Mesh – CollegeFashionista

Mesh and Patches—A DIY Love Story

This years summertime DIY project began when I fell in love with a midi mesh dress from Forever 21. As soon as I laid eyes on this dress, I knew it was the perfect canvas to transform it into something special. After searching through my beloved fashion Pinterest board for inspiration, I stumbled across a photo I saved months ago of a Valentino trench coat. It was decked out in sparkly embroidered bumblebees, beetles, and butterflies. I was once again in love. Not fully convinced of its trendiness? Lots of other designers including Gucci and Dior have also played around with buggy fashion. And with that, my project was born. I bought my patches from Jo-Ann’s but if you’re looking for uniqueness I recommend Etsy. Here are the steps to create this nature-inspired dress.

1—Before you begin to sew, remove your patches from their wrappings. If the patches have an almost sticky backing to them, do not try to remove it! It’s there to keep the patch together. Next, play around and arrange your patches exactly where you want them to go. It’s your personal piece, design it exactly how you like it. Be creative! Take a picture when you’re done so you can always go back and look at your original layout.

2—Make sure you have a sharp sewing needle, pins, thread, and scissors. You’ll want to pick a thread color that matches the edges on your patches unless you’re your inner creative goddess desires a contrasting color for design reasons. Thread your needle (you can double up the thread to strengthen it, which is smart when working with mesh fabric) and tie a knot at the end of your string. You don’t want the length of your string to be too long because it can become a hot mess very quickly.

3—Secure your patch with pins so it doesn’t move when you’re sewing.

4—Start your stitch on the inside of your garment to hide the knot at the end of the thread. Push the needle through the fabric and the patch. Weave in and out around the edge, making sure to keep the stitches close together.

5—Once you’ve made it all the way around your patch and it is completely sewed on, a knot needs to be made so your stitching doesn’t unravel or become loose. On the backside of the garment, insert the sewing needle under the first stitch you made and pull until a loop forms. Stick your needle into the loop and pull gently. This will create a knot. Repeat this about four times.

6—If you’re feeling glitzy, try sewing on beads for the perfect finishing touch like I did!

Finish this outfit with a crop top and bodycon skirt, a tank with pants, or a simple nude slip underneath!

What DIY projects have you mastered this summer? Let us know in the comments below!

Simple Styles to Add to Your Wardrobe to Survive the Summer

I have a little of a love/hate relationship with summer. I love the sun, boating, flowers, farmers markets, and all other good things about the season. Although, I hate getting hot and sweaty in some outfits. Even if I’m just hanging out at the lake, I want to look cute and simple without sweating. So, how do we do that without internally screaming because we’re dying from the heat?

There are so many ways to play up your summer essentials such as trendy bikini tops, hats, and T-shirt dresses to match your everyday summer vibe. We all want to look like we’re trying, without really trying. Here are some ideas of how to stay looking and feeling cool with the summer sun beating down on you.

1—Mesh. The key to wearing clothes without really wearing clothes. Especially if it’s a T-shirt dress, you can just throw it on top of your bikini—how easy.

2—Bikinis. Bikinis have come such a long ways since the original triangle top. With so many styles and colors, I wish it was socially acceptable to just wear them as tops. If you’re living life by the beach, bikini tops are probably your choice instead of a shirt. Pair them with cute bottoms, accessories, a loose top, and out the door you go!

3—Slides. Personally, I’ve ditched the flip-flops and bought myself a pair of slides. They’re easy to slip-on and you can get a pair to match any occasion. From brunch to a casual walk, there are tons of options for slides.

4—Ripped Boyfriend Jeans. I know it’s summer, so why jeans? I mean with all of the rips, they’re basically like air holes… right? If you want to throw on some jeans without suffocating in them, then ripped boyfriend jeans will give your outfit a breathable edge.

5—Hats. Not only do hats protect your face and scalp from all those UV rays, but it’s an instant outfit game changer. Throw on a trendy hat, like the ones with all the fun sayings and graphics, to play up your outfit.

The nice thing about the summer season is your outfit can be so versatile. Anything really goes and you have way more options than just throwing on a parka—sorry winter. Play up your summer essentials to rock an outfit without melting under all that extra fabric. Stay looking and feeling cool this summer fellow Fashionistas!

How do you stay cool in this summer heat? Show us your go-to summer trends and tag @CFashionista!

4 Ways to Style Overalls

Overalls are a must-have in any Fashionista’s closet. You can get them in practically any color and any length. With the SoCal heat blazing, overalls are perfect to throw on and not feel like you are going to die of heatstroke.

However, styling overalls can be tricky. So, if you don’t want to be mistaken for being 12 years old, here are some tips on how to style one of the summer’s biggest trend.

1—Rock a double buckle belt with your overalls. If your overalls are just a little too baggy for your taste, this stylish belt can solve your problem. Combining these two trends will definitely make you stand out.

2—Wear a mesh shirt underneath. No one will be mistaking you for being in middle school with this cute top. It’s also perfect for summer because you will definitely be getting some air flow through the shirt. If mesh isn’t your thing, try a body suit or off the shoulder top.

