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.