First and foremost, we want to let you guys know what we’re about.  (This will be covered in the soon to be available “Our philosophy” page but we wanted to cover this now so you guys know whats going on).

So, this whole thing was started by a few college students who have fashion and style on the mind.  We think we dress pretty well, no, we think we’re pretty damn hot.  Anyways, we were lucky enough to catch the attention of one of the leading trend forecasters in the world, Haysun Hahn, and she agreed to come on board as our fearless leader.  That’s how you guys know what we’re saying is legit.  Everything we post is ok’ed by Haysun, our in-house fashionista.  So we started this blog as a place for college students to come hear what’s going on in the world of style and to voice their own opinions.

Somewhere along the way, we decided that we needed to include more than the latest trends.  While the majority of our articles will be about how to make you look sexy, we will definitely be chiming in with news and advice about campus life and what we as college students think is cool, important or just worth mentioning.

So that’s what we’re about.  Fashion, College and everything in between.

Now to the REALLY fun stuff.

Every 2 weeks, we’re going to feature a different school on our site.  All of the colors on our site are going to match those of the school we’re featuring for 2 weeks.  During that time, we’re going to hold a contest, a search for the best-dressed student at that school.  It’ll be up to you guys to nominate yourself or your friends and send us pictures to prove who is the most fashionable at your school.

The lucky student we choose will win a whole bunch of stuff from us.  You see, one of the many benefits of having a world-famous trend forecaster on our side, is the mountain of cool stuff she has at her disposal.

If you want to see your school’s colors splashed across our site, drop us an e-mail at myschoolcolors@thecollegiatestyle.com.  We can’t guarantee that you’ll be the next school we feature, but we promise we’ll get to you soon enough.

Speaking of giveaways, we’ll be periodically holding other contests and just straight giveaways.  We’ll actually be adding a “giveaways” section to our site so check back and get some cool stuff.  We’re going to be giving away all kinds of things, everything from bags, to clothes to stuff to make your dorm/apt cooler than your neighbors.

The most important aspect of our site, is that it serves as a forum for University students around the world, guys and girls, freshman to seniors.  Get involved.  Send us your article ideas, entire articles, comment on what we’re talking about, vote in the polls, tell us what YOU want to see here.If you like what we’re doing, let us know.  If you want to see something new or see where we might be able to improve something, drop us a line.  This site is for you guys.  Send us anything you’ve got and we’ll see what we can do.  Who knows?  Maybe you’ll end up being part of our team.

If you’re not in college yet, or already graduated, you’re more than welcome to participate in everything we do, just not the contests to see who’s the hottest on campus.

This site is going to be continually evolving so keep checking back, interact and enjoy.

Cell phones have become a part of our lives, a critical part of our communication, an extenstion of our arms but so many of us don’t use all of the features that our cell phones offer us. It’s alright, Jason’s here to help.

I’m going to blow your mind grapes with 3 things you didn’t know your cell phone could do and how to take advantage of all the sometimes hidden features and tricks that will make your mobile THAT much more useful.

1. Ringtones and the magic of bluetooth

This may come back to shoot me in the foot, but I’m going to teach you to ignore the annoying “text *8743 to get T-Pain on your cell phone” commericals (you know you’ve seen them in between installments of I Love Money) and get all the freaking ringtones you want for free, well as free as a song is anyways.

As long as your phone has bluetooth (and what respectable phone doesn’t) you can have any sound file on your phone serve as a ringtone. Best things is, it’s real easy.

If you don’t have bluetooth built into your computer, go buy what they call a bluetooth dongle. You can find some pretty sweet deals online *ahem* or if you can’t wait for the mailman to get it to you, you’l have to spend about $20 at your local best buy equivalent.

Now connect that badboy to your computer and install all of the drivers. Once installed, “pair” it to your cell phone by going into discover mode in your phone’s bluetooth menu and following the helpful wizard on your computer.

Now go to http://www.bitpim.org/ and download bitpim, the handy program that’s going to do all the messy work for you. Open bitpim and use their wizard (why the frack are they called wizards?) to setup your phone’s connection. (You’ll find the wizard by clicking on the screwdriver and wrench at the top of you screen and then the “phone wizard button” on the right side of the window that pops up)

After you’ve got that setup, go to media (on the left side of your screen) and then ringers.

Whoo, still with me?

Now right click on the big blank area on the right side of your screen and then hit “add…”. Select the song you want to use, or the clip of your mom yelling at you to pick up, and hit open. The window that opens up here is a little weird to use but thats why I’m here. Apparently, the songs that you downloaded (legally right?) are a different file type than the ones your phone can use as a ringtone so you need to convert it first. Just hit the convert button. After a few seconds of flashing black windows, you’ll be good to move on.

