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!

The Most Important Thing to Make This School Year the Best One Yet

As this new school year creeps up on us and summer quickly ties to an end before we can even wave bye to our favorite beach days, there are quite a few things on our minds. The outfits, textbooks, room decor, hair appointments, school supplies, and much more will be at the top of most of our to-do lists these first few weeks school is starting. Although these things seem to be the most important things going on at the moment, there is one thing most might forget.

As most will be thinking about all of the materialistic things that are needed for a great school year, we must also remember to think of ourselves and our happiness. Amongst the hustle and bustle of a new school year starting, the most important thing most forget to keep up with is their own well-being.

The best gift we can give ourselves is happiness, so we must make sure we are still focusing on the things that make us our best selves. It is when you are doing what makes you happy that you shine the brightest. This energy can be seen from others around you and it is contagious!

Spread happiness by making sure you take some time during the busy schedule of the school year to do things that make you feel the best about yourself and bring you the most joy. Whether it’s shopping your favorite brands, watching the sun go down behind the water, taking a walk by yourself to get some space, picking wildflowers on a sunny day, or anything else, just make sure you find time for it every once in a while. By doing this you will hopefully realize that your happiness is the most important part of your mental health and that in between the chaos of new classes and the stress of those first assignments there is time to do what sets your soul on fire and be your happiest self!

What is it that makes you the happiest and sets your soul on fire? Share it with us by tagging @Cfashionista on Instagram!

The Perfect Trendy Summer Outfit

I think it’s time for us to update our summer wardrobe by now, either by buying new clothing or just creating new outfits with what you already have. Don’t know what to wear? Find out what the summer trends are first. As we know, trends come and go, so it’s important to remember to wear whatever you actually like, and not just what’s popular. Here I put together the perfect outfit full of summer trends that you can try out if you haven’t already!

Statement Sunglasses

Starting from the top, the accessory that everyone should have is a pair of statement sunglasses. Of course, everyone needs a pair of sunglasses for the summer. I recommend buying a few different pairs of cheaper statement sunglasses so you can alternate them with your outfits.

Crop Top

A summer staple is a crop top. There are so many different styles to choose from, you’ll want to get them all! I think everyone should own a neutral colored one. Neutral colors are definitely easier to match to your bottoms. Crop tops are so versatile; they can be worn with shorts, skirts, or jeans!

Boyfriend Jeans

Here, I chose to wear slim fit boyfriend jeans with my crop top. Boyfriend jeans are classic for summer. They can be styled casually or they can be dressed up. With so many different styles of boyfriend jeans, it’s hard to pick which one you want to buy. I love these jeans because of the unique pearl details. Definitely wear boyfriend jeans on those cooler summer nights.

Block Heels

Finally, for shoes, I wore block heels. What’s great about block heels is that they are both comfortable and fashionable! These shoes look especially chic with the wraparound suede ankle laces. Wear them to dress up any outfit.

Try out these trendy pieces together or separately to create your own perfect summer outfit.

How would you wear these trends? Let me know in the comments below!

Vintage Vibes

Tell your mom to keep those old clothes because the throwback trend is here to stay! More and more, the ’90s and 2000s are becoming a big influence on today’s fashion. Vintage stores have become all the rave when shopping for denim and designer clothes. Whether it’s real vintage, or vintage inspired, people are going crazy for super cute throwback looks.

I love buying clothing from vintage stores and up-cycling them. I’m talking about big throwback trends like high-waisted mom jeans or shorts. I put cuts and rips in mine to add an extra trendy look.  You could have your own up-cycling party, cutting and ripping denim with all your friends! It’s a fun, fashionable, and won’t break the bank.

In the photo above, this Fashionista found an old pair of jeans in her moms closet, cut and ripped them, and turned them into an on trend, throwback staple!

Since mom jeans are so high-waisted, you can easily rock a crop top without it looking too much. Pair an off-the-shoulder crop with something high-waisted to add some vintage vibes to your look. You can also play with patterns to give your look some extra oomph! If mom jeans just aren’t your thing, you can also wear a high-waisted jean skirt to get the same throwback feel.

