STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Cut It Out

With a brand new year comes brand new fashions, and 2012 is no exception. However, drooling over recently released resort collections amidst the frigid DC temperatures can be kind of depressing. While everyone loves their cozy knits, the DC fashion community has been yearning for a way to spice up their winter wardrobe without catching pneumonia. Fear not freezing Fashionistas! There are plenty of unique sweater styles that will cure anybody’s winter fashion lull.

I spotted this fierce Fashionista walking her adorable dog around University Yard. I was immediately impressed with her easygoing yet chic ensemble. Her knit LF sweater is versatile in this season’s contemporary oatmeal hue, yet the chunky cutouts on the sleeves make this outfit an instant hit! The tastefully clean cutouts make the knit radical instead of ratty, and the perfect amount of cutouts keep the top from looking like a 2010 rocker-trend repeat. She pairs her swanky sweater with dark J Brand skinny jeans and a pair of fierce Jeffery Campbell for LF wedge booties. She accessorizes her look with a Gucci bag and a one-of-a-kind dapper Chihuahua dog.

Looking to cut out your repetitive sweater styles? Luckily, there are many different places that sell unique knits at a variety of price points. Contemporary brand LNA has a few different cutout styles in a variety of basic colors. Online trend hub Nastygal offers a ton of different cutout tops and leotards that appeal to anybody’s taste in clothing. Nordstrom stocks a few different designer sweaters with trendy asymmetrical hems and subtle open shoulders. Urban Outfitters and Asos carry a plethora of different cutout tops at great prices. Emerson Thorpe also designs different tops and sweater dresses with perforation and open shoulders.

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STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Cut It Out

With Christmas and New Year's Eve parties just around the corner I’ve been thinking nonstop about which trend I’ll be sporting for the holidays—velvet or color blocking? Well, if you’re facing the same dilemma allow me to send another option your way, cut-outs. I originally was drawn to this Fashionista for her over-the-knee socks, but it’s her cut-out flannel I’m really crazy about!

Believe it or not, most of you have probably been prepping to wear this trend since at least middle school. Do these Abercrombie destroyed jeans ring any bells?

Anyway, you’re in college now and it's time to move onto sexier slashed things. This red hot dress from Nasty Gal could be great for New Year's Eve or a Christmas party with your friends. You could even take an old bodycon dress and do a little DIY on it for the holidays; slicing up the shoulders or the sides of the bodice could really remake an old dress. If you’re with your family please steer clear of showing so much skin! Try something more appropriate like this girlie dress, also from Nasty Gal.

Cut outs aren’t just for special occasions, these Jeffery Campbell oxfords can be worn everyday (if you’re anything like me) and are totally family-appropriate.

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STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Cut It Out

Missing material can be a tricky look to master. A miniskirt that’s ten times more mini that necessary? A tad too racy. A top that dips down one too many inches to be appropriate? A little in your face. But chic cutouts in all the right places? So perfectly understated and sexy that you’ll have guys everywhere struggling to lift their chins off the ground.

This Fashionista knew exactly how to catch some attention with her slashed tights. The unexpected show of skin acts as the perfect addition to her zippered silk romper. Keeping the edginess consistent throughout her outfit, this Fashionista paired some monotone studded flats and long, feathered earrings with the look. Though I’m guilty of constantly touting the star power of a daring color or a bold bauble, there is something to be said about making an impact in a more subtle way.

As the weather starts to cool, get creative with your cutouts as this Fashionista has. Don a shoulder-baring dress with tights and booties for a night out on the town, or pair a simple sweater that shows a hint of back with a pleated maxi skirt for a comfortable early morning class look. Wherever your cutouts are, be sure to keep the rest of your look simple and covered up, and you’ll be the most stylish and sexy girl on campus.

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STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Cut It Out

Maxi dresses have been all the rage recently, and it’s easy to see why. These dresses are not only comfortable and flattering, but can work well in any season. I myself own quite a few, and wear them regularly.

This week’s CollegeFashionista adds a new twist (literally) to the tried and true favorite. Her neutral colored maxi from Free People is anything but boring with its side cut-outs and front twist. While cut-outs are nothing new, especially in a long dress (think Prom), seeing some skin in unexpected places in a casual maxi like this was a new and pleasant surprise. This Fashionista looks both laid back and edgy at the same time because of that side-skin.

Something to keep in mind, cut-out pieces aren't for the faint of heart. You have to feel confident and fabulous to pull off a look with a little extra skin. It's all about picking the body part you love and showing that off. If you love your shoulders, try this denim shirt from Forever21. If you have rockin' abs or a great waist like this Fashionista, show it off in a dress like the aforementioned Free People version, or opt to show just a little skin with this cute mini from Asos. If you love your back, feature that with a piece that dips low in the back, like this shirt or tank from Mikkat Market, or has a cool cut out, like this option from Urban Outfitters. If you love your legs, try doing a skirt or dress that in shorter in the front and longer in the back, either in a maxi, medium or mini version. OK, so it isn't a cut out, but a skirt with a few holes might look like less like a fashion forward piece and more like one that the moths got to while you were away.

With her dark-grey, low-heeled booties, like these from Dolce Vita and gray heart necklace, this Fashionista knows how to focus the attention on her dress. Another shoe option is to do a simple flat sandal, like this pair from Sam Edelman, which also come in a multitude of colors, a definite plus. She has added a simple arm cuff, a very cool and summery accessory, and some super retro round shades. Her dark lips finish off her casual meets edgy summer look.

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STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Cut It Out

I have one piece of practical advice when it comes to dressing for concerts, shows, and festivals: wear shoes (this Fashionista is wearing trendy oxford shoes from Urban Outfitters).

But since I'm no good with practicality, the rest of my advice will be purely in regards to style, and my advice is this: cut holes in your clothes. I guess you could say that because concerts and outdoor festivals often get hot (Coachella, anyone?), cutting holes in your clothes is a practical way to stay cool. But really, cut-outs are just a great way to expose some skin that doesn't often see the sun, and they do it in a way that is chic and subtly sexy. Rather than showing skin with a low-cut top or ultra-mini, wear a dress with elaborate detailing at an open back.

There are many different ways to wear cut-outs. You can take a more casual route, with cut out jersey T-shirts or sweatshirts. Or, take an indirect route to cut-out clothing with crocheted or lace items. On the other hand, if you don't want to drop $58 on a dress that looks like it got mauled by a tiger, you can buy an oversize tee and do it yourself. Not sure where to start? Take inspiration from your favorite in-store pieces; my favorite is the web-like Cutting Point tee from Nasty Gal.

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STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Cut It Out

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STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Cut it Out

The Fashionista shows a whole new take on the little black dress. A subtle cut out in the middle keeps it classy without showing too much skin. This kind of dress will surely turn heads when worn out! Some bracelets and a long necklace give it just the right accent without taking too much away from the dress itself. And black is always a flattering color!

Style On,

Mona