Danni Liu | Student Life

Yiran Qi, sophomore, knows that layering as many demin items as possible is a key to looking classy this winter.

Here are a few tips for your search:

Jeans on jeans on jeans
Midwesterners and Texans, rejoice! It’s time to pull out those jean jumpsuits you saved for the cattle ranch. Forget all those “neigh”-sayers and slip on a denim button down and pants for class for an instant comfy-cool look. For girls, try a longer maxi skirt with your denim if it’s a feminine look you desire. Unearth that jean jacket for those brisk winter days, and you’ve hit the trend spot-on.

Rocking fanny packs
Forget hobo bags and side satchels—this winter season is all about the fanny pack. No longer only for theme parks and wandering tourists, this novel accessory is both versatile and useful. If you’re daring, try it in neon, but it is also available in autumn neutrals for those who want to play it safe.

Success with high socks
As Vogue’s fashion pages have revealed, this winter is showing high, high socks. Ladies, search your boyfriends’ and fathers’ closets for those stark white tube socks and pair them with a funky pair of sandals. Men, slip on your best pair of open-toed sandals or a pair of Nike flip-flops if you want to keep it casual. For a retro look, buy an extra-high pair and roll them to bunch over tennis shoes.

Let your pants hang low
You no longer have to look in disgust at your boyfriend’s boxers as his pants hang well below the waist; he’s actually a trendsetter. Menswear has taken a turn toward baggy and beltless—the lower the better. Daring girls can even experiment with this style by donning a pair of low-rise jeans, soon to be available at most department stores. Pair with a high, brightly colored thong to complete the look.

Aloha!
Another tourist-chic piece brought to the runway, floral-patterned shirts are making a comeback. There’s no need to take a vacation to Hawaii for one of these enviable pieces—simply make a trip to your local Tommy Bahama. The larger and brighter the patterns, the better. For a more neutral look, try the U.S. postage stamp shirt. Pair with patterned shorts or plaid pants for a dressier occasion.

From Scene’s Opposite Day

In the past, fashion was more of a female domain, but today the everyday male’s fashion consciousness is becoming increasingly important. “Fashion” doesn’t mean purchasing certain designer brands or fretting about whatever is in season. Instead, fashion simply concerns how one presents his exterior image to the world. As superficial as that sounds, image is a form of expression, one with very tangible benefits.

Fashion is an art, and you are both the artist and the canvas. So the seemingly pointless choices you make assembling a wardrobe are actually crucial signals to how others will perceive you. This not only applies to attracting that certain someone’s attention, but has a marketable quality as well. I recently read an article in which consultants helped small business leaders and mid-level employees choose how to dress and present themselves in order to be taken more seriously and look more confident and approachable.

Here are my two cents on how you can make simple changes that don’t change who you are in order to help you make a positive impression on everyone you meet and hopefully that guy or girl.

The first step to fashion success is reserving time to make decisions. Twenty extra minutes in the morning can make all the difference. This time allows you to weigh options and execute your image for the day. This includes hair, facial hair, clothes, smell, teeth and much more. These variables concern three of the five senses: touch, smell and sight. These extra 20 minutes can considerably affect another’s entire perception of you, usually favorably.

For these 20 minutes, let’s focus on simple decisions, rather than other details. As stupid as this may sound, making the decision to brush your teeth (floss, too!) and showering are the most underrated actions of getting ready. A yellowed smile and any hint of body odor will never help anyone. Always brush your teeth and shower.

Next, hair. It’s my belief that only a few guys can pull off long hair or facial hair. Be honest with yourself. To be safe, shave whenever stubble appears, and cut your hair before it becomes unruly.

Lastly, choose to wear clothing that doesn’t have holes or stains. Avoid anything that resembles child’s wear or generic clothing (The shirt you tie-dyed in chemistry in high school is not attractive, ever.). Instead, make sure you wear clean clothes without any blemishes and with a sense of maturity.

Hopefully you’ll find that the simplest of steps will make others more willing to approach and remember you.

Outerwear

Capes and ponchos
Pea coats are nice but a tad stale. This season, take inspiration from Sherlock Holmes when choosing a fall coat. Capes and ponchos in tartan, patchwork and solid colors were hot both on runways and store racks. This style of outerwear is easy to throw on and can be worn in both formal and informal settings, depending on what’s underneath. For a more formal look, pair a cape with a pencil skirt, ribbed stockings and ankle boots, keeping the bottom half of your outfit slim and sleek. For a more casual look, pair a cape with skinny jeans or riding pants and add flat boots or an ankle boot.

