No Makeup-Makeup

Summer is the perfect time to rock that no makeup-makeup look! It’s hot and sticky out in most places so who can be bothered to cake on a bunch of heavy makeup? I love this look during the summer months when you want something a little lighter and more natural looking.

When going more subtle with the makeup it’s fun playing around with different patterns in the outfit. Here, I have paired a black and white leopard print shirt with plain black shorts and ballet flats.

For this look, I have used the bareMinerals Original Foundation. I love the way this evens out my skin tone but looks natural and feels light. On my cheeks, I have used Charlotte Tilbury’s blush in First Love and the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze and Glow duo. This pair is exactly what is needed to create a natural, glowy look. The contour powder in the duo is the perfect shade to add some color to any face without making it look orange or muddy. The highlighter is subtle enough to add a pop of shine without looking sparkly or greasy. Lastly, the blush is the perfect shade to give some natural looking color to my cheeks.

For my eyes, I have used the Maybelline Clump Crusher mascara and the Too Faced Natural Eyes eye shadow palette. The brown tones in the palette complement my eye color and this mascara makes my lashes look longer without being clumpy! Finally, I finished off the look with MAC’s Liptensity Lipstick in Smoked Almond. This is my favorite lipstick because it gives you a pop of color but is still very wearable. What more could a girl want in a lipstick?

Forget What You Heard—Black is Still the New Black

As years come and go, the phrase “(insert color here) is the new black” is always repeated. But as I have come to learn, black is, and always will be, the new black. Black is a go-to color due to its slimming effect, how it’s easy to match, and it how can be worn in every season. Whether it’s because you’re not a color aficionado or you’re mourning the loss of your favorite The Bachelorette contestant, black is always here for you.

I chose to create this predominately black ensemble with my favorite black denim skirt, black sandals, and a black tank top with a black bralette underneath. I completed this look with a blue denim jacket to create a hint of contrast while tying in the denim pieces. Denim-on-denim is a huge trend this summer, and I can only hope it’s here to stay. Between all of the different denim washes, the possibilities for denim-on-denim are endless. We owe a shout-out to Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake for showing us this trend.

One of my favorite details regarding this outfit is the open back feature of my tank top. It opens up the perfect opportunity to display my favorite black, lacy bralette. This peek-a-boo feature also adds a little flair to the outfit and helps keep me cool during summer days.

The black sandals also dress up the look but also transform this outfit from day to night. By taking off the jacket and adding some darker makeup, this outfit is great for a night out on the town.

The versatility of all of these pieces, as well as their ability to tie together, is what makes this outfit one of my favorites. So, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t always wear black.

How do you guys like to style your black-on-black looks? Post in the comments below some of your favorite tips!

What to Wear to Your Internship 101

With summertime in full swing and the New York subways consistently having delays (and little to no air-conditioning might I add), it’s hard to know the best way to dress every day. The concrete jungle is truly the place to be this summer if you want to be immersed in fashion, business, writing, and, of course, to visit the incredible CF Clubhouse. When bouncing from place to place, you have to have an outfit that is functional, work-appropriate, chic, and versatile. The color that reigns supreme is, of course, black.

Whether you’re working in a workplace environment that has no dress code or if your office has very strict apparel guidelines, all black is always a great option. I say this because if your internship or job denies you the creative freedom to wear anything you want, accessories will be your best friend this summer.

For those of you who have to wear business professional attire every day, there are a few staple items that are trendy yet appropriate for work. Hoop earrings are always a good choice for accessorizing a simple look. In addition to being at their peak in terms of style trends, they also look great with anything and everything. Statement piece bags are also a great way to accessorize a black, business professional ensemble. You can make a splash while walking on your way to work while still following the strict guidelines set by the office.

For those of you who work in spaces with little to no dress codes, comfort and mobility are your number two priorities, because number one, of course, is being fabulous and stylish. Sneakers are a hot ticket item this season with the rise of Stan Smith Sneakers and Vans. For those of us who have hectic commutes or are working at internships that have us delivering products across the city, sneakers and other comfortable forms of footwear are essential.

The one item that everyone, no matter what their dress code, should always be sporting this summer is a chic pair of sunglasses! Sunglasses grant the ability to show off the wearer’s personality as well as their own personal tastes and styles. There are so many different frames and cuts of sunglasses that can not only complement your bone structure but can also add an element of sparkle to look that is all black. Be daring in your choice of sunglasses, Fashionistas—colorful sunglasses are in this summer!

What do you wear to your internship? Comment below!

Black and Bougie

Who doesn’t love the color black? Black goes with everything. When you need another color to go with your look, especially when it has bright colors, put a little black into your style. It’s a signature color you can wear with anything. As I was walking around the city, I found this chic Fashionista touring around. We can say that this Fashionista sure knew how to put this color in her latest outfit.

Dayna DiJoseph, a Syracuse University senior, shows her killer attitude by styling this outfit with a black lace tank top, denim ripped shorts, and black boots. The accessories tell it all with a simple snake choker, black beret, black sunglasses and Givenchy purse. This Fashionista is bad and bougie. You can see that she brings her ‘A-game’ showing her feminine dark side. Black goes with everything because black is forever like diamonds.

