A new fashion trend deemed “cute” has currently been on the rise.
With real fur being worn as hats, coats, scarves, you name it; it\’s almost no surprise that people would wear the tail of an animal as an accessory. Celebrities such as Chris Brown and Kanye West have been spotted wearing them.

The keychain trend comes from animals with “fluffy and soft” tails. Foxes, wolves and raccoons are the most popular to wear, and each tail ranges from twenty to a hundred dollars. For the faux fur people, they cost about ten dollars and come in a variety of colors.

While many people think wearing real fox-tail key chains is “stylish”, attaching an animal\’s body part to your purse or letting it hang off your jeans doesn\’t quite impress.

Vartan Kazezian (\’13) thinks the trend: “[is] a cruel thing to do. Humans are taking what\’s vital to the animal and treating it like it\’s something cool to have.”

It\’s no rumor that animals used for fur suffer in the most horrible and agonizing ways.  From foxes and raccoon dogs to minks and chinchillas, the list goes on. Eighty percent of the fur clothing industry comes from animals living in fur farms all their lives, crowded into tiny cages in filthy conditions.

In the end, they meet their death by being skinned alive and left in a pile along with other animals to die a slow death. They would never get to experience and live their life the way a free animal should.

Unfortunately, many fur-lovers are unaware of the treatment of animals before they are killed, and the type of fur is often mislabeled on the product, so you can\’t be one hundred percent sure whose skin you\’re wearing. No matter how much someone pays to wear animal fur, they\’ll never know that the animal paid so much more.

Ask Cheryl is an enigma within an enigma within an enigma, and she’s here to answer all of your questions. Just comment below to ask away, or friend Cheryl Harnett on Facebook.   Write up  your question and prepare to be dazzled. 

Dear Cheryl,

My family is full of hipsters, but I don’t think I am “alt” (alternative) enough to hang out with them.   All my mother does is scowl at me, and my father is addicted to Arcade Fire. Can you give me some fashion tips so that I do not end up alone?

-Tragically Mainstream

Dear Tragically Mainstream,

Step one: buy skinny jeans so tight that you question whether or not you have lower limbs. Step two: go to your local vintage store to purchase the oldest or shiniest sweater you can find. Step three: get a job at American Apparel or at Urban Outfitters.   Step four: get fired from your job for partying to much and being too laid back (read:awesome).   Wear thick framed glasses, but not because you can’t see, but because its ironic (no, I know it’s not really that ironic).  Sit back, relax, and enjoy the love of your parental units with Foster’s new 1970s peanut mix. Yes, they taste like they were found in the glove compartment of an old Volkswagen Kombi, but they smell like the good old days that you were never part of, nor  ever alive to witness.  Create a Tumblr and follow me for bonus points.

Dear Cheryl, What should I wear on a first date?

-Dressed to First Impress

Dear Dressed to First Impress,

It is very important to show off how creative you are on a first date. This is precisely why I suggest that you do a little “DIY-ing”. One great project that is fool proof at getting other people to like you is to buy 34 packs of Foster’s Jumbo Peanut bags, rip them open, then fashion yourself an outfit with a few stitches here and there (you can figure the rest out). Be the peanut of everyone’s eye with this DIY.

Dear Cheryl,

How do I shop at Abercrombie and Fitch without being a ridiculously fit and tan collegiate-type?

-Far from Preppy

Dear  Far from Preppy,

Unfortunately, I cannot relate to this problem since I went to Harvard and I was the most preppy and fashionable person on campus.  Sorry, but not even I can help you.

Dear Cheryl,

How do I tone down my look?  Everyone always tells me that I’m too overdressed, and I just want to fit in.

-Fancy Footwork

Dear Fancy Footwork,

I can totally relate to you.  I am often told that I can’t wear my Chanel to the Liger cages, but I do it anyway.  Its important to always look your best as long as you’re the one who paid for the clothes.  As the great Beyonce and reigning independent woman said it best: “The shoes on my feet/I’ve bought it/The clothes I’m wearing/I’ve bought it/The rock I’m rockin’/I’ve bought it
‘Cause I depend on me!”   But when I’m really sick, tired, and careless about my astonishing good looks,  I like to throw on a worn-out tee shirt, red lipstick,  and some low heels.  You know, to be casual.

Photocredit: http://newsfashiontrend.com/midi-skirt-as-fall-fashion-trend-news.html

Many of you may have noticed a change in style of female fashion this school year. We are witnessing a shift from tight, revealing garments that are even arguably risqué to modest, over-sized attire hearkening back to the days of various decades.

