Girls – CollegeFashionista

5 Things College Taught Me About Friendship

We all know how scary college is. One thing that can make the experience less frightening is finding some great friends that will stick by your side through it all. College taught me a lot about friendships. Here are a few of those lessons.

PHOTO: Kenia Viezcas

1—You’ll meet many friends

Throughout your college experience, you are going to meet a lot of people. You will also get the chance to meet a lot of friends. There are so many people on campus for you to meet and become friends with. Between the residence halls and your classes, you are bound to meet at least one person that you want to consider a friend!

PHOTO: Maddy Haller

2—Don’t jump into friendships too quickly

Last spring semester, I met a couple of people who I swore would be my best friends forever and ever. When fall semester rolled around, I was not on speaking terms with those people. It is not like we had a falling out and were angry with each other—it just sort of happened. People get busy, move off campus, or you don’t see them as often. It’s always sad, but it does happen—and that’s okay.

PHOTO: Layne Miller

3—Don’t be scared to talk to new people

Sometimes, you might just be overthinking it. I have had moments where I really wanted to talk to someone, but I was scared to. Then, after talking to them, I realize that they were amazing and wanted to talk to me, too! Whether you mention their cool headphones or their cute backpack (like this one), a compliment is always nice—not to mention a great conversation starter!

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

4—Getting involved is a great way to make friends

This semester I decided to get involved in my school’s welcome week for new students. I have created a bond with them that I probably would not have had I decided to skip out on this program. Getting involved is a great way to meet new people and make new friends. Joining student organizations will help you find people who have the same interests or maybe even major as you.

PHOTO: Valerie Cammack

5—Friends come and go

While you may make many new friends that you hope to be friends with forever, sometimes friendships do not last. It is not a bad thing, that is just how life is. So, if you make friends with someone who later ends up disappearing from your life, do not be sad about it. Instead, appreciate the time you got to spend with that person.

Do not be scared about whether or not you’ll make friends in college. Chances are you’ll make many. Just get out there and be the best you!

Featured photo by Kenia Viezcas.

The Tailgate Outfits Every Fashionable College Girl Needs in Her Closet

Tailgate season has officially kicked off, which means it’s time to bring your A game in school spirit! Football tailgate season has become known not just for the football but for the unique and cute outfits that girls wear to these events. It has almost become a competition to see how creative and stylish you can get. Tailgate outfits may be specific to certain colleges, but it has become a nationwide trend. Whether it’s wearing an oversize football jersey or your own DIY college T-shirt, the possibilities for these styled outfits are endless. Multiple game days call for multiple outfits, so here are a few key elements that you’ll want in your closet to keep you game-day ready.

First Outfit

Basic pieces can go a long way and be mixed and matched with different shirts and bottoms. Pairing frayed jean shorts and a DIY college T-shirt crop top is a super easy and cute way to show your school spirit and personal flair. There are so many different ways a college T-shirt can be personalized and fitted to your style. Cutting shirts like these are super simple. For a crop top like this, all that needs to be done is to cut it to the desired length and roll the sleeves to show off your arms—this creates a more stylish look that is less boxy.

PHOTO: Sydney Zavadil

Tailgate Styling Tips

Pair this look with some white Converse and fun mid-calf socks that support your school colors. Don’t forget to add jewelry. Bracelets you have laying around that match your school colors will give your look a little extra oomph! Bring in trends from your everyday outfits as well; silver hoops and a simple black choker help tie the look together.

Second Outfit:

Another super simple and cute outfit to wear to tailgating events is your school’s jersey. The trend is to wear an oversize jersey so you have the option to wear it as a dress. Of course, you’ll want to throw on some shorts and a cute bralette underneath since it is short and slightly see through. Overall, the look is a cool spin on a classic game day outfit.

