Your alarm clock goes off. It’s 6 p.m. — time to take your birth control pill. You shuffle over to your desk and pull open a drawer, only to find that your packet of Yaz is completely empty. Worse yet, your prescription is out and you’ll have to make a doctor’s appointment to renew it. Damn, you knew there was something you forgot to do this week. If only birth control was as easy to pick up as Advil and Tylenol.

Sound familiar? Chances are many Northwestern women have experienced similar situations. Weinberg freshman Lindsey Kreutzer knows the feeling well. Her health insurance plan only allows her to receive one packet of the Pill at a time, which means that at the end of every month she needs to head back to CVS in time to refill.

“It makes me really nervous,” said Kreutzer, who is well aware of the necessity of taking the Pill consistently.

The Pill is the most widely used form of contraception among unmarried, college-educated women in their teens and twenties, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a group that uses research, policy analysis and education to improve sexual and reproductive health.

However, difficulties procuring the Pill often cause lapses in use, which can result in unplanned pregnancy. Half of all women at risk of unintended pregnancy are not fully protected because they don’t use a contraceptive, use it inconsistently or incorrectly or have gaps in use of one month or longer, according to a study done by the Guttmacher Institute in 2004.

When asked why they failed to use contraceptives properly, the most commonly identified reason among at-risk women was problems accessing or using their contraceptive. This is causing women’s health advocates and gynecologists throughout the country to work to increase the accessibility of the Pill, with some even campaigning for oral contraceptives to be offered over-the-counter.

The dream of popping over to a local CVS to pick up birth control pills without a prescription may someday become reality, but we’re still far from that point. Currently, no applications for over-the-counter oral contraceptives are filed with the Food and Drug Administration, according to Sneha Barot, senior public policy associate at the Guttmacher Institute. In the meantime, plenty of research is being conducted and efforts are being made to de-link birth control pill prescriptions and vaginal exams in order to make birth control easier.

“We don’t make men get prostate exams before they buy condoms,” said Dan Grossman, OB/GYN and senior associate at Ibis Reproductive Health, of the vaginal exams that doctors often require before issuing a birth control prescription.

A long fight
The battle for contraceptive availability in the United States has been long and hard-fought. The taboo surrounding birth control dates back to 1873 when Congress passed the anti-obscenity Comstock Act.

This law lumped the distribution of birth control into the same category as the distribution of pornography, creating a taboo around contraceptives that lasted long after the ban of birth control was declared unconstitutional in 1936.

It may be largely because of this sense of taboo, rather than medical evidence, that birth control pills are only offered through a prescription today, according to Barot.

“Basically, the medical community became a gatekeeper to accessing birth control and gave it legitimacy at the same time so it was no longer taboo but seen as something essential to women’s health,” says Barot, explaining some of the historical reasons behind restricted access to the pill.

However, old reproductive health standards are being altered left and right these days. Between the legalization of over-the-counter Plan B and President Obama’s reversal of the abortion gag rule, it seems as though many of the contraceptive norms of past generations are rapidly changing.

Breaking down the barriers
Aside from the age-old taboo against contraceptives, it seems that there must be some medical reason behind restricted access to oral contraceptives. But many doctors argue that this is not the case.

“You can start most women on a low-dose pill and the vast majority will do very well on it,” says Dr. Cassing Hammond, director of the Section and Fellowship in Family Planning and Contraception at Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine. “The biggest risk is not the Pill, it’s an unplanned pregnancy,” he adds.

The Pill contains a combination of estrogen and progestin, both of which naturally occur in the body, that prevent women from releasing an egg each month, making the chances of conception very slim. Because the levels of estrogen present in the Pill today are very low, there are very few negative side effects associated with taking oral contraceptives. There is no aspect of the Pill that necessitates a vaginal exam before prescription, according to experts.

“Contraception became intertwined with other women’s health services. For example there were things like Pap smears and pelvic exams or screening for [sexually transmitted infections] that became part of a package of things included in these visits,” Barot said.

It’s important to screen women for a history of heavy smoking and high blood pressure, both of which may make women more likely to form blood clots, a very rare side-effect of the pill, according to Hammond. But while Pap smears and screening for STIs are crucial aspects of gynecological health, they aren’t necessary for a doctor to give a prescription for the Pill.

“We need to inform women about the importance of pap screening but not hold their contraception hostage,” Grossman said.

The final barrier: a doctor’s prescription
Recent studies show that women may be able to accurately screen themselves without a doctor’s help for conditions that would make taking oral contraceptives dangerous.

Women can accurately assess themselves for contraindications to taking birth control pills by following a simple checklist, according to a study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2008. When given a checklist of medical conditions that make taking the Pill risky, only 6.6 percent of women mistakenly thought they were safe to use the Pill.

Evaluations and prescriptions were actually put in the hands of the pharmacists in a study done by researchers at the University of Washington in 2008. Women filled out a checklist and were evaluated by a pharmacist to determine if they were good candidates for the Pill and several other contraceptive methods. If approved, they could obtain a prescription directly from the pharmacist, instead of a doctor.

However, some say that this method would just replace one barrier with a new one. Pharmacists still have the right to refuse prescriptions for some medications, like birth control pills, in certain areas of the country.

