Author: Marnie Bush

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: What It Is All About

It is easy to put the spotlight on all of the Fashionistas rocking fabulous clothes around campus, but — and this is a fact — there is nothing like a well-dressed man on campus. I was reading through my posts from the last semester and I suddenly realized that I never once featured a guy.

Years of schooling had led me to become accustomed to seeing guys only in sweat pants and sports T-shirts. As far as I was concerned, that was just the way life was. Oh high school, how little you prepared me for the real world. College is a totally different story when it comes to guys and their style. Sure, there are still sweat pants and T-shirts around every corner (on guys and girls alike), but it was refreshing to enter the collegiate atmosphere and realize that there are a lot of Fashionistos out there that care about their personal style just as much as any Fashionista — if not more.

This Fashionisto rocked an all black outfit with the coolest yellow blazer. I loved the mixing and matching of the boxy blazer with the lace up boots. This is a style that Fashionistas and Fashionistos can both take inspiration from. To be perfectly honest the outfit was what drew me in, but what I really loved about this Fashionisto is that he wasn’t trying too hard. I could tell that he felt comfortable in his clothing and, more importantly, in his skin. If there were one piece of style advice I could give to you all, it would be that your personal style should be a reflection of yourself. Growing to love yourself and learning to rock the clothes that you love is the most important part of being a Fashionista/o. This Fashionisto’s outfit wasn’t over the top, but it was unique and I think that it really is an expression of who he is as a person. Because when it comes down to it, isn’t that what fashion is all about?

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Beach Style — Class Edition

Although it may still be a little chilly in the more northern parts of the US, down here in the South it has hit full on summer weather. I know that when I wake up in the morning all I want to do is pull my hair into a side braid, put on my aviators and pull on a bikini so I can lay out by the pool and celebrate the end of the year. Unfortunately, not everyone is done with class, so the bathing suits and poolside magazine sessions will have to wait a little longer.

Even though class was still in session, I noticed a change in many on-campus Fashionista/os attire. Not only were they dressing for the warmer weather, but they were dressing for the season. Summer is in the air and nobody can ignore it, hence the University of Kentucky's student uniform has a new and exciting theme: Beach Style — Class Edition.

I loved this Fashionista's outfit in particular because it really gave off that easy breezy summer feeling. It was as if she had woken up that morning, thrown on her fabulous — if I do say so myself — tribal print shorts, black T-shirt, flip flops and classic Ray-Ban Wayfarers. Sometimes simple really is better.

In the cold winter months there are coats, scarves, hats and layer upon layer of clothing pieces and accessories that go into making one outfit. What I really adore about the warmer months is how simple fashion can be if you just let it. These months are all about pulling on that favorite pair of shorts or awesome new maxi dress, accessorizing it with a few pieces of simple jewelry, letting your hair go natural, and just letting go. After all that studying you deserve it.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Parisian Chic

Maybe it was because I had just gotten out of French class or maybe it was the almost entirely black ensemble, but when I saw this Fashionista my mind shot to one thing: Paris.

This outfit is simple to be sure, but that really is part of the glamour and mystery of the Parisian culture. Sticking to the all black color palette, she starts with a pair of black skinny jeans. By rolling them a little higher than normal at the bottom it takes the piece from ordinary to casual chic. A black T-shirt and cardigan are simple additions that, because of the flow of the cardigan, add causal elegance. Last of the black, she added a pair of black ballet flats. Is there anything more Parisian or Chanel-esque than classic ballet flats? Because it was a chilly day, she added a scarf as an accessory, which was more than a perfect touch. Parisians wear scarves like Americans wear sunglasses, so this was a very appropriate addition to the outfit. Last, but not least, the short hair was the icing on the cake, making it a very Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face moment.

Although these are all pieces that are very likely to be found in most Fashioista/os closets, putting simple looks like this together can sometimes slip our minds. Timeless looks such as this one have really stood the test of time and are awesome go to options when you are having those “I have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear” moments, which for some of us may be a little more often than we care to admit.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: The Chambray Shirt

As finals week rapidly approaches, I know that most of my thoughts will be more focused on my studies instead of what I wear everyday. I am going to want something simple and quick, but stylish enough to keep my confidence up as I step into the classroom to ace my exams. To combat stressful situations you need easy to wear pieces.

