Jayne Butler – CollegeFashionista

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Scarf Switch-Up

Many scarves can transition into springtime, but once the blazing hot summer months hit, I tend to ditch them. I’ll never ditch my head scarves; they’re a staple for me, but it seems my larger scarves taunt me while hanging in my closet. Many have such gorgeous patterns that I’m dying to incorporate into an outfit.

Luckily, I’ve had some inspiration from some fellow Fashionistas. Large scarves can easily be turned into fun summer tops. Take this Fashionista for instance, she turned her mother’s Eddie Bauer scarf into a lovely tube top. She paired it with a high waisted maxi skirt adorned with a thin leather belt. This daytime look is total perfection. If you’re looking to mimic her look, try a scarf with a floral pattern, like this hydrangea scarf. ModCloth’s A Day’s Work Skirt is a great match and you’re good to go.

Silk is definitely a fabric you should look for when searching for a scarf for this particular purpose. Silk scarves can often be found at resale and vintage stores, but department stores carry many as well. I love the fire inspired pattern by Ted Baker London on this square scarf. While searching online, I found Hermes’ scarf book and immediately thought that this scarf would look great worn as a halter top. Once transformed into a halter, add dark-wash bell bottoms and a pair of platform wedges for a look that can transition from day to night.

There are tons and tons of tutorial blogs and YouTube videos that can help you transform your classic scarf into something more special. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Play around with your scarves; twist and wrap them and see what you come up with! An experimenting Fashionista/o is never disappointed.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Neon Never Fails

It’s undeniable; neon is a hot trend for the summer. It almost seems as if sun-kissed skin and neon clothing go hand in hand. Maybe that’s because designers, such as DiNelia Brazil, featured bright neon swimwear at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Miami 2012. Neon frocks were also spotted at Peter Som at New York Fashion Week, as well as at Nanette Lepore and rag & bone shows for spring/summer 2012.

Summer has just begun for the students at Louisiana State University and I spotted this Fashionista embracing it in her neon inspired look. Neon may be a bold look, but she shows that it can be a very easy look to achieve. If you’re looking for simple neon t-shirts like this Fashionista’s, Victoria Secret has plenty in their PINK collection.

Neon accessories are also an easy way to achieve this high fashion look. Let’s start with a basic black maxi dress. This maxi would be so comfy to travel in and you can add a neon overnight bag to bring the look to a whole new level. For a nighttime look, wear the maxi with these adorable wedges from ModCloth. A touch of neon with black is super chic.

If you want to take on the trend full force, look no further than American Apparel. American Apparel has amazing basics in perfect shades of neon. Their cotton spandex tank dress would be perfect with ModCloth’s wedges and even more perfect for a night out at a club. I am also obsessing over American Apparel’s leather mini skirt. It immediately brings me to Twiggy in the ‘60s. This skirt in fuchsia with Splendid’s T-shirt in sorbet would be a perfect color-blocking look. Neon is everywhere, be fearless and jump right in.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Ditch The Dress

Rompers have become a trend that appears to be here to stay. This look made a come back in 2006 and now can be found not only at major retailers, but from major designers as well. Multiple designers showcased rompers and playsuits on the runway in 2011, such as Max Mara, Sass & Bide, Sonia Rykiel and Elie Saab. Rompers are a versatile look that fun and easy for summer.

This Fashionista’s chambray romper is one that can be easily worn again and again. Chambray and jean rompers are a great base fabric to accessorize. This A.P.C. denim romper could be worn simply with sandals and a designer bag like this Fashionista, or it could be dressed up with playful espadrilles. Another solid romper that I love is J.Crew’s silk hammock romper. This could also be styled as a classic look with pearl tone jewelry and nude wedge sandals.

Rompers in a print can also be extremely fun for the summertime! Cheetah print is pattern that I usually wear only in my accessories, but I’m in love with the Untamed Romper from NASTY GAL. Nicki Minaj recently teamed up with MAC Cosmetics to make VIVA GLAM Nicki lipstick. This tube of bubblegum pink lipstick would look perfect with the cheetah print romper and black platforms. If cheetah print isn’t necessarily your style, lace can make for a subtle, yet beautiful print. Both the Louisa Lace Romper and Kimchi Blue’s Crochet Jumper are chic and breezy for summertime.

But most of all, I love when Fashionistas rock rompers as swim cover-ups. They make for a simple look that’s far more stylish than your average oversized tank or t-shirt. Right now I'm obsessing over this Old School Chevron Romper at Urban Outfitters. It would look perfect with ‘70s inspired shades by the pool. And Urban Outfitters is also carrying a more tropical romper that is perfect for any summer vacation at the beach. Rompers are a great alternative to dresses for the summer and every Fashionista is bound to find one that fits their look

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Wild Wide Leg

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival has provided some much needed fun before finals begin. It also offered a small taste of summer that I was desperately craving. While listening to some awesome bands, I couldn’t help but to people watch and admire the outfits of the Fashionista/os who came out for Jazz Fest. Trust me, there were many. I was experiencing the epitome of outfit-envy. As soon as I walked onto the New Orleans Fairgrounds I was immediately consumed in these two Fashionistas outfits. Both looked comfortable, yet chic.