Apparel

Lady-like tweed in new colors
Alice + Olivia showed tweed skirts, blazers and overcoats in shades of red, pink, black and, of course, white. The trick to making tweed not seem dated or too “old-lady” is to mix it in with looser-fitting fabrics or unexpected materials. Pair a loose-fitting blouse with a structured tweed skirt to make the look more modern. Or wear skinny jeans with your fitted tweed blazer to make the effect more age-appropriate.

Leather in unexpected places
While we’re all familiar with leather jackets and small accessories, this season, designers have created novel ways for fashionistas to don the edgy material. Acne even dared to design leather overalls. If you’re considering this trend, start with a mod leather mini skirt in a classic color like camel or black. Vince and Rachel Comey created skirts in an A-line silhouette, which flatters a majority of body types. Unfortunately, many retailers charge at least three figures for a few strips of cloth. Check out vintage and thrift stores for the best bargain. Once you’ve found your skirt, add a thick sweater and ankle boots and you’re set for the day.

In the jungle
Snakeskin skirts, leopard print clutches, fur vests and feathery collars all populated fall’s runways. Elie Tahari surprised everyone with a snakeskin skirt. For the average college student, however, these wild pieces may be too “out there” to be worn to class. To make these prints more accessible, perhaps use the colors found in nature as a guide for creating a cohesive outfit. Peacock feathers, for example, contain shades of blue, green, brown and black. Create a look using like-colored pieces you already own to enjoy the trend. If you’re ready for a full-on print, consider making that print your accent item and keeping the remainder of your outfit neutral. The fact that leopard print is in doesn’t justify looking like a leopard.

Corduroy 2.0
Designers have updated this classic material for a sleeker silhouette when used for skinny pants or flared pants. J Brand, a popular denim label, offers both options for its clients and for the more price sensitive, check out J.Crew or Kut from the Cloth, a brand sold at Nordstrom. When selecting colors, keep in mind the shoes and coats you plan to wear with your slim pants. If you purchased a new camel coat, don’t pair it with your camel-colored corduroys, unless you’re confident enough to pull off the monochromatic look.

Footwear and accessories

The wedge
One trend continuing on from spring and summer is the wedge, now styled on the soles of many oxfords and ankle boots. Though the wedge is not for everyone, the great thing about this heel is that it is not only highly versatile, but it also provides stability and instant height.

Boxy handbags
Gone are the days of the slouchy boho bag, for now. Following the femme trends of the 1940s, this year’s “it” bag is stiff and structured. For a romantic look, pair this bag with a wispy floor-length skirt and ankle boots. Or wear a structured bag with a pencil skirt for a more classic ensemble. Jil Sander and other designers created boxy bags in a variety of colors and textures. Feel free to experiment with this classic.

Long leather gloves
A few seasons ago, short motorcycle gloves were all the rage. Everyone from celebrities to fashion models wore them. This season, however, gloves are foraying into longer, more feminine lengths. If you’re looking for an edgy way to pull off this trend, look for long gloves in surprising colors; white was Elie Tahari’s choice for fall. Consider wearing these gloves with coat styles ranging from capes during the fall to floor length dusters in the winter.

-Stay stylish and get shopping!

PURGE BEFORE SPLURGE  

First, assess what’s currently in your closet and organize your clothes into three piles: one for items to save, one for items to donate and one for items to store for a different season. If the item seems dated, try selling it to local consignment stores such as Avalon Exchange. Try on everything as well. Determine what needs tailoring and what will never fit. The last thing you want to do is purchase 10 pairs of jeans when you only have two good tops or wear clothes that don’t fit you properly.

LIST IT OUT  

Once you’ve assessed your current items, write down a general list of needs vs. wants. Magazines and window-shopping tend to aid in this process. Include on the list items that need replacing or have been absent from your closet for some time, such as a sturdy black belt or a nice interview jacket.

PLAN AND PRIORITIZE  

Like everything else in life, you can’t always get what you want. Either time or money or both will be constraints as you head to the Galleria or West County Mall. After making your list, determine how much you want to spend and how you will acquire the funds for your fall wardrobe. Do you need to create a savings plan or will one check from home be enough? Keep that number as locked as possible and save whenever you can. In fact, tax is lower at the Galleria than at West County, but the variety of stores also differs. Don’t forget about 15 percent-off student discounts at stores like J. Crew and Banana Republic!

