Tag: High-waisted

Gingham’s Multiple Summer Trends

Ed Sheeran hasn’t written a song about the timeless pattern… yet. However, Taylor Swift has made mention of some things never being able to go out of style. That is where gingham comes out and into summer magazines.

As a summer trend, gingham is the cherry on top of your favorite flavor of ice cream and it perfectly matches the classic summer movie aesthetic. It’s a timeless print that’s been placed on yearly repeat in my wardrobe since I was at least four. So trends, whether you love them, hate them, or hate to love them, all have their comebacks. The only problem is how to fit so many summer trends into so little time.

All-In-One Trend

To take the leap into the trend divide, you need to pull from summer’s seemingly everlasting vibe and get ready for experimentation, (sprinkling in a bit of retro flair never hurt anyone either).

The statement piece of this outfit and retro-ish vibe revolves around the gingham trousers. I paired the print with a crisp white blouse that has ruffle detailing to play with another big trend and stick with neutrals. To pull together the two pieces, I added a western-inspired belt which created a sharper line of contrast between the blouse and trousers. To top this outfit off, I added another big trend: a light wash denim jacket. It breaks up the lack of color and instills a more casual vibe. Finishing this look, my accessories all synced up with one another. The sandals were the most versatile, matching both my bag and glasses through hardware and trimmings.

And there we have it, more than one trend in a single outfit.

Trends are tricky, but worth it in the end. Go out and into the big bad world of trends; ‘gingham girl’ is a title still open for the taking. You never know, you might just have a song written about you. Have fun with gingham and any other current trends you try!

How would you recreate this look? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @CFashionista.

How to Look Stylish Effortlessly

With school coming right around the corner everyone wants to make a good impression. However, we know how hard it can be to get up for that 8 a.m., let alone to look presentable for it. Of course, you could just throw on an old oversize sweatshirt and leggings and call it a day, but if you can make it look like you spent hours getting ready without the effort, why not? Here are a couple of tips we’ve found to look like you tried without actually trying at all.

1—Lipstick. Lipstick is debatably the easiest trick of them all. By rocking a brighter color on the lip, it gives the implied idea that time and effort were put into the look. Additionally, bright lipstick draws the attention to your lips as the center of the look, leaving room to wear whatever cozy options you want to throw on without looking lazy.

2—Statement sleeves. Statement sleeves are a huge trend right now. Both tops with classic bell sleeves or tops with short, wrist flares can be just as comfortable as a basic sweater, but they still have a more feminine and refined vibe.

3—Dresses. Wearing a dress automatically makes people think you look nice for the day while only taking about five minutes to do it. Just throw on any dress, pair with a sandal for a polished look, and walk out the door.

4—High-waisted. High-waisted bottoms have made a huge comeback. Not only can they be more comfortable than low/mid-rise jeans, but they put the emphasis on your waist and thin you out. Once you find a pair that fits you perfectly, they’re a great option for when you want to look more dressy than you feel.

5—Short heels. Not all heels necessarily mean giving up your comfort to look cute all day. Many options including shorter, thicker heels can be super comfortable (and easy to walk in) while still changing the intrigue of your outfit to be posh.

6—Statement bags. If you invest in a bag with bright colors or a bold pattern, you can utilize it to be the center of your look. Keep the rest of your outfit simple with neutral colors, and let the bag steal the show.

Let us know your effortless fashion secrets. Show us on social media and don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista!

How a Fashionista (Appropriately) Brings Summer to the Workplace

For those Fashionistas that must wait until after their summer Internship to fully reap the benefits of the summertime, it is of the utmost importance to incorporate your favorite summer pieces into your work wear. This month’s Fashionista is a prime example of how to rock those chic, bohemian clothing items in an appropriate manner.

1—Wear a colorful off-the-shoulder bodysuit underneath a pair of dark wash jeans. Though denim cut-offs are a summer staple, they are definitely not appropriate for the workplace. Instead, throw on a pair of your favorite skinny jeans, preferably without any holes. The trendy off-the-shoulder bodysuit will fit seamlessly underneath while also adding a little spice to your look. If it is really a scorcher outside, or you just want to show off your cute footwear, give your jeans a small cuff at the bottom.

2—Bring out your favorite gold pieces to enhance that sun-kissed glow. You probably spend your few off days by the pool with friends, right? Why not show off that gorgeous tan! This Fashionista chose large gold accessories to bring out her golden skin. She is wearing ‘Sophee’ Kendra Scott earrings, a gold necklace, and an oversize gold watch surrounded by gold bracelets and rings.

