Effortlessly chic style is hard to come across these days, especially when the weather isn’t very welcoming. In the city, there’s always a select few who refuse to be sartorially vanquished by the snow or rain. With floor-length, fur-hooded parkas and bulky snow boots nowhere in sight, this Fashionista gleams in a polished look absent of typical winter gear.
Name: Carina Hsieh
Major: Advertising and Marketing Communications
Year: Sophomore
CollegeFashionista: What are you wearing?
Carina Hsieh: A pleather jacket from H&M, a Topshop necklace, Zara trousers, Nine West heels and a shirt I thrifted.
CF: How would you define your personal style?
CH: I like to use fashion as a fun medium of expression; my style varies as experimentation is involved. Some days I want to dress up like a dial-up chic, soft-grunge Tumblr princess while other days I try to mirror a minimalist Scandinavian in oversized knits. Whatever it is, I want to be comfortable and have fun with my sartorial choices.
CF: Where do you find inspiration when it comes to dressing?
CH: Going to a fashion school and being able to live in the heart of New York City, I find so much inspiration on the streets. I love seeing how my classmates are interpreting trends and I also love browsing the Internet. With Tumblr, personal blogs and street style sites, there are so many well-defined sources of inspiration out there. My favorites are The Coveteur, Highsnobette, Into The Gloss, Kenton Magazine and The Man Repeller.
CF: Which part of the city has inspired you and your personal sense of style the most?
CH: The West Village never fails to exude eclectic downtown style. The corner of 12th and Jane may be the perfect perch for onlookers wanting to spot those chic fashion types.
CF: Considering your mixed aesthetic, where do you shop to get great pieces that satisfy your stylistically, experimental nature?
CH: My favorite outfits are those that come together unexpectedly. Those are the outfits formed in the combination of my favorite vintage and secondhand shops (Search and Destroy, Armacord and Beacon’s Closet) and some of the great fast-fashion giants like H&M, ASOS and Zara.
How To: Begin with a strong outerwear piece such as a colored motorcycle jacket or structured blazer worn over a simple top. Add some loose-fitting trousers in a block color or go for a daring printed pair. Finish your look with a bold metallic bauble and a pair of sleek court heels.
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