No Sweats!

by Amanda Falzon
I recently just got back from a two week European vacation in Italy and Malta. It was definitely a culture shock being away from home for that long, even though I have friends who have been abroad for whole semesters. The food is fresher, the people were very friendly, and the fashion was awesome.

In Florence, I got to go to the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum! I had the time of my life. One thing I noticed though, and I noticed this when I was abroad in Paris back in March, no one wears sweats when they are outside. The style of dress is still very artsy and creative.

Women wear jeans but always dress them up with cute heels and a dressy top or they wear skirts and dresses. I even saw women riding their Vespas to work in heels! Men wear jeans with dress shoes, a nice button down, and a blazer. This was how they normally dressed. I was very impressed with the fact that the people put so much effort into how they looked during the day and it’s not just that they are trying to impress anybody with how well they dress, it’s just a way of life. I personally love to get dressed up and do it every chance I get, so while I was abroad I left the sweat pants back in the States. The picture above is of my sister Laura and I at the Ponte Vecchio in Florence.

So girls tell me what you think of this lifestyle? If you had the chance to dress up everyday and didn’t need a special occasion to do it, would you? Tell me what you think.

Clothing Confidence

by Whitney Portnoy
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not very adventurous when it comes to the clothes I wear. Sure, I like reading about fashion, and I like shopping (occasionally) but as much as I liked all those cute dresses and trendy tops, I never really wanted to wear them on a day-to-day basis. Isn’t it easier to wear jeans and sneakers? I’m much more comfortable that way, so why go through all the hassle of dressing up if I’m just spending the day running errands?

I started working at a clothing store last month. I applied there because I loved their clothes, and even had a few things from the store, but I didn’t wear some of the things I had on a regular basis because I was worried they were too “dressy” to be in my everyday rotation. All the skirts I liked to wear were pretty basic, and I didn’t feel like getting that dolled up just to go to class.

That changed pretty quickly once I started working there! Not only do we get a great discount, but I’ve noticed that I’m picking up a lot of style tips from the people I work with. I really like a lot of the clothes we carry, and I figure that if everyone else can wear a cute dress or dress up a great top and a pair of jeans with some accessories (one of the little lessons I’ve learned) without needing a special occasion to, then why can’t I? I’ve had a lot of fun mixing and matching different pieces, and seeing how I can make my cute-but-still-casual style work with the clothes in the store.

In the end, I think it all comes down to trusting yourself. Your own personal style can be anything you want, and you can pull off any look as long as you wear that dress and those brightly colored shoes with a little bit of confidence.

So tell me, what’s your favorite style?

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,

The "Gossip" About Fall Fashion

by Katie Amey
I will admit, upon moving to New York for my internship, I have become much more fashion conscious. Although I have always enjoyed combing the fashion mags to find inspirations for my wardrobe but I have definitely developed a case of "label worship" being out here in the big city.

Last night, my roommate pointed out to me that Gossip Girl was on the front page of the New York Times – not for ratings or character scandals, but for fashion. Now, I watched the show religiously this school year, but I never actually thought that teenage girls went out and bought the $3,000 leather bags toted around by the show’s lead actresses. However, this article in the Times claims the opposite. Apparently, once an article appears on the show, hunting it down in stores is harder than finding a needle in a haystack.

While I expected that girls would inspire to replicate the looks of Serena and Blair, I also expected that they would recreate these looks with basic cheap and chic pieces from retail giants like Urban Outfitters or Forever 21. I mean, as gorgeous as haute couture clothing is, it’s expensive! (I know that I definitely cannot afford it on a student’s budget!)

I will admit, however, that this summer, I have spent more than a small amount of clothing (sample sales, anyone?) so the more I thought about it, the more I believed that teenage girls really might run out to pick up that designer piece after hearing a GG character claim, "Do you like my new Nanette Lepore?"

According to this article, fashion retailers are expecting a run on argyle sweaters, knee socks and high boots for fall. Some fall designer collections are also expected to bear a Gossip Girl influence: a preppy, ritzy, collegiate look. So, if you want to score the Gossip Girl looks before they begin flying off the shelves, I suggest you head out now!

What’s your favorite Gossip Girl-inspired look? Have you ever gone out and purchased the original designer piece or do you prefer to use the cast for inspiration to piece together more affordable looks?
And just for fun, what has been your biggest splurge? (Mine was a Miu Miu purse that I received as a high school graduation present!

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.