Author: Samantha Dickey

The Floral Maxi Dress is the Latest Popular Summer Trend

Hello summer, and hello floral patterns! I am very excited to share this outfit with you and talk about the current trends. I got this beauty for a steal and I will cherish it for that reason. This floral maxi is from Free People. There are many trends happening within this one outfit, so let’s break it down one by one.

You can’t go wrong with a maxi in the summertime, but a head-to-toe floral maxi is spot-on for this summer; no joke! Floral patterns are in this summer, and matching your floral outfit to your floral shoes is the hottest trend for the season.

Another trend is playing peekaboo with your summer outfits. The deep neckline in this maxi allows for a little peek at my matching bralette. However, the peekaboo trend is not just about plunging necklines and the side boob; it is more about the semi-opaque mesh or tulle dresses, skirts, and tops. Playing peekaboo is so effortlessly trendy that you don’t even need to try to be on trend.

As for the shoes, I paired the maxi with some white cutout mules, which were also a steal from Target. Heeled mules come in about every color and fabric you could ever need for this summer. I paired a classic white mule with my bright red floral maxi. Mules are great for either dressing up or down. You can easily throw them on with a pair of jeans and call it a day.

Now the piece you have been waiting for—the floral maxi. As I mentioned, I got this maxi from Free People at a very good price. This maxi is great for dressing up and down and is easily transformable from day to night. Add strappy heels and a bold necklace, and this dress is ready for a night on the town. You could also wear your Adidas Superstars or Converse and throw a denim jack over it, and you can conquer the streets of NYC in no time.

What are your must-have trends for this summer? Let me know in the comments below! 

WHAT TO WEAR: En Route to Finals

It is finally that time again that we all dread but, yet are excited for because once finals are all over, that means summer is in full swing. The end of a semester can be an exciting time for some due to graduation or summer internships starting, but before all this excitement can happen, finals week must occur and we all know finals week can be a drag. However, just because it is finals week doesn’t mean you can’t dress cute, am I right?

I spotted this Fashionista just outside Kent State University’s very own Rockwell Hall (clearly coming from a fashion class). She is ready to take on finals in style. This Fashionista added three simple pieces to create a statement look. There are many ways to wear a slip dress as daytime casual, especially for class. Pairing a little slip dress with a T-shirt underneath has been a huge trend lately. Tank tops are also being worn over short sleeved T-shirts, too. This Fashionista could add a simple belt and remove the short sleeve T-shirt and have a completely new look. Slip dresses can be so fun to style and so easy to throw on for the day.

She is rocking the trend for class and even threw on a military jacket to finish of her look. This floral slip dress from American Eagle Outfitters is a super cute transition piece for any college girl’s wardrobe. By pairing it with the short sleeve top and a pair of Steve Madden’s tan leather slip-ons, she dressed down the slip dress for class.

Sometimes it is hard to get dressed and ready for a final considering you spent the whole night cramming in the library. Don’t be discouraged because you are not the only one who feels that way, but I personally feel that if I look good, then I have more confidence in myself when taking the exam. If you get ready for the exam then you feel more confident and put together than you would if you rolled out of bed 10 minutes before your exam starts. Everyone has a different routine for final exam week when it comes to studying, but being prepared for your exam is your biggest priority. If you can take your exam in style then you are sure to feel better about it. Now this Fashionista is ready to take on her finals in style!

STYLE GURU STYLE: Pleated in Pink

Happy spring fellow Fashionistas and Fashionistos! Finally, the sun is shining and flowers are starting to bloom again. Now that spring is in the air, I am so excited to pull out (of the dust) my floral and bright colored tops and dresses. Spring makes everything better and brings more color out that has been hiding from the cold winter for many months. However, I do go to school in Ohio and we all know that it can be 70 degrees one day and the next back down to 40 degrees. With that being said, I knew I had to pull out a spring styled outfit before the sun disappears again.

I got this pink pleated skirt from Abercrombie & Fitch for Christmas and I am obsessed with it. Let’s just stare at the color for a few moments, isn’t it gorgeous? This pastel pink is my newest obsession that I even got a matching pink sweater, also from Abercrombie & Fitch, so I could wear the two together for a monochromatic look. Monochromatic is one of my favorite trends and was seen all over the runways for fall/winter 17/18.

I decided to pair the skirt with a cream mock-necked turtleneck from American Eagle Outfitters. The sweater and skirt are both very simple yet statement pieces for any Fashionista’s wardrobe. I find that buying versatile, simple, statement pieces for my wardrobe is really beneficial. I am able to pair almost anything with this pleated skirt for any spring look. I love layering statement pieces with simple pieces to keep the look easy and effortless.

I’ve had this hat for a while now and I finally decided to pull it out and style it. I was inspired by many bloggers wearing all different kinds of hats so I thought I’d join in. To finish off my look completely, I added my favorite booties from Urban Outfitters, they are snake print and very comfortable. I cannot wait to pair this skirt with everything in my closet this spring!