Now that you have your list and know how much you want to spend, determine which items are essential and which are not. Remember that needs vs. wants list? A strong book bag should take priority over another swimsuit, even though swimwear goes on sale in the fall, especially since we’re land-locked.

COMPARE  

One thing I do is try things on in stores and shop around for good bargains online. If any flash sale sites such as Gilt.com or myhabit.com feature any designers I like, I’ll be able to make my purchase with confidence, knowing that the item should fit well and won’t have to be returned. Also, some middle-market retailers “imitate” the styles and trends set by higher-end designers and make them more accessible to the masses. Did you fall in love with the bold color blocking and graphic stripes streaming down Prada’s Spring 2011 runway? Spanish retailer Zara (with its closest store located in Chicago) sells clothing resembling those trends.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT 

Once you buy new items, try integrating them into your closet by having a mini fashion show or playing dress up. It sounds silly, but when you’re rushing to get to class on time or get invited to a random dinner with your floormates, you’ll always look effortless and chic.

Unfortunately, I also naïvely found the film itself to be a bit lacking. I wanted to know more about the subject’s roots and origins, personal life and how he became the Bill Cunningham revered by the fashion public, rather than the minutia of his daily life. Though I went looking for juicy details about Cunningham’s background, it seems as though the smaller day-to-day details are more significant for understanding who he is.

The octogenarian Harvard dropout began his career in advertising before designing hats under the label William J. After serving in the army, he began work as a journalist for the Chicago Tribune. It wasn’t until his stints with the Tribune and eventually Women’s Wear Daily, Details Magazine and The New York Times that he began photographing fashionable subjects in their elements, both at events and on the street.

During the film, however, he made it clear that he isn’t a photographer or a trendsetter. Rather, he captures what the masses decide are the trends instead of dictating to consumers what they should wear. In fact, many journalists and critics refer to him as a social anthropologist more so than a fashion photographer.

His time in the industry has allowed him to call out designers who attempt to refashion garments from the past as their own. During the film, he discussed publishing a photo of an Isaac Mizrahi gown eerily resembling one made by Geoffrey Beene a few years earlier. Such an occurrence could have easily passed by many in the industry, but not Cunningham. He said that his camera is “like a pen. I use it to take notes.” It’s this kind of social documentation that commands the respect bestowed upon Mr. Cunningham.

Not only is he known for having recorded major trends in the industry since the 1960s, but also many of his followers respect his humble lifestyle, ethics and refusal to take money from the man.

Perhaps the film wished to establish the notion that Cunningham’s story is about his work more so than his personal life. My only experience with Cunningham prior to watching the documentary at the Tivoli had been through his videos on nytimes.com and his trend and society spreads in the fashion and style sections of The New York Times. I’ve always thought he had a great eye and a unique perspective, along with a peculiar voice. “Anyone who seeks beauty will find it,” he said during a French award presentation in his honor. Perhaps that’s what fashion is all about.

Many of the personalities featured in the film were in fact very colorful and Cunningham loved them and treated them as normal human beings. It’s very easy to get stuck in a rut and be judgmental when observing other people’s personal styles. I’m sure that if Cunningham himself set foot on this campus, he would challenge us to recognize or compliment someone whose style is the polar opposite of our own, just as he does every day.

10. Sunscreen and Chapstick/lip balm: Sunscreen and lip balms are essential for protecting your skin and should be used by people of all skin colors and textures to prevent UVA and UVB damage. Any chic vacationer knows that no one wants to return to school with nasty burns or skin damage, so hit up Walgreens before saying “sayonara” to Washington University.

9. Hat: Whether it’s there to protect your hair from the rain, mask the fact that you haven’t washed your hair all week or help you transition from the pool to brunch with friends, a hat can be one of your best friends. Straw panama hats, bowler hats and even jersey turbans are all trendy styles to consider this season.

8. Cardigans and scarves: Since it’s still March, the weather could change suddenly, and you wouldn’t want to be caught over or underdressed. Cardigans are a spring staple because they’re so versatile and can be worn alone or in layers. Scarves are also a great item to have on hand during your vacation. Both add dimension to your outfit, and scarves can serve multiple functions.

7. Carry-all bag: Having a comfortable bag that holds many things will help you move around in new cities where you may not always have time to run back to your hotel room to grab something or change clothes. Regardless of your destination, look for a bag with pockets or some other organization system. This can keep you from having to hold up others while digging through your bag.

