Sporty – CollegeFashionista

How to Style Your Thrift Store Finds

My favorite place to shop at is definitely thrift stores. I was lucky enough to live in New York City for two years, where they have the best thrift stores to choose from. You can find amazing off-brand items, but you can also find designer items if you search hard enough! I like to incorporate low-end items with high-end items, which makes any outfit appear to be more expensive. In this article, I will show you how I style a “sporty and rich” look, where I pair some sporty items with high-end items that I have thrifted.

When I pick out my outfits in the morning, I like to look as put together as possible, and I do this by pairing cheaper pieces with more expensive pieces. In this outfit, I am wearing a red bodysuit from Reformation that I thrifted from Goodwill. Bodysuits are so easy to wear, and I think that they look sleeker than wearing a T-shirt. Since this bodysuit has an open back, it is perfect for the summer heat. I paired this bodysuit with a pair of Carmar jeans that I bought on sale from LF; LF has the best end of season sale where you can cop their stylish pieces without the expensive price tag.

I love the cutoff details on the bottom of the jeans; it’s a perfect detail to make these basic blue jeans a little more fashion forward. I am wearing my favorite sneakers—my Nike Air Jordan 1’s. Since they are white, they are very easy to pair with almost any outfit, making your outfit sportier and more casual.

Once I put on all my clothes, I think about what accessories to add. When wearing jeans, a belt is a must! My belt is Salvatore Ferragamo that I thrifted from a Salvation Army. I wear rings every single day, and if I don’t, my fingers feel naked. All of my rings were given to me from family or friends, which is why they are so sentimental to me. Lastly, I added two silver chokers that came as a set from H&M, and my purse is from Pleats Please Issey Miyake. Adding jewelry and accessories to an outfit is the perfect way to tie it all together.

Although some of the pieces in this outfit are fairly expensive, if you wait for sales and hunt in thrift stores, you are bound to find some goodies!

How do you style your thrift store finds? Show us on social media, and don’t forget to tag @CFashionista.

Athleisure is the New Ultimate College Style

It’s official: athleisure is the new preppy. These days, athleisure apparel is seen on everyone from A-list celebrities, such as the Jenners, to moms on their way to pick up their kids from school. This style has evolved over the past few years and has become an appropriate way to wear casual workout clothes in different settings besides the gym.

You can thank big-name brands like Nike, New Balance, Victoria’s Secret, and Lululemon for picking up on the trend and creating a new genre of clothing. An athleisure look can include joggers, leggings, jeans, minimalist T-shirts, cool jackets, sweatshirts, and crewnecks. You can pair casual sneakers or other simple shoes, baseball hats, and simple hairstyles with the athleisure look as well. These looks are worn with the intent of a very careless, yet pulled-together look.

Gone are the uber-preppy Gossip Girl inspired, school looks. The athleisure style is the new big trend among both male and female college students. It’s no surprise that the demographic that invented the “Norts” look (Nike shorts, oversize T-shirt) appreciates such a comfortable and convenient trend. “People of all ages are wearing their workout wear all day now…” says SoulCycle co-founder, Julie Rice, in a Vogue article. “People shop for their athletic wear thinking, how can I wear this from the studio to the street?”

One can’t simply wear old sweatpants and a university hoodie and call it athleisure. The line between athleisure and lazy is thinner than a pair of $3 leggings and a minuscule detail can push the look from one side to the other. Thankfully, popular clothing companies are making it very easy to balance the line between the gym and the streets. An athleisure ensemble works best when it conforms with the following guidelines:

1—Good quality pieces.

2—Comfortable, but cute.

3—Mostly neutral colors.

4—Athletic items mixed with casual streetwear.

This Fashionisto’s outfit conformed to his usual preppy style while also portraying the athleisure look that I was hoping for. He stuck with classic and timeless pieces such as white high top Converse, simple navy shorts, a well-fitting black and white striped J.Crew shirt, a leather Daniel Wellington watch, Ray-Bans, and a chic pop of color with a coral L.L.Bean baseball cap. Sam’s outfit was easily appropriate for a casual doubles match and later when we hit the local café.

