Author: EllyWoods

5 Things You Need in Your Closet This Season to Do Summer Like a Fashionista

We just passed the longest day of the year and summer is coming to the halfway point. In honor of us moving into the new month of July, I’ve put together five trendy pieces that every Fashionista/o needs for a stylish summer.

1—Overalls. Overalls are not just for farm kids anymore; these denim dungarees are amazing to own because they are versatile enough to fit anyone’s style. While you might not want to wear these when the weather gets too hot to handle, they’re perfect for cooler days or for when the temperatures drop at night. I like to pair mine with a tight crop top to balance out the boyfriend style bottoms.

2—Printed Pants. I am seriously in love with these leopard print pants. They are super high waisted and comfortable enough to be pajamas, but you can easily dress them up and wear them out as well. In the fall, these will be perfect to slip on and wear to class. Plus, they will make you look like you tried harder in the morning than you actually did. I am definitely going to buy a few more pairs in some different prints.

3—Band T-shirt. Band T-shirts always have been and always will be in style. This one was my brother’s that he got at a Black Keys concert we went to a few years back. My advice is to splurge on a band you actually like, instead of just choosing the first Rolling Stones T-shirt you find (unless you’re like, a die-hard Stones fan, in which case this is a super cute one!) It makes it more personal and it can be a conversation starter for someone with the same taste in music.

4—Fun Jacket. In my opinion, everyone needs a party jacket in their closet. A denim jacket is perfect for taking your day outfit into the chilly nighttime. This oversized jacket gives off major throwback vibes and feels fresh out of the ‘80s. I bought this coat at Goodwill and spruced it up by bleaching it in certain spots. If you’re not a person who loves to DIY, try this similar acid wash jacket.

5—Versatile Shoes. Everyone needs a pair of shoes that could easily be dressed up or down. They could be booties, sandals, or some casual heels. I got these Steve Madden booties at Saks Off 5th and they are my new obsession. The heels are low enough that I can walk around in them all day and they don’t make my feet feel like they’re going to fall off, but they’re fancy enough to wear out to a nice dinner. They’ll also be an easy transition into fall, maybe even winter with some socks.

Have you been rocking any of these summer must-haves? Show us on social media and don’t forget to tag @CFashionista.

Monochromatic Makeup: The Runway Look Perfect For Everyday

Anyone who has ever seen someone walk the runway has probably has probably thought who would ever wear that? And where on earth WOULD they wear it? This can be especially true when it comes to the wild makeup looks some models sport. It can be hard to try and take beauty looks from the runway to everyday style. Professional makeup artists often do awesome-yet-impractical looks that you might not want to wear to your eight a.m. lecture. But one look that is super suitable for an everyday look is monochromatic makeup.

All it requires? Matching your eyeshadow to your lipstick. Check out the following tutorial to see how to pull of this look on your own:

  1. To start the look, pick a color scheme.

    I like to do either orange or pink, but any color works. Today I decided to go with an allover orange look. I started  with a full face already done. For me that means foundation, concealer, setting powered, bronzer, and highlighter. I also filled in my eyebrows with a light brown pencil. 

  2. Wet brushing.

    I started with my eyes for this look, beginning by wetting my eyeshadow brush. This allows for a more saturated base color. Eyeshadow palettes are particularly useful for this type of look because the colors usually coordinate already. 

  3. Orange.

    Next, I dipped my brush into a dark orange eyeshadow. I then swiped this shade across my whole eyelid. At this point the shadow was not blended, so the edges were not soft. 

  4. Nudes.

    After the dark orange, I used a small fluffy brush to swipe a light nude shade into my crease. This helped blend out the harsh lines made by the first color. That’s it for eyeshadow! I finished off the eyes with a few coats of Maybelline Great Lash Mascara. 

  5. Next, on to the lips.

    I started with a coral lip crayon, and filled in my whole lip. I like to start by outlining my lips, which makes it easier to color between the lines.

  6. Layering.

    On top of the coral crayon, I layered a classic red lipstick, and blended in order to get a color that better matched my eyeshadow.And…done! I love how simple and versatile this look can be. This time ’round I took it a step further and matched my monochromatic makeup with an orange scarf, however, you can pair this look with whatever outfit feels right. It’s perfect for class, brunch, or a night out! Have you tried taking a runway trend and adapting it for everyday? Show us on social media and tag @CFashionista.

