Our generation tends to want all the fun without any of the commitment. While this usually has less-than-desirable consequences, on rare occasions we can get away scot-free. This is why we are obsessed with ear cuffs. As low-maintenance, simple jewelry pieces, they can add edge to your outfit without the permanence of an actual piercing. Are you too noncommittal to even invest in this trend? Read on to learn how to transform a simple paperclip into your new go-to accessory.

All you will need for this project is a paperclip (or many) and a pair of round-nose pliers. First, take your small paperclip and manually straighten out the wire. Use round-nose pliers to create a swirl on either end of the paperclip wire. Be patient, as this process may take some time to perfect. Then, use the pliers to create a thin zigzag shape with the remaining middle portion of the wire. Finally, again using the pliers, curve the swirl shape into a semicircle. This will be the part that fits around your ear. Feel free to personalize your cuff with your own design!

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What is bolder and takes less effort to make than a statement necklace? This essential piece can dress up any simple outfit and add the perfect amount of personalization. With just a few statement necklaces, you can bring new life into your closet without breaking a sweat, or more importantly, breaking the bank. Taking this idea to a whole new level, here are steps to create your very own floating illusion necklace. This simple do-it-yourself project puts a funky twist on the trendy statement necklace.

The few supplies you will need are scissors, glue, rhinestones, ribbon and tulle (matched to your skin tone). To begin, trace a bib necklace or the collar of a shirt onto a piece of paper to create a pattern. Use this pattern to cut your tulle to the desired shape. Arrange rhinestones to your liking and glue them to the tulle fabric. Before allowing the glue to dry, gently flip the bib necklace so that the rhinestones lie on a flat surface. This ensures that the necklace will not stick to your work surface. While waiting for the glue to dry, measure and cut two 6-inch pieces of ribbon. After the glue has dried, flip the necklace back over and glue ribbons onto opposite sides of the bib, using a rhinestone to secure the ribbons in place. After the necklace is completely dry, flaunt your new DIY jewelry by pairing it with any simplistic outfit. Enjoy!

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With the school year underway and exams already coming up, you might not realize that Halloween is just around the corner. As college students, finding an original costume that hasn’t been overused is nearly impossible; Halloween just isn’t as simple as it was in elementary school. Whether you are going out or staying in, here is a guide on how to enjoy this year’s spooky holiday.

Don’t be that person at the party that is dressed as yourself — you are missing out on the fun! Even if it’s just a crazy wig or a last-minute idea, it is never too late to pull a costume together.

Do check out local thrift and craft stores. Not only will you save some extra cash, but your outfit will also be absolutely one of a kind. Use your creative side and put a personal spin on your costume.

Don’t consider lingerie and some random props as a full costume. You’ll get tired of being questioned all night about your vague outfit, and if you want to show off all those hours spent at the gym, just pick one asset. Sometimes less just isn’t more.

Do find a friend and dress up together. As the saying goes, the more the merrier. This especially applies when it comes to costumes. Not only do matching outfits make it easy to find each other at the end of the night, but they also make for great pictures.

Don’t watch scary movies alone (if you want to sleep that night).

Do stay in with friends and watch classic Halloween movies such as “Hocus Pocus,” “Beetlejuice” and “Coraline.” Stock up on some candy and make it a party.

Don’t wear a costume that is hard to move around in — no one wants to wait for you, and you’re not going to be too happy when people leave you behind because you can’t keep up. Try to avoid large props and garments made out of stiff material.

Do try out new trends. Remember that pair of leather sweatpants or the new dark lipstick in the back of your closet? This holiday is the perfect opportunity to experiment with fashion and beauty trends that you are not quite comfortable with yet.

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Little Black Bag is a fashion e-commerce website that is more of a fashion experience than the traditional online company. Inspired by the Japanese shopping trend known as fukubukuro, or “lucky bag sale,” CEO Dan Murillo designed a site where shoppers buy one item and receive up to three mystery items that are revealed at checkout. Shoppers then have seven days to trade with other users for other items offered on the website such as handbags, accessories, jewelry, shoes, beauty items and home goods in order to create their perfect “little black bag.”

