As you guys all know by now, clogs are a huge trend for 2010. And if worn right, I think the look can be very appealing. Chanel’s Spring ready-to-wear collection featured clogs, and since then, it’s been a clog frenzy. Celebrities are all over them: Mary Kate was sporting hers months before the Chanel show, (I guess that’s one of the perks of being a famous fashionista), and, of course, bloggers are spreading the trend and styling the shoe in their own way.

That’s why clogs are this week’s fashion challenge. Though they might seem tough to wear at first, a clog is something that anyone can wear, no matter what your body shape or size, and still make a statement. (I hear you guys in the comments!) Can’t wait to slip into your own pair?

Tips and Tricks:

• Heels, heels, heels! The most flattering way to pull off this look is to wear clogs with a bit of a heel: they are the most popular look for spring and are leg-lengthening when worn with dresses.
• However, if you want to try flat clogs like the ones in picture #3 above, make sure the rest of your outfit is trendy and fresh. Flat clogs have a tendency to look outdated (I’m thinking American Eagle circa 1999), so pair them with something newer-looking, like the panama hat in the picture.
• The 70’s are making their comeback in a big way, and what better way to ease into the trend than with a platform clog? Try pairing yours with some groovy wide-leg pants to get the full effect:

Photo Credit

• I prefer the look with bare legs or wide leg pants, but feel free to experiment with skinny jeans or tights as well. Oh, and even though Piperlime, for example, likes to place Crocs in the “clogs” category, please do not get confused: Crocs are not clogs, and are always a don’t!

Get The Look:

Product Information: Clogs – Aldo, Floral scarf – Accessorize, Readers – Urban Outfitters, White dress – Arden B., Trench coat – Old Navy

Product Information: Clogs – Lori’s shoes, Bangles – Alloy, Floppy hat – Fossil for similar, Printed tank – ModCloth, Tribal necklace – Forever 21, Flared jeans – Kohls

As you can see from the example outfits, clogs work well with many different styles, from classic with a trench to retro with ripped denim.  Clogs are a great way to add something new to your wardrobe because they work for everyone, and they are a bit easier to style than a more substantial clothing item like pants or a dress.

So, what do you think?

Are you up to the fashion challenge? Will you be trying clogs out? How would you style them? And, as always, I’m open to suggestions for next week’s Fashion Challenge – what would you like to see? I’d love to hear from you!

Kylie is no doubt one of the most fashionable girls I know. We met in high school, and I’ve been in love with her fashion sense ever since. Now, thanks to College Fashion, I finally have a legitimate reason to ask her about the secrets of her style!

Kylie kindly provided me with some photos of her daily outfits via e-mail, and I think they’re a great source of outfit inspiration, especially as the weather gets warmer. This girl rocks the floral trend a lot, which is perfect for spring. Plus, Kylie is a student from Singapore, so for those of you who want a taste of student style from across the globe (or may be studying abroad there soon), pay extra attention! :D

(PS – If you know a stylish girl we should feature here, including yourself, please email outfit photos and info to zephyr AT collegefashion DOT net!)

Kylie 101

Name: Kylie

School: Lasalle College of the Arts

Home town: Singapore

Class Standing: Freshman

Major: Undecided

Hobbies/Interest: photography, drawing, and painting.

Let’s Talk Fashion

Who/What inspires you in terms of fashion? “When I was younger I loved looking at high fashion magazines but now I am inspired more by street fashion and fashion inspired by music. I like the look of ordinary people who may not even own that many clothes but always put their own spin on things.”

Who is your fashion idol? “I don’t have one, it could be any girl on the street who not only has trendy clothes but really has her own style.”

Where do you like to shop? “A lot of my clothes are H&M or Topshop. There are also a lot of individual clothing shops available here [in Singapore]. I wouldn’t mind a thrift/vintage store or two though, but there are basically no good ones here!”

Any fashion tips? Or Fashion Do’s and Don’ts? “Be comfortable, there’s no point looking lovely for a night out if your feet are in too much pain for you to dance with your friends.”

More of Kylie’s Looks

Get Inspired

I don’t know about you, but I love how Kylie incorporates florals into her outfits. The key to making florals work is to have only one floral focus in the outfit, so it won’t look too “garden” and “flowery”. Kylie demonstrates three ways to wear floral prints above, and here are the three inspired outfits I put together.

