KristenUppercue – CollegeFashionista

5 Fall Athleisure Outfits to Get You Through the Semester

We’re all sad another semester has begun, bringing more stress and even less free time. There is some good news though, chunky sweater season is almost here! Fall fashion is one of my favorites; however, sometimes it takes too much energy to put effort into an outfit while going to class. The athleisure trend, seen on models Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner, is a lifesaver. Athleisure is a broad term that refers to any type of athletic wear worn in normal settings, such as work or class. There are many ways to be fit and fab, which include wearing items such as track pants all the way to tanks. Here are five pieces you need in your closet to dress down while still being trendy.

1—Distressed graphic shirt

When you see distressed clothing, you might think back to all of the things your mom said when you asked for your first pair of distressed jeans. However, these edgy and worn-in clothes aren’t leaving the fashion scene anytime soon. The best type of distressed is DIY so go get a large T-shirt or sweatshirt and start cutting.

Outfit Idea: Make your look a little bit edgier by pairing a distressed sweatshirt with a choker and biker shorts for those warmer fall days.

PHOTO: Julia Michael

2—Sports bra

Sports bras are an easy way to style a look and can be worn under a cut out T-shirt or jacket. They’re a better alternative to wearing a real bra and come in different designs and colors, so they are the perfect addition to any look.

Outfit Idea: Pair your favorite sports bra with a zip-up jacket, leggings, sneakers, and your favorite sunglasses.

PHOTO: Katie Yang

3—Denim jacket

The best athleisure look includes one non-athletic wear item. My go-to is a denim jacket because they are casual and comfortable. They also add a vintage vibe to your look. Distressed denim jackets will also add even more brownie points with the fit fall fashion community.

Outfit Idea: Pair a denim jacket with a light sweatshirt and leggings to create the perfect fall look.

PHOTO: Ali Bell

4—Track pants

People have been wearing track pants on runways and throughout offices because the item has been in style for a few seasons now. They are a cute and comfy option for those wanting to dress up their sporty look. You can wear normal track pants or get a tailored pair to spice up your business casual work outfit.

Outfit Idea: Track pants fashioned with a solid T-shirt and jacket.

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

5—Sneakers, sneakers, sneakers

The best item to top off any athleisure outfit is sneakers. No matter where your brand preferences lie, every company is stepping up their sneaker game. Go shopping and find the pair that best expresses your style! Everyone knows an outfit isn’t complete until you find the right shoes.

Outfit Idea: You can pair sneakers with your favorite leggings and an oversized T-shirt.

PHOTO: Kelly Rogowski

How do you wear athleisure? Show us on social media. Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista!

Denim Outfits Inspired by Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake

Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake had one of the most iconic couple looks of the early 2000’s. Now that denim-on-denim is back in style, it’s easy to be inspired by TimberBrit’s double denim ensembles worn at the 2001 American Music Awards. Justin and Britney weren’t the only pop stars to pull off the look. In 2014, Katy Perry joined her then rapper boyfriend, Riff Raff, to wear similar yet even more extra outfits to the VMAs.

If you don’t want to wear denim from head to toe, there are many adaptations you and your partner can use. Create the look as extreme or subdued as each person’s styles reflect. My boyfriend and I created a very subtle look for our Sunday outings.

His Look

Travis decided to stay simple by wearing a gray-blue denim shirt. He dressed the look up by pairing light khakis and dark brown accessories.

Alternative look: Another way to pull off the trend could be to pair a denim shirt with black denim jeans. A light acid wash denim jacket with distressed jeans and a T-shirt would also be stylish.

Her Look

I threw on my favorite pair of distressed jeans to keep the overall look casual and paired it with a black bodysuit and tan trench coat. I pulled my hair back with a denim hair scrunchie. To finish off the look, I wore these adorable pair of denim heels.

Alternative look: To wear even more denim, you could pair the heels with a denim dress. If heels aren’t your thing, you could pair denim sandals and shirt with jean shorts.

