Written by Demi – University of Maryland

Every week, I scour the web to find inspiring outfits on your favorite celebs and help you recreate their looks! This week, I was inspired by Bella Thorne, Cher Lloyd, and Zoe Saldana. Read on to see how you can get their looks for yourself.

Look 1: Bella Thorne’s Easy Chic

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News

Actress Bella Thorne has been everywhere lately, and is constantly proving that she has a personal style worth noticing! This week, she wore an easy chic look: light wash boyfriend jeans, a white sleeveless top, nude flats, some eclectic jewelry, and a Louis Vuitton handbag. I love how she keeps her outfit’s color palette light and fresh – her look is perfect for a day of shopping or lunching with friends.

Outfit Inspired by Bella

Jeans, Top, Collar Necklace, Bag, Flats

The light shade of Bella’s slouchy boyfriend jeans adds an especially chic touch to the look, so start by opting for jeans in a similar shade. They look so fresh when paired with a white sleeveless blouse – instead of accessorizing it with a thin, dainty necklace like Bella did, though, add a trendy Peter Pan collar necklace. The simple yet elegant top is the perfect backdrop to such a fashion-forward necklace, and both pieces work well with these neutral two-tone flats. A handbag in a light color, like this mint green one, gives the look some extra dimension.

Look 2: Cher Lloyd’s Fun Summer Look

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News

U.K. singing sensation Cher Lloyd looked ready for summer in a gingham tie-up shirt, some high-waisted chartreuse shorts, and a straw fedora hat. Her look has a fun vintage vibe and is ideal for a day out in the sun! The gingham print of her top is so perfect for summer (picnic, anyone?) and the shorts are a versatile piece: they can we worn casually, like Cher is doing here, or dressed up for a night out with a dressy top and heels.

Outfit Inspired by Cher

Top, Shorts, Hat,Sandals, Sunglasses

Cher’s look revolves around her super fun gingham tie-front top, and luckily, you can get the same exact one from Guess. Pair it with high-waisted shorts in a neutral, yet unexpected shade like chartreuse – this color doesn’t overwhelm the already bold top, but is a bit more exciting than just black. A straw fedora is a summer necessity as are vintage-inspired sunglasses and pretty flat sandals.

Look 3: Zoe Saldana is Boho Beautiful

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News

Actress Zoe Saldana may have taken to the NYC subway this week, but she looked far from pedestrian in a floral maxi skirt, a white tank top, pink crossbdody bag, and some round sunglasses. Her outfit is great for a day of relaxing; I love it because it’s so comfortable and easy to wear, while still super stylish.

Outfit Inspired by Zoe

Skirt, Tank top, Sunglasses, Sandals, Bag

To get Zoe’s look, pick a fun colorful and printed maxi skirt; this one has a pastel palette similar to that of Ms. Saldana’s. A simple white tank top is the perfect accent – since the skirt is already so bold, you don’t want to overpower it with a complicated top. Some strappy flat sandals, a pink crossbody bag, and rounded sunglasses finish off this look.

What do you think?

Which celebrity’s street style look is your favorite? Which outfit would you be most likely to wear? Leave a comment and let us know!

Posted on on May 21, 2012 / Filed Under: Inspiration / Tags: Bella Thorne, Celebrity Fashion, Celebrity Street Style, Celebs, Cher Lloyd, Fashion Inspiration, Outfit Inspiration, Street Style, Zoe Saldana

College Fashion

Written by Demi – University of Maryland

Every week, I scour the web to find inspiring outfits on your favorite celebs and help you recreate their looks! This week, I was inspired by Jessica Alba, Carrie Underwood, and Christa B. Allen. Read on to see how you can get their looks for yourself.

Look 1: Jessica Alba’s Floral Bottoms

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News

Jessica Alba always dresses stylishly, has debuted some extra stylish looks in the last few weeks. One particular look that caught my eye consisted of floral pants, a casual top, leather bomber jacket, gold chain necklace, and black pumps. The bomber jacket adds an athletic vibe to a more feminine look of the floral print pants, creating a chic outfit.