Intrigued by the concept but wary of another online fad, I decided to try out Little Black Bag for myself. In the past two months I have tried two distinct methods of trading on LBB. In the first month, I purchased a pair of shoes that I genuinely love and traded only my bonus items. In the second month, I chose an item that was trading well and traded everything in my bag. Although with the second bag I traded more items, I enjoyed my first LBB purchase more. I recommend that first-time traders start out with an item they really want until they get accustomed to LBB trading.

Throughout my trading I have noticed that an essential tool for LBB users is the site’s chat feature. People often use it to post their LBB links or trading requests. While this chat serves as a virtual space for users, what sets LBB apart from the traditional fashion e-commerce is the company-customer relationship developed through this chat.

During my two short months, I have personally witnessed several LBB staff members come onto the online chat to interact with users and get feedback on the website. Ramina Shahshahani, LBB’s social media marketing coordinator, explained, “Knowing that someone is out there willing to listen to your concerns and feedback as a consumer makes the shopping experience more personal and more worthwhile.”

This one-of-a-kind fashion experience has been steadily transforming as customer feedback is collected. Most recently, LBB has undergone several new changes. A refreshing website makeover has made trading and interacting with other users much easier. In addition, a new photographer has been added to the team to continue to produce detailed and true-to-life images.

When asked about future plans for LBB, Shahshahani replied, “Stay tuned — lots of surprises ahead!”

Although undeniably addicting, I can easily recommend joining the LBB trading world. Happy trading!

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Designer Paula Hian, a Philadelphia native, has always aspired to work in the fashion industry. She has had an interest in fashion since she was 2, and throughout her childhood the future designer kept diaries filled with notes and drawings. Hian majored in art history at Northwestern University and enrolled in New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology upon her graduation. There she was selected to travel to Paris, where she won first place for the U.S. in the contest Concours International Des Jeunes Createurs De Mode. Her winning dress now hangs in the Louvre’s permanent collection.

Hian feels that what sets her apart from other designers is her love for designing. In the world of fashion, there are many trend-followers and people who copy similar styles. Hian is passionate about designing from scratch and offering original pieces.

“It’s tougher because you are reaching to a customer that likes something because they like it, not because the media told them to,” Hian said . She believes that luxury is something unique that not everyone owns. She said that she wants to bring genuine luxury back through her original collections.

This passion for originality has led to an appreciation for knitwear. Through knitwear, Hian feels that she is most able to utilize her artistic side and have more control in the design process. From beginning to end, from buying the yarn to creating the shapes, she is able to work with the material to create a piece that is her own. Hian also sees knitwear as an important trend this spring season. Other spring trends include black and white as well as feminine dresses paired with structured jackets. Hian’s most recent collection includes a simple tank dress created out of a textured knit, which she styles with lace stockings procured from a recent visit to France.

Hian’s trip to Paris is only a glimpse into her busy schedule as a designer. The seasoned fashion expert had this to say about the industry: “Fashion is not as glamorous as it seems. It is a lot of hard work, planning, effort, and it is never-ending. You have to be the kind of person that is always thinking ahead to the next season. Fashion evolves, and every season you are basically starting over.” Her advice to any students pursuing a career in the industry is to gain real-life experience in the field, such as an internship.

Hian’s work can be found locally at her store at 106 Gay St. in Philadelphia as well as in boutiques globally. In the near future, Hian hopes to expand her stores and establish an online presence.

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Accessories are every outfit’s best friend. The body harness trend was seen last summer and isn’t going anywhere this spring. For those who find the trend slightly intimidating to incorporate in their everyday wardrobe, the hand chain is the perfect option to test out the edgy look. A cross between a bracelet and a ring, hand chains come in a variety of styles. These unusual jewelry pieces dress up any outfit and are simple to create.

Feel free to alter this simple hand chain with different chain lengths or beads to personalize your own on-trend piece. Pair it with a crochet maxi dress for a bohemian feel, or try jeans and a graphic tee for a more casual outfit.

Materials needed: delicate metal chain, jump rings, lobster-claw clasp, wire cutter, round-nose pliers

Steps:
1. Use the chain to measure length needed to wrap around wrist
2. Cut chain according to wrist size
3. Cut chain into 1-, 1.5-, 2, and 8-inch pieces
4. Lay out design to see where jump rings will go
5. Use jump rings to connect the chains
6. Attach lobster-claw clasp

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