The College Girl's Guide to Fashion

DIY: Studs, Studs, Studs

2010-10-31T16:26:00.000-07:00

Lately, I’ve seen studs on everything, from handbags to jeans, and I decided that I wanted to try out this trend. My sister showed me these studded vintage converse high tops from Free People that she thought I’d like. She was right…I loved them! What I didn’t like though was their price tag of $170. I knew that it would be a little more difficult than clicking “add to cart,” but I figured I could probably make something like this myself that would be way less expensive.

After doing a little research, I found out that, a side from being time consuming, studding your own clothes and canvas shoes is actually pretty simple. Here's how to do it:

1. Get together what ever you want to stud. I recommend t-shirts or canvas sneakers. It will definitely be more difficult to get the studs through denim or leather. I’m going to stud classic, black Chuck Taylor's like the ones in the picture. They're only $45, which is great compared to spending $170!

2. You can order what ever kinds of studs you like online at studsandspikes.com. They have a huge variety. I’ve ordered a bag of 100 large gold spikes for only $12!

3. They also sell kits that include mallets and other tools to help with the studding, but I’ve found out that, to save money, you can use a regular rubber mallet, or other tools that you can probably find in your garage, that will help with getting the studs through the fabric. Or you can always just use your hands!

I still have a ways to go with this project, but I’m super excited about it. Because I made them myself, I’ll love these shoes even more than the ones from Free People and I'll be saving over $100! I’ll keep you guys up-to-date on my progress and, if all goes well, I’ll be making another pair for my sister for Christmas. Let me know how your studded project goes too!

5 Cold Weather Favorites

2010-10-24T12:15:00.000-07:00

After a draining couple of weeks of mid-terms, I definitely needed a break from homework and essays. This blog entry instantly cheered me up. I hope you like it too!

Everyone has their favorite things that they couldn’t get through a season without. For some people it’s a great pair of jeans, a cute, easy-to-wear, black dress, or maybe just your favorite pair of boots.

I’ve put together a list of my 5 favorite things that I know I wouldn’t be able to get through this upcoming winter without. Some of them are a little pricey (its unfortunate, I know) but I love to mix them with less expensive items. Maybe one of my favorites will be something you’ll want to add to your closet this winter! And, I'd love it if you'd let me know what's on your list of favorite things!

1. Dolce Vita 'Prince boots, SoleStruck, $134

They're so comfortable and I was able to get mine on sale! I like these best with tights and mini dresses or skirts.

2. Zara camel colored coat, $189

I know the price is steep, but the neutral color makes it something that can definitely be worn with just about anything & it's also something that will last.

3. American Apparel leggings, $26

I couldn't live without these leggings. I wear them all of the time with big sweaters & they're super comfortable.

4. Michael Kors 'Jet Set Iconic' watch, Nordstrom, $250

This one's also pretty expensive. I waited until the Anniversary Sale to get it, but I love it and wear it everday. It dresses up and polishes casual outfits.

5. Free People 'Velvet Foliage' dress, $98

This dress is definitely one of my favorites. I love wearing velvet in the winter! Because it's sleeveless, I like to wear mine with a cardigan or with a long-sleeved shirt underneath.

Fashion That Sends a Message

2010-10-14T17:00:00.000-07:00

Unlike most frivolous fashion, these t-shirts send a message and help us end hatred and inequality.

CNN announced earlier today that an 8th suspect had been arrested for participating in a series of brutal anti-gay hate crimes against men in New York City. After hearing this story, along with the other recent, tragic events that took place across the country in which LGBT youth took their own lives due to hatred and bullying, I wanted to reflect on a very important and current topic. I strongly believe in gay rights, equality, and an end to the intolerance and hated currently facing many lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders.

Because fashion is such an important form of expression for many people, Marc Jacobs and American Apparel have put out the above t-shirts to spread this message. The proceeds from the sales of these shirts will go to the Human Rights Campaign, the GLBT Historical Society in San Francisco, and other organizations that support gay rights. Although, of course, t-shirts are only a very small part in the achievement of equality for all and putting an end to hatred and intolerance, expressing yourself through fashion - and sending this message whenever and wherever you can - never goes out of style.