What do you think of mix and matching denim shades? Let us know in the comments below.

Essential Oils for Beginners

If you’ve been paying attention to urban trends at all, you’ve probably noticed the increasing use of essential oils. If you want to add the oils to your beauty routine but have no clue where to begin, don’t worry—I did the research for you. You can find starter packs just about everywhere online and the botanicals are commonly used through aromatic, dietary, and topical means. Essential oils are taken from plants and are used to aide in everything from weight management to headache relief.

I tried lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus oils and found them to be a great addition to my everyday routine. Those pesky summer allergies have disappeared, my skin looks better, and my sleep scheduled has improved. So, get yourself a few of these amazing oils!

1—Lavender:

Lavender essential oil is one of the most popular ones out there and it’s easy to see why! The oil helps with pain when massaged with olive oil. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious, the lavender oil will help you de-stress when used aromatically (a must-have this fall semester!). It also works as a natural bug repellent, which is perfect for those long summer days.

2—Eucalyptus:

Eucalyptus oil helps with allergies, which will be the perfect addition to your routine this upcoming allergy and flu season. The oil is also a good odor remover. All of the chlorine, salt water, and days spent in the sun harm your hair. Eucalyptus oil can reverse the harmful effects and keep your hair healthy when digested with water, juice, or many other drinks.

3—Peppermint:

Peppermint was my favorite of the three oils I tried. Like the lavender oil, peppermint also relieves pain when massaged in. For those long days when you don’t have time for caffeine, peppermint helps boost energy and improve focus. Just add a few drops to a glass of water or take it in a vitamin capsule. If you find yourself without mints, peppermint oil also offers relief from bad breath. Similar to eucalyptus oil, peppermint relieves many allergy symptoms.

Lately, I have been getting bad sinus headaches and normal over-the-counter medicine never seems to get rid of them. I waft the peppermint oil below my nose and take deep yoga breaths to breathe it in. Within minutes, my headache would disappear! If you’re trying that new bikini body diet, peppermint essential oil helps reduce hunger cravings as well. Just add a few drops of the oil to a cup of water multiple times a day.

What oils are your favorites? Let me know in the comments below!

Get the Job by Doing These 5 Things

Whether you have just graduated, are looking for some part-time work, or the company you’re obsessed with is finally hiring, finding a job can be stressful. From creating résumés to buying an outfit that is professional yet chic, there are countless things to be done before even walking through the door of your potential employer’s office. No need to stress here, though! These five tips are surefire ways to go from ‘hire me’ to ‘hired.’

Step1—Buy a New Outfit

If you’re looking for an excuse to go shopping, here it is! Keep up with the latest trends by getting a solid blouse, striped pants, and cute heels—or flats if heels aren’t your thing. Top off the look with a cute résumé folder!

Step 2—Create the Perfect Résumé

The first step to creating the perfect resume is to find a pre-made template. This will make the design and layout process much simpler and a lot faster. Those templates can give you endless options but make sure you keep it simple. Use colors and patterns in a subtle way. If your potential employer does not like the design of your résumé, he or she may throw it out before even reading it. You also want to make sure all the important information is near the top, so put your experience first after contact details. Last, remember to edit, edit, and edit again!

Step 3—Simple, Elegant Makeup

Tone down the contour and eyeliner. Each person has his or her own style, so keep yours while also being simple. You want to look fresh and awake without distracting the interviewer with yellow eyeliner and black lipstick. Once you get the job, you’ll have everyday to try out the latest bold trends.

Step 4—Clean-up Social Media

Your social media accounts should always represent your personality but in a professional way. Chances are, if a grandparent wouldn’t appreciate the post, your boss might not either. So, get rid of those iffy posts, Google yourself to see what comes up, and do all that you can to make sure your future employer likes everything he or she sees about you online.

Step 5—Practice!

Typical interview questions can be found anywhere online. So, sit down over a cup of coffee with a friend and rehearse your answers.

What are your pre-interview habits? Let me know in the comments below!