Danielle Neuburg – CollegeFashionista

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: When The Wild Calls

We’ve seen leopard print pop up everywhere from high fashion to street fashion. Fashionistas are finding anything they can that’s covered in leopard print, whether it’s a pair of heels or a faux fur jacket. We just can’t get enough of it. It’s the perfect way to show off your wild side while still keeping your look chic and stylish.

When wearing leopard print as one of the main pieces of your outfit, be sure to wear it with a solid color to balance out your look. For example, if you’re wearing a leopard print top, choose a solid pair of pants. They don’t necessarily have to be jeans or a pair of black pants. If you want to spice up your outfit even more, try pairing your printed top with colored pants. I’m personally a big fan of incorporating bright colored accents into any leopard print ensemble. This week’s Fashionista is a perfect example of how to incorporate this fun print into your look.

I found this Fashionista at a men’s basketball game while she was interning for the Sports Marketing Department at Virginia Tech. She’s wearing a leopard print, high-waisted pencil skirt, black tights and a solid black top. She adds some color to her ensemble with a maroon cardigan. To finish off the outfit, she wears leather pointed-toe heels. This ensemble is a great for any time you have to dress in casual business wear.

If wearing leopard print clothing seems overwhelming, try accessorizing with leopard print. Wear a leopard print clutch or a pair of leopard print heels to show off your wild side. For more tips on wearing leopard print, check out this post by a Style Guru at the Univeristy of Mississippi.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: A Twist On A Holiday Classic

What would the holidays be without the holiday sweaters? Whether you’re going to a tacky sweater party or a regular holiday party, we see a variety of holiday sweaters throughout the season. The question is, how do you style a holiday sweater so you don’t end up looking like a holiday-crazed grandma?

This week’s CollegeFashionista does great job of incorporating some holiday cheer into her ensemble. She uses layers to give her outfit a casual vibe. She wears a chambray button-up under her holiday sweater. She gives her outfit a pop of color by wearing a red quilted vest from J.Crew over her sweater. On bottom, she wears black leggings and tall black boots. She accessorizes with a clear-jeweled statement necklace and earrings. This look could easily be achieved for a casual holiday get together.

No matter the occasion for your holiday sweater, tacky or not, there’s always a way to make it look fashionable. Give your sweater a rock-and-roll vibe by pairing it with a leather jacket and black skinny jeans. Dress it up by wearing it with a skirt, tights and high heels. Fashionistas could also put a twist on the infamous shiny holiday outfit by wearing the sweater with metallic pants. If that look is too bold, try incorporating metallic accessories into your ensemble. Michael Kors has a great selection of metallic heels and high tops to choose from.

For more tips on styling your holiday sweater check out this post from a Style Guru at Florida State University.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Cute and Cozy

The peacoat has been a staple in outerwear ever since they were issued to sailors in the 20th century. However, in recent years, the peacoat has been transformed into a stylish coat while still keeping elements of the original coat intact. This classic jacket can be worn by both men and women and comes in a great variety of colors and styles.

A great feature of the peacoat is that it can be worn with just about anything. From jeans to a dress and tights, this versatile coat is the perfect match to make a stylish statement. Check out this week’s CollegeFashionista, for example. She’s wearing casual jeans and a grey scoopneck shirt under her peacoat. Over her ensemble, she wears a black, double-breasted peacoat with ruffle detailing that starts near the collar and extends down to the waistline of the coat. This embellishment gives her coat a unique twist. When you see so many peacoats being paraded around campus it’s always nice to see one that has a little personality. This Fashionista also gives her outfit a little country flair by wearing cowboy boots.

For those of you who don’t want to lose your personal style while rocking this popular trend, here are a few tips on how to let your style shine through. For a preppy look, try pairing your coat with striped rugby sweater, leggings and a pair of tall boots. To look more sophisticated, pair your pea coat with a faux fur scarf. If you consider yourself more of a hipster, you can never go wrong with dark skinny jeans and a pair of Vans.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Winterize Your Wardrobe

It’s getting colder and colder as we approach winter but that doesn’t have to mean putting away your dresses until spring. You can winterize the dresses in your closet by just adding a few key pieces. After reading this post, you’ll be able to look chic and feminine while staying warm this winter!

