders on the inappropriate side.

The denim mini. I vividly remember these being the middle school staple. But in looking back, I can’t help but ask why? Other than being completely uncreative and producing a “blah” reaction, they kept getting shorter and shorter. I guess the designers simply ran out of ideas to make them “unique.” But their great endeavor was a great failure.

Hundreds of other popular trends have unnecessarily taken over our fashion world. The mermaid blue eye shadow and cat eyeliner, the white canvas keds, and the butterfly and heart necklaces were just a few.  Now like I said, I am all about trying new and popular trends, but so often we should’ve just walked away. In all of these cases, I would have suggested a rejection rather than an embracement of the iconic items.

Learning to walk away is an important aspect of life that should be applied outside of the fashion world as well. As a child, I was always the first to chime in on anything and everything. I liked to claim my “love” for words and talking was a gift. But as a little girl, it was more of a lifestyle. I was additionally blessed with the gift of arguing. But my mother, in wisdom, often told me that I needed to learn to pick and choose my battles. Whether it is in a difference of opinions (scholastically, politically, spiritually) or difficulties in relationships (with guys and girls), some arguments or struggles are simply not worth it.

For example, as much as I love politics, the ongoing debates posted on social media sites are getting out-of-hand. The majority of the people who post controversial political statements are simply looking to start a debate anyways. So why spend time and effort in a pointless banter? Instead, I choose to walk away.

Relationships can require the same call to no action. Let’s be honest ladies. Often times, we settle for less than we deserve, based on lies our hearts and minds both learn to believe. We might not be smart enough or pretty enough, and that justifies being treated with less than respect. But that’s a bold faced falsity. We are perfect just the way we were created, and if a guy or friend can’t appreciate you for who you than they are not worth your time, love, or devotion. The answer? Walk away. Throw in the towel. And move on. You have bigger fish to fry.

One word- Halloween. The talk has long started about the costume of the year. In these conversations you go one of two ways: you’re either that girl who decides to be the easiest thing you already own or you’re that girl that must have the most original costume. While both ways can be fun, there are definitely some wrong ways to dress up for the holiday.

The most scary thing on Halloween can be girls’ costumes. And not in an “Ahh! You’re a ghost” kind of way. I’m talking about more of the “Ahh! Those aren’t clothes!” kind of way. Sticking on underwear and animal ears does not count as a costume.  It’s trashy and unoriginal. If you’re going to be a mouse at least be a modest mouse (band reference intended.) Tasteful is always necessary. And remember, it’s the end of October, and it’s probably going to be pretty cold. So in the words of my mother, “Put some clothes on!”

One of my favorite Halloween mysteries is “why do girls spend $75 on a generic costume?” There are so many other options. Isn’t this one of the reasons why Pinterest was invented? If you aren’t crafty, offer to pay an artsy friend to make you something. Not only will you have a one-of-a-kind costume, but your friend could benefit from a little extra cash. The generic costumes are overdone and honestly, such terribly quality I would be surprised if they last the whole night. 

Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, so please don’t ruin it for me with distasteful costumes. Have fun, be scared, and make new clever-costumed friends. And don’t forget to buy half priced candy at CVS the day after Halloween.

We have all had those days or events when we’ve dressed to impress. Who hasn’t? But take a moment to truly think about how many times someone or something else has determined the outfit you sport or the style you embrace. And no, the gorgeous USC baseball player who is way out of your league does not count. (In other words, he is Division I and you are Division III.)

Dressing to Impress Other Girls

At first, you might be in denial about this fact. But that’s just it – a fact. Every girl has done it and every girl will do it. Whether it be the girl your ex-boyfriend is now dating, the girl your wanna be boyfriend is dating, or the girl you just seem to be competing with, you have compared yourself to another girl at some point in time.

Unfortunately, we girls don’t realize the harmful nature this whole comparison business can have on us and our peers. When we compare ourselves to others, we usually find all possible faults in both the other girl and ourselves. That is not doing anyone a favor.