What do you think about this trend? Do you think it’s the trend of the 2010s or just a passing fad? Let me know in the comments below. Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista and @abbysteinour in your athleisure looks on Instagram!

Running Through the Summer

When it comes to beauty and health, summer is the perfect time to begin new habits. Between school work, jobs, and internships, semesters can be really busy. So, what better time to start experimenting with workouts then right now? It can be difficult to find a workout that suits you best. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, preferences and dislikes, but I am starting to discover that working out is a lot easier outside.

I love going to the gym and taking workout classes, but I also started to go for runs and hikes in a nearby park. Running is something I used to hate, and now I find it incredibly enjoyable. The fresh air and difference in scenery is great motivation and prevents the workout from getting boring. Also, nature helps improve both mental and physical health. Living in NYC most of the year, life can get crazy. Nature is not easy to find, so this activity is extremely therapeutic. You can absorb your surroundings, listen to music, and even bring a friend along (membership is free when you’re outdoors!).

Workouts are always better when you are wearing the trendiest gear, and this Fashionista proves just that. This matching sports bra and stretch pant set are so fun! Its vibrant colors and cool pattern definitely fit the summer vibe. I love matching sets because they are super easy to slip on, and you don’t have to worry about creating sets of your own. Don’t worry, if you’re not comfortable with wearing just the sports bra as a top, a solid white T-shirt is perfect.

When it comes to working out outside, the perfect sneaker is crucial. These white Nike sneakers are made for exercising and are insanely comfortable. Nike is always super trendy, and this sneaker also comes in various colors. Before setting off, make sure to put your hair in a ponytail, grab a water jug, and throw on your favorite pair of sunglasses so the sun doesn’t get in the way of that killer run.

What do you think? Are you going to give outside workouts a try? Let me know in the comments below!

How to Run a Half-Marathon for the Girl Who Hates Running

Running. Some people love it, some people hate it. I happen to fall under the category of those who hate it. However, I can admit that it’s one of the best forms of exercise out there. It doesn’t require any equipment (except for a pair of sneakers), it can be done wherever you go, and it’s a full body workout. I decided to run a half marathon this past January as a way to avoid the dreaded freshman 15. Here are a few tips on how to complete a half-marathon, even if you hate running.

1—Invest in quality shoes. When running a half-marathon, the number one item that you need is a good pair of running shoes. Since you’ll be running a lot of miles over the next few months, you don’t want to skimp and buy a low-quality sneaker. Not only will these shoes wear out quickly, but they’ll also put your health at risk by causing more pain to your feet and making you more susceptible to injury. I have a pair of Nike Free Runs that I’ve used the past few years for light exercise and running, but I decided to get a new pair of sneakers specifically made for long-distance running. I bought another pair of Nikes and I love them so much. Not only do they provide good support, but they’re also very cute and comfortable.

2—Dress to impress you. It is scientifically proven that when you’re confident in your outfit, you can take over the world (scientific source: me). If you’re going to run a half-marathon, ditch the drab, baggy middle school T-shirt and unflattering basketball shorts. Not only are these items not proper running attire, but they also won’t make you feel like you’re at your best. Instead, opt for a pair of running leggings and tech shirts. These come in a variety of different styles, colors, and patterns, and they are also designed to make your body feel it’s best throughout your training.

3—Make a training schedule. Training is the most important part of running a half-marathon. Attempting to run 13.1 miles with zero experience is a bad idea, especially if you aren’t in shape. The Internet has a wide variety of training plans that are only a click away, so spend some time researching which one is right for you. Some training plans are for people who are already in running shape, and others are for those who have never run a day in their life. I used a 12-week plan that had me running five out of seven days of the week, with longer runs landing on the weekends. I wrote down when I was going to run each week in my planner, which helped keep me on track. I admit that I wasn’t as on top of my training as I should’ve been (I missed a whole week once), but I promise you’ll be fine if you miss a few days here and there!