One of the easiest ways to add a warm layer is by wearing tights or leggings. Black tights are commonly worn with dresses throughout the season so don’t hesitate to throw on a pair when you’re heading out into the chilly air. If you want to try something different, look for tights with a pattern or design woven into them. Another way to make your dress appropriate for the cold is to add a layer over your dress. Most CollegeFashionistas probably have a blazer or cardigan that could easily be incorporated into their look plus it’s nice to have a layer that can easily be taken off if you get too hot in the classroom. Just look at how this week’s Fashionista wore her dress with navy opaque tights and a matching blazer. It’s a perfect example of how to style your dress for a cold day on campus.

You could also try wearing a sweater over your dress. This will transform your outfit and give the illusion that you’re actually wearing a skirt. It’s a great trick for Fashionistas who have a limited wardrobe (especially in the tiny dorm closets) and want to get the most out of their wardrobe. As always, accessories are very important. Sport a scarf to give off a wintery vibe. Scarves are great for adding a pop of color if your outfit is primarily darker colors. Since they come in all different styles, colors and textures, you have an endless variety to try to incorporate with your dress. To finish off the ensemble, pair your dress with tall boots and a knit hat for extra warmth!

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Bold Blazers

Blazers were once only seen in the office and were not meant to be a trendy, stylish jacket but oh how times have changed! The boyfriend blazer is a major trend, especially during the colder months. It’s perfect for dressing up a casual look or to throw on top of a dress when you get cold.

This business suit staple now comes in a variety of styles, cuts and colors, which gives CollegeFashionistas a chance to find the one that works best for them. Just look at how this Fashionista used her blazer in order to dress up her causal look. She’s wearing dark jeans with a bright pink top, all from Express. Over her top she has a camel colored blazer along with gold metallic toed flats. She tops off her ensemble with a statement necklace that brings it all together.

If you want to try something a little bolder than just a solid colored blazer, try wearing a printed blazer. There are many different prints to chose from, ranging from floral to animal print. They’re a great way to liven up your winter wardrobe. In order to keep the blazer the main focal point of your outfit, wear a solid, neutral colored top underneath. Fitted or loose, both are great for layering. You have a huge selection when it comes to choosing a bottom to wear with your blazer. For a fall look, try wearing your printed blazer with black leggings and a cute pair of heels. For a more casual look, wear your blazer with a pair of skinny jeans like this week’s CollegeFashionista. To give this look some feminine flair, keep your blazer unbuttoned over a solid dress and pair it with a statement necklace.

For more advice on how to style your blazer, check out this Clemson University Style Guru’s post!

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Faux Fur Frenzy

Don’t want to pull out your winter coat yet? Avoid making the leap by wearing a fur vest! This season’s racks are stocked with budget friendly options (perfect for CollegeFashionistas) and are available in a vast array of colors and textures. We’ve seen this trend on the runway and worn by the most fashionable celebrities and now it’s time to try it for yourself!

Some of you may still be skeptical of this furry trend but it’s more popular than ever this season and is definitely worth trying. For you still hesitant to try a faux fur vest, show your animal instinct by going for a fur-collared coat. For those of you who can’t wait to show your wild side, try a vest with a bold print. You don’t want to go overboard when wearing this furry trend so try to stick with a solid color top and simple jewelry. The key to this trend is proportion. Since a furry vest tends to be on the bulky side, make sure to keep your bottoms slim. Wear skinny jeans, leggings or a fitted dress with tights to keep your proportions in check just as this week’s CollegeFashionista did. Another way to tone down the bulkiness of your vest is by belting it. I’d try this with a wide belt so the accessory doesn’t get lost in all the fur. To finish your outfit, wear a cute pair of tall boots. This will give you a stylish yet casual look for class.

For more advice on how to incorporate a faux fur vest into your wardrobe, check out this video by FabSugar.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Loving The Highs And Lows

Don’t put your warm weather clothes away just yet, Virginia Tech Fashionistas! It looks like Blacksburg still has a few warm days left before the cold takes over. This week’s Fashionista took full advantage of the beautiful weather and put on a simple and chic high-low dress. She accessorizes it with a thin leather belt and matching wedges.

This dress not only has a unique hemline, but is also a very versatile piece. For a casual outing, wear your dress with a cute pair of flats and a cross-body bag. You can also dress it up by matching the high-low dress with a pair of heels and a unique clutch. If you love wearing belts, this dress is perfect for you. Cinch in your waist with a belt to show off your feminine silhouette. Skinny or wide, you can’t go wrong with pairing either with this dress!

