epic failure at timekeeping.

hiya fashionistas,

man, am i bad at keeping my word or what!? i am so extremely sorry that it's been taking so long to get back to you all. seriously, questions are piling up in my inbox and stuff in the real world is sucking up a ton of time.

for some of you, the questions you asked were in regards to events that have already passed. i'm sorry i missed these. due to the volume of messages in my inbox, i will not be answering these questions. if you do, however, have another question for a future date, please send it right along!

and for those of you who wrote in that didn't have a specific date or the date has not passed, i'm going to try and work on those today and this weekend. keep in mind i do not always answer all of the questions.

thanks so much for your support everyone! and check back later.

<3.THEfashionista. (who apparently can't update her blog ever ;}.)

an evening's serenade.

cb writes:

I love love love your blog! Can you help me choose something cute for a Secondhand Serenade concert in Austin, TX? It's a small venue and the concert is in the evening.

**

dear cb,

thanks for the support! good to hear you like the blog. :)

now, i wasn't extremely familiar with secondhand serenade, so i checked out the myspace. i listened to the music, and got an acoustic/emo feel. i also looked at the pictures he had of fans, and there's kind of a punk look going on. a lot of the girls are wearing tshirts, jeans, and hoodies.

i thought that since you wrote to me, you'd want something a little different but still fitting the theme... so, i created this retro look that has splashes of modern accents.

the boyfriend cardigan makes the dress less feminine and makes it more casual. the converse make the whole thing more "concerty" and the punches of yellow in the accessories make the look more fun/unique.

even though a lot of the other people wear the hoodies and stuff, this is what i personally would wear. i hate to totally blend in. :)

enjoy! (remember, you can click on the outfit to find out where to buy the stuff.)


kiss.me by *askthefashionista

thanks again for writing in.

<3.THEfashionista.

welcome back future fashionistas!

hello darlings!

i am so sorry for the lack of response on this end. i guess you could say my blog was on a bit of hiatus over the summer.

but that doesn't matter, because my readers continued to write in with questions! i am so glad that i'm able to help.

i've posted two new questions/responses and plan to post a few more later. i hope to get on a schedule of putting up new answers every thursday. we'll see how that goes. :)

next item on the agenda, please continue to write in! i'd love to keep answering your questions. also, tell your friends! feel free to add my link to your myspace (there's a code to copy and paste on the right.) and join my fan page on facebook! just search for "THEfashionista" in the pages. :)

thanks everyone, and stay fashion forward and fabulous!

<3.THEfashionista.

school days.

kat writes:

Dear fashionista,

I need something to wear on the first day of grade 7. I have a closet packed of trendy, eclectic, formal, casual and funky pieces. Thing is, I'll wear practically anything because my style horizon is so broad. My style is punk, preppy, 80's, girly-girl and tomboy. Plus, there's the added bonus of the guy who shot me down multiple times, who always looks perfect, being in my homeroom. Could you give me a few suggestions? I'm 5"4', curvy, I have shoulder-length brown wavy hair and olive skin. If it matters.

From, Kat

**

dear miss kat,

thanks so much for writing in! i'm very pleased to help you make your new school year fabulous!

so, i decided to go with something simple but classy for your outfit. i thought that the preppy look would really make an impressive impact for the fall.

in order to keep the outfit from seeming drab, the spots of red and plaid throughout really make the look pop.

a cute red hairbow keeps the look young, fresh and appropriate for school.

keep it classy with some faux pearls from forever 21.

finally, pull in the retro with a beatles bag from target and those really cute LOVE earrings!

to find out where to buy all of the stuff in the picture, just click on it!



as far as the boy in homeroom is concerned, just let him be for a while. boys in seventh grade are a little slow sometimes. he might just be shy. let him come to you. boys like a little chase. :)

have a wonderful first week back, and keep me posted.

<3.THEfashionista.

she will be loved.

shims writes:

Hi!

Okay, so here's the thing. I'm going to be attending a Maroon 5 concert this December. I'm a sixteen year old girl, and I'm heading over there with my friends, where we fully intend to have a blast.

The problem? I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO WEAR.

This is my first concert, so I'm really at a loss. Any ideas? I know there's still a while before the concert, but it never hurts to be prepared, right?

