Author: Kristen Braselton

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Unsuspected Finds

I’m a Midwesterner, born and raised in the Hoosier State so, I know cold weather. For my last CollegeFashionista article of the year, I went out to The Square in downtown Bloomington during the first snowfall of the year where I knew I’d catch some Fashionistas. As a graduating senior at Indiana University, this Fashionista has been through her fair share of blizzards. We chatted about her style choices while I snapped some pictures.

She told me that she had found this perfect long parka jacket a few years back at The North Face on sale off-season and knew it would be worthwhile purchase when she returned to Bloomington. She paired it with a warm pair of leggings, brown ridding boots and a comfortable gray cotton top. She confided in me that she had planned to wear a red blanket scarf that day but had somehow misplaced it, so instead she chose this patterned scarf that just so happened to perfectly match this berry shade of lipstick she wanted to try out.

My style advice to you Fashionistas out there is to always think ahead and don’t be afraid to buy out-of-season. This Fashionista probably wouldn’t have gotten such a great deal on this cold weather jacket during the fall, but because she is constantly on the look out for fashionable pieces, when she spotted it she knew she had to have it. Although she had to wait to wear it in appropriate weather, the purchase was definitely worthwhile in the end. On the other hand, I also urge you to not be afraid to go with the flow and change up your plans! This outfit wouldn’t have matched so well had she had found the red blanket scarf she originally planned to wear that day. The universe told her to wear this patterned version to match her new lipstick and the universe was right!

BEAUTY BAR: Not So Natural

The never ending debate: looking and feeling good in your natural skin without makeup, or going through your whole 30+ minute makeup routine. Here’s a new twist: why not do a little of both?

This Fashionista worked all summer as a lifeguard and has the freckles to prove it. She loves this about her skin and doesn’t always want to cover them up. However, when she has a hot date, she wants to play up her eyes and lips using makeup. This Fashionista has found the perfect balance between natural, and not so natural.

With a bare face, she created a sharp winged liner and a vivacious red lip. Pairing it with a little black dress and heels, she’s ready to conquer the world. By not using cakey foundations and powders, this Fashionista lessens her risk of clogged pores and pimples and has a much quicker clean up time later. She also is allowing her skin’s natural beauty to shine through while still enhancing other important areas of her face.

To recreate this look, all you need is the Kay Von D Tattoo Liner in the shade Trooper, the L’Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Waterproof Mascara in the shade Blackest Black, and the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in the shade Monte Carlo. The Tattoo Liner has a felt tip making it easy to create a line sharp enough to kill a man. The L’Oreal mascara makes it look as if you’re wearing false lashes when you aren’t. The NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams have been said to be possible dupes for the Kylie Jenner Matte Lip Kits (but you didn’t hear that from me).

WHAT TO WEAR: Tailgate

Tailgate season is by far my favorite time of the year. I pay more attention to the introduction of new fall styles than I do to the scoreboard. And if we’re being honest, my number one priority is finding free food. While it is so important to cheer on your school’s sports teams and bond with your classmates, it is equally important to do so fashionably and comfortably.

The key to staying comfortable while tailgating is to dress in layers. That’s exactly what makes this Fashionista’s outfit work for this occasion. A thick pair of leggings is essential for when you are sitting on the cold bleachers at the stadium. The “Hoosier Tailgate” tank is a must-have here and the IU socks tucked into the leggings that peak through the tops of her black ankle boots are perfect for roaming the tailgating fields while showing her school pride (even if we aren’t known for our football team.)

The real star of this ensemble is the ever-versatile red flannel shirt. If it’s cold, she could wear it as a jacket. If it’s warm, she could tie it around her waist. A loose fitting tank top underneath assures that she won’t reveal any pit stains and allows her to cool off when the game gets heated. Adding a knitted scarf or headband to this look would give it an even more fall inspired feeling!

I hope all you Fashionista’s out there can take some inspiration from this simple tailgate look and create something all your own!

ALL IN THE DETAILS: Fall in Love

Fall in the Midwest is such a special time. The leaves are changing, pumpkin spice lattes are back at Starbucks and you can walk to class without sweating your makeup off. We should all follow in this Fashionista’s footsteps by taking full advantage of this before the snow hits in late October and we’re all running around in Patagonia pullovers and duck boots.

At first glance this outfit seems fairly simple, but upon further exploration, the details of this look really pop. Every piece of her outfit has a unique detail: the fringe on the brown booties, the single rips at the knee of the light-wash denim jeans, the eyelet detail of the peek-a-boo shoulder blouse and the gold statement necklace to top it all off. These details truly make this outfit the unique fashion statement that it is.

The open shoulders and exposed knee in this look give it a fun and flirty vibe without being too revealing. The booties and statement necklace make for a dressier appearance while the white bohemian top keeps it comfortable. I caught this Fashionista on her way to an apparel merchandising meeting on campus but it’s easy to imagine her wearing this outfit to go on a first date or to class.

No matter the weather or occasion, staple pieces like ripped jeans and white tops are always a solid move. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, or you actually got a good night’s sleep, try exploring wearing different accessories to spice up your day-to-day look!

STYLE GURU BIO: Kristen Braselton

I don’t know about you, but I’m a very type A person. I love a good to-do list and I swear my life would fall apart without my planner. Well, one thing that sat at the bottom of my to-do list this summer was “clean out closet.” To me, this was a very daunting task (another thing you should know about me is that I am a hoarder of shoes) but after nearly 2 months of procrastinating I finally did it, and got a nice little paycheck from Plato’s Closet after donating!

