Fashion Trends This Rainy Season

Five Fashion Trends This Rainy Season

Summer is almost over and before you know it, school has already begun. Soon enough, home works and research papers will replace your time allotted for spontaneous beach trips and random hangouts in your friend's house. Here in the Philippines, despite having the "Endless Summer" type of temperature that we have always been accustomed to, we cannot discount the fact that as the end of May approaches, the rainy season also begins. It has always been easy in summer: slip into something sleeveless and distressed shorts, and you're good to go. But how do you stay fashionable in the rainy season?

Carry protective gear. This is one of the old man's tales. Bring an umbrella with you wherever you go. Nobody wants to be drenched in the rain just before you run for your next class. You wouldn't want to burn your skin while doing errands for your sick boss. In a country like the Philippines where the whether is rather deemed as unpredictable, everyone should always carry a foldable umbrella with them. You can also bring a cute raingear if you find it taxing to hold an umbrella. Rain gears aren't for kindergarteners alone anymore. Find one that suits your personality and age. You might find the SpongeBob Square pants-inspired really cute but your officemates might simply be annoyed.

Wear shorts, skirts, capris. People usually wear jeans during the rainy season but few realize that the hem of their pants gets soaked in the rainwater, and the water even goes up the garment. So why don't you try wearing something whose hem does not fall to the ground like shorts, skirts, or capris? Just be sure to wear something covered for the top to keep it classy and decent.

Bring waterproof bags.

Just because leather bags are made of leather doesn't mean you can use them at any given time and weather. During this season, opt for something more practical such as nylon totes. You may also want to stash in some ziplock bags just in case you need a place to put your mobile phones, wallets or other gadgets for more protection.

Wear light makeup. Whether it be the rainy season or the dry season, it is always better to wear light or no makeup unless necessary. Bacteria are easier to multiply in wet season that is why you should always keep your brushes clean and avoid too much contact between your hands and face.

Wear fashionable boots. Of course, you don't want to soak 

those Torys in the rain or mud. So why don't you slip on something as fashionable like boots? Flip flops aren't always law-abiding when it comes to school or office dress codes and no matter how comfortable they are, you will never look good in them unless you are at the beach. Flip flops are also a choice of many who are commuting but don't you think it is much better to wear boots and save yourself from all the trouble and worry that you might have stepped into an animal's pee or something? True enough, your feet are the most abused part of the human body so protect it and take extra care of it.

Rain is often associated with depression, lethargy and tardiness but it doesn't mean that you have to be depressed, lethargic and lazy during this time. You always have to bear in mind that you can always be sunny even in the midst of the rainy season, and this will begin in the way you perceive yourself, and how you project yourself to others. The rainy season should not rob you the opportunity chance to be fashionable and to enjoy the season. To top it all, always carry with you a cheery personality and a warm smile as if to say, "No, rain, you can't bring me down."

What kinds of clothing do college students really need?

What kinds of clothing do college students really need? Here are some tips for freshman girls on what to pack for school and what to leave home. 

 

What kinds of clothes do college girls need for school? When thinking about what to buy and what to bring, here's one word to keep mind: practical! You can be a campus fashion icon if that makes you happy, but most students prefer to spend their time and money on other things. College life is stressful, and you're going to want to be comfortable more often than you'll want to be stylish.

The norms on how students dress differ from campus to campus. Some college campuses are more "Abercrombie" than others. In most cases, though, there's not going to be nearly as much pressure to fit in with the latest fashions as there was in high school.

So what kinds of clothes should you bring to college? Here are a few practical fashion tips.

1. Bring comfortable clothes. You may be the type who doesn’t mind a little discomfort in the name of fashion, and that’s fine. But there will be days when cozy clothes are a must, like during finals or the day after a nasty breakup, so make sure you have them on hand. Think T-shirts, sweats, and cozy jeans. Also, bring comfortable things to sleep in that won’t embarrass you in front of your roommate, or in front of the surprise guests that pop by at 3:00 a.m.
2. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Unless you enjoy being miserable, this is mandatory. Ladies, please don’t walk around campus in high-heeled pumps. This isn’t Sex and the City-- it’s a college campus, and you’re going to be walking constantly. Save the cute heels for the weekend.
3. Bring low maintenance clothes. Time is at a premium in college. If it needs hand washing, don’t bring it. Heck, if it needs ironing, don’t bring it.
4. Bring weather appropriate clothes. Keep in mind that you’ll be walking around campus all the time, so if your school is in a cold climate, bring a heavy coat, scarf, gloves, and waterproof boots. Here are some suggestions for warm winter clothes that are great for campus. Wear whatever you need to keep warm even if it messes up your outfit. If whomever it is you’re trying to impress likes you less with hat hair, this isn't someone worthy of your attention.
5. Bring weekend clothes. Go ahead and bring the cute stuff. You'll probably want to save it for the weekends, though. No need to get all dolled up for your 8:00 a.m. class
6. Don't come to class half naked. This may be appreciated by some of the male students (and professors too, sadly), but this is not the way to be taken seriously in the classroom. Save the sexy stuff for the weekends, and come to class looking a little more professional. Even outside the classroom, it can be sexier to leave a little to the imagination and show off just one feature at a time. If you wear a navel-baring shirt, wear baggy pants. If you wear a micro-mini skirt, pair it with a big sweater.
7. Bring clothes you can layer. You're going to be coming in from the cold into overheated classrooms, and in from the heat into classrooms fit for a polar bear.
8. Discover the joy of thrift shops. Unless you're very lucky, you're probably not going to have the funds to maintain a chic wardrobe, so indulge your love of shopping by buying clothes at thrift stores. If you have the attitude that clothing has to be expensive or new, this would be a good time to lose it. Most college campuses have funky used clothes stores nearby for inexpensive shopping sprees, and for selling your old clothes for a few bucks. For great bargains, also check out clearance racks and on-line sites like eBay.

