Tag: Button-down

The White Button-Down—Your Most Versatile Style Basic

The most versatile piece of clothing, next to your favorite pair of denim, hangs your white button-down. Whether your button-down is oversize or off-the-shoulder, linen or cotton, it is essential in every wardrobe.

To get the most out of your button-down, try these styling tips.

1—Off-the-shoulder. First, button the shirt halfway down from the collar. Tie one end of the shirt through the opening between buttons and knot with the other end. Then, fold the upper half of the shirt over (the same width as the collar). To complete the look, pair it with high-waisted pants or a skirt.

2—Classic tie. Knot the button-down through the opening of the buttons for added security or loosely since the two ends together (like tying your shoes). As with any cropped shirt, a tied button-down is best paired with high-waisted pants or a skirt.

3—Backwards. Wearing a button-down backward can be done two ways. First, flip the shirt around and begin buttoning at the collar, then leave a couple of buttons open at the bottom to expose some of your back. Low-rise skinny jeans are your best friend with this one. On the contrary, you can also start buttoning from the bottom, leaving the top loose and casual. For a slightly more polished look, tuck the shirt into high-waisted pants or a skirt.

4—Bandeau top. Button the shirt as you normally would, leaving your arms out of the sleeves. Next, wrap the sleeves to the front of the shirt and knot or tuck them into the top of the bandeau. This can also be done with one sleeve for a one-shoulder look.

The button-down is not only a style basic for its functionality but its versatility for every style. For a more feminine look, Fashionistas pair it with an A-line skirt. However, the same shirt tied differently with a pair of high-waisted denim edges it up a bit. An oversize white button-down is perfect for a more relaxed look while a fitted button-down makes for a workwear essential. Choose to wear it buttoned to the top or loose and casual. No matter how you wear it, it’s sure to be your next wardrobe staple.

What’s your favorite way to wear a button-down? Tag your photos @cfashionista!

Denim Outfits Inspired by Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake

Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake had one of the most iconic couple looks of the early 2000’s. Now that denim-on-denim is back in style, it’s easy to be inspired by TimberBrit’s double denim ensembles worn at the 2001 American Music Awards. Justin and Britney weren’t the only pop stars to pull off the look. In 2014, Katy Perry joined her then rapper boyfriend, Riff Raff, to wear similar yet even more extra outfits to the VMAs.

If you don’t want to wear denim from head to toe, there are many adaptations you and your partner can use. Create the look as extreme or subdued as each person’s styles reflect. My boyfriend and I created a very subtle look for our Sunday outings.

His Look

Travis decided to stay simple by wearing a gray-blue denim shirt. He dressed the look up by pairing light khakis and dark brown accessories.

Alternative look: Another way to pull off the trend could be to pair a denim shirt with black denim jeans. A light acid wash denim jacket with distressed jeans and a T-shirt would also be stylish.

Her Look

I threw on my favorite pair of distressed jeans to keep the overall look casual and paired it with a black bodysuit and tan trench coat. I pulled my hair back with a denim hair scrunchie. To finish off the look, I wore these adorable pair of denim heels.

Alternative look: To wear even more denim, you could pair the heels with a denim dress. If heels aren’t your thing, you could pair denim sandals and shirt with jean shorts.

What do you think of mix and matching denim shades? Let us know in the comments below.

How to Ace Your Interview and Snag the Job

Summer is coming to a close but applying to fall internships are on the rise. Have no fear! I have a few tips and tricks for how to get the job.  At the end of the day, that’s the goal, right? Here are some ways to be extra confident going into your interviews.

1—Interview appearance. Interviews are all about first impressions and believe it or not your outfit says a lot about you, so dress to impress. Make sure you look put together. My go to is a blazer, colored blouse,  trousers and a nude heel. First impressions are prominent not only in interviews but in life in general! So leave your mark and do it in style.

2—Do a background check! Before going into any interview, do a background check. Use those incredible internet skills. Get a better idea of what you are actually applying for and see what the company is all about. This will give you some talking points if needed and will help with having questions prepared ahead of time.

3—Practice the tough questions. Typical tough interview questions include: What makes you different from everyone else who wants this job? Tell me a little about yourself? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What salary do you think you deserve? Where do you see yourself in five years?

