STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Black On Black On Black

Spring is a time for pastels, neons and florals. There is an explosion of the feminine and suddenly all your friends look like they could be potential Lilly Pulitzer models. And it’s great…except…isn’t there any part of you that wants to rebel against this pretty little pink and green season? Something deep inside that says: “Ha! I shall laugh at spring by wearing all dark colors. That will show everyone.” There’s not? Oh well, I’m going to show you how to wear all black in springtime anyway.

Or really, this week’s Fashionista is going to show you, because she looks so cool in her all black, yet subtly springy, ensemble. The subtly different textures of this outfit, like the shearling in her motorcycle jacket or her nylon tights, give the outfit visual interest instead of having it look like a vast wash of black. Plus, the combination of shorts and tights is a perfect way to dress when you’re in the mood to be spring-y but the weather is not cooperating. While throwing black tights under black shorts creates a dramatic monochromatic look, adding sheer tights underneath high-waisted patterned shorts or jean shorts are also great ways to leap into spring ahead of the weather.

Lastly, lest you think this Fashionista is going overboard with her all-black appearance, she adds a dash of sparkle in the most unexpected place — super cool silver Dr. Martens. These Docs are the perfect way to add visual interest to a monochromatic outfit while maintaining the look’s overall cool-factor.

So if you’re looking for a way to rebel against all the sundress-wearing, skirt-adorned sun-worshipers of spring, follow in this Fashionista’s footsteps and wear a seasonal all-black look. People will think you’re a lot cooler than you are. Which is always a plus.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Black, On Black, On Black

No, it’s not a typo. This Fashionista’s all-black ensemble caught my attention in the best possible way. While Auburn is still clinging to what little is left of our mild winter season, it posed a perfect opportunity to pull out those leather vests, black skinny jeans and riding boots one last time before the real, warmer weather kicked in.

Composing an outfit of all-neutral shades doesn’t have to be boring, and this Fashionista proves it — nailing the continuous color combination right on the head. The trick to keeping an outfit of only neutral colors fresh and exciting lies in adding just enough visual interest across the ensemble to spice things up a bit. Mixing patterns and textures, like this Fashionista’s soft, floral blouse with a hard, glossy leather vest, keeps the ensemble from losing all interest within a flat sea of darkness. The flirty bell sleeves on the blouse mixed with a pair of wild statement earrings, which tied in to the gold, accent buttons on the riding boots keeping this look feminine and cool despite the use of only one main color.

But a one-toned outfit doesn’t have to just be filled with shades of black. As we begin approaching the time of the year when we can finally start wearing pieces from spring/summer collections, concocting all cream, gray or white ensembles becomes refreshingly simple. Still afraid of the “no white after Labor Day” rule? Forget about it. Don’t believe me? J.Crew and Free People both feature outfits in their current catalogs and look books that are comprised of only one neutral shade, and with many of their models posing in all white. So this spring, pull out your neutrals, mix in some eye-catching statement jewels, vary the textures and silhouettes, and you’ll get a unique approach to a simple outfit.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Black on Black on Black

When asked if he would ever design a Chanel collection without using the color black, famed designer Karl Lagerfeld, responded by asking, “Who can live without some black clothes?” This rhetorical question is one that many Fashionistas grapple with. When looking around campus, it appears as if most campus Fashionistas/os are too preoccupied rocking bolds, brights, prints, patterns and stripes to be bothered with black. However, there is something to say for the simple chicness of an all-black look.

This week’s Fashionista is privy to the power of a black ensemble. Spotted dashing from one class to another in a loose sweater, pants, adorable booties and a cross-body floral bag, she looks clean and sophisticated. No frills or loud colors needed. Basic black allows this Fashionista’s bubbling personality to shine through uninterrupted.

Too often people shy away from wearing all black because they think the color is too mature, professional, serious or boring. To those people I say, sometimes less really is more. Scaling back all the crazy colors and patterns allows people to focus on the silhouette of a look or, as this Fashionista did, draw attention to a key accessory. Black is also a great way to showcase a change in hairstyle. Drawing back on distractions in your clothing will make the big reveal of your perfect ombre dye job or chic new cut all the more shocking and complement bearing.