1. Top/Dress

What can I say? This outfit screams spring! I paired the dress with a beige cardigan for a very relaxing look, which would be perfect for a romantic picnic! Also, the fedora is not only cute and trendy but also practical under the sun. If you think this look is too holiday-like, then consider Kylie’s look above – I love how she still looks cool and put-together while rocking flower patterns.

Product Information: Fedora- Arden B, Floral Dress- Wet Seal, Sandals- Monsoon, Cardigan- Must Haves

2. Bottom

The floral pattern is subtle in this outfit, so it would be perfect for someone with an edgier sense of style. On the other hand, Kylie’s look above is more daring, if that’s more your taste. In addition, I’ve found that high-waist floral skirts look very flattering on most girls, and can be purchased at many stores like H&M or Forever 21, so it’s an easy look to try for yourself.

Product Information: Top- Top Shop, Skirt- Forever 21,  Flats- Amiclubwear, Bracelet- Zappos

3. Accessories

If you are really not a flower person, try floral accessories for just a taste of the trend! The headband below will definitely attract attention, and I love how the colors look in this outfit.

Product Information: Headband- My Diva’s Closet, Top- Arden B, Boots- Piperlime, Jeans- Net-a-Porter, Bangle- TopShop

Share Your Thoughts!

I hope you enjoyed reading this post! What do you think of Kylie’s “fashion theory” and outfits? And which type of floral look would you go for? Leave your thoughts in a comment.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone! Instead of doing your typical “green” makeup tutorial today, I wanted to cover a more figurative type of “green” beauty – as in organic and eco-friendly products.

You may be wondering: what are the benefits of using organic beauty products over all the rest? Well, the ingredients in organic beauty products are mainly fruits, leaves, minerals, herbs, and roots, as opposed to the harsh (and sometimes dangerous) chemicals found in normal products. Furthermore, in Certified Organic products, these natural ingredients have not been exposed to harmful pesticides, making these products both better for you and the environment. Whether you want to protect your health and the environment or you just have sensitive skin that easily reacts to harsh chemicals, organic beauty products are the perfect choice.

Here are some amazing eco-chic products that will have you looking beautiful and saving the environment at the same time.

Beauty Tools

Sonia Kashuk Out of the Woods 6 Piece Brush Set – $19.99

Sonia Kashuk has an amazing cosmetics line for Target and this eco-chic brush set is one of the line’s standout products.

While the brushes themselves are fabulous, I can’t help but obsess over the cool cork cosmetic case that they come in. It definitely yells “I’m environmentally fabulous.” Each brush is made of organic materials and the brush handles are composed of a mixture of bamboo, cork, and wood. In my opinion, Sonia Kashuk makes the best quality makeup brushes for those of us on a budget. So with this brush set, you don’t have to compromise on quality to be green.

Makeup

Aveda Petal Essence Color Duo in Copper-Riverbed – $16.00

These gorgeous eye shadow duos come in eight different shades, for a myriad of possible combintations! But most importantly, these shadows are eco-friendly. Instead of being full of talc and mineral oil, these shadows are infused with flower-wax, giving them a silky texture reminiscent of a flower petal. In addition, the eyeshadow is packaged in 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) clamshell and paper sleeve – no plastic packaging here! Aveda is one of my favorite brands for all types of products because they always feel, smell, and look amazing, and these eye shadows are no exception.

Physicians Formula Organic Wear 2-in-1 Bronzer/Blush – $13.95

Physician’s Formula makes the best drugstore bronzers that are always pigmented and smooth-  you can never go wrong with these products. To my utter delight, they recently added a line of eco-friendly 100% organic products to the already amazing brand.

I always love products that make me feel like I’m getting the most bang for my buck, which is exactly what this bronzer/blush combo offers. The gorgeous bronze and pink shades will help your skin look both flushed and sun-kissed in one swoop. Even better, the product claims to be 100% free of harsh chemicals, synthetic preservatives, and is also cruelty free. Eco-friendly and amazing quality-can’t argue with that!

Cleansers

Avalon Organic Facial Cleansing Gel in Lavender Renewal and Vitality – $11.99

The organic ingredients in this product include licorice root, organic lavender, white tea, and arnica, which are great for sensitive skin. These natural ingredients will sooth and calm you skin rather than irritating it, as synthetic chemicals often can. I love this cleanser because after using it, my skin stills feels hydrated and not as if I just stripped my skin of healthy oils. If you’re looking for an organic, gentle cleanser, I highly recommend this product.