“I think that could be really harsh for people, just feeling the discomfort and the reality that there are some people who are going to judge the fact that you’re on birth control. People don’t hide their emotions really well and they can make it really uncomfortable to buy something that you’re getting for your health and safety,” said Kreutzer, who believes that giving pharmacists control over Pill prescriptions could make the situation even more difficult.

Despite the positive findings of these studies, over-the-counter access to the Pill is a long way off and mountains of bureaucratic red tape stand in the way. A drug company first needs to file an application with the FDA. The company would need to prove the safety of over-the-counter use as well as develop an appropriate over-the-counter label that would allow women to safely screen themselves. After that, a panel of experts would need to review all of the evidence and vote on the issue before a high-ranking member of the FDA could give final approval.

Furthermore, any movement to offer the Pill over the counter will face significant opposition. Some doctors fear that allowing women to obtain the Pill without visiting the doctor will mean that some women will skip visits to the gynecologist entirely. This could lead to a decrease in Pap smears and STI screening tests. Others worry about the cost of birth control increasing beyond affordable levels without the cost break provided by insurance coverage.

Despite her desire for easier access to the Pill, Kreutzer also sees risks associated with such a move.

“I do worry that it would be used without caution and thought by a lot of girls,” she says.

Paving the Way
In the meantime, doctors and health clinics are making efforts to increase accessibility to the Pill. Northwestern Health Services does not require a pelvic exam for a birth control prescription, according to Kathleen Parker, RN, unless one is deemed necessary for other medical reasons. Women are required to fill out a women’s health history form and then undergo a blood pressure test.

The system used at Northwestern Health Services is very common. Planned Parenthood clinics offer similar access to the Pill. The nearest clinic can be located on Planned Parenthood’s Web site.

While it is easy to obtain access to the Pill, there are still factors that may prevent women from consistent contraceptive practice. While some doctors will refill a prescription without an in-person visit, especially to those who have been on the Pill for a long time, others will not. At Northwestern Health Services, a woman is required to make an appointment once a prescription runs out.

“Women talk about the difficulties of getting in for an appointment: the long wait, the doctor’s hours are inconvenient, it’s hard to get off work or school,” said Grossman, of his experience in his own practice.

To avoid constantly finding yourself with an expired prescription, ask your doctor for a year-long prescription, advised Grossman. Then, when you head to the drug store to pick up the pills, make sure you ask the pharmacist to give you the maximum number of packs dispensable at one time.

Receiving more pill packs is associated with a longer duration of usage, according to a study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2006. Women who took home 13 cycles of pills at once were 28 percent more likely to be protected 15 months later than women who received only three cycles of pills.

Whether you forgot to take your Pill or ran out of your prescription, know that Plan B, a form of birth control that helps prevent pregnancy after you’ve already had unprotected sex, is available over-the-counter to anyone over age 18. Plan B reduces chances of pregnancy by 89 percent when taken up to three days after unprotected sex, according to Planned Parenthood. There are no serious complications associated with taking Plan B, and you can take it as often as you like, although your chances of becoming pregnant are even smaller if you use regular contraceptives like condoms or the Pill.

Someday access to the Pill may be as easy as access to condoms or Tylenol. Until then, taking preventative measures and knowing your options may prevent that moment of panic the next time you open your desk drawer to realize your birth control pack is empty.

Updated 10:46 p.m: The original version of this article referenced “sexually transmitted illnesses.” A more appropriate term is “sexually transmitted infections.” Thanks to commenter Olivia for pointing this out.

“No jobs match the specified criteria.”

This is the message I get when I search for Editorial and Writing jobs on Condé Nast’s career Web site. No editorial jobs? At all? At the company that publishes Vogue, Vanity Fair, Self, GQ and Glamour?

The author. Photo by Julie Beck / North by Northwestern

I am closing in on four years of hard times at Medill, which included the requisite “Medill F” and of course zero money in the bank from summer after summer of unpaid internships. At this point, I thought I would be guaranteed to find a magazine job that would launch me on my path to becoming the next Graydon Carter.

Yet, as I prep my résumé and begin to send out cover letters, the media industry slowly seems to be disintegrating around me. Magazines are closing left and right, the newspaper industry is dying and the HR departments at magazine companies aren’t even scheduling informational interviews. The New York Times Company lost $75 million dollars in the first quarter and the Chicago Tribune cut more than 50 more jobs this week. The magazine industry isn’t doing any better. Reports released by the Publishers Information Bureau reveal that magazines experienced an average 25.9 percent decrease in ad pages in the first quarter.

Needless to say, hiring prospects are grim right now. I ventured out to the Medill Career Fair a few weeks ago only to discover that most companies were offering only unpaid internships. When recruiters took my résumé and scrawled “looking for full-time” across the top, it felt like they might as well be writing “FAT CHANCE” and tossing it in the trash.

So what now? Medill students typically don’t start searching for jobs until Spring Quarter. Unlike consulting or finance companies, which typically hire a certain number of grads each year, hiring within the media industry is done on an as-needed basis. That said, I probably wouldn’t have a job by graduation even in a good year, which means that come June 22 I’ll be headed back to my parents’ home on the East Coast to start getting serious about my job search.

