Wardrobe Essentials- Part 4

So I know I haven’t done a post about wardrobe essentials in a while, but I have been meaning to, I swear! Today, I will be focusing on shoes, which I know every girl can’t live without. And while I would love to talk about how there are at least 10 shoe essentials, that would take forever and I know no one has the time or money for that. So, I’m going to focus on three different kinds that are absolutely essential. At least, in my opinion.

Black High Heels

Credit: Chinese Laundry, zappos.com

As always, I try to include at least one thing that will transition from a college students wardrobe effortlessly to a working woman’s wardrobe. This time, I chose black patent high heels because they are such a versatile piece for any woman’s wardrobe. They are perfect to wear on a night out with the girls, on a date, or to a job interview. In addition, I made sure to look for a relatively low heel, and for closed-toe shoes. Although a higher heel and peep-toed shoes are fun, they don’t work for as many outfits as these shoes do.

Flip Flops

Credit:Havaianas

I know I mentioned this many times before on my blog, but no college girl should be without flip-flops! When it is so hot out that it is unbearable, these are the perfect things to slip on. In addition, flip-flops go with everything, and are an essential for when you are going to the beach, pool, and amusement park – basically  every summer activity. Plus, flip-flops come in so many fun colors and patterns, everyone can find something that they like!

Riding Boots

Credit: Naturalizer, shoes.com

Now although I only got my first pair of riding boots this fall, I don’t know how I have lived without them before! These boots are perfect for the fall and winter, and go with just about everything. Personally, I love tucking mine into skinny jeans, or wearing them with dresses and tights. In addition, while I prefer brown boots, black would be rather versatile as well. For example, on a lot of the days that I didn’t feel like wearing my rain boots or Sperry’s, I pulled out my trusty riding boots to get me through the rainy day.

So, what do you guys think? Would you agree with my choices? What do you think I missed?

Bathing Suits for Summer 2011

If there one thing no girl should go without during the summer, it’s a bathing suit (well, and flip-flops too). Thankfully, no matter what your preference or body type, there is the perfect bathing suit out there for you. Unfortunately, I think a lot of the time people struggling with shopping for bathing suits, so I have picked out some things that are not only in style, but are flattering for many different body types.

Bright Separates

Victoria s Secret bikini swimwear, $24, Gossip Collection bikini bathing suit, $42, Old Navy polka dot bikini swimwear, $16, Old navy swimwear, $15, Old Navy bandeau bathing suit, $23, Victoria s Secret bikini swimwear, $24, Dorothy Perkins bandeau bathing suit, 14 GBP, JETS by Jessika Allen bikini bathing suit, 20 GBP, Vix padded bandeau bikini, $72, JETS by Jessika Allen nylon bikini, $93, Bandeau swimwear, 9.99 GBP, Bikini bathing suit, $20, Old navy bathing suit, $20, Old navy bathing suit, $18, String bikinis swimwear, $20, Bikini bathing suit, $30, Dorothy Perkins bikini swimwear, 10 GBP, Bandeau swimwear, 12 GBP, Bikini bathing suit, $20, Ruffled Halter Top, $7.99, Ruffled Lowrider Bikini Bottom, $7.99

One trend that I have noticed that is really popular is mixing and matching super bright separates. Now, I know this is something that a lot of people can’t think about doing, but it’s nearly fool-proof! Pick a top in one color and a bottom in a contrasting color (think: lemon yellow and royal purple; navy blue and Kelly green, hot pink and Kelly green, coral and aqua, etc.) and voila- a super cute swim suit! While wearing two really bright colors might seem kind of weird at first, I think a lot of people will soon realize just how much fun this trend is. Don’t all these swimsuits just scream summer? I don’t know about you, but just looking at them makes me feel like I belong on white sandy beaches.

