Fashion is about more than the physical clothes itself. Fashion creates an impression of you before you even open your mouth to speak. It screams: this is me this is who I am. Some people like to switch up what they wear, while some are comfortable in the same things, day after day, year after year. Whatever kind of fashionista you choose to be, everyone has that one trend by which they can be recognized. This style identifier is different for every single person. For some it’s colored jeans; for others its button downs and Sperry’s. Mine is dresses. I wear a dress three to five times a week and rock it a different way every time. People are happy in their own identifier and may be intimidated by other peoples since they are not as comfortable with it. For me, it’s mixing prints. I don’t know how to go about doing that without looking like I got dressed in the dark and honestly I just avoid it at all costs (someone PLEASE teach me how to do this since I’m dying to know). Many people avoid my fashion identifier. They don’t want to look over dressed or too fancy, and have people ask them all day “you look nice, what’s the occasion,” which I admit has happened to me multiple times. My goal however is to teach people how to make my style identifier a part of their wardrobe. There is no better feeling than having that girl whose style YOU admire, compliment you on your outfit, or let’s be honest, seeing that hot boy from your gb214 class and knowing you look good. There are a few simple rules I follow that will guide you through implementing this trend into your wardrobe:
1. Stay away from super tight low cut dresses by themselves. You don’t want to look like you are going out on the town on a Friday night. If you are desperate to wear that new bodycon you just snagged a deal on from LF then MAKE SURE to pair it with a blazer and tights or a long flowy sweater. It is vital that it is paired with something that covers that fact that’s its fitting like a second skin, that’s a no-no for going to class.
2. Tights are your best friend. Patterned, colored or just plain black, whichever you prefer, make sure you have some tights and while you’re at it have a variety too. Pairing tights with a dress makes it look less going out and more so flirty and fun. Patterned tights are a personal favorite. It creates a casual feel, and allows you to totally change up a simple dress. If you’re bold, wear a patterned dress with patterned tights!
3. Blazers are so in right now. It snags some of the attention away from the dress (if it’s the right one of course) and allows you to get away with wearing the same casual black dress you wore last week. No one will know that the dress you are pairing with a bright green jacket is the same one that you wore an oversized sweater with last week. Talk about versatile!
4. Invest in some belts, any color, any size (I prefer big chunky ones, but skinny belts will serve the same purpose). They cut the outfit in half, somewhat tricking the eye into thinking that there are two different pieces, one top and one bottom. If you’re like me who has a love affair with the color black, it also allows a pop of color. In addition they make your waist look smaller, making the dress more flattering (talk about a win win-win)!
5. Layer, Layer, Layer. Wearing a dress on its own is always fine, but adding some pizazz to your outfit just makes it even better. Wear a fur vest, blazer, cardigan, sweater, wrap shirt… basically whatever your heart desires over the top of your dress. It totally changes the whole look of the outfit and in some cases makes it so it doesn’t even look like a dress, just a skirt and a top. This is a way to express yourself and way to wear your favorite tie shirt without having to wear it with just jeans. Mix it up, show your personal style and stray from the traditional!
6. Don’t be afraid! The fear of looking over dressed is one reason people stay away from dresses but the other is that it is so hard to get up in the morning and resist those comfy sweatpants and sweatshirt for a day full of grueling classes. But hello, it is a top and bottom ATTACHED. No matching involved no squeezing into jeans and trying to find a cute shirt all the way in the back of your drawer. Pull on the dress, grab a blazer and tights, maybe some jewelry and bam… done. Takes a total of about 5 minutes for a days’ worth of looking put together and attractive… trust me it’s worth it.
So take my word for it, dresses are your friend! There are a million ways to wear them and a million ways to accessorize. Don’t be timid, rock your stuff! Take one week and wear a different dress (or even the same dress in a totally different way) and see how you feel, I promise the confidence and compliments will ensue!
Photos from Chictopia, Asos, FashionForward, Republic, FarFetch, Nordstrom
Leah, Class of 2015
