For ladies, finding your inner fashionista usually doesn’t even need a second thought. But sometimes, the men in our lives could use a little more help in that department. So if your boyfriend or best guy friend isn’t quite up to par when it comes to his wardrobe, here is our guide to the most common male fashion faux pas and how to turn your guy into a better-dressed version of himself.

Fashion Violation #1: The favorite T-shirt

Sure, every guy has that one favorite T-shirt that he does everything in: play sports, work out, eat, sleep. It’s great to have that go-to top. Here’s the catch, though: If it is losing its color, has holes, armpit stains or doesn’t fit him correctly, it might be time to get rid of it and find a new favorite T-shirt. As the saying goes, “If you love something, set it free.” Try heading downtown to Urban Outfitters and update him with a classy V-neck instead.

Fashion Violation #2: Super baggy jeans

Unless you’re in a ‘90s boy band, REALLY baggy jeans are a fashion don’t . When it comes to finding jeans that look good, the perfect fit is essential. If your guy wears jeans that are too baggy for his legs, not the appropriate length or show his boxers when he walks, it might be time to take him shopping for a new pair — or at least for a belt.

Fashion Violation #3: The avid sports fan

Guys always love to support their favorite sports team. And usually it’s adorable that he wants to show off his fan pride. However, as much as the Yankees, Steelers and Knicks appreciate it, it’s not necessary to represent your favorite baseball team on your hat, favorite football team on your shirt and favorite basketball team on your shorts all at the same time. Try encouraging him to switch it up with a non-logo embellished outfit. And if all else fails, encourage your guy to stick to one team per outfit. Period.

Fashion Violation #4: Worn-out shoes and socks

…or socks and sandals, which shouldn’t even seem like a good idea. If your guy owns only one pair of beat-up shoes, it’s time for him to invest in another pair. One pair of sneakers cannot function as basketball shoes, work-out shoes and slippers for around the dorm or apartment.

Fashion Violation #5: The colorblind matcher

Sadly, matching colors together is usually where guys go wrong. They see a blue shirt and blue shorts, and they naturally assume the two match because they are both blue. Yeah, not so much.

Color scheming is important because wearing three different shades of blue does not match. Try to help your guy out by explaining this to him (maybe bring a color wheel with you), and offer some suggestions on what colors look best on him. Also encourage him to step outside of his comfort zone — for example, pale yellow is always an unexpectedly awesome color on guys.

Photo by Ian Lopera

With all this amazing weather I was feeling a bit DIY inspired, so I created a custom, super-simple braided headband. I’m really into bold oranges this year, and I’ve always appreciated clean, crisp white fabrics in the warm, sunny weather. Those colors were the inspiration for my project, but feel free to use whichever colors and prints you’d like for your own look!

1. Cut three pieces of fabric about 3 inches in width and how ever long according to the perimeter of your head. Remember to leave excess fabric at the ends to tie headband.
2. At one end, tie the three different fabrics together. I suggest using a hair-tie, shoelace or ribbon to secure the knot.
3. Braid the fabric long enough to wrap around your entire head. Remember to leave excess fabric to tie headband. It helps to have someone hold the ends or to hold the fabrics in between your legs as you braid.
4. Take one of the outer-most strands of the three different fabrics and use it to wrap around the other two strands and make a knot. Use fabric glue to secure the knot and if necessary, knot a second time for extra security. Remove the hair-tie, shoelace, ribbon or whatever you chose from step two and repeat this step.
5. You have just created your very own custom-made braided headband. Now go show off to your friends and enjoy!

Get creative! Try this same technique to create even more accessories. This headband makes a pretty cool necklace, too!

Photos by Yuting Zhang

It’s that time of year again: formal season, when the typical miniskirt and tube top just aren’t going to cut it. If you’re like me, dropping $80 to $100 on a formal dress is simply not an option (even though you want to look like a million bucks). Luckily, we’ve scoped out some of the best deals in town for cute formal dresses — all priced around $50 and under!

If you haven’t been to Connections (130 S. Allen St.) yet, do yourself a favor and go — now. Not only is the staff welcoming and extremely helpful, it also has a huge selection of formal dresses priced from $38 and up.

The store’s wide array of dresses is color-coded and includes everything from slinky black dresses with sheer waist accents to silky purple frocks with flattering ruching to bold, royal-blue mini dresses. What more could a girl ask for?

