Fall fashion: seductive

By Maggie Beidelman

This season, back-to-school fashion has abandoned the classic plaid skirt and knee highs in hopes of adopting a grown-up look of seduction and mystery.

Just take a look around. Our very own University Chicken, known affectionately by many as Cluck-U, has revamped its menu and now bats its eyelashes from behind the attractive alias of Smoke Eaters.

The name alone induces images of black leather-clad women with flowing hair and tight abs. Add to this image sports television and a bar and you've got the perfect fraternity hangout -- no wonder they changed their name.

Don't let the pseudonyms fool you, however. The fancy "Garlic Parmesan" sandwich is merely the former Red Roman, but on a smaller paper plate. I suppose they now encourage racial sensitivity.

If this fancy imposter of a chicken joint were true to its name, it would sell some nice Cuban cigars. It's false advertising, if you ask me.

And then there is the new business school building, Lucas Hall. Desiring the library's claim to fame, it has copied the '70s-yet-modern look, right down to the delightful orange geometric carpet.

This decor may be appealing to the eye of the common student. But when I hear Lucas, I think Star Wars. I expect Ewok greeters and umbrella stands by the door filled with lightsabers available for rental by Access card. Nonetheless, it is a keen building, with everything the English department longs for -- air conditioning, floor-to-ceiling windowed study rooms and a rhythmic new café called Cadence.

The university President wins makeover of the season this year -- he looks like a completely different person. Or maybe that's just because Michael Engh, S.J., wears round-framed glasses.

If there's one thing Jesuit fashion got right from the beginning, however, it's those outfits of classic black with a smidgen of white. The boldness of it always makes the right statement: surly, yet chic.

This season, don't make a fashion faux-pas. Make it seductive.