| | | | oe eee life aestyie Babe on a budget; the clothing cleanse Purging the closet and simplifying the art of fashion By Stephanie Trembath, Life & Style Editor eleventh armful of clothing, sweating and heaving as I hauled hangers and all out to my car, that I finally realized the extent of my wardrobe. After filling up three suitcases full of shoes, and throwing a half dozen pairs out alongside dresses, purses, and other items I haven’t worn in a decade, I came to the conclusion that with the articles of outerwear I own, I could clothe an entire private school of adolescent girls. Slightly exaggerating, but not far off the mark, it came down to me stuffing the hatchback of my small Toyota Yaris full of dresses and coats, boots, jeans, and skirts for me to decide that I don’t need to shop for a while. A long while. Upon moving in with my boyfriend |: was when I was trapped under my this summer, we both agreed that our place had to have two things: a spectacular view and a huge double-decker walk-in closet. I’m not the only one in the relationship with narcissistic spending qualities; I’m pretty sure his shoe count quadruples mine, especially now that I’ve purged a few pairs. Two years ago I purchased these fantastic studio closets from Ikea that feature a long metal pole perched atop a metal stand to hang all your clothes out in the open. Very European. Placed side-by-side, my studio closets took up an entire wall in my old place, so it was decided that if I used these there would be an ample amount of closet room. That is, if I discontinued my shopping habits. Now, I’m the type of person who has to go all or nothing. It’s like eating junk food; if you’re going to have cake you may as well have the outside largest piece with the most icing. For this reason I decided to quit spending money on clothes for an entire year as of August 1, which I have been incredibly diligent and thoughtful in maintaining so far. It’s really only been one month, and there wasn’t much to buy in the summer, but missing out on back to school shopping has definitely been a struggle. Not to mention the fact that I am constantly researching and recommending others what to buy for themselves. I guess I’ll have to live vicariously through my friends. Despite my recent disregard for shopping malls, and Granville Street, and online shopping (the list could go on), I have allotted myself necessary items of purchase while on what I like to call my “clothing Cleanse.” See, much like cleansing your body and ridding yourself of the toxins consumed in alcoholic beverages, deep-fried foods, and other trans fatty delights, I think this cleanse will ultimately cure me of buying articles I wear once or twice on a whim. I mean, who needs a solid black sequins t-shirt dress? Or a rainbow sequins mini-skirt? Apparently I went through a sequins phase, like, a year ago. Not to mention my dozens of jeans that I never wear. I only ever wear exactly one pair of jeans almost everyday, and on the off days I throw on black tights. There’s just so much you can do with black cigarette pants. In any case, the few items I have OK’d for myself to purchase over the next 327days are; socks, sports bras, and shoes. Socks and sports bras for the obvious reason that these things wear out quickly and honestly, who wants to wear holey socks and a worn-out bra to the gym? I use the term “shoes” liberally. It was originally just runners as I enjoy running a couple of times a week and worn-out runners are bad for your feet, knees, and back but, things have changed. I’m amending “shoes” from meaning; “only running shoes of which I will purchase when my others have completely worn out,” to; “any type of footwear I should be allowed to purchase when I feel like it because this “clothing cleanse” is getting on my nerves.” So far friends and family members have yet to . approve this amendment to the rules. Upon cleaning out my ridiculous closets, cupboards, drawers, and shoe- racks, a friend of mine commented on his own wardrobe; claiming that he wears at least 90% of what he owns. Looking at my stacks, I estimate that I wear maybe 45% - of my wardrobe. But I’m bad at math so it could be 80%, who knows. In any case, over the next year I will be wearing 100% of everything I own, other than the items I donated to local thrift stores and clothing swaps. What did you wear your first week of school? Highlights of this semesters fashion misses and a few outfits to try By Stephanie Trembath, Life & Style Editor I’ve already skipped class, wished for a larger thermos of coffee, ran haphazardly after the bus as it squeals away from the curb, and drooled over numerous fashionable fall outfits. September is the best time of year to start a semester; the days end earlier but the heat lingers, giving way to crisp autumn nights. After a summer spent in flimsy bikinis and summer prints, women are ready to layer themselves from head to toe in the latest fashionable pieces. Unlike the rest of the school year, the start of fall semester offers a certain hope and promise of starting off a new year right. That is, before you learn to hate your professors, find out that the guy sitting next to you is annoying,and remember that lacing up shoes is far too time consuming and difficult after staying up half the night writing essays. The list goes on and leaves fashion victims in sweatpants, flip-flops, unkempt hair, and coffee stained t-shirts. For this very reason, I feel it necessary to comment on some of the most startling and stunning September outfits I have spotted so far this semester. First off, I must say that I applaud all ladies who attempt to wear stiletto’s to 8 IE the first week of school and school; yes your legs look fabulous, and as you teeter and topple over on the bus and hold up traffic on stairwells I am sure the individuals around you are directing most - sincere compliments and not dire insults. Likewise, to the dashing young males who wear their oversized hats backwards with baggy pants around the knees, I admit that I too wish we were at the Mirage grinding the tomboy trend with subtle sex appeal and they deserve a round of applause for it. This look may combine glasses with a knotted bun and loose dress shirt over low-cut tank ~ top, or slim-cut denim paired with flats and t-shirt tucked into a belt. Simple, efficient, and yet still attracts attention without showing too much skin or ridiculous trend pieces. This séason is still working with “Minimalism is definitely the way to go; mixing and matching floral patterns and polka dots has been traded in for sailor stripes and solids.” with underage teenage girls. The most obscure outfit I have seen at school so far goes to a leggy brunette who really would have looked quite stunning had she dressed less like Catherine Baba. I don’t care who you are or what kind of money you make; suede thigh-high boots in dark navy do not match a baby doll white summer dress. Nor does your oversized Balenciaga imitation purse match with your scruffy attempt at a ponytail. I didn’t see her face, but I can only hope she went with the Hollywood oversized glasses and not her own full face makeover. You may have guessed that those examples were not the fashion stunners. That title is instead reserved for the girls I’ve seen wearing varied outfits combining the tomboy trend we’ve watched all year, and matching boyish cut pieces into your outfit is a sure way to sitcomfierinclass * all day. Minimalism is definitely the way to go; mixing and matching floral patterns and polka dots has been traded in for sailor stripes and solids. The other super style savvy outfit I applaud goes out to the guys who know how to wear a collared shirt without looking like they are attending prom. Pairing a dress shirt with jeans and converse kicks is a super easy and sexy look; especially when you roll up the sleeves, toss on some shades, and offer to help the young madame in stiletto’s who fell on her face getting off the bus.