Thursday, September 9, 2010

Fall 2010 Trends

military

Seen on the fall runway collections of designers like Balmain and Cynthia Steffe, military is a trend that's here to stay. In the past few seasons, military sort of evolved from the nautical trend. It was more army-inspired and masculine. But this fall, military takes on a whole new form through jewelry, skirts, and even dresses.



Military - Your Way


fall 2010 trends military


I've always loved the military trend but in the past seasons, mostly it's just been blazers and jackets and I was never able to pull off a good military jacket. Every single one I tried looked too masculine on me, like I was a little girl playing dress-up as an army officer. So thank goodness that military has evolved into feminine pieces like dresses and skirts! I love the navy top from above which has just a touch of prep and the chic cream skirt.


fall 2010 trends nude

Typically more of a spring trend, nude makes its presence this fall by appearing in jackets from designers like Valentino. The soft color is perfect for autumn.

Nude - Your Way


fall 2010 trends nude


Nude pumps are one of my favorite things ever - they make everyone's legs look longer and slimmer. Of course, nude bras are a must-have for those thin, sheer tops. Also, a khaki/nude trend coat is a necessity for fall.

fall 2010 trends lace

Seen on the collections from Oscar de la Renta to Stella McCartney, lace is a super sexy trend for fall. Plus, lace doesn't mean all-black, as exemplified by the green dress above. Nevertheless, to make a bold statement, black lace is the way to go.

Lace - Your Way


fall 2010 trend lace



I think lace is such a great trend because it's so feminine yet sexy at the same time. Consider a fitted lace blazer, a thin lacy scarf, or even a lace miniskirt - as long as it's not see-through! Lace/mesh booties are also a must-have this fall.

prep

Back-to-school season always means a little bit of prep - think East Coast Ivy League. But this season's prep is nothing like the overdone Lacoste polos and navy skirts - it's about new ways of wearing plaid, school-girl cashmere sweaters, and sophisticated Lacoste.

Prep - Your Way


fall 2010 trends prep


September is the perfect season to break out those preppy, school-girl pieces. Think crisp navy blazers, over-the-knee wool socks, and of course, classic plaid Sperry Topsiders. For accessories, look for grown-up charm bracelets and floral headbands. Great brands to browse through are Ralph Lauren, Lacoste, and Juicy Couture.

draping

Draping is another trend that's super hot for fall. Seen down the runways of many designers, this trend is polished and sexy.

Draping - Your Way


This trend takes on many forms, from dresses to jackets to skirts. My favorite is a fitted draped dress - the cascading silk camouflages less-than-perfect abs while the fitted style keeps things sexy. Another favorite is a soft, drapey, chiffon cardigan.

What are your favorite trends for this fall?

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Shop My Closet: Harajuku Lovers "Karl" Heels



I was going through my closet and found these shoes that my mom got me during this spring. I love them but I already have so many pairs of heels and these are just a tad small, so I must say goodbye to them.

They're by Harajuku Lovers - designed by Gwen Stefani and inspired by the fashionable girls in the Harajuku district in Japan. They're size 7.5 and are brand new with the box and stuffing and everything. They're retailing on heels.com for $79.99 but I'm selling them on Ebay with a start price of just $9.99.

So check out my listing if you're interested. If you're a follower of CollegeInStyle, mention that in a message to me and receive a 10% discount on the final price.

DIY: Bliss Lemon + Sage Body Scrub



I'm a huge fan of Bliss products. Everything in their line from their body scrubs to hand lotions smells absolutely scrumptious. One of my favorites is their Lemon + Sage Body Scrub - the zing of citrus smells delicious and is super refreshing while the scrub itself leaves my skin baby-soft when I step out of the shower.

Unfortunately, Bliss products are pretty expensive. A 12-oz jar of this body scrub costs $36 and doesn't last very long at all if you use it a few times a week. So here's a DIY guide for making your own Bliss body scrub with ingredients right out of your kitchen. Plus, this all-natural homemade scrub smells and works just as amazing and takes only minutes to make.

Ingredients:

- 1/2 cup light brown sugar

- 1/3 cup olive oil (preferably organic)

- Juice & pulp of 2 fresh lemons

- 2 teaspoons of sage leaves

- 15 drops of orange essential oil

- 1 empty container

Instructions:
  1. Start off with 1/2 cup of light brown sugar and 1/3 cup of organic olive oil in a mixing bowl.
  2. Squeeze in the juice of two fresh lemons and throw in the chopped-up lemon pulps for some added texture.
  3. Toss in 2 teaspoons of finely-minced sage leaves.
  4. Add 15 drops of orange essential oil for some extra citrus zest (can be  replaced with other citrus-y essential oils like lemon, lime, bergamot,  neroli, etc).
  5. Mix everything together and pour the mixture into a container with a lid.
In the shower, scoop a generous amount of the mixture and apply the scrub all over your body for a refreshing exfoliation. Enjoy!

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

How To: Wear White After Labor Day

Labor Day has come and gone and fall is just around the corner. You can even feel it in the air; the days are shorter, the temperature is cooler, and the sun has acquired a more bronzy hue.

I'm sure you've heard the saying "no white after Labor Day." It's unclear exactly where this "fashion advice" originated from, but there are two common explanations. One is that white reflects heat, so wearing white makes you cooler in the winter and therefore should be avoided. Another theory is that in the late 19th century, as more people were entering the middle class, they were given specific fashion rules to follow because they didn't know what they should wear. For more detailed explanations, check out this page.

Whatever the reason behind the saying is, "no white after Labor Day" is definitely a fashion rule that you should break. In fact, white is a simple, classic color that can be worn whether it's 90 degrees of 20 degrees. Below are some great celebrity-inspired fall/winter looks incorporating white.

Casual in White


how to wear white after labor day - jeans



White jeans are one of my favorite wardrobe staples. I'm a total jeans girl and while I've got my acid-wash and greys and dark-wash and blacks, white jeans take things to a whole other level. They work with pretty much any kind of top and can either look more casual or more formal than normal jeans depending on how you wear it. And they're perfect for a bright, fall look as exemplified by Cali beach-girl Audrina Patridge.

You should take time looking for a good pair of white jeans because it's a great wardrobe staple. While I love skinny jeans, I think white jeans comes best in boot-cut and pencil styles. I highly recommend Citizens of Humanity's jeans in Santorini wash, which comes in many different styles. Also, be sure to check your behind when trying on white jeans. You do not want a pair that shows your pantylines.

For an early-fall look that's perfect for right now, pair your white jeans with a loose tee. Go for a dark color like black, grey, blue, or purple; white or yellow would look too summery against the white jeans. Then accessorize with jewelry that plays on the color of the top. For example, Audrina's topaz ring and gem-studded bracelet draws on the same color as her tee.

For added chicness, go with a roomy white tote to keep the color palette of the outfit very simple. As for shoes, either flats or some sandals would work. Steer clear of flip-flops as that might look to sloppy/summery. Then, finish off with some fun nail polish like this beautiful baby pink shade from Chanel.



Black-and-White


how to wear white after labor day - top



This stylish black-and-white look inspired by Olivia Palermo is perfect for the chic city girl and is very autumn-appropriate. Start off with a long, fitted white tee and leather pants. For a more budget-friendly alternative, opt for liquid leggings (which can be found for under $20 online) or faux-leather pants. If you do get liquid leggings, get a sturdy, thick pair since this is one of the few exceptions where wearing leggings as pants does work.

Finish off the outfit with a crisp, fitted white blazer - no boyfriend blazers here! That would make your top half look too bulky. Also add some fun silver metallic sneakers - they're a great alternative to flats. A pair of boots that hits below the knee would also look great.

Finally, accessorize with a simple black tote. Olivia is pretty much always carrying one of her many Hermes Birkins, but that is waayyyyy out of most college students' budget. A similar style would be the Kate Spade Quinn tote, but any simple, black tote works with this outfit.



Winter Wonderland


how to wear white after labor day coat



This adorable look inspired by what Anne Hathaway wore in The Devil Wears Prada - one of my favorite movies and a fabulous source of fashion inspiration - is perfect for late fall. Before I saw this outfit, I was convinced that like white sundresses, all-white is an absolute no-no for any season other than summer. However, I was so inspired by this look: by incorporating various textures, this all-white ensemble works.

To look perfectly Parisian-chic like Hathaway does here, you need a great belted white coat. Make sure to go for just ever so slightly off-white, like a cream shade, because paper-white would look too harsh. It doesn't really matter what you wear underneath since the coat covers everything, but I would recommend a silky blouse tucked into a black pencil skirt.

A white newsboy hat adds to the whole Parisian look - I love Hathaway's cream tweed one but couldn't find one quite exactly like it (anyone know where it's from? - looks very Chanel-esque) and lacy gloves makes the ensemble ultra-feminine (don't count on them for keeping your hands warm, though!). Finally, finish off with some pastel booties - these light blue ones work great, but so would nude or baby pink.



What do you guys think? Would you wear white after Labor Day?

Fall 2010 Makeup Trends: DVF's Shimmery Charcoal

Fall 2010 makeup Diane von Furstenberg

Fall makeup is typically marked by earthy tones and dark liners, a distinct step away from the pastels of spring and bronze and brights of summer. As autumn approaches, it's time to change up your go-to makeup look. Diane von Furstenberg's Fall 2010 runway serves as the perfect example of classic fall makeup with a modern twist.

In an interview with Elle Magazine, DVF's makeup artist James Kaliardos said that the collection was inspired by the evolving women, much like a butterfly going through metamorphosis. While one typically thinks pastels when it comes to the word "butterfly", DVF's makeup definitely did not go down that road. Instead, Kaliardos opted for an edgier route - and below are how you can recreate these looks whether your budget is luxe or less.

The Inspiration


The Essentials

DVF look

How-To:

  • Begin with your most trusty eyeshadow primer. Since you'll be working with dark colors and this is a heavy look with lots of shadows involved, you want to be careful about flaking and creasing. A good eyeshadow primer will make the colors appear more vibrant, prevent creases, and keep your makeup in place all day long. I recommend Urban Decay's Primer Potion - an industry favorite - or E.L.F.'s eyelid primer, which comes at just $1 a pop and works almost equally as well as Urban Decay's. Apply primer all over the lids up to your brow bones and on the corners and around the lower lash line. Wait two minutes for the primer to dry before moving on to the next step.
  • Layer black cream eyeshadow all over your lids with a shadow brush, blending up to the brow bones so that the color is heaviest closest to your eyes. A cream shadow works better than powder in this case because it allows for more layering (you'll be putting on more colors in the next step) and it gives a clean, gleamy look rather than the dry, shimmery look that most power shadows have. For a less daring look, use cream charcoal shadow instead.
  • Wetting a liner brush, dip it in blue glitter and line your upper and lower lash lines, going more heavy on the upper lash line. Repeat with the green glitter.
  • Using a shadow brush, dust some pearly white shimmer on the inner corners of your eyes to lighten up the dark look and give your eyes a fresh, dewy glow.
  • Go for the nude look on your skin since there's already a lot going on with the eyes and finish off with nude lipstick.
Click here for complete makeup instructions and details on what products Kaliardos used.

Monday, September 6, 2010

Vote: Which Shoes Are Your Favorite?

Dear Readers,

I will be going abroad for the fall semester in less than two weeks to study in Beijing, China's bustling capital. Lately, I've been fretting about what to pack. What's the weather going to be like there? Will I need my snowboots? Etc.

From my pasts visits to China, I know that girls there like to dress up a lot more than girl in the states, which means plenty of dresses and heels are a must. While dresses are easy to pack, I'm having some trouble deciding which shoes to bring. So I'm asking you guys for some help!

Below are four shoes: three booties and one pair of pumps. I only have enough space to bring two - believe me, I'd bring them all if I could! Please vote on which pair is your favorite to help me decide which ones to bring! Feel free to leave a comment too :)



P.S. Anyone know a way to shrink heels that are too big? I ordered the Steve Madden ones from Gilt but they're like an entire size too big (I think my feet shrank). I know I shouldn't wear ill-fitting shoes, but I love these pumps so much! Especially the studs. So if you have any advice, please let me know!

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Fall 2010 Style: Inspired by Juicy Couture

Juicy Couture is one of my favorite brands. To me, it epitomizes a fashionable college girl who is preppy with a bit of glam. If you're unfamiliar with the brand, you might think that Juicy is nothing more than velour sweats and blinged-out terry handbags. However, Juicy is so much more than that. They offer a whole line of ready-to-wear clothing, from coats to jeans to shoes.

Unfortunately, Juicy's price range can be a bit high for the average college girl working to pay off her tuition loans. So below are some Juicy Couture-inspired fall looks recreated with pieces that are much more budget-friendly.

Pretty in Plaid

Fall Look 1

This outfit represents the ultimate preppy yet sophisticated college girl. I'm personally a huge fan of the prep-school look (especially on boys - Lacoste polo + khaki shorts + Sperry boatshoes = instant love), but it's not middle school anymore and preppy no longer means mini-skirt, pink polo, and pearls pocketed from your mother's jewelry collection. This sophisticated-preppy look is a much more grown-up take on old-school prep yet youthful at the same time. Plus, it's absolutely perfect for fall days while walking around an ivy-covered campus.

The building blocks of this outfit is a classic plaid mini-skirt (in flannel or wool, preferably dark-green-and-navy checkered or in a color combination like the one in the above outfit) and a trusty heather-gray long-sleeve shirt.

Next, you need a good pair of riding boots. Look for one with little to no heel and hits just below the knees. A dark hue like black or gunmetal works best for this outfit.

Accessorize with a square scarf that can be draped triangle-style across your neck. You can either go matchy-matchy with the skirt as in the original look by Juicy Couture or you can put a twist on it and wear a scarf of a contrasting pattern. Make sure the scarf is of neutral colors though as you can't wear too much color with plaid. Finally, throw on a pair of semi-sheer black tights if it's cold out or feel free to go sans-tights; either way works great with this outfit.


Rocker Ski Bunny
fall look 2

This look is all about contrast: you've got the feminine pink top against edgy riding boots, snowy fur jacket against jersey shorts. It's a very bold and high-fashion look that's perfect for a girl wanting to experiment with something new. Plus, the boots and jacket makes the shorts weather-appropriate for even late fall, and that's something shorts-lovers (like me) can all rejoice over!

Start with an oversized baby pink v-neck that can be tucked into shorts. If your budget allows, go for a silk one for some added luxe. Next, a pair of gunmetal shorts is a great complement to the pink top. Look for a simple, trouser-style one with metal detailing, which is a huge trend for fall and adds some rocker-chic to the overall feel.

The real "rocker" part of this outfit comes from the boots. I used the same boots here for this outfit as the preppy outfit, which just shows how versatile a simple pair of black riding boots can be. A brown or gray pair would also work here, although make sure to get flat ones. The wrong pair of heeled boots can easily make this outfit look trashy.

Last but most importantly is a white or creamy-beige fur jacket. Of course, if real fur is out of your budget or if you just don't feel comfortable wearing an animal, faux fur works just as well. Just make sure to invest time in looking for a good one as faux fur can sometimes look very cheap. This jacket from Lipsy is both affordable and adorable; it will keep you warm during the late autumn months and give you a cute ski-bunny look.


Sophisticated Perfection
fall look 3

This outfit strikes me as the perfect "meet-his-parents" look. After all, who wouldn't want a daughter-in-law who is classy, sophisticated, and fashionable? It's also perfect for wearing to class or for a chat with your professor as it's professional yet very wearable.

To recreate this outfit, start off with a silky floral tank in muted colors and skinny black pants. The pants can even be denim but steer away from leggings unless your top covers your behind (leggings as pants do not bode well with professors or boyfriend's parents). Add some studded flats for a look that is polished and chic.

With those three items, you've already got a look that stands on its own. Remember to look for a tank that's not too revealing. A tie-neck piece like the one above is perfect because it doesn't bare any cleavage yet is still sexy and feminine by accentuating your bare shoulders.

Finally, if it's chilly out, throw on a cropped leather jacket in cargo green, gray, or a color that complements the color of your top. Don't go for all-black as that may look too strong against the black pants.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Frat Party What-to-Wear Series: Western/Country/Cowboy Party

College is the time for frat parties. A time when it's okay to wear a skin-tight minidress and five-inch heels. A large proportion of frat parties are "themed", whether it be "80's Dance Party", "Blacklight", "CEOs and Office Hos", or "Catholic School".

In this post, I will present three outfits on what to wear to a frat-favorite theme: The Cowboy/Western/Country Party (AKA Hoedown).

During your school year, there will inevitably be such a themed party. Generally, guys arrive in wifebeaters while girls sport cropped plaid shirts, cutoff minis, and cowboy boots. These parties also involve plenty of hay, potentially even a few farm animals, country music (hello Taylor Swift!) and lots of kegs.

According to my experience, 60% of girls will show up in plaid shirts, maybe another 25% in white tanks, a few in sundresses, and the rest won't dress up for the theme at all. In my opinion, plaid shirts and white tanks are boring. So below are two much more unique outfit ideas and one traditional "country" look.

Southern Belle


country themed party - feminine


I'm a girly-girl, so this is definitely my personal favorite out of the three looks. The overall feel is very effortless and pretty with some boho chic mixed in. I absolutely adore breezy, mini-sundresses: they're so very flattering and incredibly versatile. This off-white crochet-trim piece is super cute and very affordable. It can be dressed down for a country themed party or dressed up for frolicking around town on a balmy summer night.

Playing on the earthy theme, I added stacked wooden bangles and a leaf pendant to the outfit along with a monarch butterfly headband - a perfect warm-weather headpiece. Instead of the traditional cowboy boots, I opted for a pair of heeled country-inspired booties. Since the dress is very feminine, the boots add a little bit of edge.

Finally, accessorize with a pink feathered clutch and electric blue nail-polish - a shade that will pop against the light-colored dress.


Classic

country party look - classic


This outfit here is the quintessential country-themed frat party look - the outfit that I mentioned is worn by probably 60% of the girls. Actually, I fashion-ized the look a little bit - a lot of girls actually wear the trashy version of this outfit, which consists of stomach-bearing tie-front plaid shirts that are generally sold as Halloween costumes. Although the top and bottom pieces here are pretty classic, what makes this particular outfit stand out are the accessories.

First, start with a plaid shirt, preferably in red-and-navy checkers or dark green-and-navy. Pair them with your favorite worn-in, faded denim cutoffs and some classic cowboy boots.

Now comes the tricks: rather than looking like hundred of other girls that night, don on a pair of eclectic earrings: these blue-green feathered drop earrings are definitely unique yet still goes with the overall look of the outfit. Play on the feathered theme with a black feathered clutch - an accessory that adds some edginess to this all-American look. Glittery blue nail-polish works great against the red shirt and stack on some silver and gun-metal studded bracelets for a tough, cowgirl vibe.

Edgy Cowgirl


country party look - trendy


This is by far the trendiest outfit choice of the three and is perfect for a girl who likes to stand out from the crowd. It builds off of the wifebeater-and-shorts look but transforms it to a whole new level fit for the runways. The cropped white top was a huge trend this summer and the fringed vest is a big hit for fall.

Start off with a basic white cropped short-sleeved shirt. If you don't own one, you can even create a DIY version by cutting up an old white shirt. Don't cut off too much if you're uncomfortable with revealing your stomach - even a little bit of cropping makes a huge difference. For some extra bonus, fray the ends of the shirt (look up "how to fray fabric" on instructions as to how to do this). Then add some worn-in, faded denim cutoffs, a wardrobe staple for all college girls.

Next up is a fringed vest. They are being sold at high end department stores this fall but can also be found at your local Forever21 and Target. Add some slouchy western boots - preferably with a short heel - for a fashion-forward vibe. Throw on a stack of mixed bangles - metal and gold works wonderfully - and finish off with coral-red nail polish and a contrasting clutch.



Which outfit is your favorite? What do you usually wear to country-themed frat parties?
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