Outfit Inspired by Jessica

Shorts, Top, Jacket, Wedges, Necklace, Clutch

For an outfit inspired by Jessica, I wanted to make her look a bit more warm weather-appropriate, so I replaced the floral pants with some floral tap shorts.  Pair them with a black top and a gold chain necklace to add some bling to the simple, classic shape of the top. For a an athletic vibe – which is a hot spring 2012 fashion trend - add a bomber jacket; this one is made of textured material which is lighter than leather for the season. Cork wedge sandals look great with the shorts, and these silver glittered ones bring out the colors of the shorts. Add a black clutch and you’re ready to go!

Look 2: Carrie Underwood’s Boho Denim Look

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News

Songstress Carrie Underwood worked an ultra-trendy denim-on-denim look, and gave the popular trend a boho twist. She wore a fringed top with a collection of boho-chic necklaces, bracelets, and some nude open-toe heels. When putting together a denim-on-denim look, it’s important to make sure that the shades of denim are different – preferably, one darker shade and one lighter, to break up the uniform texture.

Outfit Inspired by Carrie

Jeans, Denim shirt, Top, Necklace (pendant), Necklace (beaded), Bracelets, Heels

Carrie’s look is a slightly dressier way to work a boho look, thanks to pieces like dark denim skinny jeans and nude open-toed heels. I envision this look for a night out to dinner with girlfriends, as it’s casual but still chic. This tie-dye frayed top is perfect for summer music festivals or trips to the beach, but with a denim shirt and some fun boho accessories, plus the dressier jeans and shoes, it becomes a bit more dressy.

Look 3: Christa B. Allen’s Fun Bright Look

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News

Actress Christa B. Allen looked bright and ready for summer in a geometric multi-colored printed skirt, an orange top with cutouts, a white blazer, and black booties. While Christa wore her outfit for a daytime outing, I really like her look for a night out, especially if paired with heels. Christa’s choice of black colored shoes acts like a reverse pop of color – because the look is so bright to begin with, the black breaks up the color and anchors the look.

Outfit Inspired by Christa

 
Skirt, Top, Blazer, Heels 

Christa’s look centers around a colorful geometric printed skirt. Just looking at the one I’ve chosen is making me excited for summer! An orange top in a similar shape to Christa’s keeps with the brightness, as does a white drape collar blazer. Finally, black heels actually look bold and don’t overwhelm the look with too much color.

What do you think?

Which celebrity’s street style look is your favorite? Which outfit would you be most likely to wear? Leave a comment and let us know!

Posted on on May 14, 2012 / Filed Under: Inspiration / Tags: carrie underwood, Celebrity Street Style, Celebs, Christa B. Allen, Fashion Inspiration, Jessica Alba, Outfit Inspiration, Street Style

College Fashion

Written by Ashley – Flagler College

When you think of a fashion icon from the past, who is the first person that comes to mind? Marilyn Monroe? Audrey Hepburn? Edie Sedgwick, perhaps? While all three of those women have enviable styles that we absolutely love, there are so many other fashionable women that have graced the history pages. This biweekly column focuses on just that: unexpected and out-of-the-box fashion icons from the past. We feature women who have not only made an impact, but also have distinct signature styles that we can still draw inspiration from today.

If you haven’t seen them already, be sure to check out our other “A History of Style” posts on Amelia Earhart, Billie Holiday, Joan Jett, Louise Brooks, Dorothy Dandridge, Elizabeth Taylor, Edith Head, Mary Tyler Moore, Sylvia Plath, Edith Bouvier Beale, Marlene Dietrich, Frida Kahlo, Cyndi Lauper, Isadora Duncan, Pam Grier and C. Z. Guest.

This week, we’ll be taking a closer look at musician Debbie Harry‘s rocker chic sense of style. Read on to learn more about Debbie’s life and unique style, then check out some outfit ideas to help you channel her look for yourself:

5 Facts About Debbie Harry

• Deborah Ann “Debbie” Harry was born on July 1, 1945 in Miami, Florida. However, she spent her life up north, growing up in New Jersey and deciding to relocate to New York City after finishing school.
• Before she had her big break in music, Debbie worked as a secretary, a waitress, a go-go dancer and even a Playboy Bunny.
• She gained popularity as the front-woman of the highly successful punk/new wave band, Blondie, which has produced numerous hit songs including “One Way or Another“, “Heart of Glass” and “Call Me“.
• Throughout the ’70s, Debbie was a regular fixture at Studio 54 and was also good friends with Andy Warhol. In fact, Debbie was even the subject of one of Warhol’s famous paintings.
• Aside from her musical career, Debbie is also an actress and has appeared in more than thirty films. One of her most well-known roles was as Velma Von Tussle in the original Hairspray film.

