University Student Fashions

Universities can be considered the hotbeds of style. Most often, students like experimenting around with the latest fads and styles, trying to figure out what’s cool, what’s not and which look suits them the best. Sometimes, the kind of style followed or even label worn determined the kind of clique a person would end up being a part of. The preppie style, which usually set apart the rich posh kids from the rest of the class, became an accepted style statement here. Although kids wearing a regular pair of jeans and t-shirts can be found everywhere, small experiments with style never hurt. Style doesn’t always have to be about a designer label, designer shoes or expensive bags. A piece of jewelry which is uniquely yours, a hairstyle that nobody else can carry off, a mix and match of accessories or even wearing a t-shirt in a unique manner are just a few ways you can stand out from the crowd.

There’s a reason why streetwear is such a cool accepted university style. Although it may seem so, streetwear is not just for those who like to have a loud and flashy style statement. The best feature about urban wear is the freedom it gives the wearer to mix and match. For instance, some people may prefer to just wear a hard to miss t-shirt whereas some others may prefer to jazz up the ensemble with a pair of bright colored sneakers. Guys can top up the cool look with a bandana that has abstract designs or even with a cap. Girls may prefer to complete the look with a soft beanie cap or wear a few stylish accessories. There are plenty of brands available which thrive on inspiration, witty liners and art straight from the streets. Of course, if you aren’t the kind who likes to say it loud and clear and prefers to make an impression the quiet way; there are plenty of brands that are perfect for you.

 Like RAGEWEAR. This is probably the only urban wear brand that’s designed by students for students. That also explains why its cool and hip to be seen in a RAGEWEAR t-shirt or hoodie whether you’re at class, watching the Superbowl with your friends, hanging out at the bowling arcade or even if you’re on a date with that someone special. After all, fashion shouldn’t just be about making you look good, it should also make you stand out anywhere you go. Take your pick from t-shirts that keep it simple yet fresh in different colors with the word RAGE across the front. Or choose t-shirts with different images of Fydo across the front, if you feel that cool prints are your thing. Team it up with a hoodie that has a proper ‘from the streets’ grunge look and feel to it. Why not choose a colorful ladies t-shirt as a gift for your girl, the next time you celebrate a special occasion? We guarantee she will love it. When you wear RAGEWEAR, you opt for fashion that’s comfortable hip and always in style.

It's all in the Sunglasses

Where would fashion be without eye wear? These days it doesn’t matter if you really need a pair of shades or not. It doesn’t even matter if you don’t really need a pair of prescription glasses to read a book because eye wear is no longer about the need for a pair of glasses any more. On the other hand, the right eye wear has become a must have fashion accessory.

 To the extent that people who don’t really need glasses, sometimes wear them just to project a more professional image. The power of this fashion accessory just cannot be denied. It can jazz up an otherwise ordinary outfit, make heads turn on the street and not surprisingly is the constant companion of celebrities and fashion icons.

It’s ironic that wearing glasses were not always considered cool and hip. In fact for a very long time, glasses per se were associated with old people who were in their prime. The thinking slowly changed, and people who wore glasses were thought of as wise and educated with a love for books. Then in 1929, Sam Forster created the first pair of sunglasses and within one year, the trend of wearing eye wear as protection from the sun caught on.

 American pilots were among the first people to wear sunglasses as eye protection while on duty. In 1936, Ray Ban created the first anti glare aviator sunglasses for pilots fighting in the Second World War. The popularity of sunglasses as a fashion item really caught on in the early sixties and thanks to the hippie era in particular; they became a must have accessory. Celebrities and other icons also wore sunglasses to enhance their fashion statement.

Today the eye wear industry has many well known brands which are in the business of not only merging technology with the best designs, but also enhancing the overall style quotient of the wearer. In fact, many brands showcase upcoming or yet to be unveiled designs at fashion shows. Big names like Chanel, Gucci and Dior often have their models wearing the latest fashion wear with sunglasses to complete the intended look.

Sunglasses are an important accessory in urban wear too.

