Author: Lauren Acampora

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Military Time

The military jacket has been a fashion staple for generations, so it comes as no surprise that it has re-emerged once again as a popular choice of outerwear for the fall of 2011. Many notable fashion powerhouses, including Versace, Moschino, and Burberry Porsum sent their interpretations of the iconic jacket down the runway as an integral part of their fall collections. However, despite its success on the runway, sporting a military jacket on campus can be a tricky feat.

It’s important to make the military jacket your own, incorporating it fluidly into your pre-existing personal style. If you match the jacket with other similarly colored and structured pieces, you’ll find yourself walking down Campus Drive in an over-the-top uniform. By countering the tailoring of her navy wool military jacket with a floral, feminine scarf, this Fashionista softens her overall look, making it much more street-friendly. Pairing her jacket with grey leggings also helps give her look a cozy, class-friendly vibe. Best of all, however, are the shoes that this Fashionista accessorizes with. Instead of caving in to the urge to wear Uggs now that it’s finally gotten cold out, she opts for lace-up booties with adorable leather detailing. 

Luckily, the hunt for the perfect military jacket is not a particularly difficult one. Many designers, such as Balmain and Alexander McQueen, have mastered the execution of the military jacket, and their creations are available for purchase on Net-a-Porter. Unfortunately, for the typical college student, Net-a-Porter’s price range is hardly ideal.  To recreate the military look for a more reasonable price, look to jackets by J. Crew, Free People, and Steve Madden. These double-breasted jackets are perfect for adding a little embellishment to an otherwise routine outfit.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Fur Elise

Fur has been in style since, well – furever! This season is no different, with fur making appearances in a number of fall collections, from the full coats consistently found at J. Mendel and Oscar de la Renta to the jackets accented with fur sleeves at Carolina Herrerra and Derek Lam. The best use of fur, however, goes to the fur vests presented by the likes of Tory Burch and Diane Von Furstenberg. 

Not into animal cruelty? Not all designers are, either! Case in point: this Fashionista channels inspirational runway looks from fall 2011 lines by sporting a faux fur vest to class. She keeps it casual by pairing it with a soft grey cotton top, blue jeans, and suede oxford booties. The best part of the faux fur vest trend is that finding the perfect vest with which to replicate this look is much easier than you’d think.

For a cute faux fur vest at a great price, look to Lucky Brand Jeans, Topshop, or H&M (that last one’s quite a steal).  If you’re looking to make a little bit more of an investment, Surell, Lauren by Ralph Lauren, and Club Monaco all sell great fur vests as well, none of them going for more than $200! Down to rock some real rabbit fur? You’ll pay the steeper price for it, but you’ll find what you’re looking for with MICHAEL Michael Kors, Marc by Marc Jacobs, or Adrienne Landau. And last but certainly not least, you can achieve the trifecta with the Elizabeth and James vest that combines rabbit, fox, and raccoon fur; you may have trouble sleeping at night, but you’ll definitely be looking chic for fall! Happy shopping!

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Petal Pushers

Though floral prints may call to mind sundresses, swimsuits, and springtime in general for some, this past season has proven that, in fashion, flowers are not restricted to any one season. Fall floral motifs were a big hit among the collections of Jil Sander, Mary Katrantzou, Erdem, and many more. Miuccia Prada's Miu Miu collection was especially well recieved, with '40s style dresses in dandelion and lily of the valley prints making for what Style.com's Nicole Phelps deemed “one of the designer's most elegant Miu Miu collections ever”. You may even recognize the dress from Miu Miu's sixth runway look, as Kate Moss donned it on the August cover of Vogue UK. So, how did Ms. Prada appropriate floral patterns for the fall and winter season? The fact that she stayed away from pastels, instead opting for a darker color palette, was definitely a factor. 

This Fashionista wisely takes a page from Miuccia Prada's book, choosing a floral shirt in a deep red that naturally evokes the autumn season. Her bag, a royal shade of purple, compliments the strong red hue well, and works in conjuction with her dark blue jean shorts to create what would be classified in the art world as an analogous color harmony. Acessorizing with a cognac leather belt and metallic sandals for good measure, she exudes simplicity and charm as she walks to class. 

Adding some new fall florals to your wardrobe is all too easy. For chic floral blouses, brands like Topshop, Joie, and Equipment all offer great options; for skirts, look to Rebecca Taylor or J Crew. The ultimate steal in the floral dress department will definitely be found at Urban Outfitters, where countless fall dresses are already on sale. However, don't underestimate the extent that this floral trend has already spread; there are plenty of floral accessories out there too, perfect for adding a little flair to a classic look. My personal favorites include floral slip-ons from TOMS shoes, Jagger Edge's floral iphone case, Kimchi Blue's floral backpack,  floral Dr. Martens, and Vivienne Westwood's wool-blend floral scarf.