Matching Prints

The perfect purse

I don’t know about you, but I have tons of stuff I carry around with me on an everyday basis. On a typical day, I usually drag around my wallet, a 32 oz Nalgene water bottle, keys, cell phone, iPod, snacks, sunglasses, glasses, and tons of other things that I “need.” So, it’s very important that I have a bag that is sturdy and practical bag to carry around all of my everyday necessities.

That’s why today I have decided to do a post on the perfect bag. Even though I am not in the market to buy a new bag (unfortunately), I thought I could give some tips on how to buy a great bag that will last through the years.

1. First, look for a bag that will comfortably fit everything you need to carry around with you on a day-to-day basis. This sounds like common sense, but I don’t think a lot of people think about this. So, if your anything like me, you are going to need bag that fits tons of stuff. In addition, look for lots of pockets! Individualized pockets for things like your cell phone and wallet make everything very easy to find.

2. Look for style that works with your life. For instance, a handbag or a clutch isn’t very practical if you will be carrying other things in your hands all day. Personally, I think the best options are crossbody bags and over-the-shoulder handbags. These options stay out of the way, and keep my hands free for whatever I need to do.

3. Choose a bag in a practical color, like brown or black. Although my favorite color is pink, I don’t wear pink every day. However, if you have a bag in a basic color, it will go with everything in your wardrobe. In addition, a darker bag will not show the wear and tear of everyday use like a light colored bad will.

4. Make sure the material is something that will last. A genuine leather bag will be easy to clean, and durable. On the other hand, while cotton bags may be a  lot cheaper, they are not very easy clean and they will show their wear very quickly. Plus, just think about all the gross places your purse could be potentially sitting (like on the floor of the bathroom-ew!) So, find a bag that you can easily wipe off.

With these tips in mind,  I chose this Jessica Simpson and Target bag because they fit my criteria perfectly (in addition to being affordable). They are both large, so I could fit everything that I need to carry around with me all day. In addition, they are both over the shoulder bags, that way I am always hands-free. Plus, they are both a beautiful shade of cognac that I know would go with any outfit I choose to wear.

Jessica Simpson

Target

Looks on Campus- Bridgitte

For this weeks look on campus, I spoke to Bridgitte, who I met sophomore year while working an admissions event. When I saw her wearing a maxi dress the other day – one of the biggest trends for this summer – I knew I had to stop her and ask her a couple of questions so she could be on my blog. I love how she wore one statement piece, and kept the rest of her outfit simple so all of the attention was on her stunning dress. Now, without further ado, I would like to introduce you to Bridgitte!

The Basics

Name: Bridgitte

Major: Business

Hometown: Perry Hall, Md.

Fashion Talk

Current favorite fashion trend? “My current favorite fashion trend is mixing styles from the 90s and 60s and adding a modern twist. I like vintage style with bright colors.”

Favorite places to shop? “Forever 21, Garage, Love Culture, and Pacsun.”

Inspiration for todays look? “My roommate. She dresses like a hippie, and normally I dress more conservatively with bright colors. Bringing a new style into my wardrobe allows me to add a fun twist.”

Any fashion tips? “Be yourself, and be okay with taking risks with new styles. It’s the risks that people always fall in love with!”

Best deal you ever got? “Getting a $185 dress for $5.”

What is your favorite piece in your wardrobe? “A lace cardigan that falls off my shoulder when I wear it and creates a flash dance inspired look.”

Rainy Day Essentials

They say “April showers bring May flowers.” Now, while I can’t say whether the flowers part is true or not yet, Maryland has been experiencing a lot of rain of this April. Almost every day I wake up to gray skies and cold drizzly rain falling.  As a result, as I try to think of something to wear, I am often stuck staring in front of my closet, trying to think of what I should wear to keep me somewhat dry on miserable rainy days. So, I decided to put together a little guide of things I think are essential to have in a college students wardrobe to combat the rainy day weather.