Debbie’s Style 101

• Mix and Match. Just like the new wave music Debbie performs, her personal style is a mix of several different ‘genres’ of fashion. Her style choices tend to be a mix of punk rock and glam with a distinct ’60s mod influence. Of course, like a true style icon, Debbie expertly knows how to blend all of those elements into a single aesthetic that is uniquely hers.
• Graphic Design. Despite her eclectic sense of style, one type of clothing always makes repeat appearances in Debbie’s wardrobe — graphic tees. Dressed up or dressed down, Debbie’s quirky t-shirts are part of her signature look, so pull on one of your old graphic tees and style it in a new way for an authentic Debbie Harry-inspired ensemble.
• Pattern Play. Debbie was a fan of mixing prints long before it became trendy. She experimented with lots of different combinations back in the day, and whether she mixed stripes with polka dots or florals with camouflage, Debbie always rocked her bold and brazen looks with confidence. Mimic this look for yourself by mixing several different prints (we’re fans of pairing stripes with floral prints) to create a stylish and trendsetting outfit.

Outfits for Inspiration

Outfit #1: Heart of Glass

Product Info: Tee- Karmaloop, Sunglasses- Urban Outfitters, Ring- Macy’s, Headwrap- ModCloth, Belt- Forever 21, Shorts- H&M, Boots- Nasty Gal, Tights- Free People

Outfit #2: Blondie

Product Info: Jacket- Forever 21, Dress- Dorothy Perkins, Earrings- ASOS, Bracelet/Ring Combo- ASOS, Sandals- Zara, Clutch- Warehouse

Outfit #3: New Wave

Product Info: Dress- Dorothy Perkins, Belt- Zara, Ear Cuff- TopShop, Clutch- Alloy, Pumps- Forever 21, Lipstick- MAC’s Viva Glam Nicki

What do you think?

Do you find Debbie’s style inspiring? What do you think of her look? Would you wear any of these outfits? Let me know what you think by leaving a comment below!

Posted on on May 13, 2012 / Filed Under: Inspiration / Tags: A History of Style, Debbie Harry, Fashion Inspiration, Glamour, Graphic Tees, history, Mixed prints, mod, Musician, Punk

College Fashion

Written by Sarah – Northeastern University

I’ll be the first one to admit it: When the weather is hot and the air is humid, I tend to get a little bit lazy when it comes to planning my outfits. Why go over-the-top when I’m just going to sweat all day? After a few minutes of contemplating something super stylish, more often than not I fall back on my everyday go-tos of a white t-shirt and denim shorts.

As plain and simple as this outfit may appear, however, the t-shirt-and-shorts combo can become so much more with just a few accessories. Today, we’ll be taking this classic duo and crafting three different looks suitable for this season’s hot weather. As always, make sure to pay attention to the power of accessories!

 Look #1: Nautical Prep

Product Information: Shirt, Shorts, Anchor Bracelet, Tote, Sunglasses, Necklace, Bracelets, Shoes

Regardless of whether or not you own a boat, nautical-themed outfits are always, well, a splash during the summer! Wear this outfit to hang out by the water’s edge or to get lunch at an outdoor patio.

While the basics of the outfit (white tee, shorts) are simple, a large striped tote will add drama and color to the look. Accessories featuring anchors or sailboats will keep the nautical theme alive and a good old fashioned pair of Sperry’s will pull the outfit together. If the whole-body theme is too much for you, simply substitute in your favorite pendant necklace or bracelet to tone down the look – either way, this look will scream, “It’s summer and I’m on a boat!” To me, there are few better words in life!

Look #2: Make A Statement (Necklace)

Product Information: Bag, Necklace, Shoes, Nail Polish, Bangles

This outfit illustrates the power of a statement necklace. Out of all the accessory trends this year, statement necklaces are my absolute favorite. A large, attention-grabbing piece of bling around your neck will distract anyone from the simplicity of the look. Play up the necklace’s power by adorning yourself in complementary colors; gold bangles and gold sandals highlight the necklace’s glam undertones and turquoise nail polish (yes, nail polish is 100% an accessory!) adds one more boost of color to the outfit. Essie is by far my favorite brand, and their spring collection has some amazing new hues!

