STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Mix And Match

With the hustle and bustle of city life you are always surrounded by Fashionistas and Fashionistos who all have their own story. I can only wonder and imagine what it could be. I spotted this Fashionista sitting outside our school’s main building and I was curious to know her story. To sum it up in a few short words, this Fashionista is studying journalism and interested in working in the music industry. I think this Fashionista definitely expresses herself throughout her outfit.

Being in New York City, there is no need for playing it safe. This cool and confident Fashionista got it right when it comes to mixing and matching. She pairs her intricate black and white bottoms with a red polka-dot cardigan over a band tee. Check your local thrift store or eBay for your favorite band tees! The red cardigan makes this black and white ensemble pop. Red will always do the trick. She gives her outfit some edge by topping it off with a cropped leather jacket customized with her own collection of button pins.

The cold weather makes it almost necessary to throw on some hand warmers like these thick knitted gloves. Have some fun with prints and don’t be afraid of being a little out there—not everything always has to match. On one hand she has a plain black hand warmer and on the other she wears a simple striped one. The colors still go together and the pattern is also not too complicated. When mixing and matching, it's important to not go too overboard with many complex prints. Give yourself some extra height with these platform sneakers and throw on a chunky knit scarf for comfort.

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STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Mix and Match

So unfortunately, this week we have had some record high November temperatures in Texas. But that doesn't stop any Fashionista from bringing out her boots and sweaters. We can still pretend it's cold, right? This Fashionista whipped out her winter wardrobe and “mix and matched” it with a variety of colors. I love how unpredictable the mixed colors and patterns are. There are no rules in fashion and street style is definitely the new runway! Street style is all about taking what you already have and making it your own in a million different ways. I think the best way to do this (like this Fashionista did) is through accessories.

This week's Fashionista inspired me to make a post on mixing and matching accessories. So let's begin. My favorite accessory this fall are tights. They are coming in every print, pattern, material and color possible. First, ombre tights. Need I say more?

Anthropologie has outdone itself again with legwear. Along with those gems, I'm so in love with these polka-dot tights that I had to buy a pair myself. Polka-dots are classsic and timeless, and these tights will always stay in style. The next winter must-have is the knitted scarf. You can already feel it's cozy comfort just by looking at this knitted scarf by Zara. This scarf would go with just about anything, even your sweatpants and sweatshirt! Next is the perfect winter earring. Props to Kendra Scott for releasing the Art Deco-inspired Della. This earring in black will dress up any outfit with class and style.

Lastly, throw on your favorite pair of booties, riding boots, combats or flats and you are winter ready. Now we just need winter to come!

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STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Mix and Match

I think the brilliance of being a female is that we can multi-task pretty well. I have a feeling it has translated into women’s fashion. Okay, not multi-tasking precisely but the idea of mixing. If you have read my last few posts I have marked an obsession with Marc by Marc Jacobs. I adore his playful-fun looks, which to me, is what fashion is all about–fun! But with his recent collection inspired by the year 1982, anything mixed and matched is the way to go. Girly fused with street-credibility–well who would have thought? While researching, I also found Anna Sui was inspired by the idea of mix and match portraying a mixture of floral prints and hints of stripes and plaid here and there. Finding the looks on the catwalk – sure easy. But real life on the street? I wasn’t too sure if I could ever find a Fashionista invested in this look, but boy was I surprised!

This is how it started: after deciding on attending the Finders Keepers market one weekend, I was also hoping to find some stylish Fashionistas to snap. At the beginning it was so hard because there were so many people there! Either I was very picky or there were just too many people to choose from. After a few worried moments thinking I wouldn’t find someone to photograph, I came across a group of girls walking together that had absolute style! After approaching them and striking up a conversation, I found out they were all friends who worked together, bond over all things creative and were dedicated bloggers as well! What a win! And one of the Fashionistas had the whole mix and match look going on.