In this case, the button-up chambray shirt is a no-brainer. I have seen this style of shirt in every shop I have been in lately. It is such a simple and versatile piece and it is readily available at every price range. If you don’t have one, you need one. You can go for a '90s look and tie it in a knot over a cotton mini dress, or simply put it on over a white tank and simple black leggings. If you are feeling bold try the denim on denim look. Pair your Chambray shirt with a pair of denim skinny jeans or denim shorts to create this trend. I really see this top as a neutral, so you really can't go wrong!

This Fashionista chose to wear her chambray shirt buttoned all the way up. This creates a look that is very English: prim, proper and classic. However, because of the fabric, and the way the overall look is styled, it is not overly refined. She added a pair of black leggings, classic black flats, a gray cardigan and black wayfarers to complete this classic cool ensemble.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Color Rules

We all know the old no white after Labor Day rule, but I, personally, view fashion rules that dictate how one should dress as extremely outdated. I have always thought it was funny how many people view black as more of a winter color and white as a summer color. Black and white are both perfect neutrals for anytime of the year. All you have to do is mix the right pieces and voila — you can create the perfect outfit for any season.

This Fashionista is the perfect example of mixing a darker neutral with other pieces to create an easy and simple spring or summer look. Firstly, the cut of the black dress is clearly not for the dead of winter. The pink jacket adds a nice pop of spring color, while also adding structure to the look.  She also added a pair of floral flats. This was a good way to mix it up and add pattern and dimension to the look.  Lastly she added a gold pendant necklace. It has a tribal feel, a trend for spring and summer and it is big enough to really make an impact on the ensemble.

Generally we think of the base piece of an outfit as the defining piece, but not in this case. When using dark colors as a base for your spring and summer month outfits, look for colorful pieces to mix with them. If this Fashionista had not added the pink jacket, the look could easily be a late fall/early winter look in southern states like Kentucky.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Mixing Styles

One of the major pros of going to a big state school is that everyday you pass new people with different styles of dress as you walk around campus. It’s a great place for outfit inspiration. Because UK is a southern university, there is a very Polo-esque stereotype associated with the style of clothing worn by the students. However, that’s not always the case. When I passed this Fashionista, I immediately noticed the urban and artsy feel of her look.  

While not everyone has the same style, I think you can learn to appreciate and absorb different styles. If your personal style is a little more preppy or refined, you may want to branch out and take a few cues from this Fashionista’s look to help step up your wardrobe. For example, she is rocking a pair of leather high tops and a black fedora. Adding these two simple pieces can add a little edge to your outfits, but because you aren’t changing your whole wardrobe you still stay true to your style.

I believe that being able to mix different styles is a skill that all Fashionista/os should develop. Your outfits will come out much more original and I really believe that it helps to create a really unique personal style — not to mention it’s fun! Next time you see a Fashionista/o on campus with a different style, don’t feel intimidated; take it as a challenge to incorporate pieces of their style into yours.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: The Colored Pant

I don’t know if you all have heard, but Pantone’s color of the year is Tangerine Tango. Lately I’ve been thinking about how I might incorporate this color into my wardrobe. However, bright colors can be intimidating. This statement especially holds true at the beginning of a season because you are completely switching gears in your wardrobe. Jewelry is a more obvious way to bring bright colors into your wardrobe, but if you want a bolder look I say go for a colored jean or pant. 

I know that when it starts to get warm out everyone is clamoring to bring their dresses and skirts out of the back of their closets, but a lot can be said for the pant. They can easily go casual or more formal, based on the other pieces in the outfit.