This new trend has been publicized in a recent article in The New York Times. In the article, ordinary teenagers and adults in the fashion industry comment on what the style consists of.  Some garments mentioned included maxi skirts, trouser jeans, over-sized sweaters, scarves, midi-skirts, vintage, floral print, and high-waists.  With new fashion icons along the lines of Dakota and Elle Fanning and Hailee Steinfeld, it is apparent that today\’s generation will be dressing less revealingly.

I was delighted to discover that modesty is the theme of this season since I have always been on the more conservative side when it comes to clothing. However, I was a bit distraught when the clothing was described as “shapeless,” “capes,” and “ambiguous.” Now, I\’m all for covering up, but I do agree that the attire can be disappointingly unflattering.  Yes, we should respect our bodies and not reveal everything at first glance; yes, we should look to the styles of decades ago for appropriate inspiration; and yes, we should still look like females.  But many teens looking to the floral prints of the 1940s seem to miss the fact that the actual style of clothing back then was flattering.  Seriously, who wants to look like a shapeless blob?

Toward the end of the article, 17-year-old  Christina Tadin commented, “I\’m probably not going to wear it going out with my friends to dinner or to hang out at someone\’s house, but rather somewhere like out to dinner with my parents.” Quite frankly, no one cares about what you wear to go out to dinner with your folks. Isn\’t a style supposed to be worn all the time, not just when no one\’s around?

What I would like to know is will there ever be a happy medium between “too revealing” and “shapeless?” The 1950s presents a perfect solution to the fashion predicament. The 1950s were choc full of a-line dresses with full skirts, pencil skirts, natural shoulders, and cinched waists. These styles were modest in their coverage, yet flattered every body type and hinted at fragile femininity. Gee, doesn\’t that sound nice?

Well, you heard my opinion; what do you think?

Summer time has gone and left us feeling melancholy and disheartened.  We yearn for more of the bright sunshine that painted smiles on our faces.  But let go of that sadness and get into the feeling of fall because it is finally here and the fashion is nothing short of amazing.  Designers have gone farther and set new, innovative fashion trends.  There are ways to have the same “wow” effect as the runway shows, but still fit into the crowd without getting weird stares.

Some of the trends for this season include faux fur vests, knitted cardigans, and dark neutral colors. The menswear-for-women style is “in” too, including the classic leather jacket, loose-fitting boyfriend blazers, and retro flared jeans.

I know what you\’re thinking, fur vests?? Yes, faux fur vests are in season right now because they are warm and add a funky flair to a simple outfit.  This is currently my favorite fall fashion trend because it steers away from the norm and helps people stand out.

Depending on where you\’re going, you can arrange your looks so that it can coordinate with the event.  If you wanted to go with a simpler look, you can pair it with an oversized white tee shirt and black leggings and a cute pair of boots.  If it\’s extra chilly add a simple colored scarf and hat.

Another one of my favorites is the boyfriend blazer.  This was trendy during the last fall season and is still chic a year later. No matter where you go, you can wear the blazer casually, or spruce it up with accessories and a dress.  For a more casual feel to the outfit, wear a striped shirt underneath; add some simple jewelry, dark washed jeans, and a pair of flats.  If you are planning to go to a more formal event, wear the blazer over a neutral colored dress and a cute pair of pumps.

Fashion is a wonderful way of expressing your personality and your opinions.  It shouldn\’t be taken so seriously and should be played around with.  Now remember, don\’t dress to impress, dress to express.

It\’s common knowledge that most of us get bored easily. Our style, haircut, or cell phone: after a few months, we always desire something new: a change. Our room is one of these facets we constantly look to change in our lives.

No matter how frequently we rearrange, paint, refurnish, it\’s never exactly right.  Well, there are ways to remake your room as frequently as you want without spending a fortune. And no, it\’s not Walmart.

The way to change your room effectively is in the small, seemingly insignificant, details. Pillows, rugs, and curtains all contribute more than the large furniture. So, why not get creative with those instead?

How about our light switches? They are so small that they\’re usually ignored, but some fabric and glue can go a long way in a few short steps:

• Remove the cover from your wall, or you can purchase a new one from the hardware store for about a quarter.
• Then find some extra fabric or cut up an old shirt and measure it just about half an inch bigger than the cover.  Using white glue, rubber cement, or hot glue, simply put a few drops on the front and sides of the cover and lay the fabric on top.
• Once it dries, carefully cut out the center of the switch and push the screws back through the holes.
• And voila! An original wall cover all in twenty minutes and less than a dollar.

Another simple way to redress your room is through the use of furniture collages. Lampshades and picture frames are great mediums for collages. All you need to do is grab a stack of old magazines, colored paper, or photos and some glue (glue stick or rubber cement work best.)  After choosing a stack of images or pages you\’d like to use, cut them out in nice shapes like strips, triangles, or hexagons. It won\’t even cost you a cent!

