Wardrobe Essentials- Part 3

So this is the third post in my series on wardrobe essentials. Todays focus is on tops and tees, which I know we all have too many of. However, hopefully with this post you can eliminate some of the clutter in your closet, and be able to more easily put together outfits in the morning. But first if you haven’t already, check out all the other posts in my wardrobe essentials series: jackets and pants.

Essential #1:  White Tanks and Camis

J.Crew Tank

J.Crew Cami

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit for both: J. Crew

I have been wearing J.Crew tank and camis since the 10th grade, and now I don’t know what I would without them in my wardrobe. I think the tanks are perfect for laying under spaghetti strap and strapless style dresses, adding just a little bit more coverage. Camis, which are basically lighter weight versions of tanks except with spaghetti straps,are great under too revealing v-neck tee shirts and gaping button-down shirts.

However, the only problem with these staples is that nice ones run a little pricey (each one ringing up $18 a piece), and if you wear these staples as often as I do, they wear out fairly quickly.  However, there is still a way to get the quality you want, without  paying such expensive prices-outlets! J.Crew stores can be found at most outlet malls across the country, including the Hagerstown Premium Outlets. Here, you can find these wardrobe staples at about $6 or $7. So grab a bunch (at that price, in all different colors), and enjoy the savings!

Essential #2: White or Blue Button-Downs

Ann Taylor Button-Down

Loft Button-Down

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit: Ann Taylor and Loft

Just like with all of my other posts on wardrobe essentials, I always try include business appropriate attire: something that will transition from a college students wardrobe effortlessly into a wardrobe of a working woman. In this case, it’s button down tees. Now, I love dressing down button-down shirts with jeans, flats, and cardigans. However, I know these shirts will be perfect for when I graduate, worn in the office with heels, dress pants, a-line skirts, and blazers. I recommend getting shirts in neutral colors, such as white or blue, that way they can be worn with many different outfits in many different ways. In addition, make sure the shirt fits properly over your bust to avoid the gap at the top buttons. If you see that gap, go a size up, and have the rest of the shirt tailored to fit you if needed.

Essential #3: Short-Sleeve and Long-Sleeve Shirts

Old Navy Long-Sleeve Tee

American Eagle Short-Sleeve Tee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit: American Eagle and Old Navy

Finally, I would recommend stocking up on basic, solid colored, short and long-sleeved t-shirts. They are perfect for layering, and work with just about every outfit.  No matter what the season, these shirts will transition effortlessly and serve as great layering pieces.  Although I would advise buying these in neutral colors such as white, black, and gray, if the price is right, feel free to purchase a couple in fun colors- navy blue, hot pink, or lemon yellow for instance. Or if you are going for an extra preppy look, go for breton stripes, my personal favorite. Either way, look for v-neck or crew-neck necklines, which will work for the most amount of outfits.

What do you think? Did I forget anything?

Looks On Campus- Melissa

I met Melissa my freshman year in French class, and always admired her relaxed and carefree style. Although with an internship this year, her style has become more business professional, she still always manages to look super cute and put together on any occasion. Here’s what she wore on our class field trip to D.C. If you are looking for more looks on college campuses across the country, check out College Fashion, where they feature the best dressed looking students.

The Basics

Name: Melissa

Major: Political Science and French

Hometown: Hanover, Pennsylvania

Fashion Talk

Current favorite fashion trend: “I am so glad tights aren’t totally out of style. I feel the same way about pearls.”

Favorite places to shop: “I would love to say that I shop at cute little expensive boutiques or something along the lines of the French Connection. However, being on a college budget, I am all about Target and Charlotte Russe.”

Inspiration for today: “Comfort. When you are going to be walking around all day, you need to be comfortable while still looking at least somewhat cute.”

Any fashion tips? “Always keep a few plain camis in basic colors (black, white, and tan). You never know when you might need to layer.”

If you could raid any celebrities closet, whose would you choose, and why? “Obviously, every girl wants to raid a Sex and the City character’s closet. For me, that would be Charlotte York. My second choice would easily be the costume closet of the Gilmore Girls. As for a real person, I love a classic Jackie Kennedy style. They all look completely fashionable and classy while still managing to stay professional when necessary.”