Colored pants are especially easy — and fun — to wear. Pastels are huge right now, so that’s one way to go. However, this Fashionsta chose a deeper colored pant. Choosing a darker color makes the challenge of wearing a bright color a lot easier. This way some of your winter pieces will still work with the pants instead of looking out of place. While you notice that she is wearing a colored pant, it isn’t overwhelming. She chose to pair her red jeans with a simple grey top, cardigan, and pair of flip flops. Pairing her jeans with neutrals balanced the outfit and made the red color extremely wearable. Because of this you aren’t thinking about the pants, you are just thinking about how cute the outfit is overall. 

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: The High-Waist

College is stressful. I know this is something we can all agree on. With this stress comes long nights of studying, a lot of pizza and many viewings of Titanic — because we all need a good excuse to cry sometimes. Let’s be real, as much as we love the help from Leo and the gang, all of the late nights and comfort food cravings can cause the numbers on the scale to rise a little more than any of us would like to admit. Don’t worry Fashionistas, there is a very simple solution: the high waist.

We all know about this trend, but there are actually a lot of people who are still scared of this look. Many people are afraid of looking too mom-ish and not young enough for a college-aged student. Let’s look at the facts. The high-waist has been in style for decades. This is because it is a flattering style on every single body shape. Cinching your waist, it creates an amazing silhouette and shows off your body while staying classy. It is a timeless look worn by all of my favorite classic movie stars, such as Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Doris Day. When I found this Fashionista, I knew I had to snap her picture. Her skirt is extremely flattering on her silhouette and that the Kentucky blue color that she chose perfectly complemented her red hair and skin tone.  

From personal experience, I also know that this look is something to go for if you naturally have a pear shaped body. If you gain a little more weight down south — if you know what I mean — look for an A-line skirt with a high waist. It will balance out your silhouette, while hiding the unwanted junk in your trunk.
These days you can find high-waisted skirts and shorts in every price range, because everyone wants to look as fabulous as Grace Kelly.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Airport Ready Style

Airports; you either love them or you hate them. One thing everyone can agree on is that the airport is somewhere that you want to be comfortable. However, as a Fashionista/o, you are also going to want your finished look to be fashionable and put together. Many Fashionista/os will be facing this problem soon. Spring and summer break are coming up — time to travel.

This Fashionista clearly thought ahead. She starts out her outfit with a pair of black leggings and a plain tank top. She then began to layer on top. A Patagonia (a light sweater/cardigan works too) and a scarf are both great ideas, no matter what your destination. They aren’t too heavy for the changing seasons, but they add a lot of warmth. Because the air conditioning is usually cranked all the way up on airplanes, you will be thankful you picked out these pieces. However, because she has a few layers on, she can remove them if she desires. She added a pair of big sunglasses (perfect for use as a headband or as a privacy sign from your chatty neighbors while on the plane) and a pair of classic pearl earrings. The finishing touch on her outfit was a pair of authentic black cowboy boots. They add a personal twist to the outfit that you don’t expect. Spring is a time that I generally associate with bright colors, but in this case I think this Fashionista made the right choice. Because she kept her color palette neutral, it made it possible for her to mix a few styles together.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: The Blazer

Is it going too far to say that the blazer is the perfect article of clothing?  Add it to a pair of jeans, like this Fashionista, and it automatically takes an ensemble from a regular day look to casual chic. Add a pair of amazing heels and you have quickly transitioned into a nighttime look. Blazers also look amazing over short daytime dresses or even cocktail dresses. The possibilities really are endless.

When I saw this Fashionista, I fell in love with how she has styled her blazer. Her blazer may look like a very soft red, almost pink, from afar but up close you see that there is actually a very subtle navy blue check.  She paired her blazer with a blue polka dotted blouse, an unexpected twist that really pulled the whole outfit together. It’s easy to want to pair colors with neutrals such as black, white, or tan. As good as neutrals look with a pop of color, color on color often looks amazing. In this case, the understated color of her blazer along with the navy check, allowed her to wear a print underneath without it looking too costume-like. The boots are casual and comfortable, an excellent and more stylish alternative to tennis shoes.

Blazers can be found everywhere, which is great for Fashionista/os on a budget. Urban Outfitters has a huge selection of colors and styles — perfect for every Fashionista/o. Target and Forever 21 also have some good, slightly less expensive options.