Winter Wardrobe Sprucing.

Being a broke college student, I know the hardships of walking into a mall that has recently been revamped and glamorized for Christmas shopping. As you walk from store to store, drooling over new sweaters, tights, boots, scarves, jackets, and gloves, you think to yourself, “why don’t I have a job, so I can buy all these things?” In my situation, I do have a job, and I’m still broke beyond reason. So around this time of year when stores are specifically brainwashing you to think that you need five new scarves, another jacket, knee highs and floral printed tights to make you happy, I give you tips to make old items that you already have feel new again!

Shorts Aren’t Just For Summer:

Break out the shorts that you were wearing back in August and pair them with tights, boots, and a sweater. If you really want to be risky, or your city isn’t experiencing a post-summer climate that's cold, try pairing them with knee highs. By replacing your regular go-to jeans with a pair of shorts, it will give your outfit a whole new look which appears much more put together than plain old jeans.

Unbutton That Button-Down:

Use a button down shirt or a top with a zipper down the front as a vest or cover-up. By adding this extra layer, not only will it keep you warm, but it will make use of a totally different way of wearing an item that is usually only worn a certain way. For example: take that flannel or blouse and layer it over another item in your closet, and top it off with a belt. It will look fashionable and gives a whole new dimension to an old piece of clothing.

Switch Up Your Scarves:

Tie your scarves differently, or layer the scarves that you already have. By tying a scarf a different way, you can create a whole new look. When I say tie your scarf a different way, I don’t just mean around your neck. Scarves can be used as belts or shawls, too. If you’re set on your ways of wearing your scarves, try layering your scarves. By layering scarves it keeps you warm and makes the look of each scarf pop when paired together. Plus, if you’re layering at least one scarf with a pattern, you can simply wear a plain top and let your scarves take the main stage.

Different ways to wear scarves:

Around your head as a head wrap.

(Photo Courtesy: Cupcakes and Cashmere)

The western style.

(Photo Courtesy: Let Me Feel Like a Doll)

Wrapped all around or...

Around your head as a hood.

(Photos Courtesy: Tickle Your Fancy)

And here is a perfect example of laying scarves in a very successful manner.

(Photo Courtesy: Fashion Toast)

How To: Paperclip Necklace

As said before in this post, I am always intrigued by items in fashion that I have never seen before. So when I found the picture below floating around the internet the other day, I immediately saved it and thought, "I wonder if I could make that." I did find a place to buy that exact necklace here, if you'd like. However, if you like a challenge and have some extra paperclips laying around, I would give it a shot!

Here is my final product:

How to make this paperclip necklace:

1. Start by stringing together about 18 paper clips. This will serve as your shortest necklace chain out of the ultimate 3. I used 18 paper clips, but you can change this if it does not flatter you as well. I judged mine by hanging it around my neck and having it fall about a two inches below my collar bones.

TIP: If you are using multi colored paper clips like me, use the same color at each end of the necklace that will work as a clasp to avoid confusion.

TIP: For the next few steps, I simply taped the necklace on my wall to work with it.

2. Make another string of paperclips for your medium length chain of the necklace but use the same number of paper clips in this chain as your short one. I used 18 paper clips again.

3. Connect the second chain onto the first one by sliding its end paper clips onto the second paperclip of the original one.

4. Now, make sixteen sets of two paper clips and attach them between the two chains starting from the center and working outwards. Once you finish connecting these double paper clips, use two single paper clips on each outer edge since the space to fill is smaller than that in the center.

5. Make a third, longest, chain of paper clips with FOUR more paper clips than the original two. So, in my necklace I used 22 paper clips for the third chain, since the first was 18. Connect it the same way as you did the second.

6. Repeat the same steps as above by connecting sixteen pairs of double paper clips from the center outwards followed by four single paper clips.

7. Style it! Try it on and arrange paper clips that lay awkwardly or add paper clips to where there may be an empty spot. You may have to add or subtract some paper clips from the chains to have it lay best on you.