Despite the odds, I still plan to pursue a career in media, although I am open to seeking out other communications-related positions as well. Many of my friends in Medill are choosing to pursue marketing or public relations, or are leaving the field entirely. However, I’m confident that the media industry will bounce back eventually and I’ve been resisting my mom’s desire for me to attend law school for too long for me to give in now.

In the meantime, I’m grateful that Medill’s curriculum has allowed me to double major and encourages students to take most of their classes outside of Medill. Hopefully, this will give me the broad base of knowledge that I will need to get a scarce journalism job, or to branch out into other fields if necessary.

Medill is currently implementing new curriculum and programs that address the changing role of the media. Unfortunately, these changes came a little too late for the class of 2009. The opportunity for undergraduates to receive a certificate in Integrated Marketing Communications and receive comprehensive multimedia training as part of their curriculum will help future generations of Medill grads adjust more smoothly to the changing media world. Not me, though!

In the meantime, I’m praying that I won’t still be living at home a year from now. In an attempt to soothe my fears, I googled “useless majors”, hoping to find some reassuringly ridiculous areas of study that would make my journalism major woes seem minor. Sadly, the most frequently listed useless major that I found was art history. My double major along with journalism? Art history. FML.

Amanda Woerner used to write NBN’s fashion column.

Megan comes from a single-parent household with four siblings and a mother who makes less than $20,000 a year. She’s a Medill senior who works three jobs. As she nears graduation with around $2000 in credit card debt, Megan — which is not, by the way, her real name — is considering egg donation as a means to obtain a financial cushion for herself in the future.

If you’ve ever thought, “Sure, I could use an extra $10,000,” Megan’s potential solution to her financial dilemma may not come as a shock to you. Egg donation is a growing industry in the United States and college women, especially well-educated girls like those at Northwestern, are highly sought-after donors. Women can receive thousands of dollars for undergoing the procedure just one time, which is a powerful incentive to cash-strapped college students and those worried about their financial stability.

“It gets tiring, living from paycheck to paycheck,” Megan says of her desire for financial security.

Megan first learned about egg donation from a friend at work. The friend, a DePaul student, earned $7000 and was able to take her sister on a trip to Europe and pay for Lasik eye surgery.

If Megan decides to donate, she plans to use the money to pay off bills and help family members, like her sister, who moved home to help support her family. “She is working more than 40 hours a week and is a full time student…it’s not just about the cold hard cash, it’s more what I would be able to do for her,” says Megan.

Ads around Chicago appeal to both the financial and emotional incentives for egg donation. “The few, the proud, the egg donors,” reads an ad on the Chicago El. A Facebook advertisement available to Northwestern women and sponsored by the Chicago donor matching service Conceivablities reads, “We can compensate you but never repay you. Earn up to $10,000 for your participation. Make a donation. Make a difference.”

Improvements in egg donor services in recent years may ease the decision for some women. Many services are striving to better meet the physical, emotional and legal needs of donors. Nazca Fontes founded Conceiveabilities, a Chicago-based egg donor matching agency, 13 years ago after recognizing room for improvement in the growing infertility industry. Fontes began her career working in the labs of infertility clinics and later donated eggs herself, yet saw plenty of room for improvement in the system. “I have licensed mental health professionals on staff offering support, I make sure that each of our donors gets independent legal representation, I take out independent insurance policies to protect them in case of complications…I offer a lot of safety nets for my donors,” Fontes says.

Despite these tempting offers, many women, like Megan, still feel uncertain about the egg donation process.

So who is the ideal egg donor?

Women ages 18-24 are the most sought-after age group, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), because they are considered the most physically and mentally prepared to undergo the donation procedure. While it is legal to donate at 18 in many states, the ASRM recommends waiting until age 21 to “ensure that the donor is mature enough to provide true informed consent,” according to the ASRM’s “Third Party Reproduction” booklet.

In addition to being of a certain age, women must be both physically and mentally fit. Donors all pass a thorough FDA-regulated physical health check before they are approved. Extensive mental health screening is also required by many agencies, although this is not regulated by the FDA and varies from practice to practice.

The ASRM recommends that all potential donors go through an in-person interview with a trained mental health professional in addition to basic psychological testing. Being mentally prepared to donate is crucial, according to Susan Klock, Ph.D and professor of obstetrics, gynecology and psychiatry at Northwestern’s Feinberg Medical School.

After passing the physical tests, any woman should be careful to make sure she is emotionally ready to donate as well. “This is a very medical process and anyone who has gone through any in-depth medical procedure knows that it can be lacking in emotional support,” Fontes says.

Many infertility professionals recommends that women do plenty of research before committing to an egg donor matching agency because of the lack of regulation in some areas of the egg donation process, such as mental health screening.

“We always say to both donors and recipients, know the practices you are working with and do what you are comfortable with and work with people that you trust. There is quite a bit of activity that goes on in the margins of the established fertility world,” warns Klock.

“We think it’s very safe and doesn’t affect future fertility.”

Once a woman passes through physical and mental screening processes, and decides she is emotionally prepared to donate eggs, she is eventually matched with a recipient family. This is when the demanding physical process of harvesting eggs begins.

