Hi everyone! My name is Gabrielle Mashaal and I am a Sociology of Law, Criminology and Deviance major at the University of Minnesota. I am beyond excited to start my first semester with CollegeFashionista! I have always been passionate about style and I find any excuse I can to dress up or play with accessories. I think that fashion is one of the most important ways that we can express ourselves in our daily lives. To me, it isn’t about what designers you wear or what styles you favor but about how you feel when you put on an amazing outfit. In my experience, the best way to start the day (besides coffee of course) is to put something on that you really love and to leave home with the confidence that you look completely fabulous.
Personally, I have a classic preppy style that I like to mix up with florals, stripes and polka-dots. I have been working on building up a classic and timeless wardrobe that will last even after graduation. Stable pieces, such as solid colored tank-tops, skirts, flats, and blazers are my wardrobe essentials. As I run from class to job interviews to dinner with friends, these are all pieces that are easy to dress up or down depending on the situation. My accessory addiction is very obvious, and I have a large collection of necklaces (I have 27 statement necklaces, but you can really never have too many), handbags and shoes. I consider beautifully designed and manufactured items to be a work of art, so I love showing them off in any way that I can!
I get my main style inspiration from kate spade and Blair Waldorf because I love their use of patterns and colors without being gaudy or overbearing. I also love the mix of contrasting styles and textures that they use, and I try to incorporate that into my daily style through fun accessories.
Winter is my favorite season for fashion because of all the unique and fun ways to layer dresses and different pieces to make them weather appropriate. Luckily for me, almost six months out of the year are cold in Minneapolis, so I get to hold on to my sweaters and mittens for as long as possible! I can’t wait to discover how University of Minnesota students glam up their scarves and winter coats this semester!
Shop my look: Bow t-shirt, leather skater skirt, kate spade two-toned purse, classic ballet flats
