Author: Rachel Morrissey

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Fierce Fashion

Animal prints aren’t always the easiest trend to pull off, especially if you’ve never tried them before. Between cheetah print, leopard print, tiger print and all the others, it’s enough to make your head spin. This week’s Fashionista shows us how to pull of animal print in a chic and casual way.

This Fashionista is wearing a pair of leopard print skinny jeans paired with a casual beige sweater. She added a chic pair of gladiator-inspired lace-up sandals and accessorized with a gold watch and cute black sunglasses. This Fashionista totally knew how to work a pair of statement pants. By keeping the top casual and then cuffing the pants to show off the shoes, this Fashionista created a fun and cohesive ensemble.

There are a ton of unique ways to add a little animal print into your wardrobe. For a night out, try this leopard print mini skirt paired with a black crop top and black heels. This outfit is ideal because it would certainly make a statement, but without going overboard. If you’re not entirely sure that you’re on board with the animal print trend, start small with just a pop of print. These Steve Madden leopard print flats will instantly spice up even the simplest jeans and T-shirt combination.

However you choose to wear your animal prints, make sure to keep it to one print at a time and to keep the rest of the outfit simple. So, get out there and show everyone that you’re Queen of the Jungle (Campus).

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Make A Short Statement

After months of freezing temperatures and piles of snow, I think it’s safe to say that everyone here on the East Coast is thrilled to be seeing some sunshine. With warm weather upon us, now is the perfect time to let your personality shine through your wardrobe. This week’s Fashionista shows us that a fun pair of shorts are a must-have in everyone’s closet.

This Fashionista is wearing a pair of high-waisted lace shorts from Express with a teal button-up tank top. She added a lightwash jean shirt over the look and let a pair of adorable aviator sunglasses hang from the shirt. She completed the outfit with a chic pair of menswear-inspired shoes with fun tassle details. This look works perfectly because she let the patterned shorts stand out and kept the rest of her look casual. She also let her own personal style shine by adding a jean shirt to the outfit, which was a lovely contrast to the typical cardigan.

A pair of statement shorts are a functional and exciting way to spice up your wardrobe. If you’re looking for a polished piece with a little bit of edge, these faux leather shorts with a subtle scallop detail from Topshop will be perfect for you. Add a crop top and a statement necklace, and you’ll have yourself a show-stopping outfit. For those days when you want to keep things casual, these floral flutter shorts from Forever 21 will be your new go-to. The loose fit of the shorts are perfect for running errands or grabbing lunch with friends.

Whatever the occasion, a pair of unique shorts will brighten up your outfit and let you show off your style. After a winter filled with heavy jackets and snow boots, it’s time to show off a little skin!

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Chic Coats

With the weather fluctuating between 75 and sunny and 55 and cloudy, it can be a little difficult figuring out a weather-appropriate outfit. This Fashionista shows us how to pull off a super chic jacket on those chillier spring days.

This Fashionista’s outfit strikes the perfect balance between simple and chic. She is wearing a long black coat with adorable button details and leather trim near the collar. She kept the look simple with gray skinny jeans and a pair of white Converse. This outfit works because she let the statement jacket speak for itself. The length and leather detailing on the jacket gives the outfit a dash of personality, and the simple jeans and sneakers help keep the outfit casual.

Long jackets are a fun and chic way to spice up your wardrobe. This trench-style jacket from Urban Outfitters would be perfect paired over shorts and a tank top for a night out with the girls. If you’re looking for a pop of color, this dark olive NASTY GAL trench coat has your name all over it. Keep it casual and leave the front open, or dress it up with the tie waist. For those days when you’re heading to an interview, this DKNY trench coat is the perfect choice. The color-blocked pattern and belt detail will give your whole outfit a polished look, ideal for landing your dream job.

Navigating through the highs and lows of spring (literally) can be frustrating. However, with a fun new jacket, you’ll feel a little happier covering up on those not-so-warm days.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Get Graphic

Everyone has those mornings after a late night out with friends when they look at their closet and immediately just want to jump back under the covers. Luckily for us, this week’s Fashionista shows us how to do casual-comfortable, with a whole lot of style.

This Fashionista is wearing a graphic T-shirt, featuring a cute nod to the vampire phenomenon, paired over black leggings. She also wore a long, black cardigan with an adorable pink bow detail on the back. She added some eye-catching accessories, including a teal bag and a quirky Moshino phone case shaped like french fries. The black and red ballet flats completed this Fashionista’s casual ensemble. This Fashionista’s outfit works because the edgy, graphic T-shirt provides an interesting contrast to the girly pink bow on the cardigan. Overall, this Fashionista looks comfortable while still remaining completely on-trend.