Yes to Cucumbers Calming Facial Cleansing Gel – $9.99

I absolutely love cucumber facial cleansers because when I think of my ideal DIY home spa, cucumbers always come to mind. The product boasts that cucumbers are one of the most effective ingredients to calm, cool and hydrate the skin, and I have to agree – this cleanser makes my skin feel extremely cool and refreshed. In general, Yes to Cucumbers is a great line, because all the ingredients used come from certified organic farms, so you can’t go wrong with any of their products.

Your thoughts?

Do you prefer organic over non-organic products? What are your favorite organic beauty products?I know that tons of my readers asked me to cover organic beauty products so I helped this helped you guys out! Let me know what you think!

Spring is almost here, and lucite accessories are one of the season’s most spring-appropriate trends.  The transparent material is available on heels, bangles, rings, necklaces and even clutches, and is the perfect way to make a fashion statement this season without being too bold.

What appeals to me about lucite is the airiness it adds to a look. While heavy wooden bangles may add visual weight to a simple floral dress, a lucite bangle provides a similar look without weighing the outfit down. I also love the idea of other clear jewelry, and feel that when done right, it can be pretty and interesting.

I’m a little bit more on the fence, however, about clear accessories, such as shoes and bags. I simply do not see the point (or interest) in having a bag one can see into, and the idea reminds me of the pink plastic purses I used to play dress-up with as a little girl (and not in a good way). That Fendi clutch above, on the other hand, is certainly intriguing.

In addition, lucite heels hold a few very specific connotations for me that I am sure others share, and for that reason, I’m not sure if  I will ever be able to find them particularly classy. On the other hand, Fendi also showed a pair of stunning nude shoes with the most delicate lucite soles and heels that I would consider wearing… you catch my drift. At the end of the day, rocking clear accessories is all about taking them to another level, beyond the typical ways we see them worn.

I’ve put together a couple of outfits incorporating lucite to give you some inspiration. Check them out below.

Outfit #1: Pretty in the Daytime

Product Information: Watercolor Dress: Shakuhachi, Lucite Bangle: Alexis Bittar, Buckled Heels: AMI Clubwear

Outfit #2: A Quirky Night Out

Product Information: Tiered Dress: Vero Moda, Lucite Earrings: Alexis Bittar, Lucite Wooden Platform Sandals: Chloe

Are you going to rock Lucite this season?

Tell us your thoughts! Would you wear lucite accessories? If so, which accessories would you rock? And how would you wear them? Give me a shout out in the comments!

I hate how trashy exposed bra straps look, but ever since I grew out of my sole racerback bra at age 15, I’ve always had to deal with my bra straps showing while wearing some of my favorite tops. And going braless (or buying an expensive convertible bra just to wear with a few tops) is something I’d rather not do.

That’s where Strap Perfect comes in. I’m sure you guys have probably seen it on TV – the Strap Perfect commercial claims the product will transform any bra into a racerback bra perfect to wear with all your favorite tops. In addition, it’s supposed to increase your cup size and give you a major lift in the front, all for $9.99. Sounds pretty good… but does it actually work?

I recently got the chance to try Strap Perfect for myself, thanks to my friend Mary Beth who bought a set, and I’m here to share the results with you. Did Strap Perfect work as promised? Was I able to completely hide my bra straps while increasing my cup size? Is this product worth your 10 bucks? Read on to find out!

My Experience:

After grabbing my favorite racerbank tank from the drawer, I rushed to attach Strap Perfect- with no success. I tried and tried to get the thing on, but I finally gave up and had to go across the hall and get a friend to help me. Although the commercial makes it look easy to attach, it is definitely not so simple. However, once it was on, it stayed on until I took it off- hours later.

Although attaching Strap Perfect was a difficult task, once it was on, I found it was super-comfortable. I literally forgot it was ever there- until I took my bra off at the end of the night and got the Strap Perfect tangled in my hair! I fell asleep that night not knowing how I’d gone 19 years without a Strap Perfect in my life.

