Trend of the Week: The "Not-So-Basic" Romper

It's been a week and a half since I've posted, so I'm extremely sorry to all of my regular readers. I really try to post at least once a week (especially in the summer, but more like three times a week during the school year), but these past few days have been pretty hectic, and it took my friend who took a photo of this outfit a week to send it to me. Also, I haven't done a trend of the week since May, so I wanted to get back into that habit.

The romper is one of the hardest items of clothing to pull off, and that’s why most of my wardrobe does not involve them. Other than the time I wore a romper at a music festival, the last time I wore one was in 7th grade, so it’s obvious that many of them can look unfashionable or even childish. And even if they don’t meet those two negative statements, they can give off a basic look (hence my title) that does not make anyone look like a fashionista. However, many designers and retail shops are understanding this sad (but true) statement, so they are bringing edgier styles, patterns, and fabrics to make the once dull romper an extremely simple but fashionable outfit choice. There are thousands of different variations that are now in stores, like strapless, striped, co-ord sets, and even unique materials like denim or leather that are seen on such a simple clothing item. The way to rock this piece is to find the more unique, even edgy, styles to make a bold fashion statement. To match my own personal style, I chose a denim one from Gap, which, by the way, is breaking free from its terrible fashion choices and becoming one of my favorite stores. Recently, I’ve had a fashion crush on everything denim, so of course I had to pick out the denim romper. I’ve wanted to expand my wardrobe into things I usually do not wear (which is the romper), but I was still able to make it familiar to my wardrobe with the denim style. Denim is seen in jeans and sometimes jackets, so making this versatile fabric into a romper is definitely an edgy move for fashion. If the same simple cut romper were made with a universal material like cotton, I probably wouldn’t deem this romper as fashionable as the unique denim one I’m rocking in this outfit. That is the simple way to make rompers fashionable -- find the bolder styles. And of course, I had to layer on top of this outfit despite the 95 degree weather, so I tied a simple teal shirt around my waist to give the outfit more character. I finished the outfit with my metallic Tevas (which, by the way, have weirdly worked with almost every outfit I have worn this summer) due to their comfortable nature but also cool aesthetic. The best part about rompers is that they make choosing outfits an extremely quick process, because you only need at least two (but in my case, three) items to create one. I promise you that rompers are making their way back into the fashion world, but it’s important to choose the right styles to look the best and to work a possibly outdated style. 

Trend of the Week: Festival Fashion

No, I'm not going to start this week's post with a rant about the best ways to go about Coachella in terms of fashion. There are actually more music festivals than Coachella, and not all of them are three days of glamor. Most of them involve not being able to shower for three or four straight days while having to sleep in your own filth and sweat, and even the ones where camping is not available are still extremely gross. Luckily, the gross factor does not affect me too much, and music festivals are probably one of my favorite things. Being able to listen to good music for three straight days is literally the dream for me, so the crowdedness and sweating for over 36 hours is all worth it. I decided to talk about festivals today because this last weekend, I went to all three days of Shaky Knees Festival, which is a festival local to me in Atlanta that has only been going on for three years. It was probably the best three days of my life, but I'll get into the details later. The first thing I had to do was figure out outfits that would maximize my comfort but also be somewhat fashionable. When the forecast is 85 degrees and sunny all weekend, it's best to dress the lightest possible, even if this involves showing "too much" skin.

Day 1:

Because it was my first day, I wasn't too informed on how my outfit would affect me based on the weather. I knew I had to dress light because of the hot weather. The way I achieved this while still looking cute was by wearing my dress from Urban Outfitters that is extremely thin and loose, making it comfortable and perfect for a hot day. Because it's too short to wear to a festival that involves a lot of moving/jumping, I decided to make the dress a long top and wear my high waisted denim shorts under it. The shorts did get to be pretty hot near the end of the show, but they did prevent a lot of fashion mishaps. Finally, to find a pair of shoes that was comfortable enough to walk/stand in a lot and that would work with my outfit, I opted for my classic cut-out boots from Asos. Although they got to be pretty hot, they did save my feet from getting trampled when I ran through the Mastodon mosh pit to get up front for The Strokes (which, by the way, was completely worth it). My hair is down in this pictures, but it only took an hour of the heat for me to put my hair into a high pony. This mistake led me to wearing my hair up every day after this. 

