Jacqueline Kolgraf – CollegeFashionista

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Go Boho

The boho trend always seems to infiltrate the fashion world in late summer and early fall, and this year is no different. Enter the new line Skaist Taylor, created by Pamela Skaist-Levy and Gela Nash-Taylor, the women behind Juicy Couture. Los Angeles Times fashion blogger Susan Denly says, “[Skaist Taylor] is sophisticated boho, with that gypsy-jetsetter vibe known as gypset.” The clothes are due out in stores later this month, but you can get your hands on them early at Nordstrom's website here. If those price tags make you shudder, I highly recommend checking out Lucky Brand style director Karin Cole's blog, A Lucky Life, for more affordable boho inspiration.

How do you achieve the boho look? Posh&Broke tells us in seven steps: bring on the layers; stick to earthy colors; accessorize, accessorize, accessorize; wear it baggy (not daggy); adopt a muse; be yourself; and finally, natural hair and beauty required!

“Boho-chic style is all about looking fabulous but effortless at the same time,” Posh&Broke says. This article is inspired by popular boho-loving celebrities like Nicole Richie, Miley Cyrus, Vanessa Hudgens, Sienna Miller and the Olsen twins. The Fashionista pictured here nails the boho look by doing exactly what the seven steps suggest. She layers a baggy sweater over a loose tank and voluminous skirt, all in a simple, earthy palette, then adds a chunky necklace and simple flats. Finally, like step seven, she sticks to natural hair and makeup. Fabulous but effortless, indeed!

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Play Dress Up

This summer, Fashionistas everywhere are learning how to dress for success, be it for a job, internship, or interview. It is always tempting to go basic and boring with black slacks and a jacket, but does anyone really want their first impression to be “basic and boring?” No way! This Fashionista shows us that dressing up does not mean dressing dull. Color blocking is all over the runways at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim, happening as I type this in Miami, Florida, but it does not have to be limited to swimwear. The trend is utilized here to achieve a modern yet sophisticated look accented with a metallic jacket and shoe. The structured jacket and skirt keep everything serious, while the teal-and-magenta colors give a more playful vibe. This is exactly how to break away from basic and boring.

Thus, my three biggest tips for dressing up are: break away from the neutrals, wear a heel and keep your hemline appropriate.

Of course Fashionistas want to be taken seriously, but no one should have to hide his or her personality behind dully-colored clothes. Get a tailored jacket, like the Ultimate Double Weave Reverse Notch Jacket from Express, but buy it in orange instead of camel. Pair the jacket with J.Crew's stunning royal violet Emmaleigh dress, and voilà, you have created a fun yet professional look with colors that speak instead of silence.

Now, do not forget a heel! Read Atlantic magazine's über controversial article Why Women Still Can't Have it All, and then tell me if you want to show up to work in ballet flats or a pair of I'm-taking-over-the-world heels. The Fashionista pictured here wears a gold-toed pair of cork wedges with a four-inch heel, so she can feel powerful yet comfortable when walking around Boston.

Finally — and the same goes for the shoes — keep everything appropriate at all times. Make sure the hemline of your dress or skirt does not show too much leg or your top shows too much cleavage. A woman who is dressed for success never needs to bare skin to get to the top.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Go Sleeveless

It's summertime, don’t be afraid to show a little skin, boys! Suzy Menkes, fashion editor of the International Herald Tribune and writing to us straight from the Paris runways for the New York Times, picks up on this trend, too. She says, “The Dior Homme … summer collection had … some of the jackets sleeveless, which is a major trend of the season.” Menkes also spots the sleeveless trend for men on the Maison Martin Margiela and Acne runways.

Despite the obviously missing part, sleeveless shirts can be styled just like their sleeved counterparts, making them an easy trend to pull off. This Fashionista wears an American Apparel fine jersey tank, backwards floral Huf hat and basic black-and-white Converse sneakers.

It's time to take the sleeveless shirts out of the gym and into your everyday lives. G by Guess has a great and affordable selection of men's sleeveless apparel, from tank tops to hoodies. If you want to keep the look sporty and lightweight, check out Nike's Pro Combat Hypercool sleeveless shirt, which can even be customized with NIKEiD.

Girls, this trend is for you, too! Celebrity-Gossip.net recently spotted mini-Kardashian and Fashionista Kylie Jenner out to lunch with her sister in Woodland Hills, California sporting a gorgeous and unique gray sleeveless blouse. Tops like this can be dressed up for work with black slacks or a pencil skirt and just as easily dressed down with a billowy white skirt like Jenner's.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: A Flare for Menswear

I am certain that I’m not the only one who struggles with menswear trends. For me, finding the balance between masculine and feminine always presents a challenge. I want to look cute and classic, not like I accidentally shopped on the wrong side of the store! I found this Fashionista behind the circulation desk at the college library, rocking her Ralph Lauren oxford unbuttoned and carefree. The outfit looked professional enough for her job, but would easily take her through the rest of the day once her shift ended. She paired the oxford with a loose white tank tucked into her military style Banana Republic shorts, like these shown here.

The key to this look, I have come to understand is the effortlessness look. From the rolled sleeves to the I-just-threw-this-on gold necklace and sunglasses, this Fashionista here makes the menswear style seem easy. If the outfit looks like you’ve tried too hard, they missed!

Finally, do not shy away from hot weather leather. Vogue tells us in their spring 2012 Fashion Trends A/Z. Although this Fashionista here carries a Steve Madden satchel, ALDO carries a similar style for the reasonable price of fifty dollars. Ralph Lauren polos and oxfords can run upwards of one hundred dollars, but Forever 21 carries similar style starting at around fifteen bucks. If you're feeling extra dangerous, consider a sheer option like this one here. Just don't forget the bandeau!

