Think Like a Man

Recently I've been learning a lot about comparisons, how we're responsible for the gifts we're given and what we do with them.  Good message, but when it comes to fashion I've taken a stance to compare my style and lifestyle to that of a man's.  Men are cool, they never seem to care about anything and for some reason it works.  I wake up and it may take three tries to look "effortless" but I see my brother finishes in ten seconds and still looks dapper.  I can't help but feel like there's a lesson to be learned from the opposite sex; yeah I know.

ffffound.com

Every season there is a new trend for a women to wear, new hairstyles to try, and stilettos to strut in.  While we're busy driving ourselves crazy keeping up, guys are still strutting in their suits, jeans and Oxfords.  What am I doing wrong?

I'll tell you, men walk with confidence and assurance because they know what they have on is working for them in fact they don't just walk, they stride.  One of the most important rules of fashion is to keep it simple, keep it clean, and make sure it fits.  Men have adopted this style while women keep struggling while making things complicated and have to be constantly reminded, correct me if I'm wrong but aren't we the more evolved species?

28.media.tumblr.com

squidoo.com

Eddie Redmayne (above) shows un-complication with a kickback style.

This summer I vow to think like a man: keep things uncomplicated and clean.  I vow to have more fun with my clothes or rather have more fun in my clothes and stop worrying about messing it up.  I vow to chill, perhaps I would get ready faster if I didn't feel the need to secretly be the best dressed in every room (you know you do it).  Men have a style they stick to allowing themselves to walk, I mean stride, with confidence because they know they look good.  Fun fact: Mark Twain had fourteen pairs of the same white suit because he knew it worked for him.

fanpop.com

Guys allow themselves to be playful in their clothes, they get dressed ready to take on the day even if it lasts till the next day, they're ready.  I get dressed to last the next couple hours which means if it lasts longer I get cramped toes and a tummy to match, basically if my day outlasts my outfit I'm ready to blow!  I admire the way a man walks in a suit, they way he strides in jeans and kicks-back in loafers while never sacrificing himself.


I personally know the three guys up at on the sides and yes they really do have as much fun as it looks.  When it comes time for them to work they pull it together and keep a piece of themselves.  While on the left Patrick opts for a very casual look for his day to day it fits his personality and you can't help but love him and laugh with him.  On the right in the back Ben keeps it casual and clean a very laid back person, one of the most approachable people as you can probably tell.  And in the front of him is Rudy, his expression, stand and style says it all.  Clearly he runs things and we're all privileged to know him, but in all reality his personality is as polished and clean like his style.  Rudy and his crew are some of the funniest people I know, he actually has a pair of green cord slacks that match his personality.  I vow to take getting ready more like those guys

Now I know that comparing myself to other women is wrong but comparing myself to guys is winning.  Finally a male thought a understand.  But when all is said and done, thanks guys!

Negative X Negative

Etoday.ru

Back in the days of torture, I mean algebra, we are taught the rules of positives and negatives.  Two positives equal positives, negative+positive can equal a negative or positive depending on the bigger number and two negatives equal a positive.  In a nutshell a teacher stood in front of a classroom and declared the age old truth that opposites attract, I could have watched a Nicholas Sparks movie and saved myself the trouble.  This isn't algebra and I'm not a math teacher what I am is bored of math but in fact I do need it in the world of fashion, who would have thought.

Lolobu.com

Nypost.com

Black and pink are sworn enemies, polka dots and stripes never mingle, having on more than one print is too "busy," I could go on and on but that would require me remembering all the rules.  And with the new rules of today why should I?  The new thing is being bold and brave with your clothes and forging a new path.  Even if fashion can be subjective (I use that lightly)  it is very obvious when it is done wrong.


Rule #1: Make sure the clothes you are wearing actually fit.  If you look on the right over-sized dress, over-sized coat and a bag just hanging off the wrist are cool on the runway but never on the sidewalk.  Look on the left and that girl has a nice fitted pair of pants, and a jacket with enough room for movement yet still gives her a figure.  This isn't just a rule for mixing prints but for every piece of clothing the reason I stress this now is because with prints sometimes it adds weight and to just have useless fabric flapping in the wind makes it seem like a whole lot more flaps in the wind.

