Author: Rachel Blumberg

TREND: Colors of Summer

With calendar pages turning to August, Fashionistas and Fashionistos everywhere should take some time to find the summer pieces they love to wear and make them a priority!  Only a few weeks remain until school starts up, so throwing on those cute dresses and sandals is a now or never kind of deal!  Going out with friends for dinner?  Change it up and go somewhere fancier; it's fun to get dressed up and share your nicer looks with friends!  The Fashionista in the picture is wearing a beautiful summer dress full of summer colors that show off her golden tan.  She dresses up her look with a pair of summery white sandals, along with earrings and a necklace.  

Hint: Back-to-school shopping typically starts the first week of August, so before you get those wintery blues, make sure to use your clothing to the fullest and wear your favorite summer styles now!

Check out these looks for some ideas of what you can wear from your closet.  Go for bright colors like pinks, reds, blues, and greens, instead of opting for fall and winter colors like gray, black and white! 

  • Try this dress and these sandals for a nice pink look
  • Throw on a blue tank top like this one with jeans and a fedora for a casual summer style
  • Stand out in these orange shorts and throw on a unique graphic shirt to complete the outfit

TREND: Sweet and Simple Date Night Style

During summertime, finding that perfect "going out" outfit can be stressful and annoying, but it doesn't have to be!  While you may have tons of cute tank tops, skirts, dresses and shorts, go with your instinct and choose something simple and summery, like the Fashionista pictured.  The bottom of her dress features a beautiful summer pattern filled with different shades of greens, blues and purples.  For guys, stick with lighter colored shirts and shorts (besides the fact that it will keep you cooler, it also gives off that perfect summer look).  The Fashionisto in the picture mixes different striped patterns for a great casual combination, and his Sperry Top-Siders pull the look together.  Finally, don't forget to throw on a pair of sunglasses to shade your eyes!  This couple wore the perfect clothes for their date night, and here are some ideas for the next time you go out with friends or that special someone!  

For girls, try these dress-and-sunglass combos:

  • This sundress and these sunglasses (the Fashionista in the picture is wearing these exact ones in a different color!)
  • Or try a tie-dye dress with a simple frame

For guys, try these shirts and shorts, or dress it up with a button-down shirt and shorts:

TREND: Color Contrast

In fashion, wearing clothes that contrast each other is a way of commanding attention and showing that you know how to rock the boldest styles. However, it doesn't necessarily mean you have to pair bright purple pants with a lime green top. Wearing clothes that contrast each other can be quite simple, like today's Fashionista who pairs her off-white summery dress and sandals with a black bag and accessories.  If you want to really stand out in a crowd, try wearing contrasting patterns, like polka dots or stripes in bold colors.

Hint:  If you want to experiment with contrast, try starting out simple and if you're satisfied, then move on to more daring colors and add varying accessories to spice up the look.

Check out these combinations for various color contrast ideas:

  • Start with these black jeans and add a stark white shirt and accessories, like this hat and ring
  • If you want something more, try this chic summer dress with a green top and patterned bottom
  • Or go for these black and white polka dots

Anyway you pair it, color contrast will catch the eyes of everyone around you. And you can never go wrong rocking the traditional colors of black and white. 

TREND: Summer Seersucker

Summer barbecues are a great place to catch up with friends, enjoy delicious food and, of course, show off your great summer style.  Seersucker is perfect for any summer occasion, especially barbecues.  While this fabric can come in a variety of color patterns, the one worn most often in summer is the blue and white combination.  The Fashionista pictured is wearing an adorable seersucker skirt with a simple cami and sandals.  She brings in a mix of color to her outfit with her oversized bag in a summery floral.

Hint: Since you will most likely be juggling a plate of food and drink at a summer barbecue, bring a large bag to hold all of your things so you don't have to awkwardly hold onto them.

Check out these summer seersucker items and oversized totes for a perfect, casual combination:

TREND: High-Waisted Looks

The high-waisted style has been making a comeback recently, but many Fashionistas are afraid of attempting it due to the infamous "mom jeans" look.  Pulling off a high-waisted look is easy as long as you follow a few simple tips.  For a high-waisted skirt, like this one that Kim Kardashian is wearing, add a belt (thick or thin) as a way of defining your higher waist line.  It also helps give you a slimer look.  High-waisted jeans, like the pair that Ashley Greene wore, should be a medium-rise to start (if you want to go for something more extreme, look for a super high-rise pair, like these.)  The Fashionista to the left is wearing a perfect high-waisted summer outfit.  Her turquoise top adds a nice contrast to the beautiful print in her skirt.  She keeps it simple with a pair of heels and a stylish clutch.