Wardrobe Essentials- Part 2

So this post is the second in my series on wardrobe essentials. Today I will talk about pants that I believe every college student (and every woman) should have in their closet. To see the first post in the series, click here.

Essential #1- Dark Wash Straight-Legged Jeans

 

American Eagle Jeans

Credit: American Eagle

Everyone probably has a couple of pairs of jeans in their closet. But if you need to have one universal pair, choose a pair of dark wash, straight legged jeans. A pair in this style will never go out of fashion, and will always look classic and chic. They perfectly transition from class, to on a date, to church, or out to a bar. You can wear these jeans with flats, with heels, or tucked into boots. While I love this pair from American Eagle, I would also recommend checking out Gap and Levis.

When you buy a pair, make sure there isn’t any whiskering (the faded stripes on the upper thigh of the pants) or rips. Try on a lot of different sizes until you find a pair that fits. The perfect pair will not give you any muffin top, and the end of the jeans will just hit the tops of your feet (just like in the above photo). If you can’t find a perfect pair, buy one that is just about right (and a little big), and take it to the tailor to be made just for your shape. After you get the perfect pair- take care of them! I cannot express how important it is to take care jeans- they will last so much longer! When you wash your jeans (which you should only do when they are dirty, not after every wear), turn the jeans inside out, zip up the zipper, and put the button through the loop (ensuring the zipper or button won’t get caught on anything in the machine). Wash the jeans in cold water, and let them air dry. If you follow all of these steps, the color will not fade anywhere near as fast, and the pants will last much longer.

Essential #2- Black Dress Pants

 

New York & Company Pants

Credit: New York & Company

Like the blazer I talked about in the last post in this series, I think that a lot of college students may not have black dress pants. However, everyone should go out and buy some immediately! Although these aren’t something that you need to wear to class, you’ll appreciate them when you have no idea what to wear to an interview, or have a professional job to go to.

When you go shopping, bring a pair of heels that you frequently wear with you. That way, when you try on pants, you can ensure that the pants are long enough for your dress shoes. Also, make sure to look for a pair that about an inch below your belly button so they are not too high or low-rise. Since this is a pair of pants that you will be wearing in a professional setting, you want to make sure they are appropriate for any occasion.   If you are looking for more dress pants options, check out Loft and Macys.

Essential #3- Khaki Pants

Target Khaki Pants

Credit: Target

Just like black dress pants and blazers, I don’t think that enough college women have khaki pants. Let me tell you- these are such a staple! They always look classy, and like you put in more effort than the girl who is next to you in jeans (when you really didn’t). Perfect for brunch, going to church, class, and adding an extra preppy touch, I don’t know how anyone does without these. In addition, khakis are a staple for many workers who have to dress alike. Whether I’m working at Target over school breaks, or doing tours on campus, I always need a couple of pairs on hand.

Look for a relaxed cut made in a forgiving fabric, like the pair above from Target. Although it is nice to have dressier khaki pants, I think traditional cotton pairs will be easier for college students to build outfits around.  For more khaki pants options, I would recommend Dockers and Old Navy.

Shopping Online

As a fashion loving college student who is on a tight budget, I am always trying to find the best deals without giving up the brands I love.  Already, I make sure that I cut coupons, only buy what is on sale, and shop at off-price retailers such as TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and DSW.  However, I don’t always have time to go out shopping, which is why I love shopping online. Thankfully, there are a lot of ways to save money online, and not just with the ways that I mentioned before. Now, there are exclusive members-only shopping websites that allow you to have your favorite brands at sample sale prices. I’ve decided to introduce you all to a couple of these websites today so you can all sign-up and enjoy the savings.

1. Ideeli.com

Ideeli is an invite only shopping community that offers authentic luxury items at a preferential price (as much as 80% percent off!) Everyday, you will receive an e-mail a little before 11 a.m. advertising between 7-10 brands that will be on sale for the day, and what they will be selling. Products range from Ralph Lauren home goods, to Betsey Johnson sunglasses, to everything else in between. Hurry though, everything is on a first come, first serve basis, and highly desired items sell quickly. So if you see something you like-grab it as soon as the sale opens at 12 p.m! One note of caution- items are non-refundable, so make sure you get the correct size, and really want the item. Want to know how you can become a part of the exclusive club? Click on my invitation in the link above so you can join!

