Friday, December 13, 2013

What Girls Think When They Look In the Mirror







What Girls Think When They Look In the Mirror

I was in the bathroom today because I had really bad cramps (we're not going to dive into the details, but anyway), so I was stuck in a stall for a pretty long time. I don't really understand how one designs a bathroom stall. There are always cracks on the sides between where the door hinges or opens the stall divider. In the bathroom on the fourth floor of the library, one can discreetly peer through this crack and creep on whoever happens to be at the sink.

The first girl, a tall, stocky blonde with glasses swiftly brushed her out of her face. She stared at herself, her face void of any expression beside complacency, and after a quick glance, she preoccupied her eyes with the sight of the bathroom sinks or movement of her soap-blanketed phalanges.

The second girl had eyes lightly rimmed with dark liner, pale skin, and dark hair steeply parted to the left. Here's the great thing- she turned off the faucet, looked up from her damp hands, and gave her reflection a million-dollar smile. She looked really happy to just be herself.

But then, she started to check herself out... She lifted up her over-sized hoodie, revealing a model-status flat stomach over her tight-fitting jeans. Her face lost its million dollar smile. In it's place- scrutiny. A "hmph. Good enough."

F**k, if I had a stomach like that, I'd...

I would what?

Like my body?

Oh crap. Society's reeled me in like a salmon. A less-willing, squirmy salmon, but it's taken me in its hook none-the-less.

\

Thigh gap (n):
The gap in between one's thighs.

*eyes my own thighs*

Wait, what thigh gap?








Ugh. I've got MAN shoulders.



Thanks a lot, workouts. I still look like a cow.





God, why can't I just be... thinner...



Yet, curvaceous?



And undeniably HOT?

In the eyes of...
you know...
other people?


       Society has gone about portraying a woman's body in a way which induces self-destruction and dissatisfaction. According to society, bodies deserve to be scrutinized based on a set of non-achievable standards/ purely aesthetic criteria.


  • Height
  • Weight
  • Figure (Curves)
  • Sexiness 
       By focusing on these vain aspects, society collectively targets the vulnerability of women, creating a self-image many girls feel they must strive for in order to achieve the ultimate reward: beauty. People strive to be beautiful. Why? Why has "beauty" become the sun around which an artificial society revolves? It seems as if Americans long for beauty because it has become thought of as synonymous to desirability.

       And why have beauty and desirability become as closely linked as the notion of burning fossil fuels and global warming? One of my theories relates to consumerism. Companies selling goods must encourage consumers to buy their goods- a basic concept of economics. There must be a "need" involved that the product can fill. So, companies tend to, in a sense, construct our needs. Their medium for doing so is typically via media outlets: commercials, advertisements. They portray an image, honing in on a certain need and how their product can satisfy this need.

     The woman sporting a trendy dress on the cover of Glamour represents the need for style in order to be beautiful, in order to be desirable, in order to be happy through the eyes of society. This is how need construction occurs. These artificial images, in a sense, become our eyes. Thus, we begin to see through an artificial lens. The pretty picture of a perfectly made-up eye says, "If you purchase this mascara, you'll have pretty eyes, too." The pretty picture of a thin girl with a thigh gap says, "If you can mold yourself into this form, you'll be beautiful, too." 

      And it's not only the United State's who has bought into this beauty-hungry sensation. And the image of beauty is, by far, not new. 

snjose-05-Ohlone-indians-dancing     In prehistoric times, men and women would adorn themselves with clay paints or jewelry made out of shells or other materials. 


















       During the Renaissance, in Italy, women were considered beautiful if they painted their face with lead foundations and plucked their hairs to have larger foreheads. Also, voluptuous women were considered wealthy and beautiful.
.

Botticell's "Young Woman With a Mythological Guise" c. 1475
Tempera on Oil Pane
     This is possibly an image of Simone Martini, who, during this era was considered the "Helen of Troy."

Neck RingsIn Thailand, women begin wearing neck rings around the age of five (given a set of a few ring which weighs about 4.5 pounds) and rings are gradually added throughout the years. Long necks (like those of dragons) are considered beautiful. 


 Standards of beauty are studied. Some try to reinforce them with mathematics. (The Golden Mean)

 Or Philosophy. Some scientists believe men are more attracted to women with neotony which can arise via Paedomorphism, "the retention by adults of traits previously seen only in juveniles," essentially, a youthful face. 

