How to Be Comfortable at Work

We’ve all been there, when you want to look decent for work but also want to be comfortable. If you’re lucky enough to have a work setting where you don’t have to wear business professional or right on that border, it’s a little easier to get away with more comfortable apparel. If you have a work setting where you can wear business casual, you’re likely to get away with outfits as long as they aren’t jeans. But some work settings jeans are totally acceptable as long it’s not leggings. Each level has a limit. This mermaid vibe look is perfect for all levels up to business professional. Business professional is pretty straightforward; you’re wearing a suit.

This outfit is both comfy and trendy. You can wear it to work, to a bridal shower, or on the town. The lace-up front for a top is seen everywhere. On a black top it’s perfect for a night out, on this floral top it’s fine to wear to work. Mix it with a comfortable green maxi skirt, and you’ve got yourself a perfect boho outfit. The Fashionista wore black sandals with this outfits. Some employers will allow that, but others will not. Therefore, you can pair it with flats as well. The Fashionista also has an amazing Little Mermaid and a few other inspirational Alex and Ani bracelets which deserve recognition. Alex and Ani bracelets can be added to any outfit and look fabulous.

In conclusion, you can be both comfortable and work appropriate. For the Fashionista it’s a comfortable, yet trendy top matched with a maxi skirt. My work place allows for jeans, so I wear them all the time. If you need comfortable slacks, Ann Taylor Loft has my personal favorite in the Marisa fit. Gap has super comfortable girlfriend chinos in multiple colors that could be worn in a business casual setting as well. Just remember, just because the dress code maybe more than your average “walk around campus with a baggy sweatshirt and leggings” look, it doesn’t have to be the most uncomfortable outfit in the world.

How do you stay comfortable in work clothes? Share your work outfit and tag us @CFashionista

How to Dress Like a Fashion Blogger

Women always wonder how fashion bloggers manage to look a cut above the rest when it comes to everyday style. We do have a carefully honed ability to put together intriguing outfits, but I’m going to share a few secrets that you can use too. Check out these five easy tips to make yourself feel like Chiara Ferragni or Amiee Song!

1—Look for pieces that are ‘funky.’ Instead of searching for yet another pair of basic blue jeans or plain white tennis shoes, the next time you’re out shopping, look for pieces that have some character. Buy jeans that have embroidery on the hip, or look for pink velvet sneakers to give your outfits more visual intrigue.

2—Never wear the same outfit twice. Fashion bloggers look as though they are always wearing something new, but in reality, they are just good at mixing and matching their clothes to make them feel fresh. If you have a favorite embroidered mesh top, don’t wear the same bottoms or accessories with it every time. Try out new combinations and mix it up!

3—Add something. Coco Chanel used to say, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take one thing off.” We are going to have to disagree. Especially in the summertime, it’s easy for outfits to look drab and boring, so top off your ‘classic shorts and a tee’ outfit with a lightweight cardigan, a beachy hat, or some on-trend, yellow sunglasses.

4—Always put in the effort. No matter if you are going to your 8:00 a.m. class or making a quick trip to the grocery store, always put in a little effort. You don’t have to put in a lot, but you do have to put in a little. Instead of throwing on a headband and wearing baggy sweatpants, quickly put your hair in some braids, pair track pants with a soft T-shirt, and swipe on some tinted lip balm.

5—Clean out your closet. It’s difficult to create great outfits if you are still hanging on to a bunch of pieces that you do not love. Donate every piece of clothing you have not worn in the last year, and you will find that it’s much easier to throw together an effortlessly amazing outfit when you love everything in your closet.

The primary thing to remember is that you need to push your creativity. Look for inspiration everywhere—Pinterest, Instagram, people walking down the street! Try everything; you never know what top with what skirt will take your breath away. And finally, just have fun with it!

How do you manage to keep your style fresh and fashion-forward? Let us know in the comments!

3 DIY Projects to Personalize Your Space for Fall

When you move into a new place, whether it be a dorm room, apartment, or house, you want to make it your own. It needs to be a space you enjoy walking into. If it’s a dorm room, it’s nice to have it relaxing, yet motivating, since you will be sleeping and possibly be doing school work in it. Same goes for a bedroom.