2. gilt.com

Gilt is very similar to Ideeli because it is another invite-only shopping community that offers authentic designer brands at great prices. However, I find the biggest difference between Gilt and Ideeli is the types of products offered. While the items Ideeli sells can usually be found in a local department stores, items found on Gilt are more often seen on celebrities or the red carpet. As a result, I don’t often buy very much from Gilt because the prices are still pretty high, but it is very fun to look. Like Ideeli, items are on a first come, first serve basis and are non-refundable. In addition, an e-mail is sent out everyday  a little before 11 a.m advertising the sales for day (which start at 12 p.m.) Want to join? Click on the link above for your invitation!

3. shopittome.com

Shopittome.com is quite unlike the other two sites I talked about earlier. This time, by entering some of your information (such as your size, and favorite brands,) shopittome scans the web, looking for the best deals on your favorite brands and in your sizes. Around 12 p.m. everyday, you’ll receive an e-mail advertising the best deals for the day, and where you can purchase these deals. Unlike the other two, this site is not invite only, so you can simply click on the link above to join.

One last tip, if you don’t have one already, create a junk e-mail account for all of these websites to send to. It would be a hassle to delete these everyday if they were sent to a student or work e-mail, so designate an e-mail address just for store coupons, promotions, and offers. That way, when you are in the mood to shop, you can see what is available, and where you can find the best deals.

Looks On Campus-Nathalie

Today, I have decided to add a new feature to my blog- looks on campus. I am so often inspired by what I see other people wearing on campus than what I see in fashion magazines, that I figured some of my readers might also enjoy seeing what other stylish women are wearing at Hood. However, looking around campus and seeing a sea of Uggs and Northfaces on cold winter days can really be depressing sometimes. I’m starting this series with Nathalie, my super stylish neighbor who knows how to appropriately dress for a snowy day without wearing the typical college student winter uniform.

The Basics

Name: Nathalie

Major: Psychology

Hometown: Woodbine, Maryland

Fashion Talk

Current Favorite Fashion Trend: “Hair ribbons as headbands.”

Favorite Places to Shop:  “I love Maurices, Payless, Macy*s, Old Navy, and Forever 21. ”

Inspiration for Today: “Well basically, I was looking in my closet, and I noticed that I hadn’t worn this sweater in a while, so I decided to wear it.”

Any Fashion Tips:  “Always have a pair of dark jeans. They are a necessity, and they take a casual outfit to a different level. Lighter wash jeans are really tacky, in my opinion. ”

If you could raid any celebrities closet, who would you choose, and why?:  “I really like Selena Gomez, from Wizards of Waverly Place. The stuff she wears on the show is very inspiring. One day she has a bohemian style, and other days she dresses more like a rebel. I like watching the show to see if I can dress in a similar way. Also, I love Serena (Blake Lively) and Blair’s (Leighton Meester’s) style on Gossip Girl. They have the cutest dresses!”

Wardrobe Essentials-Part 1

Do you ever feel like you have nothing to wear despite having an overflowing and cramped closet? Me too. However, it really shouldn’t be this way. So that’s why I’m doing a series on wardrobe essentials. Things that can be worn in multiple different ways, and can easily transition from season to season. While it is fun to by things that are trendy, they are usually a fad by the next season. So stayed tuned for this series on how to make your closet more versatile. Todays focus-jackets.

Essential #1- The Jean Jacket

Old Navy Jean Jacket

 

Credit: Old Navy

So the first thing I included in my jacket essentials was this jean jacket from Old Navy. Honestly, I wear my jean jacket with just about everything. It works well for every season, whether it is the only jacket I am wearing (like to an early spring baseball game,) or one of my many layers in the winter. When looking for a jean jacket, look for ones in a classic blue-jean wash, not too light or too dark. Also important? There shouldn’t be any rips or shredding on your jacket, you want it to work well for every season.

I love jean jackets with summer dresses, skirts, or plain t-shirts. The only thing I would not recommend is wearing denim on denim- you don’t want to look like Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears at the 2001 American Music Awards, right? If you are looking for more options, I would also recommend checking out the selection at Gap and Eddie Bauer.

