Tag: comfort

3 Items to Keep You Comfy and Trendy in Class

Let’s face it: although college provides you with way more freedom than high school in terms of what classes you take and when, you may still end up with the occasional 8 a.m. class. Personally, I find myself wanting to be comfortable in the early hours yet still trendy and put together. Below you’ll find a few pieces of clothing you’ll want in your wardrobe for those pesky early morning classes.

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

1—Basic T-shirt

I live for basics because they’re so easy to dress up or down! You can buy these from virtually any major retailer or boutique and are available from fast-fashion brands like Forever 21 to high-end designers like J Brand.

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

2—Straight leg jeans

Although denim doesn’t sound too comfortable, a pair of straight legs jeans are as good as it gets! These type of jeans are neither too form fitting nor too loose, making them the perfect balance when you want something in between a skinny jean and a wide leg jean. Also, they’re one of fall’s biggest it items, so you’ll want to snag a pair for this season. I’m totally obsessed with Levi’s 501 jeans.

PHOTO: Kelly Rogowski

3—Track pants

Track pants and joggers are everywhere this season. Again, they are comfortable and perfect to slip on before the sun rises. I’ve seen them on celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Gigi Hadid, and also on trendy girls on campus. This pair from Adidas is perfect for when you aren’t in the mood for the same old denim jeans.

What are your favorite clothes to wear to early morning classes? Show us on social media and tag @cfashionista!

How to Make the Most of Summer Music Festivals

One of my favorite aspects of summer is that it kicks off music festival season! I have always loved going to concerts whether I am seeing one of my all-time favorite artists or even someone I have never heard of. However, music festivals can easily be disastrous, so here are some of my tips for making the concert go smoothly while you have the time of your life!

1—A fanny pack. Wearing a fanny pack is going to be key for the festival. It is a hands-free way of holding what you need so there is less risk of losing anything. There are also many cute fanny packs out there that are very trendy.

2—Comfortable shoes and outfit. Most music festivals have multiple stages so expect a lot of moving around from stage to stage. Comfortable walking shoes can make your life a lot easier at a music festival. Being that it is a concert, you, of course, are going to want to dance. Make sure to wear shoes that do not have your feet exposed because they could be stepped on, and also, wear an outfit you can move around in easily.

3—Portable phone charger. This one is pretty simple. To ensure your phone does not die from all of the pictures you will be taking, bring a portable phone charger. Do not risk losing your friends with a dead phone or not being able to reach your parents or your ride. Plus, it fits right in your fanny pack!

4—Water. Before going to the concert, look up what you can and cannot bring into the concert. This ensures that you won’t end up throwing out something you thought you could bring. Most festivals allow a bottle of water or two to be brought in and refilled at stations throughout. Hydration is definitely key.

5—Ticket, ID, and money. These are three necessities because without your ticket you will not get in. Bringing your ID and money are precautions in case you need them for anything, just in case!

What are your tips for music festivals? Let me know in the comments below!

4 Tips to Enhance your Casual Style—Fashionisto Edition

Often, guys have the misconception that the only way to look nice and fashionable is if they dress up. However, you can be stylish in anything from joggers to suits. It doesn’t matter what you wear as long as you pay attention to the details. Focusing on small details will go a very long way and sharpen your casual style. Here are four ways to enhance your wardrobe.

1—Cuff your jeans. Rolling up your straight-legged jeans is a simple way to show extra details you miss when they are all the way down. It focuses your attention on a nice pair of shoes matched with fashionable socks. When the jeans are rolled, it allows you to show personal style and let a pop of color show underneath with stylish socks.

2—Men’s bags. The days of thinking it’s only socially acceptable for women to have handbags are over. Any gender needs a bag to carry essentials around in, so guys its time to trade out that old beat-up book bag for a leather satchel bag. Choosing a bag to carry gives you the chance to reflect your own style while looking professional. Remember to select a bag that’s durable and water-resistant!

3—Footwear. The key to any successful outfit is to always put your best foot forward. The “desert boot” is a staple shoe all guys should have in their closet. The boot is interchangeable and can be dressed up or down. Here, the boot is paired with the cuffed jeans to sharpen the casual look while keeping it comfortable. I recommend getting this boot in a versatile neutral color.

4—Watches. Add some arm candy to your daily wardrobe! Let’s be honest, everyone hates that one person who always shows up late to everything. Never be that person and add a watch to your daily outfit. A watch is a small detail that makes a huge impact on your look, and it easily enhances any outfit. If you prefer wearing light colored clothing, I recommend you choose a brown or gold watch. If you prefer dark clothing, go with a black watch.

