Dear La Couturier,

I love your fabulous blog and look forward to reading it every time you update. I was hoping you could help me with a small problem. I go to college in a very rural town (I am a total city girl and stick out like a sore thumb). I do not like to follow the set winter uniform of juicy sweats with uggs and a northface, I prefer to actually get dressed in the morning. My only problem is that the streets are horrible, there are a lot of hills which I have to walk up and down all day and in the winter I am dealing with roads and sidewalks perpetually covered in ice and snow. Heels are somewhat out of the question just because they make walking very difficult. It is also extremely cold all of winter. I am starting to think about shopping for my school clothes and I was wondering if you could help me come up with some chic outfits (including shoes) that would work with my circumstances. Merci!

Sincerely, Votre amie Sarah

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Ah. The age old question of what to wear in college to avoid the uniform garb of college sweatshirts, sweatpants, UGGS, and Juicy Couture tracksuits on the good days. A round of applause (or a standing ovation, perhaps?) for those who make the effort to resist a downward descent in abandoning individuality and style for the sake of comfort and/or laziness from a combination of all-nighters and parties.

I kid. It really isn’t that dramatic; dressing down isn’t bad, per se. The usual college student’s sweat-something wardrobe is one of practicality, which deserves equal recognition. But letting your collection of gorgeous boots and dresses lay to the wayside is a bit disappointing; dress up (once in a while, if everyday isn’t tangible). Tell the campus who you are. Steal the spotlight; the professor is sure to notice you among the sea of ubiquitous college tee-shirts in variations of the school colors. A bit of acknowledgement is always appreciated in classes of 40+, non?

Of course I know not of the subject; I still (sadly) have a year of high school to complete before moving onward and forthward to the college phase. In the meantime, however, I have begun to stock up on basics to avoid the cycle of (gasp!) sweatshirts and sweatpants.

The Inspiration: Vanessa Hudgens

Many will either object to this idea, or bethink me as either (a) completely insane or (b) thoroughly incompetent. I must disclaim that although I do love the girl and her style, I must say that in an unbiased point of view, Vanessa has both her ups and downs, fashion-wise. Which makes her real, and her style tangible, for the rest of the public. Like ever teen-turned-young adult, she has her sweatpants/UGGS/Juicy tracksuit/Ed Hardy cap moment – which, of course, isn’t considered too fashionable (see photos above). At the same time, some of her non-red carpet ensembles are easily translated into your wardrobe – easy, doable, yet so chic. Dressing for college is about practicality and comfort without sacrificing your individuality or style. If Miss Hudgens were to be in college, I would say she would be one of the better dressed on campus.

The Foundation

• long cardigans, crocheted beanie, layered tees, skinny jeans, flats.
• vintage tees or henleys, skinny jeans, boots/black flats
• leather jacket, layered tees, crocheted beanie optional, aviators (a la vintage Ray-Ban), skinnies, boots
• crisp button up shirts tucked into jeans.

The Basics

Comfort and practicality are two qualities of high value, especially in such a case. Running from class to class, books and papers in hand, is almost synonymous to hap-hazardous endings: (a) exposure to not-so-nice weather and therefore slipping/tripping/falling (b) rushing, thus the tripping/slipping/falling (c) dodging through crowds of people leading to tripping/slipping/falling. It’s all potentially tragic. Which is why we love preventative methods of dressing!

Flat Shoes

Ballet flats and flat boots are (dare I repeat this phrase again) a girl’s best friend – especially in the winter months. The former act as practical means of footwear and immediately dress up any outfit; the latter for its warmth and practicality. Anyway. Flat shoes are so much more practical (and comfortable for most), preventative of any accidents. Leather is, of course more practical, but suede and patent add a bit of extra dimension to any outfit. Some boot lovin’ (all of which can be worn in the fall, winter, & spring): black Minntonkas lace-ups, Minntonka Shell Fringe booties (so cute!), over-the-knee Stuart Weitzman ‘5050’ boots, Steve by Steve Madden “Insayne” boots, & classic Hunter wellies. The Frye Engineers should be an option too! I’ve heard they are the sturdiest, most well made, all-weather boot. I have yet to purchase one for myself, but nearly every Frye-buyer can vouch for the quality of the boots.

As if you couldn’t tell that I have quite the predisposition for black boots…

And if you cannot forsake the heels…

Wedges and chunkier and/or stacked heels are your safest bets. By far comfier than your average stiletto, and more durable too. My favorites: BCBGirls ‘Petler’ Boot, We Who See Sculpted Bootie; Sadie Slouch boots; Elly boots.

The statement coat.

Like the red coat worn by Miss Blair Waldorf on Gossip Girl that has now become an iconic signature staple in her wardrobe. Your winter coat should have the same impact upon passerbys; the bold color is not entirely necessary, but wool coats in tweed patterns, blue, mint green, and red make for a colorful statement of your individuality among the sea of black, Nordstrom puffy jackets. The coat need not be expensive; Blair’s was from H&M!

The leather jacket.

Perfect for layering as well as that extra bit of warmth; leather jackets are incredibly versatile, adding a touch of edge whilst bringing the outfit in its entirety together.

The scarf.

Ubiquitous, versatile, and epitomizing mysteriousness by way of sheer sophistication, the scarf (the more the merrier!) Simply toss it on over any outfit; leave the ends loose or tie it into a European knot to both complete and upgrade (for lack of a better word) your day’s outfit.

Tees of all sorts.

Stock up on the basics – black, white, gray – in addition to a few other colors for layering or a simple jeans-tee-boots-jewelry outfit that never goes wrong. Vintage tee-shirts do look quite chic, especially when worn with denim jeans and boots, flats, pumps (if you’re daring). Tucking tees into bandage skirts are also quite the sophisticated alternative.

Cardigans, the long and short of it.

For the blasé, I’m so chic I just rolled out of bed and looked effortlessly fabulous look, cardigans are indeed the wardrobe must-have. Somehow wearing them, wrapped or let loose, over leggings and skinnies looks incredibly chic. Miss Hudgens seems to love them; pourquoi? Ah, my darlings, because they work.

♥ Denim jeans. A light wash, medium wash, and dark color; three really is all you need. No explanation needed for these; they are simply necessities of life (for me, personally).

What to Wear

Or what I’d wear, rather. My (somewhat) signature of denim cuffed shorts over black opaque tights, black ankle boots, and a tee/top of some sort. Still modest and so simple, but the final product is incredibly different and put together. Little jackets (leather in particular), sunnies, skinnies, layered tees/loose tanks, boots, body chain.  Loose graphic tees (or college tees) tucked into high waisted skirts (knit bandage minis are my preference) worn with/without tights and flats. Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

.   .   .

bisous,

La C.

P.S.: Happy Father’s Day! (:

P.P.S.: Did I mention how much I adore and look up to President Barack Obama & Michelle Obama? (I only mentioned it in 13 posts in this blog of mine…) Anyway. My love for Mr. Obama has only increased, especially with his letter published in Parade, titled “We Need Fathers to Step Up.” Do read it. It’s beautiful.