After a donor and recipient are matched, each begin to take birth control pills for three weeks to sync their menstrual cycles. After this, the donor begins to take oral pills and then administers self-injections for two weeks in order to stimulate egg production. During this two-week period, the donor makes regular visits to the doctor for brief check-ups to monitor her health and the level of egg production in the ovaries. Women experience side effects such as fluid retention, breast tenderness and moodiness but serious health side effects resulting from this process are rare.

From initial screening to the final egg retrieval, the entire egg donation process typically takes two to three months. Women usually recover quickly from egg donation. The donor may experience some discomfort and cramping on the day of the procedure, but most resume their normal routines the next day, according to Dr. Eve Feinberg, of the Fertility Centers of Illinois. Furthermore, there appear to be no long term risks to egg donation. Women can even donate up to six times throughout their lives. “We think it’s very safe and we don’t think it affects future fertility,” says Feinberg.

When the eggs are ready, they are retrieved during an anaesthetized surgical procedure. The donor relinquishes all legal rights to the eggs once they are removed from her body and control of the egg is in the hands of the recipient. The recipient typically then fertilizes the egg with sperm to create an embryo, but it is also possible that the eggs could be frozen or discarded.

If the donor recipient chooses to fertilize and implant the egg, typically more than one embryo is transferred to increase the chances that a pregnancy will result from the procedure. Egg donation has a 40 percent success rate, according to data collected in 2000 from the Center for Disease Control.

Financial pay and “designer babies”

For many college women, including Megan, the significant financial compensation for egg donation is one of its biggest draws. “The main reason that I would do this would be because it is financially beneficial to me,” says Megan, noting that while helping an infertile family is important, it isn’t her main motivation. However, the parameters of what is considered appropriate in terms of compensation are often fuzzy.

According to the ASRM, payments ranging from $5,000 – $10,000 are reasonable, depending on the circumstances of the donation.

“Going up past that is coercion and has ethical considerations,” says Sean Tipton, Director of Public Affairs for the ASRM. “The compensation is based on the time taken for the donation and shouldn’t vary based on traits or how many eggs they receive.”

However, since there are no regulations on compensation, offers for eggs that carry specific genetic traits can be significantly higher. The Web site elitedonors.com is currently conducting a search for a donor with these qualities:

• 5’6” or taller
• Caucasian
• Very attractive (modeling experience is listed as a plus)
• 18-30 years old
• Demonstrates proven intelligence (preferably attending or graduated from a top 100 college)
• Athletic ability, preferably at a college or professional level
• No genetic medical issues

The compensation for this donor is listed as $100,000.

Michelle White, the program director of Elitedonors.com, says that their compensation rates are set by what individual clients are willing to pay. “Of course, most clients want a donor who is not solely motivated by monetary compensation so weeding those applicants out can be a bit tricky, but in general, our clients feel that offering a larger compensation is beneficial to the search and deserved by the donor,” stated White.

However, offering high sums of money for offspring with certain genetic traits brings up issues for potential donors regarding the ethics of eugenics and efforts to create what some call “designer babies”.

Conceiveabilities follows the guidelines for compensation set by the ASRM. However, Fontes dismisses the idea that some parents are trying to create perfect children. “We certainly don’t see people trying to seek a donor that isn’t like them…A select portion of our client base is very high achieving and they want a donor that is the same,” says Fontes, explaining the reasoning behind clients seeking donors with specific traits.

Despite this, Fontes warns that agencies offering prices above ASRM standards should be regarded with suspicion. Furthermore, there is little data or evidence regarding whether these high rates are actually paid or just used to lure in donors. “It’s not clear what’s going on with some of those ads…we think they use that to induce people to come in and don’t end up paying that,” said Tipton, of matching services that offer higher pay.

“If I do this, I can’t tell my mom.”

The reactions of family members, fear of regret and other personal concerns, are weighed carefully by donors. Megan has told most of her friends that she is considering donating eggs and they have been very understanding of the situation. However, she chose to remain anonymous in this article because of uncertainty as to how future employers or family members might perceive her decision.

“If I do this, I can’t tell my mom, she would be incredibly upset because she’s always felt like less of a mother because she hasn’t been able to financially support me. If she found out I did it she would be really devastated,” Megan says.

Many women face similar emotional and ethical questions as they contemplate undergoing egg donation. “This can be a very emotional process, not only for the recipient, but for the donor,” says Fontes, adding that Conceiveabilities offers additional support and counseling for donors.

Klock advises women considering egg donation to think through every aspect of the process, physically and emotionally, before making a final decision.

“Think about how you feel about the prospect of being a parent and how you would feel knowing you will potentially have a child in the world that you will not know,” Klock said. “Does that feel okay to you and can you imagine how that might feel years from now? Also think about people that you know who have suffered from infertility and if that would make you feel good to know they are helping a couple have a child who otherwise wouldn’t be able to.”

Megan says she will continue to contemplate becoming a donor over the course of her senior year: “The more I started looking at people looking for donors, the more I feel for these people who wanted to have a child and couldn’t.”

Yet, she’s still uncertain whether egg donation is for her. She has visited the Web sites of donor matching services many times, and has even started filling out an application. But she always leaves it unfinished.