Day 2:

This day was definitely more minimal due to the issues I had with the heat on Friday. The best part of music festivals is that absolutely no one cares about your appearance -- pit stains, no bra, completely ruined hair, etc. This is because practically everyone looks like that, and the crowd really only cares about the music and experience. I still wanted to bring some sort of fashion to the fest, but in the most care-free way. I wore this extremely simple romper that is made of the lightest material, and it really did save me from the heat (at least a little more than yesterday). The fact that I didn't have to wear a bra with this (even though you can obviously tell) really did save me comfort wise. The only thing I had to worry about was getting burnt, but I made sure to bring a ton of sunscreen. The only issue with this romper was that the tie got to be a little loose in the back, but it didn't cause any major issues. Also, the material was so thin that you could see the places I sweat (if you could tell, I have a weird sweating issue. Probably TMI, but important for making fashion decisions!), but the best part was no one cared. When you're about to pass out during Neutral Milk Hotel because of dehydration, the people around you are going to give you water, not worry about your sweat stains. (Side note: some of the crowd was so nice!! Although the NMH crowd was crazy they were the kindest souls.) As for the shoes, I went for a less fashionable option than yesterday. Because my feet got so hot, I wore Chacos that I only wear for outdoorsy events. They were a good choice for comfort and for the weather, but my feet did get stepped on a few times by The Black Lips and Neutral Milk Hotel crowd. However, I would rather wear Tevas (which are definitely making its way into the fashion world) because the arches are not as intense, but also because some styles are actually really cute. I pulled my hair into a simple french braid to keep it out of my face, and when it got really hot, I wrapped the braid into a low bun. This style was just as effective in keeping the immense amount of hair I have off my body but to also add a unique look to the outfit. 

And as for day three, I didn't even take a picture of the outfit because it was so simple and also because I was in a rush. After two days of trying, I decided to still try but to take it down a few notches by just wearing my high waisted denim shorts I wore on Friday with a bathing suit top that looks like a small crop top (it went all the way up to my collar bones). This was probably the best choice I made all weekend because the bathing suit is water resistant (no sweat stains!) and it was the least amount of clothing I had to worry about. My only regret is that I forgot to put sunscreen on that morning, and the results are not pretty. 

As for the festival, it was probably the best weekend that I've had in an extremely long time. I was able to see three of my favorite bands (The Strokes, Neutral Milk Hotel, and TV on the Radio) up front in the span of three days, and I was able to be front row for other shows like Tame Impala, Best Coast, Wilco, and Mac Demarco. I completely lost my voice and I am so sleep deprived, but it was so worth it because next to fashion, music is probably my next biggest passion. That's what I love about festivals -- it's an opportunity to combine my two passions. 

In summary, each show/festival will depend on the conditions. With an indie festival like this, most people won't care about the little things that could alter your appearance in a negative way. Dress light and simple, but add a touch of cool to create unique looks that everyone at the festival will compliment you on. Wear shoes that will get you through seven hours of waiting at the same stage, but that will also get you to other stages when the lineup doesn't work out perfectly. The biggest priority is the music, but for some (like me!), fashion comes to be a close second. By this weekend, I figured out that it is possible to fit all of these conditions while also dressing in a a fashionable sense. 

Trend of the Week: Stripes

(dress -- Loft; top -- Urban Outfitters)