The first Fashionista I snapped was trending the Marc by Marc Jacobs and Anna Sui style of mix and matching prints. The springtime pastel floral dress paired with the nautical plaid worked remarkably well as both had eye-catching prints. Adding the military boots showed that this Fashionista can be girly yet a tough-girl at the same time. Expressing yourself with fashion was meant to be so STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK is to do just that- mix and match. The best place to find mix and match heaven is to visit your local vintage store where heaps of plaid shirts and floral dresses are asking you to become their owners! Another look to try is a floral print shirt and something striped such as denim jeans or a skirt. And just add some simple accessories and shoes – that’s it! Now, it wasn’t just this girl that impressed me. These girls were so adorable it even challenged me to become more ‘Sasha Fierce’ with my style. I loved their distinct wardrobe choices. Make sure to check out the next two Fashionistas in the coming weeks!

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STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Mix And Match

A few years ago thrifting was not a common activity for the average college student around town. But nowadays fashion lovers around the country frequently visit popular vintage shops and spend hours going through sales just to find that one perfect piece. Not only does this increase your chances of finding more unique items, but you will also maximize those twenty dollars you're spending during your shopping spree.

Fashionistas have been mixing vintage pieces with more modern ones to create their everyday looks. Whether it is a pair of jeans, a leather jacket or some random accessories, fashion lovers are going crazy for everything second-hand. One unique looking piece can completely transform an outfit and help you stand out for all the right reasons. One item is all it takes to add that extra spark to your outfit and prove that you are willing to take risks.

This Fashionista is no exception with her pairing of a vintage T-shirt and a pair of red colored jeans. She then spices up her outfit with a jean button up, some layered jewelry and aqua moccasins. When all of the pieces are put together, this vintage T-shirt becomes very trendy outfit.

There are many other ways to go about this mix and match look; the only trick is to not look so random. There is a simple tip for mixing and matching vintage pieces with your favorite current ones: always attempt to layer because layers add new dimensions and a sense of balance to any outfit. But most of all, to complete any outfit, just add your own unique touch and sense of style!

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STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Mix and Match

This week’s Fashionista did not stand out for the use of one bold statement piece; this Fashionista’s daring combination of several prints in one outfit is what got her spotted on the streets. The assorted patterns come together in an unexpected manner that spans across the entirety of this Fashionista’s outfit. The variety of both clothing items and accessories that have their own unique prints and patterns is the key to creating this distinctive look.

This Fashionista’s sunglasses, T-shirt and cross-body bag each have their own pattern and color scheme that work together to complete a fun and original outfit. Her top has a classic cut and white base that's spiced up with a light gray leaf print that adds some tropical flair. The cross-body bag is the a burst of color in her outfit, with woven horizontal stripes and patterns. Her wayfarer sunglasses complete the blend of patterns, with a black and white floral frame that combines the best of her shirt and bag with a few pops of red within the flowers. The variety of directionality, color scheme and concentration of each pattern makes all three work together flawlessly. This Fashionista balances her collection of patterns and prints with a simple pair of black shorts and gold sandals.

You can try this relaxed look for yourself by combining a few varieties of prints and balancing with some solid articles as well. This polka-dot chambray shirt is a low-key pattern that can be combined with some bolder pieces, such as these bright, high-waisted floral shorts. Add a pattern to any look with fun accessories like this multi-colored woven wallet or these vibrant fabric bangles. Remember to balance with solids to prevent the color schemes from getting too wildly different.

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STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Mix And Match

For years, we’ve seen the maxi dress fade from fashionable to boring and bounce back again. This spring and summer season is no exception, maxi dresses are back but in a super new way. Everything from watercolor prints, to bold color blocking, to head to toe stripes the maxi dress comes in just about every option.