Designers have used the color black for decades but most recently, Alexander Wang has made a name for himself through his use of the shade. Season after season, his street-inspired collections feature a heavy use of black garments enhanced by interesting fabrics, edgy cuts and intricate detailing.

Wang, Lagerfeld and this week’s Fashionista have all harnessed the power of black and it has worked in their favor. When trying on this trend for size, look for pieces that are simple with an extra flare, such as this black lace top. The J.Crew Minnie pant is a good, versatile piece that you can dress up or down. Finally, we can’t talk about the color black without mention of the LBD (yes, that stands for Little Black Dress). A must have for every Fashionista, the LBD is a go-to piece, classic for almost every occasion.

Added bonus to black on black action? The color is slimming!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Black on Black on Black

Every Fashionista knows that the foolproof way to look chic in seconds is to pile on the layers in one, uniformed color. In New York, that color is almost always black. No matter the texture or fabric, a jet black monochromatic ensemble is the perfect choice for daily errands around the city, like a quick trip to the grocery store that this Fashionista was headed on.

This stylish gal didn’t let her casual destination get in the way of her killer street style. The ensemble starts off with a basic crewneck sweater on top of black skinny jeans. She keeps warm by piling a hooded sweatshirt under a classic black parka, a staple in any New York lady’s wardrobe. The gold chain of her leather Rebecca Minkoff boyfriend bag contrasts nicely against the coat and hangs extra low with gold studs and buckles. The scene-stealer of the look is her pair of distressed leather combat boots, stylishly equipped with a fold-over tongue and ankle strap. These details separate this pair from the sea of other military-inspired boots popular this season. The boots add edge to this Fashionista’s outfit without skimping on comfort and tie the whole look together.

When looking for your own pair of black leather combat boots to add to your winter wardrobe, look for unique details like the ankle strap and tongue on this Fashionista’s pair. Flannel lining, studded hardware and shearling edges are all current styles that will instantly take your pair from the trenches to the streets..

This Fashionista polishes off her look with unique styling that really packs on the edge. Her messy side braid fits nicely alongside the layers and hoods and provides the perfect shape to highlight her strong facial features. Black lacquered nails and kohl-lined eyes are complimented by a pierced lip — what says edge like a piercing, right?

If lip rings are too risqué for you, try to toughen up your style with an all-black ensemble and a great pair of detailed military boots. Don’t be afraid to mix it up with textures and fabrics and walk confidently through the streets, whether on your way to class, a hip event or even the grocery store. As this Fashionista proves, you never know who will be watching — or, blogging.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Black on Black on Black

Call me sexist. Say that I am generalizing. That is all well and good, but try to deny the fact that women tend to be over-thinkers. I am convinced that at some point my head will actually implode from the amount of things that is going on in there at one time. From contemplating the (non-existent) subcontext of that last text to determining my boss’ projection on my performance at work, every decision process is grossly overanalyzed. Needless to say, when it comes to our outfits, women usually tend to put as much thought into constructing the perfect look.

Open up Cosmopolitan or tune into The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills — I am about to give you the opportunity to completely turn your brain off. Your next outfit is foolproof: all black. As this Fashionista shows us, not much thought has to be put into an all black outfit. Every piece matches, is flattering and will always be in style. It does not hurt that she is wearing some fabulous black pieces. Mixing a maxi dress from Nordstrom with a Kenna-T leather vest and unreal Jimmy Choo motorcycle boots, there is nothing basic about this black ensemble. As if you could not covet her effortless ensemble more, the Fashionista accessorizes with a fabulous Jimmy Choo handbag and Gucci sunglasses. All black: simple and perfect.

Black is the epitome of chic, is always timeless and appropriate for basically every imaginable circumstance. It is essentially a national law that every woman should own a little black dress as it is the definition of versatile. All black is not necessarily basic and can really make you stand out, whether you are looking regal, edgy or sophisticated. As fun as it is to mix prints, sparkles, sequins and neon, less really is more. When questioning what to wear day to day or for special occasions, do not overcomplicate the answer: it’s just black on black on black.