For me, I love having a simplistic room with additions and decor that I can interchange if I decide to. My walls are taupe and my comforter is white. This leaves room for decorative pillows, funky mirrors, fun pictures, wall hangings, or whatever, really. Currently, I’m really into the whole muted tone thing. I love the colors mustard, olive green, and rose. I also am slightly addicted to shopping around thrift stores, spending as much time as I have carefully looking at everything, and trying to think of how I could use it in a unique way or add to it.

Here are some ways I chose to decorate my room in my apartment. Use these ideas to bounce off of and create your own, or even do the same!

One golden thrift store find is my mirror. This thing is exactly what I was looking for. The outline adds so much detail and brings in the color gold, which is so warm and welcoming. I like to accessorize it with some of my favorite pieces, such as hats and wall hangings.

A quick and easy DIY I did was pressing a flower and putting it into a picture frame with a gold lining I found at the thrift store as well. I just picked up a flower from the grocery store, stuck it in between the pages of a heavy book, added some weights on top of it, and let it sit for about five days. After the five days, I carefully removed it and put it into the picture frame. You can do this with any flower! I even thought it would be cool to stick some herbs in and hang it in the kitchen.

Yet another find from the thrift store; this simple wall hanging. It really may be a fancy scarf. When you see things at the thrift store, you have to get creative. I just used two tacks to hang it on both ends. You can always get a piece of fabric and cut it or tie it how you would like and hang it above your bed or desk.

And last but not least, the simple nail with a garment you love hanging from it. It’s an easy way to add your own personal touch. I chose this purse I picked up at a boutique in Illinois, but you could also hang a hanger with a favorite jacket or blouse.

Let me know what you think of these projects in the comments below, and share your own DIY projects with @CFashionista on social media!

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How to Transition Floral Into the Fall Season

Although summer is coming to an end, floral is still very much appropriate for fall. The best way to transition floral into the fall is by wearing more toned down colors. Instead of wearing a brightly colored floral, opt for a more toned down look with darker colors. For example, try a jumpsuit for an easy, put-together outfit that doesn’t require much thinking or accessorizing.

Everyone loves dresses and rompers for spring and summer because they are easy to throw on and don’t require much thought or accessorizing. Since it tends to get a little chillier in the fall months, opt instead for a jumpsuit. It’s just as easy as a dress or romper, but it’s more weather appropriate because it’ll keep you warm yet still stylish. If it gets chillier, try adding a denim jacket!

This floral jumpsuit is perfect for fall because it’s only two colors (one is a dark purple). Although it’s floral, it doesn’t scream spring and summer. This floral also works for a fall because the pattern is large yet simple. Instead of many small flowers throughout, it is made up of larger floral designs. To me, smaller floral patterns seem overbearing and scream spring and summer, so instead opt for a larger floral pattern that is more relaxed.

As far as accessories go, keep it simple with jewelry such as a dainty necklace and stud earrings. Since jumpsuits are so bold, you don’t want to take away from it and make the outfit too busy. If it’s still warm where you are, sandals are perfect. But if it’s colder, you can even wear booties with a jumpsuit!

What’s your favorite way to transition your closet from summer to fall? Let me know in the comments below, or post a photo on social media and tag @Cfashionista!

1960s Trends Are Back—3 Prints to Wear This Summer

Year after year, 1960s trends keep influencing our style. Lately, I’ve caught myself looking into all these prints with ’60s vibes. I seem to not be the only one. Scandinavian it-girls like Hanna Mw and Emilia Sindlev seem to be as mad about these prints as I am. This summer, trendsetters are filling up their closets with retro floral, polka dot, and gingham. Here are a few tips on how to style them.

Retro Floral

Flowers are part of our essential summer wardrobe, but this summer the trend has more of a retro pattern. Wearing the floral print as a wrap dress or from head to toe is the perfect way to stand out from the crowd. This season’s best looks can be found in Balenciaga and Coach collections.

Polka Dot

This classic print is now chicer than ever. Wear it as a ruffle shirt with culottes or as a dress with a nice pair of mules and a braided bag. In S/S 17, polka dot made a comeback in the GANNI, Louis Vuitton, and Dolce & Gabbana collections.

Gingham

This print can be seen all over Instagram in black, pink, and blue, but Instagrammers are not the only ones into gingham: Prada, House of Holland, and Peter Pilotto showed this trend a lot in their S/S 17 collections.