Walking through the union on a scorching afternoon, I spotted this week’s Fashionista from far away by her head-to-toe opposing pattern schemes, cool and casually. I love how this week’s Fashionista did a twist on the maxi dress. She mixed it up by paring her Missoni-inspired maxi skirt with a contrasting horizontal striped tank. This Fashionista pulled the whole outfit off effortlessly by mixing and matching patterns.

Forever 21 has a super cute knitted maxi skirt, called the Maxi Length Lace Skirt; I advise styling it with a tied up jean shirt, or even a plain white tank and chunky dramatic necklace. I found a C&C California Tie Dyed Maxi Dress that is sure to stand out and be a nice addition to any Fashionista's wardrobe. For those looking for a more modern twist on both the maxi dress skirt, try something with a cut out. Zara has a deep green dress with transparency keeping your maxi needs met and your knees cool. This horizontal Amie Maxidress in Engineered stripe from J.Crew can be dressed up for dinner with wedges and a blazer or worn on a cool summer evening.

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STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Mix and Match

We have seen the mixing of different prints on the runway for a few seasons and it is still definitely a big trend this upcoming season. To me, mixing prints is almost like math in the sense that if added together right, they can produce an amazing answer; but with a slight miscalculation they can end up horribly wrong.

Mixing prints and patterns can be extremely intimidating at times but if done well it can look phenomenal and fashion forward. That is why I adore this week’s Fashionisto’s outfit choice. If I counted it right, he mixed four different kinds of prints and wore a pair of colored jeans. That, my friends, needs applause. Oh, and he is also sporting some rings, bracelets, a belt, great shoes, dreads and still managed to look awesome. I don’t know how he did all that but he most certainly pulled it off.

Some people just go for it and will mix two large bold prints and look fierce. However, the best way to achieve this look in my books is to have one main print as the focus point and keep the rest minimal and in the same color family. For example, try a bold print on a blazer with a smaller, subtler print on the blouse underneath (or vice versa). Finish off the look with a pair of jeans running in the same color family as your top half and you will look so stylish and chic. This Fashionisto’s look works perfectly because he did exactly that. His Hugo Boss blazer is clearly the main focus with the blue and green plaid dominating the outfit. He then added an understated striped button-down shirt and fairly busy tie yet it works because he stuck to the blues. Sticking to that color family, his jeans are a deep teal color that really ties the whole outfit together. Although this Fashionisto has a lot of different patterns and colors going on, they are fairly muted which makes them work really well together.

I love when people choose to mix prints because a lot of the time it gets them out of their comfort zone and into something totally new and fun. Like I mentioned before, the key to mixing prints is to have one emphasized item and keep the rest simple. I am sure this trend will continue to be in style for seasons to come and I cannot wait to see what bigger and better things evolve from it.

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STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Mix and Match

Walking to class I stumbled across this Bulgarian native Fashionista and her style instantly caught my eye, but I could not figure out exactly what about her outfit intrigued me. Once I stopped and talked to her, I realized that her style was girly with an edgy twist. Her floral top tucked into her shorts went nicely with her heart shaped belt. This Fashionista was able to mix preppy, pretty, and trendy pieces together without having an overkill of styles.

Mixing and matching styles is a skill that is hard to master, but when executed correctly it makes for a memorable outfit. They key to combining contrasting fashions is to make sure that the pieces still look coherent although they are not of the same style. A nice mix of trendy and classic would be the Cold Denim Shirt by Urban Outfitters, tucked into Zara’s chiffon maxi skirt. One could wear ballet flats or dress it up with all black suede wedges. If you are looking for a mix between classic and edgy you should pair simple black draped shorts from Nasty Gal's with a bright colored silk top from J.Crew. Black opaque tights, a motorcycle leather jacket and the same black suede wedges will give this seemingly classic outfit just the edge it needs. When it comes to mixing and matching you are far from limited Fashionistas! The trick to fnding out what works is to simply play around with different pieces. Fashion is all about being attractive to the eye and a true Fashionista can spot a good outfit in an instant.

