Dressing for the First Day of College

Wear what makes you feel comfortable

There are certain fashion tips that you will want to follow when considering how to dress for your first day of college. It’s important to pick something out of your closet that will make you feel comfortable but also look stylish. After all, you will want to make the right kind of impression on your fellow classmates.

Some people get way too worked up about what to wear, but the truth is that you just need to be yourself. Make sure to where something that compliments your body and is appropriate for the weather outside as well. Even if you have a killer pair of ripped jeans, you probably shouldn’t be sporting them in 80 degree weather.

Pick an outfit that people will remember you by

A lot of times people will actually remember you by what you wear the first day of school, and it might even spark some conversations. Try putting together an outfit that is different but still stylish and not totally crazy. When someone sees you in a unique and memorable t-shirt of pair of pants, you might just get some very wanted attention from the opposite sex.

See what everyone else is wearing

Before your first day of actual classes, just try to walk around campus and look at what everyone else is wearing. This will give you a good idea as to how you should dress on your first day of classes. You don’t have to wear exactly what everyone else is, but you also don’t want to stand out as looking like a freak. As long as you spend some time thinking about the best outfit to wear, you will do fine. The trick is to not put too much thought into your outfit, because if you do it usually won’t look that good. Let your decision come naturally and make sure to wear it with confidence.

Single Man’s Guide for Doing Laundry

Getting Started on Your Laundry

If you have found this article on how to do laundry, chances are good that someone has decided that it is well beyond the time for you to start washing your own “drawers”.  Or perhaps you made that choice for yourself, either because you have “grown up” and want to become more responsible; or have moved and the distance between you and your mother no longer makes it feasible for you to save up all your dirty laundry for her to do.  Whatever the reason, doing laundry is a simple chore that you can master.

Sorting

The first step in the process of doing laundry is sorting.  Sorting involves separating your clothing into distinct piles for whites, darks, and bright colors.  This is a crucial step.  If you mix your white laundry with your colored laundry, the colors can bleed, turning your tighty-whities into tighty-pinkies fast.  You should also separate the items in your laundry that produce lint (like towels) from clothing that can attract lint (like corduroy).  It’s usually a good idea to wash your towels and wash cloths separately – and if you buy all white bath linens, it simplifies the process quite a bit. It is important to realize that not all clothing can be washed at home.  Fabrics like silk, rayon, and wool, for example, should be sent out to the dry cleaners. While you’re sorting the laundry into piles, empty all of your pockets.

Stains

Most stains should be pre-treated ASAP; you can also pre-treat stains as you sort your clothing.  Products like Shout or Tide-to-Go Stain Remover can be used to treat the stain prior to washing. Always heed the instructions that you find on the product’s label before treating, as it may differ from product to product.

Using the Washer

The washing machine has different water temperatures: hot, cold, and warm.  As a rule of thumb, cold water will protect your darks and colors from fading and prevent them from shrinking.  More durable fabrics, like preshrunk cotton, can be washed in either hot or warm water.  Your whites should always be washed in hot water.  Always consult the clothing label to determine the specific temperature that your item should be washed in.

Always use the measuring cup or cap that comes with or is screwed onto the top of your laundry detergent to measure out the right amount of detergent for your load.  This is based on the size of the load, and you will need to select the appropriate load size on the washer, as well.  Turn the washer on and select the load size and put your laundry detergent in, giving it time to dissolve, before you put in your load.  Use your best judgment when determining load size, but the water in your washing machine should be well over top the entire load before it begins its work.  Clothing should be packed loosely in the machine.  If you try to wash too many clothes at once, they won’t get clean – and they may end up with laundry detergent powder clinging to them if you use powdered detergent.

Unless your machine has a built-in softener dispenser, f you are using liquid fabric softener, spring for one of the softener dispenser balls that you toss in when you start the load,.  If not, you’ll need to come back and add the right amount of fabric softener (see the bottle label) when the load moves to the rinse cycle.  You can also opt for dryer sheets that you just place in the dryer, or for one of the new “dryer bars” that provide softening for up to a month.

If you are adding bleach to your load, do so after the detergent has dissolved but before you put in your load.  In general, a cup of bleach or less is enough for a large load.  Too much bleach can actually cause your clothing to turn yellow.  Be very careful with bleach.  Don’t allow it to splash onto you or your clothing.

Once you have added everything you need to put in the washer, shut the lid and wait.  It takes around forty to forty-five minutes for most washers to complete the entire washing cycle.