PHOTO: Sydney Zavadil

Tailgate Styling Tips

Add a double wrapped beaded necklace to match your school colors. If you can’t find a necklace like this that matches your school colors, it’s super easy to make with supplies from your local craft store. Depending on your school’s geographical location, your shoe choice may lean towards sneakers. But if you’re in the South, you could throw on some cowboy boots for a little Southern charm. To finish the look, throw your hair up into a high pony—it not only keeps your hair out of your face, but it also amps up the athletic look while keeping you looking sleek all night!

What’s your favorite tailgating outfit? Let me know in the comments below or share on social media. Don’t forget to tag @CFashionista in your post!

Are Our Best Friends Our Soulmates?

The people who know me well know that I’ve watched all six seasons of Sex and the City too many times. Throughout high school, as a way of compensating for my nonexistent love life, I lived vicariously through Carrie, Miranda, Samantha, and Charlotte. At times, I felt like I was part of the lives of the four best friends, and I learned more about relationships by watching the show than what was taught to me in my ninth grade health class.

PHOTO: Kenia Viezcas

One famous line that Charlotte York said has always stayed with me, “Maybe our girlfriends are our soulmates and guys are just people to have fun with?” However, I can’t help but wonder if this could go either way; are our best friends our soulmates or is our soulmate our best friend?

I recently found myself on a mediocre date which left me extremely pensive in the days following it. As much as I wanted it to go smoothly, I felt like I was with someone who wanted to be anywhere else but with me. I met my best friends in fifth grade, and in the 10 years since the start of our friendship, we’re constantly making each other laugh, and everything always feels so effortless.

I’ve yet to find a male soulmate, so at this point in my life, my best gals pals definitely fill that role. Of course as we get older we’ll get busier, fall in love, have children, start working, aging, and worrying. Unfortunately this will mean we’ll have less time for our friends, but the love we have for them will always remain the same.

What’s your favorite thing to do with your best friends? Let me know in the comments below!

How to Ride Out Summer in a Romper

While you can’t go wrong with an effortless summer dress, one of the most popular trend silhouettes of the summer is the romper. From hitting the beach to glam night out on the town with your friends, the romper is perfect for every occasion.

Rompers are honestly one of the easiest outfit choices. Save time and effort with this look. Choose a romper to eliminate the frustration of finding and coordinating pieces for your fashion attire. Not only are rompers easy, but they are one of the most comfortable trends of the season. This piece allows for an effortless route to chic no matter where you’re headed. The need to constantly adjust separates is no longer an issue when wearing a romper.

Rompers look great on all shapes and sizes. They are available in a variety of colors, patterns, and textures. From floral to gingham to chambray, there are rompers appropriate for every event. If you opt for a more formal look, choose suede, silk, or lace, rather than lightweight cotton or jersey.

These one-pieces can be decked out or dressed down for a more laid back style. Add some statement jewelry and heels for a sharper look or throw on flat sandals with a hat or scarf for a casual summer vibe.

This gingham romper is one of my favorites. Gingham has been a popular pattern since the 18^th century, but this summer the vintage gingham is exceptionally trendy. For a more updated look, I added accessories including the red bandana scarf tied around my neck, the white vintage wicker handbag, and a pair of cat-eyed sunglasses. I styled this romper with my nude block heels to add polish and height, creating a slightly more sophisticated look. This snappy casual outfit is ideal for a weekend brunch.

Stay in an island state of mind with a tropical colored romper. A flowy one piece such as this one, allows you to move effortlessly throughout your summer adventures. Cardigans are a great addition to this look for staying warm both indoors and out. Accessorize one of these pieces with a straw fedora hat and a pair of gladiator sandals to complete the summery vibe.

No matter what the silhouette, your new summer wardrobe savior is a savvy addition to any closet.

What’s your take on this summer fashion trend? Let me know in the comments below!

5 Fun Ways to Bond with Your Friends This Summer

Finals have come to an end and you’re finally free to enjoy the 93 days of summer. While week one of your break may be spent on recharging with endless hours of sleep, by week two the boredom starts to kick in. What better way to calm the summer blues than spending time with friends? So here are five ideas to make the most of those 93 days with your gal pals.

