Style – CollegeFashionista

A Seattle, Washington Travel Guide

I don’t know about you but this summer heat has made it so that all I could think of was taking a vacation. I mean who wants to work when literally every piece of business casual clothing makes us sweat our buns off? That’s why my recent trip to Seattle was the perfect relief: the weather was cooler (in fact, we saw snow), the city is beautiful, and it’s definitely a place I highly recommend. Here’s a quick travel guide I’ve put together of my favorite places in Washington’s largest city.

1—Pike Place Market.

If you want to get a taste of Seattle’s vibrant population, this is the perfect place to go. This nine-acre neighborhood is comprised of farmers, craftspeople, and small businesses all looking to sell their wares and preserve its historic character. While here, we ate at Market Grill but, while the food is delicious, I don’t think it’s quite worth the 45-minute wait. Instead, buy some of the fresh produce and seafood from the vendors, take it home and make your own delicious dish.

2—Museum of Pop Culture.

If you have the chance to go to City Center, which I highly recommend, this is the place you should go. Not the Space Needle (sorry Seattle) but this museum. I’ve been to my fair share of museums in my lifetime, and this is by far the best. Click the link to see their current exhibits.

3—Chihuly Glass and Garden.

As a fan of Dale Chihuly’s glasswork, I was excited to see the galleries and garden that provided the perfect backdrop for his art. The long-term exhibition includes the garden where the trees, lush plants and flowers perfectly complement the glass installations, eight galleries and a Drawing Wall, and a Glasshouse that pays homage to Chihuly’s love for conservatories. Make sure to wear a cute top and pants because this is the perfect site for some Instagram photos!

4—Mt. Rainier.

If you’re down for a long but gorgeously rural drive, this is the perfect place for you. It took us about two and a half hours to drive there, but the view was definitely worth it. The snow-capped mountains are absolutely beautiful. Yes, you read that right. We had a literal snowball fight in the 75-degree weather and it was awesome! Just make sure you wear some sneakers that have traction on the bottom so you’re not slipping all over the hiking trails (me). And even though there’s snow on the ground, a tank top and leggings will be your best bet this time of year.

Is Seattle, Washington, on your bucket list? If not, what is? Let me know in the comments below!

Distress Jeans to De-Stress From Life

One of my favorite timeless trends is distressed jeans. As a millennial, I am sure I am not the only one who has been mocked by the older generation when I wear them. They say, “Why do you pay for holes in your clothes?” I would always just roll my eyes at this, but then I started thinking… I do pay a lot of money for holes in my jeans. I should just do it myself!

I picked up a pair of Levi’s for only $5 from a thrift store in New York City. They were oversize and had no holes in them—so I had some fun with them. And let me tell you, it is fun—and relaxing!

I had seen a bunch of different ways to distress jeans, but I used a combination of techniques that I found worked the best for me. Here’s how I was able to achieve this classic grungy look.

Step 1—Get yourself a pair of slightly oversize jeans with few or no holes in them. Try your local thrift store, or even a Marshall’s or T.J.Maxx. These are the best places to find a cheap pair of good quality jeans.

Step 2—Cut slits in the jeans that are about one inch wide. Start out with just two, and then you can build your way up.

Step 3—Grab a pair of tweezers and start pulling out the blue strands of denim that run vertically so that only the white strands that run horizontally are left.

Step 4—Cut another slit above or below the first one. Make sure it’s parallel to the other one, but don’t end it in the same place so the rip doesn’t look like one big box. You can pull on the edges of the holes to make them less boxy and more rounded.

Your first pair may not be perfect, but hey, ripped jeans aren’t supposed to be perfect! You get the hang of it the more you do it. You might even find it extremely relaxing like I do. Last semester, during finals week, I started working on a pair of Bermuda shorts, and every time I needed a break during studying, I would make a new hole in them. I was distressing jeans to de-stress from school and ended up with an adorable pair of shorts that no one else has.

Did you try this distressed jeans DIY? Make sure to share your unique jeans with @CFashionista on social media.

How 2 Fashionistas Personalities Affect Their Street Style

What exactly is street style? Well, according to model and singer, Skye Daru, street style is an outfit one would usually wear every day or an ensemble that defines your personality. Honestly, I could not have said it better myself; that is why I decided to interview Skye Daru and our mutual friend, Shelby Muschler, to see how their different tastes and personalities affect their own style and outfits.