3—Slip into a comfortable pair of beaded sandals. Now to the footwear. No matter what your summer job is, a nice pair of sandals is typically acceptable. To tie into the rest of the look, find a pair of comfy sandals that have neutral beaded detailing. Especially with the cuffed jeans, these sandals will really make a statement for themselves. Oh, I forget to mention you get bonus points if you have an awesome tattoo on your foot.

4—Complete the look with a beautiful smile. I know it is cheesy, but a smile really does pull the look together. Plus, everyone has a reason to smile during the summer.

Have you brought the summer to your workplace? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @CFashionista.

How to Style Gingham for Summer

Gingham has been my favorite print this summer. It is cute, casual, and perfect for any item of clothing or accessory. Adding a gingham piece of clothing to your wardrobe is a must for any Fashionista this summer. It is a perfect print to wear out with friends or to a summer BBQ.

The blue and white gingham high-waisted shorts I am wearing are from Express and are one of my favorite items I bought this summer. They’re made from a light cotton and are very comfortable. The fact that they are high-waisted make them super flattering and creates a more defined waistline. My favorite part about these shorts is definitely the tied belt. It gives them a feminine girly feel which I love. I also love that they have pockets. It is such a cute detail that I always appreciate.

I have never been a fan of mixing prints because I think it makes the outfit look too busy. Instead, I usually opted to style a printed piece with something that has texture or a fun detail. For this outfit, I decided to pair gingham shorts with a plain white T-shirt, also from Express. I love the ruffle detail on the sleeve because it added that little something extra to the outfit.

In my opinion, accessories can make or break an outfit. For my shoes, I decided to keep it simple so they didn’t take the focus off of the shorts. I opted for these tan sandals with tassel ties. The tassels give the shoe a little something extra and are super comfortable. For my jewelry, I wore pearl stud earrings, a white banded watch, and a bow ring.

How do you style gingham in the summer?  Show us on social media and don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista!

Why I Look to Marilyn Monroe for Style Inspiration

With the arrival of every season comes the subsequent arrival of a new must-have or it item. And every season, I somehow convince myself that it is necessary for me to try out each and every one I see. This summer, I discovered how exhausting that can be. So, here’s what happened when I looked for fashion inspiration from past style icons instead of social media.

At the beginning of the summer, I fell in love with the full-sleeved, off-the-shoulder tops donned by celebrities and fashion bloggers alike. You know the ones: sleeves with tiers or ruffles or bows that would impress Queen Victoria herself.  Excited to be a part of this new trend, I eagerly filled my shopping cart with my own assortment of over the top silhouettes. But as I tried on each garment that came in the mail, I became increasingly disappointed. The tops were wearing me—not the other way around. In retrospect, I loved the idea of these tops turning me into a 21st-century Victorian princess, but they just weren’t my style.

That realization left me slightly panicky. “What will I wear?“ I said to myself as I peered apprehensively into my closet. “I’m a fashion major. I’m kind of required to be on-trend.”

As I pondered the what-should-I-wear-today dilemma, I found myself drawn to images of classic style icons such as Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe. I admired the simplicity, elegance, and timelessness of their outfits. I admired their ability to look put-together and polished, even in the heat of summer. But mostly, I admired how these women dared to wear what they wanted in an era of poodle skirts and strict expectations for women.

Out of all the pictures I went through, the one of Marilyn Monroe by the water, legs crossed, laughing at the camera, immediately grabbed my attention. Her outfit—an off-the-shoulder-top and high-waisted shorts—was simple, yet modern. And there was just something about her expression that lit up the whole photo. I knew I wanted to do my own interpretation of that moment.

Filled with inspiration, I paired my red high-waisted shorts (a treasured thrift store find) with a simple black off-the-shoulder top. For interest, I added a red, patterned handkerchief scarf and light green lace-up sandals to keep the outfit modern. I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome: a simple, chic outfit that felt very me, not like a costume.

I will always love trying new things and pushing myself to wear the unexpected. But I’m learning that it’s okay to not buy into every trend that comes down the runway or pops up on a fashion blog. Inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere. And it is far greater to wear something you love and is 100 percent you than to sacrifice your point of view for a temporary trend.

Has anyone inspired you recently? Let me know in the comments below! 