Now you have to prepare the song or sound clip to be a ringtone. Most songs have an intro that wouldn’t be very much fun as a ringtone, so when you’re uploading that epic Journey song, you need to cut out the intro. To do this, you can either drag the pink ball you see towards the bottom of the window, or you can manually enter your desired start point (in seconds) into the “Clip Start (sec)” text box.

Then, to keep the file size small and not overload your phone, drage the red ball to the left or enter a number into the “Clip Duration (sec)” box. A good rule of thumb is to make the ringtone about 30 seconds long but you can make that longer or shorter if you so please.

Now that we’ve gotten through all of that, hit the set button, and the experimenting begins. before we get to that though, upload the ringer to your phone by hitting OK and then hitting the button at the top left of your screen that has an arrow going into your phone. Get it? You’re putting stuff into your phone. I knew you were smart. Make sure you check ringers in the window that pops up so that you transfer the right things to your phone.

The reason I said you have to experiment is because some songs won’t be loud enough to serve as an effective ringtone. If your ringer sounds ok, you’re fine, but if it’s too loud or soft, you’ll have to go back, convert the file again and then adjust the “Volume Adjustment (dB)” field. Bigger number for louder, negative numbers for softer.

You now have your very own custom ringtone and you didn’t have to contact that annoying astronaut monkey to get it.

This method is entirely legal as long as you actually bought the song you’re putting onto your phone. I’m not here to judge so if you limewired the song, you’re actually getting the ringtone for free.

Bitpim isn’t limited to ringtones. You can use it to back up your contacts, calendar and even your text messages. If you’re particulalry tech or google savvy, you can even “hack” your phone to get free internet, games and all kinds of other stuff, but that’s a topic for a different article.

2. Track yourself (or someone else) via GPS

I hope that none of our readers have felt the sting of a less-than-faithful significant other, but that’s just unrealistic. Now, this isn’t entirely legal, but if you suspect that your boyfriend/girlfriend/wife/husband/dog/anyone may be cheating on you, there is a way to track them.

This is for informational purposes only and we at The Collegiate Style in no way condone this sort of behavior. haha

Instamapper.com is a service that offers a program that you install on your compatible phone and shows you where that phone is on a google map. They have all kinds of instructions on the site so I’m not going to bother typing it all up here. That epic ringtone tutorial is all you get for today.

If you’re pathetically alone, you may find use for this program anyways. I can’t imagine what, but it might be neat to see where you’ve been on a google map.

The site shows you where the person is and can actually tell you how quickly they’re moving. It’s pretty cool. Maybe you can find out where that man-stealing-tramp lives and pay her and your boyfriend a little unexpected visit. Or you and a few of your buddies can make sure your little sister’s new boyfriend isn’t getting fresh. I don’t know, because you shouldn’t be spying on people. But you shouldn’t be doing a lot of the things you’re doing.

3. Get google to text you directions

Next time you’re at a party, lost and can’t find you’re way home, text google. That’s right, google will text directions to your cellphone. The service has been available for a while but a whole lot of people seem to be in the dark.

Just text “your current location’s address to where you want to be” to google (466453). They’ll text you back with step by step driving directions. Pretty sweet for those of us who don’t have gps navigators on our phones.

You can actually text any google search to the same number and get all kinds of info (www.google.com/mobile for more).

But you don’t need this, you went out and bought the LG Dare like I told you to.

There’s a whole lot of stuff that your cell phone can do to make your life a little easier and a little more fun. Google “cell phone hacks” or vist Howard Forums to learn more.

If you’re having any problems using any of this stuff, drop a comment or e-mail me at JasonLee@thecollegiatestyle.com.

Thanks to Tim, our resident tech guru

1. Sunglasses, the more dramatic the better, clear view of the designer logo is important, preferably Dolce & Gabbana, worn by Alicia Keys (above), Yves Saint Laurent, on Lindsay Lohan, or Dior, on Mariah Carey (above), and wear them all the time, especially indoors, even dark rooms where you might be risking your safety. The only other option that works is the aviator, shiny gold frames if you can handle it.

2. The hair must be long with loose curls, if it is messy make it sexy, and it’s alright to have it up, or in a pony tail, but it must be long. Ashley Tisdale has the best hair but a close second has to be Jessica Parker. The curls look great!

3. Big earrings are simply not going away, especially the hoops, they are still hanging on every other famous face. We like it very much because it screams, look at me, LOOK AT ME, especially the ones seen on Kim Kardashian and Beyonce. Yes, size matters. The bigger the earrings, the bigger the reaction. And it goes with everything from Jeans and T-shirts to ball gowns.