If these prints seem like too much for you at first, the perfect way to start is with the accessories. Spice up your outfit with a scarf, a pair of heels, or a nice purse.

What do you guys think about these prints and how have you styled them? Let me know by commenting below and don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista on social media!

How to Make Floral Patterns Flirty Again

Summer is the perfect season for floral prints, and the wide variety of styles provides an easy go-to style. However, with such a variety of styles, the print can sometimes be hard to style. This Fashionista decided to take staple pieces and combine them with floral prints for a fun, flirty look.

This floral skirt is an ideal piece to wear on those hot summer days when you’re looking for something cute but want to stay cool. This Fashionista got her skirt from The Gap, Inc., and paired it with a simple, white V-neck T-shirt. The basic T-shirt keeps the focus on the floral pattern, helping her ensemble to stay simple and chic. For the cooler summer nights, a cardigan or light sweater is great for layering.

This Fashionista also added fun jewelry to accessorize her look—the nautical-themed necklace gives this outfit a touch of prep and color. It is a perfect go-to piece for this color scheme. She also paired this outfit with a fun flamingo bracelet, giving her look a personal touch and a splash of color.

No outfit is complete without a fun pair of shoes—this Fashionista chose a neutral-colored wedge to pair with this outfit. The white on the shoe brought out the white flowers on the skirt. The neutral tan complements the colors used throughout the outfit. Sandals would make a good alternative for any Fashionista opting for flatter footwear.

How do you choose to style your floral prints? Feel free to share on social media and don’t forget to tag @CFashionista!

Sit Still, Smell Pretty

Summer’s here, Fashionistas! There’s a ton of heat and sweat, but we all need to smell good. The last thing any of us wants is to end up ruining the night by being the “B.O.” victim. Along with good hygiene and deodorant of course, it’s important to add a finishing spray of your favorite scent before your last steps out the door. While most of this is something we should make into a daily routine, it’s even more important to do in the summer.

There are numerous options when it comes to picking out a scent that you like, which can be tough. You may like something fresh and flowery, fruity and light, deep and mystical, or chic and feminine. Whatever it may be, summer is all about smells that are nice and fresh and as long as you smell good, the job is well done. I picked out four of my top scents that will leave you smelling amazing, from head to toe!

1—COCO Mademoiselle by Chanel

COCO Mademoiselle is a very well-lasting scent that will linger throughout the day. It’s nothing sweet, but it is fresh. Its a luxurious spray that will vamp your outfit on a night out and give you character!

2—Acqua Di Gioia by Giorgio Armani

This is one of my favorites! Ever since I smelled this in a magazine sample, I was hooked on to it. Five years later, and it’s still my go-to scent. Acqua Di Gioia translates to “water of joy” and is a refreshing, yet sensual smell. It’s almost like smelling a bouquet of flowers, probably jasmine, but in an aquatic scene. It’s a smell everyone around you will love!

3—Chance by Chanel

Another Chanel perfume? Yes! You can never go wrong with Chanel when it comes to wearing something chic and feminine. Chance is a newer scent to me but it’s definitely a go. It’s light and sensual smell speaks luxury. A mix of jasmine and citrus, Chance has an unexpected floral smell that is subtle but also filled with energy.

4—Chloé by Chloé

The name says it all. This scent is definitely fresh and feminine. If you love floral scents, Chloé is the perfume for you! Its luminous scent will leave you smelling just like roses and cherry blossom! What could be better than smelling like flowers on a hot summer day?

While these are just a few of my favorites, there are many other perfumes that have been given a lot of praise and love too. For me, I’ll be switching off between these this summer!

What are your favorite scents for the summer? Let me know in the comments below!

No Bikini? No Problem! Here’s What to Wear to the Beach Instead

Summer is here and I’m sure we’re all just as excited as I am about it! Summer fashion is carefree and chic, just as it should be. I was lucky enough to take a trip to Los Angeles for a week with some of my lovely, fashion-forward friends. There wasn’t a day that went by where we weren’t admiring all of the different California styles and trends. Being from the East Coast, it was an awesome experience to see how people on the West Coast dress and live their life.