Thus explaining why so many industries choose to market products claiming to fulfill one's need to look young. 


beauty

Eyeliner, mascara, and eye shadow are all products meant to enhance eyes via giving them a more "opened" or "doe-like" look. 

 Even when applied by the Victoria's Secret makeup artists in a smouldering, cat-eyed, angular way, one can't avoid creating an image of beauty without youth. Flawless skin. Bright eyes. Glossy lips.





Aaaannnndd.. now you feel like a pedophile for comparing a VS model with a baby. (Awkward)




     Anyway, let's just say media doesn't help promote positive body image.

Tumblr, anyone? Clothing websites?






Kimchi Blue Embroidered Kimono Jacket
Youtube?


      Sometimes fun to wish society would strive to encourage the motion that "beauty comes from within," ... but that concept is unmarketable and therefore, artificial beauty reigns.

That's enough babbling for now. Time to finish-up studying for finals c:
Coming up next: An article on judgement




Sources:




Friday, November 15, 2013

Trend Alert! #PrepsterChic



       Here, in the land of toothpaste, snow had fallen and temperatures have dropped a good 20 degrees Fahrenheit since our last preppy college trend report. Something tells me forty degrees is too cold for printed shorts (Darn!). Thus, as the scenery's changed, so have the trends!


Day                    1             2              3            4
Sperrys 15 14 9 27
Brown Boots 29 45 14 4

Table  1: Number of Sperrys and Brown Boots (specifically mid-calf to knee-high in height) spotted by Cindy and me during the course of 4 days (October 29th-November 1st).




Table 2: Percentage of people wearing sperrys or brown boots. The same data in table one but represented by percentages (i.e % of sperrys/ (sperrys + boots)) as opposed to raw data.


29

Actual Temp

44° Lo 21°

Hist. Avg.

53° Lo 35°

30

Actual Temp

51° Lo 33°

Hist. Avg.

53° Lo 35°

31

Actual Temp

59° Lo 38°

Hist. Avg.

52° Lo 35°

Nov 1

Actual Temp

67° Lo 51°

Hist. Avg.

52° Lo 34°

Table 3: The weather conditions experienced during the course of our study.

Results:

      The abundance of Sperrys is correlated to the weather conditions- as the temperature increases,  the amount of people sporting Sperrys increases as well. Additionally, as the number of Sperry sightings increased, the number of boots seen decreased and vice-versa. Therefore, our study proves my hypothesis of the inverse proportionality of Sperrys and Brown Boots. However, trends are not a science, and this study cannot be taken as indubitably valid as many factors could have contributed to error and miscalculation: 1) Cindy and I each have different schedules, and therefore, did not calculate the number of people wearing brown boots and Sperrys in the same places which creates variability in sample size 2) sometimes, we'd just forget to count at different parts of the day... 3) If you went to the dining hall, there'd be an overwhelming amount of either footwear and counting without miscounting/ double-counting or...like, labeling each person (which is CREEPY) was difficult, and 4.) Sperrys are unisex, but high brown boots are typically not.

Now for the...

Trend Alert!
Men
Lumber Jack Boots

Casual Suede Men's Boots With Preppy Style Solid Color Lace Up Design
Women 
Olive Green Army Jacket


Tall Brown Boots






Unisex Bean Boots by L.L. Bean

Waxed Canvas 6" Maine Hunting Shoe, Men's


 

Puffer Jackets/ Vests




What does Gian think about these trends? "I think we have to overthrow the patriarchal agenda! That is all."

References:

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/hamilton-ny/13346/october-weather/334764
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=kKU21Hm_IGT-qM&tbnid=3OuzLGHs_dny8M:&ved=0CAMQjhw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwhatiwore.tumblr.com%2Fpost%2F16578376716%2Fwhat-i-wore-bean-boots&ei=nGaGUqmiMObc4AP82IHYCg&bvm=bv.56643336,d.dmg&psig=AFQjCNG5lps9hzGqEVarQcPOY-jTMgRstg&ust=1384626149766719

The L.L. Bean Website

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=dSz40fpSna3rAM&tbnid=zzBCCbSSWJRgPM:&ved=0CAQQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Ftheexeterdresscode.tumblr.com%2Fpost%2F40568426791&ei=0WaGUq-kO9ex4AOZrYDoDQ&bvm=bv.56643336,d.dmg&psig=AFQjCNG5lps9hzGqEVarQcPOY-jTMgRstg&ust=1384626149766719

J Crew Website
Makemechic.com

TheBerry.com

Fashion Collage (:

Fall Fashion 2013

(Article in Progress)



Layering
     I don't know about you, but no look screams fall more than a layered look. Think, cardigans and coats over long sleeve tees or button ups. 