Graphic T-shirts are a simple, yet fun way to spice up your wardrobe. This boho-esque T-shirt from Forever 21 would look great with a pair of boyfriend jeans and booties. This daisy printed, cropped T-shirt is ideal for a springtime concert and would pair nicely with denim shorts and casual flats. If you’re looking for something a little more edgy, this graphic tank top featuring a cosmic skull print might be just right for you. Pair it with black skinny jeans and motorcycle boots and you’ll have one envious outfit.

It can be exhausting trying to come up with fun new outfits everyday. That’s why the versatile graphic T-shirt should become your new best friend and go-to item, even on your laziest days.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Backpacking Through Campus

While it may be spring, April is known for its rainy days and cloudy skies. Don’t let the gloomy weather get you down. This Fashionista proves that you can embrace the fun colors of spring, even if the flowers haven’t quite bloomed yet!

This Fashionista is wearing a pair of skinny jeans paired with a chic army jacket with faux leather sleeves. The quilted pattern on the sleeves adds an interesting and unique touch to this look. She kept things simple with a white T-shirt, but added some personality to the look with an aztec print scarf and a pair of brown combat boots. What originally drew me to this Fashionista was her adorable floral print backpack. The fun pattern is perfect for spring and brightened up her look, even on this cloudy day. This Fashionista also perfectly combined patterns with the aztec scarf and floral backpack because the color scheme of the two pieces were similar, which created a cohesive and vibrant outfit.

Take a note from this Fashionista and brighten up your look with a fun backpack! This red faux leather backpack from NASTY GAL is definitely a showstopper. Wear this with a casual T-shirt and jeans for a fun pop of color. This Marc by Marc Jacobs floral print backpack is ideal for class because it will comfortably fit all of your books, plus it has an exterior pocket to stash your pens or pencils. This black backpack from Urban Outfitters is simple and chic, making it perfect for those days when you have to run from class to your internship. It’s comfortable enough for walking around campus, yet polished enough for your internship.

Who knew carrying around textbooks could look so stylish? Whatever your personal style, a fun backpack is a great investment and will last you for years to come. So ditch that backpack you’ve been toting since high school and grab a fashionable new one. Hey, it’s time for spring cleaning anyway!

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Transition Time

Well, Fashionista/os, it is officially spring! Unfortunately, while the sunny season may be upon us, the weather isn’t catching up as quickly as one would hope. Don’t stress, because this week’s Fashionista shows us how to incorporate spring pieces into your winter wardrobe.

This Fashionista is wearing a black mini skirt with a cream colored knit sweater. She also wore a black infinity scarf and an adorable pair of canvas sneakers. This is an ideal outfit for transitioning from winter to spring because it showcases key pieces from both seasons. She kept the outfit cohesive by pairing the sweater with the infinity scarf and the skirt with the sneakers. This Fashionista created and edgy, yet casual ensemble that is perfect for these next few transition weeks.

Since you probably already have plenty of sweaters at your disposable from winter, the key to achieving this Fashionista’s look is finding the right skirt or dress. This tribal print mini skirt from Forever 21 adds the perfect splash of color for spring and would look great paired with a black sweater. You could also wear a flare dress like this one from Urban Outfitters paired with an oversized sweater. This dress would look great with a black or pink sweater, and the floral pattern adds an extra dash of springtime fun to the outfit.

While it may seem frustrating that the weather hasn’t quite caught up to the season, there’s still ways to wear those spring pieces that you’ve been anxious to debut. As long as you keep a balance between your winter and spring pieces, you’ll feel comfortable and look amazing.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Lighter Layers

I can honestly say that I never thought I would be this happy about temperatures reaching the 40s and low 50s. However, after this brutal winter, these temperatures feel almost tropical. This Fashionista shows us how to dress when there’s still a bit of chill in the air, but it’s not below freezing.

This Fashionista is wearing a Burberry quilted jacket with the sleeves rolled over to expose that infamously stylish Burberry print. She wore the jacket with a pair of military-green pants from J.Crew with small red and white stripes running down the side. She accessorized with an adorable pair of brown moccasins as well as a comfy plaid scarf. She also added a fun statement piece with her kate spade new york canvas bag. This outfit works because of how well she mixed patterns. The Burberry print and plaid scarf perfectly complement the delicate pattern featured on her pants. It also works because she was able to keep things casual with her moccasins and canvas bag.