You know that friend you have who seems to get along with everyone? The one who makes friends wherever she goes, wins the admiration of students and professors and gets internship offers practically thrown at her every summer? Yeah, that person. Whom you want to hate, but can’t, because she’s just so darn likable.

How does she do it? It’s not because she’s better-looking. It’s not because she’s smarter. And it certainly has nothing to do with Facebook friend-count.

Nicholas Boothman, author of the bestselling How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds or Less, said that he realized wherever he went, there were two groups of people: one that got along with everyone and another that couldn’t. “It was nothing to do with looks and nothing to do with talent, so I wanted to figure out what it was,” Boothman said.

There is no one key to forming a rapport with someone, according to Boothman. A successful interaction results from a combination of several behaviors.

Impress with a first impression.

A good impression begins with a good greeting, according to How to Make People Like You in 90 Seconds or Less. When meeting someone you should follow this sequence: Open your body towards them, look them directly into the eye, give a big beaming smile, greet them with enthusiasm, and lean in towards them just slightly.

If you’re into abbreves, just remember this sequence: open, eye, beam, hi, lean. Whether you are being introduced to a cutie at the Keg or greeting a recruiter at a job fair, this simple greeting will create a good first impression. But what next?

Enough about me. Let’s talk about you.

We’ve all experienced those awkward moments after first meeting someone where we inevitably resort to, “So…um…whatchya studyin’?” You can do better.

Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence People”, written in 1936 and one of the first bestselling self-help books, reminds the reader that people love to talk about themselves. Anything from “I love your shoes, where did you get them?” to “How is your day going today?” is a great way to engage people in their favorite conversation topic, which, unsurprisingly, is themselves.

“Here’s the bottom line,” said Boothman. “People like people who are like themselves. You have to adapt like a chameleon and find a way to be like them.”

But this doesn’t mean feigning an interest in pro basketball when you don’t know the difference between LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Rather, in the first few minutes of meeting someone, adjust your tone of voice to match theirs, try to find some common ground, or give feedback that indicates you share an interest in what they are saying.

It’s all in the attitude… and your memoir.

Enter new situations with a positive attitude to avoid being accidentally perceived as rude or hostile. “Charming people understand that by adjusting your attitude you will be massively more likely to get what you want,” Boothman said.

Being well-liked may help you after leaving Northwestern, too. Lest you scoff at these pieces of advice, consider the fate of some of these well-known people who weren’t quite likable enough. In politics, John Kerry’s loss to George W. Bush in 2004 was attributed in part to his inability to connect with voters on a personal level. Martha Stewart is so disliked by her neighbors that she has been sued numerous times. And of course, infamous Vogue editor Anna Wintour had a best-selling novel and hit motion picture, all based on her notoriously difficult personality.

“These reputations at some point, become fairly solidified,” according to Professor Gary Alan Fine, a Northwestern sociology professor and author of the book, Difficult Reputations: Collective Memories of the Evil, Inept and Controversial which studies political reputations throughout history.

Fortunately, most students have not hit this point of solidification yet. As Boothman said, “Making people like you is a skill that anyone can learn.”

Wrong. It’s high time that I addressed the often-ignored topic of men’s fashion. Men in the 21st century are expected to look just as pulled together and polished as women. The Brawny Man no longer stands triumphant as the masculine ideal. Instead, style-conscious men, from Derek Jeter, who has his own line of men’s products with Avon, to Jude Law are setting a new standard for masculine style.

The gentlemen of Northwestern do a decent job of dressing. But walking down Sheridan Road every day, I see the requisite male uniform of t-shirt and shorts with flip-flops on at least 4 out of 5 males. The t-shirt usually has a fraternity or sports logo on it. Sometimes the t-shirt is substituted with a button-down shirt or polo. Whoa, right?

Many boys here seem to shy away from fashion; they consider clothes as a necessity rather than a source of creativity. I asked some of my male friends to share their thoughts on fashion, and a few factors were commonly agreed on:

• Make sure you match
• Don’t look stupid
• Be comfortable

This is a good code to live by. But it’s becoming increasingly acceptable for men to take a more in-depth interest in fashion. Magazines like GQ and Esquire combine their tips on fashion with photo spreads of a nearly nude (surprise surprise) Lindsay Lohan or Scarlett Johansson. Men’s Vogue launched their first issue with a cover of Tiger Woods. These all convey messages that men can be both masculine and appreciate style.

The image of the style-conscious male was popularized even more with the term “metrosexual,” which became popular about five years ago. The New York Times ran their first article on metrosexuals in 2003. In it they gave numerous examples of men who fit the category, including soccer star David Beckham (according to the article he paints his fingernails, braids his hair and poses for gay magazines — not that you should go that far).

But you don’t have to be metrosexual or feminine to be conscious of clothes. Here are a few dos and don’ts applicable to NU’s male population.

DON’T forget socks.

I’m not talking about a baseball team, gentleman.

Scenario 1: Man gets dressed. He puts on khaki shorts and a polo. He looks good. Then, before he runs out the door, he pulls on some black socks. And sandals.
Scenario 2: Man looks very suave in a dark suit and dress shoes. Alas, white socks ruin the entire outfit.

This is a look made most famous by Michael Jackson. In light of his history of child molestation accusations, any association with The King of Pop are best avoided.