Let’s say you want to flex off the haters when you go back to school. You want to make them jealous because they did you wrong. Well, let me tell you this—use this color to throw shade and cat-walk it out. This summer, commit to getting the latest pieces to make your look different. You know what they always say, “everyone has to have a little bad side in them.” With this color, you can have it all, being bad and bougie.

Do you feel the same about this color? Let me know in the comments below and tag @Cfashionista in your posts.

How to Dress Up and Down with Sheer Black Clothing

When the sheer trend took over the fashion world, I stuck to the cardinal rule of fashion that a city girl always has in her arsenal: black will always be the new black. The best part about sheer black pieces is that they can be both dressed up and dressed down, depending on the occasion. My favorite look is sheer outerwear. The thin fabric allows you to stylishly layer, even during the warm summer months.

For the first look, I paired a sheer black bomber jacket with a simple gray crop top and some relaxed-fit ripped jeans. Simple sneakers can help you stay comfortable during a fun day out. To add a touch of color, wear some funky accessories, such as a body chain or waterfall earrings. These will let your personality shine through without distracting from your city-chic flair.

For later in the day, swap out the denim for a black miniskirt to instantly look more dressed-up. Add some chic ankle boots, which add a touch of glam that will instantly make you stand out from the crowd.

You can also easily incorporate the sheer trend into your internship wardrobe. A sheer paneled blazer is perfect for both the workday and any after-work events. Wear either a simple T-shirt or a formal shirt, depending on your work environment, tucked into a black skirt. Finish the look with a medium-sized handbag to carry all your essentials. The sheer paneling transforms the traditional blazer into a hot fashion piece that is sure to wow all your work friends.

The blazer can also be paired with jeans to channel some off-duty model vibes as you strut down the streets. The structure of the jacket and the casual jeans creates a cool contrast that is perfect for both night and day

I think we can all agree that this trend won’t be leaving us anytime soon! How did you wear the sheer trend? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @CFashionista.

I Had One Day in Venice, Here’s What I Wore

Venice, Italy is a place I had always dreamed of. I fell in love with photos of the long, peaceful canals, the multicolored buildings with flowers in the windows, the cobblestone streets clad with cafés, shops, and fruit stands. So, naturally, even though it was about four hours away from the town I was studying in for a month, I was determined to make the journey. With only one full day to explore the town, I wanted to wear something that would withstand the long day but also make me feel like a part of the romantic town. Here’s what I decided to go with.

Step One: The Dress

First, I chose a simple, black midi dress. This is one of my favorite items in my closet, because of its versatility, comfort, and class. A basic dress like this can be worn in countless ways; it can be dressed up or down, and pretty much anything looks good with it. Another great thing is the breeziness of the material and design. Its light and airy so you don’t get hot, which is essential for walking around in the summer heat all day.

This dress really made me feel like I was a Venetian. In Italy, you see a lot of longer, looser skirts and pants. As I walked down the streets with this dress blowing in the wind, I felt like I truly belonged in the town.

Also, one of the best parts about this dress? The style of it makes it super easy to go braless. And if you’re anything like me, that is a win.

Step Two: The Hat

I knew that if I was wandering around Venice all day, I needed to bring my beloved boating hat. These hats are kind of a quintessential Italian accessory, as you will see tons of street vendors selling all types of them. I wanted to wear mine to pay tribute to the gondoliers, the adorable men in their striped shirts and straw hats that steer the boats all day.

Aside from being a sort of sentimental symbol of Italy, the hat jazzed up my outfit in a great way too. It made it so I didn’t have to accessorize a whole lot, which contributed well to my comfort. It also did its job keeping the sun out of my face, thus keeping most of my makeup in tact throughout the day.

I ultimately knew the hat was the right choice when I took a look at all the great photos I got from it. Thank you, magical hat.

My philosophy when picking an outfit for a special travel adventure is to be comfortable, but to wear something you are going to look back on happily. My breezy dress and hat served me well with all the wandering and boat-riding. But most of all, I felt like a true Venetian.

What are you wearing on your summer travel adventures? Show us on social media by tagging @CFashionista!

Retro Style Revival from My Mom’s Closet

We all have heard our mothers talk about what they used to wear at our age, and we’ve all heard them tell us that everything comes back into style, so it was no surprise when we started seeing vintage style denim everywhere. Luckily for me, my mom had been cleaning out her closet and offered me a few denim pieces that she no longer wore. I’m not even kidding when I say I heard angels sing when I dug up this pair of jeans.

It was love at first sight with these acid wash Guess jeans. I quickly ran to squeeze in them, thinking of potential outfits as I was zipping the ankle zippers.

I wanted to keep my mom in mind when creating a look so I kept jewelry really simple with my gold hoop necklace because she always wears gold hoop earrings, and I paired it with a single gold strand bracelet that she gave me.

While keeping things simple, I wore black ankle-strap sandals. I knew these would give my look the extra “oomph” I was looking for.