COLLGEFASHIONISTA: Let’s first start off with your name, age, where you go to school, and your major.

SKYE DARU: My name is Sky Daru, and I am 19 years old. I go to New York University and study computer science.

SHELBY MUSCHLER: Hi, my name is Shelby Muschler and I am 19. I currently attend DePaul University and am getting my BA in psychology with a minor in music studies.

CF: Who was your first fashion inspiration?

SD: Honestly, my mom. Even now, she is the first person I go to for fashion advice, and you can bet that she dressed me so stylishly as a child!

SM: To be completely honest, I don’t really remember my first fashion inspiration. I was really into P!nk and Avril Lavigne when I was younger, and I remember always wanting to get cut-off gloves so I could look like them!

CF: What’s one wardrobe essential you have?

SD: My classic white/green Stan Smith Adidas.

SM: One wardrobe essential I have is a long sweater. I have this long beige sweater that I usually wear with everything. It’s easy to match with and is an essential to bring everywhere because Illinois weather is always changing.

CF: What’s your go to “I have nothing to wear” outfit?

SD: I think it would be black skinny jeans, a bodysuit, and a black moto Topshop leather jacket with some sneakers.

SM: My go-to “nothing to wear” outfit typically consists of high-waisted pants (either jeans or shorts—depends on the weather) and a collared shirt that I knot in the front instead of buttoning down all the way. And of course, my sweater!

CF: What’s the last clothing item you bought?

SD: The last thing I bought was a black crossbody romper from Artizia.

SM: The last clothing item I bought was a pair of flowy, bell-bottomed jeans from Target. They were on sale for only $8!

CE: What would you never be caught wearing?

SD: Camouflage.

SM: I’m typically very open minded when it comes to my wardrobe, but I have to admit, I would never be caught wearing something with a brand name on it like “Hollister” or “Abercrombie and Fitch.” I think it looks so tacky.

CE: What’s the main color in your wardrobe?

SD: Black!

SM: My wardrobe mostly consists of blacks and whites. If I’m not wearing black and white, however, I tend to wear a lot of greens and blues.

Want to try out some of these Fashionista’s signature looks and tips? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @cfashionista.

The Beginner’s Guide to Online Shopping

Shopping is wonderful, but it is also tiring, stressful, and overwhelming. I have grown to love online shopping because it is simpler, and you can find trendy pieces for affordable prices. When you shop online, you have access to even more stores from the comfort of your own bed. I have done all my shopping online for the past four years, and I have learned so many things about the best places to shop and the best ways to shop. Here are my top three tips for online shopping, and my top three places to shop online.

My Top Three Tips

1—Build your wardrobe. Online shopping is perfect for finding the best basics and staples to really work on building your wardrobe. When you shop online, you can search for the exact items you want. If you are looking for a staple denim skirt, you can search around until you find the perfect one for the best price. This is much easier than running around the mall, and not even finding the best option. Online shopping is so helpful to find those solid staples that you can use to create adorable and on-trend outfits. You can find those special one-of-a-kind pieces in stores.

2—Find your dream items and save them for later. One of the best parts about online shopping is that you can find your dream wardrobe, and then save it for later. My favorite thing to do is to create a private Pinterest board, where I save items I find throughout a season. Then, I purchase them when they go on sale or when it works best for me. Doing this helps give you the best wardrobe for the best price.

3—Make lists. To online shop to the best of your ability, you need to know what you need and what you want. That helps you to know what to search for, and purchase items that you will actually wear.

My Top Three Sites

1—Forever 21. Forever 21 is great for finding trendy pieces, basics, and staples. Although it is not always the most lasting quality, it is always a safe and easy place to begin your online shopping experience. When you sign up for their emails, you get 10 percent off your first order, and you can always check to see their new arrivals to keep up with the trendiest pieces.

2—ASOS. ASOS is perfect for getting nicer brands for more affordable prices. I love to go to the outlet section and sort by low to high prices. I have found amazing, more expensive brands for reasonable prices.

3—Boohoo. Boohoo is my favorite place to online shop at the moment. It is full of the best trends, and they have 50 percent off sales regularly, including sale, so you can get loads of adorable clothing for wonderful prices.

Do you like to online shop? What are some of your favorite sites? Let us know in the comments below!