Essential #2- Black Blazer

Loft Black Blazer

Credit: Loft

Some college may students may disagree, however, a black or gray blazer is most certainly a wardrobe staple. Although they are most commonly seen with dress pants or a skirt, they can work in so many other different ways. They look great over dresses, with jeans and a t-shirt, or silky camis. A blazer is something you’re definitely going to have to invest a little more money on, but they are completely worth it. After graduation, a blazer can help your wardrobe transition from that of a poor college student, to one of a successful employee. 

When you go to look for your blazer, pay close attention to the fit. Lift up your arms to make sure the sleeves are long enough, and that it covers your stomach. Button all of the buttons, and make sure it doesn’t pull across your chest. If it doesn’t fit perfectly, go one size up. Then, take it to a good tailor so it is made to fit you specially. If you are looking for more places to find a black blazer, I would recommend looking at the options available at Victoria’s Secret and Anne Klein.

Essential #3- Black Cardigan

  

Old Navy Black Cardigan

Credit: Old Navy

Although a cardigan isn’t exactly a jacket, I’m counting it as a top layer. Either way, neutral colored cardigans are a great wardrobe staple. Like the jean jacket I mentioned earlier, they work great every season as the top layer, or one of many layers. I love wearing mine with graphic t-shirts, camis, and colorful scarfs. Again, I chose my staple from Old Navy, because I love the diverse selection of sizes they offer (even tall and petite!) and how soft their cardigans always are. However, if you are looking for more options, I would recommend American Eagle and J. Crew.

 

Well, that finishes the first part of my series. What do you guys think-did I forget anything?

College Appropriate Pajamas

When it comes time to packing for college, you probably don’t care what your pajamas look like. So, you probably just threw in your suitcase the same pair that you have been wearing for years.  I mean, how many people really care about what they wear when they go to bed? No one is going to see us, right?

Wrong. If you live on campus, people are going to see you all the time, everywhere you go. It’s not like in high school when everyone goes home at the end of the day. So if you are like me, you’ll care about how you look everywhere you go (vain- I know,) including when you are in the dorms. You have to be prepared for when people randomly stop by your room, and when a fire drill kicks you out of your dorm in the middle of the night. Honestly, do you really want to be seen hanging around your dorm in a ratty pair of flannel pajamas? No. So that’s why I’ve compiled a guide of pajamas/ loungewear to wear around the dorm.

These are my winter pajamas, both from Victoria’s Secret. I find that it is good to have at least two pairs, that way you don’t have to do wash as often. I would also recommend getting one long-sleeved and one short-sleeved shirt, depending on the temperature in your dorm on any given day. Finally, check to make sure the pajamas are 100% cotton- it will keep your body cool throughout the night.

In the spring, it just gets way too hot to wear long pants and long-sleeved tees (especially if your dorm doesn’t have air conditioning.) So, I would recommend purchasing some shorts and tanks to help keep you cool. Above, are my warm weather pajamas, from Aerie by American Eagle and Old Navy. Both have tons of options perfect for a college students budget.

Finally, you’re going to need something to wear on your feet! The essentials rubber flip-flops and slippers. For flip-flops, I love Havaianas. They are pretty pricey for a pair of flip-flops at $18 each, but I can honestly say that they last for years. The pair shown above, I have had for at least three years now. Plus they are super comfy, and are the perfect shoes for the shower! For slippers, I almost always choose Target. They have a great variety, and the prices are reasonable.

Well, I hope this helps! Let me know what you guys think- did I miss anything?

Design your own Keds!

If I had to pick one word to describe my style, I would choose preppy. Although my style changes everyday on a day-to-day basis, “preppy,” is one word that I relate to the most. I love pink and green, Lilly Pulitzer shift dresses, Sperry boat shoes, pearl earrings, Ralph Lauren polos, and cardigans.  However, as a college student, I don’t have a lot of money to spend on this kind of stuff all the time. As a result, I am always looking for ways to add new pieces to my preppy style, without spending a ton of money.