This week's trend may seem outdated and even over-the-top for some, but the use of stripes in fashion will always be acceptable. The "rule" that horizontal stripes don't flatter anyone is really just a lie because stripes will make any simple color ten times cooler. Plus, they can make you look like you just got back from a month long trip in Paris, which is always a perk. Obviously, we've seen stripes before, whether we like them or not (at least the I part of we is a huge fan of them). But in today's ever-changing world of fashion, we always have to find new ways to carry on old trends. Instead of blending two completely different patterns (which is extremely difficult and rare to pull off), why not blend two of the same patterns, just with different color schemes? That's what I did today by pairing my striped dress with a simple striped cropped tee. The original dress has a bottom of thin vertical stripes using white and tan, and the top, which is a simple racerback, uses thicker and horizontal stripes. The difference in the stripes gives a cool touch to the outfit, but it still is not unique enough for the look I was trying to go for today. To add unity and even confusion to the eye, I paired a top that has horizontal stripes like the top of the dress, but the stripes have the same width as the ones on the bottom of the dress. This brings unity to the outfit, but the different direction of the stripes brings just enough difference to where the two don't clash. Also, the dark scheme of the top balances the light colors in the bottom. One person even told me that my outfit looked like an optical illusion, and that's honestly what I was trying to accomplish today. Combining two types of stripes makes the overrated trend of stripes way more appealing, and it's possible in more ways than this. Pairing pin-striped pants with a subtly-striped top or even wearing a striped skirt with striped socks peeking out of ankle boots can still have the same effect as this outfit. In times especially like May, chaotic patterns and florals can get to be overdone, so it's best to try something new and wear stripes in a new way. 

Trend of the Week: Color-block

This trend is probably something we've all seen before. Get rid of the blended patterns and put together bold, simple, and saturated colors to create an even more interesting look. It has always been huge during the spring, and although it's fairly popular, there are unique and newer ways to handle this trend. Instead of pairing two extremely bold colors that really don't match, try pairing one bold color with a neutral that compliments the color. This effect is best done in a single clothing item, so instead of thinking about this trend while putting together outfits, try it while shopping. I knew I wanted a dress that used the color-block trend, so a few weeks ago, I went online to Madewell to find one. I found a perfect collared dress with a definite split between the two colors -- white and a bold blue (the dress I'm wearing in the photos above). The shapeless fit of the dress and the contrast between the blue and white gave off a mod look that is perfect for spring but that also used the color-block trend perfectly. Because the two colors are in a single dress, the trend is more obvious and creates a far more interesting outfit than pairing a white blouse with a blue skirt. To complete the look, I opted for my strappy black sandals for yet another simple color. And to finally contrast with the white, black, and blue, I wore berry lipstick, which even furthered the color-block trend. Overused patterns can get to be extremely dull, so one of the best options is to mix simple colors for a new and modern look.

Trend of the Week: Spring Neutrals

Practically everyone has been talking about it this season -- ditch the bright spring colors and opt for more basic and neutral schemes. I’m a huge fan of this idea because I know for a fact that many bold colors don’t necessarily flatter everyone, including me. For example, the only bright colors that really look good on me (in my opinion) are blue and pink, so the overrated spring color trend doesn’t exactly work for me. Also, this new color scheme is completely unexpected. Winter is for neutrals, and spring/summer is for bright colors. I have now discovered that neutrals are year-round, it’s just the little things that differentiate these colors from season to season. As you may already know, I did dark and cool neutrals this January (which you can find here), and that is the exact way to style neutrals for the winter. Spring is the complete opposite -- light and warm neutrals. The only thing breaking that rule in this outfit is my chambray top (it’s cool), but it’s such a light shade that it fits in perfectly with the rest of the outfit. I achieved this look by taking my white skirt from Loft (that I can finally wear without being judged due to Spring) and pairing it with a pale pink top from Urban Outfitters that is so light it almost looks white like the skirt. The similar colors create a pseudo monochrome look, which is also definitely in this season. To add a touch of color, I layered my favorite chambray shirt over the outfit. Honestly, I would have worn chunky white sandals with this outfit to continue the color scheme, but unfortunately, all of the shoes I own are dark. However, the single touch of black adds emphasis and contrast to the outfit that ended up working perfectly. Outfits can also have the principles of design, just like art. And even my almost platinum hair matched with the light neutrals in this outfit! 

For hair and makeup today, I created beach waves with my flat iron (my favorite thing to do, probably). I then wore an extremely natural face (only mascara, no eyeshadow!) and wore my bright pink lipstick to also add emphasis to the neutral outfit. 

The simplicity of this color scheme is going to be all over stores pretty soon, so I would suggest in investing in lighter neutrals to add to your closet. The best part about them is that they match with everything if you do decide to find a bold color to wear this Spring. 