Using the Dryer

Once the washer has stopped, remove the load and place it in the dryer.  Any delicates should be hung up or placed on a drying rack, like certain sweaters or clothing with spandex.  If you have a doubt about a particular clothing item, check the tag to make sure if it can be dried, and what temperature setting it requires.  In general, you should dry your delicates on low, cottons on high, and use medium for most of the other fabrics in your laundry.  If you have any questionable items, always opt for low or medium heat to be safe.

Once your items have dried, remove all items from the dryer and fold your freshly laundered clothing, linens, and so on.  Pat yourself on the back! Now that you know how much work is involved in getting your clothing clean, give your mother a call and thank her for her many years of dedicated service to you!  She may appreciate that you have come to the realization that laundry doesn’t magically clean itself!

Peter Mcneel of Metal-Wall-Art.com, has many ideas for bringing style to your home with outdoor metal wall hangings and scroll metal wall art.

SHOW THEM! Unless you got your teeth aren’t the pearliest whites in the bunch, there’s no reason to show those chompers off. The fact is, girls love a guy with a great smile. They also like a guy who is happy and wants everyone to know it. This further conveys the message that he has something offer…wink wink. As a result, a guy in happy spirits is a guy with confidence. Now I’m not going to act like your dentist here but it is quite important to brush, floss, and keep the breath fresh. I hate being told to floss as much as the next person, but flossing can work wonders for bad breath. Let’s hope that when you lean in for a kiss that she throws you to the bed, and not a piece of a gum.

Don’t be that guy…and yes we all know exactly what guy I’m talking about. Don’t be the guy who’s standing alone at a social function because he blatantly has too much cologne on. With that said, it is still important to stimulate the senses… Give yourself a quick spray from a fragrance that you feel comfortable and confident with. I recommend fragrances like Giorgio Armani and Polo Sport as they seem to be quite popular these days and also have the approval of the females. It’s also not a bad idea to seek the accompaniment of a woman while shopping for cologne. Trust me if a girl thinks you smell nice, she’ll most likely tell you.

OK Mr. Macho…Here’s the scoop on facial hair. Quite honestly, it’s a tough subject. The fact is, some people can pull facial hair better than others. If you choose to rock the facial hair, make sure you have the natural means of doing so. Aka, if your facial looks like a 12 years olds armpit, don’t bother. Anyway, perhaps the most important aspect of facial is keeping it in check. Stay on top of keeping it trimmed and presentable looking. Many girls do enjoy goatee, some chops, side burns, or even a full beard…that is until it’s poking and scratching her face. On another note, facial hair to some degree represents masculinity. One thing all girls love, is a strong jaw line. A strong jaw line represents a high testosterone level which most women are very naturally attracted to. Facial hair can be used as a perfect little instrument to help accent and define your jaw line. Some chops or a strong contour of hair down your face can very easily strengthen the look of your facial features. With that being said, go get’m Grizzly Adams.

She cares how she looks so you should too. Now I’m not saying to stand in front of the mirror for an hour, but it’s important to look well put together. When your out at night its best to make yourself as appealing as possible and being properly dressed, among other things can certainly help that. All the basics still apply…make sure the clothes fit, and are clean, and of course make sure your shoes match your belt. But on the other hand a trendy, yet not over populated look on college campuses seems to be the sport coat and a button down/ or nice T-shirt look. Throw on a classy T-shirt or a sleek button down and wear a sport coat over it accompanied with a quality pair of jeans. What’s great about this look is that it’s sexually appealing, comfortable, and also separates you from the rest of the pack on college campuses. Some great stores to purchase clothes are Banana Republic, Express, and J-Crew. Trust me you’ll be glad you made the extra effort to look good when your picking your clothes off her floor the next morning.

– Perhaps the most important aspect of a man’s stylish persona…Hair can make or break you. Therefore, it is important to groom yourself the right way. Not to state the obvious, but make sure your hair is at least CLEAN! For starters, it is important to know that it is OK to have your own style. Don’t be afraid to be bold or unique in your own way rather than just simply shaving your head. Although a buzzed haircut is completely fine and attractive to women, developing your own style shows confidence in yourself that translates into sex appeal and ultimately her attention. In other words, don’t be afraid to be somebody. A little molding gel, some hairspray, or a little parting of the hair only makes you like a desirable individual in a sea of conformity. But make sure you DO NOT over do it. No girl wants to touch hair that’s harder than your eh hem. But seriously…girls like to have something to pull on

Should Men Wear Sandals?