The key to mastering this in-between weather is finding the perfect light jacket. This North Face jacket is perfect for everyday wear. It’s warm enough for those chilly days, but lightweight enough that it won’t make you sweat while walking to class. Plus, blue is the perfect pop of color for spring. For the days when you’re heading to an internship or interview, this polished trench from NASTY GAL is ideal. The belt adds structure to the jacket, making it the perfect pick for any event that requires a more refined look.

So, shed those heavy winter jackets, and move on to something a little lighter. Warmer days are finally upon us, Fashionistas. Rejoice!

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Classy Coats

Let’s face it, looking fashionable during cold weather weeks can be difficult. It sometimes even feels like you have to choose between looking cute and staying warm. This week’s Fashionista proves that you can have the best of both worlds.

This Fashionista is wearing a maroon, textured coat from H&M over an adorable black shirt with a Peter Pan collar. She also wore a pair of black skinny jeans with a pair of black shoes that put a really unique and fun spin on the motorcycle trend (love how her socks match the coat!). She accessorized with a cream scarf and a Tory Burch tote. This outfit works because she made her coat the statement piece and centered the rest of the outfit around that. She was also able to add some personality to the outfit with the shoes and socks.

Take a note from this Fashionista and create your outfit around an interesting coat. This Calvin Klein trench coat is perfect for times when you need to look polished. Pair it with a dress and tights and you’ll look perfect, and most importantly stay warm for your internship or interview. This Jessica Simpson coat is the perfect option for an everyday look. The braided design and A-line silhouette creates a classy, yet totally modern and flattering look. You can wear this coat anywhere, from class to a date night!

Winter doesn’t have to feel like a tug-of-war between fashion and comfort. With the right coat and accessories you can look and feel great all season long.

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Spring Fever

With midterms now behinds us, we can officially mark the halfway point of the semester. While it may not be warming up outside as quickly as we would like, I know that warmer days are on the horizon. This Fashionista shows how you can start transitioning your wardrobe from winter to spring.

This Fashionista is wearing a stylish outfit that ties together both winter and spring. She is wearing a pair of black skinny jeans featuring a pink floral pattern from Forever 21. She paired the pants with a white lace shirt under a cozy cream-colored cardigan. She made the outfit winter-chic with a black puffer jacket and a pair of adorable black boots. I love how she mixed the patterned pants with the textured lace shirt to create an interesting look that combined elements of both spring and winter.

To recreate the look for yourself, try a pair of fun, floral patterned skinny jeans with black combat boots and a puffer vest. The boots and vest will make the outfit winter appropriate, while the jeans add an element of spring. If you love the floral print trend, you could also try this floral crop top from Urban Outfitters. This would be perfect for a night out, paired with high-waisted jeans, wedges and colorful bracelets. With an outfit that cute, you may even forget that it’s still less than 40 degrees outside.

After a long and brutal winter in New York, I think everyone gets a free pass to jump into spring fashion a little early. Here’s hoping that Mother Nature gets the memo that Fashionistas everywhere are trying to jumpstart their spring wardrobes!

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Layered Perfection

When temperatures are nearing zero and I start wondering if I’m living in New York or the Arctic Tundra, layering becomes essential. Although it may be a necessity to wear layers during these chilly weeks, it doesn’t always look very fashionable. This week’s Fashionista proves that layers can most definitely look chic.

This Fashionista definitely knows how to work layers without making an outfit look bulky. She is wearing a black and white striped dress with a gray hoodie over black tights. She added a green jacket with faux leather sleeves over the hoodie and rolled up the sleeves for a relaxed look. She added a pair of black knee-high riding boots with a fun stirrup detail from Wanted Shoes, as well as a cream-colored infinity scarf. This outfit has great cohesion without being overly coordinated. This Fashionista looks pulled-together, yet casual with her layered pieces.

Dresses make a great base for creating an outfit with layers. Add a pair of tights like this Fashionista, as well as a comfortable sweatshirt. Try this one from Urban Outfitters with a cheetah print pattern for a fun pop of color. Add a classic parka and some cold weather accessories, like an infinity scarf and cozy gloves. With an outfit that cute, you won’t mind trekking out in the freezing cold.

Winter weather attire can easily become monotonous, but when you layer interesting pieces it creates an exciting outfit. So, mix and match and have fun with those cold weather clothes. Hopefully you’ll only be wearing them for a few more weeks!