Trend of the Week: Florals

This is such an obvious spring trend, but it felt necessary to write about after wearing this fun dress from Topshop. Florals will always be in style, even in the winter, so discussions about this trend are always changing. Honestly, I'm not the biggest floral fan myself (sometimes it's too feminine for my style), and this is a dress I usually wouldn't wear, so I'm going to explain how to make the floral pattern less over-the-top with a few tips. Florals are going to be everywhere this spring, so is there a way to make the pattern unique? That's the question I asked myself before creating this outfit, and I decided to take things I usually do with my outfits and add it to this dress to lessen the femininity and make it more like my style. As you probably know already, I'm obsessed with tying shirts/jackets around my waist. It's convenient but also makes a dull outfit more interesting (and who doesn't love this classic '90s trend?). I've talked about it thousands of times on this blog, but today, I felt like it was really needed with the dress. The dress is already so bright, so to lessen the colors, I tied a simple black and grey pinstriped shirt around my waist to contrast with the poppy colors and to add one of my signature looks to a dress that isn't really my style. (Side note: the dress is actually my sister's, so no, I did not waste money on a dress that I wouldn't usually wear. But hey, I figured out how to make it my style today!). To add edge to the outfit, I wore my black cut-out booties (as always) to complete the outfit. Also, I made the look more my style by wearing wine lips (specifically Bite lipstick in mulberry), because what is a true Natalie look without a bold lip? This season, I hope to see more people trying out florals in different ways. It's such an overused trend that will never fade, so it would be nice to see it in unique styles. All I did today was add basics that I always wear to lessen the extreme of the floral pattern, but there are probably thousands of other ways to make floral more interesting. Maybe to add a layer jacket over a floral top, or to add a chunky sweater to a floral skirt. The possibilities are endless, and I'll be sure to dig out my floral items and create more unique looks with them. 

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Trend of the Week: Denim (NOT jeans!) Part II

(sweater -- Urban Outfitters; skirt -- Topshop; sandals -- Topshop)

As I said yesterday, this week’s “trend of the week” comes in two parts. Denim that comes in different forms other than jeans is such a huge trend right now that I had to dedicate this style to two days. Yesterday was the jacket, and today it’s the skirt. While the denim skirt is usually seen in the form of a mini, other styles do exist, like the one I’m wearing today. The material may not be actual denim, but it definitely gives off the look of denim (like a chambray shirt), and the lighter, more flexible material makes the midi looser and more shapeless. This style can also be seen as extremely tacky along with the jean jacket. However, denim skirts can create super cool looks if worn with the right tops and shoes. With this skirt, it can create an outfit that a grandma would wear if not done properly. That’s literally what someone told me when I bought the skirt, but I knew right when I tried it on that I would make it work. The fact that it’s both a longer skirt and it’s made of a denim-like material only gives off old, hippie vibes, so choosing a top and shoes is the most important part in this process. The top must be tighter and have more edge than the skirt. I chose my simple, white mesh sweater that can be tied at the waist really easily (anything tucked into this skirt just looks bad), and I accessorized with my favorite gold necklace. The white in the top worked perfectly with the lace accents at the hem of the skirt. For the shoes, again, they have to be fashionable, edgy, and work with the length of the skirt. I chose chunky sandals for this outfit, but low boots, like my cutout ones, would work on a chillier day. With this skirt, or any denim skirt, it’s crucial to put the most thought into the items being worn with the skirt. By doing this, it can create an extremely fashionable and trendy outfit. 