Rule #2: Patterns are fun, patterns are creative and they are also expressive, patterns are also very loud.  Imagine being in a room full of kids none of them should have their voices louder than a three but if two or more of them start screaming your ears bleed.  In fashion when two pieces start competing it makes the eyes bleed and confuses the brain as to where it should really be paying attention to.  With all that said if you're going to mix pieces make sure it's complimentary not aggressive with the other pieces.  Find like colors that are complimentary or secondary, if you have a bold print don't add another bold print that's just a battle waiting to happen and you will emerge the fashion loser.

Rule #3: When mixing don't find different prints in the same size, look for different ones in different sizes.  Maybe I'm a broken record but I really can't stress the fact that competition is bad with clothes there should be a harmony not a knockout in an outfit.

Coffeerooms.com

 Something ladies should remember is to bring life into the clothes, so many times patterns are done in really dark materials with really easy prints.  That shouldn't be the case because if you're going to be bold then by all means be bold!

Broke College Student

Recently I asked a girl what her style was, her reply?  "Broke college student," when did it become that our budget defined our style?  If we were to put down the remote and turn off Gossip Girl we would realize fashion runs further than money, perhaps once we realize that we won't need to hide behind our sweatpants and footsie pajamas.
 Simplicity is key especially during the college years, when you start with just a few essentials it's amazing the places you'll go.  simple doesn't  equal sweatpants and sweat shirts but rather a classic pair of jeans and a white t-shirt.  Warning: keep the ugly running shoes under the bed where they belong instead, put on a nice pair of flats or sandals, it gives off a relaxed vibe and on the plus side it takes a whole one minute to put on.   Therefore keep burning that midnight oil!  If you really want to spend a another ten seconds getting ready add a sleek blazer to the mix, you'll need one for all those job interviews so why not put some extra mileage into them?

Aubrey always wears different blazers, from professional to casual in jeans and a school tee.

Invest in a dress!  Some girls suck in their teeth at the mere mention of a dress but the cool thing is once that dress is on, you're done.  Don't worry about a matching top and bottom it's already all there all you have to do now is walk out you're door.  Solid colors is a great choice for girls who are maybe new to wearing dresses or perhaps aren't very big on dresses, solids allow for more flexibility from class to party to shopping.

 Karen wears her dress with a wide black belt in matching tights, boots, and a long button-up sweater.  This fabulous look takes little time to put together and fits into a wide variety of occasions.

Freshmen 15, sophomore 16, college can be a duel between the A's and B's.  By B's I'm referring to bulge!  Sometimes we silly humans think it's more important to read an extra chapter rather than actually going to the gym.  At least that's what I tell myself, but you know what's easier than going to the gym?  Putting on a nice A-line skirt.  Think about it, high enough to hide the pooch and roomy enough to glide when I strut.  Throw that on with a nice blouse you're ready for your class presentation or job interview, even with a nice t-shirt and flats it makes for an easy everyday look.  Skirts do come in different sizes such as the long skirts with a bohemian feel to it.  

 The identity of the fashionable is protected under the circumstance of I don't know who she is...  Found this girl studying and I like the idea of a casual sweater thrown over a skirt for a casual look with the flats to pull it together.

Who goes to college without shorts?  Beach party? Shorts!  Sunny day?  Shorts!  Shopping with the girls?  Shorts!  Everyone has them therefore the trick is to stand out in them, little tip?  High waisted shorts are the number one way to go.  High enough to hide the pooch, but short enough to show off those pins, hands down best colors to go with are black, white and navy.  Don't fear though there are lots of different styles for different body types, different patterns for different personalities no need to hop on a conveyor belt.  With the idea of shorts ladies please keep your butt cheeks in check.  Your bum does not look like the Victoria's Secret models after re-touching, find a pair that keeps everything in check for a sophisticated and polished look.  

Many more fashion tips, essentials and articles to come but I would like to know what you find/found essential as a broke college student.