You've Got to Have Them! Kersh Pajamas

2010-10-14T16:53:00.000-07:00

I know what you're thinking: pajamas and fashion? The two don't usually go hand in hand, but just hear me out.
We’re all guilty of this, so don’t even try to deny it. When getting ready for bed, who hasn’t, at least at some point, pulled out old sweat pants and an over-sized t-shirt? You probably can’t even remember where exactly the t-shirt came from and the sweatpants… well, they take worn out to a whole new level. I know, personally, that sleeping in a dorm room with 6 other girls doesn’t necessarily inspire me to have the cutest pajamas; and by the time I’m ready to put them on, I’m usually too exhausted to care what I look like. Furthermore, when I’m out shopping, I’m definitely going to spend my money on a killer pair of shoes rather than a pair of pajamas.

Too cute to only wear to bed!

But no more excuses.

This all needs to change and I have come across the perfect company that will help us make it happen. When I was in the Teen Vogue fashion closet this week, I was sending back samples that PR companies had sent for the holiday gift guide. One of the things we were featuring was lounge wear. One group of pajamas, in particular, stuck out and this is when I realized what my wardrobe was seriously lacking. They were by a Canadian company called Kersh. The line included bright, floral prints, baby doll tops, adorable cotton shorts, and details and accents that made these pajamas almost too good to limit to just sleeping in. Kersh has been around for a while but their lounge wear line is just launching and will be in stores this winte and spring. You can check out some of their styles in Teen Vogue’s holiday gift guide issue or on their website. This week I've realized that getting dressed for bed can be just as fun as getting dressed in the morning, and all of us should go out and, finally, find PJ’s that we can be excited about! Don't you agree?

Just a Side Note

2010-10-03T08:37:00.000-07:00

Before I get into today’s blog entry (which I’m very excited about), I have to quickly go back to last week. There are two, somewhat important things that I forgot to mention about myself.

1. When I say “The College Girl’s Guide to Fashion,” I must let you know that although I hope this blog will be useful for girls at colleges all over the country, I’m writing to you from a very specific place: New York City, one of the fashion capitals of the world. I’m a college student whose campus is located just steps from Lincoln Center in Manhattan, where this year’s Mercedes-Benz New York City Fashion Week just recently took place! Being in this location, I am constantly surrounded by excitement and fashion. I cannot wait to share it all with you!

And 2. As I mentioned, I’m an intern, a topic that I will elaborate on later, but I’d quickly like to let you know that I am currently an intern at the Condé Nast magazine Teen Vogue. I still can’t even really believe it and I’ve been there for over a month. It’s one of my dreams come true and I never thought I’d achieve my goal so soon. I will definitely be sharing my experiences there with you guys as well, but more on that later!

Hey Everyone!

2010-09-26T07:08:00.000-07:00

Hello fellow fashionistas, my name is Gianna. I'm a college student living and working in New York City and I have a serious love of fashion. When it comes to fashion, I'm usually always on the search for something, whether it be the perfect pair of boots or a bag I saw someone carrying on the street. Some of my searches take time, while others are quick and painless. Some searches are interrupted when I find the perfect item with the only problem being that it, sadly, exceeds my (college) budget and, at times like those, I must re-strategize!

September 110, 2010: NYC's Fashion's Night Out!

On my search for the perfect wardrobe, I’m also on a very different kind of journey, that being trying to navigate the fashion industry and make a career out of something that right now is only a passion. I have come to find that all of this is even harder than I originally expected it to be. I'm in the process of finding a balance between school, work, interning, my personal life and, of course, looking fashionable while managing all of this! With this blog, I’d like to share my experiences and fashion journey with you all and, hopefully, with my stories I will be able to provide advice for those of you who also share my love of fashion. Along the way, I’d love to be able to help with whatever you’re searching for as the perfect addition to your wardrobe and you guys may even have some tips for me! So far I have come to learn that the only way to navigate this crazy industry is one-step (and purchase) at a time!