Cassie Dulworth – CollegeFashionista

WHAT TO WEAR: Internship

It can be hard sometimes to dress to impress at your internship. Especially at a fashion company, you have to find the balance between dressy and stylish. I spotted this Fashionista and immediately loved how she had styled a casual yet chic look that could work perfectly for your summer internship.

This Fashionista started with a great graphic T-shirt. While this may not be appropriate in every office, many fashion companies will be accepting as long as you dress it up. On top she added a breezy neutral cardigan. This is the perfect layering piece to make her outfit a bit more conservative and also keep her warm in a cold office.

Next, this Fashionista added some fun pattern. Her printed trousers really bring the outfit to life. This is a great way to add some fun to any internship look. The structure of the pants makes them dressy while the print gives an opportunity to show off your personality. Lastly, this Fashionista added some black strappy wedges to her look. Wearing wedges ensures that while you look amazing, you’re still going to be able to run around the office all day without your feet aching at the end of the day.

Follow in the footsteps of this Fashionista and you’ll be styling the perfect internship outfits in no time.

One Simple Change: Haven’t secured that internship yet? Switch the wedges for pumps and the T-shirt for a blouse—you’ll be sure to impress at your interview and score the position!

STYLE GURU STYLE: Bohème Effect

Winter is finally over! It’s time for dresses, tank tops and light layers. I couldn’t be more excited. One of my favorite parts of spring is that I can start adding more color and fun into my outfits. Don’t get me wrong, I love an all-black outfit. And that’s what I wear all winter long. However, once the days heat up I find myself leaning towards patterns and colorful pieces. I love taking inspiration from great bohemian brands, such as Free People and ThreadSense for this style. This spring though, I’m taking inspiration from the runway.

Roberto Cavalli’s spring/summer 2015 show was full of colorful prints and bohemian touches. The color palette was rich in earth tones: rust, denim blue, turquoise and cream. Cavalli mixed patterns with denim and added beautiful tribal touches to every garment. I fell in love with the collection and took some tips for my own outfit.

I kept the same color palette as Cavalli showed. A loose red tank top is a great base to the look. I paired that with some easy chambray shorts. These are great for running around between classes, internships and seeing friends. They add a great bohemian, effortless vibe. On top I wore a tribal printed sweater with fringe. This print reminded me a lot of Cavalli’s collection. The colors and print pull the whole look together and make it really fun. Lastly, I wore simple tan sandals and a fun turquoise necklace. Aviators topped off the whole look.

I love how summer can bring so much life into your style. I’m excited to spend the next few months playing with color and pattern and updating my wardrobe for the sunshine.

Get My Look: 1. An easy tank top. 2. The perfect bohemian jacket. 3. Simple denim shorts.

STYLE GURU STYLE: Grown Up Neutrals

In high school I went through a phase where I was wearing bright colors and patterns every day. Looking back now, I’m a little bit mortified at some of the combinations I once loved and flaunted proudly. Since moving to college, I think I’ve found a style that reflect myself a bit better. Most of my closet is neutral with the occasional pop of red. I love pieces that are casual and understated. It makes getting dresses in the morning really easy.

Jason Wu is a designer who understands my love for a good neutral. Season after season he shows collections full of varying shades of black, gray and creme. It’s a neural-lover’s dream. This past season was no exception. His collection was a dreamland of big coats and layers in sleek silhouettes. I was instantly drawn to the easy chic elements of the collection and decided I should take some inspiration into my own outfit.

I started with a few wardrobe basics: a pair of dark skinny jeans and a white T-shirt. Layering is key as it’s still a bit chilly outside. To incorporate a few shades of neutral, I added a black sweater over my T-shirt. As seen in Jason Wu’s collection, a good sweater is a staple for any chilly day. To top it off, I threw on a shearling coat in a pretty creme color. Not quite as slinky as the coats Wu designed, but this is a great piece for running around a college campus. A pair of black able booties and a black cross-body bag completed the look.

Although my outfit is a bit more casual than Jason Wu’s collection, the idea is the same. Mixing neutrals, and having great staples in your closet, makes it really easy to get dressed and look put together in the morning.

Get My Look: 1. The perfect black sweater. 2. A neutral coat. 3. Chic ankle booties.

ALL IN THE DETAILS: Keep It Up Top

There are two instances in life when your style is bound to be a little bit more laid back: if you live in California and during college. Sometimes it’s fun to dress up and wear something fancy but generally you want to throw on a T-shirt, jeans and booties. At least, that’s my go-to outfit. When it comes to more casual outfits, accessories make all of the difference. They don’t have to be bright or colorful, but adding an interesting piece puts the finishing touch on your Cali-chic ensemble.