Of course this necklace would look much higher fashion with all silver paper clips, or at least one solid color of paper clips, but I had to work with what I had! Also, add a few personal touches. If you have some cool beads laying around, string them onto some of the paper clips. If you can find some ribbon, run it through the chains of the paper clips. Necklace cost from the online store where it was found: $15 plus shipping and handling. Necklace home-made and just as cool: $1 from the dollar store and about 20 minutes of your day.

Mixed Signals.

Over the last few years patterns have become increasingly more popular in fashion. A way to spice up the usual patterned items in your wardrobe is to pair them with other patterns in place of basics. This may seem like a failure in the works, but when you mix patterns correctly they create an awesome look.

(shirt, skirt)

One way to mix patterns is to keep the same basic color scheme between the two. In this outfit, we have a black and white flannel worn with a black and white striped skirt. This mixing of patterns works due to the continuity in colors between the two items. 

(top, sweater)

Another way to mix patterns is by having a smaller pattern mixed with a larger pattern. In this outfit, we have a polka dot print top with a striped sweater. The large stripes balance out the small print of the polka dots.

(dress, jacket)

A final way to mix prints is by having the same shape of the prints. In this outfit we have a mixture of cheetah print and a soft grid looking pattern. Both of these patterns appear as little circles and therefore can be paired together for shape continuity.

There are a few ways that a simple mixture of patterns can go terribly wrong. One thing to avoid is two like prints worn together. For example: one should not mix a floral top with a floral skirt. The difference between prints is what makes them work. Another thing to avoid is clashing colors. When working with mixing prints it is best to stick to neutral colors or pull a color from one print and use it in the other. For example, if you wear a floral shirt with purple yellow and green on it, you can wear a sweater with one of those colors in a print with a neutral.

Trying out a few different mixtures of the prints in your closet will give you different options and  allow you to see which prints work best together of your own.

An "A" in Fashion.

One of my biggest Pet Peeve’s with college isn’t the annoying schedules, the homework, the professors, or even the cafeteria food. In my mind, there is something more disgusting than synthetic cafeteria food, and it is called college fashion. My outlook on seeing other girls in college wearing sweats to class is similar to that of Cher's from the film Clueless, on the way that boys dress in high school. "I don't get how guys dress today. I mean, come on, it looks like they just fell out of bed and put on some baggy pants and take their greasy hair and cover it up with a backwards cap and like, we're expected to swoon? I don't think so." I hope that we all have a little bit more dignity than that.

It is true that most college kids are broke due to miscellaneous fees in college, but that is no excuse to wear your pajamas to class in place of normal clothes. With stores like Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, H&M, Old Navy, and others, it is a difficult thing to say that you cannot find fashionable things at an affordable, college-student, price.

So, I came up with three comfortable, easy, inexpensive outfits that remain fashionable but still are as easy to throw on as sweatpants and a sweatshirt. Each of these outfits will be paired with these boots:

(Boots: $29.80)

Outfit 1:

(Tunic: $11.80, Tights: $3.50, Cover-Up: $11.80, Earrings: $1.50)

Total Cost: $28.60 (without boots)

Stripes are always fashionable, and the black and white color scheme here is classic. Due to the overwhelming print of the tunic, I chose earrings as an accessory so that there wasn’t an issue of clashing with the print. With earrings, they are far enough away from the dress that they stand out and do not blend in to the rest of the outfit. The striped tunic is made of cotton and spandex, so it will be stretchy and comfortable.

Outfit 2:

(Top: $22, Cover-Up: $15.84, Jeans: $14.50)

Total Cost: $52.34 (without boots)

I based this outfit off of the grey jeans, because they are fashionable due to the change of color from the standard blue jeans. Plus, jeans are the universal comfort pants in college, so this outfit will not be difficult to wear. The soft colors of grey, lilac, and white create a nice color contrast with the boots, and the feminine top balances out the masculine look of the boots. The sweater has a cool design on the back that will allow the purple to peek through when it it worn over it.

Outfit 3:

(Top: $14.24, Cover-Up: $17.80, Skirt: $6.80)

Total Cost: $38.84 (without boots)

This top is wonderful because it consists of so many different colors that all merge well together. That means that you can wear it with a variety of different things of different colors in your closet. I paired this top with a solid, neutral skirt and sweater due to the strong print. The top is pretty yet comfortable, it isn’t very tight and the cinched waist will flatter your figure. 