 It’s not unusual for rap and hip hop artists to flash the latest designer eye wear, or to be in the public eye wearing flashy oversized sunglasses. As with urban wear itself, the idea is to allow each item in the ensemble to stand out on its own. Sunglasses in retro shades and styles, with colorful rims or with designs like polka dots on them are quite common as well.

If you are on the lookout for some cool shades to wear with your streetwear, check out sites like www.yukka.com or www.karmaloop.com. These sites have a good collection of sunglasses featuring different brands as well as unique tints and cool styles. The best way to look fresh each time is to have a few sunglasses that can be mixed and matched with any outfit making you look hot and cool at the same time.

Streetwear Fan Sites

The best way to check out the latest fashion wear or the must have look of the season, is to surf the Internet. Which other source of ready to read information can give you such up to date material on whatever topic you choose? There are many websites which cover streetwear from the graffiti filled streets of New York to the flea markets in Japan. Many of them offer compiled collections of the best urban wear labels, and even have great discounts or bulk offers on their websites. The beauty of the Internet is that there are no boundaries and the choices available for you are limitless. So if you really don’t have the time to shop around in the mall next door, or indulge in some window shopping; just have a chilled glass of your favorite beverage next to you, relax and enjoy visiting these websites.



1. www.asiajam.com- Whoever thinks that streetwear is strictly American or European, probably doesn’t know that streetwear has adapted to local culture and trends throughout many Asian countries. If you want to know what streetwear in Korea, Japan or even Hong Kong looks like; then this is the best website to visit. Great apparel, beanie caps, accessories, bags, shoes and plenty of great deals make this site hugely popular with Asian streetwear fans. There are even different sub sections like ‘ classic streetwear’ or ‘ sleek and chic’ so that you go directly to the collection you want.


2. www.formatmag.com- This website covers the latest and the must know information relating to urban wear and other topics. Art, the best sneakers, latest urban wear designs, street art, tattoo designs and even menswear are just a few of the topics that are worth a read on the site. Catalog collections of various brands and pictures of photography exhibitions can also be viewed. The site does not believe in staying restricted to just one country and features stories from all over the world.


3. www.yukka.co.uk- Find the latest and the best happening brands in urban wear here. Besides fantastic offers, clearance deals and separate collections for men and women, this site has something for everyone. Whether you’re just getting into the groove of urban wear or if you’re a seasoned streetwear fan, this site will certainly have a few surprises for you. While you’re there, check out the blog which talks about latest launches, music and movies. It’s a good way to connect with other yukka fans too.


4. www.highsnobeity.com- This is a must read for die hard streetwear fans. The website is run independently and features streetwear fashion as well as lifestyle and other culture news. If you want to know what’s going to be the next big thing in style, you’re likely to read about it here first. Readers can get the latest news, new product and store launches as well as plenty of other information. Indepth interviews and plenty of other reviews can also be found here. There’s even a newsletter which arrives in your mailbox that fans can subscribe to.

Who Loves Bandanas

You don’t have to spend a lot of money just to look cool or hep. Sometimes, the right accessories can help to accentuate your look and add a dash of appeal as well. One such accessory that can be worn by both men and women is a bandana. A bandana is just a piece of cloth, which is usually square or triangular in shape and worn on the head. Sometimes it can be worn around the neck as a casual scarf as well.

Bandanas were not always considered to be a fashion item, and for many years they were worn to keep the hair in place by farm girls and farmers. Soon, engineers who worked on railroads and men working in construction sites began to wear bandanas as well. It served as an ideal cloth to wipe away sweat and project a neat look. Bandanas actually became a youth accessory when they began to feature in western movies, where dashing young cowboys wore them.

With time, a bandana became more than just a scarf to wear on the head- it began to symbolize one’s identity. Just like the hoodie, bandanas began to be worn by local neighborhood gangs and youngsters sporting one were often thought to be anti social elements. Soon, the bandana became a must have for music artists and rap artists as well. Musicians like 50 cent, Eminem and even Axel Rose have all sported a bandana during their concerts and stage shows.