There is significant debate about whether it is OK for a man to sport sandals. Some of the worlds most infamous individuals such as Julius Caesar, Gandhi, and Jesus Christ wore this somewhat controversial footwear.  But why are there such harsh opinions about men wearing sandals? Are sandals considered feminine footwear? Are they physically unappealing? Are they just plain out of style? The fact is, these Jesus-Walkers so many of us covet are comfortable, popular, low maintenance, and most importantly they don’t sink too deep of holes in our pockets.

Here at the Campus Throne, we believe that with sandals, as with most things,  are best used in moderation.  That being said, here are some guidelines to consider while you’re “on a boat wearing flippy floppies”.

DO:

• For starters, take care of your sandals. A dirty, broken down, stench reeking sandal is a recipe for footwear disaster.
• Additionally, it is just as important to wash your feet…Don’t be an asshole. Get that dirt out from under your toenails and clip them while you’re at it. You can’t properly represent your stompers successfully unless you’ve taken care of your feet hygiene.
• Wear sandals that highlight or compliment your clothing. If the outfit calls or suits wearing Jesus Kicks, go right ahead. If not…don’t!

DO NOT:

• Don’t be that guy.  And by that, I mean don’t be the guy that incessantly wears flip flops and whose sole existence seemingly revolves around wearing flip flops anywhere. Remember the key is to wear sandals in moderation.
• Don’t forget that your feet are always visible. Seeing as they aren’t the most attractive attributes of the human anatomy, the least you can do is keep them clean and presentable.
• Finally, don’t wear sandals that are crusty, sweat stained, or on its last step…literally.

OVERALL

Sandals can be pretty lame at times, not going to lie.  At the same time, we all hate that douche that wears Jordans to a pool party or beach.  If sandals are good enough for King Leonidas, they’re good enough for us…at the right time, though.  Madness? These are sandals!

We all know them. Ray- Bans, specifically “Wayfarers”, the pair of sunglasses making a come back in popularity like no other in this country. Think about it…You hear the name Ray-Ban and you immediately think of a large, boxy,  in your face styled sunglasses that radiate a smooth, suave, and sexy persona. A persona we’d all like to exude among a college campus.

We think of them as the shades from the 1980′s but in reality, the brand was actually first massed produced in the 1930′s. Why was the Ray-Bans brand initially produced? Oddly enough these sun-specs of style were originally produced for high performance combat use for members of the military. They are comfortable and quite versed for movement so they are enjoyed by sports enthusiasts as well.

But why discuss Ray-Bans? Not that they ever truely became out of style,  but it seems like everywhere you look people are wearing them again! The truth is Ray-Bans are making a giant come back. It’s funny really. Think back to the mid to late 90′s when bell-bottom or “flared” styled jeans  from the 1970′s all of a sudden made a huge reemergence out of no where. As if the fashion god’s just said “Let Bell-Bottom’s return”. Now everywhere you look people wear a higher quality, trendier, and flared pair of jeans. Well it’s essentially the same thing with Ray-Bans, specifically the “Wayfarer” design. Perhaps every 10 years we back track to a style of 20 years prior? Who knows, but it sure does seem that way.

In looking at the college scene, Ray-Ban style sunglasses are everywhere. Whether they are brand name Ray-Bans or not, many eyewear producers are mimicking this revolutionary style all over the place. No longer does anyone have to fear walking down the street rocking a pair of Ray-Bans only to hear some douchebag say “Go back to the 80′s asshole!”

So if you find yourself at the Sunglass Hut in the mall checking out a new pair of shades why not give some Ray-Bans a gander. Some of the baddest dudes in Hollywood history like Patrick Bateman , Christian Bale’s character from American Psycho, and John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd from the Blues Brothers wore them.

That being said, we at The Campus Throne think you can achieve the same level of prominence with a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses too (minus all the savage murders from American Psycho).

Basically most guys want to know what they should bring when they move into their dorm.  They want to know what they will use mostly and what will impress the ladies.  Do not worry because this list should help you decide what is necessary in college guy’s dorm room.

CLOTHES

• Button Down shirts are  a must Guys wake up you are in college and now should dress professionally now.  Job interns are going to start occuring and you need to look your best.  Plus you should always want to look good and button down shirts do that for you.  I would say 4-5 nice button down shirts will suffice.

• Dress Pants. Same reasons as for button down shirts.

