by Rachael Ockzus

This summer’s most popular accessories, Silly Bandz, are sweeping the nation. From elementary to high school students, wearing, trading, and giving away these silicone bracelets sparks competition for the most psychedelic arm.

From a trendy office supply rubber band to a fashionable collector’s item, Robert Croak’s invention is changing quickly. Originally, Croak, the man behind the magic, modified Chinese rubber bands to create a fun and trendy look for office rubber bands in the States. Silly Bandz were not thought up by some random five-year-old: Disappointing, I know.

At Miramonte, students return from vacation sporting their new collectables, eager to trade with classmates. Along with the importance of a Silly Band to one’s outfit, the sole purpose of owning them is for trade, competing against the masses for the biggest variety and the coolest shapes.

Silly Bandz trades are very risky but always rewarding. You need specific band value knowledge while trading.

1. Avoid rocks, suns, o’s, frontal views of butterfly wings, surfboards, or any other questionable shapes. The point of a trade is to sucker one of your friends into giving you a sick band. Do not settle for one that proposes the question of, “What is this supposed to be?”

2. Tie-dye, two-tone, and glow-in-the-dark are worth more than just the normal dinosaur foot or dragonfly. Acceptable trades of two or more must be offered to gain a single band of select styles.

3. The new Justin Bieber Silly Bandz are a hot commodity. If you find somebody willing to give up their I<3JB (I love Justin Bieber), it may even be worth ALL or at least most of an animal collection.

4. White Silly Bandz are pointless. With the exception of a dog bone, none of the other whites are worth anything. Offering a white band in a trade is cheap. Don’t be cheap.

5. Once it’s broken, it’s gone. According to YouTube myths and legends, it is possible to light one of the broken ends on fire, melting it a bit and allowing for a quick and easy repair. Do not try this at home! It doesn’t work. Make sure to check your traded band for weak spots. If you don’t, you may be subject to a disappointing loss.

6. With the explosion of Silly Bandz, imitations of the brand have erupted. The original Silly Bandz are far more durable than the secondary Silly Bands, Fun Bands, and Zany Bands. DO NOT trade only one Silly Band for a fake brand. The difference is not only durability, but variety of

shapes. Despite the craziness of the other brands, Silly Bandz come in the more classic shapes.

7. Silly Band rings are the newest of the Silly Band technologies. In all honesty, these rings are not worth buying, let alone trading. Not only do they look dumb on your hand, but they cut off your circulation. Definitely not worth your money or your other Silly Bandz.

Mirador 10/1/10 Entertainment 19

Silly Bandz’ Mysterious Appeal RevealedFrivolous rubber rings could serve as currency for the 5-18 demographic

Unzipped backpack: This is like saying, “Hey everyone, I don’t care if my homework falls out of my backpack, I probably didn’t even do it anyways. Zipping my backpack is just too much effort.”

What Does Your Backpack Say About You?

Brightly colored backpack: Your backpack represents your flamboyant personality and draws everyone’s eyes towards you. If Miramonte ever became a deserted island, you could wave your backpack in the air and flag down the rescue choppers.

Rolly backpack: Despite the rolly backpack’s bad rep, we admire your courage for going against the crowd and trading in fashion for function. Plus, you know everyone else is secretly jealous when their backs begin to ache and you’re still effortlessly rolling down the hallways.

Backpack with a lot of key chains or buttons: Thank you for posting your sense of humor on your backpack so fellow hall walkers can be entertained by your backpack baubles. Our favorite button saying: “Don’t take life seriously, nobody gets out alive anyways.”

Shoulder bag: Oh yes, you are definitely too cool for school when you reject the backpack all together and go for a more sophisticated look. But let’s face it, only a select few can pull it off.

“Down low” backpack: These are the kids who are still living in the middle school fad of “the lower my backpack, the cooler I am.” You think you’re bringing your swagger to the hallways, but you’ll lose your street cred when you lose your balance and fall backwards on your way to class.

Photo: K. Kovalik

Photo: K. Kovalik

Photo: J. Coleman

Photo: J. Coleman

Photo: J. ColemanPhoto: J. Coleman

by Katrina Kovalik and Jessica Coleman

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