Thanks,

Shims

**

dear shims,

first concerts are always a blast, especially when you're going to one with your pals!

and as far as not knowing what to wear to one, totally been there myself, sister. one of my first concerts was at a local fair, and let's just say i've had prouder fashion moments... but that's a different story. ;)

anyway, taking into consideration the genre of the group (LOVE maroon 5!) and your age, i decided to put together a little something that is probably slightly out of the ordinary but still conservative enough for a sixteen year old.



i recently purchased a top like this myself, and i love it! it looks rather dressy/trendy, but at the same time is super comfortable and not very revealing. i paired it with skinny jeans because when you wear a flowing top, it's important to wear something formfitting on the bottom so as to avoid looking like sails on a pirate ship. ;)

for a concert (which i assume is in the evening?) dark colors with splashes of metallic ones are really hot... hence the silver accessories.

i hope you have a WONDERFUL time with your friends, and let me know how it goes!

<3.THEfashionista.

hanky panky.

tiff writes:

Can you help me? I am going to a Hank Williams Jr. Concert in June and I have no clue what to wear, this is my first concert and im 20 years old with no fashion sense.. help please lol... thank you!!!

**

dear tiff,

i'd be happy to help you out. after a little research, i found out who hank williams jr. was. unfortunately, i'm not too up to date with his genre, but i think we can work something out.

the outfit i created for you combines a girliness with a bit of western flair. it looks sexy, but at the same time quite classy. the top is incredible. it will work with any body type and can be worn again and again. if you don't have a hat or boots and don't want to spend the money on them. you can do without them but they do provide a great accent. a nice pair of ballet flats would do just fine. main point: skinny jeans and that top or one similar to it.

i would also recommend wearing your hair down and in curls or in pigtails to complete the look.



hope you have a hee haw of a good time, miss tiff! let me know how it goes.

<3.THEfashionista.

a girl after my own heart.

d writes:

Dear THEfashionista,

I am at a lost of what to do. I'm 17 years old and I am sick of shopping solely at Abercrombie & Fitch and American Eagle. I go to a suburban public school so part of my everyday life is looking for a way to fit in, hence the A&F/AEO outfits. But for the last part of my junior year and rest of my senior year in high school, I really want to begin shaping my closet into something that reflects my personality and sense of style for college. I don't want to look like another clone, but I don't want to look ridiculously over the top either (being at the top is fine =]). (For example, would it look superficial/foolish to show up at school in a dress with tights and flats?!?!)

So, recently, I've taken up on watching Gossip Girls on the CW and I fell in love with Blair Waldorf's style. For a long time, I also really admired Emma Watson's style off screen. I want to blend both together to make it my own, but I have no idea where to start and what to buy. I've cleaned out my closet, and I've been left with a few basic pieces but nothing unique or stylish. I'm trying to find pieces to invest in and I'm willing to spend a lot, but only if the item is cute, wearable, and long lasting.

Could you please give me some advice on what to spend the most money on, what to buy, and maybe make me a couple of sample outfits to help me get an idea of where to begin? My body type is sort of like Blair's except I am only 5'2" and I have pale skin and black hair-Asian, small tummy and curves-hips, thighs, and bum.

Thank you so much! I appreciate your time and effort!!!

Sincerely,
D

**

dear d,
oh my goodness. i cannot explain my joy upon reading your letter miss d! you sound exactly the same as yours truly during her junior and senior years of high school.

abercrombie and fitch and american eagle are highly overrated. while they do have some cute and occasionally unique pieces, people shop their to fit in. they are quick fixes for the stylistically challenged. think "this has a moose on it... it has to be cool!"

that being said, you sound like an extremely smart girl with a good sense of what she wants, so bravo for that. :)

now, moving on. as far as appearing superficial by wearing flats and a skirt, if you really like skirts, tights and flats, by all means, wear them to school. just because everyone else is stuck in their midwestern/day at the beach paradox doesn't mean that you can't upper east side your look! and besides, the dress/tights/flats look can be done in such a way that it's not like you're off to have tea with the queen. just keep it simple, and you'll be fine.

keep in mind, this is coming from a girl that absolutely adores the preppy casual look. nothing says "polished" like a well-groomed girl in flats and a dress.