ALL IN THE DETAILS: Blooming Sleeves

Spring is finally in the air (well kind of)! The weather has been crazy back and forth lately but style is always constant and this Fashionista was rocking the perfect look especially for #StyleGuruLoveDay. I spotted this Fashionista enjoying the beautiful weather off campus, walking around downtown Kent, Ohio. Take note on her trendy winter attire and be sure to copy the look when the weather is unusually warm these days.

Let’s talk about the details of this Fashionista’s outfit before anything else. The floral bell sleeved tunic is the perfect mix of spring and winter. Who doesn’t love a good bell sleeve top? For this Fashionista the bigger the sleeves are better. Bell sleeves are a huge trend right now, making several appearances on the runways of New York Fashion Week. The floral print provides the perfect reminder that spring is right around the corner and warmer days are ahead. She threw on a black sherpa vest to add some texture and extra warmth. The mixing of patterns with different textures is also another trend spotted on the runways and in the streets. To top off the look she added a black bucket bag and heeled booties.

It’s all in the details and this Fashionista really focused on the little details even though her bell sleeves were telling their own story. She did her makeup very simple but added a pop of pink eyeshadow to match her maroon top. The eyeshadow allows her eyes to pop alongside her floral top.

Clearly, this Fashionista was focusing on the details of her outfit for a gorgeous day to celebrate #StyleGuruLoveDay and explore off-campus. I hope this Fashionista’s look inspired you to try and rock the bell-sleeve trend this spring.

STYLE ADVICE: Game Day Edition, Go Steelers!

Happy February Fashionistas/os! Football season has come to an end very quickly and I’m sure that you were all excited to see Lady Gaga perform the half time show. I know the Pittsburgh Steelers were unfortunately not in the Super Bowl this year, however, this Fashionista was rocking her game day attire. Any team can be supported through this look and I can help you style it similar to this Fashionista.

This Fashionista is clearly a huge fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and fashion. Her game day attire was perfect for this unseasonably warm winter day. She was able to throw on a light black and white striped cardigan with some fringe detailing over her Steeler raglan T-shirt. She paired the look with a pair of black skinny jeans and black leather sneakers. And of course, don’t forget about the beanie! The outfit is not complete without your sports team beanie. This Fashionista topped off the look with a variety of rings, red lips, and big, round glasses.

There are a variety of ways to pull off this look so let’s dive into them. Instead of a cardigan, maybe throw on an oversized denim jacket and add more layers on. For the bottom, stick with classic denim or throw on a pair of boyfriend jeans if you are relaxing and watching the game at home. There are so many ways to rock your sports team apparel, you just have to get creative and play around with some looks. Whether you’re tailgating or relaxing on your couch for the Super Bowl, be sure to do it in style!

BEAUTY BAR: Au Naturel New Year

Happy 2017! I hope that you all enjoyed the holidays and time off from school, I know I sure did. Now, I am sure Santa stuffed your stockings with some new beauty products for the new year. A lot of makeup is only good for 12 months anyway so out with the old and in with the new, as some might say. I found this Fashionista rocking an easy, natural-looking, fresh face. Her outfit also stood out as another easy way to bundle up in this frigid weather.

Makeup is so fun to play around with to find an everyday look and this Fashionista can help with just that. She uses her ‘Anastasia Modern Renaissance’ palette to create her shimmery, nude eyeshadow look. She then tops her eyes off with the ‘Better Than Sex’ mascara by Too Faced. For an overall finished face, this Fashionista adds some butter gloss to her lips and is then on her way out the door to class. This look is super simple and easy to recreate. The natural look adds to her outfit and adds just enough color to make your skin pop from afar. A natural makeup look is the easiest and simplest. It allows you to still create a fresh look, but to also not use as much makeup as you would for a night out. I recently have started getting into makeup so I am no pro on makeup advice or how to apply it but I do believe that less is more. The less you have on, the more beautiful you are and the more you stand out with a simple fresh face. I love this natural look and I cannot wait to try it with my new palette!

Now, let’s take a look into her outfit. This Fashionista is all comfy and cozy for the winter time yet is still rocking it in style. She paired her studded black pants with an oversized band tee and a varsity cardigan over top. She topped off her look with an oversized Levi’s denim jacket and her maroon converse high tops. This look is so easy to throw on when you are about to trek across campus for class, yet want to be warm and trendy.

Remember that less is more (makeup wise) and more is better when trying to stay warm this winter!

STYLE GURU BIO: Samantha Dickey

Hello again! It’s so good to be back for another semester. I cannot believe that this is my fourth semester as a Style Guru. I joined CollegeFashionista this time last year and throughout the past year, I have been able to watch them grow immensely. With each new semester, more and more students are joining the guru gang on college campuses all over the country. It is such an exciting internship to be a part of and allows for so many other opportunities.

Before I tell you about my style evolution throughout high school to college, let me introduce myself to the newbies. My name is Samantha and I am a sophomore fashion student at Kent State University. I am obsessed with New Girl, cats, and Free People. As long as you know those three things, then you know a lot about me already.

