Monday, September 23, 2013

Film Inspired Fashion

There are a handful of movies that have inspired many great fashionistas, but Pretty in Pink, Dazed and Confused, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s are a few of my favorite classics.

Pretty in Pink
Andie wears soft floral patterns and silly hats, which shows her fun girly side. Her prom dress might have been the best choice, but we all make mistakes. 






Dazed and Confused 

The senior girls of Lee High School have the high-waisted denim down to an art.  Milla Jovovich's character sported a trendy fringed vest that would fit right in with today’s bohemian style. 



Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Audrey Hepburn is a known style icon for a reason, which the Givenchy black dress she wore in Breakfast at Tiffany‘s had much to do with. Holly Golightly is a timeless beauty that every woman dreams to be.



Photo Cred: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/08/08/best-fashion-movies_n_1753270.html

Functional Fashion

Looking good when you hit the town is important and all, but what about when you hit the gym? You have to keep your body in check to look good in all of your new outfits, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be fashionable doing it!  Get rid of the big baggy shorts, and find the perfect pair of yogas.  Working at an athletic apparel store for a few years has made me quite partial to Nike, but if you’re not looking for that type of price tag, stores like Gordmans and TJ Maxx all carry identical pieces for much lower prices.

I suggest keeping your bright colors on the top half.  Plain loose tank tops are a fun and comfy way to show off a bold patterned sports bra without accentuating your tummy area that always seems to need more work.






If you already have that solid six pack, rock a bold racer back tank.  There are an endless amount of patterns and colors to choose from, but black is also a flattering choice if you don’t think you’re completely ready to show it all off.  






No matter the season, you won’t regret splurging on the right pair of yoga pants.  The most versatile choice would be a pair of long capris; which you can wear with a tank top in the heat or under a pair of wool socks and boots in the cold.  Black is always the easiest to wear; it generally matches everything and it’s very slimming, but there are a lot of fun patterns to choose from if you have the confidence.





Photo Cred:
http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/pd/dri-fit-touch-breeze-running-tank-top/pid-724285/pgid-771655

DIY: Printed Pants

This year, printed pants are all the rage.  If you can’t afford to scour the department store racks, just make your own.  Typically, white would be the best choice, but if you have a pair of pastel pants or even light denim, you can completely transform them within a few minutes with just a few dollars. 

What You’ll Need:
1. Pair of pants
2. Fabric paint
3. Sponge
4. Stencil
5. X-acto knife or scissors

First Step:
Download or buy a stencil (floral would be my first choice).  Trace or print your stencil on a piece of cardstock, regular paper won’t be able to hold the thick fabric paint.  Use an x-acto knife or scissors to cut out the stencil (be careful not to cut off important pieces of your stencil).




Second Step:
Lay your jeans flat (I suggest putting a piece of cardboard or newspaper in the leg of the pants to prevent any paint from leaking through).  Decide how you’d like to place the stencil on your pants, and be sure to keep it in the same direction so you don’t mess up the pattern.




Third Step:
Pour some paint into a small bowl (don’t use too much so it won’t dry out).  Test your paint on the stencil or an extra piece of fabric, so you know what it will look like before you paint your jeans.


Fourth Step:
Place the stencil on your pants, and hold it in place while you fill in the stencil with the sponge.  As you use the sponge, it will begin to fade which can create a cool ombre effect.  I suggest not trying to keep the sponge completely full, because the thicker the paint, the stiffer it will dry.



Fifth Step:
As you wait for your jeans to dry, carefully wipe the extra paint from the stencil and set it out to dry.  Once the front of your pants are dry, turn them over and repeat steps 2-4. 

Sixth Step:
After you’ve covered both sides, wait about 72 hours before you wear or wash the pants.  Before you wash them, turn them inside out to keep them from fading.

Seventh Step:
Wear your pants in front of all of your friends and show off how talented you are! 

Photo Cred:  http://www.trinketsinbloom.com/diy-fashion-projects/




Monday, September 16, 2013

Versatile Fall Must-Haves

Although I'm sure we'd all love to have a never-ending wardrobe like the most stylish celebs, trying to renew your closet every season is expensive!  Through my strenuous research via online shopping, I've put together a few pieces that are perfect for any situation.


