STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Wrap It Up

To anyone who has read even just a few of my previous Style Advice posts, I’m sorry. I realize I must sound like a broken record. I can’t help it. I find Florida’s never-ending heat quite annoying, especially when it comes to dressing myself. Sometimes a girl just wants to throw on a cardigan without breaking a sweat. I mean, come on! It’s October.

So as you might guess, I was ecstatic when the weather dropped below 70 degrees last week. And although some of us received ridicule for it, I was one of many that broke out my scarf collection. Now, I want to be clear. Thick, wool knit scarves in the high 60s/low 70s are quite ridiculous. It’s cooler out, not freezing. But light, breathable scarves are totally acceptable.

When I spotted this Fashionista, I knew I had to share her ensemble. This little lady has the perfect look for our faux-fall weather. She begins her outfit with a white, sheer button-down and a pair of black shorts. She pairs that with a pretty beige cardigan, neutral socks and black combat boots. She completes the look with a fabulous maroon scarf and accessorizes with large circular earrings and an eclectic collection of rings. Really, the whole look is to die for.

If you’d like to replicate this Fashionista’s look, it’s quite simple. Just take your typical summer outfit (shorts and a shirt) and spruce it up with a great pair of boots, a fun scarf and a light cardigan. Voila! You’re ready for October in St. Augustine.

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STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Wrap it Up

The wind. Some would consider it to be the worst part of the changing of the seasons. It whips the face and wraps itself around the ears and neck. The wind has made a blustery appearance on campus, and, as a result, Fashionistas have been spotted with their solutions to the windy weather. One commonality lies within the comfort and diversity of a simple scarf.

I spotted this Fashionista on one of the stormiest days this week, and my eyes were drawn right to her scarf. She found her scarf at a local Syracuse boutique, but Fashionistas outside of the Syracuse area could find a similar scarf at Urban Outfitters. Cold weather survival is nothing without a good coat, and this Fashionista's look is no exception. She sports a simple navy blue coat with a mustard cardigan, both from Forever 21. Keeping it easy, she wears simple jeans from J.C. Penney and a pair of leather riding boots from DSW. Her bag is a Samsonite Sentry bag from Etsy.

When it comes to the crisper days of fall, there is nothing like a good scarf to top off a Fashionista's cold weather outfit. Use scarves not only to protect from the bite of the wind, but also to add a drop of color and a twist to your outfit.

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STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Wrap It Up

With fall’s windy and bitter weather arriving, Fashionistas need to start bundling up and increasing their layers to stay warm on campus. But how can you remain comfortable in this weather and still look cute? A simple solution is to wrap yourself up! Scarves are the best accessory to add your everyday ensemble. They keep you warm, they’re super soft, and not to mention chic! There are so many scarf options out there one is sure to wrap its flair around you!

Scarves have been a key style trend for the past several years, so there are now so many options available in different fabrics, colors, and finishes. There will always be the classic pashmina scarf, seen being worn by this Fashionista. They are soft, thick, and come in just about every color. They also are found in patterns and prints that are popular in the season. This year I have been seeing a lot skull print scarves like this one
by the renowned and remarkable designer Alexander McQueen. Printed scarves can complete your outfit, but you don’t always need to wear a statement scarf. This Fashionista caught my eye when I saw her complimentary color story strolling through FIT’s common grounds. The red-orange solid scarf paired with her orange top and blue mini skirt really makes a statement. The 2 color tones bring out the best of each other without clashing. This can be done with other colors as well. Try pairing a gold scarf with deep, rich purples or layer on shades of pink and a great forest green scarf. Your colors will be exuberant and vivacious, just like any College Fashionista should be! You can also pull off any of these color stories in other scarf fabrics, like this great knit eternity scarf from Urban Outfitters. One last great option that offers a different way to tie your functional, fashionable neckpiece is this polyester polka dot scarf from TopShop. So make sure this Fall you stay warm and stay chic. The wrapabilities are endless!

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STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Wrap it Up

The transition from lazy college days to stressful graduate interviews is a rigid affair. We are used to expressing ourselves through eclectic dressing and the college green is the perfect place to showcase individual style. The interview office, however, is a whole different catwalk. Now that the summer is upon us, many final years will be building their CV’s, searching for positions and, of course, deciding what to wear. The pant suit is the typical option or, for those feeling more adventurous, the smart pencil dress is a good option. Taking inspiration from this season's '70s-inspired looks, I have decided to go all alternative and retro with a Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress.

The DVF jersey wrap dress was the designer’s first and greatest triumph and even holds a place at The Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Debuting in 1972 it was an instant sensation and soon became a staple piece in many women’s wardrobes that exuded that '70s cool and casual dressing. The dress became a regular associate in the boardroom and subsequently brought femininity back into the workplace. Furstenberg sold over 5,000 jersey wraps in the '70s, yet due to such overexposure the piece ran its course and was soon replaced by '80s counter trends such as power dressing. The '90s, however, saw a comeback, not only for the wrap dress but for the House of Furstenberg in general. Celebrities and television shows such as the women on Sex and the City and The City heightened the comeback and brought the wrap dress back on our radar.

This week’s Fashionista had borrowed her wrap dress from her sister for an interview and has yet to return it. This particular number is not DVF but a piece by an old school Benneton collection. It is hard to believe it is not DVF as the signature pattern and jersey materials make this piece a dead ringer for the iconic dress and as such shows the power that high street is acquiring. This Fashionista is not on her way to an interview but is out to lunch with some friends yet feels that the dress is versatile for both work and play, as she continues to wear the dress to the office (yes, she got the job!)

High street has some great versions with ASOS showcasing a pencil style wrap, a polka-dot Jaeger number that is great for the office and this ASOS scarlet piece that would be great with a blazer for day and on its own for the evening to showcase the cutout back. For some of the real thing go to ShopStyle.com where they havce a great selection of classic DVF wrap dresses.

This dress is a great interview alternative to the typical shirt and trouser combination, especially if the job is within the fashion field. So, like Ms. Diane Von Furstenberg, remember, it’s all about dressing very feminine!

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STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Wrap it Up

It’s autumn here in Oz and the only way to whip away those chilly winds is to wrap up in warm woollies.

Statement scarfs not only protect us from the cold, but they add a bit of cheer to otherwise drab days. Teamed with relaxed shirting and floating fabrics, scarfs provide a hint of glamour to the modern fashion aesthetic. And with the explosion of prints it’s hard not to clash, flash and mash all the colourful patterns that adorn our robes.

This Fashionista plays into the pattern and colour movement with her red tartan scarf and her leopard print skirt. Proving life is all about colour, this Fashionista has taken a canvas of black and added red, red, red. Red lipstick, red beanie, red scarf – amping up the volume with a triple treat of red. Ever the scarlet woman, this Fashionista brings sexy back with her sheer shirt and black bustier highlighting her ruby accessories.

Hint: Knee-high sock s are a great way to keep warm without keeping your legs completely hidden under full leg black opaque stockings. But it’s not all about comfort. Knee-highs cheer up outfits by making them pretty and chic.