Hint: To avoid "mom jeans," stay away from jeans with stretch and cuts that aren't well-fitting.  Only buy high-waisted jeans that fit well in the waist (a pair too tight will result in over-flowing skin, and a pair too loose will make you look bigger than you really are!)

Check out the combinations below for a high-waisted look that will make you look both sleek and stylish:

  • Try this skirt (with buttons on the front) and a simple v-neck t-shirt
  • Or, give these jeans a try with this striped tank and a pair of bright sunglasses for a pop of color

These are only a few ideas, but check out this awesome video for high-waisted tips and more outfit examples!  Finally, don't be afraid of the style; try a high-waisted outfit on in a dressing room before taking it home.  This way, you'll have plenty of time to decide whether or not the look is for you and you are for the look!

TREND: Stand Out in a Crowd

Concerts and festivals are typically big events filled with excitement, bright colors and large groups of people. Instead of trying to dress to match the event, with over-the-top outfits and crazy looks or boring jeans and frumpy T-shirts, coordinate a straightforward and effortless look by having only one or two details that pop. The Fashionistas in the pictures featured to the left and below each follow this trend. Although the Fashionista on the left is wearing a simple gray dress and flats, her outfit pops with the gorgeous flower detail and studs along the neckline (her flats also have a flower design that goes with the dress)! The Fashionista on the right makes her outfit pop with bold sunglasses and a big watch, while adding more detail with the striped shirt under her tank top.

Hint: Wear flats or comfortable shoes to concerts or festivals like the Fashionistas in the picture; typically events like these involve a lot of walking or standing for long periods of time! 

Check out these outfit combinations for ideas of what to wear to concerts, festivals or other big events:

  • Try this dress (with colorful detail along the side) paired with these sunglasses and simple sandals
  • Or, wear this tank top (with a ruffled detail along the neck and front) and jeans with a small bag to add a pop of color

TREND: Monochromatic Style

Have you ever thought that wearing an entire outfit of only one color is a fashion faux pas? Think again! Monochromatic outfits help give any body shape a slimmer, longer look and also come off as cleaner and smoother versus mixing and matching various colors and styles.

Hint: If you’re looking to create a monochromatic outfit, try layering clothes and using textures to spice up the outfit, and don’t forget to add a few accessories of the same color choice to complete the look.

Look at these combinations as a starting point for your monochromatic style:

Check out the two Fashionistas below who have created perfect monochromatic ensembles!

TREND: Simple Yet Sophisticated

Internships are a great opportunity for college students who are looking to explore their choice of career paths. Dressing appropriately for an internship is just as important as dressing appropriately for a job, but the most important thing to remember is to keep it simple. Simplicity is choice for internships or jobs rather than too many accessories or flashy shoes. Fashionistas should stick with staple pieces, such as skirts, dresses, blouses and nice dress heels or flats that can be mixed in match for various looks throughout the work week. Fashionistos can get by with a few pairs of dress pants or khakis (depending on the dress code at the internship or job) and a variety of dress shirts, button downs, sweaters, or polos.

Hint: Avoid buying too many clothes for your internship by sticking with a few skirts that can be matched with numerous tops, blouses, sweaters and jackets.

Try this black skirt with these tops and sweaters for a variety of different internship looks:

Always remember to dress your best because an internship could potentially lead to future job opportunities! 

Check out the interns I found below who have kept their outfit choices simple, sophisticated and stylish as well.

Style Guru Bio: Rachel Blumberg

Hi Fashionistas and Fashionistos!  I'm so excited to continue writing for College Fashionista.  Since I began in November, I've had so much fun exploring the fashion scene in Boston, from local and school shows, to boutiques and fashion news in the Boston area.  College Fashionista is a great way to hear firsthand from students about the fashion at campuses around the world.  I've enjoyed seeing what my fellow BU Style Gurus have discovered at our campus, and I greatly enjoy reading what gurus from the other campuses find as well.  Everyone's posts are inspiring and give me an idea as to how I can improve my own fashion choices!  I'm looking forward to capturing trends throughout the summer and I hope you enjoy my posts as well!