Paying attention to the small details can make any drab outfit become fab. The four tips listed above will help you enhance any simple outfit while keeping your own style.

How do you embrace casual style? Show us on social media and don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista. 

How to Make Your New Home Actually Feel Like Home

August is finally here, the summer is coming to a close, and the school year is creeping up on us whether we like it or not. Although it is not moving season for all of us, there are some of us who are heading back to the lively lifestyle of roommates, dorm rooms, and apartments. School can be hectic, so keeping your home away from home as homelike as possible is important.

My favorite thing when decorating my dorm room for the upcoming year is having a few essential items that will work all year round. I love decorating for holidays or special occasions—my personal favorite is Halloween—but when the time comes around, I do not want my Technicolor essentials to counteract my bats and ghosts hanging for Halloween. A bedspread that is neutral, with nothing too loud, is the best bet. I love neutral, light colors or even just a basic black and white for my duvet to make sure the focus is on my decorations.

For even more comfort, adding a throw pillow or two never hurt anyone. Fur and white are all the rave for the aesthetic. A few white fur throw pillows are also great to give your room an extra flare without altering your simplicity.

When going for a simplistic look, keeping your metals cohesive really helps everything look polished and pristine. Gold, silver, and bronze can be a bit overwhelming when walking into a small space with all these different metals, so I choose one and stick with it. Personally, I go for a more muted gold because the rustic look makes it feel more cozy and homelike. Since it is school, staying organized and being able to do my school work is very important. A lamp is a staple no matter what and it is a great way to add your metals in.

Jewelry is always the toughest thing to organize; adding a bit of decor to your jewelry set up makes it easier to work with. A jewelry organizer is my favorite way to add my metals in. Besides giving me access to my jewelry, it is easy on the eyes and a two-for-one when it comes to decorating!

Are you heading back to school this semester? Share your room with us! We would love to see how cool your humble abode looks. Don’t forget to @CFashionista!

How to Stay Cool in the Summer Heat

Now that summer is in full swing, it’s time to start creating outfits and finding new trends that will keep you cool on those hot summer days. No one likes getting sweaty while wearing a cute new outfit, or really any outfit for that matter. Below are some tips that can help you when searching for the perfect outfit to wear during that unbearable heat on any summer day.

One thing to think about when picking out your outfit when it is hot out is the material. Cotton is always a good and an easy go-to when the sun is shining and the temperature is rising. The material is light and breathable, which allows any Fashionista to go about her day without worrying about sticking to her clothing.

Another component to think about when picking out your outfit is color. Although some say that black is slimming, you may consider switching your go-to color to white during the summer months. Darker colors will attract more light and heat, so you’re better off choosing lighter colors like white or pastels.

Aside from material and color, you should also consider the cut and style of the clothing items you choose. On a hotter day, you might opt for a shorter pair of shorts as opposed to jeans. It is easier to stay cool when there is less bulk to trap the heat.

For this outfit, I paired a simple, white cotton bodysuit with a pair of high-waisted denim shorts. This look is perfect for several different occasions and each piece can be easily paired with other items found in your closet. Underneath the bodysuit, I threw on a cute cotton bralette also in white to keep myself extra cool. To finish off the look, I always add some funky glasses and shoes that fit my personal style.

What items do you wear when trying to stay cool in the summer? Let me know in the comments below.

Teach Me How To Yogi

College life can be stressful. Between classes, extracurriculars, jobs, and a social life, it’s easy to become anxious or overworked. I sat down with college student and yogi, Lindsay, to discuss how yoga can benefit your life.

CollegeFashionista: Tell me a little about yourself.

Lindsay Ehret: My name is Lindsay Ehret, and I am a new 21-year-old. I am currently a junior at West Chester University in Pennsylvania. I am a speech-pathology major there. My major is pretty academically demanding, so when I have free time, I do a lot of activities to help me de-stress. Yoga is my biggest hobby that helps me unwind, but I also like to kayak, rock climb, and paint in my free time.

CF: How long have you been doing yoga? What got you started?

LE: I have been doing yoga for about five years now. I began practicing right around when I was about to graduate high school. I began to really push myself in my practice when I was about 19. I began yoga by going to a local yoga studio, I had the most amazing teacher for my first class. I was hooked ever since.

CF: How has yoga improved your quality of life?

