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

Party.

Yes, They're Shorts.

Blue.

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.

Ripped.

I call this outfit "The reason why I love Plato's Closet." Guys, seriously, Plato's Closet is amazing if you are a student on a budget like me. 2/3 of this outfit is from there.That top? Originally from Forever 21, but only cost me $5 at Plato's. Those shoes? Jessica Simpson. $30. I definitely recommend you find the nearest one to you & buy there. Not only are their clothes cheap, but you can sell yours and get a little extra cash. Good deal xx

Top - Forever 21 / Boyfriend Jeans - Forever 21 / Heels - Jessica Simpson

X-Gene.

Skirt - Charlotte Russe / Top - Marvel Comics / Cardigan - Forever 21

Morning by the Bridge.

Dress - H&M / Cardigan - Forever 21 / Scarf - Belk / 

New Instagram xx

Hey all,

I decided to make a new Instagram account, which will basically replace my old one. So if you want to see more of my photography and other fashion related posts, go follow!

-------> @biancanicolefashionandphotos <------

Yes, the name is way too long. It's a work in process, oops.

Have a great day xx

Be My Sweetheart?

It is a universally known truth that everyone has an opinion about Valentine’s Day. For some – I like to call them the optimists – it is a wonderful holiday that is meant to celebrate all types of romantic and platonic love.

For others, it is a stressful day, one where you are worried about what your significant other is going to do for you to prove his or her love or what you are going to do for him or her.

For the rest, it is a day of self-reflection, and sometimes self-loathing, about being single on the holiday of love.

But like all holidays, it can be another good excuse to dress up and be festive. Whether you are going out for the first time with a special someone or are having your thousandth best friend date, it is always fun to have a theme to dress for.

If you have casual plans, such as mini golf or cooking at home, a comfortable and girly outfit can be perfect. If you are not a huge fan of Valentine’s Day, or even if you are, try something with a neutral color palate so you do not overdose on red and bright pink.

A good example would be a pretty white or dusty pink top with skinny jeans. Try a top that has lace details in it, making it a little more dressy and feminine. Finish the look with flat boots for comfort. If you want to be a little more festive, add pretty red and gold rings or earrings or give yourself a fun Valentine’s Day manicure.

For fancier plans, a nice dress will make your date say, “Wow.” Again, if you do not want to wear typical Valentine’s Day colors, try a dark blue or black dress. Nobody can go wrong with a little black dress, and there are many different styles to choose from. To give your outfit a punch, wear a shade of red lipstick.

However, a hot red dress can definitely make you look … well, hot. Pair your dress with heels that are gorgeous but will not kill your feet. Wear a leather or a motorcycle jacket over the dress to offset the girliness.

Even if you are feeling like a bit of a Grinch about the holiday, Valentine’s Day can be a fun day to celebrate, no matter whom you are celebrating with. Whether you are going out on a fun date or having a great night with friends, pick a pretty outfit, tell someone you love them, and do not forget to eat chocolate … a lot of chocolate.

Be My Sweetheart? by bnmartin featuring equestrian boots

Sheer.

Andrew.

A little bit of menswear is good for the soul.

Jeans - Converse / Sweater - Alex Stevens / Button-down - Van Heusen / Shoes - Clark's

New CF Post: Weekend Wear

I actually have two new posts up because I forgot to update last week, but I'll update my blog with the second one another day. Here are the pictures from one of them - What to Wear: Weekend Wear.

For the full article, Click HERE

Stripes & Dots.

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.

Snow Day.

Today, we had a lovely snow day at the University of Alabama. As you can guess, it really is rare for snow to come here, so people get really excited. My favorite shots are the guy running around without a shirt on, a man playing with his dog and the huge snowball fight on the quad. 

This outfit is actually from a couple of days ago, but I decided to go ahead and post it xx

Sweater - Charlotte Russe / Tights - Charlotte Russe / Boots - Ellie Crimson Boutique

Killin' It

It's a lazy Saturday. Enough said. 

Top - Brandy Melville / Cardigan - Forever 21 / Leggings - Belk

Sorry for the lack of pictures. I'm still trying to work out the kinks with the self-timer, so a lot of my shots were too blurry to post. It's a work in progress xx

New CF Post Up!

Hey guys! My first real College Fashionista post is live! I'm really excited about this one because it's the  first one of mine that has been featured on the home page! I'll go ahead & post the article link and pictures here. Enjoy xx

CLICK HERE FOR THE ARTICLE

You can find links to my other articles by clicking "College Fashionista" in the navigation bar at the top of my blog.