Rainboots

Juicy Couture Rainboots

Rainboots are an absolute necessity when you are in college. Now while you can definitely get away without having them in high school since you spend the whole day inside, in college, you will be outside all of the time. Whether you’re walking to the dining hall, your dorm, or a class, you’ll be spending a lot of time outside. And on a rainy day, you will get soaked. So, if you want to avoid having sopping wet feet, buy rainboots! Plus, it’s fun to stomp through all the puddles that appear on campus instead of side-stepping them.

Your boots don’t have be expensive, but they should be good enough quality that water will not soak through them after a couple of wears. Although mine are Juicy, I would definitely recommend checking out Hunter rainboots – they make some of the best rainboots around. However, if you are looking for some cheaper options, Target makes very affordable (and cute) options.

Sperrys

Sperrys

For days when it’s raining, but it’s not pouring, Sperrys are the perfect option. Because they are waterproof, they will keep your feet dry all day, and look cute with just about any outfit. If you couldn’t tell, I have had the pair on the left for almost three years now. They have seen me through many days of standing on the floor all day working retail, in addition to rainy days. So don’t just keep these in the back for rainy days – wear them all the time! While the primary use of the shoes on the left is to get ruined, I bought the pair on the right for fun. Sperrys come in a lot of different patterns, so I thought it would be fun to have one kind of nice pair to wear with my preppy ensembles.

Umbrella

Totes Umbrella

The last thing you definitely cannot get by without is a sturdy umbrella. I actually have two, the first one  can be thrown in my bag in the event that it may rain, I have something to cover my while I walk around campus. This is my other one. It is big, sturdy, and does not flip inside out when it is raining cats and dogs. Plus, I love the fun zebra print! If you can only afford to buy one, I would definitely recommend getting one more like this one from Totes. It will keep you dry as you trudge across campus, and it will last forever.

Now, you may notice that I never mentioned a rain coat. Normally, people would probably call this essential for rainy days. However, I am not normal, and I actually don’t wear a raincoat. I have found that  a lot of the time when it rains in Maryland, it is in the fall or spring, and it is way too humid to wear a coat. So, I usually just wear a cardigan or something to keep me warm. My trusty rainboots and umbrella keep me dry enough, so for me, there is not need for a rain coat.

Summer 2011 Trends

The first nice day of spring every year at college campuses across the country seems to bring every student around out onto well manicured lawns. Today, this sunny afternoon at Hood was no exception. Freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors gathered from dorms and off-campus apartments to soak up the sun, play the guitar, work on homework, play volleyball with friends, or take a nap.

As I sat on the quad this afternoon with two of my friends trying to enjoy the warm weather before it gets too hot, I couldn’t help but noticing all of the cute outfits girls were wearing as they walked by! After such a long and cold winter, I was so happy to see bright colors, sandals,  and sundresses galore. However, two trends seemed to be more prevalent than others: maxi dresses and gladiator sandals.

Maxi Dresses

Victoria’s Secret ,                                                                                                 Old Navy

The one summer trend that I noticed more than others on campus today were maxi dresses (or patio dresses, as my mom calls them). Although girls have been wearing these for the past couple of summers now, I think they are going to be huge for this summer! It’s definitely different from traditional leg baring mini dresses that many women are used to wearing, but these floaty dresses make bodies long so long and lean, that I think the trend is really going to stay around for a while. Plus, they come in so many different patterns and styles, that it’s hard not to find one to like! When shopping for a maxi dress, make sure that the dress hits the floor and goes away from your body, to ensure a lean silhouette.

Gladiator Sandals

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

American Eagle ,                                                                                                                      Steve Madden

The other trend I noticed was gladiator sandals, usually worn with maxi dresses. These simple shoes go so well with everything, and are about 100 percent classier than traditional flip flops. However, they versatile sandals also go great with shorts and skirts. These sandals are usually available in neutral colors, such a brown, black, silver, and gold as to complement all of your summer dresses perfectly. I would definitely recommend buying a pair!

What do you think? What trends are going to be big?

