How to look great for less

Times are tough and it is time to save money in all aspects of life. That doesn't mean that you can't look great during the recession.

The easiest and cheapest way to update your wardrobe is to buy accessories. Add the newest colors and patterns to your look for little money compared to buying all new clothes. Items like scarves, sunglasses and even nail polish can keep you looking current for a few bucks each.
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Don't forget about the clearance rack. Stores like Urban Outfitters and American Apparel are the best for staying updated on the latest trends. But with prices ranging from $18-$68 for a shirt, most of us can't afford to shop there often. When these stores put items on clearance the prices can be dramatically slashed by as much as 80 percent.

Get staples like leggings and plain t-shirts from department stores like Target or JCPenny's. These retailers often have sales on already cheap prices on basics for every wardrobe.

There are a few items that you never need to spend a lot of money on because they do not have a high life expectancy when it comes to wear and tear. T-shirts should always be cheap, there is no such thing as a designer t-shirt, you should be embarrassed if you have ever spent over $20 for a cotton tee.

Trendy items should always be bought at stores like Forever 21 and H&M. The clothes are cheap and only last as long as the trend, don't waste your money buying these items from anywhere else.

Sunglasses are a debatable item. I feel like these should be bought for cheap because sunglasses are often broken or lost. The only time it is okay to splurge is when you have a signature look that you always stick to.

The only time you truly need to splurge is when you are buying shoes, make-up, jeans and purses. Quality is important for these important parts of your wardrobe, so go ahead and spend more because it will be worth it.

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Sac State's photo booth: Spring

Members of The State Hornet staff went around campus to find the latest in spring fashion.


Photo by Andrew Nixon

Brett Barletta

Jacket – Macy’s
Shirt – Torsion
Jeans – Macy’s
Shoes – Vans

Question: What do you look for in items?
A: “Things you can dress up. When you add a versatile piece it changes it up.”


Q: What fashion do you hate at Sac State?
A: “Uggs and jeans skirts. The combination makes we want to vomit.”

Q: What trend do you not like right now?
A: “The wide leg pants. No one can wear them unless you are really small.”

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Photo by Andrew Nixon

Mikey Massout

Jeans - Express

Shirt - Affliction

Jacket - International Concepts

Shoes - Steve Madden

Q: How do you describe your style?
A: “I’m typically pretty straight laced. I lean toward designer, higher-end department stores, with the occasional TJ Maxx special.”

Q: What are you buying for spring?
A: “I need a new pair of sandals, jeans a little bit torn, definitely not a scarf with a T-shirt. If I have to, some shorts.”

Q: What’s one trend on campus you hate?
A: “The boots with the fur on them.”

Q: What’s one you like?
A: “I like scarves with a pea coat. Subtle but still with color.”

Photo by Andrew Nixon

Jessica Wyant

Clothing - Old Navy

Shoes – Gap

Q: What will you be buying for spring?
A: “ I feel like winter is for dark colors. Perhaps white tops? Scarfs, since I don’t wear a lot of colors it’s a nice way to bring it in.”

Q: What do you look for when you go shopping?
A: “I first look for being comfortable.”

Q: Do you think students dress up more the first weeks of school?
A: “Yeah, they do. Probably by the middle they are in pajamas.”

Q: What do you hate seeing on campus?
A: “Just wearing clothes that are too small. They should be picking clothes that look good on them, not the size.”

Photo by Andrew Nixon

Joe Livclich

Jacket – his uncle’s closet

Shirt – O’Neil’s Surf Shop

Shoes – Urban Outfitters

Jeans – Urban Outfitters

Shops at: American Apparel, Thrift Stores

Q: What will you be wearing for spring?
A: “I wear a little brighter clothes, short shorts in the summer, seriously, shorter than shants.”

Q: What will you be buying next?
A: “Ray bans, mine got stolen so I need to get a new pair”

Q: What do you hate seeing on campus?
A: “Chad shirts, Burton button down shirts. I wear them to work, not school.”

Photo by Andrew Nixon

Jenn Huynh

Jacket – Macy’s

Top – Forever 21

Tights – Target

Boots – Urban Outfitters

Bag – Forever 21

Q: What do you look for when you shop?
A: “ Something’s that comfy, bright, something you can’t just wear once but mix it up with other things.”

Q: Spring style suggestions?
A: “Since all the students are poor right now, I think they are looking in their closets for finding ways to reuse items, belts, scarves…”

Q: Where do you find inspiration?
A: “Sometimes magazines, sometimes when you go out of town and see what other people are wearing in San Francisco or L.A.”

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Baby It's Cold Outside!

With the end of the semester days away it is pretty obvious that winter is almost upon us. With that in mind, I find it extremely troubling that there are people walking around campus dressed for 70 or 80 degree weather.

