STYLE GURU BIO: Francesca DeCastris

Hello Fashionistas and Fashionistos! My name is Francesca DeCastris and I am a rising senior at Purdue University, majoring in Retail Management with an Entrepreneurial minor. I am blessed to be pursuing my love and addiction to fashion not only through my studies, but through the unpredictable days spent at my beloved Purdue.

My love for the retail environment has shaped where I want to be post-graduation. We cannot deny that amazing feeling you get when you find the perfect piece. You strut down the mall like Beyoncé in her entrance at the 2013 Super Bowl halftime show to “Crazy In Love.” That feeling I have experienced and have been able to provide to other shoppers inspired me. I don’t know where or what I’ll end up doing, but I can’t deny how enjoyable life would be working in a giant closet or something comparable.

My other favorite pastime is attending music festivals and concerts. I am a huge fan of electronic dance music or EDM. So I am constantly on the hunt for the perfect outfit for my next festival fashion premier. Like my regular style that has evolved, so has my festival style. It is crazy to think the young version of myself sported a bedazzled bra one year.

When it comes to my own personal style, I do not like to focus on what my style is but rather on my mood and how each outfit plays into that. If I had to pick the most shopped retailers of mine it would be J.Crew, BCBG, Brandy Melville, Free People, Evereve, American Apparel and Nordstrom. Together, that long list of retailers create an eclectic wardrobe, as each brand takes on a different style standpoint. Somehow they all seem to work together, except on the days I pace around my room insisting I have nothing to wear. We all have those days.

Purdue’s fashion culture has also shaped my closet for the better. From the different cultures and demographics of the students, I am constantly inspired when it comes to dressing myself in the morning and at night. Purdue’s culture is very peculiar as well. Any event to allows an open invitation to sport our all time favorite high-top and low-top Converse paired with a flannel. Our laid back but still on-trend style is one to keep an eye out for. You never know what you’ll get, but that’s the fun of it!

I just want to note that I unexpectedly woke up to an cold day in Chicago. I shouldn’t say unexpectedly because the weather in the midwest is always unpredictable. But I took advantage of this chilly weather to rock my L.L.Bean boots and favorite sweater one last time. This is before we all drown in our own sweat from the humidity of Chicago.

I am excited to be a new edition to the CollegeFashionista team and am looking forward to bringing you my fashion encounters this summer!

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