Author: Liz McLean

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Fringe Benefits

There’s something about summer that just makes me want to dance. And what better place to do that than at a music festival? They are the perfect combination of sun, fun, great music and amazing fashion statements. Every summer Athens, GA hosts its annual music festival Athfest and the students of the University of Georgia break out their festival best. From band tees to flower crowns a la Lana Del Ray, Athfest weekend is all about making a musical fashion statement. For the perfect music festival ensemble, look no further than these amazing fringes.

This Fashionista hits the perfect notes with a fringed, crocheted vest and a fringed cross-body bag. Rather than cut across the fringed vest, she opted to let the bag hang effortlessly from one shoulder. With the multitude of fringes, this outfit could easily become overwhelming. But this Fashionista worked the fringed pieces together seamlessly with a sleeveless white top and black shorts. The neutral colors of this outfit create a background for the star of the show…the fringes.

From Bonaroo to Coachella, fringes have proved time and time again to be a music-lovers’ wardrobe staple. The drama of a fringed skirt or tasseled vest makes for a perfect day of singing and dancing. To keep this trend alive all summer and not just when your favorite band is in town, try this ASOS fringed backpack for class or this Free People fringed maxi skirt. The layered panels of lace and fringe will make this skirt a go-to piece this summer.

To follow this Fashionista’s example in class (or for your next concert), match a simple white top with a pair of dark structured shorts and top off with a fringed vest. Keeping the top and shorts structured balances the billowing fringed pieces. A fringed bag, sunnies and comfortable walking shoes complete this relaxed summer look. From campus to an indie music festival, rock out with fringes.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: High-Low There

The high-low skirt has become a ubiquitous fashion statement this summer. Unfortunately, its asymmetrical hemline has earned it the nickname of the “mullet skirt.” Whenever I hear that less-than-flattering moniker, I have terrible visions of shoulder pads and bad perms.  However, it can’t be denied: this skirt is a party. The way the longer train of the skirt floats behind you makes any ordinary college campus instantly feel like a runway.

The hemlines of the high-low skirt are as varied as the Fashionistas who rock them; from an above-the-knee length to dramatic, almost-maxi proportions the possibilities are endless. Longer high-low hemlines are excellent alternatives for petite frames that might be overwhelmed by the excess fabric of a traditional maxi dress.

The pleats on this Fashionista’s bright cerulean skirt add just a touch of drama, as do her accessories. The coral bib necklace and fringed sandals complement the glamour of the skirt while keeping the ensemble casual for the day. Her fitted white tee keeps the focus on the skirt and makes the eye-catching blue pop. For an even more casual, campus-friendly take on this trend, try this star-spangled skirt with a fun pair of plimsoll sneakers and a cute tee.

Skirts aren’t the only pieces to be getting the high-low treatment this season. The back hemlines of dresses are getting insistently longer as well. One of my favorite pieces is this BCBGeneration black dress. Its color and cut make it suitable for a classroom or an internship while the dramatically descending hemline is perfect for a glamorous night out.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Embrace the Lace

Lace is one of my favorite summer trends. It can be feminine for a brunch or edgy for a music festival. And no one can ever forget the head-to-toe red lace ensemble Lady Gaga rocked at the Video Music Awards in 2010 no matter how hard we all try. Pucci, Lanvin, and Jason Wu all sent lacy and sheer concoctions down the runway this spring and the trend continues to dominate this summer. 

This Fashionista’s simple and effortless look is a perfect example of the versatility of the lace trend. The lace juxtaposed against the sweet sheer, swiss dot pattern creates a flirty and feminine top. To balance the sweetness of the look, this fashionista layered the top over a black maxi dress – the perfect way to tone down the girliness of the top and embellish a wardrobe staple. I love how this Fashionista used a sheer top to provide a little more coverage on a strappy maxi, while still showing off the dress to its full effect.

Lacy pieces are the perfect, fashionable way to beat the summer heat. When paired with a dress like this fashionista’s, a lace top can provide just the right amount of cover while still staying cool on a scorching day. You can follow this Fashionista’s example and pair a flirty, lacy top over a neutral maxi. Or go for the bold with a more vibrant option like this fuchsia maxi from Madewell. 

By keeping the colors neutral and the silhouette simple, this Fashionista created the perfect go-to look for a day of going to class and running errands. To transition this trend into the night, try a colored lace top like this coral one from ASOS and pair it with a simple skirt or white skinny jeans to sharply contrast with the bright color. Follow this fashionista’s example and keep your other pieces minimal to put all of the attention on the lacy statement piece.

There are also options to incorporate small doses of this trend into your wardrobe. Designers have thought of everything when it comes to lace, from Sally Hansen’s Lace Nail Strips to Jeffrey Campbell’s lace wedges.

Lace is no longer confined to only white and dainty. This summer, lace is going wild and can be found in every color and cut. And because lace patterns can be so different and versatile, there are no limits as to how you can style it!

Style Guru Bio: Liz McLean

My name is Liz and I am so excited to be interning for College Fashionista this summer! I will be writing the STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK column, reporting on campus trends at the University of Georgia. I am a Senior English and Italian major and I hope to one day put that Italian to great use by attending Fashion Week in Milan. But I’m not picky… going to any Fashion Week would be fabulous.

In addition to attending the University of Georgia and writing for CollegeFashionista, I also work in the Public Relations field for the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County. I have held that job for the past year and a half and I have learned a lot about creating and maintaining an image, working with the press, planning events as well as a multitude of other lessons vital to anyone in the PR field.  After graduating, I hope to combine this amazing work experience with my passion for writing and fashion. I have yet to decide exactly what field I want to go into after college, but in the fashion industry, the possibilities are amazingly endless.

Fashion has always been a huge part of my life. As a little girl, I made costumes and dresses with my grandmother and kept a sketchbook full of fabulous (to my seven-year-old self) designs of ball gowns and party dresses – all completely over-the-top and girly to the nth degree. Over time, my penchant for all things frou-frou tapered down, but my obsession with fashion only increased. These days, I tend toward comfortable and trendy pieces that will take me from class to the office but I still have a soft spot for eye-catching statement accessories like bib necklaces or colorful wedges.

Growing up, I lived in a small town without easy access to my preferred clothing stores. Instead, to satisfy my need for a fashion fix in between what can only be called sartorial pilgrimages to Atlanta for day-long shopping binges, I gobbled up every fashion magazine that came my way. Vogue, Glamour, and ELLE became my bibles, something that hasn’t changed much. I recently moved to a new apartment and lugged all of my back issues of Vogue with me. It’s so hard to part with them even if the clothes on their pages are 3 years old (they’ll be vintage soon…that’s my excuse anyway).  I also spend way too much time reading fashion blogs, pinning, tweeting, and tumbling, all in the name of research of course.

I’m looking forward to sharing all of the great styles I see on UGA’s campus, and I hope everyone has a wonderful and fashionable summer!