School Spirit – CollegeFashionista

Can We Stop Thinking of “Routine” as a Bad Thing?

Some people dread going back to school; but to be honest, a lot of people (including myself) love this time of the year. While, I must admit, I will miss the luxury of sleeping until 2 pm, there is something comforting about the structure that comes with a new school year.

With the start of school, a new routine is set for the semester. Routine sounds negative, but it can actually be a beautiful thing. Routine creates a rhythm for school days. By having a class schedule, you can know what time you need to wake up in order to have your morning coffee in order to make it to class on time. Having a daily procedure can help decrease anxiety, worry, and can establish confidence in knowing what the day will most likely bring you.

PHOTO: Kenia Viezcas

Having a agenda or schedule makes it way easier to plan. Being back in the classroom means that we have a very solid idea on when we will have time to go out for brunch, schedule work shifts, and more. Maybe the school season does not allow for sleeping in really late or spending the whole day sitting by the pool, but it does make it a lot easier to know what you are doing or where you will be at a certain time. Schedules make it easy to write down your plans in that cute new planner you bought for the school year!

PHOTO: Kenia Viezcas

I know it’s hard to trade in those lazy summer afternoons spent by the beach for sitting in a boring and plain classroom. However, going back to school and back to a routine is not as bad as it seems. Routines have a lot of beauty—so go out and see the beauty in your routine this school year!

How do you see the beauty in your daily school routine? Comment below or show us on social media. Be sure to tag @CFashionista.

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!

I Crafted My Dream Bedroom From Scratch and You Can Too

For those who have finally moved off campus, we all know the stress that comes with creating a room from complete scratch. The freedom to choose furniture, bedding, and the placement of it all becomes infinite! It took me a full semester to get my dream room together but alas, it finally embraces the perfect vision I had for my bedroom. For some tips on how I put it all together, keep reading!

The first and most important thing that I had to decide was the vibe of the room that I wanted. I’ve seen so many pieces that I loved, but there was no way that everything would have looked aesthetically pleasing together. For me, I knew I wanted my room to look clean, modern, and of course have a hint of sparkle. The best way I knew to go about this was to go back to the basics: white and black. I based my whole room on these two colors so I was able to do as much as I wanted without things clashing.

For my bed, I decided to start with a clean canvas and chose all white bedding along with a white headboard. From there, I looked near and far for pillows and throws to dress up my all-white bedding. HomeGoods is amazing because every location offers different items which makes them that much more unique. I decided to go with an asymmetrical decor pillow look to stray away from it being too boring. My three pillows all possess such different patterns, materials, and textures, but it completely brings the room together since I stayed in the same color scheme.

For my full mirror, I was able to snatch it from a yard sale actually! The dark wood accent on the mirror really matches the B&W aesthetic I was going for. The mirror alone wasn’t enough for me so I decided to dress it up with a set of circle string lights. It offers extra lighting for amazing OOTD pictures and warms up my room. Can you say “multi-functional?”

For other pieces, I tried to look for things that embodied what I wanted but also stayed within the vibe. My dresser was a DIY project. The drawers are from IKEA, but I decided to sparkle it up and added the crystal-like knobs. I also found a mirrored night stand from HomeGoods with black trimming and a mirrored jewelry holder from Target! A huge reason I wanted to pursue the mirror furniture was because of the effect that mirrors have in a room. They make the room look bigger than it is as they reflect light, compared to solid pieces that do not have this effect.

It took a whole semester, but I finally put together my perfect bedroom, all while feeling like an interior designer in the process. What does your self-decorated college room look like? I would love to see them, so share them with me on social media and don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista!

WHAT TO WEAR: End of Semester Spirit

It’s here: the end of the semester. Finals are over, and it’s time to relax. But does that mean that my school and I have to completely take a break? Of course not! There are still ways you can show love for your school during the summer without overdoing it. Plus, it’s a great way to start getting pumped for fall semester.

The easiest and most obvious way to show school spirit is by wearing school colors. This Fashionista goes to the University of Florida, which has orange and blue as its colors. Having louder colors, like orange, yellow, purple, etc., can be difficult to work into everyday outfits. If your school has an intense color palette, try to incorporate those colors as spot colors. Wearing accessories with these brighter colors can be a subtle yet highlighting aspect of your outfit.

Fortunately, most universities have a demurer secondary color as a complement that can anchor an outfit. This UF Fashionista dons blue and even incorporates the university’s tertiary color white to transform school spirit into an everyday look. Even though it’s not exactly Gator blue, sporting a color that’s similar to your school colors still counts as school spirit.

Another spirited element to wear during the summer is your school’s merchandise. Maybe you find the perfect shirt that balances a cliché yet ironic saying in the bookstore, or you cop a pair of rad university-themed socks from Victoria’s Secret. The communities built around school spirit will always keep producing (mostly) cute merch. Even a football jersey or lacrosse penny can take summer athleisure to the next level while still representing your team.

