“Cool”ottes are the Pants of the Summer

If you’re the type of person who searches for the best way to fashionably stand out in a crowd, then read on to find out how you can add that wow factor to your summer look. We all know that the go-to piece for the summer is a nice pair of shorts that allow you to keep semi-cool and show off your legs. However, there are some people who may be looking for an alternative option. Although a pair of high-waisted cut-off shorts or daisy dukes are an automatic choice for many in the hot temperatures, there is another option that I think adds a unique touch to your summer wardrobe. Allow me to introduce culottes to you!

What are culottes?

The newest and most on-trend item I have personally fallen in love with in the past year is a pair of trousers called culottes, or as I like to say: “cool”ottes. Even though these are pants, they can still keep your legs nice and cool in the stickiness of the summer. These pants are my favorite piece to wear in the warmer months because of their breeziness and flowing fabric. I don’t feel restricted like I would in a pair of jeans, and the cropped hem allows you to show off part of your legs and really accentuate any shoes you choose to wear.

The best part about these pants is that they literally look good with any and every pair of shoes. I love to wear them with sneakers, but they look equally as great with sandals, mules, booties, you name it. Another perk of this style pant is that they look good on any body type. Wear them with a more form-fitting top to allow the silhouette of the whole look to really focus on the pants. I’d say culottes are truly heaven-sent.

Your time to shine!

If you’re looking to grab yourself a nice pair that won’t break the budget, you can find them at almost any fast-fashion retail store. I personally think the best pairs are at Zara because you can really get a nice quality fabric for a good price.

If you do end up finding a good pair of culottes for yourself, feel free to share an OOTD picture on your social media and tag @Cfashionista so we can see your trendy summer look!

WHAT TO WEAR: Spring

I always say to myself, one of the most important elements of dressing in a fashionable manner, is comfort. The key to feeling good, and looking great, no matter the occasion, is dressing in pieces that allow your body to feel comfortable at all costs. This spring, one of the simplest yet trend-setting pieces you should add to your closet in order to feel comfortable and confident, is the shirt-dress.

This Fashionista sports her own denim shirt-dress in such a casual way that it looks almost effortless. This piece is so versatile that anybody could pull it off, and it is very easy to just throw on and accessorize. The shirt-dress is already a “standout look” in itself, but she manages to accentuate her entire outfit by adding a few pieces of jewelry, such as earrings and a couple of dainty silver necklaces. She also threw on an off-the-shoulder structured bag, a thin belt and some retro-shaped sunglasses. To finish off the look, she paired the dress with some black strappy sandals to add a springtime element. The shirt-dress is a very convenient go-to when you are feeling too lazy to put together a complete outfit, just throw it on, add a belt and you are pretty much good to go!

One Simple Change: So let’s say you’re feeling lazy one day in the winter, and you want to put together an easy outfit that requires little to no effort. Have no fear, the shirt-dress can be worn throughout all seasons of the year. If you want to include the shirt-dress into your winter wardrobe, simply pair it with some leggings and add a scarf, and now you have an easy outfit for the cold weather also! Don’t forget that it is okay to layer, as well; just throw on your favorite winter coat or jacket on top of the dress and you will be able to simultaneously stay trendy, casual and warm throughout the season.

ALL IN THE DETAILS: Making a Spring Statement

Spring is finally here, which means it is time to stow away your winter closet! This includes packing up all of your cold weather statement pieces such as heavy coats, sweaters and scarves. You may wonder how it is possible to continue making a statement within your spring and summer outfits, when all of your favorite go-tos are packed away for the season. Luckily, there are still many ways of making heads turn when putting a warm weather wardrobe together.

A great way to pull a spring look together is by drawing attention to one specific area of the outfit, this creates different proportions and makes a statement. Here, this Fashionista uses a bold silver necklace to add detail and dimension to her look. She adds just the right amount of accessory to her outfit and keeps the rest of the look simple, pairing an off-the-shoulder top with a simple pair of light-wash distressed jeans and canvas shoes. The combination of simplistic clothing and daring jewelry makes for a great way to stand out and remain on trend during this spring season.

