Green – CollegeFashionista

The 3 Benefits of Thrifting and Consigning

While you’re young, take advantage of your ability to slip into vintage without looking dated. From the neighborhood Goodwill to a hip Buffalo Exchange or swanky designer shop, thrift stores and consignment boutiques are where all the cool kids shop today. Pre-owned pieces are seriously beneficial in the sense that they are unique, eco-friendly, and high quality. Let me explain.

1—Unique. It’s a thrill to dig and find that rare piece of treasure! Thrifted or consigned apparel are sometimes historical and always one-of-a-kind; they are definitely unavailable at your local Forever 21, Zara, or H&M. Legendary costume designer, Patricia Field, admittedly prefers putting actors in used clothing. This way, film audiences are more focused on the plot rather than identifying which trendy retail stores the characters’ ensembles come from.

2—Eco-Friendly. Did you know that the textile industry is one of the largest polluters in the world? Cotton growth consumes a substantial amount of harmful pesticides and fertilizers, and textile treatment or dyeing contributes to 20 percent of fresh water pollution. If you care about the earth, you should consider buying secondhand. Clothes should be recycled because quite frankly, fashion trends follow a rotation. Contemporary styles frequently mimic looks from previous times. Thus, it is judicious to rock recycled, revamped, original, and most likely cheaper versions of the current craze.

3—Quality. Back in the day, mass-production did not exist. Moreover, products composed of fine construction and were created with exceptional handwork. Fabric was made with 100 percent natural fibers, rather than with synthetic fibers (polyester, rayon, viscose, etc.), which results in a rich and breathable feel. Detailing was hand sewn, stitched, embroidered, or beaded, for a delicate appearance. Beads were made of pure glass, rather than plastic, thus they glimmer under lights and clink with movement. Since pieces from the past are without a doubt luxurious, Fashionistas commonly tailor vintage to cater to their tastes and fit them like a glove.

Shopping gently-used attire can be a serendipitous and experimental experience. If you decide to wander into a thrift or consignment shop sometime, remember to wear a simple outfit that is easy for try on. Skim the entire store, keep an open mind (don’t look for specific items), and don’t let sizes constrict you to certain areas (different decades rely on different scales). With practice, patience, as well as an eye for design, you will soon begin to understand Macklemore’s enthusiasm for thrifting!

Have you ever thrifted or consigned? What kind of gems did you find? Let us know in the comments below!

5 Tips for Starting a Minimalist Wardrobe

Not long ago, a goal of mine was to cultivate a wardrobe like the ones you see in the “closet goals” tag on Instagram: a limitless collection of clothes, shoes, bags, and accessories, allowing me to never repeat an outfit ever again. However, not only is this wardrobe expensive, it’s also unhealthy for the environment. Thus, the idea of a minimalist wardrobe was born, and aesthetically-pleasing minimalist wardrobe photos began to flood the Internet. So, to do something good for your wallet and the Earth, here are some starting points for creating your own affordable, sustainable, and fashionable minimalist wardrobe.

1—Donate/recycle clothes you don’t wear. While it may be difficult to part with certain clothes, my rule is, if I haven’t worn it in a year, it has to go. If the clothing item is in good enough condition, it can be resold or donated. Otherwise, it can be recycled at a local clothing recycling station.

2—Find your color scheme. This doesn’t mean that all of your clothes will be the same colors, but it will help your wardrobe be more flexible. You want most of your tops to match most of your bottoms, and your accessories to match most of your outfits. Also, if most of your clothes match each other, you’re less likely to have the “I have nothing to wear!” feeling while you’re getting ready.

3—Make sure your clothes differ from each other. Although you may think that this contradicts my last point, this simply means that the design of each clothing item should be unique within your wardrobe. For example, two main colors from my color scheme are black and white. However, I have a plain, loose-fitting, black T-shirt, and a fitted black and white striped shirt. While both of these things can easily be paired with the same pair of black shorts and basic shoes, they are very different from each other, allowing me to make my smaller wardrobe fun and versatile.

4—Use layering pieces that go with most of your outfits. This could be a denim jacket, a neutral cardigan, or a fun scarf. It allows you to vary your outfits and prevents you from getting in a fashion rut. It’s also useful for when the seasons change, as it allows you to wear the same pieces throughout the year.

5—Only own accessories that go with more than half of your clothes. Bags, shoes, and jewelry can be worn far more often than clothes. So, make sure that you can get your use out of each item by wearing them more regularly. Also, by having the ability to add an accessory to any outfit, you maximize the number of different outfits that you can create.

What do you think of the minimalist wardrobe trend? Show me photos of your minimalist wardrobes on social media and tag @CFashionista!