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Trend of the Week: Denim (NOT jeans!) Part I

(skirt -- Asos; top -- Asos; jacket -- goodwill)

This week, I'm having a two day trend special. Today I used alternative styles of denim in the form of a jacket, and tomorrow, it will be with a skirt (more details with that look on tomorrow's post!). I decided that because I love denim so much, I had to dedicate two days to this lovely trend. First -- the denim jacket. It's so strange bringing this style back because I remember wearing it all the time in 2nd grade, but it is definitely acceptable now in this fashion age of a resurgence of 90's/early 2000's trends. This jacket actually isn't mine; it's my sister's that she let me borrow today. I haven't yet invested in one for myself because I was scared I would never wear it, but after today, I could wear this jacket with literally anything. This one came from goodwill that already has a few patches sewn onto it, and my sister put a few band pins (like Vampire Weekend and Arcade Fire) on the chest pockets to personalize it. Personally, I would like to get a nicer one for myself, specifically the one from Madewell, that actually fits my body type, but the one I wore still worked -- it had a boyfriend jean kind of fit, just for my upper body. The biggest reason people don't wear these jackets anymore is that they seem to be tacky. However, it is possible to pull off the jean jacket look without looking like either a tacky 90's mom or a typical 1975 fan (I apologize to the people that actually like that band, but you do have to admit that the hardcore fans have a certain look that just doesn't work). For me, I wanted to pull off an edgy look without going over the top, so I wore my velvet mini skirt from Asos paired with my striped crop tee also from Asos. Instead of looking like an obnoxious groupie, I gave off cool 90's-girl vibes without looking like I just stepped out of My So Called Life (although I must admit that that show does have an awesome style, but that's beside the point). The jean jacket was the perfect accessory to make the simple skirt-and-top outfit way more appealing, and it's light nature was perfect for the slight breeze we had today. Depending on how it's worn, the denim jacket can give off tons of different styles. It can be paired with black denim for a grungey, badass look, or it can be layered on top of a sundress for a breezy summer day. I'll be sure to invest in an actual one that I can call my own so I can try out all the looks that are possible with this versatile item.

As for my beauty today, I added a few loose waves to my already naturally wavy hair to create a messier look. My new, bright blonde hair already works so well with this outfit, so I felt like I didn't have to do much with my hair. To accentuate the outfit and my new hair, I applied Eyeko liquid pen eyeliner to create a thick, winged shape, and I wore a lipstick by Revlon in a wine shade. The bold colors and accents in my hair and face made the outfit ten times cooler. Also, ever since I dyed my hair, I'll probably be wearing bold lipstick everyday because bright lips look so much better with a brighter hair color. 

Trend of the Week: Spring Layers

(collared top -- Urban Outfitters; sweater -- Madewell; boots -- Steve Madden)

With spring (usually) comes warm weather, and it may seem impossible to find unique and varying outfits when there are not many things to experiment with due to the higher temperatures. However, layering is not just a fall/winter trend. It seems like a method to only keep warm, but during the warmer months, it can be used to create more interesting outfits with a less abundant wardrobe. Because I have not had the chance to go spring/summer shopping yet, I decided to find a few items that I have owned for a while and create a layered outfit that can actually work in the springtime. The collared shirt/tunic I’m wearing today used to be dress length on me, so in my freshman year of high school, I would just wear a white slip and the “dress” over it. Now, the piece has magically shrunken (either I grew a lot or the shirt shrunk in the wash), and I haven’t even touched this item in two years because I didn’t know how to wear it. A few days ago, I realized it would be possible with the help of beige shorts I own from Loft that I barely wear anymore. The shorts, although the top almost covers them (I bet you didn’t even know I was wearing shorts), makes the outfit more acceptable but also creates a more unique look that already adds a base layer to the layer-centric outfit. And because it’s still a decent temperature (about low 70s), I was still able to wear a sweater over the top to add a final layer to the outfit. The collar and drapey style of the top gives a simple shorts-and-sweater outfit way more style and character. As you all should know by now, layering is my favorite thing to do with creating outfits, and this look proves that it’s possible in the spring. The only “requirements” for a spring layered look are: the layers need to be light, avoid complete coverage of skin (in this case, the legs), and go for pieces that will give the outfit movement (like my collared top). With these three things in mind, I promise that you’ll enter spring with brand new and fashionable outfits that will look completely unique, even if they involve clothes that you constantly wear. 