 

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Knitty Gritty

Whether oversized or cropped, bright or neutral, sweaters are a fall staple that cannot be ignored. Nothing’s cozier than a nice cable-knit, and even on the runway – where comfort is so often sacrificed in the name of fashion – knits were a big hit. Designers such as Joseph, Theysken’s Theory, Tracy Reese, and even Chanel all embraced knit sweaters in their fall 2011 collections.

This Fashionista cuddles up in a chunky cable-knit for class. Pairing it with a baseball cap, cutoff jean shorts, and flats, she strikes the perfect balance between casual and chic. With a classic color combination like heather grey and faded blue denim, it’s hard to go wrong.

To replicate this look, try J. Crew’s fisherman cable-knit sweater or Topshop’s knitted aran cable jumper – both in an adorable shade of cream. For lots of options color-wise, Ralph Lauren Rugby offers the classic crewneck cable-knit in eight different hues, all equally enticing.  If you’re feeling up to, cable-knit dresses are also great for class. Both comfortable and feminine, they look great when paired with tights and boots. Topshop and Vanessa Bruno both offer cozy sweater dresses at a great price.

 

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: True Colors

A couple weeks ago, I explored the elegant, classic, and timeless style of lace. This week, however, it's time to look at a totally different side of my favorite fabric. When worn in color, lace takes on a totally different feel; moving from another traditional and pretty piece of clothing to a modern, eclectic, and even edgy part of your wardrobe. Nowhere was this concept better executed than this time a year ago, in Christopher Kane's spring 2011 line. His use of neon perforated leather to create a bright lace-inspired look was extremely innovative, transforming classic silhouettes into avant-garde looks with a self-proclaimed “Princess Margaret on acid” feel. More recently, Blumarine explored a similar style for their fall 2011 line, with a variety of boxy lace sheath dresses in colors that evoke the Fanta Girls ' costumes. Even Vogue Italia recognizes that colored lace is here to stay, exploring the trend on their website through archived editorial photos, celebrity inspiration, and examples of the trend on the catwalk, with a brief commentary chronicles the history of lace.

This Fashionista knows how to work the colored lace look. She chose a pale shade of sage that suits her well – not too bright, but beautiful nonetheless. Pairing her skirt with a white top, navy sweater, and navy Jack Rogers with gold trim, she looks chic and laid back as she walks to class. To recreate the bright lace look, try items such as Tibi's swan lace shorts, Topshop's lace crop tee, and Asos' premium shift dress. This Fashionista's exact skirt is also still available on J Crew's website (as long as your a size 00, 0, 2, or 8)! Happy shopping!

 

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Maxed Out

We all love maxi skirts in theory, but actually wearing a maxi skirt to class is quite a bold move. Consistently popular on the runway, they were seen last season in the shows of Carolina Herrera, Chloé, and Ralph Lauren. The maxi skirts in these shows looked However, it’s easy for models to look good in floor-length skirts – they would all look flawless wearing burlap sacks; we regular people are another story entirely. Incorporating maxi skirts into your everyday wardrobe can be a difficult feat.

This fashionista skillfully rocks the maxi skirt for school. She keeps it relatively simple in terms of her color palette, opting for a navy blue skirt with a plain white top, and belts the skirt to create a more casual feel. Her tasteful accessories compliment her outfit well, as she pairs her look with white gladiator sandals, classic wayfarers, and a worn cognac leather bag with navy blue piping.

Now, if you’re still thinking that you don’t have what it takes to pull off a maxi skirt, sit back and keep reading. Anyone can wear one; it’s all about what you pair it with. Refinery 29 has some great suggestions for maximizing your maxi skirt outfit options – demonstrating how to pair a maxi skirt with anything from cropped sweatshirts and tied-up button-downs to more creative pieces, like one piece bathing suits and mini dresses (yes, a dress on a dress – they make it work!) Beginning to feel you may be in the market for a maxi skirt? Check out the selection on Topshop – their coral pleated maxi skirt in particular is a real gem.  ShopBop also has a wide variety, offering a lot of chic jersey options by Splendid and Rachel Pally. Enjoy!