4. For the truly gutsy, wear the seasonal maxi dress. They require true celebrity courage and true celebrity bodies, so if it’s not the look for you, don’t worry, but also don’t wear them. It is so much more comfortable than it looks, but be careful about the kind of footwear you choose. Here is Nicole Richie and Jessica Simpson daring this new look.

5. Designer bags are a major statement, the more exclusive or expensive the better, currently the Prada’s Fairy bag is “the” bag and Hilary Duff has one. If you are not on a waiting list for this bag, than grab a Lanvin bag, Rachel Bilson has one, not as flashy but just as exclusive.

Last but not least you have got to put on the attitude. Repeat the mantra “I am a star, a superstar” and practice the photogenic smile. And walk like you are late for an event, touch your forehead often (like you might be ducking paparazzi), and keep your chin a little low. When people look your way, never smile just stare blankly. If you are not up to mastering these gestures, the full proof celeb thing to do is roll your eyes and let out an exhausted sigh as you walk away from the potential fan.

Wish all this didn’t matter? One hates to see ourselves so victimized by this superficial culture, but it can’t be resisted. The harder you try to avoid being influenced by who is and is not being talked about, the more lost you’ll find yourself. It’s unavoidable. When we go to buy a T-shirt or a bag, we are looking for that look we saw in that magazine, that TV show, and that new celebrity. To some degree we care because it signifies the tribe we belong to and what we stand for. Designers give this stuff away to celebs to have their look seen and the celebs have shoppers who get them the latest styles, so emulating celebs is not a sin. Just have fun, let loose, try a couple of things you didn’t last summer and see what it feels like to be a famous star, even if it’s only in your mind.

The break gave us an opportunity to write a ton of articles so keep checking back.  We’re looking forward to keeping you up to date with what’s going on with college students the world around.

Regardless of how well you may dress, your level of articulateness (yeah, it’s a word. I looked it up) or how good you may look, improper grooming habits can kill how attractive you seem to everyone around you. This article is mainly for guys, but if you’re a girl grab your boyfriend, you’re going to want him to read this.

It’s been seen time and time again. Good looking dude, dresses well, he’s a blast to hang out with but what the frack is that smell? And what’s with the long fingernails?

Bad grooming is an affliction that is sweeping our gender without mercy. Girls are instantly turned off by a guy who has dirty fingernails and guys are left with images of hobos and freaks in their heads whenever your name is mentioned. To do my part in the fight against bad grooming, I’m going to outline some good practices that should always be adhered to, always.

So what do i mean by grooming? Well, I’m taking about any part of your body that gets dirty, or dirty-looking, with time. It’s easy to do and I’m going to spell it all out for you so do us all a favor and read on.

1. Fingernails

You may think that people don’t notice your fingernails, but they do. Girls are especially conscious of how long and dirty your fingernails are and it can really be a deal breaker. Lucky for us, they’re easy to manage. Every few days or so (depending on how quickly your nails grow) give them a once over with some nail clippers. Come on, it takes all of like 45 seconds to keep them in check and you’ll be a lot better off for it. You should give your toenails a looksie too, especially in the summer when they’ll be exposed more.

Dude, you really need to keep those suckers clean too. Washing your hands regularly can keep a lot of dirt out from under your nails but if that’s not enough, secretly purge those guys with whatever you have on your person.

You may want to invest in a good sharp pair of nail clippers. They leave cleaner cuts and are easier to use. I like to use clippers that are housed in plastic so that my clippings don’t go flying in all directions.

2. Hair

I understand that it’s easy to nix regular haircut from your list of priorities when you’re in school but you really should work hard to squeeze them in when you can. Unkempt hair lies right above your eyes, and that’s where someone will be looking if they’re interacting with you. If your particular look requires you to have shaggy hair, you’re the exception, but let’s not go too crazy. There are very few people in the world who think Rob Zombie is a looker.

I only trust one person with my hair. I won’t let anyone with a pair of scissors get close. If you’re new to your school, it may take some experimentation with the local options, but there’s no way around that.

3. Facial Hair

Facial hair is a tricky situation. A lot of girls don’t like it, but some do. Those that do don’t make up enough of a minority to make growing a beard a no-no, so tread lightly. It also just doesn’t look good on some guys. Either way, keep it under control. If you decide you like your manstache, then keep it, just make sure its properly trimmed at all times. If you’re going to forgo the wonder that is the goatee, make sure you are shaved clean, everyday. Again, if it’s part of your look to have a little stubble, that can be ok, just remember that moderation is the name of the game.

4. Showers and smells

Most guys are pretty good about keeping clean and taking daily showers so I don’t think I need to get into this too much. I do have a tip for you though. When deciding if a shower is necessary, don’t ask yourself if you’re clean. Ask if you’re fresh.

