Tag: Going Out

The Athlete’s Guide to Going-Out Attire

When you’re an athlete, you’re constantly on the go. Whether you are literally running to class or finishing up several sweaty (and smelly) hours at the gym before a night out, freshening up after workouts is not easy. In fact, our busy athletic schedules sometimes deter us from socializing afterward.

Being the Fashionistas that we are, however, we shouldn’t have to choose between working out and going out! Here are some quick and simple tricks every athlete should use when transitioning into going out attire.

PHOTO: Rachel Zuckerberg

1—Dry shampoo

While taking a full post-workout shower is ideal, time does not always allow for this to happen. Depending on how sweaty you are, you may want to rinse off your body—but, keep your hair dry! This is where the dry shampoo comes in. Rather than waste time drying your hair, spritz some dry shampoo over your tresses instead. To use, shake the bottle and hold it a couple inches away from your head before applying. If you hold it too close, your hair may look powdery. Aim the spray towards your roots, and try to get under the different layers of your part. The dry shampoo will soak up the grease from your hairline, and give you the volume that your workout took away.

PHOTO: Amber Sudra

2—Comfy shoes

There’s nothing worse than jamming your aching, post-workout, toes into a pair of pumps or stilettos—except maybe dancing in them afterward. Thankfully, there are many comfortable (and fashionable) shoe options that can be worn going out instead of heels. Athletes can opt for supportive shoes, such as lace-up booties or stylish sneakers. Depending on where you are partying, these may be better options anyway! Parties are known for being shoe-destroyers, so regardless of your athletic status, it is best to leave your favorite heels at home when attending a party.

PHOTO: Lex Kelly

3—Sleek ponies

The ponytail is every athletic girl’s best friend. Chances are, you were wearing one during your workout—and, with a few tweaks, you can reuse the style at night. A ponytail is a great style for going out because it smooths away flyaways and even masks the appearance of greasy hair. Ponytails are a particularly trendy look at the moment and have even been worn on the red carpet by multiple celebs, including J-Lo, Blake Lively, and Reese Witherspoon. Additionally, pulling your hair back gives you more opportunities to accessorize. Try fun earrings or a bold lip color for some flare.

Whatever you put on, don’t forget to wear it with confidence! You’ve worked for it (literally).

How do you get ready on-the-go? Let us know in the comments or tag @Cfashionista on social media!

How to Beat the Hometown Summer Blues

If you’re anything like me, you probably hate being back home for the summer. I mean, there was clearly a reason why I chose to leave in the first place for school. Being in an adventure filled city like Boston for most of the year and then coming back to the small capital region of Albany, New York leaves me with a bit of a lackluster feeling making home feel nothing but dull. However, I wasn’t allowing myself to stay in this rut and I will not allow you Fashionista/os to either! So, to get out of these hometown summer blues I discovered a list of ways to adventure and appreciate being home instead.

1—Visit your local museum. I didn’t realize how fortunate I was to live in an area with so much history. I had plenty of places to choose from. I decided to head to the Capitol building itself and explore there. Right afterward, I headed to the New York State Museum located right across the street. Right in the middle of both places is a cute little plaza with a giant fountain, cool art sculptures, and food trucks, perfect for a summer afternoon. Whether you’re into history or art, making a trip to appreciate your local museum is a must this summer.

  

2— Explore the outdoors. One thing I love about living in Albany is that there’s access to not only the city but the country as well. Your local town park is perfect for nature walks. My favorite one to go to is in Schodack. I like to go there to pick flowers and relax by the water.

3—Hop on the latest food craze. Pizza? Pasta? Coffee? Doughnuts? Ice cream? Whatever your town is known for, take a trip over and try it! Here, Troy is known for its cute little pop-up shops. The latest shop to pop up is Liza’s, a health foods restaurant that sells amazing smoothies and acai bowls. Did I mention they are huge? With seating outside, it was enjoyable to relax and take in the rest of downtown Troy.

Whatever your hometown has to offer, grab your closest friends, dress up, and explore!  Stuck on what to wear? I paired my denim skirt (aka my summer staple piece) with a button-down that I turned into a chic off-the-shoulder top perfect for summer. For accessories, I wore multiple simple necklaces, and for shoes, I wore nude oxfords.

What will you be doing to beat the hometown blues the last few weeks before school? Tag us in all of your summertime adventures @cfashionista. 

Casual to Glam by Barely Changing Your Clothes

If you have a busy schedule like I do, then you know that there is not always time to completely change your outfit from a daytime to a nighttime look. This should not stop you from accomplishing this change in your look by just adding or removing accessories and makeup. Below I will explain how I transitioned a daytime outfit into a glam outfit for a night out.

