Author: Blair Brown

FASHIONISTA SPOTLIGHT: Erinn Adams

Of all the new trends this spring and summer, one of my favorite new pieces gaining popularity is the jumpsuit. Something about the retro shape and feel makes me love nearly every jumpsuit I've seen, and the wild colors and patterns splashed across each piece so uniquely make them even better. This week's Fashionista is sporting a strapless jumpsuit with harem pants and bold stripes. She picks up the colors of the jumpsuit, red, black and pale yellow, with a cute pair of heels that match perfectly. She lets the jumpsuit and heels take center stage, only adding a pair of red tassel earrings to bring out the brightest stripe of the piece and an eye-catching hat to pull you in. In her jumpsuit, this week's Fashionista shows that standing out is this season's hottest trend.

Name: Erinn Adams

Major: Political Science

Year: Senior

CollegeFashionista: Where did you find the outfit you are wearing today?

Erinn Adams: I actually found the jumpsuit at a discount store, and the shoes are Anne Klein heels that I got on sale. I got the earrings at Target and the hat from a consignment shop, so the outfit was pretty cheap.

CF: Where do you typically go to shop on a budget?

EA: I love discount stores like Marshall's, and I love going thrift shopping. It usually depends on what I am looking for, but there are a lot of great finds at Goodwill or Salvation Army. Also, I love to shop at Forever 21, of course.

CF: What is the most versatile piece you own?

EA: Probably my darker pair of jeans or my pink blazer. I can wear dark jeans to a nicer occasion or to the club, depending on the top. And I can easily dress up a casual outfit with my blazer. Both are good for a lot of occasions.

CF: What piece do you plan on wearing the most this summer?

EA: I love the breezy feel of rompers and jumpsuits, so I will definitely be wearing a lot of those. I also like wearing bright shorts and hi-lo dresses.

CF: How would you describe your style?

EA: I wear a lot of different styles of clothing, but I would call my style a mix between wild and preppy. I like clean and tailored outfits, and I like bright, bold colors. 

How To: To get this Fashionista's look, buy a jumpsuit of your own. I have some friends who are nervous about trying a romper or jumpsuit, but they are versatile and are flattering on several body types. Different styles and patterns make them even more unique, and they can be dressy or casual. A cute jumpsuit made for summer and similar to this Fashionista's piece can be found at bebe.

FASHIONISTA SPOTLIGHT: Emily Rogers

There's something about warm weather that kicks fashion into high gear. Summer, my personal favorite season, makes coordinated outfits even easier to put together and flaunt. It's fun to dress up for light, breezy occasions, bonfires and warm evenings with friends. This week's Fashionista shows that summertime fashion makes the living and the dressing easy. She puts a twist on classic summer style by adding thin, patterned tights and summer booties. This Fashionista's summer floral dress is complemented by the darker tones of her bottom skirt, tights and boots. She brings up the darker tones with a bright retro purse with bold stripes. This week's Fashionista changes the meaning of summer whimsy in a darker tone.

Name: Emily Rogers

Major: Biology

Year: Junior

CollegeFashionista: What three words would you use to describe your style?

Emily Rogers: I would describe my style as clean, simple and fun. I like to keep things neat while thinking outside of the box.

CF: How do you usually pick your outfit for the day?

ER: I usually go through my closet and see what is most appropriate for the weather and day. Sometimes, if I buy a new outfit, I get excited enough to put it together the night before.

CF: What is your most prized style possession?

ER: My most prized fashion possession is definitely my pair of designer boots. They are versatile and quality.

CF: Do you have a current favorite trend?

ER: One of my current favorite trends is the incorporation of brights colors like orange or coral into outfits. I especially love the two colors together.

CF: Do you have a favorite quirky or unique piece?

ER: I have a lot of thrift shop pieces in my closet, including a sweater with bold buttons and sequins on it. It is retro and unique enough to be wearable in 2012.

CF: What is one of your staple summer pieces?

ER: One of my staple summer pieces is a nice pair of leather flip-flops I've had for a year now. They are durable, and they keep your feet cool.

How To: Dress to represent the weather and light atmosphere and put together an outfit that describes your interpretation of summer. You can dress in bold color patterns or in darker tones. To get this Fashionista's look, dress for the season. A pair of tights similar to this Fashionista's can be found at Forever 21, and a pair of summer boots can be found at Overstock.