My Results:

As soon as I put my tank top on, I was amazed- my bra straps weren’t showing and the Strap Perfect was invisible. My biggest surprise came when the feeling lasted all night, as it literally did not budge from my upper back. As I mentioned before, it was really, really comfortable. I did, however, notice that I had to loosen up my bra straps quite a bit- if I hadn’t, the Strap Perfect would not have been as comfortable.

While the product does work for taming bra straps, it’s not a miracle cup size booster. The commercial claims that Strap Perfect lifts the bust up, adding volume and fullness, but I didn’t notice a difference. When I mentioned this to Mary Beth, she told me that she only noticed this lift when she tightened her bra straps to the point of discomfort. I tried her technique, and found that the small, barely-visible lift was not worth an aching back and sore shoulders.

My Overall review:

Will this product help you hide regular bra straps under racerback and cross-back garments? Yes. Will your breasts look a cup size bigger? No- but you can get minimal lift if you sacrifice any sort of comfort. That said, you could just buy a push up bra instead and save yourself the pain. Are Strap Perfects worth it? Yes, especially if you have tops that show your bra straps. Just don’t expect it to do much else than hide your straps.

At $19.99 plus shipping+ handling, it’s a bit pricey if you order from the TV commercial, but fortunately, Target sells Strap Perfect for only $9.99, making it pretty affordable. In addition, you can split the cost with friends because you only really need one Strap Perfect (or, for two, if you’re forgetful like me), not the 18 that come in a pack.

While Bump Its and Smooth Away didn’t make me believe in the results of As Seen On TV products, Strap Perfect has definitely restored some of my faith in infomercial goodies.

Have you guys tried Strap Perfect?

What did you guys think of it? Do any of you want to try it now? Do you have any other As Seen On TV products that you’d like me to try? Tell me everything in the comments!

After spending a few weeks in a row recreating pastels, florals and all things Spring, this week I wanted to mix it up a little bit. Although the Rag & Bone Spring collection doesn’t have much in common with last week’s Versace looks, both collections are perfect inspiration for your Spring wardrobe. Bone’s designers, David Neville and Marcus Wainwright, have pieced together outfits that are the epitome of rainy Spring day – just don’t forget an umbrella!

“With the economy where it is right now, we’re focused on what we’re about as a company,” said Wainwright after his show, “which is our English, military-school heritage mixed with a utilitarian, made-in-America ethos.”

In other words, the designers took the back-to-basics approach – and kept things simple.

And that was the strength of this collection: uncomplicated pieces like a cargo-green army parka layered on top of an easy, oversize tuxedo shirt and a little dagger-print skirt; or a gray silk cropped jacket thrown over a couple of drapey cutaway tanks and leather pants that somehow managed to be skinny and slouchy at the same time.- Style.com

Rag & Bone’s spring collection is a breath of fresh air, incorporating some of the favorite trends for Spring with a decidedly European twist. These looks are sure separate you from the pack of fashionistas at your school. This week, I’ve picked three looks from Rag & Bone’s collection to recreate on a budget. Each piece is under $50 and you probably even have a few of them in your closet already!

Look #1

One of my favorite aspects of this collection is the balance between tough-girl-chic and classic comfort. The look below captures that balance perfectly, and relies on only a few basic pieces.

Most girls have a plain jersey dress tucked somewhere in their closet. It’s one of those pieces that you see at Old Navy for $7 every summer and just can’t justify not buying. It’s classic, comfortable and the perfect basic to build an outfit around. For their Spring collection, Rag & Bone’s designers paired a jersey dress with a leather bomber jacket, a no-nonsense black belt and a great pair of shoes. It’s an easy outfit to recreate, and don’t forget to work it – a bomber jacket takes some confidence and attitude to pull off.

Product Information: Slingback Sandal – Charlotte Russe, Band Hem Knitted Dress – ASOS, Steve Madden Bomber Jacket – Nordstrom, Thick Black Belt – Coldwater Creek, Skinny Belt – Forever 21, Tie Waist Dress – Forever 21, Wedge Sandal – Endless, ‘Bombs Away’ Jacket – Forever 21

Things to keep in mind:

• Make it your own. There are pros and cons to owning a basic piece like the classic grey jersey dress. Having endless combinations can be overwhelming! So don’t forget to focus on your personal style. Like the look but tend to favor more bohemian inspirations? Try a thin braided belt instead, or flat sandals instead of wedges.
• When it comes to shopping for bomber jackets, tread carefully. I have a thin jacket from H+M that I practically live in – but I still get the expected ‘Amelia Earheart’ comments. The key is to find the balance between a piece that makes a statement and a jacket that looks like it was made for a fighter pilot. Watch for puffy shoulders and sleeves to avoid looking silly.
• Transition through the seasons with one piece – a thin zip-up sweatshirt. Because the nature of the dress and jacket are casual, adding a thin hoodie underneath won’t look out of place and it’ll keep you warmer on those cool Spring nights.