To finish off your look, make sure to choose the right accessories. In my opinion, doing that is what takes an outfit from drab to fab. Glasses with colored lenses are something I am loving right now. They add a vintage touch to an outfit without overdoing it. Whether red, yellow, or some other cool tint, colored lenses are making a comeback in many celebrities wardrobes.

One more accessory that can’t go unnoticed is the choker, my all time favorite ’90s throwback. You can wear a choker with every single outfit, and it always looks good, especially since there are so many different kinds. Vans sneakers are also making a comeback in 2017. Add a cool pair of Vans like the “Old Skool” to give your outfit an edgier look.

The vintage trend is something I definitely will be rocking in 2017. Let us know your favorite thing about vintage and throwback trends in the comments below!

How to Wear a Jumpsuit 3 Ways

If you’re like me, you always feel like there aren’t enough clothes in your closet. Even though you may happen to be the “go-to stylist” of your friend group, when it comes to dressing yourself, you wish you had a whole new wardrobe. This summer, I have been interning in New York City. Because I am living in a dorm, I have had to learn how to make the most out of my wardrobe without breaking the bank. Here are some tips I have picked up to style one of my favorite articles of clothing three different ways.

One of my favorite pieces of clothing is a striped jumpsuit. The best thing about jumpsuits is that you don’t have to think about putting an outfit together, you just throw it on and automatically look stylish. Sometimes, it can take me an hour just to figure out what to wear without picking something I have worn 100 times before. So to me, jumpsuits are timely and trendy.

The first way I have styled this jumpsuit is by layering a ripped rocker T-shirt over it. The one-piece look changes into feeling like two separate articles of clothing. I also mixed the striped pants with patterned shoes from Kendall and Kylie. I think it adds a little bit of an edgier vibe. I added these mirrored sunnies and love how they match the metallic of the safety pins. The best part is, if one of my friends is having a wardrobe malfunction, I can always let them borrow a safety pin from my shirt.

 

The next way I like to style this jumpsuit is by wearing a white, cropped T-shirt under it. I normally wear it like this to work because it’s a little more formal, but also trendy and cute. I pair this look with lace-up espadrilles or Birkenstocks, but if you wanted to make it even dressier, you could wear block-heeled sandals or pumps.

 

You can amp up this jumpsuit for a night out in the city by taking off that white, cropped top, and adding a belt to cinch your waist. Throw a leather or jean jacket over your shoulders and slip on a pair of heels. Instantly, you have changed this jumpsuit from day to night without wasting any time.

 

For all of the Fashionistas or fellow shopaholics out there, don’t be afraid to re-wear the awesome pieces you have in your closet. It was such a fun experience coming up with new ways to wear this one staple piece.

Here is my challenge for you: find one article of clothing you love and come up with two more ways to rock it! You will thank me later for giving you an excuse to wear this piece of clothing even more.

Did you find two more ways to wear your favorite apparel? We want to see your photos! Make sure to tag @Cfashionista on Instagram.

Why Circle Skirts Should Be in Your Summer Wardrobe

For all of my Fashionistas, circle skirts are the best go-to statement items you will need in your closet this summer!

Circle skirts are the perfect items to keep your summer wardrobe stylish and trendy. There are many different ways to style a circle skirt. You can dress it up, keep it casual, or even make it professional for any job environment.

For my Fashionistas who are working in the office this summer, who said office wear had to be boring? Circle skirts are a fun way to spice up your wardrobe while maintaining professionalism. Align your circle skirt to your waist so that the length of the skirt is not too short or inappropriate for any office setting. Then, throw on a camisole, a T-shirt, or even a button-down, and tuck the top into your skirt. Throw on a blazer for a professional but chic look, and tie your outfit together with the cutest flats. You can look presentable and stylish at the same time. Never walk into the office with boring traditional clothing again!