If you don’t find what you’re looking for at Connections, try heading over to Mr. Charles (228 E. College Ave.) and hitting up its sale rack. Here, there are more than a few dresses perfect for any formal and ranging in price from $28 to $40.

There’s your basic LBD, ruched and slimming on any body type, along with sequin halter dresses, brightly colored peplum minis and metallic gold sleeveless options.

And if State College can’t satisfy your needs for formal fashions at a fraction of the normal price, check out RentTheRunway.com. You can sign up for free and earn a $20 coupon for inviting your friends to join as well. Browse through the website’s incredible selection straight from the spring runways.

The best part? Dresses that typically would retail from $200 to $400 can be rented for $70 and under. The only downfall is waiting for your fashion find to be delivered, but the site does allow you to borrow two different sizes at the same time (so you’ll know something will fit).

And, once you find the perfect dress, don’t worry about hunting down accessories to finish off your look. Based on your dress pick, Rent the Runway will provide you with accessory options at a fraction of their retail costs as well!

Now the only thing left is finding the perfect date…

Photos by Kiersten Ferno

My favorite patterned pieces of clothing are usually striped. And not just any plain ol’ stripes —  thick, horizontal stripes to be exact. And if we really want to get specific, my favorite color combination is a classic navy blue and white (no “We Are…” intended). Something I’ve been doing recently is mixing and matching different striped pieces together. Whether it’s a thick-width cardigan matched with a thinly striped tank top, I need to appease my striped obsession. Sometimes the mixing and matching is a hit or miss, but I like seeing what I can pull off — it’s a trial-and-error process, folks.

This particular look was a result of the sun shining and my need to brighten up my wardrobe after a long, hectic week. I live in an oversized world when it comes to clothes, so naturally, my oversized mens sweater and color-blocked H&M knitted scarf are no different.

Because I was wearing my glittered banded skirt from Forever 21, I wanted to keep everything else about this look very casual and fun. I chose an oversized sweater and accessorized with my playful DIY bracelets. Some people — those who only reserve sparkly, shimmery and sequinned things for the evening — may find it to be a bit much, but I’ve always appreciated the contrast between super casual pieces paired with something a little more flashy. Plus, a little sparkle in the daytime never hurt anyone, especially paired with my favorite stripes!

Photo by Yuting Zhang

Green is the new black! Well, at least on St. Patrick’s Day that is. Still not sure what to wear this Saturday? Here are Valley’s dos and don’ts of St. Patty’s Day fashion to keep you looking like a lucky lady all day long.

CLOTHES 

Don’t feel the need to dress head-to-toe in green.
Dressing the part for holidays and special occasions can be super fun, but there’s a fine line between cute and going totally overboard. Basically, if it looks like the Jolly Green Giant helped pick out your outfit, you probably crossed this line. 

Do spice up your outfit with splashes of green.
If you have a neutral-colored dress, add a green belt for some flair. Try pairing a green skirt with a plain top to really stand out in a crowd. Or you can channel Angelina Jolie’s 2009 Academy Awards attire and wear a knockout pair of emerald-green earrings with a little black dress.

MAKEUP

Don’t cake on green eyeshadow!
I’m not sure who said this was a good idea, but when it comes to St. Patty’s Day, girls suddenly seem to embrace their inner Mimi (Kathy Kinney on The Drew Carey Show) and apply heavy eyeshadow up to their brows.

Do change up your normal makeup routine.
There are a number of ways to incorporate green into your look in a more subtle way. For instance, try a smoky eye with a darker touch of green in the creases instead of painting the entire lid with Kermit green.

ACCESSORIES

 Don’t kill a cute outfit with strings of green beads, funny glasses or a goofy hat.
Enough said.

Do keep it simple.
If you’re looking for a new, refined holiday outfit, accessories like these are meant for a different scene. There are ways to make your apparel fun and playful in a classier way. Depending on the rest of your outfit, you can add an orange purse for a bold statement (after all, green isn’t the only Irish color!).

Photo by Ian Lopera

Name: Megan Herr
From: Waynesboro, Pa.
Major: Visual communications
Year: Junior

From afar

When I spotted Herr, I was more interested in how she accessorized her skull-printed scarf with her attire. What I didn’t realize from afar were the many other interesting pieces of jewelry she was sporting. Chatting with Herr I learned that her favorite accessory is scarves. She isn’t into buying clothing and jewelry accessible to everyone but with her love for skull-printed things, she couldn’t resist purchasing her scarf from Hot Topic for $12.50, which Herr describes as a special find she “needed.”

