Five Summer Accessories You Need This Season

MODEL Makenna JohnFive Summer Accessories You Need This Season

Stay cool for the summer.

by ASHLEY BRODERICK graphics by CAROLINE RILEY

Syracuse’s snowy winter might be fresh on our minds, but we have to stop thinking leg warmers and start thinking sunglasses. With summer on the horizon, here are the top five accessories you’ll want in your wardrobe for this summer.

Chunky Rings

Goodbye thin metallic bands, hello statement pieces. Chunky rings are the way to go to bring together the colors of any outfit. Influencers like KnitwearEmma Chamberlain are stacking multiple rings on each finger and even matching them to their nails. The design options are limitless; you might choose funky plastic rings or prefer making your own TikTok DIY rings. Either way, both are your best friends when it comes to accessorizing.

Claw Clips

An accessory so ordinary, you may be surprised it made the list. Claw clips are making their way to the forefront of fashion, particularly matte clips. This multipurpose accessory not only keeps hair out of your face while getting ready, but can also be used for casual, comfy looks or sleeker, more elegant looks. Recently, claw clips have been spotted on trendsetters such as Kendall Jenner, Bella Hadid, and Hailey Bieber.

Mini Handbag

Sure, big purses might be useful, but are they as cute as mini handbags? We don’t think so. You may only be able to fit your phone and wallet, but at least it fits the essentials! Match different colored bags to your outfit, or invest in one that goes with everything. Some of these bags might be on the pricier side, but more affordable alternatives are available at stores like Forever 21, Zara, and Shein.

Silk Scarves

Speaking of keeping hair out of your face, silk scarves are another accessory that gets the job done. Some people choose to tie them around their head like a bandana,while others tie them below their chin for a ’50s-esque look. Others incorporate scarves into their hair updos, whether it be a ponytail, bun, or even braid. Whichever style you prefer, these silk scarves will give a pop of color and life to your outfit.

Trendy Nail Art

Long gone are the days where people asked for a set of matte nude nails. Nowadays, people are opting for more unique designs, most notably abstract line art. As for color, really anything goes. Some choose trendy color palettes such as brown paired with sage green, while others pick a different neon for every nail.

PARISIAN PICNIC DREAMS

A classique twist on a moderne day in the park.

model AVIWE HIMLIN MAYEKISO

It’s like love in the time of Cholera, but we have iPhones.

by CHLOE HECHTER graphics by SAMANTHA FUSS

If you’re in a relationship during the pandemic, I’d like to personally congratulate you on your success, because does it really count as quarantine if you’re consistently getting laid?

Many students view hookup culture as an integral part of the college experience, and without it, it feels like there’s something missing from our time here. Whether you’re looking for love or just your next mistake, there are six feet, two masks, and some capacity restrictions standing in your way — a hard burden to bear for college students who run on hormones, strawberry vodka, tofu chicken nuggets, and more hormones.

So should we suppress our urges completely? Should we give up on love until we’ve reached herd immunity? Or should we risk our health for a little action? I’ve heard about Tinder horror stories, fucked up friendships, and even condom off, mask on…(do you, I guess?)

I’ve taken it upon myself to do some hard-hitting, investigative journalism on the matter and see what SU students have to say. Between a senior, a frat-boygone-remote-student, someone in an online relationship, and a freshman with newfound confidence, I was able to gain a well-rounded perspective on Love in the Time of Corona.

How has the pandemic affected your dating life? Has it changed it for the better? For the worse? What’s your best pandemic hook up story?

Emily: Everybody was using dating apps...I did meet someone on Hinge... once you’re lacking interaction, meeting anyone is a great experience. I went into the city to meet this boy and I stayed over at his apartment...it was only great because it felt normal. A mediocre hook up in the real world is, like, the best pandemic hookup ever.

Nick: I was OBSESSED with this girl in high school. She was the HOTTEST girl in my school by a MILE. Like the girl who I would...sit in class and stare at her...just trying to make conversation...she had a boyfriend for basically the past three years. They broke up a few weeks ago, so I slid into her DMs and was like, “you are actually GORGEOUS.” So the first time we’ve ever hung out, first time I’ve seen her in THREE YEARS, I slept over at her house. When I hooked up with her, my ego went UP.

Sophie: The first couple of weeks, we’d hang out by the quad...this guy I’d been snapping asked me if I wanted to hook up. I was like, okay, and we started hooking up behind Newhouse. Then he’s like, “wanna have sex?” and I’m like sure, but he lives in BBB and I live in Flint. We wound up — I’m going to hell for this — we wound up going to Hendricks Chapel. We hooked up in a chapel bathroom. If there’s a will, there’s a way.

How many people have you hooked up with during the pandemic?

Emily: Two.

Nick: I’d say...maybe...13 or 14? Maybe 15?

Sophie: Let me look at my notes app. The whole year...like, seventeen...yeah. Seventeen.