6. A versatile dress: Pack two or three dresses that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. Fabrics such as cotton or silk are great since these materials are breathable and look chic when paired with sandals or heels.

5. Heels: Even if you don’t wear heels during the school year, use this week as a time to try something new and have fun. Don’t, however, pack heels that you’ve never worn before in hopes of looking amazing at the local club. It won’t work, so choose wisely.

4. Festive earrings: Who knows if you’ll need to dress up a bit during this time? Earrings are one of the easiest accessories to wear and take your look from bland to chic. Chandelier and ’70s oversized round disk earrings are in-style for spring.

3. Comfortable jeans: Unfortunately, St. Louis weather hasn’t heard its residents’ cries for consistent warmth and sunshine. Bring comfortable jeans for the trip to and from your destination.

2. Silicone hair products/humidity resistors: It seems as though many popular destinations will be experiencing rain or humidity next week. Luckily, there is a plethora of silicone-based products out there to keep your hair from looking frizzy or poofy. You’ll be very happy you packed products to keep your hair under control while away from your fleet of everyday hair products.

1. Waterproof/liquid eyeliner and/or makeup: Whether you’re on the beach or out dancing, the last thing you need is runny makeup ruining all of your fabulous pictures. L’Oréal Lineur Intense, a YouTube makeup guru favorite, is a felt-tip liner—thus easier to control—and can be purchased at any drugstore for under $10.

-Stay Stylish! (and safe)

Notorious for their cheesiness, Valentine’s Day gifts can actually be fashion forward. If you’re looking for an article on where to find the latest singing gorilla, however, you may want to stop reading now.

Timex Easy Reader watch: It’s simple, classic and versatile, and it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Not only will he be recognized for his great sense of style, thanks to you, but he’ll now also be on time for any future dates or outings (timex.com, $35).

Vintage record: If he has a record player or is into music, find out who his top five favorite artists or bands are and take a trip down to Vintage Vinyl. There, you can select records and sample them for quality.

Cologne: There’s nothing sexier or more refreshing than having a man who consistently smells pleasant. Bond No. 9 scents such as Wall Street and New Haarlem (saksfifthavenue.com, $160 and $150 respectively) may exceed your price range, but the scents in this label are unisex and received rave reviews in The New York Times. Ralph Lauren Polo Blue and Ralph Lauren Polo Black are other popular fragrance choices; the eau de toilette can be purchased at Macy’s for $72. Burberry Brit is another classic scent to consider (macys.com, $90). Given differences in perception and taste, be sure to test these scents before you make a decision.

The Art of Shaving: The 4 Elements of the Perfect Shave Starter Kit: This five-star rated kit will keep his skin smooth (razor burn free) and smelling great before and after he shaves (nordstrom.com, $25).

Ray-Bans: Purchasing sunglasses for your man shows that you care about his health and your future together as the weather warms up—and, of course, his style. (Aviator, Wayfarer and Clubmaster styles, rayban.com, $145)

Converse Valentine’s Day Collection: Not only will your significant other have the nicest kicks on campus, but red is also a very refreshing color for spring! (converse.com, $45)

BOSS black “Bradenton” card holder: This leather limited-edition cardholder is slim and will keep his cards neat and organized (bloomingdales.com, $60).

Nixon Time Teller P watch: If your man’s style is more retro, consider this colorful watch to brighten up both his wardrobe and his day. Nixon offers more than 25 colors for this time piece, including seafoam and matte drab (nixonnow.com, $60).

-Keep him stylish!

Orange

One of the hottest colors for this season (aside from Pantone’s official 2011 color of the year—honeysuckle) is, surprisingly, one that many find difficult to pull off. Fortunately, designers Tory Burch, Marc Jacobs and Cynthia Rowley provide many options for wearing orange. Intimidated by the thought of a monochromatic orange look? Consider purchasing one orange item such as a clutch, bangle or belt to add some color to an otherwise neutral-toned outfit. Also remember that the shade of orange you select should complement your skin tone. Jenna Lyons and the design team at J. Crew showcased many shades of this fun, punchy color including beeswax—a tangerine shade, and coral rose, which is a shade resembling an orange fruit.

’60s Mod

Tibi could be considered this season’s ambassador for the re-emergence of the ’60s mod look. With thigh-grazing hemlines and décolletage-covering necklines, Tibi’s models are the epitome of clean, classic ’60s chic. In addition to presenting sheath dresses and skirts with fuller bottoms, Tibi is also showing a streamlined skinny pant, which can be worn with tunic tops. This sleek alternative to basic blue jeans is usually cuffed mid-calf or below the calf muscle, and variations of this new bottom can be purchased at Urban Outfitters in the Saint Louis Galleria.

