Musical Stylings: Fever

Hey undergrads and stylish at heart, as we count down to 2014, I want to welcome you to Musical Stylings, a new post series here at The Undergrad Style File. I will feature a new stylish song each week, to show that fashion inspiration cane be pulled from anywhere, from a beat to a set of song lyrics. For the first post, I went with one of the classics, "Fever" by Peggy Lee. Picture a smoky jazz club and slinky dancing, in it Peggy Lee croons about the feeling you get when you can't quite explain a certain connection between you and someone else. There's no cure for it, everybody's got the fever!

Chiffons, Pret-a-porter, and Haute Couture

If you understood all of the terms in this post title, then you just might be a fashion junkie. Brocades, bouclé's, Dior and Chanel couture all give you your fashion fix. There is certainly something to be said for fashion's long history, it cannot be separated from society. It's what we wear on our backs, it does not get any more integrated than that. However, it is all too easy to get caught up in  fashion and the fashion industry's shiny allure. So much so that it takes away from the fact that fashion is ageless, race less ,and for all intensive purposes priceless.

The classic fashion houses of Chanel, Dior, Balenciaga and the like certainly deserve their place in the books and on the runways. But only emphasizing the high-esteem names and aspects of fashion eliminates many of us from fashion. As a college student who wants to work in the industry, I have a definite appreciation for the history of garments, and the iconic designers and names behind. I draw inspiration from them. But my closet is mostly filled with thrifted items and clothes from budget-retailers like Old Navy and Target. Why? I can't afford the stuff that graces magazines and that walks the runways. Ask me the same question ten years from now if I work in the industry, while I may buy one of the iconic Chanel handbags. It will probably stop there.

For me fashion is all about the expressive and the accessible. If it does not say who you are and there is no nihce filled for your culture or social status, than the fashion industry isn't doing it's job. Fashion should be meant for everyone, in everything that it encompasses. Just because someone might not know the difference between a bias-cut and Lanvin doesn't mean they don't have serious style or the ability to be important in the industry. While there has been more emphasis on fashion for the every day person, I'm still waiting to be granted full access. Fashion has been far too-exclusive for far too long. How do you feel about the industry? What does fashion mean to you? Designer names or DIY style? Comment below.

xo Tiff

Lazy Saturdays

As a self-diagnosed fashion addict and undergrad, as much as I want to be sitting front row at fashion shows or curled up in a quaint little cafe while blogging on a Macbook. Sometimes there are just days where you are all dressed up with no where to go. Believe it or not, it is ok to put in some style effort when you're just lounging around in the house or the dorms. Yes, you read that sentence correctly.

I was excited to wear my tan lace-up boots with plaid lining that I received for Christmas, and it paired perfectly with my chunky print cardigan from Old Navy. I waited a year for these sweaters to be available again so I thought why not style it. I at least made a Wawa run on my lazy Saturday, so it wasn't a total waste right?

Give the sweatpants and slippers a break and try cozy casual basics, like leggings, a tank top, and an oversize sweater the next time you have a lazy day. It's hard to see but I paired the look with a plum lipstick and of course through my hair up in a bun that took less than five minutes. How do you dress for a lazy day?

xo Tiff

New Year's: What To Wear

I hope you all enjoyed your holidays, and now it is literally time for a fresh start. Whether you're watching the ball drop at home or ringing in the new year with fireworks, friends, or your significant other. Make sure you welcome in new things and the new year with a positive attitude, have fun and dress stylishly. Happy New Year!
xo Tiff

Deck the Hauls

While Christmas may be over, there's still the New Year to ring in, new outfits to create, and a time to clear out my chaotic closet and find somewhere to put the lovely things I received for Christmas. Here's a quick rundown of some of the items I received. I desperately need new jewelry because I never seem to hold on to a pair of earring for longer than a year, especially small ones. I'm going for a more classic with an edge look in 2014 and I have recently fallen in love with stud earrings. I can't wait to style the blush colored infinity studs and gold and black earrings above. I've been looking for an actual vintage cameo necklace, but the tiny one above will do for now. Of course, I got pearls. No questions asked. Pictured above are the bag and boots from my Christmas outfit post. Finally are my new caramel colored combat boots that feature a red and black plaid lining so I can fold the top of the boot down. These boots are made for walking!

Keep reading for my New Year's post, announcements, and new series coming to the blog. What's your 2014 style resolutions? Tell me all bout it in the comments section.

xo Tiff

Santa Baby

Boots: Vince Camuto (Marshall's), Lip Color: Wet n Wild's Cherry Bomb

Puffer Coat (Marshall's), Statement Necklace (JC Penny)

Bag: Steve Madden (Burlington Coat Factory), Dress: (JC Penny), Tights (Old Navy)

By now we've all torn through metallic wrapped gifts, devoured sticky sugar cookies, and played Santa Baby on a loop, I hope everyone enjoyed Christmas and your respective holidays. I opted for a chic and simple outfit for Christmas Day. My outfit needed to be festive but comfortable, I did double duty at breakfast at my mother's house and then dinner at my grandparents' house. Needless to say my dress was perfect for stuffing my face. I did something different other than the typical reds and greens we usually see during this time, and went for a taupe wrap dress, and paired it with a matching Steve Madden satchel and my quilted leather boots. To keep the look from drowning in neutrals I added an orange bubble necklace and matching studs. The entire look was a Christmas present ;).

See you in the New Year!

Sweater Weather

Hey undergrads, I hope you're trimming the tree and watching the Home Alone movies for the 20th time like me. When you're sipping hot chocolate with fluffy, drenched marshmallows or running out for last minute Christmas shopping, you want an outfit that is stylishly lazy. Get in with the oversize printed sweater trend with a chic, cream and navy blue Aztec print. Pair it with leggings and a long tank (p.s. leggings are not pants, but I won't tell if you don't). Top it off with cozy boot socks and rugged brown combat boots, which I am still on the hunt for. Add a gold chevron arrow necklace for visual interest and have a cozy chic day!

Happy Holidays,
xo Tiff