STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK: Tattoo Peek-A-Boo

The snow is melting, the rarely appearing sun is shining and the birds are slowly emerging here on Cornell’s campus. With this, the changing of wardrobes is upon us. The winter into spring transition is often one of the hardest to dress for, with a rapid change in temperature throughout the day, melting snow that creates slush, and hazardous icicles and snow mounds melting off roofs, posing a potential risk. Limiting some fashion options, such as lower cut shoes or flats, there is a constant struggle between too many layers, showing skin and being just a tad bit too cold.

I stumbled upon this Fashionista earlier in the school year, and finally caught her with enough time to snap a shot of her wonderfully colored and highly varied wardrobe. Combating the temperamental temperatures, she sports a large faux fur jacket and matching hat. Fascinated with what hid underneath, I was delighted to find a velvet dress, one of my personal favorite ways to sport the ever-popular texture, and patterned plaid tights, as well as some chunky boots. Accessorized to a tee, she has a canteen sort purse, one that I instantly fell in love with, an intricate septum hoop, and the recently resurfaced plastic stretch necklaces, bringing the attention down to her outfit from her decorated upper half.

Although her outfit deserves three to four different posts just discussing different aspects of her look, I found myself drawn to her forearm tattoo, revealed only after she took off her faux fur jacket, one that was thrifted I may add. With a tattoo myself, I often am intrigued by the stories behind the works of art, and it was clear this one had meaning. Upon asking, this Fashionista informed me of her pet black moor goldfish, named Lolita, whom she claims is “her spirit animal.” During one of the sleepless nights Cornell is infamous for, she finally perfected a sketch worthy of her spirit animal Lolita, and promptly had it tattooed on her. Please never be afraid to show off that work of art you hold so near and dear to your heart. The best accessories are the ones you choose to hold with you for a lifetime. With a similarly impacting story surrounding my tattoo, this outshone the rest of her perfectly accessorized outfit. Tattoos are often covered up and concealed, and fortunately, the stigma surrounding the permanent works of art placed upon the newer generations by the older crowds is dissipating.

What is your STYLE ADVICE OF THE WEEK? “Please never be afraid to show off that work of art you hold so near and dear to your heart. The best accessories are the ones you choose to hold with you for a lifetime.”

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