Snapchats to follow if your having serious NYFW fomo

Happy Saturday!

     As most of you know this month is at the top of its peak for Fashion Week's all around the globe. From New York to London and then to Milan's, it is clear to say that Fashion Week is in full effect. Kicking all of the madness off was New York Fashion Week (#NYFW) which began on the 7th of September. If you are like me, you are an avid follower of all of the designers and what is hitting the runway, I see you Kendall Jenner. Although unfortunately I was not invited this year (smh), I found a way to make sure I am keeping up with designers and what is going on behind the scenes, using the app Snapchat. Snapchat has grown from just being able to send and receive photos from followers to subscribing to popular magazines and channels, and now to being able to follow brands and designers, which is detrimental if you want to be up to date on the latest and greatest of NYFW. Snapchat has became so popular and has made a great influence on social media that not only can you use wear those cute and fun filters on the app but they are even seen on the runway. Spanish clothing brand Desigual featured their models with recreated Snapchat filters for their makeup (photo shown below). So anyways, I decided to follow the brands and models that were worth the follow so I can pretend I am at Fashion Week, sitting in front row next to Anna Wintour, instead of sitting on my couch...alone.

Here is your all-access pass lovelies!

(Major Key Alert *insert key emoji*)
--New York Fashion Week @nyfw
To see all of the behind the scenes from many designers, models, stylists, and shows.

Brands:

1.  Rebecca Minkoff @rebeccaminkoff

2. Alexander Wang @alexanderwang

3. Michael Kors @michaelkors

4. Stella McCartney @stellasnapping

5. VFILES @vfilesworld

6. Tibi @t.ibi

7. Louis Vuitton @louisvuitton


Models:

1. Gigi Hadid @itsgighadid

2. Bella Hadid @babybels777

3. Joan Smalls @joan_smalls

4. Romy Schonberger @romyschon

5. Emily Ratajkowski @emrata

6. Kendall Jenner @KendallJenner

7. Hailey Baldwin @Haileyisboring


Magazines:

1.  W Magazine @wmagazine

2.  Harpers Bazaar @harpersbazaarus

3. Vogue @voguemagazine

4. Elle @elleusa

5. Marie Claire @marieclairemag


Bloggers:

1. Chiara Ferragni @chiaraferragni

2. Eva Chen @TheEvaChen212

3. Negin Mirasalehi @negin_mirasalehi

4. Bryan Boy @BryanBoy

5. Helena Bordon @helenabordon

5. Nicole Warne @GaryPepperGirl


Follow these accounts and you will feel like your at NYFW! Even better, you don't have to look presentable or get up from that couch!


"Every year the women of New York leave the past behind and look forward to the future...this is known as Fashion Week"-Carrie Bradshaw

Xoxo!

Dear Fashion Journal...College Edition

September 6th, 2016

    Dear Fashion Journal....after two (long) weeks of collecting college fashion trends throughout my college campus, Missouri State University, I have finally put all of my data together to create a fashion trend journal. I must say, they're were some perks and also downsides to this challenge. Perks being I got the opportunity to learn more about the styles of those from different groups, social status, demographic, and so forth. It was also eye opening to learn more about how people follow fashion trends religiously or not at all. The downsides were managing to make sure that I am at all times focusing on those around me in order to fully create this journal, trying to make the journal full of variety, and also the amount of looks I had received from those who caught me looking them up and down while trying to record what they were wearing. This journal is made from me recording these trends for two consecutive weeks and recording how many times I have seen them, typically where I saw them, and what they were worn with! So here is what I collected!

(I put links for where the articles of clothing in the photos are from)

Girls:

1. Kendra Scott's Elisa Pendant Necklace |http://www.kendrascott.com/|

• Amount of times seen worn: 38
• Where I've seen it worn: Throughout campus, going to class, casual activities.
• Typically worn with: College T-shirts, Norts

2. Tall Gladiators: |http://www.charlotterusse.com/|

• Amount of times seen worn: 19
• Where I've seen it worn: Going out, bars, clubs, social gatherings.
• Typically worn with: Romper, crop top and skirt, mini dress.