Look #2

OK, I am admittedly a blazer addict. Shrunken, short-sleeved, boyfriend – you name it; blazers instantly dress up an outfit and pull it all together. That’s why I couldn’t help but focus on the blazers from Rag & Bone for my second look.

Rag & Bone incorporated jackets throughout the collection and this look in particular is a fun one to try. The yellow and gray form an unexpected color palette that’s somehow perfect for the seasonal transition. Additionally, the outfit can be paired with thick leggings (shown), tights, or worn with bare legs, making it easy to wear all year round.

After all, one of the best-kept secrets of budget fashionistas is wearing the same clothing all year round. Once you master the art of pairing your summer dress with a blazer, cardigan or tights (or all three!) you’ll slowly start to see your bank account savings increasing.

Product Information: Flowered Dress – Old Navy, Short Sleeve Blazer – Newport News, Tank Dress – Revolve Clothing, Strappy Platforms – Charlotte Russe, Tights – ASOS, Boyfriend Blazer – Dillards, Leather Platform Sandals – Charlotte Russe, Belt – Kohls

Things to keep in mind:

• Have fun, but keep it office appropriate. If you’ve ever interned somewhere, you know that every office culture is different. One of the reasons why I choose this look is because it is easily edited to fit any corporate dress code. Strict dress code? Stick to dark tights and a tailored jacket. If you work someplace more casual, try fun leggings or an oversized blazer.
• Just because you aren’t in an office doesn’t mean this isn’t a good source of inspiration. For class, try a yellow tank with a gray cardigan and your favorite jeans. The color combo is easily translated into every style.
• Experiment with jewelry. Adding a thick antique cuff bracelet or a string of pearls will create dramatically different vibes. Try places like Forever 21, Old Navy and Kohls for affordable and fun jewelry.

Look #3

The most heavily English-inspired looks incorporated utilitarian colors, brass accents and oxford shoes. Designers sent a lot of military looks down the runway with studded accents and a rocker-chick attitude. Rag & Bone went the opposite direction while still utilizing some of the same trends – think Oxford University rather than rock concert. Like the rest of the collection, the basic pieces make this look easy to emulate and translate to fit your own unique style.

Product Information: Ribbon Necklace – Old Navy, Tuxedo Blazer – Nordstrom, Thermal Tee – Dillards, Pearl Cluster Chain – Forever 21, Skinny Jeans – Delias, Chino – J. Crew, Peep-toe Heels – Forever 21, Belt – Kohls, Tuxedo Flats – Nordstrom

Things to keep in mind:

• Pay attention to fit. Baggy cargo pants paired with an over-sized tuxedo jacket can end up looking sloppy. Try a fitted sweater with loose pants, or skinny chinos and a boyfriend-blazer. Don’t be afraid to mix and match!
• Oxford and tuxedo shoes are outfit-making pieces on their own. Afraid to fully commit to the English university look? Try a pair of flat tuxedo shoes with jeans and top; you’ll be surprised how dramatically a different pair of shoes can change an outfit.

Tying it all together

Go back and take a look at the entire collection. It’s a change from the flirty pastels of a lot of other Spring collections and is a seemingly perfect wardrobe for the in-between season of March and April. Play around with mixing seasonal colors (like dark greys with pastels) and pieces (dresses and heavy tights) to get the most out of your closet!

What do you think of the collection? Any specific trends that you like or don’t like? I love to hear your input and suggestions for future posts! Be sure to leave a comment.

Everyone with the slightest interest in fashion was shaken at the terrible news of Alexander McQueen’s untimely death last month. Not only were most grieving over the loss of a life, but most were also concerned with the future of his incredible line.

