Fallon McClendon, a Cerritos College Photography major, sports Anchor Blue stretch and low-hip blue jeans that she transformed into Capri pants.

She exuberates coolness as she walks through campus with her friend Desiree Martinez, who plans on majoring in Liberal Arts.

They both agree that fashion makes a statement. “Fashion is all about feeling good about yourself,” McClendon said.

Martinez’s tan colored knitted sweater from the GAP, white v-neck tank top from Reference, flip-flop sandals, and checkered low-rise flared capri pants reflect her mood and easygoing personality.

“Your mood completely motivates what you wear,” Martinez explained.

From eye shadow, and blush, to glow-in-the-dark body rings it takes Martinez and McClendon approximately four minutes to put on their make up in the morning. The majority of their time is spent picking out a suitable outfit for the day.

It takes four outfits (or about an hour) before a final daily decision is made.

“Dressing up is representing yourself. You have to prep to know what you want to wear, dress everyday as if you were going to be discovered,” Martinez advises.

McClendon recommends, “Girls, wear what fits your body type and is cute.

“As for the guys, women prefer a relaxed look, some Dickie shorts, PacSun wear, V-neck sweaters and button down shirts, blue jeans, messy spiked hair, an overall beach wear look.”

Rene Zavala is another Cerritos College student who has a nose for fashion. “I like to develop my own style,” he said.

Zavala calls his style the “rock star look.”

“When I go out, I like to wear snakeskin boots and leather pants. I like the smell of leather and it attracts women,” he said.

According to Zavala, the latest fashion is not labels or designs but it’s what people see on TV. “Everyone wants to be a rockstar or a popstar, actor, or singer.”

Sorry you won’t find Zavala’s cool fashions at your nearby mall. Zavala shops at Melrose, Hollywood and Universal City for all his rockstar gear.

” Urban Diesel wear is also one of the new looks that guys are going for; it’s the European look,” he said.

As for Zavala’s fashion pet peeves, “I detest sagging. It’s like guys just shitted in their pants to attract attention.”

Zavala thinks some guys don’t give a crap about how they dress, they have no fashion sense.

Zavala’s tip for girls; Wear tight jeans, Bebe and Gucci brand name, low cut blouses with splits on sides and conservative long skirts.

“Lot of girls are into trendy washed down jeans,” he said. “I like to develop my own style.

Eddie Quaresma, an International Business major, prefers the “skater look.”

Quaresma stays comfortable and looking cool dressed in a bright red Independent t-shirt, DVS denim shorts and Arnet catfish styled sunglasses.

Quaresma shops at United Board, Pacific Sunwear, and Beyond the Beach because, “They have the clothes that interest me.”

“I dress this way to become part of the social group, not to be a poser.”

“I’m not about to wear something from the 80’s if it’s not fashionably in style,” he said.

Quaresma’s tip for the guys: “Stop sagging, no one wants to see your butts, if you want them to be longer (the

pants) pay the extra bucks.”

Candy Alvarado, Liberal Studies major, hardly gets to wear casual outfits due to her work as a librarian.

Outside of work she relaxes in a black low-cut Bebe tanktop, comfortable blue jeans and a pair of black boots.

Alvarado prefers shopping at the Galleria Mall. “I like shopping at Robinsons May and Bebe stores.”

“The latest fashions for girls is a lot of ruffles,” she said.

The professional and stylish look is what attracts Alvarado to the opposite sex. ” I like guys who wear Docker brand shoes, shirts, and pants.”

According to Alvarado, Vin Diesel, the star of the Fast and the Furious, has been setting the latest trends for guys.

“Lately guys have started shaving their heads,” she said. “I think that is totally attractive.”

Looks like the Fashion Police are out of luck this time. They chose the wrong campus to pick on. At Cerritos College, fashion is a language to communicate by, a means of expression and representation.