Wardrobe essentials- a real life application

So you know when you are sitting in math class, attempting to listen to the professor explain how to do something, and you can’t help but think, “When am I ever going to use this in real life?” Bueller? Bueller?

The reason why I bring this up is because I have been talking about the practicality of wardrobe essentials for a while now, but you have never seen anything on my blog about how to wear them! Which may leave you wondering – how would I ever wear this piece? Of course, seeing as they are essentials, how hard could they be to put together? I mean, straight legged jeans look good with just about everything! However, I have come to find that, classic pieces in your wardrobe, like Oxford shirts and blazers, look best with other staples, like a black cardigan or straight legged jeans. So to give you that real life application that you have been looking for, I put together an outfit a couple of weeks ago that combines  some of my wardrobe essentials.

Cardigan: Old Navy, Shirt: Theory, Camisole: Calvin Klein, Necklace: Claire*s,

Jeans: Delia*s, Shoes: Coach, Belt: Juicy Couture

So for this outfit, I combined three of my favorite essentials: a black cardigan, a button down shirt, a camisole,  and straight-legged dark washed jeans. I love how with just a couple of basics, you can build a simple outfit that can be worn to a variety of places. However, I think it is important to avoid looking like everyone else by adding your own touches.  In my case, this would be with sequined flats, a bright blue skinny belt, and pearls.

What do you think? What is your favorite way to wear your staples?

Looks on Campus- Camellia

For this weeks look on campus, I talked to Camellia who is in my French literature class. I’ve also admired her electric and girly style amongst the sea of skinny jeans, Hollister shirts,and Uggs, so I stopped her after class the other day to inquire about her personal style.

The Basics

Name: Camellia

Major: Undecided,  Minor in Studio Art

Hometown: All over the world, but primarily Kansas City, Missouri

Fashion Talk

Current favorite fashion trend?
“Pig tails and cat eyes.”

Inspiration for todays look?
“Spring time!! I was dressing in honor of the blooming trees.”

Any fashion tips?
“Dress for yourself, not for what other people will think of you. However, try to avoid leggings and ruffles as much as possible.”

If you could raid any celebrities closet, who would you choose?
“Haha, I wouldn’t! My closet is already full enough and I like what I have.”

Best deal you ever got?
“Hm….I have an indian wrap skirt that’s blue with black elephants I’ve worn every summer since I was in the 7th grade. That’s probably my best deal just from how much use I’ve gotten from it.”

What is your favorite piece in your wardrobe?
“My big maroon sweater that my grandmother knit me, it has a matching hat and I wear them all the time once it gets cold enough.”

Forecast for Spring

Spring started six days ago, so I really am kind of late on “forecasting” style for spring. Technically, I probably should have talked about this after New York Fashion Week in the fall, but I didn’t have this blog then. But who cares about rules? I’m going to comment on what I have been noticing has been popular recently.

Lace

Yesterday I went shopping for the first time since December. I know right? How this is that possible considering I have a blog about fashion? Well, it is. I am a poor college student, and as a result, I haven’t been shopping in a long time. Regardless, I was at Forever 21 yesterday, and I noticed all kinds of lace everywhere! From white and black lace, to edge and venetian lace, it seemed to be on just about every piece of clothing in the store.

Lace dress, $97, Forever21 cut out dress, $23, Sheer dress, $98, Miss Selfridge shrug top, 28 GBP, Free People bandeau tube top, $28, Lace top, $17, Cardigan, 35 GBP, Lace top, $17, H M pink tank top, Rue21 chiffon skirt, $22, Lace short, $36, Forever21, $23, Minuet Petite pink skirt, 35 GBP, Cover up swimwear, 55 GBP, American Eagle outfitter, $25, Black lace necklace, $20, Necklace, $13, TopShop hair accessory, $8

Notice how almost everything is in the same feminine color palette…pinks, whites, and beige. Now, while I kind of like that, I think a lot more people would like lace if it came in other colors. If you are afraid of feeling too girly in one of these pieces, trying pairing it with something a little less delicate-like a lace tank with a leather motorcycle jacket!