3 Back to School Looks Inspired by the ’90s

One of the things I love about fashion is that it is always evolving as trends are recycled and modernized. The ’90s are definitely one of my favorite fashion eras because a lot of my favorite shows and fashion trends were made during that time. I decided to create three outfits inspired by the ’90s that can be worn around campus!

1—Stripes and shorts. This first outfit is inspired by the crop top and stripes trend back in the ’90s. I wore a black and white striped crop top with a pair of vintage high-waisted denim shorts to cover up some belly. I finished this outfit by adding some black sandals that are not too high for walking around campus.

2—Plaid to meet you. In this next outfit, I wore a red plaid skirt with a white button-down. I added a large choker and fishnet stockings for a bold grunge feel. Finally, I wore chunky black boots that are easy to stomp around in on campus. The ’90s were all about the plaid and grunge look, so this outfit was definitely inspired by those trends.

3—Primary colors. We all have those days where we are running late, so dressing up is definitely not on our check list. Being comfortable is number one on that list, so for this last outfit, I paired a red tank top with mom jeans to run around campus in. Then, I added an old watch so I can see the time during class. If you are feeling chilly, make sure to grab a plaid button-down or a jacket to cover up! Fashion is what you make of it because it is expressive to you personally and represents who you are. So, why not have fun with it?

Let me know in the comments what your fashion style is and what you are planning to wear this back to school season!

How I Found My Confidence

Growing up in the world we live in, we’re given a set of standards—how to dress, how to speak, how to carry ourselves. There are so many guides on “what men look for” or “how to lose 10 pounds in three days.” I’ve had my own struggles with these societal ideals of what makes a woman. Media constantly bombards us with what we “should” look like. After years of struggling with (and honestly, still working on) my confidence, I want to share how I grew into the empowered woman I am today.

I was born in the Philippines and have lived all around the world, experiencing the rich cultures in Asia and Azerbaijan. With growing up all over the place, I’ve heard so many different opinions on what makes a woman beautiful.

I’ll be honest, it took a long time before I could look at myself in the mirror and see any type of beauty. The things that stood out were my stretch marks, my round face, and frizzy hair. In high school, other girls seemed to know exactly what to wear and how to do their naturally smooth hair. They were fitter than me, more bubbly, and not awkward at all. Over the first few years of high school, I worked so hard to be more like them and to look like everybody else. I didn’t embrace my naturally wild and curly hair, my unique facial features, or my independent spirit.

College is really where I began to find myself. My first year went by smoothly. I made plenty of new friends and grew more confident in being myself as I met people from different backgrounds. I blossomed a bit more and fell in love with my personal style!

Now, my second year hit me hard. My personal life fell apart. I was left feeling so broken and low like I was in a deep pit. For months, I felt so worthless and unlovable with no motivation. It’s moments like these that we learn the most about ourselves.

Personally, I think struggles and low points in our lives are essential in growing as a person. They help us realize the ways we can improve whether in the workplace, in class, or with our personal relationships. Low points in high school drove me to excel in activities I loved (choir and academics). Being alone freshman year of college forced me to make friends with more people. Finally, my second year allowed me to realize my worth through a lot of self-reflection.

The best thing to come out of my struggles is that today I choose to be unapologetically me. Sometimes people see our Facebook posts or our Instagram pictures and make immediate judgments. Yet there’s so much empowerment in being your true self both online and in person. I share these pictures and my story with you today in the hopes that you’ll be able to fully be yourself! So that you will fall in love with the person you are. You deserve it!

How do you feel more confident in yourself? Comment below!

Meet the Square Silk Scarf—Your New Favorite Accessory

Have you ever felt like your outfit was missing something? Like you needed just a pop of color but didn’t know where to add it? Look no further, the square silk scarf is your new best friend. There are so many fun ways to incorporate the accessory into your wardrobe, but after plenty of experimenting, I’ve found the three best ones to make your outfit pop!

1—Headband. Simply wrap the scarf into about a two-inch section on the diagonals to make it as long as it can be, then tie it around your head. I like the tie to lie in the back, but for a more fun, casual look keeps the knot in the front and tuck the ends. This look goes great with ponytails, buns, and even braids and adds that extra pop of color your look has been craving!

