THE BSU FASHIONISTA DIARIES

Layer Up

By Nikki Osei

On a typical morning I wake up and check the weather. The high for today is 50 degrees. What am I supposed to wear? I want to look cute, yet still be warm. Shall I sacrifice warmth for a scream worthy fit? These are questions I ask myself everyday when the temp drops and I know my fellow fashionistas can relate. The winter months are slowly but surely creeping upon us. Into hibernation goes our summer frocks, but some pieces can make the transition from summer to fall and this can be accomplished successfully through the art of layering.

If I had to pick a celebrity that has mastered the art of layering, it would have to be Mary-Kate Olsen. She often dresses kookily and many cannot grasp what she is wearing, but no one can tear their eyes away from her when she steps onto the Meatpacking District (swanky Manhattan, NY also know as "the most fashionable neighborhood in NY). Mary-Kate has so much swagger that she was spotted layering in the scorching heat of summer! Mags like Us Weekly and Life and Style constantly clown her look and have referred to it as "bag lady chic". However, there are not many that can throw on an extremely oversized sweater, pile another sweater on over that one, top that with a crochet wrap, scarves, gloves, latex leggings, and complete the look with a Balenciaga City or Giant Part Time bag with matching 6inch platforms, an obscene amount of gaudy jewelry, oversized Oliver People's and as Project Runway's Tim Gunn says, "Make it Work". The girl possesses mad style and makes layering look effortless (FYI, most of her duds are vintage/designer, or both).

When layering pieces, you don't want to look like a frumpy bag lady or like a child playing dress up in mommy's closet. Do not grab every piece of clothing you own. Start with a key piece that you heart; say an off the shoulder dress. Add a turtleneck, leggings, booties, and top it off with a blazer or chic coat and your favorite summer dress is now a fall staple. Dresses can and should be rocked during the winter.  Hats, scarves, and gloves are perfect layering accessories or can be layered themselves. You can take it as far as the mind goes. People always ask, "Aren't you cold?" Of course, but the degree of frostbite depends on the day, the shoes, and the amount of layering done. Ladies we must be prepared to go to war with the fall/winter.

Layering does not only apply to dresses. Sometimes you have a sick top that you simply cannot bear to cover up with a coat. The solution? Wear a camisole, follow up with a ribbed or cashmere sweater, and top it off with your fabulous top. Another option for a fit is a turtleneck or some other type of sweater underneath an oversized cowl neck/off the shoulder sweater, knee length schoolteacher wool skirt, tights, and booties/boots. You have successfully layered your clothing.

 The layered pieces not need be muted tones. You can add a burst of color by using a burnt orange or pop of purple, underneath the "star" piece. Black on black on black looks uber chic, when layered in different fabrics and textures. Simply add bold accessories. Try layering up prints. I recently wore a black and red-stripped sweater under a cream and black hounds tooth baby doll dress. It was dazzling effect (or so I thought). My current dream fit consists of black liquid leggings, either a black and cream or black and forest green hounds tooth pleat bottom sweater dress, topped with an oversized extra fluffy, wool, ribbed wrists/quarter sleeved black sweater, a scarf in the other color hounds tooth (remember green/black) a pair of banging ankle or mid-calf black peep toed bootie, stamped with a Giant Part-Time mustard Balenciaga! I know it's a mouth full, but in my head this fit is fire! I am gathering the pieces, but I am missing a major component...the Balenciaga! Lol! Got to work on that.

The moral of the story is this, layer up and be fierce. By layering you can be chicly covered, semi-warm, and your fav pieces do not have to retire for the season. If you are wearing a dress, chances are you won't be completely warm, but armed (would it be "legged"? lol!) with leggings you will be able to tolerate the cold. Make sure that you invest in an array of colors so that no matter the shade, no fit is left unworn. The same goes for tights and you should opt for a more durable brand like Hue, Via Spiga, Wolford, Express, etc. Macy's, Nordstrom's, etc are stores that carry quality leg wear. With that being said, don't let the cold hinder your fashion game and remember, "A lady should always be classy and fabulous".

Rock Star of the Week

I missed quite a few days of school, so upon returning I have been more focused on catching up than on locating a rock star. I am sure you understand. No worries though because I am back on my P's and Q's and next week my rock star could be you! xoxo