Now here are only a few tough questions. Don’t stress these questions.  Think about a couple of these questions before your interview and think about how you’d like to answer them. My best advice is to not over-rehearse. You still want your answer authentic, so if you over practice it will sound over-practiced.

4—Always ask at least one question at the end of your interview. There is always that moment at the end of the interview when the interviewer asks you if you have any questions and, if you’re like me, most times my questions do not come up until later, after going over the interview in my head. So, asking a question at the end is essential if you want to really get a step ahead. Asking at least one question in your interview or having one prepared can show promise and real interest. It displays that you weren’t just bobbing your head. If you’re like me and can’t think of questions on the spot, try to have two or three prepared before you go in.

5—As cheesy as this sounds, be yourself. Whatever you are applying whether it be an internship or your future dream job, they want to hire you, not a person you morphed yourself to be for the job. Be confident and take a deep breath because you’re awesome, own it. As nervous as you may get, it’s just a conversation. Just remember to stay positive and relax. Show your personality and prove why you are qualified for the job, it’ll turn out great.

Share with us the cool internships you get after using some of these tips with us @Cfashionista.

An Outfit for Beating the Desert Heat

This summer, I was able to take a trip to Las Vegas while also visiting the Grand Canyon and seeing the city for all it has to offer. Unlike Chicago, Las Vegas brought a dry desert heat with temperatures up to over 100 degrees, so luckily I did not have to bother bringing a jacket everywhere I went. While visiting the Las Vegas Strip seemed to be hectic at times, many of the sights there were perfect spots for photo ops. Dodging Chicago’s stormy weather for Vegas’ beautiful sun, I decided to wear some of my favorite summer pieces throughout the week.

I chose to go for light, airy pieces in order to avoid getting extremely hot while walking the Vegas strip or going to a restaurant. On this specific day, I chose to wear a striped button-down comfortable enough to withstand the heat. I was able to cover up a bit while also feeling cool enough to do a great amount of walking. Although the striped button-down fell mid-thigh, I wore a black skirt under it in order to avoid any mishaps or a sudden gust of wind. Along with the button-down and skirt, I paired a pair of white and blue sneakers to match the light blue hues found on the button-down. The shoes were comfortable enough to walk far distances in, and also added a casual touch to my look.

To accessorize, I chose to wear my everyday silver jewelry: a stack of bracelets and a simple diamond necklace. With the Las Vegas strip bustling with people day and night, choosing to go for simple accessories helped me avoid my jewelry getting dropped, lost, or caught onto things or people. This allowed me to worry about one less thing while I continually weaved and walked along side hundreds of people.

The switch from cold, stormy weather to the intense heat in Vegas was a nice change, and I’m glad I was able to wear summer clothing pieces without worrying about whether or not I would get chilly later on in the day. With the anticipation of more summer heat bringing the sun and higher temperatures, I am getting more and more excited to wear and buy new pieces fit for hot, sunny days. Hopefully, though, Chicago’s weather will make a turn for the better, and I won’t have to travel somewhere warm just to bring out my summer clothing.

Even so, I am sure I’ll find a way to work my summer clothes to whatever weather Chicago decides to bring, and hope you find ways to work your favorite summer pieces into whatever weather decides to bring to your area also.

Do you have any staple pieces that you love to wear in the summer heat? If so, comment below, I’d love to know!

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Professional Wear Is No Excuse to Be Boring

Professional dress tends to have a negative connotation. The thought of having to wear a boring button-down shirt, black slacks, and black shoes torments the mind of many people. This usually reminds them of their old high school days in which uniform was part of their wardrobe. However, professional clothes do not have to be boring at all! On the contrary, it is the perfect opportunity to present yourself as a personal brand and to reveal your individuality.

This is how you can rock your work clothes.

1—Challenge the norm. Instead of tucking your whole shirt inside your pants, tuck in half. This trend gives you the chance to wear a comfortable oversize shirt to work while looking effortless and flattering.

2—Add color to your look. Adding color will definitely give your outfit a touch of joy and femininity. For example, wear lipstick or accessories in the color of your choice. Don’t forget that a manicure can stand out against dark colored pants!