3. Laced up tops |http://www.urbanoutfitters.com|

• Amount of times seen worn: 34
• Where I've seen it worn: Campus, going out, tailgating, social gatherings.
• Typically worn with: Depending on style and cut, usually with booties and high waisted shorts or pants, and button-down skirts.

4. Chokers |http://www.loveculture.com|

• Amount of times seen worn: 28
• Where I've seen it worn: Going out, bars, and clubs.
• Typically worn with: Romper, open shoulder tops, strapless dresses, crop top + bottoms.

5. Half up, half down buns

• Amount of times seen worn: 32
• Where I've seen it worn: Honestly everywhere!
• Typically worn with: College T-Shirts and Norts, going out dresses, jeans and a tee, rompers. (can be worn with almost any look.)

6. Booties |http://www.charloteerusse.com|

• Amount of times seen worn: 54
• Where I've seen it worn: Going out, bars, clubs.
• Typically worn with: Rompers, club dresses, jeans and a going out top, skirt and crop top.

7. Two French braids

• Amount of times seen worn: 21
• Where I've seen it worn: Throughout campus, going to class.
• Typically worn with: College T-Shirt and Norts.

8. Rebecca Minkoff Cross-body & other name brand cross-body purses |http://www.rebeccaminkoff.com|

• Amount of times seen worn: 39
• Where I've seen it worn: Going out, social gatherings, bars.
• Typically worn with: Club dress, skirt and crop top, romper.

9. Two-piece outfits |http://www.forever21.com|

• Amount of times seen worn: 18
• Where I've seen it worn: Going out, clubs, bars.
• Typically worn with: Booties or wedges.

Boys:

1. Sperry's Authentic Boat Shoe |http://www.sperrys.com|

• Amount of times seen worn:51
• Where I've seen it worn: Throughout campus, social gatherings.
• Typically worn with: Khakis and a t-shirt, Jeans and a V-neck. 

2. Tall Nike Socks |http://www.nike.com|

• Amount of times seen worn: 46
• Where I've seen it worn: Throughout campus, class.
• Typically worn with: Nike tennis shoes, khaki's and a t-shirt, t-shirt and athletic shorts.

3. Flat Bill Hats |http://www.zumiez.com|

• Amount of times seen worn: 43
• Where I've seen it worn: Throughout campus, class, social gatherings.
• Typically worn with: Athletic shorts and t-shirt, khakis and tee.

4. Converse All Star |http://www.converse.com|

• Amount of times seen worn:18
• Where I've seen it worn: Throughout campus, gym.
• Typically worn with: Khakis, Jeans and t-shirt, athletic shorts and athletic tank.

Both:

1. Baseball caps

• Amount of times seen worn: 67
• Where I've seen it worn: Throughout campus, class.
• Typically worn with: Shorts and t-shirt, khakis and t-shirt, jeans and a tee.

2. Collegiate T-Shirts

• Amount of times seen worn: ENDLESS
• Where I've seen it worn: Throughout campus, class, social gatherings, tailgating.
• Typically worn with: BEAR WEAR! Norts, athetic shorts, leggings, khakis.

Dear Fashion Journal...(continued),

    Although I had a few difficulties these past two weeks recording a variety of trends that I saw at Missouri State University, I've come to conclusion that yes, not everyone wears these articles of clothing, and yes everyone has their own style, but it was interesting to actually take a minute and look around at the trends going on around me. I did not realize how many other people enjoy wearing similar things and it always brings us all together in a weird way. With fall just around the corner, some of these trends will not necessarily be seen as much, and I can already imagine what will be trending!
*cough bomber jackets cough*

Sincerely,
Sophia Marren


"Fashion is a trend, style is within a person"-Oscar de la Renta

XOXO

Fashionably Late to Class

Good Afternoon!