(From Christian Dior's Fall 2013 RTW Collection)

Here are some examples and tips for creating easy, effortless layered looks. 


Color palette:


  • Ralph Lauren's collection employed the classic fall shades: olive green, plum, deep burgundy, and rich browns and black (the collection's primary neutrals)
Gettin' Graphic 

(From Christian Dior's RTW Fall 2013 Collection) 


I LOVE how Dior played with knitwear and patterns. Dior's collection employs a fun, visual take on the classic sweater dress. 


Dresses: Ballerinas Galore


Urban Renewal Tulle Slip Dress
Oh my gosh, she looks like a ballerina.

Urban Renewal Tulle-Skirt Overall Dress

Pins And Needles Mesh-Top Tulle Dress
Pins And Needles Mesh Sequin Fit & Flare Dress

Holy crap, Urban Outfitters- What's with all the ballerina dresses?
Kimchi Blue Esmeralda Fit & Flare Dress

Also, cut-outs are a thing. 

Cooperative Scallop Peplum Dress

Black Beauty
Ralph Lauren's collection displayed an incredible collection of floor length black gowns, all with a long, lean vintagey (1930's) look. Many were embellished and others had fur accents. Tres chic.  Overall, the dresses were precisely tailored and much attention was paid to detail. Good job, RL.

An image of dresses from the 1940's



RL's Fall RTW (Ready-to-wear) creations













Hats

kate spade and reese beanie at new york fashion week 2013
Glamour's Do's and Dont's List puts warm hats as a DO c:
I concur. (Especially since there's snow up here)




References: 

http://www.glamour.com/fashion/2013/02/the-dos-and-donts-of-fall-2013-fashion-trends#slide=2

http://www.vogue.com/fashion-week/

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&docid=xinasHpkY4QEeM&tbnid=xfJXPRf-PG64XM:&ved=0CAMQjhw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fartdecoblog.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2F1930s-dresses.html&ei=4kiGUrfCLonc4AOv84CwDQ&bvm=bv.56643336,d.dmg&psig=AFQjCNHX_U20tbfs213kp6ejltNejSlxdw&ust=1384618591104551



Wednesday, November 13, 2013

So, I burped.

Andy and Ali ":o"

Me "o__o"

Andy and Ali *clapping and laughing*

Andy "She burped! That's so cute!"

Humanities vs. Science (Colgate Students Engaging in Intellectual Activity)

Ali "I LOVE HUMANITIES."
Cindy "I LOVE SCIENCES."
Ali "You find sciences lively and liquid? Humanities are about humans. I love humans."
Cindy "I HATE PEOPLE."

Ali "Germans are the language of NIETZSCHE!"

Angela "Greek is like, the most BEAUTIFUL language! You can read the entire gospel-"
*cue me cracking up*
Ali "Why are you laughing?"
Me "I thought it was written in Old English or something..."
Angela "Well the Old Testament is in Hebrew.. but the gospel is-"
Andy "The real gospel is in CHINESE!" *Note: Andy's Chinese
Ali "You're not even Chinese!"
Angela "IT'S THE BEST!"
Andy "AHH! THE SKY IS BLUE!"

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Where are you FROM?: Racism at Colgate University #rant

One of my friends is from Hong Kong, and people always tell her, "Wow, your English is really good!" 
And she replies with something like, "Oh, thank you." 

English is her first language. 

She told me that during one of her classes, she and her friend from Brunei were participating in a lecture when the professor said, "What is like to be white in America? Because, let's face it, most of us here are white." 

What does it mean to be white in America?
Well, no one compliments your English. 

And certain other scenarios wouldn't even cross your mind. 

My biology lab professor told us that when sending in her academic papers for peer editing, she'd receive nasty comments: "You have no logic" and other scrawls criticizing her writing style. And sometimes, she'd get, "Is English your native language?" because she's of Hispanic origin. 
      And when she told this to us, a Caucasian girl in my class interjected, "Ohmygod! That's horrible!" It is horrible. And it's something that she couldn't image, something that would probably never happen to her. 