3—Wear your favorite staples. Just because you’re going to work doesn’t mean you have to wear black boring flats. If your favorite type of shoe is crisscrossed, patterned, pointed, heeled (you name it), wear them! Just don’t go too crazy. Wearing transparent booties won’t please your manager too much.

4—Go natural. When I say this, I don’t mean don’t wear makeup—wear it if you love it! I usually hear people say that straight hair is more professional because it is organized and serious. However, if you have natural curls rock them to work! It is a way of reflecting your individuality and just being yourself.

The next time you’re required to wear business attire, don’t get despondent. Business attire does not equal boring. You can tweak a normal business or interview outfit by following the suggestions above.

Do you know other ways to personalize a boring professional outfit? Let me know in the comments below!

Shirt and Sweet—Styling Your Summer Shirtdress

In the world of timeless fashion, a must-have for this summer is the classic shirtdress. This look is feminine, fresh, and very comfortable, making it the perfect dress for any occasion. It has been adopted time and time again by celebrities such as Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly, making it a signature piece for every woman. This is a look everyone should have in their closet. The dress can be easily worn up or down depending on the occasion. It can also be layered and serves as a great transitional piece from season to season.

This ongoing trend has been adopted by various fashion brands this year giving their own twist on the timeless classic. Brands such as Monse and Acne have added these pieces to their runways by taking the classic dress and adding a more modernized interpretation. Both brands played with different silhouettes and added different textures to the all-time classic.

Focusing on a more feminine look, the classic button-down shirt is both fun and very versatile. Layering is a must when wearing this classic dress. Pairing up the dress with statement accessories such as bright bags and shoes can ultimately bring the whole look together. A pair of pearl earrings is also a must for this casual and comfy look. Focusing on different textures is always a good idea when completing this look, which can add a fun twist to a timeless classic.

The shirt dress is a must have for any woman looking for style and comfort, whether you choose to stick to the classic silhouette or opt for a more modern interpretation, this look is here to stay.

Do you feel the same way about this trend? Let me know in the comments below!

Take Your Favorite Pieces From Casual to Business Casual With These 3 Hacks

“Dress for the job you want,” is a frequent utterance from fashion gurus and motivational office posters alike. But what do you do when you have the job you want and you’re just adjusting to the whole business casual look? Adapting to office attire after years of collecting clothes for campus can be difficult, especially if you’re a recent graduate just getting started in a career field.

While the clothes at workplace-friendly stores like J.Crew and Banana Republic have caught my attention in the past (and definitely found their way into my wardrobe), I am definitely not the kind of girl with a closet brimming with corporate digs. In recent years, most offices are taking a more laid back approach; you can count on fashion industry jobs privileging creativity over traditional professionalism. But, there are still some jobs that require you to look a certain way—and I’m here to test out office-appropriate looks.

I took a look at my old casual wear OOTDs to see what I could rework for an office casual look. With a few button-downs and slacks, I found the perfect mixture of my own style. These outfits meet workplace standards without purchasing new pieces. Dressing for the job you want is ideal, but sometimes you got to get through readying your wardrobe for the one you currently have.

The Accessory

Silk bandanas are simply work-appropriate chokers—and who doesn’t love that? Throw on an ascot to add some intrigue to a typical casual look.

The Top

This J.Crew top’s sweet lines make for the perfect blue denim companion, as per a previous article of mine for CollegeFashionista. I wanted to make it work for the everyday work environment after associating it with the everyday for so long.

The Suit

Who said that all power suits need to be boring? Taking a culotte jumpsuit and layering it is perfect for a heavily air conditioned workplace. It has the drama of a suit without all the fuss and (sometimes dated) look.

Have a garment or accessory you are struggling transitioning to your post-college life? Let us know below in the comments and we can help transform the piece from casual to business casual!

The Perfect Brunch Outfit

When it comes to going out to eat and looking good while doing so, there’s a lot to take into consideration. First, you have to plan out where and what you want to eat, and whether it is going to be messy or not. I personally love eating BBQ wings, Mango Habanero wings, or wings dripping in Mumbo Sauce. Which means going out to eat and dressing a specific way comes with risk for me. However, I don’t let my cravings and messy food habits stop me from dressing my best every day.