Look #3: Pretty Rings and Boho Scarves

Product Information: Sunglasses, Bag, Necklace, Scarf, Red Ring, Teal Ring, TOMS

Head scarves are making waves this summer with their boho-chic simplicity. What better way to cover up a bad hair day or shade your scalp from the sun than this stylish alternative? Let your boho-glam be the focal point of this outfit; accessorize with simple pieces such as a feather pendant necklace or colorful rings. TOMS and a simple crossbody bag will complete the look without distracting from the main attraction. This simple, stylish, and practical look is perfect for any hot and lazy summer day.

Your turn!

My go-to summer staples are a white t shirt and denim shorts. While this combination may seem ordinary and plain at first sight, by adding a few different accessories, I can create completely new looks each day! Doing so guarantees that I am not only saving money and looking stylish, but I’ll also be staying cool and comfortable in the summer heat.

Now, of course, it’s your turn! What do you think of the outfits featured above? Would you do anything differently? Where would you wear some of these outfits? What are your summer staples? Make sure to leave your thoughts in a comment!

Posted on on May 9, 2012 / Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: Accessories 101, Budget Fashion, budget outfits, Jean Shorts, Summer Style, T Shirt

College Fashion

Written by Jessica – UCLA

Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) | Photo Credit 

Since I have been studying abroad these past few months, I have been fortunate enough to do some traveling and see some magnificent places. During my travels, I have been inspired not only by the people around me but also by the architecture and surrounding nature.

This got me thinking, there are so many wonderfully beautiful places in our world – why not take some fashion inspiration from them as well? So chose four natural world wonders to use as inspiration for this quiz. Continue on below to find which of the world’s natural wonders best inspires your style.

Just take this fun quiz below to find out what natural world wonder inspires your style! If you take the quiz here on the site, the widget will automatically total up your answers for you. If you print the quiz, total up the letters you got and find which one you selected the most. Once you get your answer, find your letter and corresponding result below for a sample outfit based on your personality type.

Quiz: Which Natural World Wonder Inspires Your Style?

Can’t see the quiz above? Don’t worry, you can also click right here to download/print a copy, then come back here to see your result!

Quiz Results – No peeking!

Below are the results of the quiz. Don’t look if you haven’t taken it yet! I’ve created one outfit for each result to help give you some ideas for what to wear. Enjoy!

Mostly A’s: Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights)

Product Information: Belt, Dress, Bracelet, Braided Bracelet, Bag, Sandals, Earrings

The Aurora Borealis (or the Northern Lights), consists of beautiful colors sweeping across the night sky. To emulate this ethereal phenomenon, I chose this flowy teal maxi dress. Switch out the braided belt it comes with for a navy one to mimic the colors of the night sky. Accessorize with a midnight blue purse, some purple jewelry, and some earrings that are reminiscent of stars. Finally, finish the look with a neutral flat sandal.

Mostly B’s: Grand Canyon

Photo Credit

Product Information: Earrings, Top, Sunglasses, Bracelets, Boots, Shorts, Bracelet

Having been to the Grand Canyon twice, I can attest that the layers of colors that make up the rocks are truly breathtaking. For a look inspired by the Grand Canyon, I wanted to capture the almost tie-dyed, color-blocked look with these shorts. Next, add on a loose-fitting white shirt. Then grab some accessories reminiscent of the Grand Canyon landscape like these ombre earrings, and woven bracelets. Complete the outfit with some classic western boots and aviators.

Mostly C’s: Great Barrier Reef

Photo Credit

Product Information: Shorts, Top, Sandals, Ring, Sunglasses, Earrings

For an outfit inspired by the magnificence of the Great Barrier Reef, tuck this coral-colored top into these sea-blue swing shorts. Neutral studded sandals are reminiscent of the sand, while these cute post earrings add a touch of whimsy to the look. Lastly, finish with some round white sunglasses and a pretty turquoise ring.

Mostly D’s: Victoria Falls

Photo Credit

Product Information: Top, Scarf, Pants, Ring, Sandals, Bracelet

To capture the essence of Victoria Falls, I wanted to combine pieces that were serene and soft, but still powerful, like this world wonder. To get this look, start with a white-on-white ensemble made up of a flowy sleeveless tank and some white pants — this combination will give you a long, lean line that is reminiscent of the falls. Next, layer on a scarf that captures water shades. Finally, throw on a bracelet of a similar nature, a silver ring, and some sandals to complete the look.