DO pick up a copy of GQ or Esquire along with your Sports Illustrated and ESPN mag.

These magazines include top-notch writers, photo spreads of provocatively posed actresses — and fashion tips as well. Even if the fashion pages still scare you, the latest issue of esquire.com boasts other informative articles, ranging from “How to Buy A Girl a Drink” to “The Cocktail Waitress: An Appreciation.”

DON’T wear ill-fitting clothes.

If you are a skinny boy, you do not need to buy XXL t-shirts. It will not make you look gangsta. You will just look like a little boy wearing very large clothes. Conversely, when you’ve hit a growth spurt, suck it up and go shopping. Avoid the comparisons to Pee-wee Herman and purchase some pants and shirts that properly cover your ankles and wrists.

DO try new things.

Business suits, ties and dress shoes will become a staple of life soon enough. Take advantage of college as a time to mix it up a little. Invest in some faded denim jeans or a checkered button-up shirt. Purchase a jacket that doesn’t have the word “Northface” somewhere on it.

So next time you stumble into your closet in an early morning haze, before you rush to class, stop and think about your clothes for a minute.

And if clothes still baffle you, just try to grab something that smells clean — or at the very least invest in some Febreze.

But when the sun comes out it’s like a whole new population inhabits NU. A much more attractive, well-dressed and well-adjusted population. Sun dresses and short skirts come out of the closet and sandals flip and flop across campus. But there are a few things every NU student should be aware of as they dress for the lovely (by Chicago standards) weather.

Beware the Wind:
It was a beautiful day in Evanston last week and I decided it was finally time to wear one of the cute new sundresses I had purchased in eager (and somewhat premature) anticipation of spring. I took one step outside my dorm and immediately a gust of Chicago’s infamous wind threatened to sweep the hem of my dress up to my waist right in the middle of the fraternity quad. A flouncy skirt or dress is lots of fun, but be prepared to have your arms pinned to your side during your walk down Sheridan Road or risk an unfortunate Paris Hilton-esque moment.

Bland Colors:
Black clashes with the newly green trees and smattering of tulips around campus. Accent your outfits with daffodil yellow and cobalt blue pieces. Some psychologists claim that bright colors even reflect better moods. This should be helpful as exams and final papers rapidly approach.

Yes, it’s warm but you still have to wear some clothes:
Warm weather means fewer clothes but don’t go too overboard. Sixty-five degrees may seem like a heat wave but it doesn’t warrant walking around in just a mini-skirt and a bikini top. Avoid skirts and shorts that leave little to the imagination and keep the cleavage to a minimum. Choose to cover up and maybe even play around with the 1940’s inspired clothing lines that hit the stores for this season. Look for retro blouses and dresses or skirts that emphasize the waistline.

Shoe Smarts:
I am somewhat notorious among my friends for wearing inappropriate shoes. I tend to take out my flip-flops and sandals the first day that the weather hits 60 degrees, and I refuse to put them away again until October. This doesn’t bode well for days when the temperature fluctuates in thirty degree increments in a matter of hours or for sudden downpours of rain. And while heels are fun, sometimes they aren’t suitable for that daily walk to class. Try out some peep-toe flats in a bright color to mix it up a little for spring (Francesca’s Boutique in Evanston had some cute yellow ones that I fell for).

I would like to note that in the two short days it’s taken me to write this column the temperature has dropped from a lovely 80 degrees back down to a chilly 50. Maybe your friends at home (who are all out of school by now) have nice weather and they can tell you what it’s like. Meanwhile, resist the temptation to pull your Uggs back out of the closet.

No, it was not their well-defined derrieres that caught my attention; rather, it was their style of dress. Had Athena and J.Lo worn the same thing (gasp!) to the Grammy Awards?

Art and fashion have always been linked. When looking for inspiration, designers will frequently cite “Ancient Greek Goddesses” or “Renaissance women” as their muses. As a result, designers produce clothing that bears at least a vague resemblance to the trends of these eras.

The Costume Institute’s annual gala recently honored early 20th century designer Paul Poiret. Poiret was one of the first imitators of Ancient Grecian style; in fact, his loose, draped gowns are known for having freed women from restraining Victorian era corsets. During his life, Poiret enjoyed spending time with such artists as Matisse and Picasso. Now his work will be displayed alongside these artists’ in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute.

But beware: do not try to learn history through the pages of your fashion magazines. Designers’ interpretations of art often distort the original works or the works’ intention to fit modern fashion demands and lifestyles.

A good example is the classical Greek era, which has had an enormous influence on the fashion industry. Column dresses mimic the design of the fluted columns adorning many ancient Greek architectural sites, while the draped gowns that covered the bodies of Greek goddesses are replicated time and time again on the red carpet. However, some of the trends of ancient Greek fashion were lost in translation over time. Most modern Grecian dresses are a neutral color: whites, tans or browns with the occasional gold or silver accent. This seems reasonable, historically; ancient Greek statues and architectural pieces are mostly made of white concrete or marble. But what most don’t know is that these blah-colored figures were often originally painted in garish colors. The bright paint wore away over time leaving us with the modern assumption of a neutral Grecian dress code.

However, adherence to picky details are not as important to designers as simply evoking the elegance associated with ancient Greece — hence the lack of bright pink or orange Grecian dresses (which is probably a good thing).