Thankfully, Alexander’s Fall 2010 Ready To Wear line was 80% complete at the time of his passing, so his staff members were able to finish his work. The Fall 2010 collection was presented last week in an intimate show with only a few attendees.

Alexander’s Fall 2010 collection channeled the Medieval era. A regal color palette of white, gold, red, black, and blue was used to add to the historic, gilded age feel. In addition, ornamental details and military silhouettes were reminiscent of the orient. All of the models donned gold-accented platform shoes, and a few even sported fierce over-the-knee boots. Turtlenecks and black belts were frequently used accents.

On the beauty front, makeup was kept to a minimum and looked very natural, except for the models’ eyebrows, which were very bold. The models’ hair was slicked back, and some models even had rooster-like faux hawks that looked like feather headdresses.

A few of the looks

All of the photos are courtesy of Style.com. Click each image to enlarge.

What do you think?

For more on Alexander McQueen and his incredible legacy, don’t miss our article, Designer Spotlight: Alexander McQueen.

Now you tell us – how do you like Alexander McQueen’s RTW collection for Fall 2010? Was the collection what you expected from Alexander, given his past collections? What are your favorite and least favorite pieces? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

It’s amazing how quickly time has passed! It feels like only yesterday we were reporting on New Year’s Eve outfits and voila! March is already here. This time of year is when colleges around the country are gearing up for one of the most anticipated events of the year: Spring Break!

Now, the most popular destinations for spring break are those that involve sun, beach, and warmth. After all, this is a vacation, and a lot of us are in dire need of a break from the cold.

Lately, many of us have been focusing on layering and finding cute winter coats, so we need to brush up on appropriate travel/beachwear! And don’t worry: all of these looks cost less than $100 total, so you’ll have all the leftover change you need to buy drinks, souvenirs, and whatever else you may need while on vacation.

Exhibit A: Travel Attire

When traveling on the road/to the airport/to board a cruise, you should wear something comfortable and practical.

I chose this particular outfit for a number of reasons. First, I think skinny jeans are extremely versatile and if you get hot you can always roll them into capris. In addition, I always go for a nice, loose tank or top when traveling because I’ve had issues with other tops before (like the time I wore the most static-prone silk top ever and it kept sticking to my body during my flight- no fun). Also, it’s spring! Embrace a colorful cardigan! And don’t forget cute accessories that are easy to remove for security checks.

Products: Jeans (on sale!)- American Eagle, Sunglasses- Forever 21,  Rock ‘n Roll Tank- Forever 21, Cardigan- Oasis, Bangle- Charlotte Russe, Sandals- Old Navy

Exhibit B: Poolside/Beachside

So you’ve settled into your fab beach house, or have found your chic cabin on your cruise…now what? Time to hit the pool and/or beach, of course! Now, there’s a lot to be done at the beach besides swimming. Often times you will find outdoor bars, a vendor will catch your eye, etc. so it’s important to be prepared to transition! Here’s an outfit that is versatile for sun tanning, grabbing lunch, or moseying along the beach!

Products: Bathing Suit- Alloy, Tunic- Delia*s, Shorts- Forever 21, Sunglasses- Wet Seal, Sandals- Old Navy

Exhibit C: Day-to-Night Transitions

Well, we all TRY to pack light, but sometimes it’s really hard to do so when you aren’t quite sure what’s in store for your trip. The solution is to know how to transition your day outfits to night-time with minimal effort. Here’s a day outfit (under $100), as well as a night time transition look (which is still under $100 as well).

Products: DAY OUTFIT: Sunglasses- Forever 21, Tote- Forever 21, Sandals- Urban Outfitters, Dress- Top Shop … NIGHT OUTFIT: Lipstick- Revlon (at Ulta), Clutch- Very (UK), Pumps- Forever 21

For more Spring Break fashion and packing tips, see 5 Spring Break Outfit Ideas and Your Essential Spring Break Packing List. Also, stay tuned for next week’s “part II” edition where I will discuss more spring break attire… with all outfits under $100!

A Penny for Your Thoughts…

Where are you going for Spring Break? What are you packing strategies? Let us know with a comment!

So now that we’ve got your vegan shoe-needs covered with Beyond Skin (see part I), for part II of our veggie-friendly clothing series, let me introduce you to one of my favorite brands for eco-conscious basics: Alternative Apparel.