How To: This trend is a very easy one to accomplish. Statement necklaces are great accessories for uplifting your look. They can be found at almost any women’s clothing or accessory store, but if you’re looking for a larger variety of options; Charming Charlie’s, Forever 21 and H&M all have a very wide and inexpensive selection. However, if necklaces aren’t what you prefer and you want the look to be a bit more casual, you can always swap out the necklace for a light scarf with a bold pattern to give the same proportional effect while remaining trendy and within season.

ALL IN THE DETAILS: Snow Survival—Chunky Scarves

Everyone knows that an outfit cannot be complete without a few accessories to put the look together. This Fashionista perfectly exemplified this idea by tying together her winter look using a very prominent accessory: the chunky knit scarf. This accessory is essential during the colder months, because it adds warmth, proportion and texture to any outfit. This type of scarf can complement anyone who wants to make a statement and it will definitely turn heads if paired appropriately with the right pieces.

On a very snowy day on campus (as you can see), this Fashionista survived the frigid temperatures by wearing a tan, knit chunky scarf from Forever 21. Paying attention to its large size, she perfectly complements the scarf with a gray parka jacket that ties around the midsection to identify her waist so she is not hidden beneath all the thick layers, and through this she creates different proportions in the silhouette of this look. The jacket is paired with dark denim skinny jeans and burgundy, fur-lined Dr. Marten boots, and the look is topped off with a leather studded cross-body purse. The scarf is a neutral tone that goes along with the earth tones within the outfit. She keeps the look very casual and appropriate for any simple occasion.

How To: If you want to imitate this look, this type of scarf can be found in many typical women’s clothing stores during the fall and winter seasons, such as Forever 21, H&M, Top Shop, Zara and more. It can be worn in a variety of different ways, but if you are looking to follow the latest trend, the best way to wear a scarf this size is to loosely wrap it entirely around the neck to give the thick, chunky effect that is so popular this season. Keep in mind that the look is meant to be oversized, so don’t feel insecure if you feel a little out of your comfort zone drowning in this massive scarf, just tell yourself that you are staying on trend and keeping extra warm at the same time!

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: The ’90s Are Always Appropriate

If you haven’t noticed already during the past summer and fall seasons, some of the biggest trends have developed from the ‘90s grunge look. Yes, this era has brought about many of our everyday trends such as flannels paired with denim shorts, leather boots and choker necklaces, but have you ever wondered how you can incorporate more unique ‘90s trends into your outfits during the colder months? This Fashionista seems to have found the perfect solution.

If you live in Ohio, you already know how crazy the winter months are, weather-wise. One day, it’s below freezing with a foot of snow on the ground, and the next day it warms up 40 degrees more and people assume it’s warm enough to throw on shorts and a T-shirt. Surprisingly, there are many ways to meet in the middle and prepare for these fluctuations in a fashionable manner. Here at Kent State University, this Fashionista was spotted on a mildly cold day wearing an outfit perfectly suitable for the winter season, that also incorporates some great ‘90s-inspired pieces to her overall look.

The main focus of this outfit is to show how one can combine ‘90s grunge with more feminine pieces, yet still maintain a look that is suitable for the cold, and this Fashionista has done just that. The pieces that stood out the most in relation to the ‘90s are the royal blue velvet crop top along with the oversized denim jacket (which happens to be from her dad’s closet, if you need a source of inspiration). The fabric of the top adds texture to the look and catches the eye instantly, while the jacket gives her a boyish, “don’t mess with me” kind of edge. In order to tone down the look, she adds a feminine touch through the charcoal skater skirt. She also keeps covered by wearing black opaque tights and tops off the outfit with black lace-up booties and minimal gold jewelry.

Sure, trends from past decades come and go, but for now it seems that ‘90s fashion might stick around for a while. So, if you are also stuck trying to incorporate your favorite pieces from the past into your winter wardrobe, then feel free to take this advice into consideration and create your own look (maybe you’ll even find something in mom/dad’s closet that you might learn to love!).