1—Have an impromptu photo shoot. In an era where having an epic Instagram can speak for your résumé, working those photography skills has never been a better idea. Grab a friend, or ten, and channel your inner Marilyn Monroe. Not only will you get to share laughs, but you’ll have tons of new options for your dorm room wall, or at least an awesome new profile picture.

2—Take a class. No, I’m not talking calculus II. Take a fun class with friends like a hip-hop dance class or your local beauty store’s contouring class. Have you ever wanted to try yoga or rock climbing? This is the summer to go for it! Take a friend and a cute water bottle and make this an active summer.

3—Girls’ night in. With the advent of “Netflix and Chill,” staying in may seem overrated, but as the temperature rises close proximity to an A.C. starts to sound better and better. Invite some friends over for binge watching and pampering. Pop on some sheet masks (this seaweed mask from Skinfood is a personal favorite) while finding out what all the Riverdale buzz is about.

4—Give each other makeovers. You’ve watched every video on baking, strobing, and highlighting; now put it to the test. Friends are the best to have around when you want to try new makeup techniques because they will instantly tell you if it’s a hit or miss. Trade tricks and tips and then hit the town with your new looks.

5—Shop for matching fashion. Let’s face it, matching charm bracelets is so middle school. It’s time to upgrade to big girl friendship gear. I’ve never known a shopping trip to be a bad idea (contrary to what my bank account says), so hit your favorite stores and find that one item you both love. Don’t worry if there’s only one left, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants proves that one shared item among friends can go a long way.

These are just five of the things I’ll be doing with my friends this summer, but I’d love to hear your suggestions. Leave a comment below and let me know what your favorite activity to do with friends is!

Day-to-Night Hairstyles to Beat the Heat

As summer hits its high, so does the humidity… usually making for hair that won’t last the day. A great way to combat this is to find a style you can convert from summer-day-to-summer-night. Here are two hairstyles that last all day, and can transform into a glam look by night. With these looks, there’s no need to go through the process of re-washing your hair in-between events.

1—Hairstyle 1, Daytime. This first look is perfect for those summer days when you’re out and about. This double-braided hairstyle will keep you cool and keep your hair out of your face in the hot sun, while you’ll still look super cute and on-trend.

Style Tip—For those casual days running errands, a large tote bag and some rounded sunglasses are a must for the summer. It will complete the look, no matter how dressed up or down you are. The tote allows you to carry everything you need, and you can even store things you buy along the way.

2—Hairstyle 1, Nighttime. Transforming your day look to night is super simple! All you have to do is take out the braids, add a little product, and voilà! You now have volumized loose waves that took no time. Since your hair is already done, your focus can be on finding the perfect outfit-makeup combo!

3—Hairstyle 2, Daytime. The second look is perfect for casual days out, such as shopping or visiting nearby towns with your friends. You never know who you might run into, so you know you want to look put together. This braided look adds a little spunk to your usual loose hair. The single braid in the front keeps those annoying bangs or baby hairs from sticking to your face while walking around in the heat.

Style Tip—An easy way to make your look pop is by adding accessories! Rings are easy to throw on and wear with any outfit. Mixing and matching ring styles and colors allow you to edge up your look. Don’t forget that your phone is an accessory as well! Adding a fun case, like this marble case shows your personality in an often-overlooked accessory.

4—Hairstyle 2, Nighttime. At night you can keep the braid, but pull it back into a half-up bun. The half-up look has become a major trend this year, so incorporating it into your summer look is a must! All that’s needed are hair ties and some bobby pins to keep it intact for the night. This hairstyle is super simple and takes no time, but it looks like it did.

Do you know any other looks for summer that can go day-to-night? Let me know in the comments below, or share on social media. Be sure to tag @CFashionista in your post!

Leggings, On Leggings, On Leggings… Oh My!

