The worst part of not having a yacht used to be not being able to wear Sperrys. But thankfully things have changed: This fall, those soft leather little loafers are appropriate for everyone. So go wild! Go on a Sperrys spree!

And it's not just about the traditional brown either. Hanging out on College Walk, Bwog has seen spins on Sperrys in all shapes and colors. While brown Sperrys and pair of Madras shorts is the uniform of choice among the preppier set at Columbia, a worn-in pair of white or red Sprerrys complements skinny jeans perfectly and can be a welcome alternative to Vans this fall. Here are the styles we've found in about campus this week:

UPDATE 7 PM: Shocking News concerning your boat shoes, from a Greek life insider: Apparently, last night four freshman boys were denied entrance to a Sig Ep-thrown, country club-themed party, at which, our tipsters notes, there were "boat shoes all around." One of the spurned freshman yelled "nice boat shoes, bitch!" which naturally led to violence and the subsequent arrival of the police.

There's nothing Columbia students love more than an event they can't get into. This week's Obama/McCain event, PrezBo's periodic fireside chats, and the Heights on just about any Thursday night all come to mind. Fall Fashion Week is about as exclusive as it gets, and that the week's runway shows and collections have largely gone under Columbia's radar is more telling of our campus style than it is of the popularity of the event.

This aside, some patterns have emerged:


Little Black Pointy Shoes
Move over Tory Burch. Think of these saddle-shoe inspired booties as a replacement for your trusty flats. They go well paired with black stockings and a skirt for a fancier look or with just shorts or jeans for a more tousled appearance.

Cold season is fast approaching and Bwog doesn't want you catching one. For advice on how to stay healthy this winter, correspondent Kate Linthicum sought out Roman, the cryptic, clever shoe repairman who works at Paul's Shoe Repair on 111^th and Broadway. The 55-year-old with a shy smile but a hearty, rumbling laugh says he learned the tricks in his native Ukraine. He freely gives counsel to shoppers at the store, his words masked by an accent as thick as his shoe-polish stained fingers. "You follow this advice you're going to feel much better," he promises. "Your stress is going to melt away."

On pain in the body:

First, pray to God and ask him for strength. Then sit in a chair and relax all of your muscles. You have to think about your right hand and nothing else for ten minutes. Keep your mind concentrating on that hand, and then you'll be cured.

On eye irritation:

Spit ten times out your mouth and whatever is bothering your eye will come out. Sometimes, if it's bad, you must spit eleven times.

On anxiety:

Imagine your right hand is really warm, you'll feel completely relaxed.

On headaches:

Headaches happen when you eat something with toxins. Nighttime it's no good to eat canned food because there are too many chemicals. Go natural, like we do in Ukraine.

On stress:

Take it easy and don't be rushed. Life is dangerous, a lot of people get hit by cars.

Fatigue:

Some people take your energy away. Don't let them do that.

P.S. Ladies, he says he's looking for a second wife . . .