Eric Hill – CollegeFashionista

How I Styled a Pastel Turtleneck for the Summer

With summer approaching and the weather changing, it can be hard to find something to accommodate the climate. As someone who loves layers and juxtaposition, I thought it would be fun to wear a bright transitional outfit and add some color to my day. I decided to style my outfit around a lightweight pastel yellow turtleneck.

Turtlenecks are always fun and they are great for layering. I knew that in the daytime it would be warm, but as the day declined so would the temperature and I did not want to be a victim of the weather. I decided to think outside of the box and pair my turtleneck with a distressed pair of denim overall shorts. In my opinion, you can never go wrong with denim, and the distressed overalls were edgy enough without being overpowering.

To add an extra pop of color I decided to tie a flannel around my waist. Flannels are classic and also great transitional pieces. This particular pattern had hints of yellow that I feel complemented the turtleneck very well. The primary color scheme was whimsical and really allowed me to stand out from the crowd.

I decided to go very neutral when it came to my shoes. I paired this outfit with a pair of black Dr. Martens and black crew socks. The boots added a hint of grunge which was nice. As far as accessories, I wore pearl bracelets and my signature leather bands, which I think really helped complete the outfit. They were very dainty and minimal, and the pearls and leather were a great way to play with masculine and feminine pieces. The look made me feel great and I really enjoyed the colors. I feel like this outfit was a perfect representation of the day and can be worn from day to night.

It’s always fun to think outside of the box and take the risk. Often times, people avoid certain pieces or colors due to fear, but where’s the fun in that? Be bold, and try something you have been nervous about or wear a color you have been shying away from and just have fun.

Have you rocked an outfit outside of your comfort zone recently? Share with us on social media. Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista!

ALL IN THE DETAILS: Hype About Stripes

With the semester coming to close and final exams only a few weeks away, I have seen a plethora of people on campus. Normally around this time is when I really get to see what the scholars of my university are wearing. People who normally don’t come to campus are strutting from class to class to get their last minute extra credit and going to office hours. As I waited for my shuttle to pick me up at the student apartments this Fashionisto sashayed by me and I knew it was fate. I hadn’t really had anyone catch my eye for awhile and I was patiently waiting for my next muse. With legs longer than a highway and edgy blue highlights, I had finally found what I was looking for.

This Fashionisto explained that he had a meeting with his professor as well as a group presentation and wanted to “look and feel confident” and I think he certainly accomplished his goal. As I have previously stated, I am a big fan of monochromatic looks and this Fashionisto delivered a great look.

He paired a black and white striped satin blouse with some skin tight black pants and black over-the-knee boots. The blouse flowed beautifully and the stripes were like an optical illusion when in motion. Although the top was just black and white, it really added the perfect amount of character to the look. The all-black pants slimmed his frame and hugged his body in all the right places. To complete the look, he added a pair of over-the-knee boots which have been trending for awhile. They gave him length and made his legs appear to go on forever.

He kept accessories very minimal with just a dainty black choker. I loved everything about this look. It was the perfect amount of edgy and even though there was not any bright colors or crazy prints it was very eye-catching. Even down to the blue hair, I feel as if that was an accessory in itself.

This Fashionisto was very bold and decided to break gender rules and step outside of the box. It was an androgynous look and it was done right. Often times people are afraid to break the mold and be different, but this Fashionisto was confident in his style choices and himself and ultimately gave me all the life I needed to go about the rest of my school day.

ALL IN THE DETAILS: Blushing In Pink

Although there have been claims of a so-called winter, here in Texas we are definitely stuck in the summer. Texas is notorious for its weird weather, so it comes to no surprise to me that everyone is still wearing shorts and Birkenstocks around campus. As I was running from the Texas heat I ran across this beauty and loved her look. It’s a simple look but I just loved how subtle her accessories were, and how everything flowed together. She said that she wanted to create a look that was appropriate for the weather but still chic, and I think she was spot on.

This Fashionista paired a blush strappy knee length dress with some lace up sandals and finished it off with gold accessories. She pulled her hair back and wore a dark pink lipstick to accent her dress. I was living for the way she accessorized. She wore a gold boyfriend watch by Michael Kors, a black Tory Burch tote with gold chain detailing, a dainty Texas necklace and vintage cuff and ring. It was so subtle and I really enjoyed that aspect of it. Don’t get me wrong, I love chunky accessories and gaudy chokers but its always nice to see a neutral toned down look in all of its glory. We all know blush and pale pinks have taken over the scene. These rosy hues have been trending for awhile and add some femininity to any look. If you’re like me and want to go for a more edgy look, you could add a black moto jacket, and replace the sandals with a pair of black peep toe booties. If you wanted to push the envelope even more throw a spiked choker on and really spice things up. The options are limitless with an outfit like this and really gives you the opportunity to show your personal style and to get creative with your look.

It just so happens that it’s also February, the month of love and romanticism. Take time this month and honestly everyday to practice self love, as well as showing love and compassion to other people. Its so important now more than ever to be a light and to really practice being positive. Being kind is one of the best traits or accessories you could ever wear. You never know how someone’s feeling or how their day is going, so just being conscious of how you present yourself and the things you say could really make a difference in the long run. Until next time, stay rad Fashionistas/os.