Despite historical inaccuracies, designers seek to replicate the mood or feeling of a particular time through their clothing. Marc Jacobs channeled Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer in his 2007 collection for Louis Vuitton. Despite having only about 35 paintings known today, Vermeer has achieved widespread fame. His work has inspired a cult-like following, fueled by the 2003 movie adaptation of “Girl with a Pearl Earring”, a fictional story about his most famous painting. By associating himself with such a revered artist, Jacobs probably seeks to give his clothing a sense of artistry and exclusivity, when in reality, his clothes are only vaguely Vermeer-esque, with modern twists on some features of Dutch clothing and replication of some of the colors favored by Vermeer.

The worlds of art and fashion are inextricably linked to one another. Fashion looks to the past and to art for inspiration to create designs evoking the moods or atmospheres of a particular time or place.

Just try to keep the two separate the next time you get a test question about 17th-century Holland and wonder why “Marc Jacobs” isn’t an answer choice.

My girlfriends are all horrified when they come over and catch a glimpse of themselves in the mirror. They’ll usually make a face, then nervously start tugging on their jeans and shirts, despite my assurances that it is the mirror, not them.

It’s not a surprise that girls are obsessed with the reflection looking back at them in the mirror. You can hardly open a newspaper or turn on the television without hearing about either the “obesity epidemic” in America or the skinny-mini bodies of Hollywood and the fashion industry.

The fashion world has been schizophrenic on its handling of these issues. Features on loving your body the way it is run next to articles about gastric bypass surgery, which are mere pages away from photo spreads of bone-thin models. Fashion magazines, Web sites and TV shows are filled with spreads on how to dress for your body type. I know I’m not the only one who has looked in the mirror trying to figure out if my body fits the prototype of pear shape, boyish, curvy, petite, skinny, or top-heavy.

The fashion industry’s body hypocrisy has been highlighted in the media ever since the anorexia-related deaths of two Brazilian models in the past year. As a result, designers and editors were forced to address the issue. Some cities such as Madrid even banned models with unhealthy body mass indexes. As a result, propaganda about loving your body and how to dress right has inundated fashion how-to and tip columns more than ever as the fashion world attempts to hide its obsession with being thin.

Fashion loves skinny. Despite all the talk of “love your body,” you never see high-fashion clothing on curvy models. Nope, those clothes will be draped on a frame that isn’t just thin, but emaciated. And emaciated is not generally a category offered up in the “best clothes for your body type” section of magazines.

Me? I think you should embrace whatever body type you have. Here are some of my disagreements with what fashion magazines have to say:

• Even if you’re having a fat day or you gained a few pounds recently there’s no need to dress like you’re going to a funeral. Black may be slightly slimming but if you love color don’t avoid it for the sake of hoping that other people think you look a teensy bit thinner. I’d much rather see someone happy in turquoise than hiding in all black just because they think they are too heavy.
• I recently read that dressing entirely in one color can also make you look thinner. Please don’t do this. A friend of mine dressed entirely in khaki one day. He didn’t look thinner – he just looked like he was going on a safari.
• Forget about pear-shaped, boyish, curvy, short, apple-shaped, etc. I always skip the “how to buy the best jeans for your butt” section in magazines because they baffle rather than enlighten me. Buy what looks good and feels good to you when you are in a store. Trying to categorize your body just won’t work. Most of the time I conclude that my body cannot be labeled as just “short” but also falls into about three other categories as well. And who knows what “apple-shaped” means anyway?

The fashion world sends confusing messages about body image. Ignore all the hype and dress how you like: If you’re happy, nobody cares if you have big hips or tiny boobs.

And be grateful every day that you don’t have a fat mirror in your room like I do.

Mainstream fashion magazines can be daunting. Ugly Betty shows how the world of high fashion holds disdain for “normal” girls. The Devil Wears Prada illustrated the industry’s superficiality and backstabbing.

But two new magazines on campus want to make fashion more approachable for the average Northwestern student: STITCH and eNVyus.

STITCH, which debuts at the end of April, celebrates “fashion set free” and features clothes from Evanston stores along with student photographers and models.

“We hope to break down the stigma, make fashion more accessible,” said Medill freshman Joyce Lee, STITCH’s editor-in-chief.

eNVyus plans to launch its first issue next September.

“Fashion is not just this shallow thing that only bimbos with credit cards can do,” said Medill freshman Danielle Cadet, co-editor of eNVyus.

The first ‘STITCH’ is sewn

It all started with Jeremy Piven. Lee and two friends were waiting outside of Pick-Staiger Concert Hall last October, passing the time until the doors opened and they could snag seats to see the Entourage star. One of the three Medill freshmen wondered aloud what Piven would wear for his performance.

Freshmen Alex Davis and Lindsay Powell model clothes from Francesca in Evanston, for STITCH magazine.

Like most good conversations among friends, their talk did not stop at speculation about the celebrity’s wardrobe choices for the evening, but meandered on to a discussion on men’s and women’s fashion. The students noted that none of the magazines on NU’s campus regularly covered fashion.

For the record, Piven wore a purple sweater, a dark blazer and jeans. But that’s hardly important. The students recognized there was a place for a fashion publication on campus and decided to start their own.

