I'll admit it, I'm a big fan of black and its cousin, grey. I'll buy black dress after black dress, and when I decide its time for some shopping, you can bet I'll make a beeline for the closest rack of black clothing. There's something about those little flashes of color though, that turn grey/black outfits from dull to exciting. I spotted this Fashionista on her way out of her apartment as I was on the way into my friend's. I thought her dress was cute; casual, but still fun. Her red pumps, however, caught my eye right away. They really spice up the outfit, not to mention they're pretty stellar to begin with. With the summer sales in full swing, it shouldn't be too hard to find a colorful pair of shoes at an affordable price like these royal blue pumps. If you're a shoe lover looking to splurge, check out this wild multicolored Dsquared2 pair that seriously has me speechless (half confusion, half intrigue). Splashes of color to monochromatic outfit don't necessarily need to be done through shoes if flashy feet aren't your thing. You can try a colorful belt, like this red one, to break up a dark ensemble or bright statement jewelry. But whatever method of color-splash you choose, it'll be sure to turn heads as your outfit isn't bound to be lost in a sea of darkness.
Author: Lydia Shahmoon
TREND: I’m on a Boat
Nautical themed apparel is always in style come spring/summer, but lately I've been seeing a lot of boat shoes around town. Beyond their comfort and practicality, I think they look pretty cute in a laid-back sort of way. They dress things down and give off that effortless vibe so many of us put a lot of effort into acheiving. I spotted this Fashionista while shopping and thought she looked adorable in a simple white shirt, boyfriend jeans, a fedora and of course, the boat shoes. With other shoes, this outfit may have crossed the line into too trendy, but with the boat shoes, she got the look spot-on. This Fashionista's shoes have a worn-in look to them, but more polished versions are available as high-fashion brands, like Lanvin, have caught on to this trend and have started creating their own versions of the classic shoe. If you're not looking to spend big bucks on a simple shoe, the iconic Sperry Top-Sider brand offers a wide variety of styles and colors for under $100.
TREND: Wanna Take You Higher
The high-waisted skirt has been a popular go-to article of clothing for a while now. It provides a flattering shape while still looking cute and stylish. However, lately I've been seeing more and more of its sister style, the high-waisted short, and I must say, I'm a fan.
I spotted this Fashionista while walking around Montreal's famous St. Catherine Street. The way she combined the plain navy shorts with her cute patterned shirt stood out to me on a street filled with girls in shapeless sundresses. When done badly, high-waisted shorts can make you look like you're playing dress-up in grandma or grandpa's closet, but with the right fit and style, they can look chic and unique. In this case, the cardigan gives the outfit a more polished look, making it easy to bring the style to the streets or to a more casual internship. The classic, mature bag shape also added to the polished look, while the belt helped transition the shirt into the shorts.
For a similar style, try Forever 21's Pleated Woven Shorts and for a funkier take on the high-waisted shorts, try Urban Renewal's Silky Sailor Short. So if you're looking through your wardrobe this summer, bored of the old high-waisted skirt and in search of something equally as a cute and flattering, try out the high-waisted short!
Style Guru Bio: Lydia Shahmoon
Hello stylish gals and guys,
My name is Lydia and if we're being honest, I'm pretty excited to be a Style Guru for CollegeFashionista this summer. I'm a rising junior at Syracuse University majoring in Public Relations in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and minoring in Retail Management. I'm originally from Montreal (yes, Canada!) where great personal style is not only appreciated, but almost expected. Growing up in such a place has made me value fashion as something beyond the clothes you put on so you're not walking around naked. My personal style is something I've admittedly struggled to express accurately in words. In one word I'd call it eclectic; It's a bit classic, a bit grungy, a bit glam, and usually a bit different. This summer, I'll be interning in New York City at an amazing jewelry company, Made Her Think, and I can't wait to share the gems I find with all of you fashionable folk!