shop your closet

January 6, 2011

Shop Your Closet: Shawl-Collar Sweater (CollegeCandy Guest Post)

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If you made a New Year’s Resolution to wear sweatpants less, it’s time to start finding alternatives that are just as easy to wear and comfortable. Not possible, you say? Well listen up, woman! That cozy, warm, comfy feeling you get with sweats can be mimicked with a warm sweater, such as a shawl-collared pullover. It’s versatile, soft, warm, but still looks cute. And if you know how to make it work in advance, putting together a cute look with a sweater and various other wardrobe staples can be even easier than throwing on a pair of oversized sweats. Yes, it’s true.

Outfit 1:

Deets: Sweater, Jeans, Boots, Hat, Jacket.

A simple alternative to wearing sloppy sweats is skinny jeans and a shawl-collar sweater. Adding your go-to boots (I’m talking leather boots, NOT sloppy winter boots) keeps the look warm and toasty for winter, while still looking sleek. (And if it’s extra cold you can always add super-thick socks underneath!) If you’re trekking in the snow, a jacket and a hat are the finishing touches to brave the cold in a “I can keep this stuff on and still look cute” sorta way… and maybe live up to New Year’s Resolution 2: Go to class.

Click here to read the rest of this article at CollegeCandy!

December 3, 2010

Shop Your Closet: Strapless Dress

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From our friends at CollegeCandy:

[When moving into either a dorm or an off-campus apartment, your wardrobe will face two major challenges: 1. A major lack of funding (to add more to it), and 2. A major lack of storage space (for all the crap you’ve got). For these two reasons, maximizing what you already own becomes essential. That’s why you need to learn to Shop Your Closet. Each week, I’ll show you how to wear 1 item 3 ways – with the stuff you most likely already own! – to get the most out of your purchases.]

I’m a huge fan of dresses. They’re feminine, comfortable and instantly make you dressed up, even if you just rolled out of bed. But despite my dress devotion, the colder it gets outside, the less inclined I am to actually wear one. Or at least, that’s how it used to be. Since I learned the art of layering, suddenly almost everything (chunky sweaters are the exception – there’s no way those can be worn in the middle of summer) in my wardrobe can be worn through all four seasons.

Especially the strapless dress.

It’s one of the easiest, most versatile dress styles to layer. Because you don’t have to worry about the awkward layering of different necklines, it’s easy to toss a shirt underneath. And like every other dress in your closet, throwing a cardigan or blazer over top is quick and chic. The other thing I like is that a lot of strapless dresses have more structure to them (in order to hold them up!) which means you can still show off your figure despite being completely covered up and cozy.

Outfit 1:

Dress, Long Sleeve, Scarf, Textured Tights, Boots.

This look is pretty basic, but still way cuter than your traditional jeans and tee. Put on a long sleeve tee and tights (you could also wear a thicker legging) underneath your dress to winterize the look. Then put on your everyday boots (if it’s really cold, add a pair of knee-high socks; they can either peek out of your boots or not). Top with a bright scarf for a pop of color. Instantly chic and easily adjusted depending on the temperature outside. Added bonus of this look – since you have a long sleeve tee on, no need for a strapless bra!

Click here to see the other two options at CollegeCandy!

November 19, 2010

Shop Your Closet: Black Cardigan (CollegeCandy Guest Post)

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[When moving into either a dorm or an off-campus apartment, your wardrobe will face two major challenges: 1. A major lack of funding (to add more to it), and 2. A major lack of storage space (for all the crap you’ve got). For these two reasons, maximizing what you already own becomes essential. That’s why you need to learn to Shop Your Closet. Each week, I’ll show you how to wear 1 item 3 ways – with the stuff you most likely already own! – to get the most out of your purchases.]

One thing I’m sure you everyone owns is a black cardigan. It’s definitely an essential item for the college girl – it goes with anything, is easy to wear, is perfect for layering when going from a cold classroom to a steamy library, and doesn’t show the dirt that’s accumulated since your last laundry day….3 weeks ago.

As it gets closer to Thanksgiving you might be putting off laundry, in hopes that your parents will help you with the garbage bag full of dirty clothes you bring home. The longer you put off that trip to the laundry room, though, the harder it is to get dressed. Luckily, your black cardigan will help fill in the gaps between now and hooray-mom’s-doing-my-laundry day (or even now and next spring!), and I’ve got three outfits to help you get up, get dressed and get out of your room in style.

Thank you, god of black cardigans!

Outfit 1: With Basics

Cardigan, Tee, Jeans, Boots, Scarf

No matter how high the laundry pile gets, you can probably find at least one t-shirt that is clean (enter: smell test). Toss on a t-shirt, a pair of jeans and your everyday boots with your cardigan and you’re all ready to head out. Add personality to this casual look by adding a scarf or statement necklace into the mix.

Click here to read the rest of this post at College Candy