ALL IN THE DETAILS: Get Schooled in Style

Happy summer Fashionista/os! School is just letting out, and even if it’s not yet warm enough to enjoy the beach, I’m still glad to have a break from homework and exams for a few months. However, there is one more lesson to learn this semester, and that is individuality and the importance of being unique when it comes to style choices. As fashion queen Rachel Zoe once said, “Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.” The lesson is as follows: regardless of what is hung in the displays of department stores, or what the most popular magazines say is “in” for the season, you should wear what helps you express yourself the best. For some, that does mean keeping up with the most current trends. For others. it means straying on to a less traveled path.

This Fashionista is doing just that. My favorite thing about this look is the gray T-shirt that allows her to show off her “forever young” tattoo. Tattoos are unique to each person, and I love outfits that let that individuality shine. This outfit is casual paired with ripped skinny jeans and fun maroon sneakers. Sunglasses are another great way to show off your personal style. From heart-shaped to classic round lenses, there are so many options that give off so many different style vibes. This Fashionista went with classic gray Ray-Bans that are neutral enough to go with any outfit. She further accessorized with a few unique chain necklaces, and it looks fantastic.

In the coming months, I am going to try and take more risks when it comes to my own personal style. Summertime is a time to be carefree, comfortable, and unique. So be yourself and let your personal style show!

STYLE ADVICE: All Black Athleisure

When it comes to day-to-day style, comfort is always key. I could put together what I think is the cutest outfit ever, but I won’t make it until noon without changing if it’s uncomfortable. That is why I love the athleisure trend so much. Style stars, like Gigi Hadid, have made it trendy to wear leggings and a crop top to places other than the gym, and I’m here for it. Plus, if you do want to go to the gym at the end of the day, there is no need to go home and change!

Now that temperatures are getting warmer, it is finally time to replace those winter garments with your summer pieces. Don’t throw all your jackets in a plastic bin just yet! A light leather jacket, like the one this Fashionista is wearing, works with any outfit for days when it is sunny out, but the temperature just does not match up. It’s one of those pieces than can be worn with any top or bottom, and it still looks cool. What is even cooler is the way this Fashionista matched her leather jacket to her leather sneakers. The sneakers are a cool update from your normal slip-ons and take her leggings and graphic T-shirt up a notch. And yes, you can still wear an athletic department T-shirt, even if the most athletic thing you do is watch from the sidelines with a bag of roasted peanuts.

Of course, no spring or summer outfit is complete without a pair of statement sunglasses. I’ve started wearing mine on cloudy days just because they make any outfit look 10 times more put together. Plus, they eliminate the need for under eye concealer and cover up the bags I’ve gotten from weeknight Netflix marathons.

Athlesiure is something that can be adapted to fit any season–shorts and a crop top in the summer and leggings and beanies in the winter. It shows that being high fashion doesn’t have to be high maintenance all pf the time. Maybe this year we can hope to see pajama pants, old T-shirts, and bedhead coming down the runway?

WHAT TO WEAR: Library Looks

Midterm season is upon us, which means it is getting harder and harder to find a seat in the library. However, it has been unseasonably warm in Iowa lately, allowing us to study outside, if only until the below-freezing temperatures return. But even if you are stuck inside a library, those aisles of books can become runways. As much as I love a good gray sweatshirt and gray sweatpants combo (which is a lot, I really love a good gray outfit), sometimes it’s fun to switch it up.

This Fashionista is staying warm on her way to the Main Library in a quilted gray bomber jacket. Bomber jackets are classic, comfortable, warm, and can easily be taken from studying to a night out—with the right top underneath. Here, this style aficionado wears a simple, flowy tank top underneath her jacket. Adorable, but still comfortable enough to lounge in the computer lab all day. If she wanted to wear the jacket out at night, it would look great paired with a crop top or even just a lace bralette.

One of the best ways to spice up a simple outfit like this is to add some subtle accessories. This Fashionista goes with little layered necklaces and rings to make a statement. Nothing too flashy to be studying in, but shiny enough to take the outfit from boring to stand-out. Little necklaces and rings give off a minimalist vibe, and the mixing of metals is very on-trend.

