Our “Reflections” shoot was an incredible day of exploring perspective. We captured the models’ reflections on a grand piano, which, given their clothes, makeup, and poses, fashioned an elevated elegance. We assembled three outfits, each giving off similar, yet unique auras, ranging from sophisticated and simple to dramatic and glamorous, from Taylor Swift’s “reputation era” to New Year’s Eve style. Each look was classy in its own way, embodying society’s understanding of beauty and formal attire, important given the theme, as most people try to reflect the best version of themselves — physically and intellectually — when presenting themselves to the world.

The College of William and Mary boasts the prestigious reputation of being a “public Ivy” and the “Alma Mater of the Nation.” The College, though, is also the alma mater of thousands of alumni from across the globe, as well as a current home away from home for hundreds of international students, of which there were 567 on campus during the 2021-2022 year.

In this “Alter Egos” shoot, multiple versions of each person represent alternate personas, showing how self-complexity is reflected not only through style but also through art.

It’s time. I’m finally owning up to my identity as a frequent shopper and supporter of Trader Joe’s — or, in more succinct terms, a “Trader Hoe.” Come with me as I both explore the nationally adored cultural mainstay that Trader Joe’s has become and feed into pernicious cycles of capitalism by offering my favorite, yet underrated, Trader Joe’s products that I believe you should try. However, test at your own risk — you too just might be initiated into the Trader Hoe army after a sample taste.

Meet Brandon and Hannah Wagster, the husband-and-wife team working to make Williamsburg magical. Together, they own the Wagsters Magic Theatre — Williamsburg’s one and only magic venue on Olde Town Road — that has captivated thousands since it opened in June 2022. Continue reading to learn about the Wagsters’ journey to magic, Williamsburg, and each other.

Complaints about the College of William and Mary’s food are as much a part of campus life as academics, but what does eating here actually look like for students? Dig into some of the perspectives of on-campus diners about what it’s like to grab a bite at the College.

The most recent installation on the College of William and Mary’s campus is an unpopular one. Students most certainly have some opinions about the fence.

Cultural cuisine in Williamsburg is limited, so when a new Asian restaurant popped up, foodie Arianna Stewart ’24 had to try it. Continue reading to learn how it compares to other Asian restaurants in the area.

Forget Monty Python’s quest for the Holy Grail — what Flat Hat Magazine staff cares about is edible food (which, as @wm_dining_ would suggest, is certainly not to be found on this campus). Join us for a tour of our favorite restaurants in Williamsburg, where we blow our budgets and gobble up food like Om-Nom from Cut the Rope (this is our nostalgia-core issue; don’t judge us. You probably played it too).

In 2017, TIME Magazine featured William and Mary alumnus and Wikipedia editor Steven Pruitt ’06 on the list of the Top 25 Most Influential People on the internet. Others on the list included pop culture personality Chrissy Teigen, former President of the United States Donald Trump, and media personality Kim Kardashian. The magazine recognized Pruitt as one of the internet's most "prolific guardians of fact." With over five million Wikipedia edits to his name — more than any other English language editor — Pruitt strives to uplift stories nearly lost in history and maintain the integrity of one of the world's most notable encyclopedias.

One thing about Zarielle Anthony ’23? She’s always looking fly from head to toe. Visual aesthetics and style define Anthony at her core. Yet what is not readily known about Anthony is how she has been able to monetize her passion for fashion. Read on to learn more about Anthony’s journey as a successful content creator of color and how she navigates her dual personas as both a College of William and Mary student and a popular online influencer.

Hip-hop is the perfect embodiment of movement in both its nature and history. With roots in the 1970s Bronx, what started as block parties of various Black, Latine, and Caribbean-American communities quickly became the start of a genre — one that was unapologetically new and vibrant. Since its birth, hip-hop has undergone many evolutions, but its power, energy, and conviction remain unchanged, hence why we chose to feature Syndicate in our “Movement” issue. Their eccentric poses, intuitive improvisation, palpable enthusiasm, and fierce synchronicity masterfully contribute to the enduring legacy of hip-hop. 

Have you ever seen a ghost tour on campus or around Colonial Williamsburg at night? Are you curious what it’s like, but don’t have room in your budget after your latest Wawa run? Join your Flat Hat Magazine ghost tour guide, JR Herman ‘24, as she tells all.

I Spy

Food is a critical aspect of the human body — and so is the digestive system. When uncontrollable forces put a target on the back of your own cells, things can get pretty messy... 

Since its creation in 2010, Williamsburg’s 2nd Sundays festival has brought together a wide variety of vendors, musicians, and members of the community every second Sunday from March to December.

Our generation has a fear of irrelevance. Social media has made us both competitors and stakeholders in today’s attention economy as we fight to stay interesting and interested. One consequence of this? An obsession with branding and rebranding ourselves — and I worry that it’s doing more harm than good.

I embarked on a solo travel venture to Italy in late August of 2022, visiting four cities in ten days. Traveling solo initially caused a bit of anxiety for me, but conquering these fears provided substantial benefits. I’d like to take you through my experiences with the social side of traveling alone, specifically, sleeping in rooms with 6+ strangers.

Sir Isaac Newton popularized the phrase “standing on the shoulders of giants,” attributing his accomplishments to the intellectual foundations laid by scientists who came before him. I am no scientist, and I did not come to Poland to study natural science, yet Newton’s phrase has sprung to mind every day I have spent here.

Insomnia Cookies and Cookie Chris both opened in Williamsburg in the summer of 2022, giving College of William and Mary students a very difficult but very tasty question: where should they buy their cookies?