With these tips, you’ll quickly be on your way to completing a half-marathon. Do you have any other tips for first-time runners? If so, leave a comment below!

Fashionably Fit—What to Wear When You Exercise This Summer

“Look good, feel good.” I thought of this popular saying while exercising at the gym a few months ago. I realized that similar to how I prefer to put effort into my everyday appearance so that I feel ready to take on the day, I needed to revamp my workout attire. Since then, I’ve decided to purchase pieces that make me feel comfortable and confident while I exercise, and, of course, with a touch of style!

This outfit is one of my personal favorites to exercise in, in addition to the gray and white combo. Especially now that it’s summer, wearing solely a sports bra complements mid-rise or high-rise leggings!

1—Sports bras. Lately, I’ve seen that sports bras, fitted tops, and crop tops are in style for both exercise and leisurewear. They allow you to move with ease, whereas long sleeve, baggy T-shirts or hoodies can be somewhat restrictive, depending on what movements you’re doing. Also, wearing white will definitely highlight your sun-kissed skin!

2—Leggings. Regardless of the season, leggings are my preferred type of bottoms for exercise. Not only do they fit so seamlessly, but they accentuate your curves and allow you to show off your amazing legs! I really appreciate gray tones because they’re less typical than your everyday black leggings, yet still match with most colors. I’m wearing the Women’s Best Inspire Leggings in gray/white!

3—White Sneakers. The Nike Huarache sneakers are my go-to pair of athletic shoes. They’re unbelievably comfortable and cushioned, and look good both in the gym and on the streets! White sneakers are a great addition to an outfit.

4—Apple Watch. To finish off this look, I’m sporting an Apple Watch so that I can keep track of my activity! I absolutely adore the rose gold finish with the light pink sports band. It’s a great touch of color!

I hope you all enjoyed this athletic look! How do the rest of you Fashionistas like to dress when you exercise? Let me know in the comments below, or show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista.

A Look That Every Girl On-the-Go Should Rock

These days everyone is constantly on the go. From classes to clubs and fitting in that workout, your wardrobe has got to keep up with your busy lifestyle. Lucky for you, athletic inspired wear is one of the biggest trends right now and I’m obsessed! It’s the perfect way to look cute and stylish while being comfortable and chic. This look can go with you anywhere. Now when I say athletic inspired wear, I bet most of you Fashionistas think of yoga pants and a T-shirt, right? Well, think again. This look is edgy, sporty and chic. Not sure of what I’m talking about? Think of celebrity styles like Zendaya, Gigi Hadid or Kylie Jenner. They’ve figured out how to stay looking cute, casual, and comfortable (my favorite 3 Cs) on the streets. In this article I’m breaking down the essential pieces you need to get the look.

1—Hats

Hit snooze a few too many times this morning? No problem, perfect even! Every girl needs a good hat. Throwing on a hat makes any outfit a little more sporty and casual. Right now baseball caps are super cute and fashionable. Find a hat with your favorite sports team or college and wear it with pride. If repping’ sports teams aren’t your thing, don’t worry! Plain and fun colored baseball hats are all the rage right now. Grab your favorite color and hit the ground running.

2—Crop Tops and Lettered T-Shirts

A big part of this look is simplicity. It’s all about being comfortable but fabulous. Look for T-shirts that have a message on it that speaks to you. Whether it’s your favorite saying or maybe the words just make you smile, either way, worded T-shirts are perfect go-to’s. If those aren’t so much your style crop tops are the perfect substitute.

3—Sneakers

One of my favorite sayings is, “Never underestimate the power of a woman with red lipstick and high heels.” Although I love my heels, I like to think of the saying as “Never underestimate the power of a woman with red lipstick and a good pair of sneakers.” It’s so popular to see girls wearing cute dresses and some sneakers on their feet. Adding sneakers to any outfit is the perfect way to be the 3 Cs: casual, cute, and comfortable. Whether it’s a classic pair of white Nikes or the famous three-striped Adidas kicks, it’ll go with any outfit.