You, Me, the World, and Fashion’s Carbon Footprint

After doing much research on sustainable fashion, I have come to the conclusion that I myself am not a sustainable person. Looking at my closet, it is filled with items that I may never wear again but hope that I might. With the new school year coming up and fall clothing stocking onto the shelves, I needed to find other options. Rather than spending my money and piling more items into that closet, I needed to make a change.

According to the Council for Textile Recycling, I found that about 25 billion pounds of textiles are created each year. 85% of it goes into our landfills while only 15% are donated or recycled. A reason as to why this is happening is that not many people know that textiles can be recycled. That is why many people would rather buy new and trendy items instead of dealing with finding a way to recycle them. I for one am guilty of this.

So, here are some things that you can do to reduce your carbon footprint!

Donate

For the items that are still functional, you can send them to your local thrift store and get a tax reduction. Plus, you can shop for vintage items that can cost less than $5. Now that’s a steal!

Be Creative

See that old dress that you forgot in the back of your closet? Take it out and cut it up! By doing so, you’re giving them a second life and you’re making it unique to your style.

Look for the Green Tag

If you’re a shopaholic like I am, there are lots of companies that are on the fast track to sustainable fashion. Some of these companies are H&M, Nike, and Adidas, only to name a few. There are also many other brands who are 100 percent eco-friendly or are converting their practices to become eco-friendly. All you have to do is look for the green tag and there you go! You have an item that is made out of recycled materials or can be made into one after your life cycle with it.

In the end, the one who makes the decisions will be me and you. So, let’s celebrate the earth and help it rather than creating more damage. It is the one and only earth we have!

What do you think about sustainable fashion? Let me know in the comments below and show us how you’re helping the earth! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista.

No Polaroid? No Problem—How to DIY Faux-laroids

Although next semester seems far away, it’s never too early to start planning some cute decorations for your dorm or apartment! This is also a good time to look through some of your old school supplies from last semester because we’re going to use some of them in the sustainable DIY I have for you today: Faux Polaroid photos!

You will need

Access to a computer
Access to a printer with paper
Used 3” x 5” note cards (one per “Polaroid”)
Glue or tape
Scissors
Ruler
Pencil
Black marker or pen

1—Choose your photos. Find your favorite photos from Facebook, Instagram, or any other digital photos that you may have. Download them or drag them to your desktop and keep them in their own folder.

2—Crop your photos (if necessary). Open each photo from your folder in a photo-editing application and crop them to fit a square. Save all of your changes.

3—Add all of your cropped photos to a blank document, resize them, and align them. Open a new document in the writing application of your choice. Drag each photo from your folder and place them in the document. You can click the corner and drag it to resize them. They should fit 2 ¾ inches x 2 ¾ inches. Once all of the photos are the correct size, place them in six rows of two along two pages. Leave some room in between each photo in case of mistakes while cutting them out.

4—Print and cut out your photos. Print out your document and carefully cut out each photo. Recycle all scraps.

5—Mark your note cards. Place a note card vertically in front of you. Make sure that the bottom half of the note card is clear of any writing and unwanted marks. Make three light marks from the top and both sides going ⅛ of an inch inwards towards the center. Repeat this step for each note card.

6—Attach your pictures onto the note cards within the marks. Apply glue or tape to the back of your photo. Use the marks as a guide to place your photo on the note card. If you’ve cut your pictures a little too small, just make sure the photo is equidistant from the top and two vertical sides. Next, gently erase any pencil marks that are still visible.

7—Write fun captions for each photo. There are many options for this step! Are you classic and understated? Just write the date that the photo was taken in the bottom corner. Are you more poetic and sentimental? Write a few words to describe the memory from the photo. Or, if you’re a chic minimalist, you can just leave it blank!

8—Decorate. You can hang your “Polaroids” on a clothesline with clothespins, attach them to your wall, or whatever you want!

What do you think of the vintage Polaroid trend? Show me how this DIY went on social media, and be sure to tag @CFashionista!

How To Get Bikinis on a Budget

If you took a look in the corner of my closet you would notice a plethora of bathing suits collecting dust. Half of these suits I haven’t worn in years while the other half is gangly and awkward. Between the one-pieces and the bikinis, I have more suits than I have jeans. These tiny often scandalous pieces of fabric always end up costing me more money than any other clothing items in my closet, and they get worn the least too. Whether you’re buying designer or buying on a budget, keep an eye open for these tips to make the most of your bathing suit purchase and avoid ending up like me.

1—Reversible Fabrics. Before buying any suit (especially designer) I would suggest exploring fabric options for the most versatility in your bathing suit. Reversible fabrics are amazing because it is like buying two suits for the price of one. These suits are also great for mix matching with other pieces in your collection. The best suits will have solid colors on one side and a design on the other.
2—Bathing Suit Cut. Sure it may be fun to buy a bathing suit that’s high-waisted or one with an edgy back strap design, but when it comes to practicality classic bathing suit cuts will give you the most bang for your buck. Purchase suits with simple timeless lines to avoid buying new bottoms and tops every year. If you still can’t part with your one-hit wonders check out these cute tops that are still simple but have a bit of edge and won’t break the bank.

