As I walked to class, I spotted the face of a Fashionista. This face, knitted coyly onto my fellow Barnard student’s sweater, instantly commanded my attention. The Lucky Brand cardigan, purchased while this sartorialist was still in high school, is a unique and underestimated garment. Sweaters are usually shafted into the basics category, and as the winter approaches and layers pile, Fashionistas become more and more homogenous. While outer garments are usually basic dark hues of black, blue and brown, this Fashionista is unafraid to dance with the knitting devil.

Graphic sweaters, popularized by several designers but mastered by Betsey Johnson, are playful and loud, yet tasteful. The lasting power of a graphic sweater compared to that of a graphic T-shirt is much greater; this Fashionista purchased her sweater more than five years ago! I find that while the graphic T-shirts quickly lose their shine, sweaters remain aesthetically pleasing.

This Fashionista incorporates similar colors in her diversely patterned outfit: her Gap button-down that peaks from beneath her cardigan is made of reds and blues that accentuate the design on her sweater. Likewise, her Marc by Marc Jacobs skirt is made of a similar palette: the blue and pink are variations on the other patterns and designs in her ensemble. The assemblage of plaid, bows and graphics are masterfully paired to complement one another.

By pairing more masculine oxford shoes with her girly outfit, this Fashionista hardens her look. The green leather shoes are the perfect accent to her look: they downplay her sweater’s demure graphic and balance the hard and soft edges of her look. However intimidating, don’t shy from graphics and mixed media. The key to a successful outfit is not always homogeneity: the success of this Fashionista’s look is largely a product of her eclectic taste.