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Brunch with the Girls

There’s no better way to spend a Sunday morning than heading into Georgetown for brunch at a perfect little café. Mix in a couple of friends, a Dean & Deluca chai latte, a few hours of shopping, and a spirit ready for exploring, and you have yourself the ideal combination to set you up for a fabulous day.

That’s exactly how I spent my Sunday—brunch, friends, shopping, and exploring. To ensure I was dressed from head to toe in an outfit fit for whatever we found ourselves doing, I wanted to be stylish yet comfortable.

On the bottom, I wore rose colored high-rise pants. These pants are perfect for a weekend adventure or a stylish day at the office. They’re extremely soft and stretchy (dare I say they’re as comfortable as your favorite pair of sweatpants), and yet they don’t look too casual. The look is sealed with a fun, trendy bow.

On top, I wore an off-white crop top to really emphasize the high-rise cut of the pants. It allowed just a little bit of skin to show, keeping the look classy yet slightly edgy. I love this top because it is as soft as a sweater and has a nice tailored look to it. If I were wearing a look like this to work, I’d go with a classic blouse and white blazer.

Since my other accessories, like my go-to Michael Kors watch, were minimal, I wanted to ensure my shoes were fun and bold. I wore my favorite (and new!) gray heels. Believe it or not, they’re Toms. Like I said before—I wanted a look that was stylish and comfortable. These shoes were easy to walk in but also a guaranteed style win.

If you’re looking for your next brunch outfit or something to wear to your internship, feel free to get some inspiration from my look. Don’t forget to share your look on social media and tag @Cfashionista! 

How to Style Thrift Store Finds

Let’s get thrifty friends because as college students we are always trying to save money, but as Fashionistas our goal is to create outfits that people wish they were wearing. So instead of going to the mall this weekend for your back to school shopping trip, try stopping by the thrift store first. Take your time to look around, watch out for patterns and colors that catch your eye. Don’t be afraid to buy items that make you think of your grandma because you can always make them work for your style. Here are some ways I am saving money, and styling my thrift store finds!

Vintage Shorts

You know those pictures in the family photo book of your mom in those shorts that are high-waisted and a little too long? Well, the shorts isle is full of those and you shouldn’t be afraid to snatch them up. Roll them up, or keep them down, it’s almost like magic shorts, they can be as long or as short as you want!

Not Your Grandma’s Shirt

Hawaiian shirts, dad shirts, sweater cropped shirts. These are all shirts that probably remind you of that guest bedroom closet in your grandparent’s house. But, just like the shorts, you can take the shirts and create a masterpiece. Choose the solid colors so you can pair them with patterned bottoms, or grab the fun colorful shirts and pair them with jean cut-offs. The options are endless and so is your beauty!

Cut-off Shorts

One more tip for your new closet. Jeans are all over thrift stores and they always vary by brands and washes. Grab a pair that you like, take them home, and tear them apart. Pull, rip, cut, create!

Now that I’ve shown you how I have been styling my thrift store finds, it’s your turn. I have a challenge for you. Take $20 out of your wallet and go see what you can find at your local thrift store.

Create an outfit and don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista so we can see your masterpiece. Good luck and have fun!

Denim Details

The best current trends are about adding a subtle quirk to a classic. Just like these looks exemplify, amazing outfits are created by adding cool details to an overall simple idea. The result is a trendy and flattering look with interesting details that take the outfit to a whole new level.

This Fashionista is wearing Revice denim jeans with line detailing on the front. Star detailing on the back adds a trendy flair to a classic outfit.

Because the jeans are so funky and cool, this Fashionista just paired them with a white tank with lace and buttons, simple tan sandals, and a few accessories with pink accents for a pop of color. She chose rose lens Ray-Bans, a pink suede bag with fringe, and a white baseball cap.

It’s the little details that make this Fashionista look so stylish. Instead of a plain white tank, she chose a girly one with lace trim and buttons. Instead of a dull handbag, she chose a colorful one in a fabulous, trendy fabric: suede. One of my favorite elements of this outfit is the fringe on the bag. A little retro touch never hurt anybody. This Fashionista clearly agrees with me because she jazzes up the look with another retro allusion by sporting round sunglasses with pink lenses. Not only do the round frames pay homage to the ’60s trend of circular glasses, but the fun color enhances the look and coordinates with the bag.

My look features Seven For All Mankind slightly flared, two-tone jeans. Like the first Fashionista, I wanted my denim to be the star of the show, so I also chose a simple white tank. I layered it with a sage green canvas jacket and Adidas sneakers. Lastly, I added a silver necklace and rose gold choker for some bling.