STYLE GURU BIO: Eric Hill

Hello there Fashionistas/os! My name is Eric Hill and I am a communications and political science double major with a focus in public relations at the University of Texas at San Antonio. I am a fashion addict and have been reading publications such as Elle, Vogue and WWD since I was a child. Fashion has shaped who I am and given me a voice I didn’t think I had. It’s an art form and a silent communicator.

I’m so excited to be a part of CollegeFashionista for a second semester. It’s such a great platform and you really feel like you’re a part of a family. From a young age, I have always been obsessed with dressing up and becoming a new character. I have been in musical theatre and dance my whole life and my favorite part has always been the costumes. I really love couture looks and I appreciate out-of-the-box approaches. Everyone has their own personal style and it’s really interesting to see how people put things together and pair certain pieces.

My style, unlike my name, is anything but generic. I love color just as much as I love monochromatic themes. Vintage shops and thrift stores are my favorite places to shop because they always have the most unique pieces. I strive to standout and be unique. Fashion is ever changing and growing just like myself. Everyday isn’t the same and neither is my style. Some might call me a risk taker when it comes to fashion. I live for mixing prints and materials and the juxtaposition of it all. My influences come from the world around me. The best way to describe my style is a mixture of Cher and Dionne from the ’90s cult classic Clueless. For this look I paired a cream faux fur coat with a lace up collared top and a denim jacket. I also wore a pair of black Dr. Martens to make the look a little more edgy.

Grunge looks are my favorite. Black, flannels, and boots are a staple in my closet. It doesn’t matter what season it is. I consider my style to be very androgynous. I dress how I feel, not according to my gender. Adding a feminine touch to masculine looks or vice versa is one of my favorite things to do. I am very free spirited and I take that approach in everything I do especially when it comes to fashion.

I can’t wait to capture some of my favorite looks on campus this spring. I’m really stoked and I hope everyone has a RAD semester!

ALL IN THE DETAILS: Swooning For Stripes

Apparently Texas didn’t get the winter memo because the only thing changing is me once I realize it’s still hot outside. Unfortunately, the layering will have to wait until cooler weather approaches. In the meantime, this Fashionista incorporated her love of music and her flare for style and put together this effortless monochromatic outfit.

Being a Texas native, she’s all too familiar with the bipolar weather. She coupled a multicolored striped skirt with a Jeremiah the Innocent T-shirt and a white pair of low top Converse. To add some flare, she accessorized with a Fossil shoulder bag, tortoise framed Ray-Bans and a gold Kate Spade watch. Everything flowed so well, and the finished look was so refreshing. For those of you not from Texas, there is a well-known mural of singer Daniel Johnston’s Hi, How Are You: The Unfinished Album cover art featuring Jeremiah the Innocent. It’s become an Austin landmark and a staple in every young Texans Instagram. The artwork has since become a T-shirt like the one this Fashionista is wearing as well as other souvenirs like mugs and posters.

This Fashionista kept it very simple and still made a statement without going out of her comfort zone. This outfit is so versatile and perfect for so many occasions. Whether you are running back and forth across campus, going on a date, or even just brunching with friends, the options are limitless! You could even spice it up with a distressed denim jacket or a bold lip to add contrast to the monochrome color scheme. Being a third-year communications major, this Fashionista has a full plate and likes to be stylish in motion. She understands that it’s okay to comfortable and chic and she managed to accomplish just that with this outfit. You can be comfortable and look good doing it.

Sometimes we forget to have fun when it comes to fashion. It’s okay to think outside the box and ignore trends sometimes. Style is something personal and doesn’t depend on anything but you. Have fun and express yourself the way you feel fit.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Black Magic Woman

Black is forever. You can never go wrong with black. It’s a fashion staple that is never going out of style. Monochromatic outfits are my favorite due to how effortless they are. All black is just so sleek and slimming and—most importantly—easy.

This Fashionista was not only super chic but comfortable as well. With a full day of classes and organization fundraising, she wanted to be comfortable and still fashion forward. As she strutted from one class to the next, everything flowed so well; I just had to capture her. She paired a T-shirt dress with some strappy sandals and accessorized with a trendy tattoo choker. The look was very simple and casual, but the all black and the fluid T-shirt dress looked amazing in motion.

Even in this black look, this Fashionista still glowed. This outfit was great for the transition from summer to fall. As the leaves change and the weather gets cooler, short sleeves will disappear, lipsticks will get darker and scarves will be life savers. If you wanted to carry this look into colder weather, you could add a pair of riding boots and some neutral boot socks. A long line knit cardigan and an infinity scarf would also give that extra warmth. You could even add a wide brim hat to up the ante. Have fun with your looks this fall and be bold. As much as I love neutral looks, color is fun too and when executed correctly can really add something special to an outfit. Whatever you do, just be confident and stay RAD.

STYLE GURU BIO: Eric Hill

Hi! My name is Eric Hill and I am a communications and political science double major with a focus in public relations at the University of Texas at San Antonio. I am a fashion addict and have been reading publications such as Elle, Vogue and WWD since I was a child. Fashion has shaped who I am and given me a voice I didn’t think I had. It’s an art form and a silent communicator.

I’m so excited to be a part of CollegeFashionista for a second semester. It’s such a great platform and you really feel like you’re a part of a family. From a young age, I have always been obsessed with dressing up and becoming a new character. I have been in musical theatre and dance my whole life and my favorite part has always been the costumes. I really love couture looks and I appreciate out-of-the-box approaches. Everyone has their own personal style and its really interesting to see how people put things together and pair certain pieces.

Fall is my favorite season, obviously because of the fashion, but also because the leaves change, the Starbucks menu changes and the holidays are right around the corner. I can’t wait to capture some of my favorite looks on campus this semester. I’m really stoked and I hope everyone has a RAD semester!

WHAT TO WEAR: Brunch

Brunch is always the perfect occasion. Sun in your eyes, surrounded by friends and mimosas in hand. Needless to say, it’s a good time. It’s also a great opportunity to display your personal style and stand out. Unfortunately, in this summer heat it may be hard to find the perfect balance between chic and comfortable.

This Fashionista embodied brunch in every form. She executed the off the shoulder look that has been trending for sometime now effortlessly. While her top is printed and has splashes of color throughout, this Fashionista really toned it down by utilizing neutral colors like white and beige. The white skinny jeans adds a brightness to the outfit while still not overpowering the look. The patent nude sandals add texture and sheen without being distracting. She keeps her accessories very minimal sporting a pair of classic cat eye sunglasses, a pair of Kendra Scott earrings and a beige scalloped clutch. Her hair is pulled back in a sleek ponytail and you can see in her eyes that she came to turn heads. The icing on the cake is this beautiful lip color by ColourPop that adds such a beautiful pop of color and really brings out the colors in the top as well. She did a great job of adding something freshness to this classic silhouette and ultimately made it the perfect brunch look.

One Simple Change: If you wanted to take this look from brunch to a night out you could easily swap out the pants for a great pair of shorts to expose your legs while still maintaining a classy look.

ALL IN THE DETAILS: Golden Girl

Sunny days and long nights are the best parts about the summer! With the suns rays beating down on all of us here in Texas, sometimes it’s hard for Fashionistas/os to dress comfortably and still display their personal style. Today I spotted this Fashionista in a fabulous look, and I immediately approached her with my camera ready. She looked comfortable and amazing, and used the sun to her advantage and came out glowing.

Light and airy materials always work well in the summer. By utilizing neutral tones like whites and golds, this Fashionista really highlighted her bronze skin tone and ultimately achieved a minimal bohemian look. She looked very goddess-like. This Fashionista paired a white chiffon maxi dress with all gold accessories including a gold Fossil watch featuring a teal face for a pop of color. She also wore a floral cuff, gold patterned earrings as well as a very minimal necklace. You could tell this Fashionista is all about comfort. She wanted to wear something that really expressed her personal style yet still allowed her to go about her everyday activities like long treks to and from campus. The whole outfit is very detail-oriented and really displays just how much thought this Fashionista put into her ensemble.

How To: When it comes to this outfit, the sky’s the limit. It’s so versatile and minimal that you could really take it and create something totally your own. I love neutral items with a bit of detailing. This crochet maxi dress is a great way to add something extra to this outfit. Another great way to add your own personal flare is a splash of color. These pompom sandals are a great way to do so without over doing it. As far as accessories go, this scalloped straw floppy hat adds character as well as texture to this outfit.

STYLE GURU BIO: Eric Hill

Hello there Fashionistas/os! My name is Eric Hill. I am pretty sure I have the most generic name ever. I am a sophomore double majoring in Public Relations and Political Science at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Words can’t describe how excited I am to be a part of such a #RAD community like CollegeFashionista.

CollegeFashionista has provided me the opportunity to reach an audience and hopefully inspire someone in the process. Since I was a child I have always loved playing dress up. I adore color and accessories as well as the idea that you could literally wake up in the morning and decide what character you wanted to be by just opening your closet. My love of all things art and fashion has made my life anything but ordinary. Fashion is art in motion. You can tell so much about a person by just observing how they put themselves together.

My style unlike my name is anything but generic. I love color just as much as I love monochromatic themes. Vintage shops and thrift stores are my favorite places to shop because they always have the most unique pieces. I strive to standout and be unique. Fashion is ever changing and growing just like myself. Every day isn’t the same and neither is my style. Some might call me a risk taker when it comes to fashion. I live for mixing prints and materials and the juxtaposition of it all. My influences come from the world around me. The best way to describe my style is a mixture of Cher and Dionne from the ’90s cult classic Clueless.

Anything that has to do with art and self expression is something I’m interested in. Whether it be fashion, musical theater, photography, dance, film, etc. CollegeFashionista has provided me such a tremendous platform to compile these things and share them with the world. I’m thrilled to be a Style Guru this summer and share some great people with amazing style!