What caught my eye most were the wide leg pants. I’m obsessed with the nautical print of anchors and stars. Wide leg pants are something I’ve been eyeing for a while now. It’s such a fun alternative to jeans or shorts and they also can be very versatile. This Fashionista wears them to a music festival, but I can also see the pants being worn with pumps and a blazer for an interview or internship.

Designers have been creating wide leg pants with super fun prints and colors in recent seasons. L.A.M.B’s spring 2012 ready-to-wear collection featured cropped wide leg trousers in a classic Gwen Stefani print of black and white. Rebecca Minkoff also featured gorgeous sky blue trousers in her resort 2012 collection.

Printed trousers make for a bold, stand out look. The print on NASTY GAL’s Milan Wide Leg Pants is a chevron in beautiful neutrals. The print is trendy and daring, but the neutrals help make the pants easy to style. Pair them with a basic crop top or t-shirt. Colored trousers also make for a bold look. I’ve fallen in love with these kelly green pants at LuLu*s. These wide leg pants provide a more tailored fit and would be perfect with a skinny gold belt and a crisp white button down. Don’t be afraid of bold colors and prints! Style them well and you’ll be sure to attract the right attention!

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Crochet Chic

I’ve been spotting crochet pieces left and right, so when this Fashionista was heading to the pool in my apartment complex I had to take a picture of her crochet cover up. I’ve been mentioning crochet looks in all my recent posts and it’s about time I dedicate a whole post to this perfect summer look.

Designers such as Alberta Ferretti and Emilio Pucci showed some amazing crochet looks for spring 2012. I also have been gawking over Etro's spring 2012 line that includes some jaw dropping spring/summer looks. As much as I would like to wear these styles right off the runway, my bank account doesn’t quite agree. Luckily fun crochet looks are universally in this season and any Fashionista can rock it on a budget.

A bright crochet crop top would be a great cover up for the beach, as well as this flowy crochet top from Forever 21. Both would look great over a swimsuit with denim shorts. The Forever 21 top would also look amazing for a day out with mint jeans. Another look I’ve spotted out shopping, as well as on numerous Pinterest boards are crochet shorts. Crochet shorts would easily transition from day to night and are super chic!

I also have been spotting lots of crochet accessories, like these lace-up heels at Ruche. If they were in my closet, one of the first things I would pair them with would be '70s inspired jewelry and denim dress. But you could wear these summer heels with literally anything! These heels would be an investment piece for any wardrobe.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Always Eventful

I’m sure I’m not the only Fashionista whose been gawking over fashion photos from Coachella. Celebrities like Emma Watson and Kate Bosworth were dressed perfectly for the music and arts festival in California. Spring and summer bring warm weather and lots of events that Fashionista/os can be shopping for. It’s all about finding the perfect outfit for your specific event.

A few weekends ago, I was invited to a wedding at the LSU Rural Life Museum. The weather was beautiful, which made it that much more fun to get dolled up for the event. As I was walking to the ceremony, I ran into this Fashionista who was perfectly styled for a spring wedding. The best part of her outfit was the back of her royal blue dress. The dress’s open back and tied bow is sexy, but still tasteful. This dress is also extremely versatile and could easily be worn to other events such a graduation. This navy blue dress from ASOS is very similar to the Fashionista’s and could be worn to a spring wedding with DVF wedges and a statement necklace. I also am in love with this midi dress in black for a formal wedding or black tie event.

As I mentioned before, celebrities were looking cool and relaxed at Coachella these past two weekends. Many festivals are quickly approaching and you can easily achieve the same laidback look as the celebrities without a top designer budget. A simple '90s inspired sundress would be perfect for a music festival with short boots and a headscarf. I also love the idea of a crochet dress with a head wrap and strappy sandals. Both these looks can be accessorized with a simple crossbody bag.

Whether it's a wedding, graduation, music festival or even a simple crawfish boil, spring and summer have got Fashionista/os searching for the perfect outfit.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Billy Jean

A firm fashion belief of mine is that denim will never die. Recent seasons have reinforced this belief including shows by Stella McCartney, Derek Lam and Miharayasuhiro. Nothing is more classic than denim. And nothing is more chic than denim from head to toe. This is why I stopped in my tracks when seeing this Fashionisto sporting this effortless ensemble.

