SNAPS: Like Mother, Like Daughter

Sophomore broadcast journalism major, Corbin LaJeunesse, takes fashion tips from her mother, who handed down this Saks Fifth Avenue maroon pea coat from her wardrobe circa 1980.

TRIPLE THREAT: Fur for Winter

With the winter weather in full force, it seems the best way to tackle the Syracuse weather in style is with fur this year. The furry hunter hat is making as big a comeback as plaid, and it doesn’t stop there. Snow bunny earmuffs are keeping heads toasty as well. These add flair to any winter coat and are super soft- you won’t want to take it off once you’re inside!


This Kaldi Arctic hat from 66° North Iceland comes in two sizes to fit snugly to your head. They come in four colors, black, maroon, brown and off-white like this one. ($85 66north.com)


If you’re looking for a luxurious splurge, this Ashley Trapper Hat by Helen Kaminski cap will certainly make a statement. Made of velour fur felt and dyed shearling from Sri Lanka, its sure to keep the chill out and look fabulous. Comes in black or coffee. ($450 Neimanmarcus.com)


This intarsia bomber hat by Urban Outfitters is a similar version of the Kaldi, with a looser fit and longer flaps. The knit pattern adds a winter garnish to the hat good for style, cross country skiing or a good old fashioned snowball fight. With a price more within reach, this is a must-have. ($34.00 Urbanoutfitters.com)

STREET STYLE: Playful Vintage

If senior PR major Katie Spoletti would switch closets with me, I’d gladly do so. She can spot a jewel in a sea of sand. She’s also the type that can get away with wearing practically anything. Put her in a vintage shop and it’s like a kid in a candy shop. Here’s a look that works for her:

Favorite piece: My sweater. I got it at a vintage shop in San Diego. I like it because it’s one of a kind.
Fashion icon: Sienna Miller
Trend you love to hate: The Syracuse trend of the plastic claw clip holding your pony tail. It looks tacky and cheap.

SNAPS: Happening in Houndstooth

Junior communications design major Kelsey Liss takes some time to work on final projects in Bird Library donning her red and white houndstooth coat.

HOW TO: Tie One One

We know. A scarf’s job reads: keep the neck warm. We also know that long stretches of fabulous fabric deliver more than heat and utility. They possess the power to make a tee look rich and a cashmere sweater look Trump rich (in pre-recession dollars). Learn these knots, expand your looks, and earn a Ph.D. in scarfery.




The Italian Loop: Consider this the scarf with training wheels. Fold the scarf in half and put it around your neck. Pull the ends through the loop and pull it tight. Wear it snug to your throat or lose. Both ways convey simple elegance. It also works over or under your coat.



The Square Knot: Wrap the scarf around your neck making sure that one end is longer than the other. Wrap the longer end all around your neck, around the shorter end, and then pull it up and trough. The tighter the fit, the warmer the neck. It also works as a coat topper.



Easier Square Knot: Wrap the scarf all the way around your neck then tie one end through the other pull your coat over to keep you warm.



The Safety: Wrap the scarf all the way around your neck as many times as you like.

PROFILE: The Picasso of Uggs

The salt city wears on sheep skin, leaving winter staples like Uggs stained and grimey. But senior painting major Kristin Lubsen found a way to celebrate fashion without surrendering practicality. Lubsen put her major to use, covering up her dirty Uggs with a colorful design and creating one-of-a-kind footwear in the process.

She began transforming her own Uggs two years ago, but now charges $35 to make others’ boots stand out in a sea of boring brown. On each boot, Lubsen paints a whimsical line design, varying in color from purple, green, blue, and yellow to earth tones to subtle gold. Instead of being inspired by shapes or objects, Lubsen gets her inspiration from color.

Lubsen grew up with her artist mother in Bethlehem, Pa. and always had an art room at her disposal. She wears a short, blonde cut and a pair of square, brown glasses and ends her sentences with the exuberance of spoken exclamation point. Her creativity extends beyond Uggs transformations, recently upgrading an “old lady floral shirt” to nighttime loungewear.
Lubsen paints each pair of Ugg boots per customer specifications. Customers choose their own color scheme and any specific detail they want. What better way to stand out in the snow this winter.