Don’t label yourselves to specific styles of fashion, use these varied styles to constantly recreate your wardrobe. Try something different Fashionistas you never know what outfit gems you may end up creating.

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STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Play with Color

Cold weather can really complicate an outfit.

In addition to thinking about what top and bottom to wear, there’s also the coordination of boots, socks, sweaters, coats, gloves, hats and scarves to consider. It’s no wonder many people end up donning all black to avoid the effort of matching everything.

Luckily, today’s Fashionista proves you can go ahead and forget about matching. In fact, the items in your closet you keep farthest from one another may create a fantastic combination. This Fashionista has paired a bright green dress with geometric prints with gray tights, brown boots, a red scarf and blue jacket. These aren’t colours you would normally think of wearing together, but the result is a bright, playful outfit that’s great for everyday.

There are no rules to creating a mixed-up outfit like this one. You just have to get creative and be a little brave. Simply try pairing colours you normally keep separate. You’ll be surprised at what works together.

Hint: One way to start mixing up your clothes is to try pairing complementary colours. Try yellow with purple, green with red and blue with orange.

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STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Mix and Match

Forget all the “fashion rules” that you have been told over the years. The theory of never wearing brown and black together has clearly been proved wrong over and over again in the fashion world and now there is a new fashion rule being broken by all the bold trendsetters out there. Don't worry about having to match your entire outfit together, nowadays mixing different prints is a total Fashionista move. Although runway models are dressed in crazy colored asymmetrical skirts with flower patterned ruffled shirts you do not have to go that overboard with the trend. You can try out this new look by just pairing a striped sweater with a polka-dot scarf like this Fashionista.

I love how bold and big the black stripes are on her sweater and how subtle the dots are on her scarf; the balance was just right. Remember that if you want to mix prints like this, make sure to keep everything else in your ensemble pretty low-key and simple. As you can see she kept everything else in her outfit black, her leggings and boots are solid; this helps to keep the attention on the sweater/scarf statement that she is trying to show off. An added bonus? An outfit like this is perfect for finals week because it is comfortable for those long nights of studying, but trendy too!

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STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Mix and Match

Remember those past days of dress up, where you’d mix and match everything in your wardrobe and call it “fabulous”? Well you shouldn’t have quit while you were ahead—mixing and matching is definitely in. Whether it’s stripes, florals, or leopard print, combining different textures is a cute and easy way to really make an outfit stand out. I spotted this college fashionista pairing a bright floral dress with a neutral striped sweater. She fashioned the perfect combination of a summer dress with a fall sweater: a reminder that fall is just beginning!

Mixing and matching is a preppy yet edgy way to wear all the fall prints you are excited about. Not to mention, you can continue wearing ditsy floral prints without looking out of season. Don’t be shy; all of the runway models and celebrities are doing it too! Patterned clothing always reappears this time of year, so why not take full advantage and wear multiple patterns at once? The look would be perfect for an internship, afternoon date, or brunch with your friends.

Mixing prints a little too crazy for you? Start small, by pairing gold and silver accessories together like this trendy girl did. Notice how she’s wearing a gold watch and buttons with a silver ring and shoes? Exactly. It’s less noticeable, yet still daring.

If you’re looking for some good prints to start out with, try something more neutral like this Rebecca Taylor leopard print sweater from Bergdorf Goodman, or this polka dot scarf that is cropping up on celebrities like Rachel Bilson and Dakota Fanning. The great thing about polka dots and leopard print is that they come in virtually every color, so you can pair it back to whatever print you have in mind!

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STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Mix and Match!

This week my style advice is based on mixing and matching different colors, fabrics and elements of dress, while still maintaining a put together look. It is easy to overwhelm an outfit simply by putting on the wrong pair of earrings, too high of a heel or fabrics/textiles that blatantly fight with one another. This student however found a way to mix fringe, chunky boots, bright earrings, floral prints and glasses all in one outfit