But I guess if my Biology professor has to put up with that kind of ignorance (and she is BRILLIANT by the way), then I can take the ignorance, too. 

And I have. 

During a meeting with my art history teacher:
"I gave you an A-. I really like the way you write; it's like you're making comments about the artwork, and you have your own voice." I was feeling pretty good about my first essay until... "But you use certain words incorrectly. This means something else. And sometimes, you phrase things awkwardly. Is English your first language?
"Yes." There was an awkward pause. "I'm from California.."
"Do you speak any other languages at home? It's just that, I have a lot of Asian students... and I don't mean to assume..." Wait.. you don't mean to assume.. Then, why are you assuming?
"No..."

Also, when  you're white, no one tells you stupid things like, "All white people look that same!" 

This morning, I went to order an omelette in the dining hall.
"Could I have an omelette with bacon, cheese, and broccoli?-"
"Didn't you order one already?"
"What?..no."
He gave me a strange look. But then, some other Asian girl came to grab an already-made omelette composed of similar ingredients. 

And you never EVER get asked if you're a citizen of the United States.

My Chinese friend was ordering an omelette one day as well.
"It's pretty cold outside," she said, just making small talk with the chubby omelette dude.
"Yeah... is it not cold where you're from?"
"What?"
"Are you International? What country are you from?"
"I from Connecticut." 





For place prided on its diversity and academics, so far, Colgate has 
fallen short in terms of being an accepting environment. I have never felt so...
marginalized. 
My being "Asian" has never been so blatant
so noticed
the basis of how people perceive or judge me.
Does it matter?
Why does it matter that I'm Asian?

Colgate's Student Government Association e-mail: "You picked an enthusiastic and diverse group of representatives! We come from as close as New York and as distant as Hong Kong!"


What does it matter where a person is from?
Does one person represent the entirety of his or her country?

Does distance make someone unique?
Different?

Why does a school want so much diversity?
To be able to write diversity on a pamphlet? 
To advertise their 

collection of ethnic students?

Does distance make a difference?
Does diversity make a difference?
What does it matter where I'm from? 
Does that determine my character?
Does that help you assume things about my character?

Why do we assume?
Why do we pick out differences rather than see commonalities?

And I know that none of this bullshit would have happened at UCLA (UC Lotta Asians) or another Asian-dominated school. But the majority is ignorant so ignorance reigns. 


Saturday, November 9, 2013

I'm looking for a boyfriend with (insert criteria here)

So, my friends and I always have these conversations about our "perfect partner" criteria. Here are some of the things they said... (Note that these are legitimate and rather personal preferences)

Angela "As long as he has a beard, I'm fine with everything." 


  • I EFFING LOVE GUYS. I don't know how to specify that anymore. 
  • As long as he has a FINE BEARD. [NO STUBBLE!]
  • And is Korean.
  • Well, he doesn't have to be Korean, but he has to speak Korean and like Korean food. 
  • And he needs to go to graduate school. Preferably in MY field.
  • And I don't want anyone who's majoring in music. NO! Or art. (Because they're crazy...) [cue me being offended]
  • I like the quiet types (so he can listen to what I'm saying. I mean, I don't want a guy who talks a lot because I like to talk a lot). #Domination
  • NOT GIAN. 
  • Somebody's who's funny.... 
  • and he can't be shorter than I am (because I want tall babies.) 

"And I think that's pretty much it I'm not that specific."-Angela 


Cindy
  • Cindy wants tall babies, too.
  • I don't like Asian people (personal preference).
  • I don't like beards. (Angela "WHY ARE YOU GOING AGAINST ALL MY POINTS!" Cindy "I don't think guys should have them.." Angela "THEY'RE THE MOST MAGNIFICENT THINGS IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD!") 
  • He needs to be relatively intelligent. 
  • His job can be whatever the hell he wants (as long as he's making money) 
  • He can be.. nice
  • Compassionate 
Angela "Any physical characteristics? Nice abs? Nice... cows?" 
Cindy "COWS?!"
Angela "CALVES!" 