Hidden treasures

Lying in the nook of Herr’s scarf, almost hidden from view, was a beautiful Brighton Galadriel Amulet Necklace, $64. Made from Swarovski Crystal and finished in silver, the necklace created a juxtaposition between a charming, fairytale-like pendant and a casual and down-to-earth look.

Wrapping up the loot

Herr’s rings are her statement pieces, which she wears every day. Ranging from her ring from India to (cue “Every kiss begins with Kay”) her Kay Jewelers ring that her boyfriend gave to her as a gift. The rings were a nice combination of keeping it simple but definitely making a statement. All Herr’s jewelry pieces were silver-toned, and represented a combination of store-bought purchases, gifts and just randomness (in a very good way, of course) she’s collected along the years.

Photos by Yuting Zhang

We’ve all been there. That moment when you’re standing in front of your closet that’s bursting with clothes, yet you’re insisting you have “NOTHING TO WEAR!!” But if you’re like me (a broke college student) and you don’t have the cash to fund a shopping excursion, here are some fresh ideas to help rehabilitate your closet!

Tip #1: Incorporate a going-out piece with something more slouchy and comfortable. Try pairing a lacy black T-shirt or tank with loose-fitting cargo pants and a skinny belt.

Tip #2: Instead of rocking a blazer over a typical T-shirt, match it with one of your favorite sweaters for new look. Let the color of the sweater peak out from the blazer by rolling up the cuffs for added fun.

(Burgundy banded skirt, Forever 21; Purple men’s V-neck sweater, Express; Blue skinny crocodile belt, New York & Co.; Tan and black tweed blazer, Urban Outfitters; Black boots, UGG)

Tip #3: Don’t shy away from mixing bold prints with vibrant colors. Try pairing a daring print with colored jeans, or try black jeans for a sleeker look. 

Tip #4: Mix masculine and feminine pieces, like this leather jacket and button-down, with fitted pants and adorable studded flats for an unexpected twist on menswear.

(Red Roxy flood pants, The Roost; Cheetah print silk blouse, Goodwill; Dark brown leather jacket, Urban Outfitters; Coconuts green, gold-studded flats, Ambiance Consignment Boutique) 

Tip #5: We all know sundresses are fun in the summer, but they can also look adorable under comfy sweaters or heavy jackets during the winter months in Happy Valley 

Tip #6: Instead of sticking with black-on-black (something we all tend to do too regularly), throw on a jacket in an accent color, like this cream leather biker jacket to add some interest to your outfit.

(Cream Joseph Leather jacket, Ambiance Consignment Boutique; Floral purple Kimchi &Blue silk dress, Ambiance Consignment Boutique; Black lace racer back tank, Forever 21; Black Silence and Noise jeggings, Urban Outfitters; Charcoal Jomax mary jane pumps, Barefoot)

Photos by Jennie Lichtenstein

It’s all in the details when it comes to these three looks. While literally “people watching,” what caught my eye wasn’t necessarily the whole look, but the accessories and the pieces that sold the deal.

Name: Shucong Liu
From: China
Year: Sophomore
Major: Advertising
Style inspiration for this look: Shucong calls this “more of a casual look” paired with heels that aren’t too high so she can navigate through campus. She wanted to keep the color palette on this look simple, adding a pop of color with her scarf. Her adorable Kate Spade bag goes along with what she likes to call her “vintage style” sense.
“Where did you get that?”: Bag, Kate Spade, $250; Scarf, Mom’s; Sweater, Urban Outfitters; Skirt, Abercrombie & Fitch; Shoes and jacket, from China
Manouska’s notes: This is her “casual look” folks. I repeat, “casual.” I say no more and will allow the visual to speak for itself. LOVE!!!

Name: Sultan Alshubi
From: Oman
Year: Freshman
Major: Industrial engineering
Style inspiration for this look: Alshubi, like many of us, is just trying to stay warm in the cold winter weather. Not afraid to add a bit of color, he does this very well with his patterned wool sweater and complementary wool fedora.
“Where did you get that?”: Fedora, Jaded, $30; Sweater, BHS (London), $120; Jeans, Louis Vuitton; Sneakers, Nike
Manouska’s notes: I love men’s sweaters. I also love that Alshubi isn’t afraid to add a bit of color to his look. What really caught my eye were his staple pieces, his watch and ruby-colored ring.

