Outfits of the Week #2

This past week was a little bit warmer, so I can show you my all-time go-to outfit of skinny jeans, a basic t-shirt, and a cardigan. This coming week is going to be much colder though, so I'll be breaking out my warm sweaters and fleece-lined leggings once again.
I only have a few outfits (my best ones of the week, haha) because this post would be a lot longer if I had photos from every day.



T-shirt: Target
Cardigan: Urban Behaviour
Tank top: Urban Behaviour
Jeans: American Eagle
Necklace: Garage

This is as basic as my outfit gets. When I have no idea whatsoever what to wear, I can always revert back to the jeans-tee-cardigan uniform. I have way too many plain t-shirts and cardigans to count, so the options are endless!

I also added this really pretty jewelled necklace to complete the outfit. I've been into necklaces lately, short, long, gold, silver, you name it. I remember buying this necklace ages ago- it came with another strand that had a key on it, and I didn't like that so I used tiny pliers to remove it (random side note...).

Top: Eddie Bauer (recent!)
Tank top: Garage
Jeans: American Eagle
Bracelet: gift

My next outfit isn't much different; I just substituted the cardigan for a long sleeved top. I got this top for Christmas and I absolutely love it- it's a waffle knit, so it's warmer than a regular shirt.

 

I got a close-up of the lace detailing on the top because it's so pretty! I love lace, as you probably already know. I usually find that thermal tops can look a little pyjama-y, but the lace definitely moves this top out of that zone!

Top: Eclipse (recent!)
Tank Top: Urban Behaviour
Jeans: Tommy Hilfiger
Bracelet: Forever 21 (recent!)

This next outfit is a little bit different than what I would normally wear, but my New Year's Resolutions included wanting to wear more patterns, so that's where this top comes in! I also like to dress up more than usual when I go to teach flute. I'm not a big fan of stripes, but the diagonal ones on this top are much more flattering than plain horizontal.

I have to do a little rant about these jeans though. I thought they were pretty nice the first few times I wore them (I got them in the summer), but now I find them really baggy, but still hard to take off (skinny jeans problems right here...). And then I looked at the tag- they are 99% cotton. So my advice: always buy jeans with a bit of spandex- it makes a difference!

And once again, I had to make the outfit girly with pearls. I was surprised at the quality of this bracelet, considering it was $6.50- it came in a set with two others.

So those are some of the outfits I wore this week! I have so many more ideas for posts, so until my next one, stay stylish!

"Chic Easy Pieces"

"Chic Easy Pieces" by mariathefashionista featuring twill pants

Blazer
$65 - mexx.de

Jane Norman twill pants
$38 - janenorman.co.uk

Rupert sanderson
rupertsanderson.com

Forever new
$42 - forevernew.com.au

Pendant jewelry
modcloth.com

I LOVE THIS DYNAMITE PRODUCT!
dynamite.ca

Wishing for Spring

Wishing for Spring by mariathefashionista featuring a chain necklace

Forever New sheer tank
$52 - forevernew.com.au

H M biker jacket
$46 - hm.com

Paige Denim black jeans
$285 - the-dressingroom.com

CAFèNOIR heel boots
yoox.com

Urban Expressions cross body handbag
dsw.com

Betsey Johnson chain necklace
zappos.com

Basic Grey 12X12 Paper Soleil Collection Pomelo
franticstamper.com

New York Chic?

New York Chic? by mariathefashionista featuring platform boots

Forever new
$63 - forevernew.com.au

Oasis black jeans
$60 - oasis-stores.com

CAFèNOIR platform boots
yoox.com

Messenger handbag
banggood.com

Betsey Johnson chain necklace
zappos.com

Tulle clothing
modcloth.com

Percy & Reed Volume Shampoo
asos.com

Squirrell Splash
inprnt.com

New York City Buildings Laser Die Cut
scrapyourtrip.com

Winter Frost Layered Chipboard Words
scrapyourtrip.com

The Power of a Makeover

I originally had the idea to do this post about a month ago, when there was a Glee episode about makeovers, and how they can change your life. Well, maybe that's stretching it a little, but haven't you ever felt like a different person the first time you, for instance, wore a newly purchased outfit?  I know I have. I know people say that it's really what's on the inside that counts, but it does help if your outside appearance matches how you feel on the inside.
In the episode, Rachel Berry needed to update her preppy high school style to a chic New York one, because  her attitude had already changed (did you notice that? Maybe it's just me, but she definitely isn't as self-centered as she was in previous seasons). Sam Evans had to step his style up a notch to be vice-president candidate material (though he ended up taking his shirt off anyways...), and Brittany S. Pierce just wanted everyone to take her seriously for a change (though I think she went a little overboard with the whole no weekends thing).
This is about as far as I got with the blog post when I first started it. But then I got another idea during a recent trip to the mall that mainly builds on Rachel Berry's makeover- a style shift from high school to University. I've noticed it all around campus- people are, in general, really well dressed! I know I've taken my style up a notch, moving from jeans and logo t-shirts to skirts, dresses, blouses, and cute shoes. Sure there are always those yoga pant days, and of course showing up to exams in sweats, but in between there's plenty of time to experiment with different fashion trends and make a ton of stylish new outfits!
If you want to update your style but are unsure of how to proceed, here are some easy ways to spruce up your outfits:
1. Add a scarf! Scarves instantly dress up a plain t-shirt and jeans, and dress down a preppy white blouse. There are so many different ways to wear scarves, and they come in every colour of the rainbow, not to mention a variety of different fabrics, sizes, and patterns.
2. Accessorize! Add a belt to a blousy tee, a necklace to a plain shirt, a headband, bracelets, you name it!  The right accessories can take an outfit from boring to stylish in seconds! (that sounded so cliche...)
3. Invest in a few pairs of good shoes- flats for warm days or if you're wearing a skirt or dress with tights; ankle boots to tuck into skinny jeans, and knee high boots to add an edge to your outfits in the winter.
My last few outfits on Polyvore have been in the area of typical University student outfits, and I have many more to come. Until then, stay stylish!

Leopard Print Scarf!

Leopard Print Scarf! by mariathefashionista featuring a ribbed tee

Ribbed tee
topshop.com

A L C zip jacket
marissacollections.com

Acne leather skinny jeans
my-wardrobe.com

Acne high heel boots
$575 - seasonsclothing.co.uk

Scarve
ebay.com