During the summer, it’s simple to add some school spirit to your wardrobe—but it is summer, so don’t try too hard.

WHAT TO WEAR: Stylish Rattlers

Every Friday, students gather together for an hour and have a get-together in an area known as “The Set.” Every Set Friday there are vendors that come out and sell their products to students while a DJ sets a party atmosphere. During this time dance groups, fraternities, and sororities show off their famous strolls while everyone cheers them on. Also sometimes celebrity guests come out and surprise students.

It’s a way for new students to get acclimated into the school by showing them what FAMU has to offer. This tradition is something that has been done for generations at Florida A&M University. Set Friday is a way for students from all walks of life to come together and celebrate each other and our school. It is a way to unify the student body and to give student a break from the stress of school and personal life. During Set Friday many students dress up in their best school spirit outfits as a way displaying their school pride.

This particular Fashionista showed off her school spirit with class. To show school spirit she wore a FAMU T-shirt and paired it with a black tulle skirt. To keep it simple she added black leather heels. To add a little sparkle to her outfit she wore a silver diamond crusted heart necklace. The portraits were taken all around The Set, where the event occurs. Her outfit was chic while still representing the orange and green school colors.

STYLE ADVICE: Saved by the Bell

This month we are going to talk about what to wear to class. I often find myself wearing a T-shirt and joggers to my classes. I have looked like I’ve rolled out of bed on too many occasions, and I know many other students have too. This Fashionisto, on the other hand, has found the perfect combination of comfortable and fashionable.

He is wearing a typical Kent State University T-shirt, like many college students do. But what he pairs this T-shirt with is what makes the outfit not like the rest. He layers the T-shirt with both a flannel and a jean jacket. He then pairs these items with a comfortable pair of trousers and high-tops. For an additional touch of style, this Fashionisto adds a colorful watch and two Kent State University pins to the outfit. On a side note, if you are wondering what a black squirrel pin has to do with Kent State, black squirrels are one of our mascots. You can find them running all over campus!

This look is perfect for going to class. It is often still chilly in the morning, so layering up rather than throwing on one heavy jacket is a great option. Also, the T-shirt adds a comfort level, and the trousers add a twist to the outfit. Putting this outfit together takes the same amount of effort as finding a pair of clean sweatpants, but you look more fashionable.

So, the next time you find yourself looking for a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt, grab the T-shirt, but ditch the sweats. You would be amazed at how quickly you could make a fashionable outfit by layering, even with 15 minutes before class! Don’t forget any accessories either. Pins add personality to the outfit, and a watch is a nice touch of detail; plus it can help you get to class on time. It’s time to spice up your basic college T-shirt outfit.

STYLE ADVICE: Say it Loud

Say it proud! As we finish up our midterms and oh so eagerly await our finals, a little school spirit can be just what we need to get us past that end of semester finish line. My advice: go treat yourself to a new school T-shirt or sweater. You’ll be surprised how many different great outfits you can create with a crewneck sweater. Dress it up or down for any occasion. This sweater or T-shirt you buy will serve your style needs and as memorabilia for years to come.

This Fashionista went for a more dressed down look. She’s cool, collected, and comfy. The rich red color in her outfit really makes it stand out. She paired her sweater with a semi loose-fitting pair of jeans and running shoes; a perfect combination for a New York City girl on-the-go. Her coat also caught my eye. The leather and peacoat combination meshes so well. At FIT, we have a our Style Shop. From time to time, they make contemporary pieces with our school’s name on them. I have a school spirit sweater of my own and often I pair it with a leggings or jeans. When I’m in the mood to push my style limits, I put my crewneck sweater together with a button down and a skirt. When I feel like dressing down, I put it on with leggings and and my favorite roshe runs.

Ok Fashionistas/os, go out there and show your school spirit! Always push your style boundaries and try new things!

WHAT TO WEAR: Looking Ducky As Ever

The transition from winter to spring tends to be one that makes people the most anxious and frustrated, especially when it comes to what to wear. As I was walking across campus, I saw this outfit and thought it was perfectly balanced for our western Pennsylvania weather.

A simple quarter-zip sweatshirt and vest go together like two peas in a pod. The sweatshirt provides you with enough warmth to not have to wear a winter jacket, and a vest not only accents an outfit, but also serves as a windbreaker. To add to these items, a blanket scarf is a trendy cherry to top off your look. They are incredibly warm, but can be easily taken off, so they don’t hinder your focus (too much warmth is a setup for napping mode).

Another part of this outfit that I love, is the school-spirited baseball cap. These are a go-to for those windy mornings, when you have a bad hair day, or just don’t feel like doing your hair. A solid cap like this helps bring out the darker tones that are within the scarf and quarter-zip while helping the overall flow of the look. The last, but definitely not least, asset is the shoes. Duck boots are trending and very popular among college students this year. They are great for rainy days, but some also provide a lining inside which makes them warm enough to wear all winter long.