So, you can imagine my excitement when I found my new favorite blog this weekend, The College Prepster. A junior at Georgetown University, she also has a love of all things preppy (hence the title.) As I went through months of her old posts, lusting over her entire wardrobe, I found something that I knew I wouldn’t be able to do without- customizable Keds. I know what you’re envisioning: those boring white canvas sneakers that your mom lived in as a kid (at least my mom did.) WRONG! At just $60, you can now design your own, and add a new piece to your preppy wardrobe.

Liberty of London for Target Keds

So here is the first pair I designed, and I am in love with them! I wasn’t very inspired by the prints they had available online, so I took a picture of my Liberty of London for Target printed scarf, and uploaded it to the website. Voila- instant transformation! For the trim, I chose a light pink, that complimented the flowers on the scarf. I kept the laces white, just to keep the shoes from having too many elements.

Lilly Pulitzer Keds

This is the second pair I made. Again, I took a picture of one of my scarves (in this case, a Lilly Pulitzer murphee scarf,) and added the print only to the tongue on the shoe. When I did the print overall, it was just too much. In addition, I added pink shoelaces with pink eyelets, and added hot pink trim. Although these are a lot less graphic than my first pair, I still love how they turned out.

If you would like to design your own pair of Keds, click this link here. Post in the comments, and show me how they turned out!

From winter to spring

After reading an article from College Fashion on the top five hottest colors for spring, I knew I wanted to talk about spring looks in my next post. Shortly afterwards, I read an article from Every College Girl titled “How to…Buy it Now and Wear it Later,” and I was inspired to do a similar post. So, voila, todays post is a combination of both. You’ll see how to take some of springs hottest color choices, and make them work for both seasons. Plus, everything is really affordable, so you don’t have to worry about blowing your budget on just a couple of pieces.

Purple cardigan…from winter to spring. 

I love purple- I think it is a great color on just about anyone. However, I think that a lot of people might take this cardigan to only be for the spring and summer months, which shouldn’t be the case at all. It is important when you are shopping on a budget to make anything you buy work for every season, hence this post.  For the winter look, I paired this cardigan with black skinny jeans and a gray scarf for added warmth. To keep the look from being too boring, I also added these leopard flats from Target, which add a youthful touch.

In the spring look, I used much lighter colors. This white eyelet dress provided a perfect blank canvas for me to work the ensemble around. Because purple and blue are analogous colors (adjacent on the color wheel,) I thought a bright shade of blue would make the purple pop. So, I added an aqua blue skinny belt and drop earrings to accessorize the outfit. Finally, a pair of neutral colored gladiator flats pulls the whole look together.

Orange tank…from winter to spring.

Coral is a great color to wear during the warmer months, adding a powerful punch of color to any outfit. However, much like the purple cardigan featured above, racerback tanks are something that most people wouldn’t wear unless it was the summertime.  Though, that really shouldn’t be the case. Tanks are great for all seasons, seeing as they can be layered with everything because they are so thin. So in the winter look, I paired the tank with a classic black blazer and skinny jeans. In addition, I added some tall brown boots and a gold necklace to tie everything together.

 

For the spring look, I paired the tank with some white shorts so the color of the tank could stand out on its own. Like the last outfit, I added brown accessories for a neutral touch that ties everything together. Finally, I picked out this bright blue cord bracelet to give the look an extra pop of color.

 

What do you guys think? What colors are going to be hot this spring? 

Welcome to College Girl Catwalk

Hey, it's me!

Hi, my name is Katrina, and I would like to welcome you to College Girl Catwalk.

If you are looking for up-to-date news on fashion, celebrity style, and how to transition those enviable runway looks into budget friendly classroom appropriate ensembles, you have come to the right place! As a current college student, I understand that many of us cannot afford designer labels, but still want to follow current trends. However, just because we have a limited budget, does not mean we have to sacrifice where our clothing comes from, or the quality of it.

In addition, I hope to promote with this blog the importance of learning how to shop your own closet. As much fun as it is to go shopping, the best way to save money is by not spending any at all (not by cutting coupons and looking for sales-although those do help.) So, by learning how to find new uses and repurpose what you already own (or your mom or roommate owns,) you can create a more versatile wardrobe, and save yourself a lot of money.

I hope you enjoy reading my blog, and please feel free to suggest what you would like to see on my site!