High School Fashion vs. College Fashion

High School Fashion vs. College Fashion

I’ve been asked a lot lately about the differences between college fashion and high school fashion. With many high school grads getting ready for college in the fall, I think it’s a question that lots of people are wondering about.

So what is college fashion like in comparison to high school fashion? What do people wear in college? How should college girls dress? What clothes should you bring with you to college, and what should you leave home?

As someone who wondered about this stuff when I was going to college, I understand. The whole transition to college is nerve-racking for everyone, but don’t worry! I’m here to help you all out.

Understanding the differences between high school fashion and college fashion isn’t that difficult – in some ways they’re really similar, but in others, they’re miles apart.

Misconceptions

Let’s start by getting rid of a few misconceptions about university fashion. Sure, there are exceptions to every rule, but for the most part, these stereotypes are FALSE!

1. College girls don’t care about fashion.

Some people have the idea that college girls are lazy and none of us care about fashion because we’re so busy. This is completely untrue, as any stylish college girl will tell you!

While college life is definitely stressful, it’s not very difficult to look good and deal with school at the same time. It’s obvious that just a few badly dressed college girls are giving the rest of us a bad name.

2. We wear our college’s hoodies every day.

Some people in college do wear their university sweatshirts on a daily basis (usually without washing them, ever!), but it’s not as common as you might think.

There’s nothing wrong with buying college sweatshirts – they’re great for lounging around, keeping warm, and they’re an essential part of the college experience. But most people don’t wear them daily.

Hoodies are the most popular with guys as something to wear every day. While they are comfy and cozy, most girls I know really only wear them around the dorm and during finals week. We have cuter things to wear out!

3. We wear nothing but Victoria’s Secret PINK.

Okay, this one might have some basis in reality – Victoria’s Secret PINK stuff IS really popular with lots of college girls. I won’t even lie – I do have a bunch of their stuff that I wear when I’m lounging around. But I don’t wear it every day, and I don’t wear it around campus most of the time.

While the stuff is really cute and I love it for lounging around the dorm, VS Pink shouldn’t be the basis of any wardrobe. Jeans, jackets, tops, and dresses are too cute to ignore in favor of sweats!

Differences Between High School and College Fashion

Now that we’ve gone over what college girls don’t wear, let’s talk about what college girls actually do wear. High school fashion is different from college fashion in a few big ways.

1. In college, there are fewer rules and restrictions.

The main difference between fashion in high school and fashion in college is that no one is telling you what to do anymore.

The freedom that comes with going to college is so much fun – you can really begin to figure yourself out, and with that, you can develop your own unique style out too!

Also, fashion in high school is much more restricted than fashion in college. There may be dress codes, parents telling you what to do, and even social pressure to dress a certain way when you’re in HS. One of my favorite things about college is that this doesn’t happen anymore!

Essentially, once you’re free from high school, you can go your own way with fashion (or decide that you don’t care about it at all.) It’s your choice to make.

2. College frees you to be yourself without judgment.

Social fashion rules in college are also way more relaxed than they are in high school. No one really judges you based on what you wear in college, and more than likely they’ll think you’re interesting if you dress differently. In most high schools, I’m sure this wasn’t the case.

Also, there are so many social groups in college that you can always find like-minded people to hang out with. You’ll probably know tons of people from many different social groups, and won’t be completely tied to any single clique.

Basically, you don’t have to worry about fitting in with everyone when you get to college. All you need to worry about is expressing yourself and being true to whoever that person is.

3. In college, you can become who you want to be.

Going off to college gives you a great opportunity to start off with a blank slate and really find yourself and your style. There are no rules, and it’s up to you to be who you want. I say: use this to your advantage!

