With midterms and Halloween departed, outlandish costumes stored away until next year, and more candy than we know what to do with, college students everywhere can finally take a breath. However this break is brief, for with mid-semester quickly becoming a speck on our rearview mirror, it means the most stressful time of the year is right around the corner. The holidays. That means finals, deadlines, stress, gift buying, being broke, and finding that perfect outfit (or two) to get you through all of it. What is a fashionista to do? Fortunately for you we at College Fashionista have teamed up with one of my favorite retailers, ASOS, to bring you… holiday dressing on a budget!! You can stretch your hard earned cash pretty far (and fashionably) if you have the patience and creativity to make it work.
I was challenged to create three looks for you readers on a $250 budget. One look for traveling, one for general holiday use (I chose Thanksgiving) and finally, a look to rock at a New Years Bash. I went the less traditional route and instead of the glitz and glam I generally gravitate towards, I took this challenge in a bit of an edgier direction (what’s fashion if you can’t have fun right?!)
Whether you fly, drive, take a bus, or hop a train, you want to be comfortable when traveling (without looking like you rolled out of bed).
To start this look I chose the khaki ASOS Skinny Pants in Cotton Twill as the first piece. These are honestly some of the most comfortable pants I have ever worn, they are flexible soft, fashionable and perfect for short or long distance travels. Not to mention because of their color and style they can go with almost any outfit you could imagine, talk about bang for buck.
Next up, I will introduce you to your new best friend. When I travel home for the holidays I always fly because I live so far, and each time I go to get dressed for the airport I wish I could just throw on that old worn soft t-shirt for the ride. I can never bring myself to do it though because I would essentially be wearing my pajamas in public. Well fashionistas, problem solved. I have discovered a magical and simple shirt that has all the benefits of your comfiest piece of relaxed clothing, without the wear and tear, misshapen downsides. The ASOS Boyfriend T-Shirt. This shirt will literally go with any outfit you choose, and you will be mad comfortable in any situation because of it.
Put these two things together and throw on a leather bomber (another closet staple every Fashionista should own), as well as a simple necklace, and you are set for the comfiest and most stylish holiday travels, you sure deserve it. Don’t forget to keep it simple with hair and makeup as well. A basic pony will suffice as it will stay out of your way through security if you fly, and simple light makeup will prevent you from breaking out no matter what traveling method you choose.
Holiday’s at my house are typically a pretty casual affair when it comes to dress code, we tend to focus more energy on fabulous culinary creations rather than spending hours deciding the perfect outfit. However that doesn’t mean we don’t dress up. Instead of heading for the fancy party dress this year I decided to take a less traditional route focused around a piece that is all over the fashionsphere, the skater skirt. The ASOS Structured Skater Skirt with Pleats was my inspiration for this Thanksgiving get-up. Structured, classically black, and on trend, this skirt makes for a fun fashion statement at the dinner table this year. Paired with opaque tights to stay warm, along with my new obsession, the boyfriend t-shirt (I know it’s a t-shirt but take a new angle with me here), glammed up with the fabulous ASOS Boxchain Collar Necklace with Bug Detail you have yourself an outfit that is comfortable, trendy, and entirely wearable in the future. Taking a walk after dinner to look at christmas lights and work off that turkey? Toss on a jacket like the ASOS Leather Look Quilted Biker Jacket to maintain some warmth. Like I said before, you can do no wrong with a basic leather bomber, it will carry you for any event from one season to the next. As for Thanksgiving hair and makeup, I tend to keep it simple and stay on trend with the less-is-more beauty movement happening right now. A simple pony or blowout paired with a bit of powder, some mineral veil (a must for my makeup regimen), basic blush, mascara, and a dash of lip color will be plenty to accentuate your natural holiday glow!
Ok, so I gave in to a bit of sparkle finally! It’s for New Year’s I couldn’t resist. Although this look does involve some seasonally traditional sparkle I managed to stay true to my goal of a new take on holiday wear, the new year being no exception. The ASOS Jacquard Top With Contrast Quilted Sleeve is the star of this outfit. Its mixed textures (obsessed!), hint of gold dazzle and structured sleeves that hint toward the more avant-garde steal the show when paired with the more versatile and simple (yet very trendy) black skater skirt. With an outfit like this you can be sure to have a unique and glitzy but easy ensemble to ring in 2013. With the outfit taken care of, make sure to again keep makeup, hair, and accessories relatively simple, this shirt speaks for itself, and you should let it do the talking. Style hair with a simple knot to show off the structured shoulders, and keep face and lips to a minimum only amping up your look with a sexy smoky eye.
Although this shirt may be harder than the other pieces to style in the future, it is not impossible. For example tone it down with a pair of black skinnies and a set of navy or black platform heels with a simple clutch and you have yourself an appropriately fancy outfit for a weekend outing with the girls or even with that one special guy.
Dressing fasionably for the holiday's and still having cash left over is completely doable on a college budget, all it takes is a little creativity, some inspiration, and the patience to find that perfect combination of pieces!
Love ASOS? Be sure to enter our $1000 giveaway for the ultimate holiday wardrobe! Enter here. Be sure to share your own holiday party experiences using the hashtag #BESTNIGHTEVER.
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