(Yeah, at this point, Angela turned into an interviewer to "get more out of Cindy")

Gian "He has to be able to twerk."
Angela "Yeah! Like, any ... dance moves you want him to have?"
Cindy "No.."
Angela "WOW. YOU'RE SO SPECIFIC." 
  • moderately athletic/ fit
  • outdoorsy 
  • likes dogs (Cindy doesn't like cats.) 
  • He needs to not crush me to death when he's sleeping... so he can't roll around...  
Gian
  • a girl shorter than him
  • intelligent
  • short
  • cutesy and bubbly 
(This was dictated by Cindy and Angela because Gian was studying Chem. Gian "Wow, you guys remembered it." :)

Nick
  • "Any girl..."
  • "... with B-cup boobs (or bigger)."
  • "And a butt. (Because butts are nice in the winter)." 
Paul (One of the whitest kids I know)
  • Ethnic
  • Tall
Amanda
  • someone smarter (or just as smart) as she is (which eliminates 99% of our school)
  • less than a foot taller than her (She's 4'11)
  • relatively fit
  • not a heavy partier
  • someone who won't push his views onto her 
  • someone less awkward than she is 
Adib
  • Sexy
  • Intelligent
  • Someone with similar culture and religion 
  • someone who's mean, preferably (to handle his sarcasm) 
OT
  • isn't crazy
  • has the "lost boy look"
  • Can't illegally pirate music
  • No glasses
  • Needs abs
  • NOT left-handed
  • Birthday on the 26th of the month 
Andy
  • Someone with personality
  • bulky.. buff... rugged buff guys?
  • Into anime 
  • Nice


Cindy, "Why do we even have lists? because this doesn't even matter."
Angela, "Because I want a guy with a beard." 


Friday, November 8, 2013

College, Peer Pressure, and Prose #rant

I'm a girl who smells like flowers instead of some cheap beer
I'm a girl who likes to laugh at characters from her favorite shows instead of the bad jokes told by some guy in the dark
I'm a girl who likes to party but knows when to stop because alcohol is dangerous
Because young and stupid are not synonymous
Because I don't want to be known for getting wasted, laid, hospitalized, or fucked up! 
but for things that actually matter.

In college, there's this huge priority distortion that occurs. For some reason:
     making more friends > making true friends
     going to parties > spending time embracing yourself
                     Time to reflect, look in the mirror, and think, "Yeah, this is who I am. This is the person I want to be."

There's also this pseudo-notion that college is not the real world. You can have sex with EVERYONE! Get everyone TOTALLY BLACKOUT DRUNK! And be a total ASSHOLE! Get out of your room! It's sad. Pathetic. Uncool. Join the party! SCREAM! FUCK! DRINK! DRINK! DRINK!!!

And it's okay. Justified, even. Don't worry, you have your good-for-everything excuse- "It's college."

Yes, it is college. A college full of real men and women, intellectuals, fun-lovers, more than a tight dress or biceps.

And it's shallow, the party scene. But I guess that's the point. It's an escape from reality, from those which keep you grounded school, work, our families.

Yeah, our parents aren't here to ground us anymore.

So it's time to ground ourselves.

To take responsibility for our actions instead of taking advantage of the college lifestyle.

All I'm saying is, be a person. Don't forget that college is real life, and don't be an asshole. The world doesn't need more assholes.

Monday, October 28, 2013

Why I love yoga class.

     Sometimes, it's Monday, which can be the shittiest day of the week, especially if it starts of with you startling yourself out of dreamland and realizing it's 15 minutes before your 8:20 a.m. Chemistry class. You didn't sleep that well that night, and now you have to go to class both sleep-deprived, ugly (stupid bed head), and hungry. Then after class, you can't go back to your dorm to fix your hair so you look like a decent human being because you didn't finish the epicly long assignment you just realized you had to complete by today last night -facepalm- so you go on and read that ridiculously confusing discourse and write your hopefully less-confusing essay rapidamente, finish just in time, and feel really proud walking to your class until you realize that it wasn't due until next week so you could've actually had lunch with your friends and gotten a decent good night's sleep.... Oh well. Moving on. But seriously, you're pissed. And then you realize that you did the assignment due last week completely wrong, and that's another thing you have to do today. Ughhhhh. But then you go back to your dorm after a horrible half-day. Your roommate's there, and she says her aunt gave her a bag full of cookies, and she hands one to you. It's literally the best cookie you've ever eaten in your ENTIRE LIFE.
     And suddenly everything's okay. I guess you were just hungry. But you still feel kind of meh because there isn't enough time in the day, but you have to sacrifice an hour of studying because you have yoga class. It's your first day. Huh.. Shit. I hope I don't need a mat. "Did I need to bring a mat?"
    "No-" the girl you ask says. "There are ones over there."
    You grab a purple one because it's your favorite color. The yoga instructor starts class, and it's awesome. Her voice is kind of yell-y and not very relaxing, but she does that because the zumba class is blaring music next door. It confuses you at first, the fighting BOOM BOOM beat and hispanic pop battling with the calm piano tunes of yoga class, but soon, the yoga instructor tells you to let everything that's been bothering you go just when you need to hear that the most. And after a bunch of weird poses (which you can manage because you used to take yoga back home.. except the bridge :c Sometimes, bodies just don't want to do that) and the chillest music ever, you get to just lay on the purple yoga mat and take a nap while that song from Twilight jams in the background. I have died every day waiting for you... Namaste.