Summer is the perfect time for crop tops. It’s also known as crop top season. For a casual look, you can throw on a basic crop top from Forever 21, or a stylish, trendy one from Victoria’s Secret to pair with your circle skirt. Pairing a crop top with your circle skirt makes you ready to tackle summer. You can pair the outfit up with the sandals, jewelry, and sunglasses to ensure that you have the perfect summer outfit! Stay trendy and cool with this casual look.

Finally, for all of my Fashionistas who like to dress up and party, circle skirts are great for a dinner date or a night out dancing. Pair the skirt with a bralette for the perfect girls’ night out. Pairing the skirt with a bralette will not only give off an alluring vibe but also make you look chic and trendy at the same time. Throw on some cute heels and accessorize your outfit with the perfect jewelry and then you’ll be on your way to having the most stylish outfit for your girls’ night out.

Circle skirts are versatile and can be styled in many different ways. How do you style your circle skirts? Let us know in the comments or show us on social media. Don’t forget to tag @CFashionista.

Why You Should Try a Rusty Red Lip for Summer

Here’s the thing: I love makeup. It’s fun, creative, challenging, and extremely rewarding. Wearing it in the summer, however, is not so fun. My face gets sweaty and the heat completely melts the makeup off. Personally, I don’t ever put anything on my face when spending the day outside or tanning by the pool. I’m sure many of you are the same way; this can definitely cause some issues when going out to a party or dinner. Luckily, this look will help you pull something quick but elegant together and not waste your expensive products.

In this post, I’ll show you how I get this easy summer makeup featuring a bold rusty red lip that lasts. Summer is the perfect time to use a warm color palette in your arsenal. Instead of wearing a dark burgundy lip, go with bright pink or brick orange. After all, colors like that look best in the summer and especially in the sun, so you shouldn’t miss out! But wait, what’s the best part about this look? I created it using all drugstore products, so you don’t have to feel bad about taking your makeup off if you’re going to the pool. 

How to Get the Look

Since it’s summer, I always start out my makeup routine by applying a moisturizer that contains sunscreen in it. I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to wear sunscreen in the summer. Even if I’m not planning on being outside the whole day, I always put sunscreen with light SPF on before applying other products. For foundation, I use Maybelline foundation that keeps my face looking poreless and matte. As for mascara, waterproof Maybelline Big Lash mascara gets the job done. I love using waterproof products in the summer because they help me keep my makeup look fresh in the hottest weather. Since this was a fancier look for a dinner date, I also did my eyeliner but only applied it on the outer half of my lids. 

I highly recommend not to wear any eyeshadow in the summer, because it usually doesn’t stay on well. Instead, I use a bronzer to contour my cheekbones and apply it in the crease of my eyes to give them more definition. Last but not least, the accent of this look, is, of course, on the lips. To get this rusty red lip, I used NYX lip cream in color Morocco. It’s soft, doesn’t dry out my lips, and smells amazing. 

To make the whole look even more summery and fun, I added half-up Dutch braids. They are easy to do and keep the hair off my face in the hot weather. For the outfit, I paired a white crop top and a denim button-front skirt together; a simple but trendy outfit like this doesn’t take the focus away from the makeup and hair and really complements the rusty red lip color.

What are your favorite summer makeup trends? Let me know in the comments!

Jackets in July—Making Them Work Even in the Hottest Heat

If you are anything like me, you know that a jacket is your best friend. But what about when summer rolls around and the temperature is way above jeans and a cardigan weather? You wear it anyway.

It’s not sweater weather just yet, but a girl can dream. Making a jacket work in the summer sounds simple, but if I have learned anything at all from living in California is that nothing should ever be that simple. I believe that outfits should always show what you love and inspire others to wear what they love.

For this outfit, I styled high-waisted shorts with a white crop top for the basics. These shorts are guaranteed to give you legs for days—and maybe a bit of booty on one of those days. If you think a crop top isn’t giving your outfit enough edge, bandeaus or bralettes are great replacements.