LE: Yoga has brought so much peace and happiness to my life. I tend to become stressed easily and feel anxious sometimes. Yoga really helps deal with this. If I am having a stressful day at school, I can just go on my yoga mat for a little while, and I instantly feel calmed down. I also tend to obsess about planning for the future, and yoga helps me to focus more on the present moment. Yoga is also very spiritual for me. Ever since I was introduced to yoga in my late teens, I found that yoga is its’ own religion, one that I instantly connected with.

CF: What advice would you give to anyone who is apprehensive about starting yoga?

LE: I would say that yoga is definitely a journey and one that is well worth it. Many people are discouraged because they don’t think they are strong or flexible enough, but when I went to my first yoga class, I could barely stay in downward dog for more than a couple of seconds. It takes the body a lot of practice to be able to do most poses, so persistence is definitely important.  Don’t get down on yourself if you cannot do the crazy poses that other people can. I would also tell them to go to a beginner yoga class at a studio. Tell the teacher that you have never done yoga before, and the teacher will most likely be more than happy to help you and to assist you. Do not let yoga be intimidating, it is the opposite of that! Beginning to practice yoga will give you so many benefits, including a beautiful mindset on the world and those around you.

What do you do to de-stress? Let me know in the comments below!

4 Outfits, 4 Islands

This summer, I had the opportunity to visit four islands in the Caribbean Sea in a week. Here’s how I styled four different outfits for the four different islands!

1—Miami Beach. This coastal resort city in Florida is home to art deco architecture, designer boutiques, and great nightlife. Of course, hitting up the beach was a must. My advice for any perfect beach outfit is to incorporate your swimsuit. This little two-piece ensemble was bright, cute, and I was able to work it right in—bet you can’t even tell this white cropped tank is actually a bikini top! Denim shorts are an essential in the summertime, so I went with a light wash to keep with the outfit’s bright and light vibe. Let’s be honest: nobody wears shoes to the beach, so I finished the look with bare feet.

2—St. Maarten. This little island is so interesting because it’s governed by two separate countries. The northern side, called Saint-Martin, belongs to the French, and the south side, called Sint Maarten, belongs to the Dutch. I took another two-piece ensemble to the island. This floral, off-the-shoulder top has such tropical vibes, and the flared sleeves add a bohemian touch to the look. Since the shirt was black, I chose dark-wash denim shorts. I completed the outfit with a simple pair of white slip-on shoes for comfort.

3—Puerto Rico. I decided to wear a bright color to visit the city of Old and New San Juan since the city itself was so colorful. Their buildings are pink, green, purple, yellow, and all sorts of vibrant colors. I felt that my red maxi dress added color to the city as well. I dressed it down with a pair of black and gold flip flops for a more casual vibe. (Just don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your feet, too!)

4—Nassau, Bahamas. I went with the lightest top I could find in my suitcase because of how hot it was. I paired this strappy halter top with my classic denim shorts and white sneakers.

What’s the best thing about all four of these outfits? You get to go braless! When island hopping in 90-degree heat, the last thing you want is to feel restricted and sweaty. Summer traveling means that you can pack more since summer clothes are thin and light, and you get to play around with more outfit choices.

What will you be wearing on your summer travels? Show us your summer outfits on social media, and don’t forget to tag @CFashionista!

Summer Beach Wedding Styling Tips

There are several exciting things you can do at the beach this summer. You can catch a wave, get a sun-kissed glow, or even lounge on a beach towel while reading endless amounts of books. But how’s this sound for exciting—attending a beautiful sunset wedding on the beach? Dressing for the beach is usually casual, so one might ask, “How do you mix men’s formal and casual wear for a beach wedding?” Let’s be honest, the beach does have its downsides, such as being too hot, windy, and sometimes even humid, yikes! Dress to impress and defy these obstacles by learning tips for what to wear to a beach wedding.

This Fashionisto is not only styling cool, but he is also staying cool.

Layering

Whether the wedding takes place during the summer or any other time of the year, I recommend layering a light suit jacket over a button-down collared shirt. The island breeze may make the setting a little chilly, so it’s always best to be prepared and have a suit jacket in hand. If it starts to get too hot at the wedding, set it aside and cool off.

Nautical

All aboard! It may seem a little cliché to dress nautical to a beach wedding, but if you choose your pieces wisely and not go overboard by wearing too many nautical pieces, then you can totally pull off this look. This Fashionisto’s light gray suit jacket complemented the cool colors of his striped button-down collared shirt. He added another bit of nautical flair by including a pair of ship-inspired cufflinks. Now he’s smooth sailing for a beach wedding!