What do you think?

What was your result? Do you think it matches your personal style well? Which outfit is your favorite? What things inspire your style? Have you ever been to any of these places before? Please let us know what you think by leaving a comment below!

Posted on on May 6, 2012 / Filed Under: Inspiration / Tags: Clothing, Inspiration, Nature, Outfits, Personality quiz

College Fashion

Written by Zephyr – CF Editor

A few weeks back, I received an offer I couldn’t refuse: The chance to spend the day in New York City playing dress-up for one of my (and your!) all-time favorite brands, EVER – Starbucks Frappuccino! The mission was simple – film a video showcasing 3 looks to represent my “signature style.” Check it out below!

The Video

My 3 “Signature” Looks

As a detail-oriented Virgo, I gravitate toward clean, modern pieces with precise details – think perfectly slouchy white tees, dark, clean wash jeans and sleek, well-tailored blazers. At the same time, I love to play with fashion and add something fun to every look, whether it’s a pop of bright color or an armful of bracelets – or both. My “signature style” outfits reflect this:

1. Day at the Office – I’m lucky to have a job where I can express myself with my ensembles. I’m obsessed with yellow right now, so these citron skinny jeans from J.Crew have been in constant rotation. They make a big statement on their own, so I like to balance them with neutral pieces, like a basic black blazer and a flowy beige top. The teal pumps, by Guess, add a fun hint of contrast.

2. Relaxing at Home – For daytime, I live in dark wash skinny jeans and basic tees – I love to pair this striped one with leopard print flats and a bold scarf for an easy take on this season’s print-mixing trend.

3. Night Out – For nights out, I’m usually a jeans-and-heels girl, so I decided to switch it up and go outside of my comfort zone with a “little blue dress.” A simple dress like this one, from Nicole Miller, allows room for fun extras like orange Sam Edelman heels and bold statement earrings.

Giveaway – Your Chance to Win!

Now that you’ve seen my signature style, it’s your chance to win an amazing piece to accessorize YOUR style! Just visit the Signature Style Sweepstakes website and you can enter to win a hand-picked fashion accessory from one of our signature styles.

I really hope you guys liked the video – best of luck to all of you in the giveaway! Also, don’t forget to check out the “Signature Style” posts and videos from my blogger friends (and fabulous party guests), Gala Darling and The Budget Babe!

Disclosure: This video series was sponsored by Starbucks Frappuccino, Style Coalition and Hearst Digital Media.

Posted on on May 4, 2012 / Filed Under: Miscellaneous / Tags: College Fashion, Sponsors

College Fashion

Written by Ashley – Emerson College

Like we always say here at CF, fashion is cyclical – trends are always coming around again, so whenever you need inspiration, you can always look to the past. That’s exactly what I did this this week: Feeling like I was out of ideas for a new Real-Life Style Challenge, I cracked open the history books, and gained inspiration from the trends of decades past.

The Challenge:

This week’s challenge was really simple – and really fun! Taking a page from the fashion history books, my challenge was to create five different modern-day looks, each inspired by a different 20th century decade.

The Results:

• Monday – 1920s: The 1920s weren’t all flapper dresses and cloche hats. Going for a ’20s day-wear look with a modern twist, I wore a loose shirt with a floppy bow tie over a pencil skirt, tights and black booties.
• Tuesday – 1940s: Channeling Rosie the Riveter, I paired a chambray shirt with jeans and oxfords. Not having a scarf to wear as a headband, I put on a turban instead!
• Wednesday – 1950s: For a simple 1950s housewife look, I wore a blue A- line dress with simple oxford heels.
• Thursday – 1970s: For a modern take on the ’70s bohemian look, I wore a burnt orange skirt with a plain black shirt and a large emerald green fedora.
• Friday – 1990s: Channeling the ’90s grunge aesthetic, I threw on a red plaid shirt and an army jacket over a black tee. I then finished the look with a slouchy gray beanie and brown boots.

What I Learned:

We all may have a picture in our minds of what the trends were in each decade, but it can be easy to forget the simple things. A quick internet search, plus a look at our basic fashion history lesson, can help you get some retro style inspiration that’s beyond the stereotypical. For instance, I had forgotten how many ways you can define 1960s fashion – there’s Mad Men chic, Twiggy’s mod look, and the boho hippie movement, just for starters.