Florals

Last week, I was waiting for a table in D.C., and was left standing outside for at least an hour. Usually this is pretty boring, but I was on a busy street and there was tons of people watching to do! I was on the same street at the Verizon Center actually (on the day on the Pitt v. Butler game), so there was definitely some interesting fashion present. Anyways, so one thing I noticed was the popularity of floral.

Now, I love floral! Other than with lace or pink, how else can you easily make an outfit girly easily? Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t floral print; they think it comes off looking too much like an old lady. However, there is a right way to wear floral- in moderation. Don’t go all out in a really long big print floral dress, you will look like a grandma. If you wear a small bit (like on a bandeau top under a tank), you can still look young!

Floral dress, $45, Floral dress, 27 GBP, Cotton dress, 22 GBP, Tube dress, $18, H M floral dress, Floral top, $45, Forever21 knit tank top, $13, Rue21 floral skirt, $30, Maggie and Me cotton mini skirt, 20 GBP, Ladies Laced Floral Wellies, 16 GBP, Forever21 canvas shoes, $20, Forever21 flat thong sandal, $13, Floral print handbag, 10 GBP, Pink bracelet, $44, Marc Jacobs gold chain bracelet, $42, Monsoon stud earring, 14 GBP, BKE bracelet, $8.04, Forever21 floral jewelry, $2.80, Floral hair accessory, $12, Floral sunglass, $9.99, Floral scarve, 6,95 EUR

Looks on Campus- Hilary

After over a week-long hiatus, I am back! Over my spring break, I spent the week in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. on an alternative spring break trip where I didn’t have internet access, so I apologize for the lack of posts. In addition, upon my return, I was swamped with papers and exams, so I haven’t had time to post in a recently. However, I shouldn’t make excuses. So without further ado, I would like to introduce you to Hilary!

I met Hilary freshman year sometime after orientation, and we have been very close friends since then. Although some might consider her sense of style to be very traditional, I have always admired the feminine and preppy touches she adds to make her looks one of a kind. Here’s a  look at what she wore today.

The Basics

Name: Hilary

Major: English

Hometown: Bethesda, Maryland

Fashion Talk

Current favorite fashion trend?
“Hard to say! I really enjoy cycling through different styles — preppy classic, vintage-artsy, sporty…I will say that I really like thin billowy cardigans and tops. They are soft and romantic, and are finally a popular style that looks good on a tall person!”

Favorite places to shop?
“I absolutely love Old Navy! Their clothes are affordable, comfy, and simple, yet they always have really fun patterns if you are looking for something exciting to mix with a good basic.”

Inspiration for todays look?
“I was feeling sort of artsy — sometimes I’m content with a basic tee and skinny jeans, but I felt like an interesting pattern and some unique jewelry just fit my mood more that day. It sounds silly, but I often dress to fit my mood!”

Any fashion tips?
“Wear what makes you feel confident. Don’t try to squeeze into something that’s not you, or hide your body with loose clothes! A proper fit will have your body more comfortable and your mind feeling confident. Experiment until you find a style that makes YOU feel happy, and like a million bucks.”

If you could raid any celebrities closet, who would you choose?
“I love Blake Lively! She is a fellow tall girl, and has a very laid back, classic style, with a lot of simple basics and layering. However, she isn’t afraid to try bright prints and interesting cuts either. She’s very versatile, and I like that.”

Best deal you ever got?
“I got a gorgeous, teal colored silk blouse at the Gap which was originally $60 for $13. I was a very happy shopper!”

What is your favorite piece in your wardrobe?
“I love my sun dresses — all of them. The Old Navy ones I love especially, because I feel comfortable in them, and always feel confident and pretty without working too hard — I like to keep it simple, and those dresses say that.”