All of these outfits are essentially made up of only a few pieces, so it will not take long to get dressed and out the door before your first class.

Hand-Eye Coordination.

In the spirit of October and Halloween, it’s time to explain the inspiration behind my blog’s title: Eye For Fashion. “A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away...” better known as Ohio, I purchased the film Mozart and The Whale (for $3!). Upon watching it for the first time and seeing the character “Mozart” in the film sporting several eyeball rings, my love for eyeballs became apparent. On jewelry, that is.

(Movie still from Mozart and The Whale)

If you haven’t noticed yet I am fond of all things weird, especially in fashion. What’s more surprising than shaking hands with someone and looking down to see an eyeball staring back up at you? Not much, unless you’re meeting Edward Scissorhands for the first time.

Although I love the traditional eyeball ring, as seen in the screen shots above, it's difficult to find them outside of Ebay. However, I have spotted evil eye jewelry at several stores such as Boscovs, Macy’s, and the Piercing Pagoda. Eyeball jewelry is especially popular at boutiques, so remember to check out their jewelry section if you are interested in all things weird, too!

Certain cultures believe that the evil eye stone, whose appearance differs a bit from the traditional look of an eyeball, is believed to ward off evil and protect the one wearing the stone. Whether or not you believe this doesn’t make a difference to me; I like to believe that it wards off evil, however, I wear the pieces that I own for fun.

(Multi Colored Evil Eye Bracelet: Boscovs, White: Lucky Lady Boutique, Seaside Heights, NJ)

(Evil Eye Necklace: Shaded Vision Boutique, Point Pleasant, NJ)

From my various attempts to hunt down eyeball jewelry, I have found that the largest supply of eyeball jewelry can be found online. There are several websites dedicated solely to evil eye jewelry, two being www.evileyestore.com and www.loveandlucky.com. Ebay also provides affordable finished pieces or separate eyeball pendants and beads to make your own jewelry. Most often, self-made pieces end up being the most affordable and unique. I fully recommend Ebay for eyeball jewelry due to their vast selection that is constantly being updated. Best of all, they offer bulk prices on select items. Now, that's a deal I can't resist.

Good Will Haul.

Good Will may not seem like the most appealing place to look for new clothing, however I seem to find some of my best deals there. Yes, when you walk in the door you are hit with a “secondhand” smell that lacks in comparison to Abercrombie & Fitch’s scent that can be detected  on the opposite side of the mall. Yes, it is 98% secondhand, useless clothes that will not interest you in the least bit, even for purposes of using as a cleaning rag. However, if you have some extra time on your hands and are feeling in the patient, scavenger-hunt mood, I guarantee that you will be able to find at least one piece in a Good Will store that you will like.

So, originally I went into the Good Will near my house searching for an inexpensive black lace top, to use the fabric for a project that I am working on. I left with precisely what I was searching for and much more. Within my Good Will haul I collected an impressive seven items for $18, one of such items being a pair of shoes, one of my best finds yet. My haul also included a new top from Target, a new scarf from Target, a new top from Kohl’s, a tank top and a vintage belt. 

It’s true - Good Will does carry items that are brand new! Local stores like Target and Kohls will donate clothes that they are unable to sell to local Good Will stores. The perks just keep getting better: every day Good Will discounts 50% off of certain items marked by the color of their tags, and if you have a school I.D. they will give you 15% off of your entire purchase. Their other discounts can be found at their website: www.goodwill.org, or you can shop online at www.shopgoodwill.com. If you donate clothes, you can get a 20% coupon, as well. Lastly, all of their proceeds go to families in need. If that’s not enough to have you stop in, then I don’t know what is!

(Pictured: belt found at Good Will in Bayville, NJ with flower engraving detail; 99 cents).

Chunk in the Trunk.

Chunky sweaters are a must-have wardrobe item for Fall and the transition into Winter. Not only are they cute and comfortable, but they’re warm too, which is the main focus for the cold months of November through February. Staying warm and fashionable at the same time during the winter can be difficult, but knitted sweaters tackle both of those jobs.