Bandanas for guys usually come in plain colors or abstract patterns whereas those for girls come in brighter shades. Although bandanas can be bought almost everywhere, if you really want to buy bandanas that are unique, then the best place to begin is the Internet itself. You can either buy a single piece or order a dozen pieces of the same design. www.wholesaleforeveryone.com is a wonderful site to surf if you are looking for bandanas that are out of the ordinary. Various biker, pirate, skulls & crossbones, military and automotive designs are great for those with a flair for adventure.

For the girls, there are various designs available such as nature, paisley, tie& dye as well as religious symbols. There are even cute designs for kids such as bandanas with stars and other kiddy designs guaranteed to match whatever they are wearing. www.coveryourhair.com is another site which is very popular with the girls. They have a good range of pre tied bandanas, which simply need to be worn on the head without tying. Designs in plaid and floral patterns in velvet and lycra can be bought. They also have other bandanas which can make your outfit much more colorful such as bandanas with polka dots, stripes, paisley designs, multi colored stripes, tie and dye as well as camouflage patterns. Their range of triangle shaped bandanas come in plain colors as well as abstract patterns which are ideal for guys to wear. A bandana can also be used to wrap up a gift for a friend or even as a bow on a gift.

Is Preppy Back?

The word ‘ preppie’ conjures up images of fashionable students who pay a lot of attention to the way they look, dress and behave in general society. The term itself originated somewhere in the early fifties, and was meant to refer to students who had distinct mannerisms and who were in many ways easily distinguishable from the rest of the crowd.

Besides being popular and the most envied, they were easily the best dressed and perhaps snobbish as well. Since there were many similarities in the way preppies would dress such as in clean cut and classy ensembles; it wasn’t long before the ‘preppie look’ became a fashion trend in itself. Many brands such as Ralph Lauren, Lacoste and J Press are a few of the well known stores which carry styles that are associated with preppies.

Exactly what is the definition of preppie style? Although there is no hard and fast definition as such, it generally refers to clothes that can stand the test of time, which are non fussy in appearance and which have an air of expensive elegance. The clean, tidy look of a preppie also comes from wearing sober colors which match and make the wearer look neat. Wool, cashmere and expensive fabrics in sober shades like navy blue, light blue, white or patterns such as plaid, stripes, paisley and floral are old time favorites. The preppie clean look is not merely meant for class, and can be worn anywhere, no matter what the occasion. Guys usually prefer polo shirts, long sleeved shirts, knitted vests or sweaters in traditional colors for a casual look. Chinos, Bermuda shorts or khaki pants are great for a game or a party.

 For a more formal look, a shirt can be teemed up with a jacket or a blazer in a dark shade such as navy blue. For the girls, the trick is to wear conventional clothing in different patterns or summery shades for a perky look. A line skirts or skirts with a small flare in khaki, plaid, linen or with a light pattern are ideal for wearing all year round. They can be worn with simple shirts or blouses and a scarf or a bright colored stole will add the right touch of color. Dresses with patterns of flowers, paisley designs or in light shades, are also an accepted preppie look.

The right accessories can help accentuate the desired look and there are a few accessories that both men and women can wear with their ensemble. Hats, ties, suspenders, pith helmets and winter hats are a must have for men, whereas jewelry should be limited to cufflinks, signet rings, studs and watches. Belts, handbags, head bands, straw hats and scarves are the perfect accessories for women. Jewelry is usually limited to a strand of pearls, small studs as well as thin chains and bracelets. The footwear is also carefully coordinated with whatever the person wears such as slippers with a dress or flip flops for a casual look.

Tie Dye is In

Although the hippie era is usually spoken about as the era of free love, drugs and rock n roll; it was also a time when fashion began to break away from the usual norms. A rather unusual style of creating patterns called the tie and dye method, became popular. Designs which are usually abstract or nature inspired were made by folding the material such as a dress or a t-shirt and then binding it tightly with bands to hold the material in place.

Different colored dyes depending on the intended look and style are then applied, to various sections of the material. The material is later rinsed and in some cases, left in a freezer overnight so that the dye does not run out when the material is washed next. These kinds of designs make the fabric appear very colorful and bright.