One Sunday evening, I chose to go out to a restaurant called Soco. Soco is located in Brooklyn, New York and is well known for its love for Black Culture, and flavorful chicken and waffles. In recent years, chicken and waffles have become a common brunch courtesy that many restaurants have their own spin on. What I love about Soco’s chicken and waffles is the island flavor in the chicken. The wings are drenched in lightly spiced jerk sauce, which went hand-in-hand with the sweet funnel cake-like waffles. The perfect meal for brunch, if I may say so myself. The music and atmosphere made the experience even better. Eating wings to the tune of Kanye, SZA, and Kendrick Lamar is basically everything I want in a brunch experience.

I topped off this perfect brunch experience with a white dress and green velvet heels. Yes, I said white dress! I fearlessly wore white and ate wings covered in jerk sauce. My dress was a white, one-shoulder midi dress and I accessorized it with my with chic green velvet heels. This particular outfit is very on-trend and great for going out to brunch, church, an interview or even as a date night outfit. The one shoulder and tie up in the middle gave the dress versatility to be worn for many occasions. The green velvet lace-up heels were a signature touch, that called attention to my look and complimented both my skin and style.

 

Any look is possible for any occasion. You can wear the most drastic yet the most simplistic outfit anywhere and have no worries, as long as you do it with confidence!

What are some of your ideal brunch looks? Show us on social media by tagging @CFashionista!

The Perfect Belt for Summer

Summer brings endless trips to our local ice cream shop and beach. But most importantly, it brings new fashion trends. Jeans and leggings are replaced by cutoff shorts and dresses for the melting heat of summer. Whether you just graduated and are starting a full-time job or have an undergraduate internship, summer is the best time to experiment with your fashion by trying something new. Looking good will give you a confidence boost to do the best job possible, no matter what you are doing. Dress for the career you want, not the one you have. There’s no better way to dress up than trying a new trend you always wanted to rock.

Regardless of what summer trend you are rocking, belts are a necessity. Leather belts are great during other seasons of the year, but they do not mix well with the summer heat. A trendy belt for the summer is a ribbon belt. Ribbon belts are lightweight and come in a variety of patterns and colors, making them able to match with any outfit you want to wear.

This Fashionisto is wearing a very patriotic red, white, and blue ribbon belt. Because this belt is very classic, this Fashionisto kept the rest of his look simple with a white button- down shirt and khaki shorts. The best part about this look is that the belt is unisex. The next time you don’t know what to wear to your summer job, consider trying out a ribbon belt.

What is your favorite way to wear a belt during the summer? Let us know in the comments below! 

Spicing Up Your Summertime Classics

Gingham, seersucker, and stripes have been summertime’s classic staples for decades. As fashion has evolved with trends coming and going, these timeless patterns and fabrics have been constant. Those summertime stripes are a massive trend this season. They have been used in ways that are both simple and chic, as well as bold and statement making. Stripes are also being implemented in the modern button downs that graced the S/S 17 runways in unexpected silhouettes and deconstructed styles. This Fashionista has taken the base of both these trends, keeping them casual and wearable for a wonderful daytime ensemble.

What I love about this babe is that she keeps things simple—taking the bold stripes and avant-garde button-down trends and streamlining them in a way that any Fashionista can pull off. She pairs her blue and white button-down with some high-waisted denim shorts for a classic and crisp summery look. What could have been a very understated look, this Fashionista made it all her own with the addition of black and silver accessories. She rocks a black leather belt with the etched hardware so much that I sought for one myself. Complementing the belt, she wears a metal choker with black enamel detailing. Both of these pieces are gorgeous, detailed interest elements that soften the look and feel of the traditional striped shirt. Again taking a twist on the traditional she ties her entire look together with the most adorable slip-on loafers with metallic silver that complements the hardware sprinkled throughout her look.

This Fashionista has taken the parts of the seasonal trends that work for her and implemented them in a way that fits her wardrobe and her life—to me, that is true style! This summer when you’re wearing those crisp summer classics, don’t be afraid to mix it up and add pieces that contrast your clothing in both color and shape. Modernize your traditional accessories by opting for metallics or other bold colors.

What are your favorite summer classics, and how do you make them modern? Show us on social media and be sure to tag @cfashionista!