FASHIONISTA SPOTLIGHT: Mary Baker

Summer is the perfect time for sweet vintage pieces and retro style to make a comeback. There's something about the warm weather and clear skies that activate fond past memories, and there's no better way to play on that feeling of nostalgia than to dress boldly. This week's Fashionista demonstrates this idea wonderfully in her retro outfit. Her halter top is actually a vintage swimsuit, with half of the swimsuit hidden under her skinny jeans. But the suit is made from thick fabric (unheard of in today's lycra swimsuit world), with detailed eyelet scalloping and a fitted waist. Her combination of the retro piece and skinny jeans is reminiscent of the classic 1950s style, which she completes with a whimsical pair of wedge heels from Poetic Licence, one of my favorite shoe brands. This week's Fashionista proves that the only thing more sugary sweet than summer is going back in time to revisit a timeless style.

Name: Mary Baker

Major: Environmental Science

Year: Junior

CollegeFashionista: What are some of your favorite color combinations?

Mary Baker: I know that bright colors are popular now, and I like a lot of those combinations. I like bright oranges and reds together and lots of bright blues.

CF: How would you describe your style?

MB: Definitely simple and clean with a touch of quirky. I love retro and vintage pieces, as you can see, and I like to sprinkle them into my wardrobe.

CF: What is your favorite era of fashion?

MB: I like the any unique styles from the 1950s all the way up to the 1980s. I don't really get too wild with any of my clothing, but I like the classic styles of each decade, like the shift dress of the 1960s. But if I had to choose one era, I would choose the 1950s.

CF: What are some staple pieces in your closet?

MB: I love rompers, so I have several rompers. I have also gotten into collecting blazers, and I have several blazer colors, including mustard yellow and purple. Of course, I also have the classic black blazer, which should be in most  closets because it goes so well with so many outfits.

CF: How often do you change your wardrobe?

MB: I would say that I undergo a complete wardrobe change each time I buy enough new clothing to justify donating some of my old clothing, which is probably way too often. But I have had the same style since high school, for the most part.

How To: To get this Fashionista's retro look, try thrift shopping or consignment shopping at unique shops. But you can come close to this style outside of the thrift shop with this top from Free People, which is similar to this Fashionista's secret swimsuit top. You can bring your retro outfit together with a pair of focal point shoes, like this pair from ModCloth.

FASHIONISTA SPOTLIGHT: Whitley Richards

The semester is wrapping up with summer is in sight, which means campus style is heating up with the weather. This week's Fashionista incorporates colors into her outfit that show the summer mood has already arrived on campus. This Fashionista is wearing the ever-popular romper with a bold twist of color and print. She lets the romper's bright rainbow mix take center stage, opting to wear a simple pair of earrings and matching suede sandals. The sandals pick up the bright magenta in her romper, which is a perfect reflection of the heat outside. This Fashionista shows that the weather isn't the only thing hot about the month of May.

Name: Whitley Richards

Major: Global Studies

Year: Senior

CollegeFashionista: Do you like simple solids or do you like to spice an outfit up with prints?

Whitley Richards: Prints, because they're fun and you can make interesting outfits with them.

CF: Who is your favorite style icon?

WR: I really like Vera Wang. Even though she's high fashion, she makes clothing you can wear everyday.

CF: What is your favorite outfit to wear on a night out?

WR: A dress and heels. I like to wear a fitted, teal dress with crossing straps.

CF: Where do you get your fashion inspiration?

WR: I get a lot of inspiration from people around me. I see another person's style I like and take cues from them.

CF: How would you define the fashion style of UNC-Chapel Hill students?

WR: I would definitely say preppy is the predominant style. But there are different versions of preppy on campus, like a wide variety of outfits in that spectrum.

How To: To get this Fashionista's look, just keep it simple by getting bold. Choose a main piece that is the focus of attention in your outfit, like a bold dress or a unique pair of shoes. A daring jumpsuit, another popular piece this year, can be found at ASOS.

FASHIONISTA SPOTLIGHT: Sarah Headley

Since spring weather seems like it is actually here to stay this week, several Fashionistas around campus are trading in their sweaters and boots for sweet pastels and flowy tops. This week's Fashionista capitalizes on the popularity of bright colors and illusion tops. She is wearing a coral illusion top with gold shiny buttons, a black bandeau top and matching black leggings with a detailed stripe. This Fashionista  brings it all together with gold flats to channel the sheen of the gold buttons on her top. Her gold necklace and cross body bag's gold detailing tops it off and completes her trendy ensemble. I can't say enough about my love of gold hardware and coral flowy tops, so I will let this week's Fashionista speak for herself.

Name: Sarah Headley

Major: Communications

Year: Freshman

CollegeFashionista: What are some of you favorite winter to spring transition pieces?

Sarah Headley: I like neon for sure, and as far as transitions, I still wear leggings. Especially on days like today when the weather is cool. And blazers are good, of course.

CF: What are the best places to go to shop on a budget?

SH: Forever 21 for sure. I also like Goodwill because I find a lot of unique pieces.