What is your STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK? “It is perfectly okay to wear pieces from your summer/spring closet during the colder months, as long as you are confident in what you wear. The key is to layer and cover up in order to keep warm while simultaneously remaining stylish.”

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Dust Off Your Closet!

Ever wonder if it is possible to look professional and sophisticated, yet feel comfortable and casual at the same time? Well have no fear, the duster jacket is here! This loose, lightweight piece is an essential for any and all seasons of the year, and it gives your outfit a special touch that keeps you feeling put together without the restriction of fitted tailoring you would find in most blazers or jackets.

This Fashionista was caught on campus wearing a long light pink duster, paired with a black and white button-up blouse, pink pastel kate spade cross-body, black jeans, booties and what better to top it off with than gold jewelry to complement the detailing of the jacket! Keeping up to date with this season’s trends, the light pink color of this duster falls within the fall/winter 2015-2016 pastel trend that has become so popular this year. The pastel pink shade has made an appearance in many F/W 2015-2016 collections by Olympia Le Tan, Dolce&Gabbana, Lela Rose, and more. In addition to the color, the overall look of this jacket also catches the eye due to its free-flowing silhouette and textured fabric.

The duster jacket is perfect for any season because it can be layered with another jacket or coat overtop for the colder months, or it can be worn on its own during the spring and summer. It is very versatile because it is loosely tailored and contains sleek lines which enhance its business-casual look, however, it can easily be dressed down if paired with some dark denim jeans and boots. You cannot go wrong with a duster jacket, it is a jacket made for any occasion and it comes in many different styles and silhouettes. Next time you are seeking a quick, easy and sleek look, disregard the stiff blazers and opt for a duster instead. It is guaranteed that you will feel more comfortable, and maybe even a little more confident!

What is your STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK? “If you are confident in your own style, then it does not matter how much effort you put into it!”

STYLE GURU BIO: Madeline Johnson

Hi everyone! My name is Madeline, but everyone calls me Maddy, and I am super excited to begin my journey as a Style Guru for College Fashionista this year! I am currently enrolled as a freshman at Kent State University with a major in fashion merchandising, and I am hoping to further my studies in business as well.

While I have been interested in fashion for a good portion of my life, I never considered pursuing it as a career until a few years ago when I discovered the numerous job titles within the fashion industry. My initial research began my junior year of high school when I was assigned a research paper about a career I would be interested in studying. I soon discovered many different job titles in the fashion/business field and instantly knew this is what I wanted to do. Once my senior year of high school was coming to a close, it was time for me to choose a university to attend. I considered many schools, but I let my decision come down to which school had the best fashion program, because I realized that fashion was truly going to influence my decision. Kent State University is known to be in the top 5 fashion schools in the U.S., and it is pretty much right in my backyard, so I didn’t have too hard of a time deciding that this was the school for me.

For the past 13 years, I have gone to schools that require uniforms and strict dress code, so naturally any fellow Fashionista/o would feel like a prisoner in this situation. Taking away a fashionista/o’s closet and opportunity to express personal style, is like taking away an artist’s paintbrush, or a carpenter’s tools. I certainly felt restricted from showing off my creativity in the outfits I wanted to wear. My fulfillment came once I entered college, and I was able to wear whatever my heart desired. I still walk around campus to this day happy to be in my own clothes, and on the lookout for street inspiration from fellow students with their own unique style.

I consider my own personal style to be very diverse. In the summer I like to wear very colorful, bohemian pieces, such as kimonos, loose tanks tucked into drawstring tie shorts and gladiator sandals. But in the winter, my look instantly darkens once September rolls around. You’ll very rarely find me in anything but neutral tones, black’s, gray’s and navy’s. For this fall/winter season, I have been loving the mock neck trend paired with a dainty necklace, or a chunky scarf with an oversized lapel coat. My go-to shoes are always ankle boots paired with textured crew socks. I try to keep my style comfortable and loose, because I believe comfort is the best way to really feel confident about your outfit.

I can’t wait to share the fashion and trends from my campus with all of you, and hopefully you will find inspiration as well!