Comfort is Key

Try to steer clear from fitted jeans and wear chino pants instead. If it’s an extremely hot day at the beach, fitted jeans will stick to you, trapping in heat, and make you feel uncomfortable throughout the entire ceremony. Sit back, relax, and enjoy your slacks.

Don’t Forget the Accessories

Complete your look by adding the final touches. Stay on track of time by incorporating a classic watch to your outfit. Stainless steel thumb rings are another great trendy accessory that will add a little touch of alternative sophistication.

What is your beach wedding look? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista.

The Ultimate Festival Preparation Guide

Music festival season is, without a doubt, the best season! Between the live music, warm weather, being with friends, the outfits, and the overall energy, festivals are my favorite thing in the world. The proper preparation is key in order to make your festival experience nothing less than perfect. Here are some of my best tips and tricks (from personal experience) to make your festival experience easy, safe, and positive.

What to Wear

1—Outfit. The most important thing is that your outfit is comfortable. You don’t want to wear an outfit that restricts you from dancing, makes you overheat, or that you are worried about ruining. In this look that I will be wearing to Lollapalooza this year, I am wearing an Emory Park matching set from Pitaya. It makes me feel comfortable, confident, and I’m not worried if it gets dirty (because if you’re still clean after a music festival, you did it wrong).

2—Shoes. My go-to concert shoes are my Adidas Original Superstars. I don’t know how some people wear wedges and heels to festivals, but I recommend wearing shoes that you can stand walking miles in and dance around in all day and night!

3—Backpack. The most important thing at a music festival is hydration. So, why not make hydration stylish too? This holographic backpack is from Vibedration, and it contains a two-liter water bladder. Most festivals have free water filling stations, so this backpack is perfect to keep you stay hydrated and keep all of your belongings together.

4—Hair. My favorite hairstyle for music festivals is French braids. It keeps your hair together and out of your face. Plus, it looks good on everyone!

5—Makeup. Prime your eyeshadow with Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion and top your whole look with Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray. Use waterproof products like the Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner and Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara. By using these products, your makeup will survive any rainstorm or heatwave!

What to Bring

1—Sunscreen. Bring a small travel-sized bottle in your backpack to reapply throughout the day.

2—External phone charger. Don’t get stuck with a dead phone at a festival during your favorite headliner or if you lose your friends.

3—Extra cash. While many festivals now offer wristbands that you can connect to a credit card, you never know when your credit card will get declined or your wristband malfunctions (yes, this happened to me).

Other Tips

1—Use the festival app. Many festivals offer an app that includes a map of the grounds, festival updates, and the festival schedule with stages and set times.

2—Make your schedule beforehand. This will give you a general plan for your day and allow you to make sure that you don’t miss any of your favorite sets!

3—Assign a meeting place with your friends. In case your group gets separated, it is important to have a go-to place in the festival to meet up.

What are your tips for a successful music festival? Feel free to leave me a comment below. Tag @CFashionista to your music festival photos and show us your best festival looks!

Summer Beauty Must-Haves to Save You From the Heat

Summer is a season filled with beach days, high-waisted shorts, and colorful sunglasses. Clearly, a lot to look forward to… but one thing I definitely don’t dream of is the scorching summer heat.

On the bright side, with just a couple of products, you can beat the heat and look your absolute best this summer season!

Here is a list of your must-have summer products to survive these next couple of months.

1—A good waterproof mascara. A waterproof mascara is essential to survive the summer heat. It’s perfect for beach or pool days when you don’t want to put on too much makeup but want to look put together. It is also great for those early workouts when you want to look less like a zombie and more like a human at the gym.

2—A tinted BB cream with SPF. During summer we want to look dewy, highlighted, and natural. A BB cream will do this job just right. It is also extremely important to keep your skin protected from the sun, so a BB cream that has anywhere from SPF 30 to SPF 50 is perfect for keeping your skin young for as long as possible!

3—Natural Colored Blush. To keep the natural theme going, we want a blush that will make us look like the sun kissed our cheeks. During summer, or ever for that matter, we don’t want to look like a clown. For this reason, a light pink/nude blush will do the trick to make us look our summer best!

4—A Day-to-Night Eye Shadow Palette. You never know what plans can come up during the summertime. To avoid any beauty mishaps, keeping an eye shadow palette that can transform your look from daytime to nighttime is key. The perfect palette would include matte and shimmery light and dark colors, as well as, a bone shade and a black shade!

What are some of your favorite summer beauty must-haves? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @cfashionista!