As summer is on the edge of ending, that means no more lazy days laying out under the sun and seeing your friends or waking up at the crack of dawn for that annoying summer job wishing you could be laying out. Now it is time to getting ready to go back to college for most young adults, myself included. Leaving summer behind, I am ready for fall weather and going back to my second home, Missouri State University (go bears!).With the weather beginning to change soon, and with new faces arriving for either their freshmen year or transferring, there will be many new personalities, looks, and styles around campus. So I decided to challenge myself, for the next two weeks beginning on the first day of the fall semester classes, August 22nd, I will create a journal and document a list of campus styles. What's trending on Missouri State's campus, whether it is a certain night out outfit or piece of clothing style, or a certain pair of shoes that everyone is wearing. I will be recording the most common pieces that I see. So for the next few weeks you can call me Missouri State's Trend Journalist!

Here are the rules/directions:

I will be recording a few items and/or outfits everyday in order to make the best conclusion on what is trending.

1. Record at least 8-10 pieces of clothing/accessory each week for two weeks.
2. Both girls and guys.
3. Explain where I have seen the clothing/accessory worn at (going out/working out/class).
4. Record how many times you have seen the clothing/accessory worn.
5. Include information on where to purchase each item.
6. Provide photos.

Since I am a college student, most of my readers are around the same age as me and currently attend college, so creating this trend journal will give an insight on current styles that are going around campus!

DISCLAIMER: Now I am not the type of person who loves to follow trends, I like what I like. I do not follow a trend or look just because others are, so by creating this journal I am not telling you, wear this because students are, it is just a way of showing everyone common and popular looks that college students are wearing, and hey maybe you do not wear any of the stuff I will be posting, or maybe now you might want too because you like it.

I will make sure to keep everyone updated to when I will be posting the trend journal so stay tuned! I can't wait to share what I find!



"Fashion says "me too", styles says "only me""-Geraldine Stutz


XOXO

Flower Crowns Who?

    Ciao everyone! If you know me well, you know that this will be my favorite topic I have blogged about. Why you might ask? because I am completely and utterly obsessed with the choker trend, it's embarrassing. I have been fond of them for awhile now but just this year I started to actually step out of my comfort zone and hit the streets wearing them. Everyday I wake up and thank the fashion gods for the '90's or else chokers would have never creeped their way back. Over the past two years I have seen the choker trend evolve exponentially and it is at the top of its game today. It was around 2014 when I began to notice more people bringing back the infamous 1990's tattoo chokers, which were an instant hit, and then in a hot second, fashion designers were straying away from the past gothic and punk styles and creating chokers that would influence today's looks and its fast fashion. The more I would come across photos on Instagram of celebrities wearing chokers and seeing more chokers hit the shelves in popular clothing stores, I knew chokers were at the top of the accessory chain.
 

     To this day I cannot seem to not buy a choker every time I am at a store that sells them, the more I grow an obsession towards them the smaller my jewelry organizer gets as well as my bank account, sorry mom. It feels like it was just yesterday when I wore my first one....
 
     It started around the time of New Year's Eve circa 2015, and as you all know when it comes to New Year's Eve outfits you have to make sure you look and feel your best while ringing in the new year. Now I am the type of person who has to find the perfect outfit or else I will have an overdramatic and unnecessary meltdown, so being a fashion student it has helped give me more of an open mind when it comes to clothes. I then did my research for types of outfits I was looking to find for inspiration. Soon after I came across a photo of  Gigi Hadid, famous model and daughter to RHOBH (Real Housewives of Beverly Hills) Yolanda Hadid, and she was wearing a two piece black ensemble, which she was just so happened to be wearing a black choker. That's when I knew I had to wanted to wear a choker. The choker just completed the outfit in a way no other accessory could. So I looked and looked for an outfit like hers, although I had no luck, I went to my second option, which was finding a jumpsuit, another trend I was obsessed with, and I found one from Forever 21. Forever 21 being the greatest and best priced store for broke college girls like myself, I was lucky enough to find a choker that went perfectly with it as well. That outfit made my New Year's, as well as all the complements I had received didn't hurt either.
 

