Wardrobe Wednesday: Sadie’s Spectacular Style
Wardrobe Wednesday: Sadie’s Spectacular Style Fashion merchandising alum, Sadie Kinzer, took us on a journey through her style evolution in the way of vintage hats, thrifted boots, and classic turtlenecks. From growing up in Kenya to playing dress up with her American girl dolls, Kinzer reminisces on her first memories in the fashion world and how they got her to where she is today. Kinzer has always had a love for unique and antique pieces. She attributes her entry into fashion to her mom’s shared vintage dress collection, as well as her hometown thrift trips. From a young age, Kinzer has had an eye for timeless pieces and the reinvention of older silhouettes. Kinzer describes her style as classic, tailored, and Woodstock-inspired. She exemplifies this by her combination of simple pieces matched with funky, vintage accessories. Kinzer looks to her favorite coming-of-age show, Gilmore Girls, and 90s fashion as her inspiration as she starts her life after college. And what better place to find these special pieces than at thrift stores! Kinzer loves a good thrift haul, especially when she’s back home in Connecticut. She loves venturing through preloved clothes and reimagining their potential in her own wardrobe. Her favorite find thus far has been her Miss Sixty coat that is typically paired with her favorite pair of tall boots. She finishes off almost every outfit with her favorite gold accessories, making the outfit her very own.
Winter in the City
Winter in the City As the air gets colder and the days get shorter, the Carrie Bradshaws of the world wonder: is it time to pull out the fur coat and leather gloves yet? And the answer is always yes! With winter arriving in full force this year, it can be difficult to come up and keep up with varying trendy pieces. This winter, sprucing up winter basics with layers and warm accessories is the way to go. While earmuffs, gloves and scarves are essentials, they can be a practical way to add some dimension to an outfit. Combining patterns and bold colors within these accessories can almost convert an everyday outfit into something that stands out. Fur coats have always been part of a classic winter wardrobe. This year, fur coats have been heavily emphasized in the fashion industry. While nude and black are staple colors for these jackets, leopard print fur coats have been peaking this season as the print becomes a “neutral” for some. Cheetah and leopard prints can be seen in almost all accessories from coats to boots to scarves. This specific print, in addition to a red pop of color, has been a match made in heaven this season. As for shoes, trends have transitioned from fall to winter quite smoothly. Taller boots with a chunky heel can be part of an everyday cozy look. Slingback kitten heels can be warmed up with tights for elegant nights or with leg warmers for a more casual look. This season don’t be afraid to invest in warm winter basics as they can always be used for the next season. Remember the world of pattern and texture mixing isn’t as scary as one may think! You can always start small with accessories and work your way up. The winter season is all about experimenting with clothes as layers are crucial to keep warm. Start off the new year right by having fun playing around in your wardrobe as you never know what outfits you can create!
Wardrobe Wednesday: Ruby’s Classically Cool Collection
Wardrobe Wednesday: Ruby’s Classically Cool Collection When thumbing through Ruby North-Sandel’s closet, you are greeted with comfortable classics and funky thrift finds. Her wardrobe is an effortless ode to the all American girl next door. Since she was a little girl volunteering at the local thrift shop with her grandma, Ruby has loved being surrounded by fashion. Now, in her young adult wardrobe, that thrifted essence and deep appreciation for her clothing is hard to ignore. Mixing prints and fabrics, whilst including appreciated basics, is a formula Ruby has memorized for her perfect look. Having go-to pieces in your wardrobe, such as a favorite pair of jeans, or a perfect sweater allows you to always feel good in what you wear, but also leaves room for statement pieces to steal the show. Accessorizing can make all the difference, and for Ruby bows, chain belts, and classic jewelry can complete any ensemble. With style inspirations like Enya Umanzor, inspiration for eclectic and funky outfits is never scarce! It is very clear that Ruby has fun with her clothes, and she appreciates all past versions of her style. Her wardrobe is a beautiful collection of pieces that have prevailed through the trials and tribulations of finding her personal style. Ruby showcases elevated classics and sentimental accessories, such as her grandma’s 1940s ring, in her daily looks. This combination results in her outfits always looking perfectly thought out, doused with a hint of character and creativity.
Wardrobe Wednesday: Caera’s Crochet Craze
Wardrobe Wednesday: Caera’s Crochet Craze Fashion Merchandising senior, Caera Harrison, gives a whole new meaning to maximalism in this digital age of fashion. Inspired by the looks of musician Rina Sawayama and Instagram influencer @saracamposarcone, Harrison uses fashion as a form of self expression as she combines layered pieces and funky accessories. Harrison is all about giving second-hand clothing a new life. Like many in this generation, Harrison counts on thrift stores and second-hand online shopping platforms, like Depop, for her everyday wear. Whether she’s on the hunt for a certain item or just browsing, Harrison will make anything work to her benefit. She thrives in pattern mixing and using varying textures to add dimension to a regular outfit. She loves a solid statement piece to complete an outfit as she emphasizes her love of jewelry and one-of-a-kind pieces. And when she can’t find specific pieces at a local Goodwill, she isn’t afraid to make it herself! Her collection of crochet and knits capture the essence of self expression in her daily life. Harrison has spent hours not only crocheting accessories for herself and her loved ones, but also the environment. In a previous semester, Harrison and others in the fashion department started a yarn-bombing project, making Virginia Commonwealth University more colorful and vibrant. Harrison, with the help of other students, used her unique taste in fashion to make the community a little brighter. Now, how does one replicate this funky and colorful style? Harrison’s style, or as some have deemed “CaeraCore,” is just about exploring pieces to their full potential and getting creative with how one wears a certain piece. Harrison just loves to play around with cl0thing and accessories. As for her current favorites, she loves a pop of color and pattern, especially green and pink.