While in Los Angeles, we obviously had to take a trip to the beach. Typically, most people are in their bikinis, soaking up the sun. If you’re not in your bathing suit, you might be looking for something fashionable, yet beach ready and this Fashionista did just that! Taking a stroll near the beach and exploring the pier is something you still need to look the part for. This Fashionista kept it beach casual, but trendy all at once! She paired a flowy, floral tank top with a classic, black skinny jean, black sunglasses, and a chic looking pair of sandals. But, her bright bold lip ties the outfit all together for her summer look.

Thinking of hitting the beach this summer with your friends? Pack tons of cute floral pieces, sandals, and bright lip colors to look beach chic if you don’t plan on wearing your bathing suit all day! The beach is simply another place to show off your personal style to the world.

Have any must-have beach pieces or accessories you love to take on trips? Share them in the comments below!

How I Style Feminine Florals

New fall 2017 trends are on the rise and fear not, floral print is staying for good this year. From vintage to modern floral patterns, there is a style for everyone. Now summer does not have to end! Dresses, pants, tops, and even shoes have been popping up everywhere with new floral patterns. I would love to share with you all how I find my favorite floral pieces for all year round.

A couple of weeks ago, I decided my wardrobe needed a major makeover for the upcoming summer months. I wanted to find trendy pieces though that would work all year round so I began my research. My first pro tip would be to look up the fall 2017 trends on the internet and pull inspiration from runway shows. Such trends for the upcoming season include the color red, vintage inspired fur, glitter boots, and most importantly floral. Because floral is so prominent in the summer, that was the first trend on my to do list.

Let me tell you, shopping for floral pieces can be super overwhelming with all of the choices and where to start. Some of my favorite stores include American Threads, Forever 21, Romwe, and Faithfull the Brand. Forever 21 and Romwe definitely have a lot of cheaper alternatives so that your budget does not break the bank! If you are looking to spend a bit more, I recommend checking out American Threads which has comparable prices to Urban Outfitters. Faithfull the Brand has been absolutely blowing up lately with their chic, adorable dresses. One can expect to find this brand at Lulus or Revolve Clothing.

Florals can be worn for just about any occasion and can be dressed up or down. You can take it to the gym or a night out with the girls! For my outfit in particular, I decided to keep it semi-casual with this two-piece floral set from American Threads. I wore this look to go shopping with my girlfriends and had a fun shoot later that day at a botanical garden. Keeping things simple, I paired the set with some black sandals with silver detailing from Forever 21. As for jewelry, simple layering looks are key. This gold two-piece necklace is the perfect way to add to an outfit without taking away from the floral pattern.

To recap, do your research, ladies! It’s all about finding out what trends are right for you and exploring your feminine side through the floral prints. Do not be afraid to mix patterns either to add some funk to your outfit. You are sure to be a showstopper!

Let me know how you style florals in the comments below or show us on social media @Cfashionista!

The 3 Steps to Creating a Trendy Off-the-Shoulder Look

As the heat continues to rise, summer is in full swing, and with summer comes all of the new trends. One trend that I have seen all over the place this summer is off-the-shoulder tops. These tops are perfect for those hot days when you want to be outside but don’t want to overheat or get terrible tan lines. Here are some of my tips for styling the perfect outfit featuring an off-the-shoulder top.

1—Find the perfect off-the-shoulder top for your style. This could be one with all one color, in a neutral tone, with a bold print, or whatever else your heart desires! The possibilities are truly endless. Just find one that you think best represents you and your aesthetic.

2—Pair it with the perfect bottom. The right bottom could be a pair of denim cut-offs, a maxi skirt, a denim skirt, a pair of jeans, and the list goes on. Pick the bottom depending on the occasion of what you are doing that day, and make sure it goes well with the silhouette of the top. A tight top with a maxi skirt for a day at an amusement park probably isn’t the best idea. Whatever you choose, pick the bottom that will complement your top best.

3—Accessorize, Accessorize. Whether that means adding some jewelry, a pair of heels, or a cute bag, be sure to add some accessories to finish the look. Pick the accessories you feel will best complete the outfit. The possibilities here are overwhelming, but you’ll know as soon as you have the first two steps done what you’ll need to finish off the look and fit the vibe.

Creating that perfect off-the-shoulder look doesn’t have to be hard. Simply following these steps can help you achieve the trendy look you desire for summer.

What would your perfect off-the-shoulder outfit look like? Show us by tagging us in your post at @CFashionista on social media.