Finding Your Personal Style

by Angela Vereen
Having style is about more than just putting on designer couture and following celebrity trends. To have great style is to be creative and innovative. Fashion is the painter’s brush and style is the portrait. Your style is your own personal expression of the things that make you, you. The most important thing is to maintain certain individuality if you plan on standing out.

I like to think my personal style was inherited: my mother was known for her unique style and love for fashion. I’ve always loved beautiful fabrics and prints, and when I style, I like to fit “awkward” into “sophistication.” I pull inspiration from everything; from the fashion of the classy Medici family to designers Ralph Lauren and YSL. Style is my way of life. It’s what I wake up to in the morning; it is me, and I am it.

So how can you develop your personal style? Set yourself apart from the masses and be savvy about what makes you crazy, sexy, cool. In your spare time, spend a day at the library and pay special attention to how the books are organized — most of the time, they’re not color order. Looking at this is a great way to learn about color scheme and what odd colors actually go together.

Keep this blog flowing and tell us about your personal style!

It's Time To Free Your Toes

by Amanda Falzon
Lately the weather here in New York has been beautiful. It’s been 70 degrees every day for the past two weeks. The temperature has almost hit 80 degrees! I definitely broke out the sandals and flip-flops already and refuse to wear anything else since I’ve gotten a pedicure. But being a New Yorker, born and raised, I know how crazy the weather can be, so throwing my very outdated (but very warm) Uggs back in the closet for storage is a decision that can’t be taken too lightly. But, I’ve put them away. I’m addicted to the warm weather now and my feet feel free. Unfortunately, though, I can’t say the same for others.
Recently while walking around my college campus I’ve noticed a fashion "don’t": short-shorts paired with Uggs. Now, I am all for keeping my toes warm, but I am not okay with furry boots and denim shorts. It doesn’t look cute, and it’s the end of APRIL! I’ve asked my friends what they think of this, and even they agree it is a ridiculous fashion statement and, for some of them, a pet peeve. So, girls, pack those boots away, go get your toes done at the nail salon, and check out the cute gladiator flats and sandals for this spring and summer. I just bought a pair of gold gladiator flats from H&M for less than $30!

Tell me what you think of this look: Are Uggs and denim short-shorts a fashion "do" or a fashion "don’t," especially for this time of the year?

Little Black Leggings

Like the little black dress before it, black leggings have become a true wardrobe staple. This season designers are giving a fresh look to these classic pants and I'm obsessed with these:

Kova & T
Break out your inner wild child with Kova & T’s Oxy leggings. 80% nylon 20% spandex, these elastic waistband leggings with cut out heals add the right amount of Alice Cooper edge to any outfit. Throw on these latex like leggings by creators Dasha Zhukova and Christina Tang and be ready to rock and roll.

LnA
After California girls Lauren Alexander and April Leight made the perfect t-shirts which leave devotees of the brand with few reasons to change, they decided to tackle the cult obsession that is leggings. With a satin like finish, LnA’s nylon and spandex leggings come with super cool banded zipper accents in your choice of seventeen different colors. Whether you have a date with your crush or a day of shopping with friends, you can’t go wrong when you go LnA..

American Apparel
Go-to legging center, American Apparel has the best in metallic leggings for the more daring of fashionistas. Available also in high-waisted cuts, those who wear them are guaranteed to sparkle. Straight from the company that knows basics best, choose shimmery leggings from an assortment of fun glittery colors.

I pair leggings with flowy blouses with bows, military jackets, or simple tees. Right now I’m rocking in latex leggings, how do you wear them?

The Thrill of the Hunt: Surviving Sale Season

by Drew Taylor
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – and no, I’m not talking about the holidays – summer sale season is upon us once again! Living in New York last summer, I found myself overwhelmed by all the amazing deals – and so did my Dad, when he noticed my dwindling bank balance. Luckily I’ve learned a thing or two to help me navigate through that shiny array of clearance racks. Here are my three top tips for super-shopping:

1. Before you shop the store, shop your closet. Take stock of everything in your wardrobe before you hit the sales. If you’ve got 25 pairs of ballet flats, maybe you don’t really need another – unless of course they’re Lanvin, the last pair in your size, and 75% off. In which case, you have my blessing (and complete envy).