With my wallet a little fuller, I took a trip to my campus’ Urban Outfitters and the fashion inspiration was endless. Needless to say, I bought a few things, but my favorite piece is this Budweiser T-shirt that I found snooping around the men’s section. I knew I was about to enter my third welcome week at Indiana University and that this shirt would be a great conversation starter at a party. I chose to pair it with a comfortable pair of boyfriend jeans to give this look an even more relaxed “cool girl” vibe.

I personally like this look because it’s unique (I doubt you’d find another girl on campus wearing this shirt) while still being versatile enough to wear to class, a party or a casual dinner with friends. You never know where the night will take you! If you wanted to spice it up a bit, swap out the Vans for a pair of strappy black heels and ditch the flannel for a more sophisticated ensemble.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Middle of the Road

February has brought on some of the coldest days to date here in the Midwest, but a true Fashionista knows that you can’t let temperature get in the way of your style! This Fashionista faced the cold weather with a smile on her face in this unique midi skirt and paired it with a stunning emerald green blouse which she tucked in to accentuate her small waist. The gold detail on the neckline of the blouse added a beautiful touch and she finished the look by throwing on some simple gold flats to match!

What first drew my attention to her was the classy ’60s vibe of the midi skirt that went down to her calves at the perfect length. This unique item was a staple back in the day and I am pleasantly surprised to see it popping up on my Pinterest feed lately. This Fashionista is perfectly on trend as she strives to evoke a more conservative style while still keeping it modern. This skirt has a tufted texture to it, which I adore and I love the contrast with the silky top.

So fellow Fashionsta/os, let’s agree to put the mini skirt away for one weekend out on the town to maybe venture out and try a vintage alternative that would be perfect for any upcoming formal event.

What is your STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK? “I think pairing a simple midi skirt with more stand out accessories, like the sparkly flats, is a perfect way to make a practical piece more flashy and fashionable. Midi skirts are great for dressing up or dressing down, so they can be casual or fancy depending on your taste! They’re especially versatile when transitioning from winter to spring.”

STYLE GURU STYLE: A Masculine Touch

As I was scrolling through Vogue.com, searching for inspiration for this article, I read, “Long hair, glittery makeup, earrings,” and was instantly intrigued. I began looking through the Burberry fall 2016 menswear collection pictures and I knew that these bearded men would become the inspiration for my STYLE GURU STYLE post. The oversized coats, paired with plaid scarfs and brown booties, made me feel like the heart-eyes emoji. I absolutely loved the simplicity of the street styles showcased in this fall’s Burberry collection, and wanted to let it inspire my fashion choices this week as I faced walking to class in five-degree weather.

It may seem a bit odd for a woman to draw inspiration from men’s fashion, especially considering how feminine my style usually is, but I think there is something important here to discuss about gender identification. It is safe to say that those of us in the fashion and entertainment businesses suffered a great loss this month with the passing of David Bowie. (I highly recommend all my viewers watch the music video for his song “Lazarus” if you haven’t already). He challenged what it meant to be masculine, and his iconic style will live on forever. Hearing the news brought about the idea of gender in my mind and how I portray myself to others.

Normally, I would classify my style as fairly contemporary and feminine in nature, but I realized that some of my favorite pieces are truly masculine (like the peacoat and the red checkered flannel pictured above). I think part of what makes fashion so fun is the ability to express yourself, but doing so requires you to understand how you identify. Yes, I identify as a female and I always have. That fact can be seen in my style choices throughout my lifetime, but doesn’t it feel adventurous to throw on that masculine, oversized coat before heading to the nail salon? I chose to pair this graphic T-shirt and flannel combo with comfortable leggings and my warmest boots. I added the oversized jacket and wool scarf to finish off my runway-inspired look.

I think we could all take a few tips from Mr. Bowie and Burberry on how to challenge the norm in our fashion choices. Buy that top hat. Strut in those work boots. Chop your hair off, but, above all else, style on.

Get My Look: 1. Graphic T-shirt. 2. Checkered flannel. 3. Duck boots. 4. Peacoat.

STYLE GURU BIO: Kristen Braselton

When I proclaim, “Born and raised in Bloomington, Indiana!” it leaves most dumbfounded after they learn that I chose to stay home to continue my education at Indiana University. “So, you’re a townie?” Yes, I’m a “townie,” but in my mind, why would I leave the best college city in the Midwest? IU had everything I wanted and was right in my backyard; a match made in heaven. Now, with the addition of the new Media School, my future here is looking as bright as ever.

If you were to ask me two years ago, “What is your style?” I would have given you a blank stare before blurting out, “I like to wear leggings, like a lot.” Since coming to college and being on my own for the first time in my life, though, I’ve began to craft a style that is all mine. Due to my late start in the fashion world, my first inspirations didn’t come from high end fashion designers or well-known international models seen on the runways of New York City, but rather the friendly faces of Los Angeles based YouTubers, such as Lauren Luthringshausen and Claire Marshall.

After becoming an avid viewer of their videos, I yearned to adapt a minimalist look in all aspects of my life. Leonardo da Vinci once said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” I wanted to use that as inspiration in focusing my approach to style. These Fashionistas have a simple, yet edgy, “model off-duty” look that they rock on the daily. After revamping my wardrobe with neutral, loose fitting tops, letting my natural hair down and finding the perfect black booties, I was ready to rock my own.

Becoming a Style Guru for CollegeFashionista was just what I needed to really expand my knowledge of current trends and continue to hone my unique style. My mother told me not to dress to impress, but to dress to express. I can’t wait to see where this opportunity will lead me.