For the top, I’m really loving the ribbed, lettuce edge tops that I’ve been seeing all over Pinterest and Instagram. Then, to add a little more on-trend action, I chose a top that was off-the-shoulder. The way this top sits on the shoulders gives me added vintage vibes that I loved. I totally felt Sandy’s Grease vibes during “You’re the One That I Want.”

Denim is one of those pieces you can style effortlessly and will always be in your closet. I never thought I’d wear acid wash jeans, but these were practically heaven sent.

Show us how you’re wearing vintage denim by tagging @CFashionista on Instagram!

Black to Basics

There is a big difference between “being basic” and “wearing basics.” To clarify: being basic is a term about people who like mainstream products and trends. Wearing basics is dressing in basic colors and products and making them your own. Black tops and bottoms are essential pieces for any closet. With very basic pieces, you have versatility in your closet. You can change and mix up the way you style your everyday, simple pieces. If you think that basics mean boring, stop right now! I mean it. Stop what you’re thinking, and let me show you how basics can be your ultimate tool for a super chic, unique wardrobe.

For this outfit, I paired black culottes with a tie-waist with a black, off-the-shoulder top. Although these pieces are very simple, they are still super trendy. Culottes are a versatile piece and a great alternative to skirts and the typical skinny jean. Cold shoulder tops have been a huge hit this past season and are still going strong for the summer, which means we don’t need to let them go just yet! The flattering, flirty neckline reveals collarbone and shoulders that’ll bring the boys (or girls) to your yard.

For shoes, I chose my go-to white sneakers to add some brightness to the outfit. To spice up this outfit and make it my own, I added some of my favorite gold jewelry. I paired a few of my gold chokers to add some bling to my bare neckline. I topped it off with gold rings and bracelets.

I always find that my outfits look better when I do my hair. For this look, I curled my hair with a curling iron and created two cornrow-inspired braids on the top of my head. To finish off this outfit for a sunny day, add some cute sunnies. If you plan on going out with friends, add a leather jacket in case it gets chilly out!

How would you pair some of your basic pieces? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista

Over”All” the Rage!

Okay, I know what you’re thinking. The pun I used in the title is lame and I need to be stopped. I’m going to pretend it’s funny and not pathetic, so let’s move on and talk about my favorite trend: overalls.

I’m going to be honest, when overalls first started coming back in style I wasn’t super excited about it. I never used to take many risks when it comes to fashion, so it sort of freaked me out when people wore them. But the more I saw them around, and really saw how trendy people made them look, I had to go out and get a pair. Now, my overalls are my favorite piece of clothing in my closet.

My favorite pair of overalls I own are the black ones I’m wearing in the above picture. They fit like a glove and almost make me look taller. (I’m 5’2 so this is definitely a good thing.)

My favorite thing about overalls is how pairing them with a cute crop top or T-shirt makes it look like you tried really hard to put together an outfit when you probably didn’t. It’s a really simple look that makes it look like you spent a lot of time putting it together.

A concern I had before buying my overalls was that I didn’t think I had anywhere I could wear them. I think I thought this because I was intimidated by how stylish they look. In reality, overalls look good for different occasions, depending on what you wear them with.

In the outfit I wore above, I’m definitely going for an edgier look with the white crop top underneath. This is more appropriate for a party or a concert. I paired them with my favorite black booties, a black wide-brim hat, a black choker (always), and my black sunglasses to shield my eyes from the golden hour.

For a more casual look, you could pair them with any T-shirt, which you can tuck into the overalls, and throw on a pair of sneakers. This is perfect for school, a day out in the city, or just for a coffee date with your friends. You’ll still look super cool and make people think your outfit took a lot of effort.

Want to know what the best thing about overalls is? They come in all different colors and styles! You don’t need to get long black ones like me. You could shorts style, denim in pretty much any kind of wash you could think of, and even in the form of a dress! I love how versatile overalls are, so you’re really able to show off your personality, creativity, and sense of style when you wear them.

Do you have a pair of overalls you’re obsessed with? Comment below, or share with us via social media on @CFashionista!

How to Wear an Off-the-Shoulder Top in Style

Lately, I’ve noticed that off-the-shoulder tops are starting to trend for the summer. With the hot weather arriving, these tops are essential because they will keep you cool from the heat. There are so many different colors and patterns for off-the-shoulder tops, and they pair perfectly with any style.

This Fashionista is wearing a light, blue and white striped off-the-shoulder top. She paired this top with frayed black shorts and a black belt with a unique silver buckle. Here, she tucked the front of her shirt into her shorts to accentuate her belt buckle. To make this look stand out, instead of wearing the typical sandals or wedges, she chose to wear white Adidas that have a hint of blue.

For the finishing touch to this outfit, she wore silver accessories: a silver choker, a silver bracelet, and silver rings. This Fashionista told me she loves to shop, but she tries to create her own style with different trends; whether it’s the shoes or a different color scheme, she’s always making herself stand out from the rest!

It’s always okay to follow the latest trends, but it’s even better to make these trends your own and add a little flair to it. Don’t be afraid to not follow trends, either—having your own style is awesome! However you decide to dress, trendy or not, don’t be afraid to be your own person and not follow the status quo.

How would you wear this trend? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @CFashionista.