For the general outfit, I am wearing this adorable blue plaid off-the-shoulder sundress. Dresses are one of my favorite pieces of clothing to wear no matter the occasion. This dress is perfect because it is great dressed up or down. For the casual daytime version of the look, I decided to accessorize with brown sandals, thin bracelets, and a long pendant necklace. I like to use accessories to bring life to my style while keeping it simple. I then paired the outfit with natural makeup. This is an outfit I would wear going out to lunch with friends or walking around the art museum.

The second way that I styled this look was for a night out, such as going to a party with friends. Wearing the same dress, I decided to throw on a pair of taupe studded heels and a white fur vest which both add to the glam factor. The jewelry I have on is a beaded silver and gold necklace and chunky silver and gold bracelets to match. Lastly, I added some pop to my already-done makeup in a few different ways. To my eyes, I added a brown winged liner to the brown smokey eye that I was going for. I then applied a more blinding highlight to my cheekbones and inner corners of eyes and switched my nude lip to a shiny brown metallic liquid lipstick. I love using makeup to influence the feel of an outfit.

Trying new ways to style outfits is a fun way to express your creativity, how do you wear this trend? Let us know in the comments below!

How to Incorporate Matching Sets Into Your Summer Wardrobe

Sometimes picking the perfect outfit can be extremely time-consuming. Or maybe you’re just having one of those days where you don’t have the energy or the time to put together a head-turning look. It’s lazy moments like those that the latest spring and summer trend—matching sets—can be a lifesaver. In a matter of minutes, you can throw one on and look instantly put together, chic, and seem like you put some effort into your outfit without having to go through the hassle of having to combine a top and bottom.

As the fashion trends change, designers are bound to alter the styles and cuts of matching sets. And as the new seasons roll in, the colors, fabrics, and prints also tend to vary in order to match the color pallet and characteristics of the current season. At the peak of summer, it’s difficult to miss the bright colors and lightweight fabrics on the shop windows as the new trends hit the stores. And I am sure you have seen a few mannequins rocking matching sets on the windows of your favorite stores.

But the best thing about matching sets isn’t the colors and fabrics that they come in. If we are going to be honest here, my favorite thing about matching sets is that it’s a two-for-one kind of deal. Not only can you wear the set together, but you can also mix and match it with other items in your closet. Whether you’re dealing with a skirt, pants, or shorts, you can pair it with a variety of tops to create a casual or dressy look. Meanwhile, the top is just as versatile and can be worn with anything from denim to leather pants to your favorite shorts.

Whether you are looking to dress up or dress down your matching set, it’s all about the shoes you pair it with. It can be paired with sandals for an everyday casual look, or the latest trends in heels for work or a dressier look. It’s all up to you!

Keep matching sets in mind next time you’re out and about at the mall looking for a cute new outfit. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

How would you style your matching sets? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista.

5 Tips for a Simplistic Summer

Now I won’t lie, I’m one for “the drama” when getting dressed, hence why I love fall fashion. It entails somehow getting a ridiculous amount of clothing to sing a harmonious song. And quite frankly, I enjoy every second of it! You can compare summer to being stuck in an oven at 450 degrees, which is why this time of the year calls for simplicity. Summer fashion is not about clothing working together, it’s about highlighting pieces that can stand on their own.This makes getting dressed every morning a little harder. Summer garments are simple, which makes it difficult to look like you put in the effort. Let’s be honest, Fashionistas, we all want to look like we tried without trying, of course. Here are a few tips to help you achieve your perfect simplistic summer look!

1—Layer up. Yes, you read that right. Even though you’re probably looking at your iPhone while it says 90 degrees and looking back at the screen wondering if I’m crazy, I’m not! Adding dimension to an outfit is important and layering does just that. Ditch the cardigan and throw on a sleeveless trench. This is a perfect way to add elegance to any outfit.

2—Keep your base simple. No one wants to be worrying about their outfit through out their day, which is where rule number two comes into place. Bodysuits are a one stop shop. Put it on and go! No worrying about tucking in your blouse or having to fix it throughout the night. There are plenty silhouettes available to choose from, so go a little crazy and have some fun!

3—Say goodbye to shorts. Shorts are a summer staple and will forever be. However, they get boring when you constantly see the same styles. Don’t be afraid to wear pants during the summer. Just make sure they are loose, breathable, and cute, of course. Pants hold their own weight coming in strong colors, textures, and silhouettes. This makes them a great foundation for an outfit.

4—Ditch mixing, let’s match. Co-ord sets, the fashion god’s gift to us on our laziest days! They take away the stress of analyzing pieces as separates. Co-ord sets are my go-to for summer days and nights when I’m not in the mood to fight with my closet. They should be yours too!