This comparison can and will also lead you to make conscious decisions and often changes to your dress and style. You might swap out the oversized sorority T for a cute dress or boots for tennis shoes. But the greatest example of this happens on the ever exciting game days. I don’t know if you have noticed but on campus, at the tailgates, in the student section, and afterwards, girls are constantly sizing up other girls. (It’s honestly surprising how many variations of a black dress and cowboy boots you can find at Williams-Brice.) But why does it matter what the other girl is wearing?

Dressing to Impress Guys

This is the obvious one. Knowing we are going to run into that certain someone is the perfect excuse to dress it up a little, add some lip gloss, and let your hair down. But often the transformation doesn’t stop there. So often we dress to impress the opposite sex by degrading ourselves – raising the hemline or lowering the neckline. It’s a sensitive topic, yes. But it’s even more of a serious issue if that’s not the real you. Trust me, if they don’t like you for you, they aren’t worth it.

Dress For YOU

This seems to be a novel concept these days. In a world of trends, fads, in crowds, and certain deciding factors, dressing for yourself kinda seems impossible. Even media screams their own opinions for girls to dress to impress. But in the end, you should be dressing for you and you alone.

When it comes to fashion, my favorite approach is to wear all my favorite things. Although this is slightly extreme, the point is to wear what you want how you want. No particular person should have the ability to change who you are as a young woman.

Remember:

This is in no way giving you permission to forget about style altogether. On college campuses, girls dressed in sweats with an apparent need for a shower is an all too familiar image. Bottom line – take pride in who you are by dressing the part. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again….you’re style speaks for itself. So what is it saying about you? Are you trying to impress someone other than yourself?

In case you haven’t heard, ESPN’s College Game Day is coming to Columbia this Saturday for an intense college football matchup between #5 Georgia and #6 South Carolina. Countless fans will be camping out on the Horseshoe, trying to find the best spot for Game Day. Ladies and Gentlemen, you will not want to miss this once in a lifetime college experience! But if you don’t know the importance of this greatly anticipated game, be sure to check out our overview by sport’s contributor Zach.

Understanding Game Day is not the only essential ingredient to having the perfect college football experience this Saturday. Whether you are planning to camp out all night Friday or just head over early Saturday morning, there are a few tips you should keep in mind. First of all, your wardrobe should never get in the way of enjoying the day.

Wardrobe Malfunctions to Avoid

1. Cowboy Boots – I realize this is a popular trend, and I am truly a great fan of cowboy boots. But in 80 degree Columbia, S.C. weather? Lets be honest ladies, this is a bad idea in every respect. You will be hot, and we will be hot looking at you. Also, with College Game Day here in Columbia, you are sure to be walking even more than normal. Trust me, those blisters will not be worth it Saturday night.
2. Strapless – It’s going to be a long day, and simply put – strapless is a bad idea. The constantly pulling and tugging, checking and forgetting to check gets old. This is an easily avoidable casualty.
3. Heels – I never really understood the theory behind wearing heels to a football game. The miles of walking, inclined bleachers, and crowded spaces do not provide the ideal location to show off your favorite pair of stilettos. In fact, it’s the worst place.
4. Too Tight + Too Short – This is always a bad idea. But at a game day atmosphere, the possibility of a wardrobe fiasco is only heightened.
5. Unnecessary Additions – Sweaters, umbrellas, nonessential belts, and pretty much anything you don’t absolutely need should be left at home. Holding multiple items and trying to keep track of them will quickly become annoying. And no, no one will offer to hold them for you.

This is a great dress for Gameday that would avert any type of fiasco…

If the above items are the things you should avoid, then the following list you should most definitely own and bring to Game Day.

Game Day Essentials:

1. The Perfect Outfit
2. Comfy Shoes
3. Sunglasses
4. Sunscreen
5. Power Bar/ Water
6. Toothbrush
7. Hand Sanitizer/ Facial Wipes
8. Powder/ Small Compact
9. Gloss/ Chapstick
10. Extra Hair Ties

I hope these tips give you a good idea of what to do and what not to do this Saturday. What do you think of our Game Day advice? Let us know!

Get ready! Gameday on the Horseshoe is almost here!