Flat Boot-
Whether you're going to a Saturday football game for a day of tailgating and pigging out, or the ritual date night with your main squeeze, a girl can't go wrong with a pair of flat boots. Pairing your shoes with some chunky wool socks and a pair of leggings is an easy way to warm up an outfit. Personally, I prefer an edgy pair of combat boots, but classic knee-high leather boots can also be worn in almost any situation. No matter the occassion, a pair of boots can be dressed up or down by mixing warm or flashy textures.


Simple Dress-
Delicate and girly prints or funky vintage patterns?  Any basic dress can be transformed from day to night with proper accessorizing.  Turning your most comfy sundress into a fashionable fall outfit is a piece of cake.  Solid colors are always acceptable, but I've found it's easier to spice things up more than once when you're working with a few different colors; floral prints and zig-zag stripes are usually flattering options.  Pastels are my go-to choice when I'm shopping for a practical outfit; if you're feeling bold, you can throw on some chunky jewelry and a biker jacket.  Channeling your softer side?  Wrap up in an over-sized cardigan and a pair of loafers.  Black tights, both slimming and chic, are another quick and cheap fix for the up-coming cooler temperatures.  The end of summer doesn't mean you have to stop showing of those lean legs!

 

 



Skinnies-
When you're going for a little more functionality than a flirty dress, finding a pair of skinnies that fit like a glove is vital.  In the past, jeans weren't always a suitable choice, but today, denim is definitely in.  With a variety of washes, shoppers have plenty of options when it comes to shades, but the safest route would be something dark and basic.  Although they're just jeans, a dark wash paired with a flashy top or a pair of heels creates a young, classy look that could be worn almost anywhere.  If you're anything like me, denim doesn't always do it.  Thank goodness cords have made a come back! The texture of corduroy creates a warmer look that can either be dressed up or down with a neutral blazer or metallic flats.



Jacket-
If you're not ready to pack away your favorite tanks, but it's too cold to go sleeveless, layer up!  From shopping downtown to catching a late night cocktail hour, the right jacket can completely alter any summer top.  Hands down, a leather jacket is a must.  Whether you're wearing a dress, skirt, or jeans, a simple leather jacket will be perfect.  Jet black is classic, but if you prefer more natural tones, I suggest a light tan jacket.  There's no written law, but in my book, mixing brown and black should never happen.  In my experience, it's difficult to match the right boots with a dark brown top; a light tan jacket on the other hand can be worn with black and also matches any shade of brown.
Another style a little more subtle is a neutral colored blazer.  Black, tan, or navy are all easy-to-match options.  Blazers can create a very sophisticated look when paired with a dress or fitted pants, but they can also be worn over a long maxi-skirt or jeans for a more casual, preppy style.




Accessories-
Plenty of people have versatile pieces in their wardrobe, but no one wants to go out in the same clothes every weekend.  Keeping your style fresh on a budget is a no problem when you know how to accessorize.  Charming Charlie's has an overwhelming array of jewelry, bags, and scarves for ridiculously low prices.  Southern Cali styles are taking over and the grungy/punk 80's and 90's look is back; so for my fellow hipsters, spikes are where it's at!  Mixing little metallic spikes with braids and chunky chained bracelets creates and edgy look without being "too much."  If spikes aren't your thing, a light-weight infinity scarf can really stand out against what you might consider an old plain outfit.


Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Introduction

8202013

Greetings, classmates!

My name is Sydney, and I commute every day from the beautiful town of Lawrence, Kansas. Rockchalk! Outside of school, I absolutely love to either play or watch basketball.  Being active is really important to me, which is why I consider the recreation center my second home.  Driving back and forth between school and work keeps me pretty busy, but I make an effort to keep up with all of my girl friends, spend time with my family, read books, catch the latest comedies while they’re still in theaters, and responsibly hit the town now that I’m finally 21!

I’m now in my fourth year, but I just switched my major from physical therapy to mass media (a little late, I know).  Although it’s only the first week, I’m loving my decision, those science labs were way too gloomy for this girl’s personality.  I’m going into Public Relations with the hopes of finding a job out on the West coast, or anywhere but Kansas.  Working with athletes or designers as a publicist would be my ultimate dream job.  Physical therapy is a wonderful and rewarding major, but I’ve come to realize that I want a job that allows me to really express my creative and outgoing personality.  Interacting with others is so entertaining to me because we all have our own little quirks, and I love to see/make people laugh or smile.