 

5—Footwear and accessories. We often forget how strong of a voice shoes and accessories have. The most basic outfit can be transformed by them. Stop viewing shoes and accessories as an extra and start looking to them as staples!

 

As always I hope you’ve learned a little something to spice up your wardrobe and put your fashionable mind at ease.

Do you have any go-to tips for the summer heat? Share what you think in the comments below!

Styling for Dynamic Duos

Hitting the town with your best friend is always the best way to spend a day, but have you ever showed up, photo-ready, and realize you totally clash? Photos are a must when you’re with your bestie, looking cute, out and about. The greatest way to ensure your photos turn out as glam as possible is to embody your individual styles while also complementing each other well. Styling is important to be a truly dynamic duo.

Color Coordination

I’m not saying you have to perfectly match your friend, but for complementing purposes, you are going to want to make sure your outfits do not clash color wise. A wacky color combo can throw off any picture. Styling yourselves together is fun and will save you from a bombing Instagram. Your muted tone outfit may fit your photo feed, but the bright pink maxi dress your BFF didn’t warn you she was sporting may not quite be what you pictured for your theme. Creating a cohesive color theme for your day out will be pleasing to the eye of strangers on the street and your followers on the screen.

Stay True to Your Style

Never dress in a style that isn’t your own. Being a dynamic duo does not mean you have the same style. In fact, both of you embracing your own individual styles and cohesively making them look amazing together is way more impressive. As you can see, my Fashionista friend and I here are super cohesive, but still emulate our own individual styles. My Fashionista friend works her signature black denim, unique shoes, and edgy accessories, while I complement her with my softer style, trendy shoes, and lace accents. We follow the color coordination rule in all black and even down to the cognac-colored shoes. While being cohesive, we still work our own styles.

Stay True, Period

Don’t be fake in photos. Be natural, real, and authentic. You and your best friend don’t need to post up like people you aren’t. Wear clothes you both love. Go places you actually enjoy. Take pictures posing however you are comfortable together. Stepping out of your comfort zone is healthy, but never step out of you are. People will love your friendship as much as you do if you show it off how it is. Let your style speak for you, and always keep it 100 from your outfit to your smile.

Just be yourself. You and your bestie are such a great pair for reasons beyond how you look. It can never hurt to spruce yourselves up for a fun day, though. Remember to avoid clashing colors by coordinating, never changing your style to fit someone else’s, and staying true to who you are through and through. Go out there and show the world how cool of a dynamic duo you and your best friend truly are.

Are you a part of a dynamic duo? Show us your coordination skills on social media by tagging @Cfashionista!

How to Plan Cute Dates on a Budget

As college students, we often feel the stress of saving and stretching our money while still having a little extra to buy cute clothes, go out with friends, or plan dates with a special someone. Those long hours put into that either really great or not-so-great summer job don’t have to disappear in the blink of an eye when you want to enjoy the warm weather with your boo.

A good way to spend virtually nothing is to plan a sight-seeing hike (or drive if you don’t feel like getting sweaty). The area I live in has so many beautiful nature scenes that it becomes a fun adventure to pick a new place to visit and hang out. My boyfriend and I visited a hidden waterfall, which also doubles for a swimming date if it’s hot enough. Whether it be in the country or city, there are always little gems to make your own. If you live in the city go check out any rooftops, botanical gardens, or plan to drive out of the city for the day!

Another sweet date (literally) is to go berry picking since it is the season of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and so on. Farm stands will often have a pick-your-own option, and we went to pick strawberries. We try to see who can find the best looking ones and how full we can make our crate, which ends up being roughly under $5.

Picnics are definitely one of my favorite, cheap dates when the weather gets this nice. It can be a full meal or just some snacks, which is what we did. All you need is something to sit on and an ideal spot to lounge. We picked a huge, quiet, grassy hill, but parks or the beach work perfectly too. Buying groceries to eat is usually going to be cheaper than eating out at a restaurant as well.

For some quick outfit inspiration, my denim skirt is from ASOS, my top is from Buffalo Exchange, my belt is from Urban Outfitters, and my shoes are Vans.

These are just a few simple ideas, but dates don’t have to be extravagant to have a good time!

Tag @Cfashionista on social media showing us your cute summer dates!

Top 5 Places to See in Los Angeles

Whether you live here in sunny California or you are just visiting for a summer vacation, Los Angeles is arguably the most desired destination for the season. With all of the traffic, you want to make sure that you are hitting all of the local spots in a timely matter. So, I have put together this amazing list of places to see in LA.

At the top of my list is the Venice Canals. It might be a little rough to find parking, but it is so worth it. The canals are full of picture-perfect houses and adorable bridges. The area feels like a quiet oasis in the middle of bustling Los Angeles. Grab a cup of coffee at Menotti’s Coffee (my favorite!) just down the street, and don’t forget to stop by the famous Muscle Beach as well! You’ll enjoy a nice stroll along the canals, but don’t forget to bring a jacket because (despite popular belief) it gets chilly down by the coast!

