This school year's hottest fashion trends

The 2004 - 2005 school year has certainly been interesting when it comes to the different fashion trends that sprung up here and there. Some things were hot and original and we all followed suit. Other fashion trends just caused us to stare longer at someone in awe that they actually left the house that way.

Let's begin in the fall of 2004. When we all got here it was blazing hot and summer was in the air. Over the summer most people developed their own sense of summer style and it was quite interesting to say the least.

Many girls rocked the UGG boots with the classic mini-mini-skirt last summer. This trend seemed to annoy most people. The mistake with this combination is that the logic behind it is flawed. Just because Jessica Simpson and Cameron Diaz did it, doesn't mean everyone can. UGG's are without a doubt a winter boot. The key word here is winter. Summer clothes and winter shoes just don't mix. But for those brave few who tried it we salute your courageousness.

Another big staple in this school years fashion was the screen print T-shirts. We have all seen the infamous "I See Dumb People" shirt. Who can deny it? These shirts are classics. The "Make 7, Up Yours" shirt was also another big hit. Screen print tees are still fashionable and a way to express your personality without saying a thing.

"My favorite fashion of this school year most definitely had to be the tailored blazer with a graphic tee and a stylish hat to match. This look is mainly worn in the fall season. I also like the wife-beater and long jeans look. This goes great with a pair of extravagant chandelier earrings and some sexy pumps," said Simone Baptiste, junior speech pathology major.

For guys, the summer was all about "The White Tee" even a song was made commenting on all the things a guy can do in his white tee. It's inexpensive and looks fresh with a pair of clean sneakers. The preppy look also worked for guys last summer. Guys were sporting Polo's and Diesel shoes like it was no tomorrow and it worked.

Another fashion trend also led the pack last summer. Culottes, also known as gaucho pants, took the world by storm. The fine jersey knit material just flows in the wind and is comfortable yet sexy. Women love these pants. For fall the material changed to capris and they too looked awesome. There isn't a way possible to wear these pants, which stop right at your shins, wrong. This is a wonderful thing for the fashionably challenged.

As we moved into the fall season, guys and girls sported the tailored blazer. Blazers were and still are a fantastic addition to any wardrobe. Guys opted for the member's only type blazer or a vintage business blazer look with both a jean or khaki pant and some unique sneakers.

The women of ECU worked blazers during the fall. Everyone seemed to have a unique style when it came to how they wore their blazer. Girls sometimes added small appliqués or flowers pins to their blazers to give it more edge. Blazers were undeniably on the hot list for this school years fashion trends.

One trend that took the campus over during the fall was the argyle cardigan and sweaters. Argyle prints were all over the place. Girls wore cute colors like pink and mint green and guys went for oranges, browns and blues.

Once winter rolled around it was on to the next fashion hit. Everyone who's anyone had a pea coat this winter. The warm material and cool colors made every coat different. Even guys wore man tailored pea coats. Another winter fashion was the winter flight jacket. Every guy has one and every girl has the cute modified one to keep warm on those cold walks to class.

Now we can address UGG's. The winter UGG look was a total success. Any boot that is flat, comes high up on the calf and has some kind of built in fur lining is an awesome winter boot. Moccasin boots that tied up rocked the campus as well as any snow boot. It seemed every girl had her own version of the UGG boot without the ugly.

"Stilettos are in this school year. Also, bright colors such as teal and hot pink were in no matter what you were wearing," said Summer Knight, junior finance major.

Spring is finally here and students are beginning to shed heavy winter clothes for lighter styles. This spring it's all about linen. Linen shorts, linen culottes, linen shirts are all in. Bright colors are what spring is all about. Already oranges, greens and whites are making their way back onto campus.

What about those all-important spring shoes? Of course, sporting Rainbows is a trend that is back in full force but the new addition to the spring footwear scene is top-siders. Who knew that these shoes, originally meant to be worn on boats for safety and have been around for 30 years would become the most popular footwear item of the season.

"Fashion is innate. It is simply an extension of ones inner personality. The clothes you wear say something, they make an expression. So hopefully everyone has something good to say," said Marquita Powell, senior political science major.