STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Colorful Patterns

Once fall disappears, the mood darkens around campus. The sky transcends into an opaque gray, the tree limbs rattle with the wind and the snow turns a muted brown. Students grow weary and they trudge around in baggy clothing. On a typical day, students stay within the lines. They constantly wear bland, monotone pieces, which in the end makes winter seem more dreary and lifeless. Especially during the colder months, designers and retail brands release selective styles based on the season’s mood. Winter trends include a lot of black and even though it has a sleek and sophisticated look, it can also look dismal. Remember, fashion can easily influence your mood. Instead, make a bold statement in your wardrobe by wearing bright patterns. The Fashionista incorporates colorful patterns in her look. She ventures beyond the ordinary winter ensemble and takes a risk by wearing a multi-patterned blouse.

Color enriches any outfit and if a Fashionista wants to broaden her style, she should mix and match various colors. The Fashionista wears a Clover Canyon blouse and she balances out the neon by wearing black. The black enhances all of the colors seen on her blouse and at the same time she looks chic and professional. Looking at all of the details, her blouse has a variety of different patterns. As a common trend, Clover Canyon often depicts scenes from nature; the brand incorporates a lot of florals, yet they leave their designs abstract. The brand uses their imagination, which allows other Fashionistas to make their own interpretation of the clothing. The Fashionista’s blouse has some elements of nature. Near the bottom half, one can see an abundance of white flowers. On the back, the blouse has some foliage, in particular green leaves. Aside from the nature, Clover Canyon includes a checkerboard pattern on the sleeves, which gives the blouse an edgy feel.

In the Fashion industry, many fashion designers create collections based on bright colors and intricate patterns. In Valentino’s spring 2015 ready-to-wear collection, the designer bases the collection off of nature. Valentino uses every color imaginable, which separates the collection from others. Also looking at Mara Hoffman’s style, she creates abstract textiles. She gives each design a tribal look and keeps her whole collection young and modern. Regardless of the season, no one should ever forget the importance of mixing patterns with color. Color individualizes different looks and it can make a significant difference in one’s wardrobe.

What is your STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK? “Take a risk and wear bold colors. Surprisingly, color can make a huge impact on the overall look. When shopping, find unique patterns that have an abstract feel. A patterned shirt or dress can simply make a Fashionista look put together without spending a lot of time in the morning.”

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