This Fashionista shows us the perfect example of accessorizing. Her black felt hat adds an extra dimension to her otherwise casual look. She started with a pair of skinny jeans in a fun color. Spring is here so now is a great time to start rocking lighter denim. Then she added a simple black T-shirt over top. Every Fashionista/o should have the perfect black T-shirt in their closet. Over top, this Fashionista threw on a floral kimono to pull in the color of her top and jeans. Kimonos are a great casual layering piece for the spring time. Her brown booties are an easy alternative to sneakers, but they’re just as easy to slip on.

Lastly, she added the perfect accessories to accent her easy look. Her simple gold necklace and black felted hat pull the outfit together. A basic black hat is a wardrobe essential. This Fashionista shows us how to pair it with a girly outfit but it’s just as easily worn with something edgy, bohemian or super chic.

How To: Feeling like your outfit is incomplete? Give a hat a try. Whether you’re wearing denim and sneakers or a pretty dress, a cool black hat will be the perfect finishing touch to your ensemble.

WHAT TO WEAR: Presentation

As a fashion student or fashion lover, you’re often very mindful of what to wear for important events. Sometimes it can be hard to choose the right outfit for a presentation. There is a fine balance between being professional and showing off your unique personal style. Whether it’s an interview, your first day on the job or just a class speech finding the perfect harmony is an art form.

This Fashionista shows us a gorgeous example of that balance. Building off of a neutral palette is a great place to start. First, she has on a basic little black dress. Hers has a great fringe detail that adds a bit of style to an otherwise classic piece. With that she paired a gorgeous pointed-toe pump. In combination with opaque tights, these heels really elongate her legs. For a presentation, take a cue from this Fashionista and wear a nice heel to any presentation. It elevates the look and makes it more professional than a flat would.

On top, this Fashionista wore a black blazer and a warm cashmere coat. When adding some flair to your outfit, a coat like this one makes a big statement. The pastel pink color she’s wearing is definitely on-trend for spring and the oversized silhouette complements her slim dress. In combination with a classic blazer, this Fashionista strikes the perfect harmony of stylish and polished. Lastly, her all-black necklace adds the finishing touch to her outfit.

One Simple Change: Switch the jacket and heels for leather moto and boots. In less than five minutes, you’ll be ready for a girl’s night out.

STYLE GURU STYLE: Minimal Utility

I absolutely love having items in my closet that I can wear time and time again. Steven Alan’s fall 2014 collection was the epitome of that thinking process, full of modern pieces that were functional without all of the added elements or details. It was the type of collection that could fill up your closet with basics so perfect that you would never have to worry about getting dressed again: that’s the type of fashion I love. I try to have as many interchangeable basics as possible. So when I was running late to class one day, I took inspiration from Steven Alan and put together some of my favorite basics for the perfect minimal look.

As with every great outfit, I started with denim. A nice fitting pair of black denim is the best piece to have in your wardrobe. Mine are cropped, skinny jeans that I wear almost daily. Next I added a fuzzy sweater. Although the fuzzy texture isn’t traditional, the silhouette and color make it easy to throw on with anything. Similarly, adding a unique texture breaks up the monochromatic color palette. The pair of light Converse gives the look a sporty feel while being very functional for running around campus. Lastly, I threw on a pair of classic aviator sunglasses to complete the outfit.

Separately, all of these pieces can be boring in their utility. However, I think there’s something nice about pairing them together for a simple yet refined outfit. Taking inspiration from Steven Alan’s collection, it’s a great way to feel cool and yet accessible for everyday wear. With a little work, paring down your closet to these truly functional pieces will make it easier to create outfits and quickly get dressed in the morning when you’re running late.

Get My Look: 1. Skinny black jeans. 2. A minimal sweater. 3. Basic sneakers.

WHAT TO WEAR: Girl’s Night Out

During the winter, all I want to do is cuddle in my bed with some tea and Netflix. I’m sure you can agree. It’s too cold to want to go to class, let alone want to get dressed up and go out with my girlfriends. Luckily for me and my social life, it’s starting to get a bit warmer. When I spotted this Fashionista, I knew she understood how to mix her winter and wardrobe. I decided to take some tips from her when it comes to heading out with the girls this weekend.

This Fashionista started with a great graphic T-shirt. While I do like to get a little dressed up when I go out, this is college so comfort is key. Hers is interesting but also easy to pair with anything. It would also be great under a leather jacket, as the graphic is right on the front. Then she paired it with a standard denim skirt. These are definitely coming back in style. If it’s still a little cold where you live, trade her denim skirt for skinny jeans. My favorite part of this Fashionista’s outfit is her boots. When transitioning from winter to spring, wearing a great ankle bootie is the perfect shoe choice. This Fashionista’s are deep purple, velvet booties which adds a pop of color and some warmth to her night out look.

