Fashion Review: Please Don’t Feed the Models
By Ellie Bryant ’12
Oh hey, it’s been a stressful week. So, I handled it like a champion and gorged on mac n’ cheese and read Vogue and Cosmo and cried. No big deal. You know what is awesome though? Lace cutouts as accents in clothes are awesome. Super sexy, but low profile, like Taylor Lautner… wait… Jake Gyllenhaal… Tom Cruise? Ew. Point being, lace cutouts in pencil skirts, faux backless shirts (it’s a way to show some skin without looking like a playmate).
Short dresses can be paired with chunky heels. Image courtesy of thesartorialist.com
Because it’s getting chilly, expect a lot of cold related trends to start popping up, like zombies. (I’ve been on a Walking Dead kick.) Fur is in right now, and we’ve talked already about how to do it well… think foxy not teddy bear… but other than fur we have to talk about jackets. There are a large amount of jackets out there waiting to give you some love. Per the usual, let’s talk about the right coat for the right body type. The long coat is a staple for anyone who lives in an environment that expects snow. To rock the long coat you can go with a few different types. The knee length puffy jacket is hard to pull off. Patagonia and other outdoorsy retailers won’t let you know that without a slender body type, you end up looking like a marshmallow in some of these coats. Lame.
A better option that has enough variety to transcend body types is the trench coat. Trench coats come in lots of shapes and sizes; one of which I can guarantee will suit your body and keep you toasty. If you have big hips like me, think A-line. This will make your waist look smaller. Consider a tie closure as it will also draw the eye to and accentuate the waist.
For a slender body consider a double breasted closure. This not only fits in with the nautical rage that has been taking the fashion world by storm, but also makes the upper body look fuller and more busty.
You know what’s shorter than Kim Kardashian’s marriage? Very few things, but one of the most notable I’ve found fashion wise are skirts. This winter is getting risky with short skirts, stockings, and boots or chunky heels. Think tweed for skirts paired with a chunky heel and some stockings… you may catch hypothermia, but at least you’ll look good. Frye boots are a gorgeous (and pricy) choice for winter footwear. Pretty leather and amazing buckles: check them out. Also Sorel boots which are a little more sassy and less motorcycle than Frye. High-waisted skirts are in, making up for their shortness by adding the extra fabric above the belly-button. Much like my sad existence, speaking of
Frye boots will add a motorcyle chic flavor to your outfit. Image courtesy of bootsaholic.com
wastes of time check out the fashion blog thesartorialist.com to do your own winter research.
Sweaters are like candy to me. If Rudolph came with a sleigh full of sweaters I’d be happy this Christmas season. I generally recommend avoiding the doleman sleeve as it can make you look chunky. Other than that, embrace the nautical theme with prints and generally good looking warmth. Cable knit sweaters are always a class win as well as schoolboy cardigans, to achieve the coveted ‘I just stepped out of bed but I look great’ look (which is impossible naturally, just FYI). Go for a slouchier fit instead of the fitted prep that J. Crew offers. Sometimes wearing sweaters makes me feel important or like a naughty librarian. Work with me here- wear a button down under the sweater and let the collar and cuffs hang out. It will inspire an instant visit to the stacks as we whittle down the time here until finals. Sweaters with sparkle (think glitter woven in, just don’t look like a tree ornament, please.) as well as Native American type patterns are in. Get all up on that. Sadly, as much as I would like to stay and cuddle with you an polar bear cubs I have to get ready for Alabama Vs. LSU and thus will catch you next week with more fashion updates. It’s a cycle, embrace it.
Contact Ellie Bryant at bryant12@sbc.edu with any questions or comments.