A staff formed rapidly. STITCH put together three photo shoots for their first issue. Lee said the group tried to create fresh and edgy looks at the shoots, and the models were always willing to play along.

“We would say to [the models], ‘Go lie across those woodchips or get up on that table and pretend to scream,’ and they were so receptive,” she said.

In addition to three photo spreads, the magazine’s first issue contains a “Trendwatcher” section, a profile on a Chicago designer and a section on new art, music, movies and books. Also in the issue are ads for Evanston businesses.

“Our goal isn’t just to shine the spotlight on who we think are stylish people,” Lee said, “but also to illuminate the artistry and inspirations of fashions, as well as style-conscious individuals here.”

She said the magazine caters to both genders, and seeks to avoid the haughty attitude that makes fashion seem daunting for many.

“We’re firmly unisex,” Lee said.

STITCH recently received a grant from Medill to further finance their magazine. Staffers said they hope to see the publication build up its content and develop a name on campus. They’re also looking to draw more advertisers and convince big-name stores to donate clothing for shoots.

“It will take building a brand,” Lee said.

Look for copies of STITCH on campus and at stores around Evanston at the end of April.

eNVyus channels Vogue

Fashion was in the air last fall. In the same month that launched STITCH was conceived, another magazine idea was born.

Weinberg sophomore Evelyn Parks and Medill freshman Danielle Cadet, both aspiring fashion editors, decided to start their own fashion magazine after browsing the pages of Vogue one day together.

The magazine is still in the works, but has a staff of about forty people, with models and photographers lined up.

“The goal is to show how to make fashion work for your lifestyle,” Cadet said.

eNVyous’ editors said they’re aiming for a “classic” style with the magazine, inspired by the idea of creating a “Vogue for college students.” They hope using clothing from Evanston stores and Old Orchard mall.

“It’s still in the making and we’re keeping our fingers crossed,” Cadet said.

Look for issues of eNVyus next Fall Quarter.

Two’s a crowd?

The editors of STITCH and eNVyus said they aren’t worried about the proximity of their launches.

“I’m not worried one bit,” Lee said. “In fact, I find it encouraging that there are other people out there with the incentive and the passion to go out and start their own fashion magazine.”

eNVyus’ editors said they too see the sudden interest in fashion magazines as a good sign.

“It goes to show that fashion has a place on this campus,” Cadet said.

My addiction? Project Runway.

My mom and I faithfully tuned into Bravo every week to get our fix and then eagerly anticipated the next week’s show. But midway through the season I had to return to school…where (gasp) I didn’t get Bravo.

Thankfully, I was able to purchase the remaining episodes on iTunes after they aired. I’m sure I am not the only one who has fallen victim to the addictive force that is fashion reality TV.

The number of reality TV shows giving an “insider” look at the fashion road has skyrocketed in the past year or two. The addition of shows like The Agency, The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency, and the airing of the British and Australian versions of America’s Next Top Model on American networks are creating a new genre of television shows. However, as the spin-offs multiply, the quality goes down, and the fashion industry is becoming severely over-exposed and gaining a negative reputation.

I’m not going to lie, I’ve watched all of the aforementioned reality TV shows at least once (OK, more than that) and they are interesting and at times captivating. The fashion industry, as it is stereotypically understood, contains all the ingredients that translate into a juicy half hour of TV. Bitchiness, catty women, eating disorders and back stabbing abound. Oh, and the very subject matter guarantees that everyone is beautiful.

However, the rise of fashion shows may end up hurting the fashion industry. America’s Next Top Model and Project Runway are quality TV shows. They are well made and entertaining. However, the countless spin-offs they have spawned are considerably lower in quality. The Agency features episode after episode of foul-mouthed casting directors for the Wilhelmina model agency arguing with each other like 13-year-old girls. I can’t watch it for five minutes without getting a headache. And as for Janice Dickinson’s show… it frightens me that young models or people trying to make it in the fashion industry would look to her as a guide or mentor.

Part of the allure of reality TV is that it gives outsiders a peek at something mysterious. We satiated our desire to know exactly what it would be like to be stranded on a desert island with Survivor. Want to know what it’s like to work for “The Donald”? The Apprentice was a huge success in its initial few seasons. But spin-offs of both successful shows, like Martha Stewart’s version of The Apprentice, tend to fail.

I don’t blame television producers from cashing in on the success of shows like Next Top Model and Project Runway, but it’s sad that the focus of these new shows is mostly on the obscene and unfortunate aspects of the fashion world.

Spin-offs and B-list attempts at replicating the success of Project Runway and America’s Next Top Model are starting to sour my love for fashion TV. Rumors are circulating that even Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham may soon have her own reality TV show focusing on fashion.

If you are sick of fashion TV but still crave the inside scoop on the industry, keep your eyes open for a documentary, still in the works, about the making of the notoriously thick fall issue of Vogue. It should be an interesting unofficial sequel to The Devil Wears Prada.

But for now fashion TV remains addictive. Want evidence? Read the following recent exchange between my roommate and I:

Roommate: Guess what I did today…
Me: What?
Roommate: I watched SIX EPISODES of The Hills in a row.

Enough said.