Our personal style is something very identifying, very freeing, and very dear to us girls at Marquette Stylephile. Our style is our little way of expressing our inner selves… one of our only true freedoms in a world of responsibility. Another expression of self that I know I, as well as so many others, have is music. It’ll let out your rage from that bad test grade, it’ll celebrate being asked out by that hot guy who works at Starbucks (we all know who I’m talking about), it perfectly frames a beautiful moment, and it brings people together. Music and fashion are two things that are very important to me. However, music and fashion both are constantly shifting and changing, and it can be quite hard to keep a grip on all the trends!
So what do I do? Kill two birds with one stone! If you’re ever on Spotify looking for some chill bands/artists to jam to, take a little extra time to Google them, and see if they have a unique fashion edge to them. I love to know everything about the bands and musicians I listen to, in order to feel closer to the music – it only takes a little time to look them up, and you will become so much more interested in not just their music, but everything about them! And who knows, perhaps you’ll find your new girl crush/fashion muse! Style muses are not necessarily women to thoughtlessly emulate, but to inspire and push you to expand your fashion horizon.
The pretty little lady I found this week is Charli XCX, a synthpop, darkwave lass from the UK who punched out her new album True Romance this past April, and I’ve got to admit, she’s got me hooked… on multiple levels. Her sound is a hodgepodge of M.I.A. and Crystal Castles, with a hint of Annie Lennox ala her “Eurythmics” days.
Take My Hand
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7cOt-xFU8Y
You (Ha Ha Ha)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtrHH1BDlzk
So Far Away
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICQLCxjNTPs
Black Roses
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZGDS7B393o
But you know what’s even better than her addictive synth lines? Her goth/street/nineties-chick style! She describes her distinctive aura best: “[It’s] kind cheerleader meets Wednesday Addams meets Winona Ryder in Beetlejuice”. You can watch the interview here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9P3SLnP-Nzc&feature=player_embedded
Her signature look of a crop top paired with a plaid mini skirt and sky-high platform sneakers, topped off with a head of untamed dark curls. It screams “I don’t effing care!!” It’s her enviable confidence yet coyness is the edge to her fashion; it kicks it up from “cool” to “badass”.
I love this toned down look, it can totally be recreated for an everyday look for fall and winter.
Love the sunnies? Get them here: http://bit.ly/15T4TxA
And last but not least….
My dear lawd, do I ADORE this look. It can be emulated during the day for a laid back summer afternoon on the East Side, or at night time for a end of summer bash! The beauty in Charli’s crop top/skirt combo is that it’s super stylish yet laid back at the same time. I found the exact skirt she’s wearing at Urban Outfitters, but each of the other pieces are quite similar. Then again, put your own spin on it and make it your own!
Pins and Needles Knit circle skirt in Rose, $32 at Urban Outfitters
Petite Lace Crop Top in Pink, $30 at Topshop
Obey The City White Snapback Hat, $27.95 at Zumiez
And each of the pieces are so versatile – pair the crop top with some high-waisted black jeans and leather booties, or just add a slouchy sweater and tights to the skirt for an instant fall look! Snapbacks are also a new trend I love, although they can be a bit tricky to pull off. Try throwing a snapback on backwards and unleashing your inner party girl! I really like floral print snapbacks – they have girlish charm to them and are a little less frat boy and little more femme!
But no matter who’s style you choose to follow, or what you try to convey, just make sure you’re being nobody but you! Style is a public display of your most intimate idea of self and your truly unique personal history. It’s something we’ve experimented with as a child when we rummaged through our mother’s closet that has been ever-growing and ever-changing since then. That’s the mysterious thing about fashion: you never know what will come in style next, what will be considered “out”, what trends you’ll succumb to…. Maybe what trends you’ll regret! But these factors are what I think makes fashion so gosh dang addictive – it’s a never-ending cycle of unexpected surprises! It’s how we make new friends (“Oh my gosh, sick jacket!”) how we express our mood, how we “get the job”, or how we boost our confidence. Style is something each of us has – all we have to do is just find it!
Ciao, bella!