CF: Do you have a favorite piece that you found at a thrift or consignment shop?

SH: I have this really cool top from the 1980s. It has a collar and long sleeves and has sparkly gold squares all over it. I get a lot of compliments on it!

CF: What item from your wardrobe do you currently wear the most?

SH: Probably my gold sparkly flats, which I'm currently wearing.

CF: What is the wildest piece you've ever worn?

SH: Well, I wear one of my dad's old collared shirts and tie it up as a strapless shirt, which is pretty crazy.

How To: To get this Fashionista's look, pair a bold color with neutral pants and a central metallic color. An illusion top can be found at Saks Fifth Avenue, and a metallic pair of flats can be found at Dillard's.

FASHIONISTA SPOTLIGHT: Jennie Rose

April showers and constantly changing weather were here this week to remind us that summer is further away than we thought. But this week's Fashionista shows us a silver lining in the cloud that hovered over campus today. Her whimsical scarf tied together a perfect ensemble: a red cardigan, high-waisted khaki capris, a beaded tribal print belt, and matching tribal flats. Her outfit picks up on the tribal trend, and her scarf sets off the entire outfit, which was appropriate for a day that felt something like the weather between winter and spring. I don't know about the other students, but this Fashionista's outfit made me wish that each day could be just a little cloudy.

Name: Jennie Rose

Major: Library Science

Year: Graduate Student

CollegeFashionista: What's one accessory that you can't live without?

Jennie Rose: Scarves, clearly. When I was about 17, my mom gave me all of her vintage scarves, and I've collected vintage scarves ever since then.

CF: Where do you shop to get your unique pieces?

JR: I shop at consignment shops mostly to get unique pieces.

CF: How often do you change your clothing style?

JR: Actually, I think I've probably dressed the same since high school. My style is pretty eclectic though.

CF: Do you usually use color to neutralize an outfit or to brighten it up?

JR: I wear a lot of color, so I would have to say I use color to brighten up my outfits. And my favorite colors are probably red and orange.

How To: To get this Fashionista's look, just accessorize with unique pieces. A scarf similar to this Fashionista's unique piece can be found at Urban Outfitters. One-of-a-kind silk scarves can also be found at your local consignment shop or thrift store. Also, you can capitalize on the tribal print trend with a pair of tribal flats found at Urban OG.

FASHIONISTA SPOTLIGHT: Jessica Bell

Despite the start of spring and generally warm weather, constantly changing North Carolina weather ensures that a pair of boots or a light scarf aren't far away. But this week's Fashionista works with today's chilly weather by combining the warmth of winter clothing and the whimsy of spring clothing. Her light scarf combines lace, a hot trend, and light linens to channel the light and airy feel of the season. This Fashionista also dresses for the cold weather by pairing a cute pencil skirt with tights and neutral boots, topping it off with a multi-tone sweater to spice up the ensemble. This Fashionista's outfit shows that a few chilly days during spring can be a welcome fashion break from the norm.

Name: Jessica Bell

Major: History

Year: Senior

CollegeFashionista: Has your style remained the same over the years or have you adapted it to new trends?

Jessica Bell: I would say that my general style has stayed the same with a few new tweaks. I do love new trends, and I follow new fashion advice on the Internet and consult my favorite stores, but I have always kept my wardrobe classic.

CF: In your opinion, what is the best new trend this season?

JB: I really like how bold colors are emerging in every storefront. One of my favorite colors is orange, so I like that it's a hot color this year. I already have some orange pieces in my wardrobe that I plan to break out.

CF: If you could downsize your wardrobe to only two pieces, what two pieces would you choose?

JB: I would keep my favorite shirt dress, which is a neutral color, and my Michael Kors cross-body. Both pieces are simple and neutral, but they still command attention.

CF: What is your favorite clothing brand?

JB: Definitely French Connection. I love how unique each of their pieces are, and as a huge fan of dresses, I can't seem to stay away from any store that carries their dresses or their website. I'm usually on a budget, so I can't buy their clothing too often, but I splurge when I have extra cash.

CF: What is one winter piece you won't pack away for the summer?

JB: A nice pair of simple boots. I have an obsession with boots and I think that a pair of clean, streamlined boots can be appropriate with a lot of spring or summer dresses.

How To: To get this Fashionista's look, pair a light scarf with any neutral outfit. A scarf similar to this Fashionista's can be found at Urban Outfitters, and a nice pair of transition boots can be found at ALDO. The right scarf paired with the right boots is appropriate for year-round fashion.