My style has definitely evolved over the years, but I think that I found my different style towards my senior year of high school. My style tends to be different than the rest. I enjoy standing out and dressing differently. When you attend such a huge fashion school, you almost have to dress differently to get noticed more. I love being able to express myself through certain looks and styles. Now for this look, I am wearing a Free People (of course) maxi dress that I received as a Christmas gift. The red booties are new, as well, and no surprise here, they are also from Free People. I warned you about my relationship with Free People. I also love my sherpa jacket from Madewell. I call it my polar bear jacket because I feel so fluffy and warm when I wear it.

Anyway, I am super excited to be a Style Guru again and I cannot wait for you all to read my articles. So stay tuned throughout the spring semester. As always stay RAD!

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: All of the Tights

Happy December Fashionistas and Fashionistos! I cannot believe that Christmas is just around the corner. I am sure your lists are filled with clothes and shoes that are trending for this winter, if you don’t already have them in your closet. This Fashionista stood out to me because of her festive tights. Colored tights and sparkle tights can make any look pop especially since the holidays are just around the corner.

This Fashionista combined the perfect fall colors to create a simple, layered look. She took a simple green dress and paired a white tunic over top to create this layered look. She also added a pop of color with her maroon tights and finished off the look with her favorite pair of gray booties from Free People. Her advice for this look was to keep your old summer dresses in your closet because you never know when you will be able to reuse them in the winter months. You can take any old dress and throw a sweater or a tunic over it to create a layered look for fall.

It is very simple to recreate this look. First start off with a simple dress and put on another simple button-up dress or even a sweater over top. Then add some tights, they do not have to be colorful, or a pair of thigh-high boots. Finish off the look by throwing a denim jacket and scarf over top. Don’t forget to add the classic black choker and some jewelry to polish off the look. Grab your bag and you are ready to walk around campus in style.

ALL IN THE DETAILS: Cloggin’ Through Fall

Happy turkey month Fashionistas and Fashionistos! I cannot believe it is already November and we will be stuffing our faces full of turkey in just a few weeks! The weather has been a little wild lately here in Kent, Ohio, so I have been able to pull out my chunky sweaters and scarves sometimes, but then put them away again because it gets a little too warm. However, I did spot this Fashionista sporting a very comfortable fall look for when those fall days are in the upper 60s and sunny. She is rocking some major fall trends, too. There are so many trends happening this fall but I think my favorite is the classic wooden shoe, the clog.

This Fashionista was rocking the clunky clog trend. Clogs are the grandma-approved shoe and are currently on-trend. There are different styles of clogs such as backless, slingbacks, western, platform… the list goes on. The clog has made an appearance in Vogue, ELLE and even the New York Times for trending shoes this fall. This Fashionista knows exactly how to wear them and style them. You can find her clogs in Free People, and they offer many different colors and styles.

Now that we have discussed the trend of clogs and where to buy them, let’s take a look at the rest of her outfit. This Fashionista’s top is a white, fuzzy long sleeve sweater from a boutique back in her hometown. She threw on a black and white striped pencil midi skirt and black sunglasses to finish off the look. She added a pair of gorgeous diamond earrings just to add a little pop of color to her outfit. If you need some advice on how to wear clogs or inspiration on how to style them just look at this Fashionista, she’s got you covered. Now the real question is are you going to give clogs a chance in your wardrobe this fall?

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: One Word, Denim

Hello fellow Fashionistas and Fashionistos! It is that time of the year where the leaves are starting to fall and you can wear layers on layers and still be chilly. I love it! With that being said it’s time to breakout your jeans, sweaters and plaids. Let’s face it—this Fashionisto is ready to take on fall in style and who doesn’t love a good pair of jeans?

I spotted this Fashionisto rolling down campus but still sporting some major style, so I had to stop him. Jeans are an essential piece of any wardrobe especially for the fall season. What I love about this Fashionisto’s jeans is that they have the moto detail but are still denim. Denim is a timeless piece of clothing that can never go out of style, no matter how old your pair is. There have been a lot of jean styles that are trending lately on the streets, in magazines and even some runway shows in the ready-to-wear spring 2017 lines. Dropped hem, wide-leg crop, demi-flare, high-rise, skinny and boyfriend jeans are just some examples of the jean trends we are seeing this fall for Fashionistas. Now for the Fashionistos, we are also seeing some skinny, skinny crop, slouch skinny and the classic straight leg. Jeans are definitely a part of my everyday look and I do not know what I would do without denim. You can pair denim with anything, so the looks are endless.

Now let’s focus on this Fashionisto’s style and how he wears his denim. He paired his moto jeans with black Nike Air Huarache sneakers and a plaid hooded flannel by Modern Amusement. He finished off the look with a black and white bandana. Now this Fashionisto is ready for classes and he will not be late thanks to his penny board. Now go out and find a new pair of RAD jeans to rock around your campus this fall!