Follow in the footsteps of this Fashionista and you’ll be equally comfortable and stylish the next time you’re out with the girls.

One Simple Change: Wake up the next morning and want to head to brunch? Swap the skirt for a pair of jeans and throw on an oversized sweater. It’s the perfect transition to comfy and casual for your weekend wear.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: G.I. Jane

On an everyday basis, I generally stick to black and white when it comes to getting dressed. It’s easy and in my opinion it always looks chic. However, one of my favorite things to do is look for fashion inspiration from the people around me. Although I’m reluctant to add color to my own closet, I love seeing how others style it. That’s why I was so excited when I spotted this Fashionista. Her olive military-inspired jacket was bright enough to catch my eye, but it was styled in a subtle and neutral way.

Looking at this Fashionista, I started thinking about the amazing ways you can style a cargo jacket like hers. You can dress it up or down, and style it minimalistic or bohemian. This Fashionista chose to mix masculine and feminine details when styling her olive cargo jacket. Worn with plain skinny jeans, the slightly oversized jacket is the center of attention. With military-inspired pockets and black beading, it makes a statement without being overboard. Underneath, this Fashionista added a few feminine details to soften the look of the jacket. Her fringe cardigan and pashmina scarf give a girly vibe while remaining fairly neutral. Lastly, she paired the look with knee-high riding boots. The brown color really complements the olive of her jacket.

This Fashionista is a great example of how easy it is to add some excitement to your neutral outfits. The subtle bohemian feel of her look is great for class days or the weekend. While you may not feel like wearing fringe or color, take a tip from her outfit and invest in a great cargo jacket. Even me, the girl who wears only black and white, might have to go out an buy one after spotting this Fashionista.

What is your STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: “My style has a good deal of masculine features. I love playing up that side of my style with a little bit of a feminine touch. I like to wear soft colors but I LOVE wearing an army-inspired jacket with some good old fashioned boots.”

STYLE GURU STYLE: Winter Blues

When it comes to fashion, I would rather be timeless than trendy. This is a concept that designer Joseph Altuzarra understands perfectly. For the past five years he has been putting out stylish collections that are amazingly constructed in their detail. This past season was no exception. His fall 2014 collection was rich with cashmere hand-woven tapestries and edited simplicity. Though he wasn’t afraid to use bright color, it was in a chic and timeless way. I loved the bright coats and attention to silhouette. I decided to recreate one of my favorite looks from the collection for this winter ready outfit.

The show stopper for this look is obviously the coat. Altuzarra showed quite a few coats in his collection, ranging from hot pink to a cobalt blue similar to mine. My vintage coat was an amazing thrift store find, but bright coats are really popular in stores this season. I took inspiration from Altuzarra and kept my outfit all-black on the bottom. A pair of everyday black jeans were a comfy addition to the outfit. My black ankle booties, also a daily staple, finished off the look. Similar to how Altuzarra styled his coats, I left the accessories at home and let the coat’s collar be the center of attention. All in all, I love how simple and chic this outfit is without being boring.

During winter it can be easy to fall into the rut of wearing all black, every day. Using Altuzarra as inspiration was a great reminder that bright colors make the cold weather way more fun. A colorful coat can be the piece that turns a boring outfit into a stylishly chic one. Try it the next time you’re feeling the winter blues!

Get My Look: 1. Black skinny jeans. 2. A bright cobalt coat. 3. Everyday ankle booties.

STYLE GURU STYLE: Beaded Beauty

I love taking inspiration from collections that aren’t necessarily my style. The fall 2014 Rochas show was full of leather skirts, layered wool coats and intricate beading. I took a look at one of my favorite jackets, this beaded number, and decided to translate that into something a little bit more college appropriate. Taking a cue from one of my favorite fashion bloggers, Sincerely Jules, I decided to mix fancy with casual for this chic beaded look.

I started with two of my favorite basics: a white T-shirt and boyfriend jeans. I love pairing a T-shirt under a fancy jacket, and this one has interesting details to keep it from being boring. That’s a great tip to keep in mind when dressing for class: use a casual piece to ground a statement piece. Skinny jeans could look great with this jacket as well, but the boyfriend jeans are a more comfortable and class appropriate option. Then I added a fun jacket on top. This navy jacket is fully beaded, but has a great cropped silhouette to keep from overwhelming the look. Lastly, I added a pair of black quilted sneakers. These are super comfortable for walking around campus and add some edge to keep the look casual for campus.

All in all, a beaded jacket is a great, versatile piece to have in your wardrobe. It can be dressed up as easily as it’s dressed down. Don’t be afraid to pair fancier pieces with your jeans and T-shirts for class this semester!

Get My Look: 1. The perfect boyfriend jeans. 2. A white T-shirt. 3. The statement jacket.