FASHIONISTA SPOTLIGHT: Wendy Song

Spring is one of my favorite times for fashion because I love seeing the bold colors of the flowers and the bold colors of well-coordinated outfits. This week's Fashionista is no exception, and her outfit was the perfect complement to a warm, sunny day. This Fashionista kept her outfit simple but bright, with a teal skirt popping against a striped shirt and oversized belt. I can't resist a pleated skirt, and with teal as a hot color this season, this Fashionista's ensemble was perfect. Her outfit was the main event against neutral sandals and a small pair of earrings, and it is easy to see why this season is hot for more than the weather.

Name: Wendy Song

Major: Global Studies

Year: Sophomore

CollegeFashionista: What is your favorite color to incorporate into your wardrobe?

Wendy Song: Teal, as you can tell from my outfit today. I really like turquoise as well because it adds a nice pop to your outfit.

CF: How do you make the transition from winter to spring in your daily dress?

WS: I usually dress in layers, wearing a cardigan or blazer when it is chilly in the morning.

CF: What are three things in your closet you can't live without?

WS: A good scarf, a pencil skit and a fun dress.

CF: Where do you go to shop on a budget?

WS: I love thrift store shopping, so I go to Goodwill and check the bargain racks at any store I visit. For example, I found my prom dress thrift shopping, and it was made by Vera Wang and only cost me a dollar!

CF: Do you usually use accessories to spice up an outfit?

WS: Definitely. I'm a big fan of earrings and belts.

How To: To get this Fashionista's look, just pair a simple top and neutral accessories with a bold piece. A statement piece, such as this Fashionista's skirt, can be found at Tilly's. And choosing complementary colors will set your outfit off perfectly.

FASHIONISTA SPOTLIGHT: Danielle Bringard

This week's Fashionista exudes savvy and professional style in a sea of gym shorts and sneakers. Her business casual garb is spiced up by bold accessories and an eye-catching pencil skirt, which is a classic piece for business and fun. I also love her color pairing of black and taupe, which is classy and clean. This Fashionista completes her ensemble with a pair of sleek black flats with a cute buckle that matches her silver necklace, proving that mixing business with style is never against the rules.

Name: Danielle Bringard

Major: Dramatic Art/Political Science

Year: Senior

CollegeFashionista: How would you describe your daily style?

Danielle Bringard: I'm wearing what I usually wear to work now, but it depends on the weather. Right now, I'm taking advantage of the warm weather but I work at a law office, so most days it's a combination of casual, professional and classic.

CF: What is your favorite thing in your closet?

DB: I have a lot of shoes, and one of my favorite pairs is my blue flats with sequins. 

CF: Where do you get your fashion inspiration?

DB: I just go to the store and I go with whatever pops and whatever I like. I go to Forever 21 a lot and I go to Express when I can afford it.

CF: What current fashion trend is your favorite?

DB: I really like bright colors, especially when they're worn in the cold weather. It's a nice pop when it's dreary outside.

How To: This Fashionista's look can definitely be worn outside the office and can be worn from the classroom to the club. To get this Fashionista's look, pair a simple top with a classic pencil skirt. A skirt similar to this Fashionista's skirt can be found at Gap, and a pair of cute flats can be found at Bloomingdale's.

FASHIONISTA SPOTLIGHT: Ellen Mincey

You can't deny the versatility of a great pair of leggings, and it seems like this fashion staple is here to stay. The outfit of this week's Fashionista utilizes the ever-popular garment in a tried and true, yet sassy way. I love her attention to detail with eye-catching gold hardware on most of her accessories, including her bag and thick belt. Her black bag also provides contrast against her brown belt and boots, which are complemented by her oversized denim blouse (another popular piece I adore). You can't go wrong with a classic pairing, and this Fashionista proves that leggings belong in the limelight.

Name: Ellen Mincey

Major: Journalism/PR

Year: Junior

CollegeFashionista: How would you describe your personal style? 

Ellen Mincey: A little bit of everything. Sometimes more preppy and sometimes a little edgier, but almost always flirty and feminine.

CF: What is your favorite item in your wardrobe?

EM: My favorite item changes frequently but right now it’s my watch. I wear it almost every day!

CF: What is one fashion piece you can’t live without?

EM: A pair of nude pumps. They go with everything and you can dress them up or down.

CF: Who is your favorite designer?

EM: It’s so hard to pick one designer! For accessories I love Michael Kors but for clothes I like all types of brands and designers. I really like boutiques because they usually have a variety of things. 

How To: To get this Fashionista's look, take advantage of the leggings trend and pair a long blouse or dress top with a pair of your favorite leggings. And incorporate small details into your outfit, like coordinating gold hardware or chrome accents. A pair of leggings can be found at Forever 21, and the leggings can be paired with a loose blouse, similar to a dress shirt found at NorthStyle.