3—Accessorize. The most important part of any good outfit are the accessories. Don’t be afraid to style up your suit with a floppy hat or maybe a body chain. These accessories will give your bikini a second life while keeping your simple cut suits more interesting.
If all else fails on your bathing suit shopping adventure don’t forget to buy a suit that makes you feel amazing! You can always save money tomorrow!

How do you buy your bathing suits? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista. ow do you buy your bathing suits? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista.

Pretty in Patterns—How to Style the Color of the Year

From floral to paisley, patterns are a summer staple, but styling them can be a bit challenging. This article will show you how to style your patterned outfit for a perfect and flirty daytime outfit. While pastels are in fashion for the summer, Pantone declared the color of the year for 2017, as “Greenery” which the Pantone Color Institute describes as a “zesty yellow-green shade that evokes the first days of spring.”

This dress is one that fits all that is in style for the summer! The zesty green plus the pattern that is to die for. What is great about these kinds of patterns is that they are wearable for both daytime and nighttime events. All you have to do is dress them for that event with the proper shoes, handbag, and jewelry.

If you are the kind of person who loves to stay active but wants to stay on trend, you can achieve a daytime and a more active-friendly look with a patterned sundress. You can wear that outfit for daytime activities like day dates to the zoo, brunch with your girlfriends, or a day in the city. Just pair it with black Vans sneakers to make it easier for you to walk and get around.

With such a casual and daytime-friendly look, patterns are usually more difficult to style with handbags or purses. Personally, I love small backpacks. They are useful, small, and oh so cute! With a green and white pattern like the one shown above, you can add a black, white, brown, or really any solid-colored backpack to carry your stuff in while keeping your arms free!

For a nighttime look, either for going to a party or going on a date, just pair the dress with a solid-colored opened or closed-toe shoe, depending on the occasion and the situation. As you know, the makeup look makes the outfit, so don’t forget to get creative—or not—depending on what you like and what you want to get out of your entire look!

Tell us how you like to style your favorite patterned item for the summer in the comments below and don’t forget to tag @CFashionista in your pictures on Instagram!

4 Smoothie Bowls for When it’s Too Hot to Eat

No matter what state you live in, June and July are two of the hottest months of the year. In the summer when temperatures rise, appetites can drop. I’ve rounded up four of the best and prettiest smoothie bowls I could find. Gather all of your ingredients and blend until smooth. All of these recipes can be altered based on your personal tastes.

The first smoothie bowl is a coconut açai bowl. This is a very summery bowl by Lindsay Hunt via Buzzfeed. You can find açai packets at most health food stores. Adding the agave makes this smoothie sweet. This smoothie, along with all the others is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan!

Ingredients:

1 packet frozen açai (I use Sweetened)

1 large banana

½ cup coconut water

2 tbsp. chia seeds

1 tbsp. agave syrup, plus additional for serving

Toppings:

½ cup blackberries

Coconut Shavings

Granola

¼ apple, thinly sliced (I omitted the apple here)

Drizzle of agave

Tip: You can use honey if you don’t have agave handy.

The next smoothie is a beautiful raspberry mango smoothie. This smoothie is actually a healthy hair smoothie from ilovevegan.com via Pinterest. It tastes great, and has 16 grams of protein which fills you right up.

Ingredients:

1 cup soy milk

1 cup frozen mango

1 cup frozen raspberries

1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds

Toppings:

1/2 cup granola

1/3 cup fresh berries

1 tbsp raw pumpkin seeds

Tip: The seeds keep you full longer and add extra beauty benefits.

This berries and granola bowl is a classic. It’s packed with all sorts of good-for-you ingredients. This recipe is from The Kichn. Don’t be alarmed if some of the seeds remain unblended, you won’t be able to tell when you eat it. You want the smoothie to be kind of thick so you can eat it with a spoon, but this bowl has a lot of liquids. If you need to thicken it up, add some more fruit or spinach.

Tip: If you track your macros, you can use a food scale when measuring out ingredients.

Ingredients:

2 cups almond milk

1/4 cup coconut milk

1 cup frozen blueberries

1 cup frozen peaches, mango, or pineapple

1 ripe banana

1/2 cup fresh spinach

2 tablespoons chia seeds

1 tablespoons flax seeds

1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Toppings:

Granola

Fresh berries

Chocolate chips

Shaved coconut

The final smoothie is called the “Sweet and Mellow.” It is originally from Whole Foods, but I learned how to make it at home. It is the most green of all, but I promise you can’t taste the spinach.