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Do the Tangerine Tango

Pantone 17-1463—sounds like a foreign language, right? Well, you're not far off. Pantone is the language of digital color and a way to create a standard between designer, manufacturer and consumer. As a graphic design major I deal with Pantone colors everyday, but recently I have discovered that Pantone has got its colorful grip on the fashion world, too.

Thus comes in Pantone 17-1463, better known as Tangerine Tango! Tangerine Tango is Pantone's Color of the Year for 2012 and today's fashion leaders are taking it straight to the runways. Check out Pantone's very own slideshow here to see how designers like Charlotte Ronson, Elie Tahari and Nanette Lepore are using the spicy orange in their designs.

The Fashionista pictured here used Tangerine Tango in her outfit through a pair of American Eagle colored skinny jeans. To make the color the main focus of her outfit, she wore a simple white tank top and gold sandals tying the color in through a patterned scarf.

Another way to rock Tangerine Tango is through makeup. “A winner in cosmetics because of its versatility, Tangerine Tango is a bit exotic, but in a very friendly non-threatening way,” as Pantone's website describes. Check out how Sephora uses the Color of the Year to create palettes of eye shadow and lip gloss. If you find Tangerine Tango too daring the put on your skin, think about buying a cosmetics bag or brush set in the color.

J. Crew uses the orange hue in a boyish sheer button-down with a nautical pattern of anchors and horseshoes; Jack Wills prefers a muted version in the Yelverton dress, and MICHAEL by Michael Kors goes all out tangerine with this scoop neck top. I dare you to take a risk and do the tangerine tango this summer!

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: A Waist-High Fly

The fact is, not everyone likes to wear itty bitty short shorts. I can't imagine I'm the only one who hates when their thighs and back simultaneously stick to the leather car seat or the desk at school. Having something that is low rise and short at the same time just makes me plain uncomfortable. That is why I am so thankful for the eighties comeback of high-waist shorts. Don't believe me that they're in style today? Just recently Selena Gomez was caught sporting a pair in her new fragrance launch.

A key element of high-waist shorts is their ability to be dressed up, which is ideal if you're working or interning in the Boston area, where the summer temperatures can skyrocket at a moment's notice. Over 81% of People.com users polled love the shorts and blazer combination as seen on Julianne Hough, Olivia Palermo and Tiffani Theissen. At the same time, the girl I found on her way to a summer class rocked her light wash cuffed pair from American Apparel with a simple white lace tank top to keep the look college casual.

“I'm used to going to school from September through May, when it's not nearly as hot,” she told me. “Finding something to wear that's comfortable but cute for June weather was a challenge.”

Not only are they comfortable but cute, these shorts are also surprisingly flattering. “Hitting just above the belly button, these jeans will suck you in and smooth you out,” the American Apparel description tells us. Maybe not with the hair or the music, but the eighties got something right here. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that high-waist bathing suits make a comeback, too.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Romp It Up

The month of June always means one thing, graduation parties! However, the day-to-night events always pose a major fashion issue. What do you wear to a party that could be outdoors and subject to rain, an indoor party with air conditioning or a room filled with grandparents? I found this Fashionista showed me the light, and it could not be simpler. A romper is the perfect choice! She paired her romper with a lightweight blue cardigan, like this one from J. Crew, to take off when the sun was hot and throw back on for the cool summer night. To complete this look, wear a pair of sandals such as this Kailey Flat Sandal from Tory Burch.

Rompers are the perfect graduation party ensemble. Rompers are just as cute as a dress, but without the constant worry of keeping your legs crossed on a folding lawn chair or holding the hem down during a gust of wind. Not to mention they feel about a thousand times more comfortable in 90-degree days than a pair of jean shorts.

My number one favorite thing about rompers is the affordable price. This adorable ruffled navy romper from Target is just over $20, and this tribal print one from Forever21 is only $12.90. With these prices, you can save your money for those adorable Tory Burch sandals.

Style Guru Bio: Jacqueline Kolgraf

Hello! My name is Jacqueline, and I am a rising junior at Stonehill College in Easton, Massachusetts. Not only do I attend college in Easton, but I have also lived there for thirteen years, so I know the area well and the fashions within it. Most of the trends trickle down from Boston–only thirty miles away from Stonehill–with a bit of nautical Cape style twisted in, too. In my own words, the average Stonehill College students’ style mixes urban chic with preppy class.

I study graphic design and photography and would love to apply my education to the fashion world, as a fashion photographer or magazine art director (dreaming big here!). To describe myself as a fashion daredevil or risk taker would be wholly inaccurate; honestly speaking, I am a jeans-and-sweatshirt kind of girl. However, I have a huge imagination and an artistic eye, and I view high fashion runways as more of a gallery in motion. I read fashion magazines more for their beautiful advertisements than anything else, and I treat the September issue of Vogue like a first-edition of “The Great Gatsby.”

My favorite time to dress up, right, and fierce is for jobs and internships. Nothing speaks to me like a sharp-shouldered, perfectly tailored blazer. I like a pop or color or texture underneath it to give the look life, and I pair it with killer slacks and a dizzying heel. I cannot do my best work without dressing like a business mogul millionaire first (still dreaming big!).

For the rest of time, I’m either running around in my American Eagle jeggings and Hunter boots, trying to survive the New England weather, or sporting a Target sundress and leather sandals to show off a new pedicure. I am a real college student on a real college student budget, and I like to dress cute, comfy, chic, and most of all, affordably! I am so excited to be a Summer Style Guru for CollegeFashionista, and I cannot wait to show everyone how to look and feel like a million bucks without spending it.