Name: Jacklyn Reid
From: New York
Year: Senior
Major: Communications
Style inspiration for this look: Reid calls this her “plain Jane” look with a “slice of city,” pointing to her oversized H&M bag. She adds that her chain and scarf are the spice to her attire.
“Where did you get that?”: Scarf, Charlotte Russe, $15; Necklace, Forever 21, $15; Sweater, Mom’s; Jeans, H&M; Boots, Steve Madden; Bag, H&M
Manouska’s notes: Can’t stress it enough how adding a few accessories can really jazz up a look. I like that Reid doesn’t let being a “busy college student” negatively affect her look. With this minimalist look, she still finds time to hang a double patterned scarf and antique-inspired whistle around her neck.

Photos by Yuting Zhang

Ask any guy the question, “How do I look?” and a pretty tame response is usually in order. However, we polled some guys, and it seems as though Penn State males have more of an opinion about our favorite fashion and beauty trends than we think.

Penn State guys on fashion:

“Some girls wear shirts that just look like sheets of cloth. They don’t really look like clothes to me.” — Matt Rivera, freshman

“I don’t get how girls can wear so little clothing when it’s so cold out. Short skirts or yoga pants don’t make sense in zero-degree weather.” — Matt Thorwart, junior

“Hipster glasses aren’t attractive. Actually, I don’t really like girls with glasses in general.” — Khai Le, second year Ph.D. student.

Penn State guys on beauty:

“I don’t know if anyone uses this anymore, but the colored eye stuff — eyeshadow? I just don’t understand eyeshadow. Sometimes girls tend to get really colorful with it and it just looks weird.” — Grant Vandebrake, junior

“Girls with feathers in their hair don’t make sense. I understand some of girls’ trends, but I don’t understand how a feather looks good, unless they’re trying to be Native American or something. I don’t feel more attracted to a girl if she has a feather in her hair.” — Michael Dufer, sophomore

“When it’s clear that there’s a whole layer of something on top of [girls’] skin, it reminds me of clowns.” — Wale Akinbiyi, senior

Photo by Ian Lopera

They are the self-proclaimed “Classiest Club on Campus.” They pride themselves on dressing outlandishly, and most importantly, they aren’t afraid to “go there.”

So who are these well-dressed guys who pride themselves on their stylish apparel? They are the boys of Penn State’s very own Club Croquet team, and they’re here to tell you how they keep your wardrobe classy and sophisticated.

Founded in 2010 by now juniors John Bauer, Mike Bellfiglio, Robert Mitchell, Mike Still, Dan Kelly and Chris Squeglia, aside from their love of croquet, the club members have bonded over always looking their personal finest.

Clearly from Valley’s photo shoot with them, these guys have no fashion fear. Argyle socks, suspenders and jorts (jean shorts) are just a few of their wardrobe essentials.

Among the club’s favorite brands are Polo by Ralph Lauren, Vineyard Vines, Brooks Brothers and Sperry Top-Sider. While each member has their own innovative style, they all tend to follow the same advice: “If you personally think it’s hot, wear it.”

As for the rest of the student population, their advice is pretty simple: Dress preppy on the weekends, wear less buttons and sleeves as the night goes on and stick with lots of pastels. And, at least for Club Croquet, “The whole ‘no white after labor day’ doesn’t count for us,” said Bauer.

In addition to preppy staples, the team has matching pinnies, one for each season. These pinnies are a favorite with jorts and Sperrys, the team says. To keep the team looking fresh, they also stay away from jeggings, Ed Hardy clothing and anything a hipster would wear. This method seems to work for the team, and as one member said, “Most people think we’re pretty hot.”

Despite the fact that all of the young men were dressed impeccably, the club voted Matt Washko the best dressed member of the house. Resembling a young Keanu Reeves, Washko dressed up for the occasion by wearing his finest suit.

For anyone left wondering why Club Croquet dresses so well, according to this energetic group of guys, competition doesn’t just come on the croquet field; they compete every day in the game of life. As such, it’s always important to dress the part.

So take a lesson from Penn State’s most refined club, and always keep it classy.

Photo by Yuting Zhang