2. Follow the 24-hour rule. If you’re ever on the fence about an item, leave it. If you’re still thinking about it the next day, wishing you had bought it, you can always go back and snag it. Which leads me to my final rule…

3. Only buy what you really, truly, love. It can be really easy to get sucked into buying something just because it’s a great price. But that discounted designer jacket isn’t such a bargain if it doesn’t fit well, or if you don’t feel amazing when you put it on. If you’re never going to wear it, it’s just taking up prime real estate in your closet where pieces you actually do love could go. A well-stocked wardrobe is based on quality, not quantity!

Happy bargain-hunting,

PINK's Party for the New Collegiate Collection!

Everyone likes to flaunt their college pride, but the boring clothing options in the campus bookstore make plenty of coeds wonder if it’s worth the money. But now, thanks to Victoria’s Secret PINK, you can look cute and stylish white rooting for your school at the football game (or even studying at the library).

The lovable loungewear line is launching a new Collegiate Collection of tees, sweats, totes, and more, all rocking real logos and mascots from 33 different schools. So, whether you’re chilling out in your dorm, playing Frisbee in the quad, or cramming for finals, you can be comfy and fashionable.

To celebrate the new clothes, PINK is hosting the first-ever Pinkapalooza at Santa Monica Pier on July 17. The festivities will be hosted by model Behati Prinsloo and will include a live performance by Fall Out Boy! Also, the first 3,000 guests to show up will enjoy free rides and games. You can pick up your party pass at a participating Victoria’s Secret Store or print it from the Website, and it’s totally free! Doors open at 5 p.m., and FOB hits the stage at 9.

To see if your school has teamed up with Victoria’s Secret, check out the Website.

What do you think about PINK’s new collection? Are you going to the concert? We want to know!

Tips for Buying a Bra

1. Molded cups shape you without padding overkill.
2. Buy a bra that fits on the loosest hook. After you’ve worn it a few months and the band begins to lose its elasticity, you can still retain support by tightening it to the second or third hook.
3. Make sure it fits: For about four years after you get your first period, your breasts will grow, so measure your bra size at least once a year. The wrong fit can lead to back and shoulder strain.
4. Four signs a bra doesn’t fit: a) You’re bulging out of the cups; b) the straps slip off your shoulders; c) it leaves marks; d) it rides up in the back.
5. Ask for a professional fitting. You may think you know your size, but asking an expert can ensure you will get perfect support.

For Big-Chested Girls:
1. For extra support, go for thicker straps.
2. A three-hook back supports a large bust.
3. Stay away from demi-cups. Full-coverage designs are better for keeping you perky and in place.

For Small-Chested Girls:
1. Try a bra with removal pads, so you can adjust your cleavage depending on your outfit.
2. Check out bras without underwire cups — if you don’t need it, it’s usually more comfortable to go without.

Now that you know how to pick the perfect bra.

Fashion Steal of the Month: Cute $20 Jeans!

by Marissa
One of the best parts about my job is finding amazing deals that I get to share with Seventeen readers. When I see something great on a market appointment I can't wait to tell everyone about it. Hence my excitement on a recent l.e.i. jeans appointment when I found out that they were only $20! Yup, that’s $20 for totally adorable, non-fussy, clean and classic jeans.

Oh, and did I mention Taylor Swift was at the l.e.i appointment? I got her chatting about her favorite jeans on my Flip video camera! That part of my job is fun too of course. I asked her the all-important question, which leg style she preferred- skinny, bootcut, or wide-leg. See her reply in the video below. We also asked Seventeen readers what style jeans were your favorite and out of 3283 readers: 51% liked skinny leg, 37% favored bootcut and 12% were into the wide-leg style. I say, for $20 why not buy all three?

Below are three great styles from l.e.i. available at Wal-Mart stores and at walmart.com. We love the skinnies with ballet flats (like Taylor), the wide leg dressed up with platforms and the bootcut for everyday with your favorite sneakers. What jeans do you like and what will you be wearing them with?