The Battalion
Page 3A • Thursday, April 15, 2004
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Lauren Smith
I t was my long-awaited eighth grade trip
to Washington, D C., and I had to have
a pair of Oakley sunglasses. Although I
had saved enough money to buy a pair of this
ultra-cool optical specimen at full cost, I heard
it through the grapevine that there were these
nice men working on the streets who would
give me a special deal.
I don’t remember what the Lincoln
Memorial looked like, but I do remember my
radiant silver, oval-shaped sunglasses.
Looking back at my pictures, I must say that 1
looked like a bug with awkward bangs.
Oakleys were not cool then, so to try to pull
them off in the 21st century is not going to
happen.
I think I almost cried when I found out from
the Sunglass Hut that it sells more Oakleys at
its College Station store than anywhere else. It
is not like people buy them because they are
cheap, as many other places like TJ Maxx,
Academy or Marshall’s carry them.
Now that you know what not to wear,
there are many other options to explore that
will look better and cost less. There are plen
ty of eyewear snobs out there who will pay
$1,100 for the Christian Dior Punk Strass.
Most of us neither look like Paris Hilton nor
have her bank account for that matter, so this
is definitely more than just a bit excessive.
Of all the discount stores, Steinmart
reigns. It carries designer brands such as
Nine West, Calvin Klein and Oscar De La
Renta. I have a hard time vocalizing my
affection for Steinmart because I feel like I
am letting out a well-kept secret.
Nothing goes better with a hot pair of sun
glasses than the perfect swimsuit for your
body type. Most swimsuits today start at
around $70 to $80, but Target has a great col
lection of swimsuits and sunglasses. But,
swimsuits are such a personal thing that only
the owner will know when he sees the right
one for him. It will be like destiny when you
lock eyes with that perfect color combination
or pattern.
There a few brave people out there who
stroll out to the beach in only the swimsuit
on their bodies, but some sort of cover-up is
a better idea. While avoiding an oversize,
old T-shirt, girls should try a white mini
skirt or white capri pants with a magenta,
turquoise or citrus-colored top. Boys should
try a lightweight buttonup shirt over their
patterned or solid-colored board shorts.
Regardless of where you are this summer,
wear sunscreen because you don’t want to look
like a leather handbag when you are older.
Make your poolside attire your own, but what
ever you do, give your Oakleys to Goodwill.
Longer days and the suns
rays have students longing, for
SUMMER
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Randal Ford • THE BATTALION
'Hicks, a senior sports management major, holds on for dear life to James Welden Polka, a senior agricultural sys-
i major. Her black sarong goes perfectly with her swimsuit.
By Lauren Smith
THE BATTALION
P resident Kennedy was assassinat
ed the year before and the
Vietnam War reached its peak the
year after, but 1964 also marked an inter
esting year for the swimsuit fashion world
as designer Rudi Gernreich introduced his
new invention: the monokini, a topless
swimsuit. We also have Gernreich to thank
for the ever-controversial thong.
Thankfully, the monokini never really
took off as was intended.
This spring/summer season
marks a new period for
swimsuits as the designs are
getting more elaborate and
the styles more diverse,
“This season there are so
many design elements,” said
Laura McDowell, fashion
spokesman forT.J. Maxx in
the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
“From a resurgence of 1980s
new halters to retro looks,
Hawaiian themes and the
influence of multi-culture,
there are wearable options
for every woman.”
Prints, which are everywhere this sea
son from beaches to offices, are appearing
with different twists such as mixing differ
ent patterns and putting solid colors, such
as brown with a loud neon or citrus color.
“Prints can keep the eye moving with
out allowing people to focus on unwanted
bumps and bulges. Vertical stripes or color
blocking can elongate and slim trouble
spots,” said Lisa Pikul, swimwear designer
for Liz Claiborne, as reported in The Sun-
Sentinel. “Dark colors can help distract
from figure flaws, but if you wouldn't
wear a lime green sportswear top, don’t
choose it for your swimsuit either.”
With the array of colors and patterns,
every designer seems to be fascinated
with the Mediterranean and its seaside,
vacation style, especially when it comes
to poolside attire.
“Sunny citrus colors are all over sporty
miniskirts, short-shorts, clam diggers and
capri pants. Resort wear also rules with
seaside-striped tops over sailor white
trousers and yacht-loads of nautical cover-
ups and cabana-patterned sundresses,”
reports Rod Hagwood, fashion columnist
for The Sun-Sentinel.
Shorts are also making a revival, but in
varying lengths. Capri pants are also still
in fashion as a perfect
cover-up for beach days.
Judy Gordon, style edi
tor for NBC’s Today,
names capri pants as one
of the five fashion must-
haves for spring.
“The slim, cropped pant
is numero uno this season,”
Gordon said. “If you’re
looking for a wardrobe
workhouse that goes with
practically everything in
your closet, then choose a
solid-colored capri in
candy brights or white.”
While the skimpier the
better will probably be the
rule of thumb for swimsuits forever, pool-
side accessories such as sunglasses and
jewelry are larger than ever.
“Size is everything this season: big
bracelets, oversized sunglasses, floral pins
as big as sunflowers and scarves that can
double as tablecloths are hot haute,”
Hagwood said.
Decorative embellishments are also
everywhere this season in the form of
Swarvoski crystals and studs, especially in
the lines of designers such as Versace,
Chanel and Salvatore Ferragamo. Because
most men are not interested in flair on their
See Shades on page 12A
Even Gemneich's
pmrxxincement,
'Fashion will go out
of fashion/ embod
ies the contracfictions
beloved.
— Philadelphia City Paper
Bigger is better for sunglasses this season. Bernal, a senior Spanish major, said her
Tracey Roark, a senior finance major, is Ray Bans are what attracted the men to her
chic in her Calvin Klein shades. Olga over spring break.
0
(Run (Thru the Vines
10K and 5K Fun Run
9:00 a.m. on Saturday
April 17,2004
At Messina Hof Winery
www.runthruthevines.com
J Visit us for information or to register online
Presented bv Texas A&M Roadrunners
s'
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Class C ouncils Presents:
Tke 67tk Annual
Ring D ance
"A Night on tke Town
April 24, 2004
9 p.m. - 1a.m.
Tickets available at the MSC Box Office
For A Complete Listing of Senior Week Events
Visit Classof2004.tainn.eclii
Sponsored by The Association of Former Students, Rose Cottage Creations, David
Gardner’s Jewelers and Al’s Formal Wear.