By Mia Cestra Photo: Natalie Yan October is officially ending, but autumn is not! With how short of a season it is, it’s important we all stay in the fall spirit for a few more weeks. Or… the fall SPIRITS . Haha, ghost jokes. To keep yourself in the autumnal mood, I’d love to introduce you to some of my absolute favorite music for this time of year! This is mainly for my fellow indie fans, but I personally believe these picks should be in everyone’s fall rotation. Lots of the

By Ryan Gee Photo: Special Offer, Inc. With the release of Charli xcx’s “Brat”  back in June, there is now a third release in the “Brat” universe. The release of “Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat”  consists of a whole new look on how an artist should be doing a remix album. The album feels like the end of a rave; it’s the music you listen to in the taxi on your way home, slowly realizing that you have to go back to your real life after a night on the tow

By Natalie Yan 1.) Thrifting clothes at local shops It’s the first one that comes to mind, but it definitely helps to re-buy clothes instead of throwing them away in a landfill when they are still in good condition. Some thrift stores around here that you can check out are Athens Underground, UpCycle Ohio Thrift Store, New-To-You Thrift Shoppe and Bleeding Heart Boutique.  Photo: Natalie Yan 2.) Buy a needle and thread and learn how to sew Sewing can open so many doors; you c

By Grace Koennecke, Web Editor It’s mid-October and that means it’s time to start planning your Halloween costume for another night out on the bricks in Athens, Ohio! While it can be overwhelming and costly to narrow down what exactly you want to be this year, there’s plenty of options to look and feel your best and most authentic self this Halloween. Online, a new trend has emerged to boost one’s confidence and self-esteem during the holiday season, branded as “it-girl” cost

By Libby Evans, Copy Chief Here are seven female protagonists of 90s romantic comedies, specifically in the fall, who dress to impress. The key takeaways of style for a romantic, empowered, young woman in these films are red accents, chunky sweaters, messy, curly hair, blazers and minimalism. The hue of colors might be skewed due to the overs-saturation of film coloring of the time, but I don’t have any complaints. However, they don’t make these clothes like they used to. All

By Mia Cestra Photo: Chappell Roan at Lollapalooza via Instagram @deaniechen There are two distinct groups of people right now: those who have had plenty of exposure to this queer pop superstar, and those who have absolutely no idea who Chappell Roan is. Regardless of where you fall, I am here to start a conversation about this modern icon for both the LGBTQ+ community and allies alike. Let’s dive into what Chappell Roan has brought to the music scene since her emergence:  Ka

The attire of attendees at the 26th annual Paw Paw Festival to the 26th annual Paw Paw Festival Photos by: Zoe Cranfill This year it marked the 26th annual Paw Paw Festival at Lake Snowden in Albany, Ohio. The festival was created to celebrate the Paw Paw fruit, which is indigenous to the Midwest United States. It brings together several communities for workshops, lectures, tastings, food, and music. Albany, OH - September 14: Kelly Cordettil with her sons, Nico and Enzo, at

By Libby Evans, Copy Chief Professors, just like all working professionals, have expectations for themselves and from their environments to uphold a standard of attire to be respected. However, they can still express their own unique styles and show creativity to redefine “business casual” as an expression of self without societal restrictions of what that looks like. Fashion is constantly changing with new trends and ideas to explore. This ocean of experimentation allows peo

By Emma Khayat I am personally very excited to talk about the new “collector core ” aesthetic because my mother has been collecting a variety of things since I was young. She has collected everything from china tea cups to old cameras to PEZ Dispensers. Growing up, I thought her large collections of random things were ridiculous. In my head, she was a borderline hoarder, which is why I am so interested in collecting as an aesthetic.  So, what exactly is the “collector core” a

This Wednesday, The Union Bar will transform into the chaotic club scene that encompasses Charli xcx’s most recent album, and overnight sensation,“Brat.” While some are accustomed to the likes of the British singer-songwriter’s style and aesthetic for the album, others who plan to attend the event may be unsure where to find fashion inspiration. With the event only days away, here’s what to wear to VRNT’s  “Brat” night: Sunglasses, even indoors One of the easiest accessories