3—Accessorize. Accessorize. Accessorize. Accessories are crucial parts to an outfit. Throw on a couple of bangles on your wrist and instead of sticking to your regular choker, try something different and put on a necktie to help polish your outfit.

4—Throw on some mules. I am quite obsessed with mules because they’re comfortable and still very fashionable. They are the perfect shoe to rock during the day with your overalls to create an effortless look. Trade them in for a pair of ankle-strap heels at night.

How will you style your overalls this summer? Show us Instagram and don’t forget to tag @CFashionista.

Trending It Up

We can finally say the cold months are behind us and welcome the warmer weather of summer. The changing season also means changing fashion and trends. The warm weather means it’s time to switch out our bulky sweaters for lighter, more breathable pieces, and become up to date with the new summer trends. My favorite trend to experiment with for the summer has been wearing mesh over a detailed bralette.

I love pulling out this classic mesh top I purchased from Urban Outfitters when the sun starts shining. I decided to pair this top with a delicate black and tan lace bralette from Forever 21. The details of the bralette are easily shown through the mesh top, giving the outfit a more unique look.

When in doubt with what pants to wear, I always turn to grabbing my high-waisted black jeans with rips. I purchased these pants from Topshop and they’re a must for any Fashionista who wants a quick and easy way to add some edge to their wardrobe.

A tip with accessories I never stray away from practicing is to always accessorize! The addition of a few statement accessories are what helps bring any outfit to life. I chose to give this outfit some personality in the way I buckled my silver belt from Urban Outfitters. A tip I learned when wearing high-waisted pants is you don’t have to use the holes on the belt. An easy alternative is to slightly push the prong of the belt upwards while sliding the other end of the belt through the frame. To keep the belt in place, I slide the belt through my first belt loop on my pants and folded the end of the belt behind the panel around my waist. This is an easier alternative to tightening a belt without the hassle of creating new holes.

Mules are a summer trend that is continuing to grow! I decided to pair these black slide-on mules to give the outfit more of an edge and classic appearance. The bright and bold embroidered flowers are perfect for the summer and add some color to this look. Mules are the go-to shoe when you’re on the run but still want to look chic!

Switching between seasons is the perfect excuse to play with new trends in your own way.

The trends are everywhere, so how will you alter them to your own style? Let us know in the comments below!

Street Style Made Easy

We all see pictures of celebrities and famous bloggers online rocking edgy street wear that looks impossible to wear in everyday life. However, when attempted, street style is a lot easier than it looks! One trend that seems too daring to try is the mesh shirt, but, if you’re looking for the ultimate ’90s outfit, then mesh will be your best friend!

The first step to rocking the edgy trend is to really focus on the undergarments since they will be shown through the mesh. Also, it’s important to match the color of your bra to the color of your shirt to look more put together, making it less noticeable that you’re totally wearing a sheer shirt. Everyone is going to see it, so this is the best time to break out your best bra or bralette!

Since the shirt is such a statement piece the rest of the outfit doesn’t have to be too overdone. In this case, just a pair of loose mom jeans were worn as bottoms, adding to the ’90s style. Large accessories definitely aren’t necessary here, all that’s used is a chunky black belt to tie it all together. Trying to dress up the outfit a bit more? Add black Mary Janes! They add to the ’90s trend and are more unique than just regular black flats or sandals. With the basic pieces being used, the outfit is minimalistic enough to be rocked as everyday wear.

Pictures of street style found online can definitely be intimidating, but it’s not hard to reproduce in everyday wear. You would never believe this super simple outfit was put together so effortlessly!

Will you be trying to rock this super easy street wear look? Let us know on social media by tagging our handle @cfashionista.

ALL IN THE DETAILS: Coachella Feels

Coachella. This is one of the most magical times of the year, and I am so happy to say that it is finally here.

This festival is 40 percent music, 60 percent fashion, and it’s an event that basically defines the month of April on the West Coast. Planning your outfits three months in advance is absolutely necessary because you need to make sure that you are not only serving looks, but you need to have enough time to break in your booties. I learned that the hard way. I always look forward to Coachella because it gives me the opportunity to put together outfits that I would not usually wear on a day to day basis, the lineup is always amazing, and it’s an entire weekend of listening to your favorite artists with your best friends. Also, it’s a perfect chance for celebrity spotting!

This Fashionista kicks off her Coachella weekend with an edgy, mesh top, decorated with vibrant rose embroidery, which is a trend that I have been obsessed with lately, I actually incorporated them into my own Coachella wardrobe! This Fashionista complements the floral embroidery with a pair of simple, army green shorts that she picked up from Nordstrom. She accessorized with a wrap choker that she picked up from Forever 21 and replaced typical festival bangles with a black bandana around her wrist. She finishes off her look by throwing on a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses to protect her eyes from the desert sun, and she kept it comfortable by slipping on a pair of Birkenstocks. Happy festival season!

