Stay Classy

With summer quickly approaching, it's hard to stay focused on finishing school. Endless days of sunshine and warm temperatures while we have to stay inside finishing projects and studying for exams. The worst is when the air conditioning decides to break on what seems to be the hottest day of the year. What happens then? Two words for you: trashy fashion.
Tube tops, short shorts, low necklines, see-through tops, I've seen it all. Next someone will show up in a bikini. It's not stylish fashionistas. I know it's hot, but there are other ways to keep cool besides showing all. To beat the heat, here are some outfit ideas to get you through the hot weather.

This first outfit shows a nice length for shorts; not too short, and not long enough to be called bermudas. The top is nice and loose, which is what you need on a super hot day. Tight, spandex tops just stick as the day becomes hotter, so cotton is definitely the way to go. And if you have to wear a v-neck or revealing top, wear a cami underneath that's also lightweight. 


The outfit below shows a nice way to wear a tank top or cami. Just pair it with a lightweight cardigan, either long-sleeved or short- sleeved. We don't want to see your bra straps! Again, the skirt comes to mid-thigh, which is not too long or short.


Footwear I have no problem with. Flip flops, sandals, cute flats, wedges...I love shoes. Shoes. Shoes. Shoes. Let's get some shoes. That video is hilarious. I will post it.

I think that's all, really. No revealing bra straps, low-cut tops, too short skirts, dresses, or skirts...yep, that's it. Don't worry. Summer vacation will come before you know it and then you can wear whatever you want. Until then, stay classy, not trashy. :)

British Fashion Part 3

Combining the essence of British style with a new summer trend comes bold sophisticate. The British not only dress sophisticated and put together, they also walk like they know it. A new trend this summer is colour-blocking, which includes clothing with different colours that are not arranged in stripes. You could take this trend one step further and pair together colours that would normally clash, such as purple and orange, in tailored pieces that fit the British style.

Above: welcoming spring and summer with bright colour combinations and bold accessories.

Can these all these three trends be mixed together? Of course they can (in moderation)! The picture on the right shows brightly-coloured shorts paired with a loose-fitting top and floral flats.

As a concluding note, British fashion is always a step ahead, sporting floral prints, bright colours, and loose-fitting tops all in a sophisticated way this summer. Planning your next vacation to England? Now you can fit right in with these top trends of the season.

All photos made on

www.polyvore.com

www.looklet.com.

British Fashion Part 2

Another trend across the ocean is loose and flowing clothing. This includes tops, tunics, skirts, and dresses. If you're feeling brave enough you can also go for wide-legged pants or trouser jeans. This trend is seen more in street style than on the runways or in the magazines.


This style segues into a top summer trend this year: boho pieces and more specifically, tribal prints. Style tip: pair one piece of loose clothing with something more fitted, like leggings, skinny jeans, or a belt to cinch your waist. You don't want to look like your clothes swallowed you. (See ideas below.)

Above: Still in the area of loose, flowing clothes are maxi dresses. I saw many people wearing these in Harrogate.

British Fashion Part 1

On a recent trip to England, I discovered a whole new world of fashion. Not only are the British extremely stylish, but they have such poise and elegance sporting their new looks. They even take the basic jeans and t-shirt up a notch. I bet they would even look good in sweatpants (not that they wear them). Over the next few posts I will be sharing with you a few trends and outfit ideas straight from the streets of Harrogate and London.

Right: From flirty dresses to dainty earrings, nothing says spring like floral patterns. What better way to welcome spring after a long, cold winter than to wear it?

Here are two ideas of how to incorporate floral into your wardrobe. Stick to one floral piece in your outfit: for example, if you have a floral skirt, pair it with a neutral-coloured top.

I'm sure you've seen them everywhere, especially since Will & Kate tied the knot a month ago: those crazy British hats. The more headpiece-style ones are called fascinators (such as the one Kate Middleton is wearing, right), while the hats are just called, well, hats. The history behind these dates back to the 18th century, when British women tied their hair in a topknot and paired it with flowers, feather, jewels, and ribbons clipped in. The styles have obviously changed since then, British women now sporting elegant hats, clips, and fascinators on special occasions.

The Fashionista is going to England!

Yes, you read it right. In exactly 10 days I will be embarking on a band trip to Great Britain!!! More specifically, the band will be participating in the 38^th Annual Harrogate International Youth Music Festival. After the festival is over, we will be heading to London to do some sightseeing and maybe catch a glimpse of the royals as they tie the knot on the 29^th.
This weekend I began the daunting task of putting together a detailed packing list. I have never gone on a trip this long, so my packing list is now a flurry of scribbles and side notes of what to bring. That was my first question: What do I pack? ; which led to other questions such as How much stuff do I really need? Which shoes? Which jeans? What do I pack where? I’m sure whenever you go on a trip you ask yourself the same questions.
First, you need to know what the weather will be like wherever you’re going so you’ll know whether to pack shorts and flip flops or a parka. Then look at how much time you’ll be spending there and what kinds of activities you have planned. On my trip when we’re not rehearsing or playing in a concert we will be sightseeing. I know it screams “tourist” but when you’re walking all day, wear comfortable shoes! I plan to. I have to admit I probably won’t be very fashionable on the trip because all the activities planned leave me with little time to sleep, let alone plan outfits. But I will, on the other hand, look and see how fashionable the British are and I will definitely be coming back with souvenirs. I’ve already started looking into shopping in London. There is an entire street just with designer stores such as Prada, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani, Ralph Lauren, and Burberry…which I will be avoiding unless I want to have no money left to eat. J Also, there is a huge department store called Harrods, as well as H&M, Topshop, and other stores I am looking forward to visiting.
Overall, I am very excited to be a part of such a great opportunity. I have been playing in my school’s band for the past four years, and I am hoping it will pay off. There will be people from all over the world participating in this festival, which means I may get a taste of style from other countries! Wish me luck and stay stylish!

Looklet

The other style website that I recently came across (also via Seventeen Magazine) is called Looklet. On this website, you can virtually dress up models in a variety of different clothes and accessories, and then you can pick a background and ‘special effect’ to complete the look. Similar to Polyvore, you can create a profile and share with other users, or look through the ‘inspiration’ pages. Each day the website also picks a ‘look of the day;’ maybe you’ll be the next fashionista! The look that I came up with here is just a simple outfit that can pretty much be worn anywhere: school, work, or a date. This website is great for playing around with style, and there are many suggestions throughout the site for inspiration.  

A Look Into My Style

I recently discovered (via Seventeen Magazine) an awesome website entitled Polyvore. On this website, you can drag and drop clothing, accessories, shoes, and makeup onto a blank area and organize each item the way you want. You can add text or other graphics onto the page as well, and you can create a profile and share your ideas with other users. I made one to reflect my feminine side; I love pinks, floral patterns, bows, and pearls. In the future, I'll make others to reflect different styles. Polyvore is definitely a website worth visiting if you're stuck on what to wear or how to piece different items together; or if you simply just want to have fun with style. Stay tuned: there is another style website that I'm loving right now and I can't wait to share!