upon changing your style, keep in mind that people will react to it differently. for example, be ready for people to approach you and say, "wow! you're really dressed up. what's the occasion?" and be ready to respond with something like, "no occasion, just loved this outfit this morning!" if people roll their eyes, chances are they're just jealous. after a while, people will come to realize that this is your style and you just like to look good every day. ;)

when it comes to shopping, purchase timeless pieces that you will be able to use for multiple seasons, like a GOOD pair of black flats and a black or navy pea coat that fits like a dream. a nice white button down and some cardigans from nordstrom will work nicely as well, and an excellent fitting pair of skinny jeans. after that, you hit up forever 21 and other cheaper stores and begin treasure hunting for stuff that looks super-luxe but costs minor bucks.



once you've got some classic stuff, you can also go bargain hunting for weird patterned shoes or funky jewelry that goes on sale to add to your outfits. stuff that goes on clearance because other people don't want it is sometimes the perfect accessory!

remember, anyone can look good in $400 worth of material, but it takes a real fashionista to rock a $50 look comprised of items from target, f21 and wet seal. it's not what you wear, it's how you wear it.

thanks so much for writing in miss d! best of luck in the future, and let me know how this all works out!

<3.THEfashionista.

understated luxury.

hello dear fellow fashionistas!

so sorry for my lack of correspondence. you know that a fashionista never rests. ;)

but enough apologies. let's get to the good stuff!

dani writes:
"Hi, my names Dani and I really want a kind of Blair Waldorf like look, preppy, but classy. Young, but sophisticated. I already have the school-girl skirt, white short sleeve oxford, argyle knee highs down, but I want something new, affordable, but looks expensive! Also, there is a party where I finally get to meet this guy i gave been DYING to meet for ages. Could you also create a look for that? THANKS SOOOO MUCH!"

**

dear dani,

doesn't everyone and their mother want to look like miss blair?! she has impeccable taste and an incredible look to boot. the key to getting her look for less is to check out sale racks at department stores, or just head to places like forever 21 or urban outfitters where stuff is terribly expensive to begin with.

a basic pea coat makes any outfit instantly classier. you can dress a pea coat up or down and it can be worn with just about anything. finding a good one is worth a few extra bucks because these suckers last for a while and are timeless.

furthermore, opaque tights with a cute dress look incredible! and because the tights aren't see-through, you can get away with a shorter dress and not look, as my grandmother says, "like you're asking for it."



and as far as that party of yours is concerned, you need to wear something that you feel comfortable with. there is NOTHING (and you know i mean business because i hardly ever capitalize anything) worse than trying to talk to a guy you like and feeling uncomfortable. this outfit should really showcase your style and also include something that would be a good conversation starter. if there's a really cool necklace or some awesome shoes that make a statement, wear them and flaunt them!

i have some awesome hightops that are multicolored and have a bold pattern on them, which i don't wear all the time. whenever i want a little extra attention, i throw those babies on and let the compliments run like the great mississippi. ;)

thanks again for reading, miss dani. please keep us posted on your style and how things turn out with your soon-to-be gentleman friend.

<3.THEfashionista.

blame it all on blair.

S writes:

I LOVE the Gossip Girl TV series, and since winter break is almost finished, and I went to a lot of Blair's fave stores for boxing day, I need a very Blair-esque outfit. I've got the personality down, I just need the perfect outfit. I'm 12, and I went to Jacob, Ralph Lauren and all the other stores. Could you suggest a really cute Blair outfit??
S

**

dear S,

who doesn't adore the incredible fashion that our favorite upper east siders have to offer!? as far as miss blair is concerned, i have put together an outfit that i believe fits her (and, assumingly, you too!) quite appropriately.



at risk of sounding totally cliche,
you know you love me! xoxo,
THEfashionista. ;)

a new year full of hope and happiness.

best wishes to all of my readers!

hope you all had a very fun and fashionable holiday season. with the start of the new year, one of my many resolutions is to make more time to answer questions from you delightful ladies (and occasional gents).

that being said, i've gotten quite a few emails since my last post in september.


hope you enjoy the couple i've selected to answer, and please, keep your questions coming!


love you all so very, very much.

<3.THEfashionista.