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Why do we wear the things we wear?

Sometimes, and by sometimes, I mean all the time, I end up thinking way too much about something for no reason other than the fact that I like to think (especially when I'm supposed to be studying for my Chemistry test on Monday. Ha. Haha.) And now, the word vomit.

    In college, it's like I'm a different world. I anticipated the scenery to be different: a different landscape- being in the middle of nowhere and seeing trees for miles-, different wildlife- the squirrels here have the bushiest tails ever!-, different people... but not this different. Oh no. This isn't just different faces but some other-worldy shit. Like seriously. To put it in a nutshell, I deem Colgate as "The Prepster's Paradise."
    Yeah, I said it. My friend Cindy from Connecticut is all like, "I think you're exaggerating how preppy people dress. It's seriously not that weird." But I guess I never realized how used to hoodies, skinny jeans, vans, and logo t-shirts people get from PacSun or something  until I came to this place where these articles of clothing have been basically driven to extinction. I mean, sure, in every place, not every single person dresses exactly the same. That's crazy. But these trends address the 80% that do.

What people typically wore in high school:

  • Hoodies
  • Skinny Jeans
  • Converse or vans or Nikes or something (Typically, really shitty-looking and beat-up)
  • Brands: Target, PacSun, Aeropostale, American Eagle, Victoria's Secret (You know, sweatshirts with PINK that were like blue or something... I totally had one), Hollister, Forever21 




And all this stuff became normal to my eyes. The "Normal Look." Like, I'd look at guy wearing a hoodie, jeans, and shitty-ass shoes and be like, "Yeah. He looks normal."

And then, everything changed when the Sperrys attacked. 

For those of you who don't know what Sperrys are... bless your lucky souls. (Just kidding. They're not that ugly. Like, if crocs were the bottom of the ugly scale, like, as ugly as you'd get, and sexy heels were at the top, they'd be 1/5 of the way up.) They're these boat shoe things



Kinda silly looking, right?

So why would anyone (especially since these are boat shoes and no one here is actually on a boat) purchase these bad boys for $95 a pair?

The answer: Conformity.

The same goes for the other common Colgate trends.



I've seriously never seen this much JCrew, Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren, Vineyard Vines, Patagonia, Northface...  in my life. When I saw ads for these companies in magazines, I'd always wonder about who actually bought this preppy attire... And I've found the people that do. Ohhhh yes.





I've never seen so many army green jackets in my LIFE. Literally 1/5 girls wears one.


Mean Girls (the prepster version?)



Every time there's a single cloud in the sky, these are EVERYWHERE!



Toddler shorts, anyone? (Literally 70% of the guys own embroidered/ bright colored shorts!)

What I think guys are trying to say by sporting such preppy looks:


Whale you go out with me?




There are plenty of fish in the sea, but you're the only fish for me (;



Come take a ride in my sailboat!



Orange you glad you met me?




I go to the gym and what do I see? 40 pairs of Nike shorts looking at me.




It's a puffer vest paradise!


Yes! I'd love to look like a marshmallow today!



Where did all the hoodies go? Oh, the Northfaces wiped them out.



And so many oversized sweaters.



With leggings.

And brown boots.

And we can't forget button ups!












And what look would be complete without a $145 Longchamp book bag? 



You know how Jansports used to be a thing? At a rich-kid private school, this is the thing.

And these.


Needless-to-say, I miss the Cali-cool/ casual look :c
But I'm going to try out some elements of this prepster look (like sweaters (: I love sweaters!) and learn how to layer because it's getting kind of cold here :D

And at least I don't have to see some of the Cali trends I don't think I'll ever miss:





Ugggggggggg....