If you have any experience with sewing, you could also make pillows and pillow cases quickly and easily. To make a pillow, all you need is fabric and a bag of pillow stuffing, which you can find at any craft store. Depending on the size of your pillow, take two identical sizes of fabric and sew three sides together. Stuff it with as much filling as you wish, and then sew the final side shut.

You can decorate pillowcases or pillows in a variety of ways. Make a picture by cutting out animals, flowers, people, etc. out of felt or other material and gluing or sewing it onto the case.

You can also make patterns by taking a thick yarn and sewing a zigzag, spiral, or wavy patterns into it. Experiment with colors, patterns, and fabrics to get a one-of-a-kind pillowcase! If you plan to make a few, you can alternate them as you wish without buying anything more than fabric swatches.

These are only a few of the many ways you can spice things up in your room. Use them as a platform for your own ideas! With a few dollars and some creativity, you can alter almost anything to satisfy your liking. You can even look online, in movies, or in magazines to inspire your design.

The only downside? You can\’t use boredom as an excuse any longer.

School is in session and fall is officially here. Now is the time to change up your wardrobe with a few of this season\’s hottest trends, straight from the runway.

Color wise, many designers this season decided to go with a muted color palette, including Balenciaga, Luella, and Chloe. Their collections used dull hues and neutral tones such as nude, rose pink, and light purple. Among other dominant colors this season was the classic black and white, as seen on the Alexander Wang runway.

However, prints and patterns also made a splash on the runway this season. Designers kept it simple with geometric prints, like the circular pattern seen in the Erin Fetherston collection. Stripes in particular were a favorite and were used in a variety of ways from cardigans to stockings.

The biggest trend this season was jackets. Blazers and military jackets were prominent on the fall runway especially on the Chloe, Erin Fetherston, and Luella runways. This masculine cut jackets weren\’t the only menswear trend this fall. Trousers, whether in solid grey or pinstriped, were also seen in several collections, like Marc by Marc Jacobs.

If the androgynous look isn\’t your style, then embrace the feminine ruffle trend instead. Ruffles were seen in all shapes and forms this fall from dramatic ruffled collars in the Miu Miu show to intricately ruffled dresses in the Jill Stuart collection. High volume skirts were also a hit this season, on the Erin Fetherston runway in particular.

But the simplest way to incorporate fall trends into your wardrobe this season are with shoes, boots in particular. This season, the ankle boot is out and the higher cut boots are in. Chloe\’s collection included a variety of knee high boots while Stella McCartney\’s collection included dramatic thigh high boots instead.

Integrate a few of these fall fashion trends into your wardrobe and you\’ll be one step closer to a more fashion forward look.

Whether it\’s with a new pair of Ray Ban sunglasses, the latest H&M handbag, or that Urban Outfitters belt, everyone feels the need to dress their very best. Once school starts, however, the days of suntans, trips to the mall, and weekly manicures are replaced with the race to get the perfect back-to-school wardrobe.

But is it really necessary to look stunning at school?

Sure, school is a place for meeting up with friends, but it\’s also a place for learning. It\’s important to be comfortable and relaxed in your outfit.And being comfortable doesn\’t mean you can\’t be fashionable. Don\’t be afraid to wear those new Addidas shoes, sling on that Nike backpack, and don your Puma sweater.

With styles constantly changing, it\’s hard to stay up to date with the latest trends. However, it\’s possible to stay true to yourself while keeping it current.

Volume will definitely be big as designers experiment with different prints and embroideries on lampshade skirts. Pants styles will also shift from clean-cut to a more baggy and natural look.

Bold geometric prints will replace accustomed shades of color, and urban and natural shades will be blended for a more subtle, yet powerful look. WAS ME While the eighties will still play a part in this fall\’s fashion, expect to find clothing inspired by the forties and fifties.

Make your decision, travel in style, but most importantly, be comfortable with who you are and with what you\’re wearing.

There are plenty of ways to conserve energy and help the Earth: turn off the faucet, replace your light bulbs, and use your car less often. However, it doesn\’t have to end there. You can take your Earth friendliness to the next level with some eco-chic fashion.

Eco-chic fashion embraces more than green t-shirts labeled, “Save-the-Earth” or other clever puns. It\’s a collection of clothes that reduce your carbon footprint or help the environment. With plenty of options available, there\’s no reason why you shouldn\’t try a little eco-chic fashion.

One of the easiest ways to incorporate eco-chic fashion into your wardrobe is with organic cotton. Unlike its heavily processed counterpart, organic cotton is grown and processed using less pesticides and chemicals. When you buy and wear organic clothing, you\’re putting less waste into the atmosphere to keep the Earth a little greener for a little longer.