By Kate Tocke, Blog Editor Poster: Olivia Lutz Do you hear that? Lighters are flickering and early 2000s club beats are filling our ears. Glitter is floating in the air and you are the sweatiest you have ever been. That can only mean one thing. “Brat.” Grab your finest and shortest mini skirts because Variant Magazine is hosting its very own “Brat” night at The Union Bar, located on 18 W. Union St., on September 11.  In early June, Charli xcx swept the nation by dropping her

By Ethan Hofer It is Black Friday in the early 2000s. Fluorescent lights light up the tightly-packed mall where the hustle and bustle of shoppers try to get you from your destination. Cologne and perfume salesmen try to spray you with their newest scent as the smell of vanilla and exotic fruit fills your nostrils, but this won’t stop you from where your heart yearns you to be. Juicy Couture  is right across the mall, and they are having a BOGO sale. You have been practically

By Emma Khayat Kim Kardashian rose to fame in 2007 after a sex tape with her then-boyfriend, Ray J, was leaked online. Kim capitalized off her newfound fame, launching the now iconic reality show, Keeping Up With The Kardashians , that same year. The show got successful ratings, running for 20 seasons and thrusting the entire Kardashian family into the spotlight. It has been impossible to escape the Kardashians ever since, and the more we learn about Kim and her clan, the mor

By Riley Clark  If you’re on the internet (literally ever), you likely notice outlandish fashion twice yearly: every September and February. The bi-annual New York Fashion Week gives leading fashion designers a platform to display their newest collections. Occurring this past week from the 9th through the 14th, the collection of events allowed viewers a taste of the upcoming fashion season. From lavish leathers to celebrity appearances and cheeky costumes, this was one for th

By Renae Hefty Despite seeming whimsical and childlike, The Boy and the Heron is not an easy watch. The world it takes place in is surreal, and only starts to make sense when everything is thought of as a metaphor for something else. What exactly is being represented is up to the individual viewer’s interpretation. The story takes place in Japan during the early 40s. It follows a young boy named Mahito as he and his father move from Tokyo to the country. They move a year afte

By Audrey Hayes Greetings everyone!  So, I have previously not (knowingly) listened to any earlier Tate McRae songs and wouldn’t count myself as a superfan in the slightest. To be quite honest with everyone here, I had no idea she existed (please don’t hate me). But I recently had the privilege to listen to and watch the corresponding videos to her new album, "THINK LATER." Greedy: Okay, so if you’ve been on TikTok recently, you’ve heard this song, and you're a Tate McRae fan

By Mia Cestra After a long 20 years, Mean Girls hits the big screen once more with a brand new cast taking on the same iconic roles from the 2004 original movie. Unlike the original, though, this film includes a musical element by incorporating songs from the Mean Girls Broadway adaptation. This is only the first of many differences between the original and the new, so let’s analyze what Mean Girls (2024) has to offer , and whether or not the changes made were for the better.

By Renae Hefty In September, Gaia’s Realms opened on N Court St. The store, owned by Jessica Stinson, was previously located in Nelsonville, Ohio.  Stinson moved her shop to Athens to offer her psychic services to Ohio University students. She had her store in Nelsonville for two years. She says business has been good, and some clients from Nelsonville still visit the store.  Stinson got her start going to psychic fairs and gradually becoming more public about what she

By Libby Evans With Christmas around the corner, it’s time to make a list. Lucky for you, I made one with my favorite phone accessories to make being chronically online easier, cuter, and more fun! Tally up your devices and get your friends these adorable accessories that fit their style or their spunky personality.  1. Cable protector Not only are these cable protectors important to make your charging cable last as long as possible, but they are also absolutely adorable. Jus

By Emma Khayat It makes sense that Uptown is the most popular place in the city throughout the week, as it’s so conveniently close. However, today, we are going to forget about Uptown and check out things to do in Athens that aren’t on Court Street. Stroud’s Run  is first on this list for it is beautiful and scenic views. I know it is starting to get colder, but this place has got to be first on your list to visit if Mother Nature has one more heat wave in her! This lake