STYLE GURU STYLE: Stripe a Pose

June 3rd, 2015 at 2:00am

Usually when people think of spring or summer, they envision bright shades, lots of skin or lightweight fabrics that won’t run the risk of overpowering their deodorant. Yet weather in New York is generally unpredictable. It’s easy to dress for one season, but when the heat and breeze is trying to take center stage, things can get a bit difficult for us Fashionistas. If you share this predicament in your hometown, have no fear—your Style Guru hero is ready to save the day.

Maybe I’m biased because I love monochromatic colors that run within the gray family, but I strongly believe that anyone can pull off a somewhat moody color palette even when the sun is still shining. The spring 2015 Temperley London ready-to-wear collection played around with one of the season’s biggest trends: stripes. The lineup showcased effortless ensembles that were slung over the body, exuding a sensual masculine element. Structured outwear contrasted nicely with slinky tops and bottoms that skimmed past the legs. The main attraction itself was printed on masculine pieces, coordinating blazers, vests and trousers.

There was a matching black three-piece suit with horizontal and vertical white stripes, in particular, that caught my eye. The billowy movement of the bottoms and exposed collarbone, along with the white lace-up sneakers, produced a casual result that can act as the perfect blueprint for the college trendsetter on the go.

I’ve been babysitting this pair of striped shorts since last winter when I randomly dove into a store for some post-class therapeutic spending. I tucked in a gray wrap blouse with batwing sleeves for added dimension. My casual take on a man’s blazer is this Harley Davidson denim jacket. Its sturdy fabric and durability provides that masculine touch. I cannot tell you how ecstatic I was when I discovered this at the thrift store. Since money seems to always be tight along this journey of collegiate life, I constantly stress the importance of thrift stores to anybody that will listen. There are so many gems hidden within its magical locations. I sported my new baby, this medium sized leather backpack that’s perfect for summer adventures without the expense of your belongings’ weight holding you down. As a final homage to this monochromatic lesson, I chose these almond toed lace-up shoes with a clunky heel.

You can still be weather appropriate and ready for anything that your favorite weather anchor or app suddenly surprises you with, without the expense of having to toss aside your chic outfit for the day. The sophistication of the striped print in the form of shorts keeps your legs cool and the classic denim jacket is your back up for added warmth. Now you’re ready to go out into the real world and show off them legs.

Need more sparks of fashion inspiration? Stay tuned every Wednesday for a new article on the latest trends from yours truly.

Get My Look: 1. Striped shorts. 2. Draped top. 3. Oversized denim jacket. 4. Backpack. 5. Almond-toed shoes.

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