Look, I know we live in California but it is not always sunny here. In Sacramento we are blessed with all four seasons. It is time to start dressing accordingly.

I am mainly addressing the musclebound guys with just a t-shirt on and nipples so hard that they could poke out a person's eye. Hey dude can you do us all a favor and put a hoodie on? I know that money is tight for most of us so check out Forever 21 or the new addition H&M; I promise you will be able to find something to cover up your massive pecs for less than $20.

On to the lovely ladies of Sac State. Here is a great rule to follow, if it is cold enough for a coat than it is cold enough to have something on your legs. Why do girls insist on having bare legs with a trench coat on? That just doesn't make any sense. Your Uggs don't protect you from getting pneumonia. So put some leggings on at least.

It is cold outside so stay warm Sac State.
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H&M opens at Roseville Galleria

Like OMG! Seriously. Christmas has come early this year for me, and hundreds of other girls.

I shop far more than any single, straight, man should, but I love it. Now, the fashion gods have graced the holy land of the Roseville Galleria with H&M.

This 20,000 square foot store, you read it right, is slightly larger than the one in San Francisco. So, now you don't have to make that 90 minute trek to the city. And trust me, you won't be disappointed.

Since this is the first H&M store in the market, you can expect it to carry all your fashion needs.

Ladies, you can find all your essentials. Anything from casual ware to party ware, the store has it.

You can find your casual neutrals and basics, like cardigans and jeans, as well as everything you need for business attire, like suite pants and vests. Oh, FYI ladies, if you didn't know, purple is in this season. Also, don't be surprised to see some of the 70's popping into your new wardrobe.

You can also get a little something for you and him in their lingerie section. Or, if you don't have the money for new clothing, then you can update those old outfits with some new accessories. H&M will carry your basic bracelets and earrings for as cheap as $5, as well as some purses and belts.


Guys, don't worry, we have our own little corner in the store. However, H&M officials say that they are planing on opening a separate store for men in the new wing of the Galleria.

But you can still find the fashions of today at affordable pricing. You can get a pair of jeans starting at $39.50 and up.

Now, like any men's section, you won't necessarily find just one piece to complete your look. You will, however, find multiple pieces - from shirts to beanies to scarfs - that will help you layer, and give you the fashionable look that you want.

If you are a fan of Forever 21, then you will love H&M. The prices are similar, but you get far more for your money at H&M than what you would at Forever 21.

So head on over to the Roseville Galleria and check out the selections. You are bound to find something nice.
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The Muffin Top Epidemic

When it comes to baked goods muffin tops are the most coveted item. Unlike those yummy treats, a muffin top on a woman is not so good.

Hey ladies of Sac State I have something that I want to talk to you about. This may be a touchy subject for some of us, but frankly it has to be addressed. What is with all of the muffin tops around campus?

For those of you that do not know a muffin top is defined as fat above the waistband. The most common cause of this fashion faux pas is when a woman wears pants that are too small or shirts that are too tight. Sometimes much to everyone's dismay a young lady will do both blunders simultaneously as pictured below.

I think the popularity of low rise jeans is to blame for this fashion mistake. Society's obsession with being thin has made us preoccupied with the size of our jeans rather than how we actually look in them.

Forcing yourself into something that is obviously too small for you is not cute. So, how do you know if you are suffering from muffintopitus? Answer the following questions honestly.

1. Do people laugh/make gagging sounds when I walk by?

2. Are there visible marks around my mid-section when I remove my jeans at the end of the day?

3. Do I have to lay on a flat surface just to zip or button my pants?

4. Have I ever had the button on my pants pop off?

If you have answered "yes" to any of those questions, you may be suffering from muffintopitus. Don't fret, there is a way to stop this bad habit and improve your appearance. The easiest way to avoid a muffin top is to wear the correct size jeans. This may seem like a simple solution but it is extremely effective.

The kind of tops that you choose can also make you appear to have a more shapely waist. Try an "empire" waist top to hide a big tummy. These shirts are banded just under the breast line and are very flattering for your mid-section.

Another quick and easy alternative is wearing a dress that is belted above your natural waistline. This creates the illusion of a slimmer waist.

Remember ladies, it isn't about being the thinnest girl on campus. It is about making the best choices for your body and dressing the body you actually have, not the body you want. Continue Reading>>

Sac State Street Modeling

Paris Michel, senior, sociology major





Rubaiat Ali, senior, electrical engineering major

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Sac State Street Modeling

It may have been an average Wednesday, but average students became sexy models for the day when The State Hornet set up an impromptu photo shoot in the Library Breezeway. Photo coach Andrew Nixon shot a variety of poses asking students to experiment with their own props from skateboards to hats. While some were shy to release their inner model, others like Erica Violett were instantly in the zone with exactly the sass we were looking for.

Erica Violett, junior, interior design major







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