New Year's Eve
outfit: Forever 21

Gigi Hadid en route to AMA's after party.
outfit: House of CB 'Kiyoko' Black Bandage Two Piece

 
    Even today I scroll through my social media and see so many chokers, mainly from celebrities or models. I always encourage my friends to join in on the trend and give them a chance! One of the most annoying phrases I hear is "I feel like I couldn't pull it off", which is completely false. Anyone can pull off anything, it is just a matter of them telling themselves they can and feeling confident in what they are wearing. You can wear chokers with almost any kind of outfit, pairing a choker with jean shorts and a plain tee to even a sleek little black dress. That's what is great about chokers and just  like any accessory, you can find millions of different styles of them to fit your own style, or you can even create your own! For example, one of my old shoes had thick leather laces on them, so I took the laces off and use them as just a simple black choker that I tie around my neck! So spread the trend and keep it alive ladies, you will be surprised just like how I was on how good they'll look on you.



 
The best places to find affordable and wide variety of chokers include Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, Nasty Gal, ASOS, ALDO, Etsy, 8Season.
 
I swear chokers will change your life just like how contouring can.

 


"And there's everybody at my funeral wearing halter tops or chokers or some shit like that."-Reality Bites (1994)


XOXO

Out with the maxi's and in with the mini's

   For years, maxi skirts have created their own name in the apparel industry, they were the norm when it came to skirts. You would often see maxi skirts on the streets paired with sandals or sneakers and a crop top or tee, they were the bohemian girl's go to outfit when flared pants just weren't cutting it. But lately, maxi skirts have been traded in for a better model; the mini skirt. As time goes by, hemlines are beginning to get shorter and the mini skirt is sneaking up on us. Mini skirts trace back all the way to the 1960's where they were seen as a symbol for youth culture and its rebellion. The more and more mini skirts were seen on runway and introduced into collections by fashion designers, it gained popularity, but was also dismissed. Designers such as our very own Coco Chanel who called them "just awful" and Christian Dior who was also against the trend. From the 1960's to now, mini skirts are back and better than ever, and we all have Mary Quant to thank for creating this remarkable pieces of clothing.

 

   Just recently in 2015, suede and fringe mini skirts made their comeback, and you know exactly which skirts I am talking about. The suede skirts with the buttons going down the center or the suede mini skirts with the fringe hanging on them, like c'mon almost every girl I know has at least one pair of these styles. Although, one style of mini skirt that I have not seen on the streets since the early 2000's would be the denim mini skirt. I remember when I was about 13, denim mini skirts were everything. You would not be fashionable or "cool" unless you had one, or more. Pairing a denim mini skirt with a colorful tube top that I could not fill out to save my life or with a tight Limited Too camisole. Although, its 2016 now, and I am a 19 year old girl who could fortunately (thank heavens) fill out a tube top, who wants to give denim mini skirts another go.

   Usually when I participate in trend alerts, I get my inspiration and style from what I see on the streets and in the media, but the more I search and look at what is currently hype, mini skirts keep popping up, like from what hole did they decide to come out of? I do not know, but I am growing on them deeply. So as I currently type this blog post, I am looking up at my other tabs besides this one and I kid you not I am also on three other websites trying to track down where to buy a mini and what to wear them with once I have my own.

                                                                  SOOO...

   I have done the research to find out more about the growing popularity of denim mini skirts to find out style inspirations, like what to wear it with, where to buy them, and what styles to buy. So here is what I have collected to help anyone who is wanting to give them another chance!



|Style Inspo|

 Conclusion: Denim mini skirts are usually paired with any tops from a bodysuit to a simple tee or camisole. You want to keep the attention on the skirt so a comfortable and easy going top will go perfectly with a mini skirt to keeps its cute and casual concept its seeming to run with. Although with its authenticity and vintage look it has going on, find shoes to carry on its look at the same time making a statement, so midi boots, sneakers, or gladiator sandals would work. Always remember to stay true to your own style, just like these style icons (shown above) did, while preserving the overall purpose and idea of the denim mini.


|W2B (Where to Buy)|

• Urban Outfitters
• Express
• Nasty Gal
• ASOS
• Macy's
• Lulus

Go out there and find that mini!
xoxo

"Coco Chanel hated me. I understand why"-Mary Quant