Author: Katie Perron

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Bring out your fringe

I rarely see Fashionistas out sporting pieces of clothing with fringe or any type of fringe accessories. When it is worn right, fringe can really pull an outfit together and make a statement.

Today's Fashionista was found wearing a basic grey maxi dress but dressed it up with a studded fringe vest. I loved the way she took a basic piece and dressed it up with such a fun accessory. She also wore a neutral colored purse that didn't take away from the outfit but still added style. Her look was pulled together and simple but looked stylish and trendy.

Fringe accessories have also made their debut into local Fort Collins boutiques. Whether you are looking for a fun fall purse with fringe or a vest or T-shirt, you can find many great items to dress up your wardrobe and add something funky and fun. If you're not ready to jump onto the fringe wagon but want to try a more subtle look, try looking for an accessory with fringe like a wallet or belt. Fringe necklaces have also become popular and are great over a white T-shirt or basic tank. 

Elle magazine came out with an article about the newest 2010 fashion trends and highlight fringe accessories and clothing as an upcoming trend. I definitely hope to be seeing more of this trend during upcoming seasons. 

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Find Your Go-To Item

From time to time, I find myself rushing out the door to run errands or to go to lunch with a friend, and as I leave I quickly glance at the back of my door to see which scarf I can wear for the day. I have started wearing scarves more often as I find myself transitioning from summer to fall when I encounter a chilly morning that is expected to heat up as the day continues.
Today’s Fashionista was found sporting a white summer dress with a rich brown scarf and matching bootie heels. I loved that this look was so simple, but extremely put together at the same time. Her lightweight brown scarf had fringe at the bottom and was perfect for a windy Fort Collins afternoon. Many go-to basics are easy to collect; I found the greatest scarves in an array of colors on the Forever 21 website.

Other lightweight options for hotter summer days can also be easily paired with a sundress or a tank with jeans. I recommend finding a light, silky scarf with a fun pattern for days that you are running out the door and want to grab an extra item to complete your look.
 

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Embrace Your Feminine Side

Summer is now in full swing, and I am seeing a lot of colorful floral prints and patterns in Fort Collins. My favorite types of floral prints are found on sundresses. Today's Fashionista paired a multi-colored flower print sundress with a dark green cross-body bag and a pair of cute leather sandals. This was the perfect outfit to run around outside all day doing errands or shopping while remaining cool and comfortable. The bag she is carrying was the perfect accessory to accent the green petals in her dress. In my opinion, a trendy look doesn't need to match from head to toe, but should pull in numerous colors to maintain that 'thrown together' look that is really popular right now. 

The perfect floral pattern can be displayed in many ways. When a Fashionista pairs a simple knee-length sundress with a flattering waistline, the shape will flatter any type of body. This look can also be easily transformed into a night outfit as well. By pairing your floral patterned dress with a cardigan a couple of shades darker than the darkest color on the dress, and changing those sandals out with a pair of wedges or pumps, you can completely change the vibe of your outfit from day into night.  If you're not the pumps kind of Fashionista, try pairing the dress with a pair of cute flats or fun sandals. 

One of my favorite stores for cute and inexpensive summer clothing is Forever 21. This store always has fun, trendy clothes that can be easily mixed and matched. Not to mention that their basics are usually under $10. Another really great store to find a sundress is Urban Outfitters. They usually have really cool, different types of styles that make a statement. So whether you are wearing a less dramatic floral pattern to run around during the day or a fun bold floral pattern to go out at night, this pattern can be worn in any context.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: More is Better

Now that summer is in full swing and Colorado's temperature is steadily getting warmer and warmer, the weather change must mean one thing… that the Fourth of July is just around the corner! The weather is finally hot enough for your everyday outfits to consist of nothing but sundresses, lightweight tanks, skirts, and plenty of other cool, comfortable summer clothes.
Previous years of fashion advice advise Fashionistas to maintain a simple look by looking in the mirror and taking one accessory or clothing layer off before you begin your day. The latest fashion trend is to look in the mirror, and put one more item on. That's right Fashionistas: layers, layers and more layers!

Today's Fashionista was spotted wearing a casual white tube top dress with studded leather sandals. She accessorized her basic dress with a wrap bracelet and a watch woven in. This year, wrap bracelets by designer Chan Luu have become extremely popular. If you’re looking for something simple, try Chan Luu's Stone Wrap bracelet from Bloomindales. For a trendier look, try Chan Luu’s Five Wrap Leather bracelet, also from Bloomingdales. Each wrap is long enough to wear as a bracelet, necklace, headband, and even looks really cute braided into your hair in a side braid. This Fashionista’s leather cross body bag was from Anthropologie. For a similar cross body bag, you should check out BCBG's Cross Body Satchel. She topped off her look with a studded headband and aviator sunglasses that made her look like she was ready to take on any Fourth of July party.
 