Once I had taken my refresher course, the rest was easy! Designers are always recycling old looks, so even in my own closet, it was easy to spot pieces inspired by the trends of the past.

A few more tips I picked up from this challenge:

• Costumes are for Halloween. Your looks for any other day of the year should be inspired. For instance, I decided that wearing a flapper dress to a day of classes was a no-go. But I remembered that girls didn’t wear flapper dresses all day long – with a quick Google, I found pictures of 1920s day wear and made it my own!
• The keys to this challenge are interpreting the looks of the past, and incorporating trends from each decade into your personal style. I knew that I was not dressing in genuine grunge or 1970s bohemian attire – instead, I was making those old looks my own.
• Beauty changed over time as well! Though I didn’t have the opportunity to play with makeup or hair for this challenge, it could be be fun to try a mod bold eyeliner look from the ’60s or finger waves from the 1920s. (See our series, Beauty by the Decade for detailed instructions on each.)

What do you think?

What’s your favorite fashion decade? Do you feel like your style reflects this or is it pretty modern? Do you draw inspiration from any other times in history? Let me know in the comments!

Posted on on April 11, 2012 / Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: 1920s, 1940s, 1960s, 1970s, 1990s, Fashion History, Style Challenge

College Fashion

Written by Demi – University of Maryland

Every week, I scour the web to find inspiring outfits on your favorite celebs and help you recreate their looks! This week, I was inspired by Rosie Fortescue, Miranda Kerr, and Beyonce. Read on to see how you can get their looks for yourself.

Look 1: Rosie Fortescue’s Bright Night Out

Photo: Pacific Coast News

I always like to look across the pond for fashion inspiration, and this week, I was enamored with Rosie Fortescue’s pairing of coral skinny jeans with a sheer printed blouse, white blazer, wool hat, and pair of black booties.

Name doesn’t ring a bell? Rosie is a star on the U.K.’s Made in Chelsea, a reality TV show following the lives of some of London’s young and fabulous. Rosie is a blogger, and clearly this trendy look of hers shows that she knows fashion!

Outfit Inspired by Rosie

Jeans, Blazer, Top, Hat, Shoes

I’ve been featuring colored skinny jeans in this column for weeks now, and among celebs, the trend shows no sign of stopping. I love the fun and bright hue of these coral skinnies, especially with summer just around the corner. Pairing them with a sheer printed blouse is a cool way to offset the bold color, and a white blazer pulls the look together. Black accessories add some contrast: I like how these cutout wedge booties add some toughness. Finally, a wool floppy hat is a trendy extra.

Look 2: Miranda Kerr’s Splash of Summer

Photo: Pacific Coast News

Miranda Kerr showed off her famous mile-long legs in some denim shorts, a bright pink top, and brown ankle booties. During the spring, one of my favorite go-to outfits consists of jean shorts and a sweater or long sleeved top – it’s a great way to wear your shorts in not-yet-summer weather.

Outfit Inspired by Miranda

Shorts, Top, Booties, Sunglasses, Bag

While Miranda’s look is cute, for my outfit inspiration outfit, I decided to alter the color scheme a bit and give it a more cohesive look to really incorporate the booties. Western-style ankle booties like these have popped up in several of my celebrity street style looks, and I can tell you why: their neutral color and simple shape go with just about anything, and their small stacked heel is casual enough for day, yet works for nighttime, too.

For an innovative take on your classic shorts-and-tee look, try infusing color through your shorts rather than your top; this season, dip-dyed cutoffs have been spotted on trendy girls everywhere. Pair them with a simple white top with 3/4 sleeves like Miranda’s, and carry a handbag that fits with the color scheme of the look.

Look 3: Beyonce’s Sweet Soft-Hued Look

Photo: Pacific Coast News

New mom Beyonce has been photographed all over NYC rocking some wild looks lately, but she toned it down this week wearing some light gray skinny jeans, a breezy lilac top, denim jacket, and metallic heels.  I love how Bey mixed it up by wearing denim on top rather than traditional blue jeans, and her look proves that even soft colors can make a statement, when worn together.

Outfit Inspired by Beyonce

Jeans, Jacket, Top, Heels, Sandals, Sunglasses, Scarf

While Beyonce’s sky-high metallic Louboutin heels are awesome (and I’ve included a similar pair in my inspired outfit), I liked this outfit for a casual day in the park or running to class, so flat sandals will work, too. Above, I chose some snakeskin print ones that have a sheen similar to the sparkly heels.