One of my favorite things about chunky sweaters is that they can be worn with practically anything; they have the flexibility of a good gymnast. If you want to transition one of your summer dresses into a fall outfit, you can add a chunky sweater, a belt, and some boots. If you want to transition a tank top to work in the fall, you can just layer on a big sweater and a pair of jeans. In addition, the texture of a sweater paired with plain or patterned clothing provides a great contrast that will draw eyes to an outfit.

Now, you might be concerned about the price of these sweaters, but where there is a will, there is a way. That “way” just so happens to be at fashionable stores like Forever 21, H&M, and Charlotte Russe, where you can buy a few of those sweaters for the price of one designer sweater. However, the best bang for your buck will be found on the sale racks at retail stores JC Penney and Macy’s, who provide quality clothing for killer prices when marked down. So I send you into the fall weather with the advice to remember to be thrifty and stylish, because they can be the same thing!

(Clockwise: H&M Fall Catalogue 2010, Marie Claire 2009, Free People Fall Catalogue 2010, FP Catalogue 2010)

Tough as nails.

In my opinion, no outfit would be complete without the perfect nail polish to - no pun intended - polish off your look. A personal favorite of mine in the nail polish brand category would be Essie. This brand, along with others such as O.P.I. are some of the most well known to be used in nail salons. With prices on each bottle ranging from about $8-$10 they are a splurge item, and therefore I believe should be bought in basic colors. The three main colors I would consider basic would be a beige or natural color, a pastel, and a deeply saturated color. 

First, a beige colored nail polish is a necessity for a quick color that provides that little extra shine to your fingers and pulls a look together. The neutrality of the color avoids any outfit-nail color clashes in a hurry. My pick would be Essie’s “Imported Champagne.”

(Buy it here)

Next, pastels are not only acceptable for Easter anymore. Light tints of pinks, greens, and blues work wonders with neutral colored outfits, adding the perfect pop of color that your boss, teacher, and friends will approve of. My pick would be Essie’s “Mint Candy Apple.”

(Buy it here)

Finally, a deeply saturated color can be worn year-round. The deep color can be considered a Thanksgiving or Christmas color when worn in the winter, and can also add a nice contrast to summer and spring outfits that are normally light in color. My pick would be Essie’s “Material Girl.”

(Buy it here)

If you're not happy with my choices, the Essie Boutique website offers hundreds of different colors, categorized in shades or collections. In addition, they offer nail treatments, solutions, and accessories which include solutions for almost any nail-crisis you can have. The special solutions, such as extensive nail strengtheners and even nail polish top coats specifically designed for people who use tanning beds, cost more than traditional nail polishes by Essie at about $15.

"These boots were made for walking."

Like a good outfit, this blog will consist of many layers. It will contain images from magazines, the internet, and other sources that inspire me in the world of fashion. In addition, I will post about current sales, trends, and how I mix the two by capturing my own thrifty purchases. I may even throw in a few D.I.Y. projects of my own, such as re-working pieces of clothing, or cute and easy ways to display and store pieces of your own wardrobe.

That being said, I will tell you about how a week ago I had made a serious decision to go on a “shopping diet,” if you will. That is, I promised myself not to buy any more clothing because I already have a closet stuffed to the brim that resembles a cream puff trying to fit through a keyhole. In short, I do not have any more room for new clothing, and more importantly I do not have the funds in my bank account anymore to support my shopping addiction.

My diet was all going good and well until a good friend of mine notified me of a killer sale at the popular store Charlotte Russe: all shoes (and boots!) for only $20. Now, “shopping diet,” or not, there was no way I would pass up an event such as this. Therefore, I decided to revamp my boot collection by purchasing a pair of knee-high dark brown boots with a strap and buckle detail. I justified my purchase through saying to myself, “boots are a staple piece for winter: they are comfortable, practical, and most importantly, fashionable.” I think that it’s safe to say that purchasing a staple piece for my wardrobe this winter - for $30 off the original price - would be an acceptable cheat to my diet. After all, who doesn’t appreciate a cupcake more than someone who hasn’t eaten carbs for the last two weeks?

(Buy them here).