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Dress for the Occasion

Summertime is popular for barbeques, pool days, amazing weather, and best of all… outdoor festivals and concerts! Whether you are going to one of Colorado’s most popular venues such as the Red Rocks Amphitheatre or going to a combination of concerts at the Mile High Music Festival or Country Jam, you will see different attire no matter where you go.
Today’s Fashionista was found sporting a black and white dress with a fringed black scarf and black flats. She accessorized her outfit with a black and patent leather patterned purse that really drew attention. The fact that this Fashionista looked so put together and comfortable made me want to buy her entire outfit!

Dresses with blocked solid colors have become more and more popular this year and can easily be dressed up or dressed down. A comfortable pair of shoes is very important if you are going to a concert or festival where you will be walking around. By adding a pair of black flats like these cute Tory Burch ones from Nordstroms, you can make a dress appear more casual, and you can be comfortable on your feet all day or all night. If you want to brighten up the look with a dress that has blocked colors, try this dress from Bebe.
 

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Add a Splash of Color

A stylish summer outfit can be easily pulled together by adding a bold accessory or print to a piece of clothing. Skirts have always been a summer clothing staple, but high-waisted skirts have become more popular than ever and can be used in a casual or dressy environment.

Today’s Fashionista paired a basic top with a high-waisted pink skirt with a floral pattern. She pulled the outfit together with a bright turquoise bag that complimented both the skirt and the top. To finish off her look, she wore a pair of sandals with thin straps that didn’t compete with the bold skirt or purse. I love this look because it screams summer! This Fashionista looked comfortable and ready to take on the hottest weather in Fort Collins. When looking for a high-waisted skirt to be worn during the day, search for an item with a color or print (or both!). If you are looking for a printed skirt with darker colors, try this skirt from Elizabeth and James that can be found on Shopbop, or a something a little bit more colorful like this Anthropologie skirt.
 

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Dress for Success

With summer quickly approaching, businesses are looking for the perfect candidate for internships and temporary positions. Whether you have joined a corporation or
are interning for a locally owned company, dressing the part is a huge factor when it comes to your interview. I love seeing how diverse jobs
can be in the Fort Collins area and seeing how people dress for the position that they have or are applying for. The look I have found today would be perfect for a fashion position of any type. I have been seeing a lot of hats worn in every context lately and just recently noticed that fedoras can be worn to dress up any look. I love it when you can find the perfect
accessory, and this one seems to fit the bill!

Today’s Fashionista was found in Old Town wearing a flowing off-white vintage top with cropped jeans, flip-flops, and a cross body bag. After further talking with her about her outfit, I found that she works at a boutique in Fort Collins. To copy her look, you can begin by finding the perfect flowing top.You can go with a lacy vintage top or a more classic top to achieve a laid-back casual chic look. Cropped denim has also become popular this year with both boyfriend and tapered styles. If you are wearing a boyfriend cut pant, you can pair them with a pair of sky-high wedges to elongate your body and instantly pull your entire outfit together. If you’re more of a flats type of girl, pairing your cropped jeans with a cute pair of flats or simple flip-flops will also look just as great. To top off the look (literally), today’s Fashionista found the perfect fedora to pull her look together. Finding a fedora with neutral colors will allow you to wear it with a variety of different outfits. So whether you are dressing for an interview or dressing for your first day of work, dressing the part will help you to go the extra mile!

Style Guru Bio: Katie Perron

Hello Fashionistas!

My name is Katie Perron, and I am currently a senior at Colorado State University with a major in public relations and a minor in business. Fashion has always been a big part of my life, and even though I am not studying it, I love fashion in general. The best part about the fashion in Fort Collins is that styles and trends are always changing with the weather. One of my favorite things about the style of Fort Collins is the wide range of styles that are displayed all over the city. With styles ranging from boho chic all the way to classic or even all-American, Fort Collins residents are always sporting their own unique looks.

My personal style can be described as chic and a bit trendy. I work at a clothing boutique in downtown Fort Collins that often influences my style and helps to keep me updated on the newest trends. I have a wide range of favorite designers, but some lines that I have started wearing with the great summer weather include Gypsy ’05, Winter Kate, Haute Hippie, and many more! I am extremely excited to begin reporting campus trends at Colorado State University and hope to inspire Fashionistas with the latest Fort Collins styles.