Whether its windy and raining or snow flurries in March, this look will help you get to class in a warm but fashionable way.

Want To Know What Being in a College A Cappella Group is Really Like?

I played violin for about five years before learning the piano (which I have been doing for a total of eight years now). I was in choir all four years of high school, participated in the school musical, and was in charge of an a cappella group in high school. So to say I was always a music kid would be an understatement.

As I headed off to college, I wanted to incorporate my love for music when I came to Fordham University. I decided to audition for the Fordham Satin Dolls, our all female a cappella group on campus. I know what you’re thinking: this girl is totally experiencing “Pitch Perfect” IRL, right? Well yes and no (well, mostly no). “Pitch Perfect” isn’t the best representation of true a cappella. It’s even better and more difficult than all the easily compiled mash-ups and late night riff-offs on the screen lead you to believe.

Here’s the I am going to give you to pitch slap you with what it’s really like to be a member of an a cappella group!

Musical arrangements are not easy to make.

You know that scene in “Pitch Perfect” where they just make up a mash-up of a song on the spot in one go? It is not like that in real life. We have a music director and an assistant music director who work really hard on their own time to make our songs as great as they are. We appreciate them a lot for what they do. They are amazing!

A Capella is a quite the time commitment.

We practice three times a week for two hours at a time, and make up for extra time when needed. We also have performances on campus all the time. We perform at other club’s events, such as Fordham Dance Marathon, Family Weekend, Taste the World, as well as sing the national anthem at sports games. We also got to sing Christmas carols at the New York Botanical Gardens for their annual Holiday Train Show, and even got to sing the national anthem for ABC’s Digital Live Stream in Times Square for this year’s presidential election!

Performing a song well is one of the best feelings in the world.

There is really nothing better than learning a song and making it sound great. We get so amped up every time we complete a song and make it sound amazing because the more we get into it, the more the audience will love it. Who doesn’t love being good at their passion and sharing that passion with a group of insanely talented people?

We love to harmonize.

You can literally catch us harmonizing anywhere, anytime. Walking out of practice, walking to practice, going to the gym, listening to music on our own time, in the middle of a party, and pretty much at all times of the day we harmonize. We can’t resist it and fight the urge! We are suckers for a good harmony.

When we hear a song we have done, all we can do is sing the arrangement.

For my group personally, when we hear a song like “American Boy” come on, there is no way we cannot burst out into song. We basically blow up the song with our doom’s, da’s, bow’s, la’s, and any other possible syllable we can make. Just recently we were performing at a Fordham event and “679” by Fetty Wap came on, and all we did was sing it the only way we know how: a cappella style.

We really are a family.

I am so blessed to be part of a group of girls that truly inspire me everyday. My favorite moments with my group is always backstage before our final concert every semester. You see everyone get together and we all bond as a collective group. You see the support, the apprehension, and most importantly the excitement as you can’t wait to show everyone what you have been working on all semester. You see us become a family and it is one of the best feelings in the world.

(all photos via @holla4sahana)

A cappella has truly shaped my college experience, and I don’t know what I would do without my dolls!

How are you involved on your campus? Let us know in the comments below!

WHAT TO WEAR: Game Day Blues

When you’re a student at UNC-Chapel Hill, you’re taught that classes are always harder than they seem, that basketball is fun even if you hate sports, and that there are two kinds of blue—Carolina Blue and the blue that comes from eight miles down the road and is forbidden anywhere on campus.

You’re also taught that Carolina-Duke game days are sacred and are basically city-wide holidays. So, naturally, the next thing you think of is what you should wear to fully show your school spirit while still looking fabulous, of course.

This Fashionista showed off a game day outfit that consisted of more than the classic Michael Jordan jersey and athletic leggings.

She paired a cute, knit, Carolina blue sweater with a classic pair of dark skinny jeans, booties with a cut-out to show off the feminine blue socks and tied the look together with a chunky plaid scarf to give it a little pop of color. Her marble earrings broke the consistent color theme and added some subtle texture to the look, in addition to her clean and cool silver rings.

Everything about this Fashionista’s look is on-target as far as game day outfits go, but gives the otherwise athletic-wear-based day a fashionable twist. Not to mention she is adorable with her double buns. Choosing to finish off the look with a statement hairstyle like this one is the perfect way to stand out in the stands and cheer on your favorite team on game day.

The next time you’re faced with game day outfit blues, take style cues from this Fashionista and think outside the box. Utilize the pieces in your wardrobe that are representative of your school, but that aren’t just the classic oversize T-shirt and add in subtle accessories that will add that extra element.

As always, stay fashionable and go Heels!