Christy Wang – CollegeFashionista

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Obsessed With Oxfords

One of my favorite trends that I think works year round is the oxford trend. I love the way designers are bringing back vintage looks yet redesigning them in new ways. This Fashionista shows us a cool vintage way to pair them. I was walking around on campus on Sunday and just had to get a picture of her outfit. Oxfords go great with jeans, skirts and dresses, so you can dress them up or down.

If you're looking for something more daring and noncomformist, try these Steve Madden color-blocked oxfords. The pop of neon adds a lot more fun to the shoe and can do the same for the outfit. To really make your shoes stand out, tone down the rest of your outfit. For the neon pink oxfords, I would opt for a simple black dress or black jeans and a dark colored top.

One of my favorite brands is Bass. They carry a variety of oxford shoes in different colors and prints; I am a huge fan of their Bass Loves Rachel Antonoff collection. These black floral oxfords are lightweight, comfortable and super cute; I know how important it is to have comfortable shoes when simply getting to class requires hiking up hills.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Classic Combo

Hitting midterm season has definitely made an impact on what I wear to class. Typically an early riser, I now find myself sluggishly waking up 30 minutes before class starts. However, I refuse to break out my Cal sweats for class and opt for leggings and a tunic instead, just like this Fashionista did.

This Fashionista kept it simple and understated while still elegant. The pieces of her outfit are plain in themselves but together they create a very classy look. She looks as though she could be heading to brunch or an interview, so I was shocked to hear that she was headed to the library instead. Her loose top and leggings allow her to move around without feeling uncomfortable while studying. The accessories help transform her outfit from casual to elegant.

To replicate this combination, pick out leggings that compliment your body. Make sure that they're not too long and not too thin. Victoria's Secret PINK carries high quality leggings that won't brake your bank. I always recommend having at least one pair of black leggings in your closet if not more. As for the top, any long tunic will suffice. Having a variety of solids in different colors will always come in handy during weeks where you're too tired to get dressed. Victoria's Secret has a large selection of tunics as well, my favorites are the off-the-shoulder and the V-neck. Finish your outfit off with ballet flats or boots and you're ready for class.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Summer Brights During the Fall

Come fall and winter, I find myself lugging out boxes from the back of my closet full of cold-weather clothing items. Most of them are navy, brown, black—not a lot of brights or pastels mixed in there. The dull and dark color scheme is apparent everywhere on campus during cold days (especially because I wouldn't dare wear my red coat). However, this Fashionista manages to incorporate pieces of her summer wardrobe, which allows her to make use of the items she already has while also staying bright during the fall.

When the weather is gloomy and the entire campus seems too depressing to attend class, everyone seems to be wearing grey sweatpants and hoodies, almost blending into the background. Pair your leggings with a long top that reminds you of summer, like this ruby tee, and wear a warm cardigan over that. This dip dye tunic would look amazing with black leggings and a pair of boots, and it would still give off a care-free summer vibe (thanks to the red and pink dip-dye).

If you don't want to seem like you walked out dressed for the wrong season, change up your bag. Replace your brown or black leather satchel with a teal, coral, or yellow one. This red Longchamp bag would go with all of your dark winter outfits and give it more vibrance. The Cambridge Satchel Company's Batchel comes in many fun shades—from neon pink to canary yellow.

Don't let the weather determine your mood or outfit. Just because it's gray and gloomy outside doesn't mean that you have to look the same.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Highly Distressed

For the first time since school started, Berkeley's been experiencing weather in the 80s, which some are loving and others, not so much. This Fashionista is embracing the opportunity and wearing her cute summer outfit that makes us wish we lived somewhere other than the Bay Area so we could wear shorts almost all year long.

High-waisted frayed and distressed denim shorts are something that my friends have been obssessed with all summer. A perk of distressed shorts would be that they are simple to make at home as a fun DIY activity with your friends. They can be dyed, studded, bleached, and more. This blog has a few cool ideas and instructions to try making your own shorts from either an old pair of jeans or shorts.

For those less crafty, PacSun and Free People sell shorts that give off a DIY vibe without requiring any actual cutting, sewing or dying. These lacey denim cut-off shorts from Free People, for instance, would look great paired with a fitted crop-top. If you're not a fan of the high-waisted trend, check out these shorts from PacSun, which give off an edgier and more casual vibe. If you're aiming for the edgy look, try pairing the shorts with a leather moto vest or a studded collar top.

Whether you plan on making them yourself or buying them from a store, these shorts are too cute to not have a pair of.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Sleek and Chic Ankle Pants

One of my favorite timeless pieces is the ankle pant. Ankle pants are very sophisticated and slimming at the same time. There's nothing I hate more than pants that are much too long and bunch up at the ankle, and quite frankly, those pants are unflattering. However, when shopping for ankle pants, make sure they hit right at the ankle and don't flare at the bottom. Ankle pants that flare at the bottom tend to create a frumpy look.

