The BSU Fashionista Diaries

Spring into Action

By Nikki Osei

Akwaba! That is a Ghanaian phrase (I was born in Ghana, West Africa), which means welcome or welcome back! I hope all had a great break and are ready to pick up where we left off and excel in both academics and fashion in the New Year. I am especially excited about 2009, as this is the year when I will finally graduate! I was due to walk in May, however, due to circumstances beyond my control in conjunction with the amount of times I dropped math, I will not walk until December. The classes you drop will come back to haunt you! I shed a few tears, but have regrouped because there is a bright side; I get to write for you for a bonus semester! Despite the minor setback, which was semi-self-inflicted, I have not allowed this to dampen my spirits, and I am ready to spring into action!

  Now that I am done with the sob story, let's talk fashion. We covered spring trends in the last issue of 2008, but let's do a brief recap. Men, I will devote an issue to your spring trends, but this one is all about the ladies. The most important trend for spring is color. This spring brings us the boldest and brightest color palate that we have seen in over a decade. Mix and match these colors, but don't be afraid to try a solid head to toe look, as featured in the February Harper's Bazaar issue. From clothes to shoes to bags, color surrounds us. Make sure to splash some into your wardrobe.

The harem pant (pants relaxed/sagged at the crotch) is another serious trend. From Proenza Schouler to Betsey Johnson, the harem pant took spring runways by storm and they served. Pair these pants with your highest heels and major swagger. I have seen them paired with high top Marc Jacobs tennis shoes, and while the look was uber chic, I prefer the look with towering heels. If you feel ballsy, buy a pair and work it out. I can't wait to wear mine, but I must be patient because it is a bit nippy out. Express has a really great black pair that isn't too extreme. They have been out since black Friday and they are only available in stores for a limited time, so buy now!

Prints are major and these include color block, animal, floral and mix matched prints. Mix matched prints refers to wearing several different prints within the same color family. For example, a shirt with a zigzag print paired with silk polka dotted bottoms. I'm not sure if I'm ready to venture into such unknown territory, as you know I suffer from matchy matchy syndrome (I'm working on it), but it was fierce on the runways. But for those of you fashionistas and fellows that specialize in mixing and matching, its time for you to show us how it is done!

Other spring trends include metallics as seen at Prada, jumpsuits/one pieces as seen on every runway, shorts and short suits, the return of the power suit, 80's revival as in shoulder pads, polka dots etc, dresses, Edwardian inspired clothing (ruffles and lace), the asymmetric shirt/dress, pants, acid wash and bleached denim, and statement shoes and jewelry. Pile chunky bangles from the wrist to the elbow as demonstrated at Louis Vuitton's last three runway shows. H&M and F21 offer fabulous jewelry at prices that avoid the over drafting of the account.

This spring it's all about the platform shoe and the taller the better! Yves Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton, and Christian Louboutin (fave) platforms are shutting down the high fashion shoe game, with shoes reaching staggering heights (4 inches +) with staggeringly high price tags to match. Since most of us are unable to attain their shoes, our good friends at Steven Madden, Bakers, Aldo, Macy's, Nordstrom's, Bluefly, Topshop, etc have shoes that will provide us the height and style we so desperately seek. They bestow us the YSL look for significantly less. So until we can purchase that first pair of "Loubs", these shoes will suffice.

There are so many spring trends to speak on; it's impossible to cover them all in a single issue. Never fear, we will be break them down over the course of the semester. As far as BSU trends, the ladies are loving boots, booties, platforms, and denim. I haven't seen many peep-toed booties. However, there has been snow on the ground so I empathize. But a peep-toed bootie is made to be worn in this weather, so break them out. Pair thick, colorful tights with them and our tootsies will be warm...kind of. We didn't allow snow, ice and potentially slipping and breaking our necks prevent us from wearing our heels. I'm so proud! Lol! As for the men, what can I say? You all are on top of your game! There is not a corner I turn that I don't say to (you) myself, "He looks so clean." The gents are rocking fresh denim, graphic fitted tees and hoodies, designer shoes (well, they say Gucci but...), and lots of color in thier fits and like McDonalds, "I'm loving it!"

We have got an exciting semester ahead. Not only because we are one step closer to accomplishing the ultimate goal of graduating, but also because I sense this will be BSU's most fashion savvy semester to date! As I said in the final issue of 2008, lets make 2009 the year in which we unveil our most fashionable selves!  Gumshoe fashions must cease! Rock star patrol has officially begun and I will sincerely try to feature a male and female each issue. Please keep in mind I cannot cover the campus. So if you are strutting in your fiercest fit in the CLT and I'm in the MLK, I just might miss you. But I'm always walking through BSU and the first rock star of 2009 just may be you! So welcome back and remember the iconic Coco Chanel's words, "A lady should always be classy and fabulous." xoxo