Shoes should always be comfortable, but stylish. Flats are an easy go-to fix for this summer outfit. Personally, I think pointed toe flats give outfits a chic look, not too casual but not too over the top either.

Top off the outfit with a jacket, and don’t think that a fitted jacket is always the best. Try oversize jackets and roll up the sleeves. Wear it over your shoulders for a comfy look that will have everyone asking you about it.

Jackets come in all shapes and designs that may feel a bit odd to wear. Let your Fashionista run wild this summer and try styling your jacket a little differently this time!

Show off your favorite summer jacket! If you decide to recreate this look, make sure to show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @CFashionista.

How to Dress Carefree Yet Chic to Beat the Summer Heat

For me, what I wear in the summer is a constant fluctuation between two extremes: I’m either a complete bum who wears the same shirt a majority of the week and doesn’t get off the couch or I’m a Fashionista who’s rocking the latest trends and slaying with every strut. This juxtaposition is a result of a seasonal struggle to look good but not wanting to suffocate in the blazing hot weather. So, how do you slay while also slaying the summer heat? I’ll show you.

In the summertime, high-waisted shorts a girl’s best friend. Not only are they flattering on any body type and forgiving on your love handles, they’re a classic and comfortable piece that gives you a peace of mind that you can bend over and not flash your underwear. The pair I’m wearing in this article is my favorite for this season. These embellished high-waisted shorts with beautiful mint and silver beading and a subtle distressing perfectly sum up my style: girly with a hint of edge.

To bring out the few mint beads in the shorts and add to the femininity, I paired the bottoms with a girly lace halter bralette. This comfy and breathable top is perfect for hot summer days because it will ventilate your body well when all the heat sticks your clothing to your body. I have bralettes like this and different styles in about every color of the rainbow, and they’re a go-to and must-have for my summer wardrobe.

To complete off my outfit, I wore my new favorite summer shoes which are these Madden Girl velvet flat sandal similar to Birkenstock sandals. The silver detailing of the shoes complement the silver gems in my shorts. I never understood the hype behind shoes like this until I tried on a pair and felt how comfortable they are. I wear these shoes all over New York City on hot summer days and they keep my feet happy and breezy.

What’s your go-to outfit in the summertime to beat the summer heat but still look fashionable? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista.

The Top 5 Trends for the Fourth of July

The Fourth of July is a time for celebrating America’s independence with BBQs, fireworks, and the best of red, white, and blue fashion. While it’s tempting to throw on a white T-shirt, jeans, and red shoes, I have gathered some of today’s top trends to amp up your Fourth of July wardrobe! Each of these styles will easily take you from a BBQ bash to a fireworks show.

  1. Bodysuits. Bodysuits are the best addition to your wardrobe. You can wear them to every event. Keep things simple with a red bodysuit, or go a little more patriotic. Pair it with some cute shorts, and it’s time for the family BBQ. Right before you go out, toss on a jean jacket and some Vans for a night to remember.
  2. Slip DressLight and airy slip dresses are perfect for fireworks shows. Pair it over a neutral top and some cute sneakers. The silky sheen will light up with every firework in the sky, transforming you into your own show! Sneakers will also make the walk back so much easier.
  3. Matching Top and BottomBuy them together or style them yourself—a matching top and bottom pair will make you look pulled together with minimal effort. This look is great for those of you slaving away making deviled eggs and potato salad before the BBQ. This is your time to shine! Whether you’re wearing red, white, or blue, pair your matching look with cute wedges to steal the show.
  4. The New DenimDenim is a classic for the Fourth of July, but you can amp up your game with new styles. Frayed denim jeans will look cute with a faded flag tank and sneakers, or take it a step further and try a frayed denim skirt. You can pair it with mules and a white T-shirt for an update to the classic look.
  5. SwimsuitWhether you’re by the beach or at your neighbor’s pool party, this look allows you to transition from eating to swimming and back again. Pair your bikini top with a button-down denim shirt and shorts for a playful look. 

Do you have a favorite #FourthofJuly style? Show us and tag @CFashionista!