Emily: It’s changed it for the worse. Especially at our age, the easiest way to meet people is in person. In college, when you know people are going to the same bars and parties, it’s easier to meet them, and now there’s less contact.

Nick: That’s a hard question. For one... it’s made it a lot harder to meet people organically, like genuinely in person. I really don’t know if it’s been better or worse. Honestly...I feel like it actually might be for the better. With COVID, you’re not just getting with people based on looks or at a party while intoxicated... there’s been a lot more getting with people you have an actual personal connection with.

Tereyna: I think it changed it for the better because, this sounds sad, but this is my first relationship. Dating people in person is harder for me because I’m kind of anti-social and don’t really like talking to people I don’t know. My boyfriend and I met on Discord for playing Pokemon, actually.

Sophie: Dating life is still...kinda nonexistent. In college, I feel like — dating is weird in general. With a pandemic, it’s even weirder. My dating life is pretty much just hookups. I don’t really like, go on dates. If I’m lucky, I go to their apartment or their dorm...but it’s not anything crazy.

How are you meeting new people?

Emily: Like...literally I’m not. Right now, the only way is dating apps. Specifically Hinge...it’s harder to use at school, but at home, I’ve had the most success with Hinge.

Nick: Um...either, you know, I’ll swipe up on their stories, slide into their DMs, Tinder, other dating apps, or they’re just an old friend.

Tereyna: I don’t use dating apps. Discord was — I just so happened to find somebody.

Sophie: Um, Tinder has been my saving grace. Or like...frat brothers...people in the same pledge class...mutual friends... kind of like the typical stuff.

Under what circumstances do you hook up? Where do you go?

Emily: We lived in the sorority house, so you can’t have boys in the house, obviously. It’s all on the boys’ terms — so if you get invited there. I didn’t want people coming home and meeting my parents, either — it’s truly on boys’ terms and depends on if you get invited there.

Nick: If I fuck with the person and find them attractive and want to give them a shot...if I’m hooking up with someone, I’m never doing it just for looks. I want to see what type of person they are. We usually go to my room or to their room... or in the car.

Sophie: I was hooking up with this one guy last semester, and I went to his house...with guys in my grade, I’ve snuck into different dorms...and of course there was that one time in the Chapel Bathroom.

Real talk for a sec: do you find that you’re more ~horny~ RN than you have been previously?

Emily: YES.

Nick: Uhh...no. I’m always very — I’d say...no. I’ve always had a consistent level.

Sophie: Yeah. And I think the thing with me...is that in high school, I didn’t really pull...I didn’t date anyone. Once you get more confident with yourself, you can pull whoever you want. Now that I know that I can do that, I’m just like...horny all the time.

As a single person, do you believe it’s possible to find real love during this time?

Emily: Yes, um...yes and no. I’ve seen really good success stories from the pandemic, but I also feel like if someone told me they liked me right now, I would just jump on it because I have corona goggles and I crave human interaction. At the same time, people are getting into relationships and like...good for them.

Nick: It’s possible to find love wherever and whenever, but it always comes when you least expect it. Coming from a person who’s been in love, the circumstances of where and when you meet don’t really matter--as long as your morals, ethics, life goals, and interests coincide and your personalities work together...

Tereyna: Yes. It’s just the need to, like — I didn’t really put myself out there, it just happened. I would say...just try to stay connected to people...even if it’s strangers online. Keep in touch with your friends that you know in person... because anything can happen.

Sophie: I think so. If you find the right person. It’s a lot of trial and error in this case. With a pandemic it’s really hard, but we’re still in college. It’s a lot harder to meet people and find love in a pandemic...finding a boy that will want to consistently hook up with me is kinda the problem.

Final thoughts:

Emily: This whole thing has just been so weird because I consider myself to be a sexual person...it’s weird not having that part of your college experience and not being able to express yourself in that way. Not being able to meet boys... coming from a senior perspective...it’s a lot easier to meet people in the real world than at school, and I’m happy that I’ll be out of the college bubble soon.

Nick: I think hookup culture during COVID has kind of made people a little bit more open to others who give them attention...seeing people when you’re not constantly seeing people shows that when people hit you up and actually want to know how you’re doing actually really care about you.

Sophie: If you’re gonna hook up in a pandemic, do it. Just be safe. Doing the walk of shame in a mask has main character energy. Hot girls get vaccinated.

If anything, I’ve taken the time to learn more about myself and what I actually want in a relationship. Being single is all trial-and-error, and while there’s definitely been lots of...well... error...having the time to legitimately reflect on why has been totally formative. As a firm believer in love and soulmates, I wish I could meet mine while summoning my last drop of saliva to dispose into a tube that smells like an old Sharpie, but there’s nothing attractive about that. Like any lovelorn single, I can only hope that this pandemic ends soon so I don’t have to spend the following 14 days in a panic after I kiss somebody new.