Lastly, the look is finished off with a clean pair of white sneakers, perhaps one of the biggest trends for 2017. We get more minimalist vibes from these comfy slip-ons, which can easily be worn anywhere, from class, to the library, to girls’ night out. I have a similar pair of these that I’ve worn so much they are starting to fall apart!

One of my best friends in high school would always dress nice for her finals, and when I asked why, her response was always, “look good, feel good, do good.” Back then, this was confusing to me. I refused to look nice for anything and boycotted jeans on a daily basis. But now I understand it more. Good style can give you confidence, and confidence is one of the most important study tools. So my midterm advice to all the Fashionista/os out there is to wear what makes you feel most confident, whether that be a dress and booties or an oversize hoodie and running shoes.

Best of look on midterms, Fashionista/os!

STYLE GURU STYLE: Combating the Cold

The year 2017 has begun and the temperatures continue to drop. I know some Style Gurus are blessed to live in warmer climates, but here in the Midwest it is not unusual to walk outside and find yourself in single digit weather. That’s why layering is so necessary—you don’t want to be freezing walking to class and overheat when you arrive!

I am a big fan of the lace up trend, especially in sweater form! The sweater that I have on is not too heavy and will be perfect paired with shorts in the warmer months as well. I love the cream color because it looks warm and contrasts the usual all black ensembles I wear.

I threw on my favorite plaid coat over my sweater, which I think is the stand out piece in this outfit. Any kind of statement coat would go great, but I just think the red plaid looks so classic and perfect for winter! The sweater and coat are not too warm by themselves, but paired together they keep me super toasty!

I topped this look off with a black beanie (pun intended), which goes great with pretty much any winter outfit. It keeps my ears from getting painfully cold, and I love how it ties in with the black in my coat and shoes! I think every girl should own one, especially if you live in the tundra like me—beanies look cute on everyone!

Slipping on some tights under my distressed jeans gives this outfit an even edgier vibe, but they also provide more warmth to my exposed knees! These tights are thin, and they fit just fine under my skinny jeans and into my sneakers.

My accessory mantra is usually less is more, but feel free to add whatever pieces you like! I firmly believe a choker goes with pretty much any outfit, but try something else if that’s not your style! The best part about fashion is that you can do whatever you want, there are no rules. Feel free to mix it up however you desire. Stay warm out there, Fashionista/os!

STYLE GURU BIO: Elly Woods

Hey Fashionista/os! My name is Elly Woods, and I am originally from the suburbs of Chicago. I am now a first year student studying journalism and mass communication at the University of Iowa (go Hawks!). I have always loved to write, but ironically the University of Iowa was the only school I applied to with journalism as my intended major. It was mostly because I couldn’t find the “open major” option on the application, but it turned out to be a blessing in the end! The writing school here is fantastic, as well as all the faculty and professors, and I can’t wait to dive deeper into my (hopefully) future career!

Pinterest is one of my biggest sources of inspiration for my style, along with the countless fashion bloggers I keep up with and Style Gurus I follow on Instagram. Although I do like to dress up a lot and show off my style, it is also highly likely you can find me going to class in leggings and a sweatshirt. I’m only human, after all. 

Currently, I am studying in the cornfields. However, based on the amount of black I wear I think I belong on the streets of New York. The black on black combo is always in style and always looks classic. I can not say that I have one specific, defining style though. I like to mix it up—classic preppy one day, edgy the next, and boho the day after that!

As a Fashionista, I feel obligated and excited to stay up to date on the current trends. Currently, I love a pretty slip dress. I love the versatility of the slip dress, especially this floral olive one. It’s perfect for the hot nights when school is just getting started, and it looks even better in the winter when layered under a long sleeve tee or turtleneck! I also adore over the knee boots, which can be worn in fall, winter, and spring! They go great over a pair of skinny jeans and provide warmth for your legs when you are in a short dress or skirt in the cold! I have been searching for a pair that do not fall down and these Steve Madden ones are perfect. I love that these have a low heel too, making them easier to wear around campus all day.

This is my first semester as a Style Guru, and I can’t wait to find some enviable looks around campus! I love the reach that platforms like CollegeFashionista have. They have the power to make an impact on young girls and boys who can really benefit from positive role models and influences. So cheers to a fantastic spring semester!