The tank top ties in the front with a bow to add a cute girly detail. The addition of the canvas jacket in an unusual color adds another cool element to this urban yet feminine outfit. Finally, the layered necklaces and mixing of metals punctuate the look with a subtle quirky touch. These small details, in addition to my unique jeans, take it from dull to trendy and eye-catching.

 

The days of tops and blouses being the focus of the outfit might be behind us because statement jeans are currently all the rage. PSA: Denim on denim is no longer a sin if you pick the right pieces. This Fashionista and I both kept our jeans as the focus by featuring them as the sole piece of denim in our outfits. However, this Fashionista could switch out her white baseball cap for a denim one, like this simple Anthropologie cap, to make this look edgier and further embrace the present denim obsession.

 

Next time you’re shopping for jeans, look for a pair with unique rips, embroidery, different washes, or cool line work like these.

 

What’s your favorite way to wear denim? Let me know in the comments below!

Why You Should Love the ’90s Fashion Comeback

Fashion is constantly changing, and the ’90s fashion of yesterday is back with a modern twist! Chokers, off-the-shoulder tops, denim miniskirts, and oversize windbreakers—all of these contemporary staples draw inspiration from the much-loved styles of the ’90s. These wild, nostalgic, and statement-making pieces have made a mark in fashion today, from casual street looks to pop culture. Here’s why everyone is falling back in love with this style!

Fashion is cyclical! Quirky ’90s fashion reminisces an idealized, happier, and simpler time. A cool cropped top, high-waisted shorts, and fresh kicks were all you needed to look good and feel good; who wouldn’t miss that? In addition, many people recall the ’90s as the memorable era of their childhood or rambunctious teens. While digging through my mother’s closet, her old clothes brought back stories from when she was my age! Fashion isn’t simply about surface-level looks, it’s something that spans generations and a way to remember the past. The dusty clothes in the back of my mother’s closet were a part of her college days and now might be a part of my own!

The focus of this ’90s-inspired outfit I composed is clearly the red Lacoste windbreaker, which I actually borrowed from my mother’s closet! With a statement piece like this, I chose to keep the rest of my outfit simple with an off-the-shoulder top and high-waisted shorts. Some thrifted Old Skool Vans and calf socks add a classic, sporty vibe to the look that’s versatile and wearable. And, don’t forget the hair! I couldn’t find a scrunchie for this half ponytail, but you get the idea! Hoop earrings and statement shades elevate this quirky hairstyle for a modern, street-style vibe.

This cool, lived-in style is not a trend and every effort to make it one compromises the look. Duplicated denim jackets with mass-produced pins and patches defeat the individuality that ’90s fashion celebrated! Rebel against fast fashion and play with colors, textures, and accessories to make the look your own. Try perusing your local thrift store to find unique pieces that really speak to your personal style!

Fashion is about taking risks, wearing what suits you, and having fun! The wild child of the ’90s dressed fearlessly. While this led to many looks we cringe at today, there’s something undoubtedly alluring about that boldness. Drawing from the best of the era’s outfits and attitude, fashion enthusiasts today are bringing back the ’90s with their own fresh take.

Are you embracing the ’90s look? Let us know your favorite comeback piece in the comments below!

How to Wear a Maxi Dress In the Summer Heat

The maxi dress is still going strong this summer with various versions available at almost every store. However, as we make our way into the heat of summer they can sometimes become a little too much fabric wrapped around your body, insulating the heat inside of you. The perfect solution? A sheer maxi.

For this outfit, I paired the sheer maxi over a black, velvet tank top and high waisted denim shorts. I often see sheer maxis paired over bralettes and high-waisted shorts during Coachella season so this look will be sure to give you those festival vibes in your daily wardrobe. Whether you opt for a tank top or a bralette on top, the sheer maxi will be sure to keep you cool while making you look cool. I finished off my look with open-toed heels to help elongate the dress, but you could easily opt for a pair of sneakers to make the look more casual.

Having a sheer maxi dress in your closet is a great staple piece because it can easily transition from season to season. In the fall, just swap the shorts for your favorite skinny or mom jeans and the heels for booties. As winter sets in, pair the sheer maxi over a thin sweater and jeans to help add the warmth you will need. However you decide to style it, the sheer maxi is the ultimate versatile piece for your wardrobe that can be worn all year long.

How do you style your maxi dresses in the summer? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista.