Category Archives: Fashion Facts

Adventures in Packing Part 1

08 Tuesday Jan 2013

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As many of you know, I’ll be spending my spring semester in the Netherlands. It’s going to be an amazing trip, but before I get there I have an enormous challenge to overcome: packing. That’s right, one, fifty-pounds-or-less suitcase for three long months. For someone who needs two whole closets just to house her shoes, this has proved to be an immense struggle. As my friend Anna said, “I’m struggling to figure out what to pack and what’s just gonna be dead, sparkly weight.”

In my struggle to find harmony between practicality and my personal style, I learned a few things.

1. Sacrifices Must Be Made

photo1Denim shirt seen here. Red blouse seen here. Plaid shirt seen here, and here.

This is a good representation of the kind of tops I’m bringing with me. As you can see, there isn’t a lot of color in this selection. I tried to pick mostly knit basics in neutral colors that I knew I’d be able to mix and match easily to create new outfits. Most of my colorful, chiffon tops I’m leaving behind because they’ll wrinkle easily and are harder to style in new ways. Sacrifices to practicality, like this one, have been essential during my packing process in preventing me from bringing unnecessary items. If I can’t think of more than three different ways to wear an item, I won’t bring it.

2. Stay True to Your Style

photo 2Gray dress seen here. Blue dress seen here. Black dress seen here.

When I first started packing I assumed this trip would mean I had to give up all sense of personal style. I was envisioning long underwear, sneakers, and puffy jackets. But I realized my sense of style is too important for me to give up during this trip. Certainly it will have to be altered, but not discarded. If I had worn jeans, sneakers, and puffy jackets, I would have been completely miserable the entire time. Bringing dresses, skirts, tights, and other elements of my style is essential to me feeling good and having a good time. Compromising is necessary but it’s important to keep in mind what will make you happy as well as what will be practical.

3. Start at the Beginning 

photo 3Black peplum skirt seen here.

The first thing I did when starting to pack was come up with an image of what I wanted to look like while I was in Europe. What I wear can dramatically change how I feel and how I approach my day, so I knew I wanted to look put together. But I also knew I would be traveling a lot, walking on a lot of cobblestones, and experiencing all sorts of different weather conditions. Once I came up with the image I wanted, I worked on creating it in a way that would still be practical. Starting with an idea of what I wanted to look like meant I had something to refer back to. I could look at a piece of clothing and think “does this fit my vision?” and if I didn’t then I wouldn’t pack it.

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Exclusive OASAP Coupon Code

20 Thursday Sep 2012

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The Morning After:                                how to walk in those six inch impulse buys

18 Monday Jun 2012

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It always happens the same way. I notice you across the room. Then there’s a subtle glance, a flirty smile. I move closer, and you let me. Before you know it I’m being absolutely blatant with my affection, admiring you from all angles and staring down anyone who comes close. I’ll ask for your number, but it doesn’t matter what it is. The decision has already been made: I’m taking you home with me.

Every woman has known this love-at-first-sight, butterflies-in-your-stomach feeling. But don’t be fooled, no man can give you this kind of happiness. This is about shoes.

The problems start after the initial joyful purchase. Then comes the hard part, wearing them. Once you slip on those five inch beauties and hobble out the door you have two options. You can either fall flat on your face or you can prove wrong your mother, grandmother, boss, best friend and everyone else who called your gorgeous new babies “inappropriate footwear.” I don’t know about you but I find it hard to accept shoe criticism from people who still haven’t embraced natural fibers.

So, basically your motivation is coming from a desire to preserve any remaining dignity. Hey, that’s good enough for me. The key to pulling off your heels without looking like a newbie is practice. Wear them around the house, wear them to take your dog out, wear them to get the mail, wear them on your morning latte runs. Pretty soon walking in those heels will be old hat.

Another quick tip, if your new best friends are pinching your toes there’s an easy way to stretch them out a little. Fill a ziploc bag with water and put it in the toe of your shoes, then put them in the freezer and wait for the water to turn into ice. When water freezes it expands, therefore stretching out your shoe. It works wonders, and makes your shoes much easier to walk in. I swear my freezer has seen more stilettos than Lean Cuisines.

A final tip, look like you know what you’re doing. I’m from a small town where most people are more likely to associate the world “heel” with the end of a loaf of bread than a shoe. So when I wear heels out, I get a lot of stares. The trick is to ignore them and act like you do it all the time, like it’s no big deal. You may be feeling lightheaded from the lack of circulation in your feet, or already imagining how to decorate your crutches, but if you look cavalier, the only thing people will be thinking is “where did she get those shoes?”

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13 Wednesday Jun 2012

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Photo courtesy of Lulus.com

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Versace for H&M (Men’s)

17 Thursday Nov 2011

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I already talked about the Versace line for H&M in my previous post but I also wanted to touch on the men’s section. I’m really happy that Versace extended the line to include men’s items too. I think men’s fashion is unfortunately narrow and this line brings in some cool new options. 

I am in love with this blazer. I would want my boyfriend to wear this every day. Sure it comes in black too but what makes this so fabulous is the color. Narrow minded stereotypes aside, color is a great way for men to have fun with their wardrobes. This blazer with gray slacks or cuffed jeans a buttoned up shirt and an electric blue tie would be adorable. And at $149 it’s actually the same price as some regular H&M blazers.

Cool details are another way for men to stay stylish and this jacket definitely has that. It has the tough-guy vibe but with the sophistication of metal details and a clean moto jacket cut. This is, admittedly, slightly more wearable for the average guy than the pink blazer. Quality costs $299 with this 100% leather jacket.

Maybe it’s just being at Emerson that makes me think wearing these pants is acceptable but I really think a guy with some confidence could pull them off. Sure, they make a statement and they’re a little bit retro but I like the unexpected pop that they bring to an average outfit. Who says men have to be confined to black slacks and suit jackets?

This pattern is a little iffy on the T shirt but I think it really works well on the button down. This is the sort of cool pattern that gets a guy noticed, and in a very good way. The gold tipped collar makes for a great contrast between classic and contemporary. I think this is a really wearable piece. It comes in the electric pink and blue shown above as well as black but I really love it in this pattern. The shirt comes in at $49.95

I love both these shoes because I think any guy who really wants to make a fashion statement could easily incorporate them into his wardrobe. The top 100% leather shoes are a great way to snazz up the typical dress shoe. They would look great paired with neutrals as a pop of color or with another standout piece. The bottom ones, also 100% leather, are a fantastic cross between a sneaker and a moto boot. I love the street style vibe they’ll give to any outfit. The pink shoes are $99 and also come in black. The moto sneakers are $69.95.

For the rest of the collection see http://www.hm.com/us/versace#home

Versace for H&M (Women’s)

15 Tuesday Nov 2011

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There’s been a big hype over the Versace line for H&M, I’ve heard a lot of controversy over whether it was a good move for the designer. Although I confess to loving a lot of the pieces, I’m still on the fence about the decision. I’m all for designer collaborations but Versace is such an exclusive name that I almost feel like doing an inexpensive line cheapens the brand a little. Names like Versace are famous for being fabulous clothes for the elite, a luxury that most people can only dream about. But when items become more widely available to the public it dulls the fantasy. Don’t get me wrong, I love the clothes, I just hope it doesn’t negatively affect the brand’s image.

The collection is divided into a few different styles. There’s a tough-girl look with lots of leather, metal, and dark colors. I love that look, especially because it’s done with the classic Versace elegance. Then there’s an almost tropical look with bright colors and cool pattern mixes. And finally there’s a sexy, classic vibe true to the ever-present Mad Men craze. 

Starting with the tough girl vibe is this amazing leather jacket. I’m dying to pair it with a pink tulle skirt and platform pumps! It’s a stand out piece that’s still versatile and wearable. Sometimes it’s hard to find a jacket that is unique but not confining. This is that jacket. At $299 it’s still out of my college student budget. But hey, a girl can dream!

I’ve been loving the faux fur vest trend this season and this is one of the most fabulous vests I’ve seen so far. It’s long enough to be worn with a dress or styled with pants. It still retains that tough girl vibe with the belt and inky black color but has the glamour that fur always brings to an outfit. This is definitely one of my favorite pieces of the collection. At $69.95 it’s closer to my budget and an amazing price for anything with the Versace name.

I had a little more trouble loving the tropical inspired side of the collection. A lot of the colors and patterns were a little too wild for my taste. I did like this cropped twill jacket. I think it could add a very chic element to an outfit while still being a little bit fun. The jacket is $69.95, a pretty reasonable price for a Versace piece.

This piece is another example of the tropical inspired pieces. For some reason I’m attracted to this skirt. I think it’s in part because of the sleek A line form of it but it might also be because of the colors. I love a good animal print and the way it’s mixed with this sort of emblem in the middle is actually kind of cool. Styling this piece would probably be a little difficult but there’s something about it that I like. This one is also $69.95. 

This gorgeous dress is one of the more glamorous pieces. It’s definitely working of the retro vibe that has been popular lately.I really like this piece. It has a classic silhouette but sexy details that keep it fresh and modern. It’s also 100% silk which can’t be too bad. This piece comes in at $149.

I love, love, love this dress! In silk and satin it’s a beautiful piece. It’s flowy and pretty but also with some cool details like the trim around the bust, the criss-cross straps in the back, and the asymmetrical hemline. This dress could be worn on a multitude of occasions. I wear this style a lot and I love what Versace has done with it. This piece is also $149.

For the complete line visit http://www.hm.com/us/versace#home