• Bring a couple of pairs of jeans to wear out for a party or to chill when it gets cold out.

• Shirts: Bring a couple of nice  short sleeve and long sleeve shirts.  By nice I mean not all Hollister and Abercrombie and all that.  Wear different shirts; shirts no one has ever seen before.  Be different!  Do not forget crappy shirts too that can get dirty because you never know when a girl will check you out playing a sport!

• Shoes: Guys bring a pair of dress shoes!  Always look your best when your going out.  Impress girls, show them what you got!  Bring one pair of running shoes like asics or nike.  I wouls also bring a casual pair, for example: Nike 6.0′s.

• Then your usual socks, boxers, shorts, jacket ( A blazer would be very good), and multiple sweat shirts ( Just in case a girl steals one).

BED SUPPLIES

• Comfortable bed Guys this is key.  If you have a comfortable bed, girls will keep coming back to it if they want to chill, have a couple of beers, “sleep”, whatever the case is they will come back.

• Fan: It is most likely going to get very hot in your dorm room.  Make sure you have a fan to keep you cold at night when you sleep.  Also, make sure the room is comfortbale so when a girl comes in, she does not sweat till after you two are done!

• Pillows: I would recommend two nice, either soft or hard, pillows.

FOOD

• Snacks: Bring a lot of snacks and little things to have because you might get hungry at night.  Ex: Doritos, ice cream, snack packs, anything.  I find Easy Mac to be a perfect snack.

• Soup: If you go to a school when it gets cold out, a nice bowl of soup will put you in a great mood.

• Chocolate: Guys, girls like chocolate so it would not be a bad thing to have some of that around.

• Microwavable food

• Forks, Knives, Spoons, Napkins

• Refrigerator, Freezer, and Microwave

• Treat Yourself: Buy yourself something that you would like to make or have that you had home.  Who cares how expensive it is, just buy it so if you are ever in the mood for it, there it is!

BEVERAGES

• Water: A couple of cases of water should be fine to start with.  But you will use them pretty fast in the beginning because it is probably going to be very humid when you first start school.
• Soda or Iced Tea or any type of drink other than water you want to put in your refrigerator.

GROOMING & HYGIENE

• Toothpaste and Tooth Brush are a MUST

• Towels: Bring a couple of towels, about 4-5.  Shower sex is amazing so you neve know!

• Soap and shampoo

• Razors

• Toilet paper, tissues, soap, and paper towels: Be respectful to your other roommates and make sure you bring toilet paper too.  You do not want to run out of toilet paper!

• Laundry Bag and Detergent: I would suggest to bring a lot of detergent and bring a big laundry bag because it  will suck if  you make a couple of trips to get your laundry.  Get all your laundry at once to make your life easier.

• Vacuum: Keep your dorm clean!

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

• Pens and scrap paper: You are going to fly out of pens and paper.  Bring a lot.

• Binders and Notebooks are necessary

• Printer: It is not completely necessary but if you are running late and need to print something fast, it becomes well worth it.

• Highlighters, pencils, CALENDER, Ruler, Tape, Thumbtacks, SAT calculator, Backpack

• LAPTOP

MEDICINE

• First aid kit: You never know when you will need it

• Tylenol, Excedrin, Pepto Bismol, and allergy medication (Ex: Claritin): Just make sure you are not allergic to any of these

MISCELLANEOUS GUY THINGS

• *Be careful when it comes to alcohol:* When you go to school, your other college students will be having parties in their dorms.  That is one way to get noticed!  Bring a bottle of vodka or two to show your roommates and the girls that you are ready to party.  However, make sure you do not get caught and make sure everyone in your dorm agrees with it being ok!  The only reason I say vodka is because it does not have that smell like beer and it is easier to sneak in.  But be careful!

• Condoms: This is huge right here.  Be safe and have a great time.  Remember, one bad mistake and there goes your life.  Just use them everytime you have sex.  I would recommend bringing 3-5 boxes because you also have to help out your friends when they need one.  Now some schools do not allow condoms, so make sure you hide them.  Also, it does not look good if you leave them out and a girl walks in.

• Sports equipment: Bring a football, tennis racket, baseball glove, anything to do with sports.  Stay active and in shape.

• Posters: It is always good to have posters.  Show people what you are interested in.  Always a good ice breaker!

• Television: Always good to have one, especially if you put a game system on it.  Watch movies or play games.

• Pictures of whatever you want ( Friends, Family…)