From the gym to the streets, leggings are always and will always be every girl’s holy grail. They are cute, convenient, and, of course, comfortable. However, finding the perfect pair is not as easy as it looks or sounds. There is an entire checklist of things to look for in the perfect/sustainable pair of leggings. Are they see-through? Do they make my butt look good? Are they cute? The list goes on. As a bodybuilder, I myself take leggings very seriously. It has been years of trial and error looking for leggings that pass all the tests and fit in my college budget but, I managed to compile three of my favorite brands that pass my tests and are 100 percent worth the buy.

For the past five years of my life, I have been a loyal Target customer. Recently, I picked up a pair from their new C9 champion line, and needless to say, I was wearing them at the gym an hour later. Not only have they passed the squat test, but they also receive a 10/10 for cuteness overload. They do not stretch out or become too loose around the waist and have a price point that can’t be beaten. Although they are not as well known or considered a popular brand, they are by far one of the best legging purchases I have made in a while.

Another brand I need to shed some light on is Zella, a line from Nordstrom. I had gone against my better judgment, not knowing much about the brand and knowing how picky I was with leggings, and bought two pairs online. When they came in the mail, I have to say I was extremely nervous. To my pleasant surprise, the fit of these leggings was remarkable. Extremely well made, high-waisted, fit snug on my body, and showed off all the right curves. I thought to myself, is this too good to be true? Leggings that are flawless for under $60? All in all, the Zella leggings are worth the buy in terms of quality and sustainability.

My last and final leggings recommendation and must-have if you are a gym rat like me is none other than Gymshark. I purchased my first pair of their mesh leggings after discovering them on Instagram and I wore them almost every other day. A year later and this company is the most raved about activewear on social media. Placing first in my favorite leggings brand, Gymshark has it all: quality, functional, fashionable, and shockingly affordable. I am extremely impressed by the quality of their products and would be lying if I told you I wasn’t shopping for a new pair as I write this post! As a girl in love with leggings and who spends most of her time at the gym, these three brands will always hold a spot in my closet.

What are your must-have legging brands in your closet? Tag us on social media to show them off!

Should I Rush a Sorority?: My Recruitment Experience

Hey, high school grads! Summer may have just started, but fall is approaching quickly. For some colleges, that means sorority recruitment time. Recruitment is an incredibly stressful time, as I’m sure you’ve all heard, but it is an incredibly rewarding experience. Some of you may be wondering if sorority life is right for you, and I’m here to help you out by letting you in on my experience.

My freshman year of college was a whirlwind of experiences and memories. I was homesick, but schoolwork had me busy. I began my first year of college cheerleading, and to be honest, I wasn’t sure if I had time for a sorority. I attend Miami University, a school where Greek life is incredibly prominent. If you walk through the center of campus without seeing a set of Greek letters, then you must be dreaming. I always thought that sorority life wasn’t for me, until the end of my first semester came around.

At Miami, sorority recruitment begins the weekend after winter break, so students have a chance to get used to college life for a semester before dedicating themselves to something as big as a sorority. So, about a week before the deadline closed, I made a spontaneous decision to sign up for recruitment. I went through three out of four rounds, had narrowed my choices down from eighteen to five, and was not feeling into the process anymore. I just didn’t feel like I fit into any of the last sororities I was considering, and the process was very emotional and stressful. So I dropped the rush process and spent the rest of my freshman year focusing on school and cheerleading. However, this was a decision I came to regret on my should have-been bid day, as I watched all my friends get their top picks and have a really exciting experience. I was homesick, and all my friends were hanging out with their new sisters.

Flash-forward to February of my sophomore year. Recruitment had come and gone again, and I was still feeling left out. My incredibly wonderful roommate mentioned to me that her sorority was doing Continuous Open Bidding, and that they still had some spots left. I jumped at the opportunity and went to meet the recruitment chair and three other girls. After meeting with them twice, they gave me a bid, and I attended my first chapter meeting the following Sunday. I met some of my new sisters, and I immediately felt at home. Since I’ve joined, I’ve been initiated and gotten the best big and grand-big (who were actually the first people I met at the meetings) in the entire world, and it all makes sense why it didn’t work with any of the other sororities the first time.