Although we’ve gotten lucky with this warm weather, what’s to stop a CollegeFashionista from wearing this look during the colder months? Warm up your high-low dress by layering. Try wearing a cropped sweater or a warm cardigan over your dress. Throw on tights or leggings underneath your dress to keep warm. Accessorize with scarves, jewelry and knit hats for this fall look. If you’re not sure of what to wear on your feet, slip on a pair of boots, flats, heels…just about anything will work with this dress! Just be sure to keep your look consistent. If you’re going for a nighttime look, I wouldn’t recommend wearing flat boots. For more styling tips, check out this post by a Style Guru from Oregon State University.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Infatuated With Flannel

What screams fall louder than flannel does? Nothing! Flannel is the perfect addition to any fall wardrobe. It’s so versatile and comes in such a wide variety of colors that I don’t know how anyone could stay away from such a comfy trend.

What I love the most about this tartan trend is that you can find it just about anywhere. I’ve seen it in stores such as Forever 21, Urban Outfitters and Nordstrom, but this is a trend that doesn’t even have to hurt your wallet. You can find some of the best flannel shirts at thrift stores! I’ve been to a few of the ones we have here in Blacksburg and have walked out with some great new pieces. Just like they say, another man’s trash is another man’s treasure! You can even spruce up your thrift shop finds by adding studs or other embellishments to it. In the end, you’ll have a unique, trendy flannel that people haven’t seen before.

Once you’ve found (or have updated) your perfect flannel, it’s time to style it. A flannel can easily be dressed up or down. It’s all a matter of how you want to wear it. If you’re going for a casual look, you can wear your flannel with a pair of leggings and boots just as this CollegeFashionista has done. As you can see, she keeps her look pretty simple and accessorized with a black Pashmina scarf. Another look you can try is layering your flannel over a loose top and pairing it with skinny jeans or leggings and heels. For more tips on how to style a flannel shirt, check out this University of Missouri-Columbia Style Guru’s post!

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: The Little Black Dress

It all started in the 1920s when Coco Chanel introduced the world to the “little black dress”. Since it’s inception, it has become the epitome of chic. It is a staple that every CollegeFashionista should have in her closet. The LBD is not only simple and sexy, but it’s also very flattering.

Throughout the years, there have been many variations of the LBD and everyone wants the perfect one. This week’s Fashionista pulls off her LBD flawlessly. She keeps her look classic, only accessorizing with large rhinestone earrings. She’s wearing a strapless, black dress with a peplum and sequin bow around the waist. The addition of the peplum makes the look fun and flirty while still obtaining the sophisticated look of the LBD. She pairs her dress with cute black heels to complete the look.

There are many different ways to make your LBD stand out from the rest. Here are a few tips on how to do just that! Add a pop of color to your outfit by wearing a vibrant pair of heels. If you want to show off your LBD on a casual lunch date, wear it under a chunky sweater and a wide belt. Sport a belt with your LBD or put on a big statement necklace to add interest to your outfit. Also, don’t be afraid to accessorize with pieces that sparkle! I just love when I see a LBD paired with a sparkly clutch and earrings.

The little black dress is an essential part of fashion and like Karl Lagerfeld once said, “One is never over-dressed or underdressed with a little black dress.”

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Back To The Basics

Lately, a lot of trends have put a twist on a button-up shirt by making it sheer, oversized or tying it up. But let’s not forget about the top that started it all: the original button-up. It can make your outfit look clean and crisp whether you are going for a casual look or an even a more formal one.

I found this Fashionista as she was leaving class after presenting a speech for her class. She’s wearing a Ralph Lauren button-up with the sleeves rolled up and an orange skirt. What first caught my eye was the color of her skirt. The contrast between the bright orange and the white really grabbed my attention. She finished the outfit off with cowboy boots and bangles.

There are many different ways to wear a collared button-up. A great way to wear this trend casually is with skinny jeans and a cardigan. You can either keep the cardigan buttoned or unbuttoned and then cinch in the waist with a skinny belt. Throw on a pair of flats and accessorize with pearl earrings and a dainty chain necklace for a cute, preppy look. Another great outfit for class is jeans or leggings with a button-up and riding boots. It’s very simple but is still put-together and stylish. To dress up your button-up, tuck it into a pair of cropped pants and add a stylish blazer for a great look for an interview. When finding the perfect button-up for you, don’t be afraid to try bold colors and different patterns! For more tips on how to wear a collared shirt, check out this Style Guru’s post from Virginia Commonwealth University.