About Alternative Apparel

Alternative Apparel is basically the friendly, spandex-less, girl-next-door version of American Apparel, which is another great humane brand.

If you’re looking for the perfect soft, lived-in basics of your dreams, Alternative Apparel is the place to go. While they are a bit pricey, there are several websites which offer discounted Alternative Apparel products such as Got Apparel or Top Dog Shirts that will save you some money.

Alternative Apparel began in 1995 with one man on a mission to create the perfect t-shirt. Founder Greg Alterman managed to do just that. Since then, Alternative Apparel has become a complete line of ready-to-wear clothing and accessories that is sold everywhere from the U.S. to Japan.

Why Alternative Apparel is Awesome

Great Quality- The fit and drape of the clothes is fantastic. In addition, the material is so soft! Their slummy tee dresses are among my go-to basics.

Humane manufacturing- Alternative Apparel does not use forced or child labor. All of their employees work in a safe environment, are paid at least minimum wage and given legally mandated benefits. You have got to love a company that’s good to the little people – many popular clothing manufacturers are not so kind.

Home Grown- 25% of Alternative Apparel’s products are made in the U.S., compared to the industry average of less than 10%.

Earth-friendly fabric- The company uses only low impact dyes, organic cotton, and polyester made from recycled plastic bottles. So their products are as soft on the environment as they are on your skin.

So what do you think?

Do you like Alternative Apparel? Is it worth the higher price tag to buy organic clothing? Do you have a favorite vegan brand? Give a shout out in the comments!

For this week’s installment of 10 More Movies for Fashion Inspiration, we’ll be looking at the style of the 1956 French film …And God Created Woman (also known as “Et Dieu… créa la femme”.) The film is about an 18-year-old wild child (Brigitte Bardot) whose unconventional behavior often gets her in trouble.

Brigitte is the definition of bombshell in this film and her style reflects that. The movie includes formfitting pieces, but still leaves a lot to the imagination. Many shirt dresses, pencil skirts and snug dresses are shown in the film.

Want to try and emulate Ms. Bardot’s style? Check out these four outfits inspired by …And God Created Woman.

Outfit #1: Total Vixen

Product Information: Bodysuit- net-a-porter.com, Earrings- Forever 21, Clutch- ASOS, Skirt- Anthropologie, Shoes- Nordstrom

This outfit will make you look ultra feminine but still conservative. The bodysuit creates a smooth and streamlined look that’s especially bombshell-sexy when paired with a high-waisted pencil skirt. These adorable peep toe slingbacks have a very 1950s feel. Add a patent clutch and clamshell earrings to capture Brigitte Bardot’s style.

Outfit #2: Subtly Sexy

Product Information: Shirt Dress- Old Navy, Shoes- Endless, Bag- ASOS, Ring- Forever 21

You can never go wrong with a great fitted shirt dress in a neutral color. Brigitte Bardot knew how to wear this simple dress silhouette and still make it look totally glam. Continue the neutral palette with some brown wedges and a matching bag. Accessorize with this interesting gold ring.

Outfit #3: Va-Va-Voom

Product Information: Dress- Very, Clutch- Nine West, Earrings- Forever 21, Bracelet- Forever 21, Pumps- Target

This outfit screams bombshell. The pencil dress is super-flattering and eye-catching in a gorgeous purple. The black clutch and kitten heels look straight out of the 1950s. The bracelet and matching earrings are perfect for any formal event.

Outfit #4: Beach Bunny

Product Information: Swimsuit- Dillinger Ink, Sandals- Endless, Hat- ASOS, Tote- Lands’ End, Sunscreen- Drugstore.com, Sunglasses- Urban Outfitters

Brigitte Bardot is famous for making the bikini popular. This retro-inspired bikini has more coverage than most other swimsuits for a more 1950s look. If you’re not comfortable in a bikini, the website also sells a one piece version. To accessorize, add a wide-brimmed floppy hat and some strappy sandals. In addition, a canvas bag is roomy and durable enough to carry to the beach or pool. Finally, I had to add the most important accessory— sunscreen! Neutrogena Ultra Sheer is my absolute favorite.

Feelin’ Inspired?

What do you think of Brigitte Bardot’s bombshell fashion? Have you worn anything similar? Have you ever seen …And God Created Woman? Do you think the outfits capture the look and feel of the film? Leave a comment and let us know!