An additional plus is that organic cotton comes in a variety of forms, from shirts to sweaters to jeans. The only downside is that it isn\’t in demand as much as regular cotton is, so it can be a little pricier. However, if you\’re truly devoted to the cause, it will be worth every penny.

Another form of eco-chic resides in recycled fashion. Not only does recycled clothing benefit the Earth, but it also comes with other perks as well. Used clothing offers a variety of unique pieces that are no longer in production, so you are less likely to run into someone with the exact same thrift, oversized sweater. Another benefit to shopping at thrift stores and vintage consignment shops is that the clothes will be cheaper since the recycled clothes have already been worn before.

If you’re doubtful of the garments available at thrift stores and consignment shops you can try clothing recycling centers. Luckily, Southern California is home to a range of clothing recycling centers heavily concentrated in Costa Mesa, such as Buffalo Exchange at the Lab. These stores don’t just sell whatever comes along like a donation-based store such as Goodwill. Stores like Buffalo Exchange exclusively carry both high name brands and popular street wear, ensuring that your latest purchase from their store will be in this season.

Not only can you buy used clothing at these centers, but you can also sell your own. Selling clothes you no longer wear will make more used clothing available; and what\’s to lose when you make money for recycling your clothes and help the environment at the same time?

Teeming with surf fans, BMX spectators, and fashion enthusiasts, the Huntington Beach pier was flooded with spectators cheering on their high school in the Walk the Walk Hurley fashion show on Friday, July 24^th

Supporters with foam fingers, t-shirts, and pom-poms strove to win the $10,000 grand prize for the most creative, energetic, and fashionable high school on the runway.

Amanda Hsu (\’10) says, “I helped out with last minute preparations the day before the actual competition. It was amazing to see the amount of work that goes into just five or ten minutes on the runway. Just being part of the behind the scenes crew for one day was exhausting.”

Celebrities on the judging panel included Bob Hurley, Rosemary Brantley of Otis College, actors Wilmer Valderrama, Scott Eastwood, Adam Gregory, former UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion Tito Ortiz, and SVP of Hurley Design John Cherpas.

Lincoln High School of San Diego won the judges over and took home the check. FVHS senior Hans Dose, however, won “best original male outfit design” for the entirely original outfit he designed.

The judges were impressed after FVHS\’s performance as Bob Hurley exclaimed, “Great energy and awesome props!”

“Although our school didn’t leave as the champions, we certainly put up a good fight. It was great to see how many people came to the event to cheer on our fellow Barons,” says Hsu.

Performances during and after the show perfected the day for Orange County fashion and surf celebrants. Skater/rapper Jayne Deaux jump-started the show with a lively performance, while hip-hop artist Murs kept the crowd going in between competing schools, and Shwayze and Cisco ended the night with 5 original songs including “Rich Girls”, “Corona and Lime”, and “Buzzin\’.” The pair was the highlight of the day for many of the spectators.

All who attended had a memorable time even though FVHS did not bring home the check.

There\’s no question about it – the country is in an economic recession – but tough economic times don\’t mean you have to give up fashion. Here are a few simple techniques to help you get the most out of your fashion dollars.

1. Have a game plan.

If you are like most teenagers, you’re probably prone to impulsive buying; after all, you absolutely need to have that new handbag in the window, despite the fact that you just bought a new one last week.

Luckily, this unnecessary spending can be easily avoided, and the first step in doing so is planning. Before heading out on your next shopping expedition think about how you want your wardrobe to look. Research a few of the latest trends if you have to. Once you have an idea in mind, you\’ll know what to look for and won\’t be swooned by whatever is in the display window.

2. Buy versatile pieces.

To get the most out of your money, try investing in versatile pieces that can be worn in more than one way, like a dress that can double as a skirt. Not only does versatile clothing give you more bang for your buck, but a piece of versatile clothing can create a whole week\’s worth of outfits.

Something else worth investing in is basics. Basics are plain with classic silhouettes that can easily be dressed either down or up with a few accessories. As the fundamental building blocks of fashion, basics are versatile enough to be integrated into your existing wardrobe and will stay chic throughout the seasons.

3. Buy less, but spend more.

At first, this may not make sense considering the state of the economy, but think about it. If you buy less but spend more on each item you buy, it will save you money in the long run. This is because of the cost per wear of higher end products is lower than that of their cheaper alternatives. For example, those designer jeans you were eyeing will be more cost effective than their cheap counterparts since they\’ll probably last longer and get more wear, making them worth every cent. Lesson learned? Less is more.

Follow these guidelines and you\’ll be on your way to a more fashion forward wardrobe with a little extra cash in your wallet.