Wardrobe Wednesday: Ryan’s Sensationally Chic Closet
Wardrobe Wednesday: Ryan’s Sensationally Chic Closet Classics and creativity come together seamlessly in Ryan Benson’s closet, creating a sensational wardrobe for the junior graphic design student. Ryan’s closet would be far from complete without his star collection of vests; the perfectly functional and versatile layering staple. You can regularly see Ryan sporting one of his favorites alongside his Levi’s bootcut jeans, fun platform boots, and the perfect spread of jewelry. His closet is composed of moody basics, stunning knits, and dark statement pieces; the selection inspired by his favorite style icons. From pop king Troye Sivan to instagram star Tyler Omeed Mazaheri, sleek streetwear meets eclectic statement pieces creating Ryans perfect variety of garments. Finding your personal style is all about playing with different pieces to see what you like. With the use of Pinterest for inspiration every morning, Ryan’s style is ever changing. There is no fear of testing different matches of proportion or texture in Benson’s daily looks Ryan shared his personal style growth from preppy cardigans, chelsea boots and tucking everything into his favorite pair of skinny jeans, to his now expansive and creative taste littered with chic staples and playful attire. Fashion and expressing himself has become muscle memory for Ryan. Even for someone whose closet is mostly thrifted and sourced from secondhand retailers, a boy could still dream big! Ryan’s dream fashion purchase is a Loewe embellished long sleeve polo and high waisted jeans as seen on Troye Sivan. Accessorizing is one of the biggest factors in Ryan’s effortless looks; the perfect necklace finishing off most of them. From sunglasses to jewelry to the perfect bag or coat, he’s got the accessories department covered.
Wardrobe Wednesday: Alex’s Ode to Girlhood
Wardrobe Wednesday: Alex’s Ode to Girlhood Walking into Alex Gabitan’s wardrobe brought back all sorts of girlhood nostalgia. This fashion merchandising senior uses garments to call back to her earlier years of playing dress up. Gabitan even recalls one of her first experiences with fashion involved curating outfits for her Bratz dolls in her imaginary store. She further describes her style as feminine and soft as she carries herself in a more playful manner. Her closet reflects her use of color, specifically pastels often paired with a darker staple. Gabitan favors lace, frills and girly patterns to add the perfect feminine touch to any plain outfit. She scavenges second-hand online websites, like Depop, to find her pretty perfect pieces. Gabitan takes pride in her thrifted garments as she gives them a new life in her wardrobe. Looking more into Gabitan’s prized possessions, her mother’s 2009 North Face puffer jacket makes an appearance. The coat, passed down by love, is not only keeping Gabitan warm during the winter months, but on trend during this fashion cycle. Similarly, her Betty Boop leather jacket is a fun callback to a simpler time of Gabitan’s life. It’s safe to say her wardrobe is filled with marvelous memories and on the lookout to make more as she moves on to the next steps of her life. What more could a girl with such an expansive collection want? Gabitan’s dream purchase is a Guizio sequin skirt, which sources have indeed confirmed she added to her wardrobe shortly after the interview. This skirt is not like any other. It’s rather a reflection of Gabitan’s fun and flirty attitude towards fashion, almost like a reminder not to take anything too seriously. It also doesn’t hurt that one of her top artists, Olivia Rodrigo, has been seen rocking a similar style.
Wardrobe Wednesday: Madden’s Marvelous Closet
Wardrobe Wednesday: A Look Into Maddens Marvelous Closet Stepping into senior student Madden Cook’s closet was a high honor. Straight out of an early 2000s film, the space was littered with strategically placed bags, shoes, and impeccably eclectic pieces. It was practically begging to be captured. Her extravagant collection of pieces, mostly thrifted, show a long history of fashion dedication. Cook’s closet has everything you could ever need; fit for the ultimate it-girl. With a wardrobe that thrives off of second hand clothing, and an emphasis on sustainability, Madden often upcycles her thrifted pieces. Not only giving them a new life, but also assurance that she’ll never run out of new outfits. With a multitude of statement pieces, the possibilities are endless for show stopping ensembles. Madden prides herself on an esteemed collection of Dr. Marten shoes, which are showcased beautifully in her magnificent closet. The clothes can’t take all the credit; beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and in this case Cook is a fashion mastermind. From dressing up in her moms clothes with her sister, to now having a closet the size of an antique store, Madden has always had an eye for fashion. Madden’s myriad of vintage garments has Sex In The City star Carrie Bradshaw, her main fashion inspiration, written all over it. From fabulous coats, to slinky slip dresses, the 90s called and said Madden is killing it. STAPLES ARE A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND We all have those few pieces we could absolutely not live without. Regardless of her fully stocked wardrobe, Madden has a few staples herself. Leather jackets are never a scarcity in her day to day ensembles, and a fun hat or handbag never hurt anyone. Flirty dresses add a perfect feminine flair to edgy outfits, complete with Cook’s knee high, lace up Dr. Marten boots. And understandably, many plaid skirts have found a home within Madden’s stockpile.