Campus Couture

Embrace a Look this Holiday Season

2009-11-11T19:26:00.000-08:00

Black Friday is just around the corner. Pick a personal style look, and shop to do it justice. The sales will most definitely help you do that.
Let's take the prepster look for example. This style mostly entails casual blazers, cardigans, collared shirts, polos, or silk blouses, jeans, skirts, slacks or khakis, scarves, Sperry Top Siders, ballet flats or loafers, and pearls for girls.
Ladies, need visuals to help you understand it further? No problem.

This here is the Dolce Cable-Knit Sweater from J.Crew which would make for a perfect Fall/ Thanksgiving/ Christmas look. Paired with a denim collared shirt, and brown Taffeta shorts, this look is completely preppy.

This ensemble here comprises of the chevalier cardigan which goes well almost other pieces of apparel. It has been paired with beaded florence tee along with a pleated paulette top. You can wear your favorite pair of skinny jeans or the suggested stretch wool elan trouser completing another perfect prep look. (All from J.Crew)

A third and very trendy look includes the tivoli boiled wool cardigan which has been worn with watercolor leopard skirt, a simple white stretch dress shirt along with a plaid tie. Again, all from J.Crew.

The stretch wool marissa jacket, with a cashmere crewneck cardigan, and any fluid silk blouse under goes beautifully with fall.

Top any of these looks with the perfect bracelets of your choice, a scarf or a fedora. Either way, do not over do it. Keep it simple and understated, that's how you'll catch someone's eye.

It's Getting Cold Outside...

2009-11-05T19:25:00.000-08:00

Midway through fall, and almost saying hello to winter. The jackets, scarves, and Ugg boots are making their way out of peoples' closets. Walking around campus for the last couple weeks, one can notice the vast array of winter wear that's slowly making its way around. I've happened to notice a number of J.Crew trench-coats, tweed and leather jackets, and some over-sized/ rather unflattering sacks that people may call jackets.
Through the weeks of observation though, I've come to notice one distinct thing; there are the few people who dress impeccably around campus, and then there are the vast majority who probably couldn't care less of how they look in the morning.
Here are some tips to look hot and trendy this winter. If you're a frugalista, there are some great sales you can check out if Black Friday is too far away for you. Clothing companies like Forever21, Urban Outfitters, J.Crew etc. always have a sale section in their stores and on their websites for shopaholics like you and me to enjoy. Check out this double-cloth Camino coat priced at almost $300 from J.Crew now priced at $178. That's a pretty good bargain.
It can be worn both casually and formally making it an all-rounder piece of clothing.
This jacket is just one of many girls can enjoy during the season of cold.
Accessories are always great no matter where you're going or what you're doing.Here is some adorable (not to mention extremely affordable) headgear that fashionistas can rock this season.

At a mere $9.99, this Grommet Wool Beret is a steal. It'll go with pretty much any look, and actually looks a lot pricier than it is.
Enjoy it in either the jade, raspberry, or camel shades. Whichever you choose, this beret will get people asking, "Where did you get that from?"

I can go on and on about what's out there. All you have to do is develop the eye and study the looks. If it means you pick up a cosmo or study some sort of style guide so be it. The look for less is the way to go if you're not into spending big bucks.
Keep it simple, and know when to add color. For me scarves do that perfectly.

Entry 1: Skinny Jeans & Wife Beaters

2009-10-11T18:45:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Campus Couture!

It's right here where I'll share with you my thoughts on style, who has it, and who doesn't.
All you have to do is take a quick scan at the people around you. What we wear is a big part of who we are.
I may run the risk of sounding stereotypical, but ethnic and social groups at our campus definitely stand out in terms of what they wear. I've often seen Asians girls sporting hella expensive designer bags, usually Chanel, Gucci or Prada. They also happen to be the group of girls that wear high heels around the most as they click away with their smaller strides in each direction heading to either Baker, Porter, CFA, or the library, etc.
Jocks, athletes, and the "sporty" folk also have a very definitive way of dressing up. It's all about sweats, jerseys, t shirts, and footwear of choice usually tends to be sneaks, dunks, or Adidas flip flops.
Then we have the more "emo" kid who tends to sports the skinnies, hounds-tooth hoodies, and for footwear sport from a selection of vans, and/ or converses (more specifically the chuck taylor design).
Students also tend to dress in a manner that often tends to give away what school they belong to. Musical theater and the more artsy kids dress a certain way in comparison to your CS geek or business school "prepster".
As the number of entries in this blog grows so will your understanding of personal style. Each entry will focus around a particular group of people, and it would be interesting for you to go away and see if what I've said is in fact true based on observation.
At some point, I would also like to introduce all readers to a clothing line i designed, the inspiration behind it, and the amount of work and dedication that goes into putting a show together.
Enjoy this style guide, and happy reading :)