90s Babies

We have all prided ourselves on being “90s babies” at some point in our lives. Whether we wore the obnoxious “Born in the 90s” t-shirts or shared endless articles about the things from the 90s that we all remember (or don’t remember, but will pretend to for the sake of our vanity), there is a sense of pride that people born in the 1990s have.

In the past year, that decade nostalgia has become very visible in fashion. Once upon a time, 90s fashion was just a theme for date parties. Now the style has made its way into our every day lives.

Topanga Lawrence’s skirts and denim vests and Kelly Kapowski’s crop tops and florals are just some of many 90s trends that have come back into the fashion cycle.

 These trends have come back into power in such subtle ways that many people may not have even noticed. It definitely took me a while.

One of the nostalgic trends that have come back is overalls and overall dresses. I won’t lie. I was not very when I first saw the return of these farmer outfits in stores. But over time, I have seen overalls styled in ways and made in different fabrics besides denim. They have definitely grown on me. One of my favorite spring outfits this year is my American Eagle overall-type dress with a crop top underneath it. 

Speaking of crop tops, that is the returning trend that seems to have started this 90s comeback. Whether they were worn with high-waist baggy jeans or body con skirts, crop tops are a trend that were popular on 90s teen sitcoms and pop stars like Britney Spears in her “…Baby, One More Time” days.  Now, these bare-midriff showing shirts are a symbol of summer for many girls. Well, summer and Tumblr. Regardless, crop tops are everywhere from a high-fashion runway to every day Instagram. They can be styled in many different ways concerning on how much skin you really want showing.

Another look that has come back is the grunge look. Flannel shirts are bigger than ever and definitely one of my favorite trends. I love seeing one tied around someone’s waist paired with denim shorts and a tank top. Another idea is to wear a plaid skirt with a denim vest for a more chic look. Grunge has been popular for a few years on the runway and is slowly making its way into everyone’s closets again. Although it is not one that I have tried yet, it is comfortable, fashionable and lasting.

So if you are one who gets still listens to old school Nsync and gets nostalgic while remembering the Rugrats, be a true 90s child and bring its fashion into full form.

Think about it: how easy is it to find more and more fashion inspiration from reruns of Saved by the Bell? Indulge in your 90s pride by bringing it more into your closet. Hey, maybe even bring back the “Rachel” haircut. Why not?

Dress - American Eagle / Crop Top - Brandy Melville

Lace Up.

When one thinks of lace, things like Southern ladies’ gloves or vintage embroideries may come to mind – or maybe those horrible church socks your mother made you wear.

Lace has always been a part of fashion’s staple textiles and continues to pop up in designs each year. It is popular for good reason: Lace has the ability to keep an outfit innocent, yet flirty.

The sheer material was predicted to be popular this spring. Many designers during Fashion Week last fall showcased lace heavily in their spring and resort 2014 collections. The designers showed off the feminine textile in non-traditional forms. Valentino used it in a dress that had a masculine, regal feel. Chloe and Stella McCartney took the trend and made it a little more daring, accenting deep necklines and short skirts with lace.

The lacy trend is here to add a little mystery to the explosive skin-bearing phenomenon that came out last year. With stores like Brandy Melville celebrating bare midriffs with their many cropped tops and cut-out dresses, showing more skin quickly became popular. I own several cropped tops that still leave me a little insecure, even if I’m only showing an inch of stomach.

Lace has come back to cover up while still being daring, adding fun and pattern to what otherwise is just bare skin. For instance, one of my favorite outfits is a peplum halter top with lace covering the plunging neckline and back. I pair it with distressed skinny jeans and a pair of chunky heels for a night out. The lace adds femininity and modesty to the outfit but still allows it to be stylish and flirty.

No matter your personal style, lace is a trend to look into. If you are into the most feminine outfits, you can definitely find lace tops and dresses at stores like Forever 21 and on websites like ModCloth.com. If you love the bohemian style, brands like Free People are big on lace and use it in many dresses and peasant tops.

If the idea of lace turns you off due to its stereotypical girliness, have no fear. Throughout the years, lace has been used in edgier ways. Stores like Charlotte Russe have many clothes with sexy lace detail that are great for going out without showing too much skin. Try a bodycon dress with lace sleeves or a top with an all-lace back. To make it a little more grungy, pair the lacy top or dress with a leather jacket or boots.

With frivolous fabrics coming back into fashion yet again and availability at an all-time high, lace is definitely a trend to try. It is especially great in the spring because it is a cooling fabric that can keep you from burning up. It can be used in any occasion and instantly adds interesting detail to your outfit. So have fun, and give the lacy trend a try.

What to Wear: Retail Store Interview

A dress from your potential employer's brand is a fashionable
and put-together idea for an interview.

At this point in our lives, we all know the basics of job interviews: bring a resume, look your interviewer in the eye and be confident. Another general rule we all know about interviews is to dress up.

Whether you are applying for job at a fast food restaurant or interviewing for your dream corporate job, the usual rule of thumb is look professional to show you are serious about your potential job. Dress pants and a blazer or jacket are the go-to items for most interviews.

But there is one industry in which a standard black business suit may not be the best way to go in an interview: the fashion industry.