So if you’re still wondering whether you should rush, my advice to you is to at least try recruitment. If you end up not liking the formal process like I did, that’s totally fine, and you should do whatever you’re comfortable with. There just might be something special at the end of it!

Are you in a sorority? Let me know which one and why you love it in the comments below!

The Fashion I Found in My Mom’s Closet

Do you ever rummage through your closet, pull a shirt out, and think, “Why was this ever a good idea?” Well, you are definitely not alone. Trends come and go, but luckily, they always make their way back at some point—a year or even two decades! I tend to get sick of my wardrobe because a lot of my pieces are extremely trendy and end up going out of style. Currently, the ’90s are totally in, so instead of looking for something in my closet, I ran over to my mom’s closet where I can find the best accessories and clothes.

My mom has an amazing collection of clothes, bags, and accessories from the ’80s and ’90s (I would like to thank her for her shopaholic phase). Everything is authentic and each piece is a little part of history, which I love. Another perk of wearing your mom’s old clothes is that no one will have it, which makes you unique.

I pulled out a beautiful off-white satin blouse with bell sleeves and decided to pair it with Pookie & Sebastian jeans that have asymmetric hemming. Since the top is dramatic, I wanted to tone it down with simple blue wash jeans. My mom luckily let me borrow her Gucci crossbody bag that she bought in the ’80s, and I absolutely love it because the detailing is subtle and it doesn’t scream “designer.” I paired the black bag with black leather cut-out booties for a fresh spring vibe.

I found this blouse incredibly appealing since I’ve seen bell sleeves everywhere lately. I don’t know where the blouse is from, but I found three summer shirts, inspired by my mom’s, all under $100 from Madewell, Urban Outfitters, and Zara.

As a college student, purchasing a designer bag is not realistic, but you may be able to find vintage designer bags or used ones at a marked down price on websites like Poshmark, Etsy, Depop, and The RealReal.

I urge you all to go through your mom’s, aunt’s, or a close one’s wardrobe, with their permission of course, and find an item that you immediately fall in love with. You may not always find what you want, but it’s always good to keep your mind open and accepting of new clothes or accessories that are out of your comfort zone.

Comment below and tell me what you found lying around in your mom’s (or a close one’s) closet!

5 Must-Add Songs For Your Summer Playlist

Summer is officially here, and there’s no better way to kick it off than with the right music. Summer is not just for bringing your A-game in fashion—it’s all about finding those perfect songs to listen to while driving around, windows down with your besties! Here are some summer look ‘n listening tips to try!

Music tip:

Everyone has a different taste in music, so it’s crucial for that solid summer playlist to include songs that’ll match everyone’s style. Don’t forget to be on the lookout for songs that your friends might not have even heard yet! These’lll add a personal touch to the playlist, and give you brownie points for the hot find!

Sure, it’s easy to just follow those pre-made playlists on your favorite music app or the radio. BUT, it’s way more fun to venture out and create your own customized playlist that fits you and your style. Choosing songs that you like adds your own personality. It also allows you to avoid those songs on the pre-set playlist that you may not like as much, and you can stick to the go-to jams, with no skips needed.

Style Tip:

Just like creating your own playlist, you want to keep your style unique and true to you! Don’t be afraid to play up your style with mix-and-match accessories. In this case, a straw fedora got paired with a yellow floral silk necktie, and it really made the outfit pop. The silk necktie kept the look light for the summer and the straw fedora brought the shade needed to keep cool in the June/July heat.

Here are the five songs you will definitely want to add to your summer playlist.

…If they aren’t on it already! These are the songs that my friends and I jam to. Whether it’s in the car or on a portable speaker, we play them at maximum volume!

Top Five Songs On My Summer Playlist:

1. Malibu – Miley Cyrus

2. Whippin‘ – Kiiara

3. Nights With You – MØ

4. It Won’t Kill Ya – The Chainsmokers

5. Hallucinating – Elohim

What are your top five favorite songs right now? Let me know in the comments below or share on social media! Be sure to tag @CFashionista in your post.