4—Jackets

An easy way to turn an outfit into an athletic look is a bomber or varsity jacket. A bomber jacket is a little more fashionable and edgy and alludes to the sporty look whereas the varsity jacket is a bit more casual. Layer it with the crop top or worded T-shirt and you’ve just nailed the look!

Do you wear this trend? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista!

Why You Need to Take a Hike

With the stress (or maybe lack thereof) during summer, you need to take a break at some point. Between finding a job, worrying about spending too much money, and contemplating hitting the gym for that summer bod, I am always looking for a nice way to relax. What better way to relax than enjoying some fresh air? There are probably a plethora of amazing trails to explore nearby!

With summer now in full bloom, both the weather and time to hike are working in your favor. During the school year, it could be hard to find that time to really go outdoors, especially in Seattle. Downpours and massive amounts of work to do for school were real hindrances. But, unplugging from the world can be a great stress reliever. You hear the birds chirping and don’t have to worry about the chaos of the city or school.

Hiking can definitely be intimidating; I don’t normally go alone, so hit up your friends that are up for a little bit of a challenge! Also, make sure you do your research on your local trails. Figure out where the entrances are and nearby available parking—you don’t want to be driving in circles. Be sure you’re prepped for weather and have plenty of water. Bringing the right gear and wearing the right outfit can prevent injuries in the case of an emergency. Another tip I have to offer is to respect the trails and other hikers. There have been many times I’ve hiked and seen people trampling over leaves and bushes. You are a “trespasser” in nature’s home, so respect the animals and trees!

Personally, hiking up towards a lake or a gorgeous view is such a rewarding experience. It’s both a mental and physical challenge to push yourself to get to the top. Once you’re up there, you enjoy everything that nature has to offer. The calmness of it all, that fresh air, and the accomplishment of finishing; all of this combined is the reason you need to take a hike!

Share photos of your gorgeous hikes on social media and don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista! Happy hiking!

The “Curvy Girls Train Too” Strength Workout

A common misconception is that curvy girls are out of shape or don’t like to exercise. Well, curvaceous beauties like Dascha Polanco and Danielle Brooks have been proving naysayers wrong. A curvy girl myself, staying toned with a healthy heart is a top priority. Adidas sportswear and Nike sneakers help me look good while doing it. So, I have combined some of my favorite strength exercises to create the “Curvy Girls Train, Too”work out. This 30-minute routine targets abdominals and glutes to aid in building muscle and toning areas that accentuate those curves we love.

Warm-Up

Complete two sets of four repetitions for each exercise.

1—Lunge and squat jump. This one will make you sweat so drink up! Lunge your right leg forward. Try to get your back knee as close to the ground as possible without letting it touch. Bring your front foot back to meet the other before jumping out to squat and back together. Repeat on the left with another jump squat to complete one repetition.

2—Star jump and reach. Starting in a squatted position, jump up reaching arms and legs outward. After landing, straighten your legs and bend at the waist into a forward fold; reach toward the left foot and then the right.

Ab Blast and Booty Builder Circuit

Perform each exercise for 30 seconds, repeating the set four times.

1—Extended leg crunches. Start seated upright on a mat with your arms crossed and knees to your chest. Extend legs outward leaning back slightly. Bring your knees in sitting up into a crunch. To increase intensity, crunch while holding a five pound weight.

2—Leg lower, open-close. Start by lying down with legs straight up in the air. Lift hips upward then lower. Keeping thighs together, lower legs about three inches above the ground; open outward and close. Use a heavy resistance band around your calves to kick up the difficulty.

3—Oblique twists. Start in a plank position with your forearms on the ground. Twist your hips side to side, targeting your obliques.

4—Hip thrusts. Lean back on a fitness ball with both feet flat on the ground. With a 10-pound weight rested on your hips, lower them an inch above the ground. Then, thrust and tighten glutes at the top. This is an awesome booty builder!