Working in retail is about modeling the store’s style. Some stores, such as Hollister or Abercrombie, even call their employers “floor models”. Yes, the title may be a little disturbing and makes it sound like an employee is just a live mannequin, but it makes sense. They want their employees to be able to be live representations of the clothes they sell and show how well the clothes can be worn.

So when interviewing for a job in retail, you can receive extra points if your outfit represents the company’s style and brand. It shows you already have an understanding of the company and will be a great asset. So I have compiled a few tips on how to make your first impression at a retail store interview a stylish and successful one.

Bringing in several brands to complement your
focal point shows your styling skills.

First, let me make this clear: I am not saying to dress casual. It is still an interview and you want to be respectful by not showing up in jeans and a t-shirt. If the store is popular its casual wear, try finding a button-down or a pretty blouse. Pair either blouse with slim-fitted dress pants and closed-toe heels. It is probably best to stay away from jeans, as they are the symbol of casual dress. However, if the store is very popular for denim, it may not hurt to wear dark wash or black skinny jeans with the nice top and heels or boots.

When thinking about what to wear, think about what the store sells. Look at the website to get an idea of who they sell to and to find examples of how to piece together their garments.

Also, try searching on the Internet for advice from people who have interviewed with the store you are going for. There are plenty of websites where insiders will tell you what type of style a store is looking for in potential new workers.

It also helps to go into the store and see how the current employees dress. At many retail stores, the workers have to wear garments from the store. Seeing how they style their own clothes will give you an idea of what the store is looking for.

Some say it is helpful if you actually wear a garment from that company. However, do not go overboard and wear one brand head-to-toe. You want to show the employer what you can bring to the company; so showing that you can incorporate a store’s garments into your personal style can be beneficial.

So, whether you are making a career out of fashion or you are just looking for a part-time job at American Eagle, how you dress for the interview can help or hinder you. Find a way to be professional, but go further than a basic black suit. Think about the type of style the store promotes and let that be your inspiration to your look. Now go rock that interview.

Burning Red.

Guys. It was freezing. I mean 25 degrees may not sound that bad to a lot of people, but to me it sounds like the perfect temperature to crawl into my bed and not come out until April. I'm hoping my pictures will start to turn out better when we can stand to be outside long enough to take them, but until then...

I love the bright red color of this dress. I rarely wear anything bright, but this is one exception. The dress is pretty old from Forever 21.

If these boots look familiar, it's because they're one of my favorite pairs. I have to try my hardest not to wear them too much, to be honest. They're Tommy Hilfiger, but I bought them for about $16 at Plato's Closet. 

This scarf is definitely not the warmest, but that means it'll be great in the springtime. I got it from H&M a few months ago. 

Just a little bonus: Had one of my fashion columns for my campus newspaper published today. Stay tuned: I'll post the entire thing on here soon enough xx

Please check out my Chictopia & LookBook pages!

Black on Black on Disney

Confession: I have an obsession with black. My hair is black, my eyeliner is black and I have bought about five black dresses in the past two months. It just can't be beat, especially in the fall and winter months. My favorite part of wearing black is throwing in a pop of color just to save myself from looking like an emo kid circa 2006. Keep reading to see how this model and I put together an outfit to show how to balance between the chic class of black and the fun pop of pink.

Mastering "Business Casual"

The term “business casual” is one that I have fought with for as long as I can remember. I have been told to “ basically be dressed up, but not too dressed up.”  That may sound simple, but when it comes to finding something to wear for important occasions, such as job interviews, internships and presentations, I need a description a little less vague.

Mixed Girl Tag

Hey all! I forgot to put on here that I have a new video up! It's all about being multiracial and my life experience. I know it's not about fashion, but you still might enjoy it!

Check out my other videos also! If you'd like me to make any other videos, let me know! I'd love some ideas!

Have a great day! xx

Back to School: Recycling Clothes

As long as I’m in school, I will always get excited about back-to-school shopping. There is just something about having new, fresh clothes to choose from for the first few days of classes that gives me an energetic and restless feeling.

For those who have spent many years attending private school and being restricted by uniforms, going to college brings a new excitement of finally choosing what to wear to class. But don’t throw out those uniforms just yet. Each piece can still be used in your new college wardrobe.

We have all been told countless times by our magazines and mothers that buying an entirely new wardrobe for a new school year costs way too much money and we should just update what is in our closets. Though this may be hard for those of us who are used to wearing the same uniform everyday, my friend here proves it can be done.

 

She uses her old high school uniform skirt to show her take on the midi skirt trend. To save even more money on new clothes, she pairs the skirt with a Faded Glory shirt, taken from her mother’s closet. Her outfit is both classy and flirty. To add a fun touch to the look, she added an owl necklace and took a scarf from Sonoma and wore it as a belt, cinching her waist. She finishes the look with short wedges, which make her legs look long and yet are still comfy for walking around campus.

Of course, not all of us have an old private school girl skirt hanging in our closets. But the midi length skirt is a summer trend that can carry on into the first months of school and can be found in many stores. For the hotter days, pair the skirt with a plain crop top and add a fun necklace like the one my friend is wearing.

When back to school shopping, keep in mind of what you already have that you still love. Before purchasing an item, think about what you already have in your closet that can be paired with it (even if it is a seemingly unflattering uniform); and most importantly, have fun getting your closet ready for a new year. Happy shopping.