The STATEtorialist is a blog about Penn State, college sports, and fashion. Every week, Ben from The STATEtorialist will be writing a column for Onward State. If you like what you read, be sure to comment and read more at The STATEtorialist!


I’m not going to lie, I have a lot of clothes. So much, in fact, that the studio apartment I live in that is made for two people has two closets and two dressers full of my clothes. But even with my plentiful wardrobe, I never feel like I have enough of certain items. I’m all about re-wearing jeans because they seem to be more comfortable that second time around, but there are certain things you can’t pull out of the laundry basket and throw back on without feeling at least a little bit grimey.


So in the past few months I’ve been thinking and there are a few things I really wish I had an extensive collection of, and I like to think of these things as essentials. Read on for some items that you shouldn’t feel bad for overloading on.

Saturday was, of course, State Patty’s Day. I didn’t expect to see someone worthy of Natty Nittany status, but then I ran into John outside of Sharkies Bar and Thrifty Bottle Shop on Hetzel Street. The fashion photography gods had given me a State Patty’s Day blessing.


Though I did not have my good camera with me, you shouldn’t need too sharp of an image to see why I had to snap Jon’s picture. John did State Patty’s in a big way and I respect him for that.


It’s not only that he’s got the green going on, and that he did it in a way much more fashionable than the typical t-shirt, but that his jacket was actually a decent fit! Too often I see people with blazers two sizes too big for them and poorly tailored suit jackets (or worse– not tailored at all!).


Oh, and a little side note courtesy of John’s female accompaniment. When I told them who I was and asked to take John’s picture, the girl enthusiastically informed that John’s clothes were indeed, “all high end stuff!”

The now infamous State Patty’s day is upon us, and people are flooding the stores downtown that did not agree to pull all State Patty’s merchandise. This has nothing to do with fashion, but in my opinion, long live State Patty’s Day and let college kids have their fun!
To the administrators opposing it: think back to when you were in college. Did you want people raining on your parade? Of course not. No one gave you trouble about sneaking into Beaver Stadium after the National Championship and carrying a goal post across College Ave.!


But I’m really here to talk about State Patty’s Day fashion. The holiday has a lot to do with what people are wearing. Shops downtown have a bunch of different types of clothing with a few standard phrases, like the classic “Kiss Me I’m Drunk.”


My advice is to go all out! Wear the best of the best printed tees from People’s Nation and get to McLanahan’s before it’s too late to get your green shotglass necklace. The more green this Saturday, the better. Rock your green to show your passion for our famous Saturday in late February/early March. From socks to hats, wear that green.


Last year I wore the traditional green PSU shirt, but I’m hoping people to get more creative this year. My choice this year was a shirt from the Phyrst that’s on display at Ernie’s Steaks (If you have green slacks, please wear them. The goal is to stand out. But not too much because of the increased police enforcement).


Long live State Patty’s and going overboard with green.

I passed Tolani on my way to class last week and couldn’t help but notice that not only did he look fly, but also that his swagger matched his ensemble. I was just telling one of my friends the other day that I love outfits that are “Murdered out”, a.k.a all black with a subtle touch of color or design somewhere. From the Chuck T’s to his black framed glasses, Tolani’s got this look down. I really dug his shirt though too. It matched perfectly and I really like the Burberry-esque black, red, and grey plaid. I’m a huge fan of ALL one color and then adding a hint of another, especially when the dominant color is black.

I ran into Dongju on College Ave. last week and couldn’t help but notice that gray peacoat. You see so many blacks and blues around (I’m guilty of conforming too), so it was nice to see something different. Then I looked down and noticed what I really loved about Dongju’s outfit; it was her shoes. I wish I could tell you what material they are, but what I loved about them is that they look so sturdy and classic.


Most of all, why the shoes make her look is how she’s wearing them. For some reason, a lot of dressier shoes look better without socks, and with the weather in the 20s that day, it took a lot of guts not to wear any socks. In the end, it paid off for Dongju. She’s rocking them in the best way possible, not to mention I really like the accent her green sweater gives to the peacoat.


Lastly, check out the buttons on her peacoat below. I like trying to notice the little things that make people’s outfits look unique, and I didn’t even notice this until I cropped the photo. The eagle and shield emblem on the buttons are awesome.

The STATEtorialist is a blog about Penn State, college sports, and fashion. Every week, Ben from The STATEtorialist will be writing a column for Onward State. If you like what you read, be sure to comment and read more at The STATEtorialist!


Today I was reading my favorite blog, The Sartorialist, and underneath a picture of someone walking through a blizzard in New York City, the author Scott Schuman exclaimed his disapproval of “The system” and how it kept him from being able to buy a pair of gloves. The system he is referring to is the one that makes everyone, specifically store owners, think that just because the holidays have ended, that spring has sprung (regardless what happens in Punxsutawney).


Clearly, if you look out your window, winter is still going strong, as it is in New York as well, and stores are in a spring fashion state of mind. Scott’s post got me thinking that while we’re still getting mounds of snow here in State College, my posts might as well still be winter fashion oriented, especially since stores like Harpers and Barefoot are putting their fall and winter stuff on sale right now.


Something that I never really thought about until recently is the uncomfortable, un-versatile accessory that is the dress sock. Does the prospect of socks pique your interest? Read the full post after the jump to find some good deals on dress socks.

Whether you know it or not, in your dorm, apartment, house, bedroom, hole in the wall, or wherever it is that you sleep at night, you have a man-station. Its function comes out between your morning shower and leaving for the day. Having something like this is essential, because it’s your one stop before you go out the door. Ever since I dedicated a dresser in my room to all these essential items, I have yet to lose my keys, my wallet, my cell phone, or any of the other items on it. If you don’t already have this separate, set-aside, organized station, my suggestion is to make one – it makes starting the day a lot easier. Here’s some typical things to start with.

• The Classic Keys, Wallet, Cell Phone
• Cologne
• Glasses (if applicable)
• Important miscellaneous items that you need for the next day
• Picture of mom (just kidding, but if you tell her it’s there she’ll love it)

So the next time you lose forget your keys, can’t find your iPod, or are begging a professor to let you run home and grab that paper that you left at home, go home immediately, clear off a dresser, and fill it with the essentials. If you already have one, tell us. What’s on your man-station?

Not only is it still snowing as if winter has no plans to go anywhere, but it’s coming down out there more than it has in years. To much surprise, instead of marking up certain items, I’ve noticed a lot of stores downtown having big sales, some of which are things that could definitely come in handy in light of Snowpocalypse ‘10. Read on for a list of just a few of the things going on downtown that I noticed on my walk home the other day.

The STATEtorialist is a blog about Penn State, college sports, and fashion. Every week, Ben from The STATEtorialist will be writing a column for Onward State. If you like what you read, be sure to comment and read more at The STATEtorialist!


Every time I pass by Harper’s men’s clothing store on College Ave., I look at the same item in the window, but never walk in and peruse the store, because from word of mouth I know there’s nothing in there that’s really affordable. Well I finally inquired about the price of the Lambswool Penn State “S” sweater that’s been in their window for as long as I can remember. Turns out it’s $158. Needless to say, us college kids are strapped for cash. And when I say strapped for cash, I mean the selling your plasma and working jobs we hate kind of strapped.


So what are the fashionistos and fashionistas of Happy Valley to do when it comes to looking good and saving money? Read on to find out.