As I said in a previous article, a men’s essential is a quality pair of denim jeans. I’m currently obsessing over Naked & Famous Denim. They have their fabric shipped from production companies in Japan who combine old school and new school methods, as well as eliminating any embellishments, such as washes and embroidery. They keep their jeans what they call “raw and real” making them the essential pair of jeans. I love the big john, as well as the power stretch for any guy.

If you want to complete the entire look with head-to-toe denim, I would look into a button-up or a high-quality denim jacket. Light wash denim is a good tone to go with for the spring and summer. I really love the contrasting black buttons on OBEY’s stern overshirt. This overshirt would look cool over any graphic tee. I also like OBEY’s short-sleeved dripps shirt. You can always wear a shirt that’s not denim, but still has the same washed look to achieve this style. Heather blue is the perfect color and this Triple X jersey is totally sick. Throw a denim jacket over the jersey and you’re good to go.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Summer Haze

The recent heat stroke that’s hit Louisiana has all of LSU yearning for summer. How can anyone focus on papers and finals coming up when the sun is shining and there isn’t a cloud in the sky? As I wandered around campus enjoying the weather, I stumbled upon one of my classmates from an art history class I’m taking. This Fashionista is always dressing chic for class and this day she wore an outfit that epitomized the South’s craving for summertime.

I couldn’t help but to fall in love with each aspect of her look. Sundresses are ideal for the gorgeous weather we have and this impressionistic floral print is gorgeous. Not to mention her dress hits right above the knee, which is a great length for class. Spring has sprung and it’s more than easy to find stylish sundresses. I love this Joie Oasis Dress and also this knit sundress from Urban Outfitters. This lace dress from River Island would also be a fun option and it would look perfect with boots like this Fashionista’s. River Island is definitely a website you should check out; it’s become my new obsession. I just bought an aztec swimsuit for only $60 with shipping and it only took 3 days to ship to me!

Okay, I’m getting sidetracked; we can’t forget about her amazing boots. I’m dying over this forest green color! Dark green is such an amazing neutral that is under utilized in my option. Don’t let your boots be forgotten in spring and summer. A short pair of western style boots is a perfect pair to any outfit, whether it be a sundress, jean cut-offs or a maxi skirt.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Mixing It Up

I was sitting in the quad anxious to snap some new pictures; I lost my camera that day and miraculously found it in the foreign language department. I then spotted this daring Fashionista sitting close by and had to celebrate the finding of my camera and most importantly capture her daring look. She paired super trendy patterned skinnies with a fun seersucker dress. Who couldn’t fall in love with a fearless Fashionista? The trend of multi-patterned ensemble brings the term “bold” to a whole new level. It has become a loved look by some of the most fashion forward Fashionista/os.

Many designers have made affordable collections available at department stores. Marni and Versace have made lines for H&M and Missoni for Target. What do all these collections have in common? Bold patterns. High fashion designers have made runway worthy patterns available to you and me, which makes the multi-pattern trend that much easier to achieve! Mixing variations of the same type of pattern would be a good stepping stone for those trying out a the new trend. For instance, try mixing different colors and variations of Missoni’s zigzag pattern. Another look to try would be pairing a patterned maxi with a turbaned of a contrasting pattern. Or you could try an infinity scarf with high-waisted shorts.

Like I mentioned last week, an ensemble consisting of all neutral tones can be super chic. This palette can be used for an easy way to rock the trend, especially black and white. Try a polka dot blouse with a striped blazer. Layered prints in a neutral tone is bold, but keeps the look consistent.

For the more courageous: the bolder the better. Aztec prints are everywhere and this pattern is such a fun print to mix with any existing patterns you have in your closet. You could wear that same Sparkle & Fade blazer with Aztec leggings and you’re destined to stand out.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Simply Neutral

Neons and color blocking may be the trend of the moment, but no Fashionista/o should ever forget the timelessness of a neutral palette. Neutral tones bring an amount of richness and luxury to an outfit that can often be lost with an overuse of color. Because bright colors have become so trendy, Fashionista/os adorned in classic neutrals are the ones sticking out from the crowd. For example, I spotted this Fashionista on her way into a sorority event in the Union Theater. Who couldn’t love a high-low skirt in a warm camel tone? Especially when it’s paired with a black crochet top!

If you’re looking to emulate this Fashionista’s neutral palette look, try cut25’s circle skirt. There is so much versatility in a high-low skirt, especially when the high-low skirt is in a neutral. It look great with a Marc by Marc Jacobs necklace and black tank or paired with a French Connection lace top and Sam Edelman wedges. But if you want to mimic this Fashionista’s look, try Rebecca Taylor’s tile shell top that’s hot off the runway.

Simplicity is key when to achieving a neutral palette look and a combination of light tones is a great look for spring. I am obsessing over these cutout heels from Miista. Keeping a variety of neutral accessories, like these shoes, in your closet is always a good idea. Another recent obsession of mine is this beige dress by MINKPINK. I’m dying to wear it with the cutout heels for a spring event!