The key to wearing ankle pants is not as much in the pants themselves as it is in the top you pair it with. Ankle pants create a lengthening effect when worn correctly, but if paired with a long top or tunic, they make the person seem stout instead. You want to avoid overbearing the pants with a baggy top or coat as that will create a top-heavy look and make your hips seem larger.

I love the different choices of ankle pants that are always in stores. Michael Kors carries them in different styles and colors. These black straight leg ankle pants are easy to pair. They can be dressed up with a pair of pumps and a simple blouse, or for a more casual look, worn with flats and a T-shirt. If you're looking for an edgier look, try these snake-print ankle pants. With black pumps and a black leather jacket, you may just be the coolest chick on campus. If you're looking for a simple and comfortable look, try on these J Brand pants and Jeffrey Campbell studded slippers. I would love this combination paired with a fitted — or slightly loose — band t-shirt. The outfit gives off a very edgy vibe while still effortless.

Dress them up or down. Either way, they're chic and sleek.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Military Time

I was coming out of a meeting in Dwinelle when I saw this Fashionista. I immediately took notice of how effortleslly cool she looked and that was all thanks to her jacket. One of the trends for fall/winter 2012 that we've seen on the runway is military-inspired jackets.

My favorite thing about military-inspired wear is that there's not just one look that can be created. Some jackets give off an edgier look, while other tops might be more laid back and casual. However, regardless what the style is, these pieces have been tailored to be both flattering and comfortable to wear.

This BCBGMAXAZRIA jacket is similar to the one that this Fashionista is wearing. The gold buttons are a big indicator of military wear. This cropped jacket would look great with just black denim and boots or over a dress. This vintage military cargo jacket looks unbelievably soft and seems like it would be perfect over leggings. I would definitely wear it to the library for a study date or just while I'm lounging about in my dorm. For a jacket that will give your fall wardrobe a stylish edge over everyone else's, consider investing in a jacket similar to this one from Lucky Brand. This jacket is very versatile in that it can be paired with so many different oufits, from jeans to skirts and dresses while still giving it an edgy feeling.

The military trend is one that has been seen for a few years, but it is definitely regaining popularity this season as designers, from Prada to Tommy Hilfiger have been featuring these looks in their collections.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Day to Night

As college students, we've become pros at muti-tasking, running from one work to school, and juggling multiple extracurricular activities back to back. Often times, I've had to bring outfits to switch into because the jeans I wore to school simply weren't appropriate for my internship, and I didn't want to wear an uncomfortable dress or dress pants to class.

However, this Fashionista is doing it right by wearing a look that would go from day to night. The cotton dress with chiffon tiers gives her a very comfortable base that she wouldn't mind sitting in during lectures. It also doesn't reveal any wrinkles that may accumulate during the day. Her blazer pulls together her look to make it more work-appropriate, turning it from a night-on-the-town dress to work attire.

For a look just as effortless and practical as the one that this Fashionista is wearing, I would recommend starting with a comfortable dress or skirt and top combination. Pick a fabric that either doesn't wrinkle or has a layer that will cover any wrinkles that exist. Most cotton, wool and polyester knits don't wrinkle. You want to make sure you pick out a dress you can move freely in and not have to worry about the wind blowing it up. Shift dresses are easy to wear all day because they're not too lose but also not baggy enough to fly around. This BCBGeneration dress is young and fresh while still maintaining a very classic shape. This Suzi Chin dress is bold; however, it still maintains a very work appropriate shape. The brightness of the purple is detracted by the black and because the patterns are large it doesn't look like a summer day dress.

As important as the dress is, what really completes an outfit is the outerwear. My go-to business casual look is the blazer. Banana Republic and Ann Taylor always have blazers in all colors, lengths and styles. Every girl should own either a navy blue, grey or black blazer — or all three. These three colors can be paired with the greatest variety or colors without clashing with them. Wear them with a dress, skirt and blouse, or dress pants and you're ready for your day.

CollegeFashionista X ASOS: University of California Berkeley

As a college student, one of the most important things to accomplish is finding the balance between fashion and practicality. That being said, it's commonly believed that one must be sacrificed in order to achieve the other; that may have been true when womenswear consisted of hoop-skirts and corsets, but this concept is now outdated.