A light tunic top in lilac, worn over some light gray skinny jeans, is an easy and comfortable look, yet the color scheme makes it unique and eye-catching. Next,  a denim jacket adds a pop of color and texture to break up the neutrals. Finally, add a printed scarf that incorporates some of the colors, like purple, and in the style of Beyonce, top it off with some unique sunglasses.

What do you think?

Which celebrity’s street style look is your favorite? Which outfit would you be most likely to wear? Leave a comment and let us know!

Posted on on April 9, 2012 / Filed Under: Inspiration / Tags: Beyonce, Celebrity Fashion, Celebrity Inspiration, Celebrity Street Style, Celebs, Miranda Kerr, Rosie Fortescue, Street Style

College Fashion

3.45 / 5 Stars | 10 Reviews

by RINGONIAN

“The nutty smell of the sesame oil permeates the kitchen as these burgers are frying. While not authentically Asian, the taste distinctly hints at the flavors of the East. I created this recipe when I accidentally thawed out ground beef instead of chicken breast. Naturally, burgers were the quickest and easiest option.”

View Complete Recipe Details and Reviews
Allrecipes Daily Recipes for Quick and Easy

Written by Ashley – Emerson College

You might notice a change of scenery in this week’s Real-Life Style Challenge. When I was planning out which challenge to try next, I realized it would fall exactly during my Spring Break. I asked myself how I could do an adequate challenge with a small suitcase. Packing itself is enough of a struggle without having to make sure you’ll have interesting outfits to share!

The Challenge:

So while packing for break, I came up with the 6 for 6 challenge. Similar to Kendi Everyday‘s 30 for 30 challenge and the 6 Items or Less challenge, I decided to take just 6 items of clothing home and make 6 different outfits with them to last throughout my vacation.

My six items:

1. White V-Neck Tee
2. Black Boyfriend Blazer
3. Dark Wash Skinny Jeans
4. Red Cord Skirt
5. Marbled Grey Sweater
6. Blue Sweatshirt

Note: I didn’t count tights, shoes, or miscellaneous accessories in my 6, though you certainly could if you wanted to make this stricter.

The Results:

• Monday: I kept it simple with a white tee, a boyfriend blazer and jeans.
• Tuesday: I paired a marbled gray sweater with a red cord skirt, black tights, and boots.
• Wednesday: Today I wore a white tee and black blazer with my red skirt and finished with some oxfords.
• Thursday:  Back to jeans today! I paired my skinnies with my marbled sweater and boyfriend blazer.
• Friday: Using an item I packed on a whim, I matched my red cord skirt with a blue sweatshirt. (Aw, Snoopy!)
• Saturday: Today was a travel day so I didn’t manage to snap a photo! But for the 6th outfit, I wore my marbled sweater and boyfriend blazer with my red skirt.

What I Learned:

I found two parts of this challenge especially difficult: deciding what to bring home and sticking to bringing just 6 items. Once I had made my choices, though, creating outfits was a snap.

Here’s how I decided on my items: I started with basic pieces I knew I could match with many different things, which meant my skinny jeans, white tee, boyfriend blazer, and cord skirt. Then, because I knew my break would be spent lazing around my home, I added comfortable items, leading me to include the sweater and sweatshirt. Really, it all depends on your needs!

A few more tips I picked up from this challenge:

• Since this covers a short span of time, you can easily anticipate what you’re going to be doing that week. So don’t include a ball gown if you know you’re not going to use it! Be realistic about what you’ll actually want to wear.
• I decided not to count shoes as I was bringing my boots home to leave them there. But if you’re doing this challenge just because, try counting shoes and accessories and see how creative you can get!
• Remember that sometimes it won’t always work. Sometimes you can see more combinations of things in your head than there really are. (This can also happen in reverse, though!) So don’t feel bad about repeating outfits. This challenge is all about maximizing your wardrobe as much as you can, and it’s meant to be a learning experience.

What do you think?

How do you solve your packing woes? Do you have certain items you can wear with nearly everything? If so, which items would YOU choose for your six? And in case you want to play along with me, a little preview: Next week, I’ll be mixing prints!

Posted on on March 21, 2012 / Filed Under: Fashion Tips / Tags: Spring Break, Style Challenge

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