2—Bag tassel. If you’re tired of using the same old bag, this one’s for you! Tie the scarf around the top handle of your bag, or just tie it on the strap like I did to give new life to your favorite purse. You can also change up the color of the scarf to go with different outfits, totally on trend!

3—Necktie. All you have to do is tie the scarf on the diagonal to get the most length out of it and wrap it around your neck. You can always adjust the knot to make it tighter or looser for a different look every time. The messier the better! Let the ends hang out to make it more like a bandana. Add a few necklaces and layer up, or just rock it on its own like I did. The necktie is the fastest way to add a chic touch to any outfit!

Are you also loving the square silk scarf? Found a unique way to rock it? Show us on social media! Don’t forget to tag @Cfashionista.

Sustainable Fashion for the Shopaholic

Despite a love for fashion as an art, fashion as an industry causes me great sadness. Between the human and animal rights violations that occur in factories all over the world, to the extreme toll it takes on the environment, to the sacrifice of quality for profit, our industry is extremely flawed. The more that I learn about the fast fashion industry, the more I want to start shopping smarter and break the cycle. Here are some tips to make smarter choices the next time you find yourself wandering the mall!

1—Spend more, buy less. As someone on a college student’s budget, fast fashion is tempting; it allows you to get more for less and to keep up with rapidly changing trends, and still leaves you with money to fulfill your basic needs, like food and rent! Quality clothing is usually more expensive because it is designed and produced with care; when you buy quality, you’re making an investment. Instead of buying heaps of cheap, poorly made clothes, save your hard earned paycheck for affordable quality. Spend your money on a few key pieces that you know you will get years of wear out of. Buy classic pieces, and keep your outfit updated with jewelry and accessories.

2—Fashion versus style. A good distinction I like to make is between fashion and style. Fashion is the external, while style is internal. Fashion is the clothes that the industry puts into stores; it is a perfect, unattainable standard we compare ourselves to. Style is about having a sense of self and expressing who you are as a person. Fashion is what is constantly changing. Understanding the difference between fashion and style, and learning about your particular type of style can help you choose what trends to follow, and filter what items are truly worth your money.

3—Get thrifty. Fashion is one of the most polluting industries in our society. Most of our clothing ends up in a landfill, even if we donate it. A great way to shop that doesn’t feed into the dangerous cycle of the fashion industry is to check out thrift stores. Thrift stores the perfect places to find unique and individual pieces, and are great if you’re on the hunt for incredible deals. Renting or swapping clothes are also great ways to get new clothes for next to nothing.

4—Stop and stare. Before you buy, ask yourself a couple of questions: Would I wear this in three or four more years from now? Or, would I have worn it three or four years ago? How many items can this piece be paired with? Do I like the actual product or just the packaging? Would I buy this if I found it somewhere else, or am I just attracted to the way it is packaged and merchandised? Do I really need it?

How do you incorporate sustainability into your everyday life? Let us know in the comments below!

Take a Bite Out of Houndstooth This Summer

Dolce & Gabbana and Michael Kors, to name a few, are some of the houses that show their love for houndstooth in their fall runway lineups. But wait, what in the world is houndstooth?

What is houndstooth?

Houndstooth is a textile pattern that is created with two colors, usually black and white. It’s characterized by a series of broken checks. This pattern can give you a very professional and editorial look. But in this article, I’m going to show you how to work this sophisticated pattern into your everyday wardrobe!

I saw this skirt at a local thrift store and I instantly fell in love with its crisscrossed cut and fringed lining. Fashion houses are selling their houndstooth designs for hundreds of dollars, this skirt only cost me a whopping 10 bucks!

For this look, I’ve opted to go for chic and edgy. I’ve paired this skirt with a black mesh top from A’Gaci layered over a detailed bralette from Charlotte Russe. To finish off the look, I threw on some black, lace-up heels that I also thrifted, and a silver chain necklace from H&M.

I’ve found that it’s easiest to style houndstooth if you keep a minimal color palette. As you can see, I chose to stick with wearing head-to-toe black and white to maintain a plain base. This allows the skirt to really stand out and become the main focus of my outfit. While black and white can seem a bit boring, by selecting accessories that have special details such as straps or shiny metal, you can completely change your outfit into something that’s very fun and flirty.

Show us how you keep it chic and edgy by posting photos of your own looks and tagging @CFashionista on social media!

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!