Sure, the first items that come to mind when we think “comfort” may be sweatpants, pajamas, and hoodies, but surely, there are many other things that are just as adequte. I love that for this fall, menswear-inspired apparel is a big trend. I can't wait to put on my warm, big button-down coats (like this one) that are just as delightful as my Cal hoodie. Also, button-down shirts are a favorite of mine–they can add elegance to any outfit and go perfect with jeans, shorts, or even leggings. I adore studying in flowy button-down shirts because they're easy to move in and very comfortable. At the same time, it doesn't seem like I'm about to go to bed. The button-down shirt I'm wearing has a Baroque-inspired print, which is also very big for fall. I love how expensive the shirt looks, which may be largely due to the print–if I didn't know better, I would have guessed it cost at least twice as much as I paid for it.

The shorts I'm wearing look like simple black shorts from afar; however, when you look closely, you can see that there's a print on them. I think black shorts, jeans, and leggings are huge staple items that every girl should have in her closet because it's such an easy color to match, though that doesn't mean these staples must be solid black.

I recently wrote a post about “The Statement Bag”, which I believe this bag to be. It's absolutely the perfect size; it can fit my laptop, notebooks, and even a pair of flats! And, because it's a color block bag, it can go with any outfit because the bag itself has so many. This bag is very functional, as it's straps are long enough for you to use even when you're wearing a winter coats, but if that's still not enough, it also comes with an optional strap.

The main reason I am so fond of this outfit was because of it's ability to transition. For colder days, I would just pair it with black denim; when I'm going out, I would use a scarlet clutch intsead of a bag; when I'm running errands, I'd switch the heels out for flats or boots.

ASOS is an absolutely amazing website for those of us on a college budget but still want to stay true to our fashion forward needs. As for me, I can't wait until fall, so I can wear my coats and boots!

Style Guru Bio: Christy Wang

I’m Christy Wang, and I am beyond excited for my first year at UC Berkeley and my second semester as a Style Guru for CollegeFashionista. I have had a blast bringing you guys Style Advice of the Week reports all summer and will continue to do so for the next few months this fall.

I'm thrilled to live on campus for the first time (and room with people other than my sister for the first time in my life). One of the things I'm looking forward to is seeing how my style changes throughout these four years, even in just this first year, and figuring out where I have adapted a certain look. I'm currently looking for more clothes that are both fashion-forward yet comfortable; I think that's one of the biggest issues Fashionistas struggle with in college given the long lectures, discussions and other activities we all partake in.

I grew up knowing that fashion was what I wanted to do, but I was always too scared to say it out loud or even admit to myself most of the time. Fashion will always be a part of my life no matter which direction I decide to take career-wise; as for now, my dream is to work for the PR or marketing department of a fashion house or as an editor for a fashion magazine. I'm the girl who would watch Gossip Girl mainly to admire the clothes and lived vicariously through Jenny Humphrey and her fashion career on the show. Project Runway is one of my favorite shows as is Jane by Design — I just wish I knew how to use a sewing machine.

This fall, I’m excited to see what everyone's wearing and to start shopping for my winter and spring wardrobe. It is never too early to shop, right?

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Unexpected Leather

When I was a kid, every time my mom wanted to get a new leather jacket or someone wanted something or other with leather, I would always think of Amelia Earhart and the brown leather aviator jacket she would wear in the pictures I saw of her. After being introduced to the aviator leather jacket, I went through a phase where I watched a lot of Veronica Mars and the boys in the bike gang would always wear black leather jackets—motorcycle jackets. It wasn’t until I began to start paying attention to the clothes at stores that I realized that leather doesn’t have to just be a material used to make a shoe or a bag or a plain, all-leather aviator jacket. It could be used to create detail or trim on a coat, a belt, or the straps on a dress to give it an edge.

I think what came as the greatest shock to me was that leather didn’t have to just be black, white, or grey. And that’s what this upcoming fall season is really about. Designers are playing with leather, turning them into pencil skirts, dresses, collars, and loose pants—items we wouldn’t expect to be made with leather. Biker jackets aren’t just black; this Miss Sixty’s jacket comes in pastel pink! What has always been given credit as a tough material has been utilized to create unbelievably chic pieces for this fall’s collection.

And while we’re still in that transitional phase between summer and fall, it’s not too soon to start dusting off your leather jackets and flaunting them with your favorite summer pieces. Miranda Kerr and Heidi Klum have both been spotted pairing leather motorcycle jackets with their maxi dresses. One of my favorite uses of leather is using it as a trim along pockets and buttons; this technique can be spotted on many pieces this fall. For instance, this coat from ASOS is perfect with jeans, leggings, or over a dress. Another favorite is this leather Rebecca Minkoff jacket, which has been dubbed “The Perfect Leather Jacket” by many.

This Fashionista kept it simple. The great thing about her jacket is that it gives the impression of a grey fleece jacket with a leather vest over it when it’s really just one jacket. This allows her to create the look minus the baggage that an actual vest would add.

Don’t worry, if you want the look but stand in opposition to wearing leather, faux leather jackets — such as this one from Urban Outfitters — look and feel just like the real thing.