STYLE GURU STYLE: Denim Days

Spring may have begun in March, but it’s just finally feeling like it on the east coast. We’ve patiently awaited warmer weather, where the flowers are blooming and we can finally put away our winter coats for good! My choice for the perfect spring cover-up is an oversize denim jacket. It literally goes with every outfit you can imagine. Throw it on over a cute dress, or pair it with a band T-shirt; either way the denim jacket is a classic choice for your spring outfit.

I paired mine with ripped black skinny jeans. Denim on denim may have been a fashion faux pas, but that certainly is not the case anymore. As long as both pieces are different washes of denim, the outfit comes together nicely. I then added a mesh T-shirt with a strappy bralette. I finished it off with comfy white sneakers made for walking around on a nice day.

Gone are the days of throwing on my thickest hoodie to brave the cold wind. Spring is by far my favorite season, even if it comes with a constant runny nose due to allergies. The warmer weather allows me to wear clothes I actually enjoy putting on everyday. No matter what I choose to wear, I know I can count on my denim jacket to complete whatever look I decide on that day. I even plan to add pins and patches to one of my denim jackets. So make sure your closet includes the versatile denim jacket.

ALL IN THE DETAILS: Making Mesh Happen

So the weather is finally starting to act right here in North Carolina and the students at my university couldn’t be more thrilled. Along with the warmer sun rays making their debut, students are beginning to break out their spring essentials. We are starting to reach for more airy and breathable articles of clothing that can withstand our long days walking from class to class. It’s interesting to see how different students interpret and rock similar trends on campus. I usually find myself looking through the crowd waiting for an interesting outfit to spark my interest, and today I found just that.

Today’s featured Fashionisto is more than ready for the warmer days ahead. He is a huge fan of pushing the boundaries of fashion and is known for the mesh tanks he loves oh so much. Over top of his mesh tank, he sports a lightly acid washed pair of jean overalls. His shoes are a very versatile pair of Nike Air Force 1s in the wheat way color. For a pop of color and functionality he added a strikingly red book bag from Aldo. And finally we have the ever so subtle Carolina blue hat which he wears so everyone knows he proudly attends UNC (aka the University of National Champions).

This Fashionisto has a sense of style that is far from boring. He isn’t afraid to pair unlikely comparable colors together. I for one, doubt I could pair a Carolina blue hat with a bright red book bag. With Spring finally here, I cannot wait to see what trends arise and who on my campus dares to rock them.

STYLE GURU STYLE: Call Me JLO

Blank—my mind goes blank. I don’t know why I have a difficult time describing myself, it’s something I’ve always had a hard time doing. It’s not like I don’t know what I like, because I do, but I think it has to do with the fact that my likes are all over the place that they can’t be grouped into a certain category. An example would be the kind of music that I like. I like such a wide variety of music that I can’t say I like country music or I like Indie rock music—I say I like a lot of different types of music.

The same goes for the kind of clothing I wear. One day I might wear a sporty outfit and look like I plan to go to the gym (low key, I never actually go). A different day I might look like I just rolled out of bed and on a another day I might go for an “edgy chic” look like I did here.

My look isn’t very edgy but I felt like “edgy chic” described the whole ensemble pretty well. The mesh pulled the outfit to edgy and the jumpsuit pulled it to chic. To go along with the trend of wearing sleeved shirts under tank dresses and tank tops, I decided to pair my black, long sleeve mesh shirt with my floral jumpsuit. At first I wasn’t a big fan, but after trying it I can say I like it. For shoes, I wore my super comfortable black booties (you can never go wrong with black booties). For accessories, I didn’t do much but add my green and gold choker to the other two necklaces I always wear. I felt like the choker went along well with my floral jumpsuit.

I definitely tried something new with this outfit and the outcome was positive for me, so I encourage all of you to try new things! You never know what might just come out of it.

ALL IN THE DETAILS: Work It Out

We are in the final stretch of the school year with only a little over a month to go. The lack of motivation starts to kick in as summer is just around the corner. Unfortunately, until we can move on from this crazy semester we still have to deal with the enemy, also known as finals. One diversion that I’ve always found helpful from the stress of school and exams is working out. Whether you play a sport, go for a run, or take a leisurely walk, exercising has always been a great distraction for me.

With that said, my favorite part about working out are the cool workout clothes that come along with it! Athleisure made a huge hit on the fashion market last year, and it is only continuing to grow. With its new appearance in streetwear that we are seeing all over the runway, the trend doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. We are continuously seeing new pieces being introduced to stores with exotic mesh detailing and macramé effects. Garments that were initially made to function for working out are now doubling as comfort modish clothes.

To start off this look, this Fashionista wore a pair of black leggings with a variation of different types of mesh patches on the side. She coordinated these leggings with a mesh tank and a cute green bomber jacket from Lululemon. To add some contrast, she paired it with her white sneakers by Adidas. Lastly, to complete this activewear look she threw on a pair of rose gold flash lens Ray-Ban sunglasses.

So, if finals are getting the best of you and you just need an outlet to escape from them, throw on your favorite workout outfit and do something active. You might be surprised by how much better you feel once you get away from all the stress. Happy studying!