GabyTabachnik – CollegeFashionista

3 Items to Keep You Comfy and Trendy in Class

Let’s face it: although college provides you with way more freedom than high school in terms of what classes you take and when, you may still end up with the occasional 8 a.m. class. Personally, I find myself wanting to be comfortable in the early hours yet still trendy and put together. Below you’ll find a few pieces of clothing you’ll want in your wardrobe for those pesky early morning classes.

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

1—Basic T-shirt

I live for basics because they’re so easy to dress up or down! You can buy these from virtually any major retailer or boutique and are available from fast-fashion brands like Forever 21 to high-end designers like J Brand.

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

2—Straight leg jeans

Although denim doesn’t sound too comfortable, a pair of straight legs jeans are as good as it gets! These type of jeans are neither too form fitting nor too loose, making them the perfect balance when you want something in between a skinny jean and a wide leg jean. Also, they’re one of fall’s biggest it items, so you’ll want to snag a pair for this season. I’m totally obsessed with Levi’s 501 jeans.

PHOTO: Kelly Rogowski

3—Track pants

Track pants and joggers are everywhere this season. Again, they are comfortable and perfect to slip on before the sun rises. I’ve seen them on celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Gigi Hadid, and also on trendy girls on campus. This pair from Adidas is perfect for when you aren’t in the mood for the same old denim jeans.

What are your favorite clothes to wear to early morning classes? Show us on social media and tag @cfashionista!

3 Trends That Will Have You Choosing Denim Over Leggings

Summer is my favorite time of the year to sport denim—mostly because there are so many options! In the fall and winter, I’m basically limited to boring jeans due to the frigid temperatures up in Michigan. When the warmer months roll around, I get excited to switch things up. From skirts to overalls, you’ll find almost anything made from denim nowadays! Below I’ll share with you three of my favorite denim trends from the summer of 2017.

1—Patchwork Denim Skirts

There’s a denim skirt out there for everyone. Some are clean cut, some are distressed, and some are made of patchwork denim! Patchwork denim truly is a statement piece—it captures the eye, and it makes it easier to put together the rest of your outfit. Because a patchwork jean skirt is already such a showstopper alone, you can pair one with super basic tops such as a basic white T-shirt. One of my favorite looks for the summer is my patchwork skirt paired with a comfy, lived in, holed up top and white sneakers to match.

2—Denim Jumpsuits

I know it sounds kind of ridiculous, but trust me—a denim jumpsuit is a lot more flattering than it sounds! After working at Anthropologie this summer, I’ve been exposed to a lot of jumpsuits, and the denim ones just had to be my favorite! One of the best things about jumpsuits is that they are truly effortless. Just throw on a pair of shoes and you’re good to go! You can also try an off-the-shoulder, denim jumpsuit! With some sneakers, it’s the perfect outfit to run errands, but it’s totally dinner appropriate with a nicer pair of heels or wedges.

3—Denim Tanks

Here’s another out of the box piece—denim tank tops! Yes, they exist. And yes, what better way to match a denim tank top than a pair of jeans. I’m obsessed with embroidery on denim tanks. The embroidery makes it a really special summer staple, and the distressed bottom keeps it current with the raw hem trend that’s totally here to stay.

What are your favorite denim trends of the summer? Be sure to let me know in a comment below! Tag @Cfashionista in your posts!

STYLE ADVICE: Spring Denim Trends

Denim trends are constantly changing and evolving, with this season’s trends possibly being amongst my favorite of them yet. Denim mini skirts are back and better than ever. From clean cut styles to distressed hems, there’s a jean skirt out there for everyone. Those looking for a more professional look can head straight to J. Crew, while those who prefer their denim ripped with a worn in feel can check out Topshop or H&M.

This particular denim dress is an ultra-cool hybrid of a skirt and overalls. There’s a lot going on: you have a patchwork design, a raw hem, and adjustable straps. That means it goes best with any basic essential you already have in your closet, making it easy to master the laid-back, cool girl look. Paired with a simple top underneath, it’s an effortless yet trendy look that’s ready to be worn to a day out shopping our even to brunch with your pals. Best of all, you can wear almost anything under this denim dress—from sweatshirts to tank tops, your imagination is the limit. Or, as Cady famously said in Mean Girls, “The limit does not exist!”

I never like to leave the house without at least a few accessories. This belt has been a staple in my closet for over a year now, but I can’t say I’m tired of it yet. It’s best to match all your accessories; consistency is key. I paired the black belt with a black choker and booties to wrap the look together.

STYLE ADVICE: Layering

In elementary school, I remember layering camis over T-shirts and long sleeve tops. Although the trend quickly faded, I’m excited to see its return in a new, more grown-up way. Lace bralettes paired over basic T-shirts are an easy way to dress up an otherwise simple top. This season, you’ve probably seen this trend lined up in several college fashion stores like Urban Outfitters and Zara. It’s a great way to rock a bralette without being too revealing.

Although the layered look can also be can be transitioned from day to night by swapping jeans for a skirt, I prefer to add some edge with a pair of distressed skinny jeans. I like to mix and match styles: a girly top paired with destroyed denim helps create a balanced look.

This outfit isn’t complete without the right accessories: a choker and a statement belt. This belt is one of my favorite pieces in my closet. It’s interesting and unique without overpowering the outfit. Because of its size, the belt can be worn through belt loops or with a skirt or dress, making it one of the most worn items I own. It gives an edge to an otherwise boring outfit.

The tones of this outfit are the two colors I wear the most: black and white. Although these colors will match basically anything, I prefer to wear them together. Especially with this outfit, the black bralette layered over the white crop top really makes the lace pop and allows you to see the intricate details. As always, black and white isn’t going anywhere. You can wear it all summer long too!

STYLE ADVICE: Black and White

March in Ann Arbor can be a bit unpredictable—some days it’s sunny with a high reaching the mid 60s, and other days it’s snowing with a wind chill in the single digits. When the weather doesn’t quite match either extreme, I pull out one of my staple outfits: boyfriend jeans, a basic black top, and a jacket thrown over to keep warm.

Although boyfriend jeans have been in style for quite some time now, they are not going anywhere. Because of their relaxed fit, they are more comfortable than skinny jeans and can be dressed up or down for several different occasions: paired with a simple T-shirt, they are perfect for a laid-back weekday. Paired with booties and a silky bodysuit they are ready for a dinner date. I like to stick with distressed boyfriend jeans for and edgy look, but you can skip the holes and opt for a more vintage-looking, hipster style with a high waisted pair without rips.

You’ll usually find me sporting neutral colors, among my favorite of them being black and white. The two colors create an eye catching contrast. For those who prefer to throw in some color, denim jeans are your best bet. From light wash to dark, pretty much any shade of denim goes well with black and white. To top of your black and white ensemble, I suggest adding some accessories in, of course, black or white. Belts in particular can really pull your outfit together, and today are available in many different styles. This one from ASOS presents an eclectic look without breaking the bank.

ALL IN THE DETAILS: Keeping it Simple

Gearing up for cold winters doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. It also doesn’t mean you should store away your tank tops quite yet. By layering your summer pieces under a jacket, you can easily create a winter-ready outfit. With the right accessories, basics like this plain white bodysuit are transformed to make a statement.

When wearing basics, it may be tempting to load up on accessories. However, keeping it simple is key to making your outfit stand out. This particular look is inspired by Ashley Glorioso, a stylist known for her signature low cut top and bralette combination. To keep it classy, it’s best to rock your plunging neckline top—or in this case, bodysuit—with a tasteful necklace. The trending necklaces of the season are lariats, which fit perfectly with a low cut top, and look great without breaking the bank. Choose a necklace in a shade that matches the hardware on your jacket and other accessories for the most pulled together look: in this case, the gold lariat coincides with the gold-toned zippers on the velvety jacket. Lastly, any strappy bralette can create dimension to an otherwise boring outfit. For maximum effect, choose a bralette in an eye-popping color.

Another pro to the low-cut-top-with-bralette style is it’s seamless transition from day to night. Swap your comfy Converse for a pair of platform boots for an effortless outfit that’s perfect for a night out. For lazy (and busy!) college students like me, this look is easy to throw on when you have plans later but don’t have time to change, or if you’d rather spend your time watching Netflix—I’m not judging!

STYLE GURU BIO: Gaby Tabachnik

Hey guys! My name is Gaby Tabachnik, and I’m a freshman at the University of Michigan. I’m currently majoring in the very popular field of undecided, but I’m leaning towards a career in technology. I’m known by many to be somewhat of a pessimist, except for my mom, who the other day actually said “Gaby never complains” at our family dinner, to which I laughed at but accepted the compliment. I guess you’ll never know if you weren’t on that five day camping trip I went on at summer camp a couple of years ago. I think someone counted 112 complaints over the five day period. I can’t really say I’m proud of this.

Despite the fact that I kind of hate everything, I don’t hate clothes. Actually, I really like clothes. Too much probably. I’m not exactly sure what got me into fashion, since a passion for fashion was not something I was born with—I wasn’t lucky enough to skip walking-billboard phase of middle school, and flaunted labels across my chest. Another thing I’m not proud of.

Let me try and explain how I got into fashion: one day in high school, I decided I wanted to start a fashion blog. I begged my parents to buy me a DSLR camera and a Photoshop subscription and I got right to it. I marched straight to Barnes & Noble and poured through numerous photography books, created an Instagram handle, and posted my first photo. I stayed committed for about a year. Blogging looks effortless, but there’s a ton of work required behind the scenes. Schoolwork, college apps, and extracurriculars caught up to me.

Even though I stopped blogging, I continued photography. I took senior photos for some friends and planned photo shoots, forcing friends to join me in buggy forests and abandoned barns. Not the most luxurious places, but they made cool backgrounds. Also, the lighting was better there. And as photographers and Instagram-crazed teenagers know, lighting makes the photo.

The fashion industry in itself interests me—how designers borrow designs from each other, the birth of a trend, how fast fashion companies like Zara go from the drawing board to production in just a week. Another aspect of fashion that we tend not to focus on is it’s environmental impact. It’s one of the most polluting industries in the world. I hope to someday participate in reducing fashion’s carbon footprint.

As for my own style, I can’t really say I’m married to one particular look. I don’t rock boho-chic on the daily, or flaunt feminine silhouettes like it’s my job. I wear whatever I’m feeling. One of my favorite items in my closet is my leather jacket, as it’s a staple that goes with almost everything. I’m also a big fan of caps, as they instantly add some edge to any outfit. Another trending item for 2017 is patchwork jeans, which look great in all fits ranging from boyfriend to super skinny.