Deodorant practices are pretty good too. I recommend using cologne also. You see, smelling good can be really attractive to girls and can leaving a lasting impression with whoever you’re interacting with. But again, not too much. You want people to think you smell good, not that you bathed in your acqua di gio.

If you’re going to use cologne on top of deodorant (you should), you may want to consider the scent-free options. Mixing two smells together can leave olfactory glands confused or displeased.

5. Dental Hygiene

Brush your teeth twice a day, use floss and swish around a little mouthwash. I really hope this wasn’t necessary.

Carry some gum or mints around with you because that garlic laden spaghetti you had for lunch is going to kill your conversations.

If you want to be extra fancy, you can go buy anti-shine lotions, oil blotting paper for your face or any of hundreds of products, but this list should be enough to seriously improve your game and to keep others pleased when around you. Thinking about all of the properly groomed guys out there is giving me a sense of satisfaction. Don’t you feel good? Good. I’m going to go clip my nails.

We’d love to hear about your own experiences with how to groom, what to use and horror stories. Go ahead…comment!

Hello blogosphere,

My first post is going to detail what I think has got to be the sexiest mobile phone on the market (well, with a few tweaks for us Americans) and is not, dare i say, the iPhone. Nope, it’s not Apple’s huge mobile hit, but the European LG PRADA. The phone was released on the 22nd of March last year, and you may be thinking this post is a year too late, but stick with me and you’ll see where I’m going.

So, LG and PRADA got together and designed a cellphone, combining LG’s technological prowess with PRADA’s world famous mind for design, and the result was fabulous. At first glance, you may think that it’s just another “iPod-killer” but it was actually created before the iPhone. LG claims that Apple copied them, and for a while, whispers of a lawsuit circulated. Even more whispers have since been flying around about the phone’s release in the US.

All of that aside, let’s get to the phone itself. It features a 3-inch touch screen, 2 mega-pixel camera with a snazzy high quality lens, a microSD memory card slot and music and document support. It even has a PRADA logo on the front of the phone for all of us label whores. It doesn’t have quite the functionality that the iPhone has but it’s much more functional than the last pair of jeans you wore when compared to the carpenter jeans your dad wears.

Now why am I writing about this over a year after it was first released? Well, it was never released in the US, at least not officially. All you Tmobile and Cingular customers can go and buy an “unlocked” version of the phone and stick your SIM card into it (any other service that uses SIM cards can do the same), but those of us who are on Verizon or Sprint (or any “CDMA” service — aka, we don’t have SIM cards) have been out of luck. Well, Verizon is releasing a sort of compromise on the 4th of July, called the LG Dare. The LG Dare, is very similar to the PRADA, it just doesn’t sport the oh so stylish PRADA logo on it. The brand conscious in class are probably pretty disappointed but hey, it’s still a great phone.

If you’re looking to buy the PRADA, you can find it on Amazon.com for about $450. There hasn’t been a released price for the Dare, so here’s to hoping your contract is almost up. I for one will be taking a short break from the barbecues to go get my hands on this sleek piece of mobile devicery.

For pictures and specs about the LG Dare…..click to jump

Navy, a type of Blue is the most popular color in the USA, and the “Yale Blue” is not the kind of blue that we would ever say is “commercial”, but like the school itself, these colors are conservative, traditional, and rely heavily on the placement of the name of the school.  It seems to have great snob appeal!

Yup it’s that time of year, finals week. It’s a tough time for all of us, the hours spent on anxiety, last minute

cramming, desperate nights of procrastination, irrational eating, and the collection of “stay awake” drinks accompanied by the latest “brain foods”. Anything is up for grabs. Don’t wanna whine to you all about style, but have you looked in the mirror anytime lately? Some of you look like you’ve not come up for air nor shower in weeks.

Pajama pants and slippers worn anywhere but your dorm room is just wrong. Pretending that you are wearing your boyfriend’s sweatshirt that he “left last week in your room because you had no time for laundry” is really pathetic. The worse offender is the chick who tops this off with her greasy hair messily put up in a disturbingly ornate hair clip.

Here are some choices to stylin’ while survivin’: A. Stick with basics like the tees and your reliable blue jeans. B. Wear your “lucky hoodie” and coordinate your bag and accessories to match, this will help you get out of your room faster, even if you are very sleepy. C. Keep three of your most comfortable shoes in the front of your closet, so you can rotate wearing them throughout the week. D. Prepare for the week by having all the laundry done, so you do not have to use both sides of your underwear.

My Turn:

Style is how you look while dealing with all this stuff, so look good and feel good. Preparation is everything, especially for style!

Your turn:

Is your style making the grade for this finals week? Share, if you have any good ideas!

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