It doesn’t matter if you were a total tomboy in high school – if you’ve always wanted to be chic, feminine, and glamorous, who says you can’t change it up? Or if you only wore designer labels all throughout HS, channel your inner hippie chick if that speaks to you!

This isn’t about trying to be someone you’re not; it’s about becoming the person you want to be and expressing yourself in a creative way. Also, have fun with it!

How To Bring Your High School Wardrobe to College

• Know what to throw. While I’m sure you like your “Seniors ’08″ high school t-shirt, don’t become one of those girls who wears it everywhere in college. Sure, bring it with you if you’re sentimental, but don’t start wearing it outside of your room.
• Go through your wardrobe and find the pieces that are the most “you” – things you always find yourself reaching for, and couldn’t be without! These will become the staples of your college wardrobe and will help you express your unique personality.
• Denim, denim, denim. I’m sure many of you read my article on College Wardrobe Essentials, and if you have, you’ll remember that I talk a lot about jeans. Denim is the number one thing you wear in college, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
• Invest in cute dorm wear. This is especially important if you’re living on campus. There’s nothing worse than getting to college without cute sweats and tanks to lounge around in. You spend tons of time in your dorm, and most of your friends will probably be in yours! I’m going to be writing up an article on this soon.
• When in doubt about an item, leave it home. Moving in to college is a huge pain as it is, and the less stuff you bring, the better. Your parents can always mail you that dress you never thought you’d wear again if you really want it later.
• Consider the weather of the place where you’ll be going to school. Even within one state, temperature differences can vary in a big way from town to town. Check your college town’s weather forecast and pack accordingly.
• Buy some new things that represent the new you. You don’t have to spend a lot of money, but getting yourself a few new pieces will help bring you into a new state of mind and get excited for school. College is a big change in your life, and something as simple as a few new clothes will help get you psyched!

Your Thoughts?

Now that you know how to take your high school wardrobe to college, I want to know what you think.

Do you have any other questions about this? Is there anything I left out? What clothes are you planning to bring to college in the fall? I want to hear all about it, so be sure to leave a comment!

Best Fashion Magazines for Teen Girls

Best Fashion Magazines for Teen Girls

 

Which fashion magazines are best for teenage girls?

Teenage girls and magazines go hand-in-hand. But while once there were specific magazines for each age group (Teen for young teenagers; Seventeen for older teens; Glamour for college girls), the past decade has welcomed a huge increase in magazines targeted to teenage girls and women.

Which magazine is right for which type of teen? Follow this handy guide:

 

Seventeen

Once targeted specifically to older teenagers, in recent years, Seventeen has become a bit less sophisticated. Looking through recent issues, the articles and fashion seem more geared towards junior high than high school. Teens that are interested in high fashion shouldn’t look to Seventeen for inspiration – most of the clothes featured are from bargain stores such as Target, Forever 21 and Kohl’s. Most of the articles aren’t longer than a page and consist of the “what to say to your crush in the hallway” variety.

Teen Vogue

Although sales of Teen Vogue (and regular Vogue) have decreased within the past year, Teen Vogue is still the premiere teenage magazine for designer fashion. The magazine features clothing from both established and up-and-coming designers, as well as features on celebrities, celebrities’ children and “real girls” (though the real girls tend to usually be connected to some high-profile New York adult). One downside is that the Teen Vogue writing staff seems quite small, so many of the articles tend to sound the same month after month. But the clothes, especially during the all-important Fall and Spring issues, are worth it.

CosmoGirl!

Following in Seventeen’s footsteps (or perhaps vice versa), CosmoGirl! has also “dumbed down” in the past few years, following the departure of original editor-in-chief Atoosa Rubenstein (who once worked for Cosmopolitan and came up with the idea for CosmoGirl!). The magazine still has Project 2024, its focus on politics and the hope that by 2024, a woman will be President. But altogether, CosmoGirl! simply isn’t as inspiring as it used to be. Purchase it for fun beauty and fashion spreads, not for deep thinking.

Glamour

Some parents may be uncomfortable with younger teens reading Glamour, but for the 16 and older set, Glamour is a perfect read. It’s an empowering women’s magazine, which not only focuses on fashion and beauty, but features in-depth articles about women’s issues both nationally and globally. Because of this, though it’s geared towards adults, not teenagers, it’s a more worthwhile read than all the “does my crush like me?” quizzes that seem to populate many teen mags these days. Unlike adult Cosmopolitan, which has sex articles that focus mainly on how to please a man, Glamour’s sex articles promote good relationships and good health – and what’s harmful about a teenager reading that?

Lucky

Lucky is basically all fashion and beauty (no articles) which makes it appropriate for any age. For teenagers that have a passion for fashion, Lucky is a good buy. In addition to features about how to wear certain trends and styles, Lucky focuses a lot on fashion and beauty websites, which greatly appeal to teenagers.

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