The Return of the ’70s

Even more prominent than the ’60s trend is the return of basically every trend from the 1970s. Many designers seem to agree that this spring leaves no room for tight skinny jeans—although I’ll still be wearing mine this season. From psychedelic prints by Emilio Pucci and Diane Von Furstenburg to the over-the-top floppy hats shown on the runways of Tracy Reese and Marc Jacobs, the ’70s have returned in a big way. Accessories dominating this trend include turbans, featured by Duro Olowu and Jason Wu in black-and-white graphic prints and regatta, respectively; pendant necklaces by Tracy Reese; big hoop earrings from Tory Burch and retro sunglasses from Marc Jacobs.

Clothing-wise, substitute your skinnies for tailored wide-leg pants, and pair them with a tucked-in casual neutral tank, retro sunglasses and a pendant necklace à la ADAM. Also, swap out your stiff button-down shirts for those made with lighter fabrics and that include a low bow neckline. Another outfit idea is to pair oversized thin hoop earrings with a turban and a long bohemian dress. Fringe, brown leather in all shades, bold colors, graphic pin stripes and touches of suede can help you further incorporate the ’70s trend into your spring wardrobe. The key to pulling off this dominant trend is to avoid overload.

The Minimalist

If your style is more 1990s Calvin Klein than 1970s bohemian butterfly, then the minimalist trend is your new best friend. New York Fashion Week newbie Victoria Beckham debuted with blush tones, simple sheaths and sleek handbags, which all take notes from the minimalist look. The key details to consider when incorporating this trend are simple and sleek cuts and fabrics like those used by Celine.

Other things that will incite the minimalist chic aesthetic include a looser fit in clothing, monochromatism, slight androgyny and very few accessories. Though white and black are the top colors for this trend, Ports 1961 designers have also used tan and an array of textures and fabrics in black or white to achieve this look. This trend works best for those with long, lean, angular figures.

-Stay Stylish!

The ALIVE Magazine Men of Style event drew a crowd of well-heeled men and women in the know for a night of socializing and shopping. A portion of the money guests spent was donated to Food Outreach, a local food pantry that helps those affected by HIV/AIDS and cancer.

Later in the evening, guests were invited to watch a fashion show organized by Saks’ men’s fashion director, Eric Jennings, who flew in from New York City. The show’s theme was based on various occasions in a man’s life and featured men’s fall trends such as mixed prints, grays and khakis, Doc Martin-esque boots, burgundy and wine jewel tones, and a subtle sparkle for men. And of course, every look was sleek, chic and layered.

The dapper Jennings mentioned a few times throughout the night, however, that he would rather not focus on trends, but on style instead. What he’s into could be described as a combination of mid-’60s JFK, or a kind of “Mad Men” style, with flares of Steven McQueen and Paul Newman. He said that he enjoys “an international classic look,” which, in my opinion, is something that can never go out of style.

This annual event celebrated the style of current St. Louis residents. Among those being honored were A.J. Thouvenot and Joseph “Jay” Perez.

Thouvenot, a “Project Runway” Season 8 alumnus, was quoted in ALIVE saying, “[Lady] Gaga is making it tough for designers; it’s getting harder and harder to be original.” He currently works as a designer and has a women’s clothing line entitled TrashBiscuit that showed at Saint Louis Fashion Week this fall.

The line’s out-there colors and reliance on tulle and volume are reminiscent of Thouvenot’s former collaboration with design duo Heatherette. His look for the evening reflected some of this fall’s hottest trends, including a gray scale look with punk/military inspired bits and pieces here and there. For him, “style is not what you choose to wear but how you choose to wear it.”

Perez, an attorney by trade, hails from Puerto Rico and credits his grandmother for his sense of style. “[She] was a seamstress and taught me about proper fit,” he said after the fashion show—and it showed.

His outfit for the night included very well-fitted jeans and a button-down with some Versace thrown into the mix. His favorite places to shop include Club Monaco, Zara, Bloomingdale’s and Saks.

I asked him if he could be one piece of clothing, what would he choose and why? His response: a simple corduroy blazer, because they’re so versatile and can complete any look. He added that his everyday style is very classically American, à la Ralph Lauren, and that he’s definitely a jeans kind of guy.