The second destination on my list is Abbot Kinney, which is also in Venice Beach. Here you will find all of the cool and trendy restaurants like The Butchers Daughter, Lemonade, The Tasting Kitchen, and even Kreation Cafe. You can find fun and unique outdoor murals to take your Instagram pictures in front of as well. And, I’d recommend ending the day with a tasty ice cream from Salt and Straw. This is the perfect place to bring a retro disposable camera or Polaroid. You’ll love having hard copies of your photos that you can put on your wall and remember forever.

Next up… unless you’ve been living under a rock for a year then you have definitely heard of the famous Paul Smith Limited Pink Wall on Melrose Ave. This is a must see on my list. Just around the corner is an Alfred Coffee location and a couple blocks up is the incredible Alfred Tea Room. Melrose is filled with high-end and low-end stores including some amazing vintage shops like American Vintage.

My next favorite is Griffith Observatory. You probably saw it in La La Land, but let me give you the inside scoop: it is worth the hype. As you drive up the winding road, you end up at the top of a beautiful hill where you can see all of Los Angeles. This is the perfect spot to stop for a picnic or just watch the stars at night. 

Last, but certainly not least, is my all-time favorite: The Commissary at the Line Hotel. This beautiful brunch spot will not do you (or your Instagram feed) wrong. The food is always impeccable, the coffee is always strong, and the terrarium is always on point. I would recommend The Commissary to any and every brunch and plant lover.

What fun adventures will you be up to this summer? Leave a comment below to let me know!

Out of the Office

When I landed an internship at an insurance company for the summer, I was excited to get a taste of the corporate world and spend my days being a “real adult” in dress pants and oxford shirts. Though I’m loving my job, the novelty of wearing professional clothes has worn off quickly, and I look forward to wearing something a bit more me when I’m out of the office.

This look is one of my favorites for a summer night out. I’m an advocate for white denim, despite my unfortunate tendency to spill coffee on myself at least once a day.  White skinny jeans look crisp and put-together at the office on casual Friday with a cardigan and wedges, but with a flirty top and accessories, they transition into a Friday night look. And no, I won’t be following the “no white after Labor Day” rule. White jeans can be styled for any season!

My embroidered peasant top is breezy and colorful (everything that an oxford is not), and works well with my favorite Kendra Scott earrings. I added wedges and a vintage bag in similar cognac leathers to tie the look together.  

When it comes to my hair, I learned long ago that my blow dryer and straightener were no match for the humidity of Wisconsin summers. For the summer months, I’m letting my natural curls do what they do best and giving my hair a break from the heat.  Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk is the best curl cream I’ve found for defining and moisturizing thick, coarse curls.  

Come Monday morning, I’ll be back in my dress pants, but for now, I’m enjoying this colorful, summery look.

What’s your favorite outfit to slip on when the work day is over? Let us know in the comments below or tag @CFashionista on social media!

How to Make Denim-on-Denim Look on Point

We’re all fans of denim without a doubt. Let’s be honest: there’s always something made of jeans sitting in our closets. Most would consider it a fashion essential. That’s because this versatile material fits right at home with any style and truly is the people’s fabric.

Denim can go with anything, but when paired together, it can be equally as tricky as it is trendy. The decision to double up on this material can be hard. But I’m with the opinion that twice the denim can be twice as good for your outfit, especially when you’re going for a casual and comfortable look!

So then how does one move in the direction of denim-on-denim the right way?

First off, this outfit doubles up on worn, light blue denim, with both the jacket and jeans’ cuffs rolled. I feel that the softer, baby blue color pairs well with the summer season and naturally brightens up any outfit.

With an open jacket, a light tone shirt, or blouse can add another dimension of color without disrupting the denim. Furthermore, I’m a fan of all things camouflage and I think the washed-out camo shirt makes an excellent bottom layer. It does a great job of emphasizing the relaxed, cool sense this look has to offer.

I’m all about accents too. This outfit incorporates pops of colors, such as the purple-tinted sunglasses, all white slip-ons, and the cute patches located on different parts of the jacket. Although jewelry is absent here, earrings and bracelets are always reliable accents that you can use throughout this look. With accents like these, your outfit can pop in the right places, again, without taking away attention from the real star here.

Although lighter weight clothing usually accompanies warmer seasons, double denim outfits like this one can work for when the temperature cools down or when you’re hanging out. Whatever the reason, remember that a denim-on-denim outfit can work for anybody or any season. It can be done up and completed with the right accents.

What are your go-to ways to wear denim? Let me know in the comments below!