In regards to the beauty portion of this look, I opted for a more natural look with a touch of bright lips. Although my hair looks completely natural, I had to add a few products to give it a beachy, natural vibe. What I did to achieve this look was to sleep on wet hair after I showered, and when I woke up, I took a few strands in the front and created waves by flat-ironing it in an "s" shape, but not as drastic as what my hairstylist did on friday. Then, I sprayed Alterna Stylist Ocean Waves spray through my roots and ends, which created a messy, effortless look that emphasized the waves. Finally, I scrunched Aveda Control Paste through my ends to hold the waves but to also add more texture to my hair (as you can tell, creating effortless hair really is not effortless). As for my makeup, I just  brushed on some YDK and Verve eyeshadow from my Naked 2 Palette, used an eyeliner brush to apply black eyeshadow on my waterline (just a minimal amount to make my eyes more noticeable), and I added a few layers of Covergirl's Clump Crusher mascara to make my eyelashes noticeable but also natural. Finally, for the most important part, I wore Nars Heat Wave matte lipstick to add emphasis to a natural face and a neutral-toned outfit. 

I usually never talk about my hair/makeup, but I decided to do it for this post. Tell me what you think about me also talking about beauty (next to fashion, always), and I might start making it a consistent thing. 

Trend of the Week: Colored Shorts

(top -- Topshop; shorts -- American Threads)

Trend of the week: Colored Shorts
 With spring coming, shorts are a necessity in everyone’s wardrobes. At times, wearing denim shorts all the time can get boring. Cut-offs that aren’t denim could turn an outfit into a preppy disaster or its opposite -- a cool style that brings a balance of a bright color and edge. A few years back, I would only wear the colored chino shorts from J. Crew, which are definitely cute, but I always wore them with items that just created a tacky mess of too many colors. After a few years of wearing them, I’ve finally found a way to wear these colored shorts and actually make a fashionable outfit. First off, there are a few tips when finding shorts like these -- find a color that works well with your skin tone, steer clear of saturated hues (bright red, bright orange, bright yellow, bright green, etc. The only exception to this is a bright blue), and make sure there’s no tacky repeated animal stitching on them, unless you’re trying to achieve a southern-prep look (if you are, my blog will definitely not help you). A coral/peach color is probably the most complementary color that goes with my skin and hair color, so I found a loose high-waisted pair from American Threads. The clothes you wear with the shorts are almost as important than the shorts themselves, so make sure to wear either neutral items or colors that truly match the shorts. I’m all for not listening to the “matching rules”, but these rules are fairly important in times like this. With colored shorts, a simple matching mistake can create a fashion disaster. Also, the shorts can already give off a slight preppy vibe, so if you want to not go any further, try to find items that are the opposite of “preppy”. I did this by wearing my black, jeweled crop top from Topshop (that only gives off edgy vibes) and by tying my chambray top around my waist to match with the peach tone of the shorts but to also add more edge to the look. My closet is definitely mostly full of neutrals, but at times, wearing bright colors is sometimes necessary, especially in the spring time. It is possible to add bright colors to your outfits without going overboard, you just need to find a balance and know your limits with color schemes. 

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Trend of the Week: Colored Tights

Trend of the Week: The Leather Jacket

The trend of the leather jacket has been around for multiple decades now, and it seems like it will never fade. But with each era comes a different style that is completely unique from the last. Starting in the '50s, only guys wore it to look more "masculine", and as the decades passed, it became a style that was more rebellious (think '80s British punk and '90s grunge). Now, it's coming back in a universal way -- practically any gender can wear it with almost anything to give a more edgy feel but to also keep warm. Today, it was under 10 degrees, so I had to layer with my favorite turtleneck from Urban Outfitters and button-down from Gap paired with my Madewell skinnies. Usually, I'd pair this typical outfit with my pea-coat from J. Crew, but I wanted to try something new, so I dug out this leather jacket from my mom's closet and finished the look with it. It's surprisingly warmer than it looks, and it gives any outfit a super cool style. It can also be paired with dresses and skirts to decrease their femininity or even with cut-offs for that awkward transition from winter to spring. Although it's fairly expensive, the jacket looks good with anything and it's extremely practical, so I'd suggest invest in one (I'm thinking of buying my own pretty soon). Practically seen everywhere on the streets of New York and London, the leather jacket is still here to stay, just 2015 is making the look ten times cooler than it used to be.