5—Kick back and fire hydrant. A twist on the classic fire hydrant. On all fours, extend your leg out and up. Lower and bring that leg in, then out like a pup at a fire hydrant without letting it touch the ground. This combo is great for building hips and getting that under booty crease. Spend 15 seconds on each leg.

6—Squat butt kicks. A high intensity move, this exercise takes you from a wide squat into a double butt kick. Try to complete as many as you can in 30 seconds.

Turn up the volume on your favorite tune and cool down with a two minute jog.

What is your favorite strength exercise? Let me know in the comments below!

From HIIT to Happy Hour in Athleisure

Let’s face it, we are all busy people, going from place to place, with no time to even grab a bite to eat let alone change outfits for the occasion. If you are easygoing like me, you are dreaming about a way to dress for all activities of the day without worrying about being inappropriately dressed for each event. Luckily, the trend of athleisure has the capacity to satisfy our need for the transition from the most sweaty moments to going out on the town right after.

With comfortable, practical designs that athleisure provides, it is simple to move through the day with ease. The intriguing part of this trend is that most of the clothing is perfect to work out in. It almost seems strange to sweat in clothes that are fashion forward. These special workout clothes stay on-trend for an effortless look from the gym to a restaurant with no confusion on suitability.

This trend is not just an excuse to wear stretchy pants all day unapologetically. It has major potential to express your style effortlessly. Whether you dig girly details such as pleats and sheer touches or more edgy cuts like a high neck and open-back top, athleisure clothing has variation so everyone does not look like they are walking around town in the same black leggings.

Before you indulge on this glam, athletic look, there needs to be a point made about the difference between wearing trendy activewear and your favorite old sweats. There is ease in throwing on comfortable clothing, but wearing your mom’s old college sweatshirt and Nike slides does not have the same effect as pieces intended to show off your figure and style. Some ideas to dress up your athletic looks to transform them to athleisure could be mixing fun prints, trying new hairstyles, or even throwing in your favorite bag to the outfit. Just remember to enjoy styling your athletic clothes because they are a fun twist to the normal day-to-day look.

Whether you have a booked schedule that requires one outfit for the whole day or just want a simple look, athleisure is a great trend to try for summer!

How do you style your athletic looks? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista.

The Latest Trend That’s Really Working Out

I am someone who loves to look her best and wear cute, trendy outfits. However, I don’t always get to look my best when I need to get up early for a busy day ahead of me. On days like this, I’ll usually opt for more comfortable clothes. Traditionally, a more comfortable look has been frowned upon until the emergence of the athleisure trend.

Athleisure can be described as a casual form of dress that reflects an athletic lifestyle. This trend is very versatile because it allows for the wearer to be comfortable in workout gear while doing activities that may or may not involve exercise. You can choose a number of pieces to rock the trend such as leggings, joggers, jackets, graphic T-shirts, and workout tanks. Below, you can see my take on athleisure:

To start, I chose a white, cut-off tank top for the first piece of my outfit. I love this top because it’s a great shirt to wear for the gym or class. The distressed design of the top gives my look a trendy yet relaxed vibe. I paired the tank top with a black bomber jacket to make my outfit look sleek and chic. Also, adding a jacket over a typical workout outfit helps transform your look from the gym to everyday life.

Next, I selected my favorite and most comfortable pair of gray leggings from Lululemon. The performance wear fabric makes the leggings functional while the pattern and color make them fashionable. For shoes, I picked a pair of black Steve Madden slip-on sneakers. Slip-on sneakers are very much on-trend this year and can give any outfit a sporty feel. Lastly, it is important that all components of an outfit coordinate. That is why I stuck with neutrals and dark colors for each piece of my look.

Athleisure has completely taken over the fashion world. The trend has caused inspiration for celebrities and many fashion brands. Athleisure’s functionality and the ability to be fashion-forward will allow this trend to last for a very long time.

If you love athleisure like I do, show me how you choose to wear the trend on social media. Make sure to tag @Cfashionista!