Tip: Add your favorite collagen supplement for added beauty benefits.

Ingredients:

1 cup spinach

1 ripe banana

1/2 cup frozen mango

1/2 cup frozen pineapple

1/2 cup coconut water

Toppings:

Granola

Shaved coconut

Thinly sliced apple

What’s your favorite thing to eat in the heat? Tell us in the comments below!

STYLE GURU STYLE: Sunny Chic

In Western Pennsylvania, it is finally starting to feel like spring, and it’s never felt better! I am so excited to break out all of my cute sundresses, patterned shorts, and sandals. The spring semester is coming to a close, and now is the time to wear all of your cute outfits around campus. In my opinion, one of the biggest trends for this upcoming summer season is off-the-shoulder tops. I don’t know about you, but I already bought myself about five of these. They are so stylish and look flattering on all shapes and sizes. No matter where I shop, off-the-shoulder tops are being sold. Whenever I’m not sure what to wear, these tops are my go-to. They are such an easy way to put together a cute outfit. Whether you feel like wearing some ripped jeans, like me, or putting on your favorite pair of shorts, off-the-shoulder tops look great!

As for accessories, I like to keep it simple. I added a black choker necklace to add a subtle touch to the look. A long, chained necklace would also be a great piece to put with this outfit. I wanted to look a little more chic than casual, so I wore my lace-up flats, which are also a big trend these days. They are very stylish and look good with essentially every outfit. If I wanted to be a little more comfortable, I would put on a pair of Vans or Adidas sneakers instead. What’s great about this outfit is that everything is very versatile. You can dress it up, or keep it casual if you’d like.

I’m absolutely loving the warmer weather, and can definitely say I am ready to showcase all the cute spring and summer clothes I’ve recently purchased.

These Dorm-Friendly Plants are Pretty Much Impossible to Kill

Earth Day is just around the corner. In tandem with beach clean-ups, gardening, and extra attention to recycling and reducing waste, your own home can be a host for environmentally friendly décor.

Besides being fodder for Instagram, plants actually enhance your living space beyond just creating “aesthetic.” The can provide filtration for the air, may help you live longer, and add some gorgeous color to your room.

A bonus for college students is that a house plant requires i. little care, ii. minimal space, and iii. are relatively inexpensive. (Win, win, win!) But the same succulent doesn’t work for everyone.

Whether your style is more bohemian or minimalist, here are the best plants to literally and figuratively make the world a little greener and more stylish.

Boho
If you lean more towards the flowy, free-spirited style, banana plants and fig leaf plants are chic assets to have. Placing them in the corners of your room on top of a cool rug, or finding smaller but similar plants to hang from macramé planters are nice ways to fit them into your theme.

(Photo via @bystephson)

Minimalism
Emerald green is one hue that won’t take away from your all-neutral, black and white aesthetic. Deep-colored plants like sansevieria, and small, wispy air plants are great options to keep things minimal and green.

(Photo via @beedurst)

Americana
When you find yourself lusting after long road trips through deserts, stargazing, and long summer days, cacti will help you throw it back to your hazy memories of exploring wide open spaces. There are endless varieties and you’ll be able to stick with your decorative plan whether you pot them in a paint-chipped wooden planter or in a chic cow skull vase.

(photo via @theelspethblog)

Adventurist
When planning your next big trip tends to always get prioritized before studying, you want plants that remind you of all the places you dream of traveling. Whether that’s allowing a viney snake plant to wrap itself around your blinds, or a fiddle leaf fig tree to remind you of a far away forest; you’ll be daydreaming in no time.

(Photo via @mmoor)

How are you making your living space a bit greener? Show us on your own “plantie” on social!

WHAT TO WEAR: Exploring in Style

This past spring break I took a trip about two and a half hours south of Kent State University to Columbus, Ohio. During my day of exploring the town, I stopped by the Franklin Park Conservatory. Among all of the flowers, I spotted this stylish Fashionista, who I thought had the perfect outfit for a day of exploring the city.

From her green military jacket to her white Converse sneakers, everything about her outfit is perfect for a chilly spring day meandering around the city. The military jacket paired with the black and white striped top adds a pop of color to the look while also keeping her warm. Her crossbody bag is just the right size to fit everything she would need for the day without being too heavy to carry. Also, her classic white Converse complete the look and keep her feet from hurting while walking down the city streets.

This look can be recreated with items in your own closet. You could easily switch out the military jacket for a bomber jacket or even a classic denim jacket. For the T-shirt, to keep it comfortable, you could opt for a band T-shirt or a classic white T-shirt instead, if stripes aren’t your thing. Finally, any pair of white sneakers is perfect for a walk out on the town. For example, you could switch the Converse for Adidas, Vans, or even Keds. When you put those components all together, you’ve got a classic and comfortable outfit that is perfect for a day of exploring!