It is argued that tie and dye as a creative artistic process itself is actually quite old. Various materials which had tie and dye designs, dating back to 500-800 AD, showed patterns of small circles and lines in colors ¬like red, yellow and blue. Tie dye techniques were also in use in West Africa, where the clothing itself was richly embroidered in traditional designs before undergoing the tie and dye process.

Similarly, Indonesia and India too had their own tie and dye techniques as well as various words for the unique process. There is no end to one’s imagination as well as the different possibilities, when it comes to the tie and dye process. However, some patterns such as the spiral which is usually done in two colors, the V shape and random circles are quite popular.

The tie and dye design is quite unisex in nature and has a casual yet chic appeal when paired with jeans or with cargoes. It makes the wearer appear quite colorful too, as these designs are usually done in bright colors and black is rarely used.


Tie and dye is a relatively simple technique that can even be done safely at home, if you are keen on having a unique garment. Surprisingly, after a long hiatus, the tie and dye trend featured on the runaway in 2009 where design houses like Balmain showcased such garments with ripped bleach washed jeans and other trousers which were quite commonplace in the late seventies and early eighties. The tie and dye technique is no longer used on just fabric- it is also used on bags, shoes, scarves and even jewelry. This year too, when the Spring 2010 collection was unveiled, the tie and dye trend just could not be overlooked. The focus remained on creating fashion that was affordable and which incorporated the colors normally associated with spring. The impression given was that tie and dye designs were light, refreshing and flirty to wear. It doesn’t matter if you feel this technique is just not your thing. Something as small as a tie and dye scarf or a bag alone can jazz up the look of your ensemble.

It All About The Jeans

If there is one garment that is truly universal, then it is undoubtedly the humble jeans. Denim itself evolved from humble beginnings, with coal miners often wearing them at work, because the material was tough and did not tear easily. Moreover it could be washed time and again, without the color fading or the material itself coming apart. Jeans slowly made their way into retail shops and truly hit the mark, after celebrities made on screen appearances wearing them.

For a long time, jeans were associated with rebels and especially the youth. A guy in a pair of denims and a leather jacket, was thought to be the epitome of cool. Today jeans have come a long way with comfortable pairs being made even for infants. Plenty of designers and labels have all jumped in, to tap the potential that this huge market offers. After all, nothing spells comfort better than a pair of jeans with a t-shirt to match. Jeans are looked as a unisex garment which can be dressed up or dressed down depending on the occasion. A pair of jeans is no longer about just the color- it’s also about the style, fit, wash, rise, length, cut and the label.

One of the best selling trends doing the rounds these days is the focus on the vintage look. To achieve the vintage look, a decent pair of jeans may actually go through a process of being ripped and torn at strategic places. Vintage jeans on the whole are meant to look like the pair of denim itself is past its prime and is not looked after properly.

Faded jeans for one are very popular as they have an old feel about them, and have been washed that way to achieve the intended look. When worn, the jeans themselves stand out. Distressed or destroyed jeans on the other hand, look as if the denim has been to hell and back, and are usually accompanied by holes, rips, tears and frayed hems as well. Sometimes the threads of the jeans may hang out in a ragged manner, but that is supposed to enhance the overall look.

 Many denim fans may actually choose not to purchase such jeans for themselves, and instead prefer to hang on to their favorite pair of jeans for years to come. Eventually, the jeans will take on a natural vintage look on their own. Fashionistas on the other hand may think otherwise.

 The more distressed the jeans, the higher its fashion quotient. To a large extent we have celebrities who made wearing torn jeans fashionable, to thank for. Jeans with a whisker wash are also quite trendy to be seen in and can make the person look very fashionable. Usually the jeans will have a few cat like scratch marks or whisker marks on the leg or just below the front pockets on the thigh. This kind of style is very popular among women.

Probably no other garment has been experimented upon so much as the humble denim. No matter what the wash, cut or label, it is one garment that sits differently on everybody.