 

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Native Speakers

It’s getting to be that time of year again, where pastels and floral prints feel a little too summery, but you’re just not ready to embrace the darker color palette of your fall staples quite yet. Ethnic printed tees are a great way to incorporate bright colors into your wardrobe before it’s officially sweater season. Many fashion houses, including Proenza Schouler, Tibi, Suno, and Thakoon were inspired by tribal prints as they designed their fall 2011 lines. Proenza Schouler’s line in particular had a vibrant, Native American feel. Designers Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough admitted that they drew much inspiration from a road trip they took from Santa Fe to Wyoming, during which they encountered beautifully embroidered Native American blankets. The duo created their own tribal-inspired patterns digitally, pixelating them to create a bold, geometric look.

These fashionistas channel the last season Proenza Schouler line through their printed tee tanks.  The vivid colors and geometric patterns certainly seem to evoke the colorful quilts of a Navajo tribe. Both girls have paired their tanks with jean shorts and sandals, making for a seemingly effortless and eclectic daytime look. 

Though fall 2011 runway shows may feel like they took place eons ago now that spring 2012 shows have already commenced, many designers still sell amazing tribal pieces. Antik Batik, for one, offers a plethora of shirts, vests, and dresses in intricate and exotic prints, but their prices are not exactly ideal for college students on a budget. If you’re looking for something a little more wallet-friendly, try the tees sold at Urban Outfitters by the brand Title Unknown – there are almost a dozen affordable and adorable tops to choose from.

Style On,

Lauren Acampora

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Lace Up

Lace needs no introduction. It’s a timeless fabric that can be worked a million different ways, and it's used as detailing on everything from pure white wedding dresses to seductive black underwear. It comes as no surprise that in fall 2011 runway shows, lace was a popular fabric choice among many top designers. However, in shows such as Lanvin, Jason Wu, and Dolce and Gabbana, lace was elevated from being used for detailing to the only fabric of entire pieces, and – in some cases – entire looks.

The delicate yet complex look of lace translates to campus well. This fashionista pairs chic white lace shorts with a cotton coral tank, a gold feather necklace, and brown flats, making for a casual and class-appropriate look with just enough flair. To emulate this look, check out a similar pair of white lace shorts by Asos, or brown Free People shorts for sale now on ShopBop.

Are shorts not your thing? Don’t worry about it. There are a million other lace products out there right now that are also great for school. I recommend Marc by Marc Jacobs’ black lace romper, Joie’s white lace top, or Topshop’s pleated lace tunic (for more formal affairs). Looking at these options, there’s no denying that lace makes any silhouette look a little bit prettier, and adds a girlish and fun feel to otherwise routine looks. Don't wait another second, it's time to lace up!

 

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Bright Ideas

Brightly colored pants are everywhere this year – from an entire line of J Brand jeans to countless runway shows, including Yigal Azrouel, Brioni, and 3.1 Phillip Lim. No matter what color you’re looking for, it's for sale this season, from kelly green and royal blue to hot pink and burnt orange. Many a celebrity has taken note, as well, including Kim Kardashian and Sarah Jessica Parker, two women who lie on opposite ends of the style spectrum.

However, it’s still reaching 85˚ every day here in Durham, and Duke students aren’t about to leave their dorms in anything remotely insulating. But don’t be fooled, the weather down south is not about to stop fashionistas like this one from emulating the trend. This fashionista has traded in her denim cut-offs for a fresh pair of azure blue shorts. To keep from looking a little too color-crazy, she has wisely paired her bright bottoms with a neutral top and metallic sandals.

To replicate this outfit for a fairly reasonable price, look to ShopBop, where J Brand and Current Elliott jean shorts in a number of majestic hues have been marked way down, or J Crew, where their classic chino shorts have been reinterpreted in all colors of the rainbow. When it finally does cool off here in Durham, check out ASOS trousers – they’re a great budget-friendly way to look runway chic for class.

 

Style Guru Bio: Lauren Acampora

My name is Lauren Acampora and I’m a sophomore at Duke University. I am writing to you from Fairfield, Connecticut, where I was born and raised. I first developed a love for fashion during my middle school years, when I would stay up late on Wednesday nights to watch the newest episode of Project Runway. My personal style is all about simple elegance, and neutral or pastel clothing are classic silhouettes dominate most of my closet space. However, I do get excited for the occasional, surprising pop of color – from bright maxi skirts (i.e. Jil Sander’s spring 2011 line) to neon accessories (like Celine’s orange mini luggage tote). I find inspiration in a number of style icons, from Grace Kelly to the Olsen twins. I also have an infinite number of favorite designers, but, at the moment, I’m especially crazy for Stella McCartney, Chloé, Givenchy, Alexander McQueen, The Row, Jason Wu, and Reed Krakoff. I’m thrilled to be a part of the CollegeFashionista team this fall and I look forward to returning to Durham with my camera in hand – ready to capture all the amazing street-style fashion I see around campus this semester.