Campus Couture: Laura, Saint Thomas

[While everyone is fabulous in their own right, we thought we should celebrate the campus fashionistas of the world for their continued excellence in not looking like a hot mess for class. So, we started stalking those girls on campus (like our Parisian pal, Mary) to get a few pics and get some tips on their personal style.... And maybe a restraining order or two.

But it’s worth it to highlight fresh, unique wardrobe choices that show personality and the courage to wear what you believe in. You think you’ve got some major style? Know someone else who’s always looking ferosh? Think the world needs to see what she can do? Send us an email with some photos and she could be the next fashionista celebrated right here.]

The University of Saint Thomas is one of the only campuses in Minnesota where students actually dress up to go to class. Yep, you’ve got it; if you don’t look like you spent at least 30 minutes getting ready people may not move over for you on the sidewalk. People from other colleges hear about this and think it is absolutely bananas that students wouldn’t dare sit in class with an over-sized sweatshirt (especially with these frigid winters!) and opt for a cute mini, tights, and vintage tank instead.  And now that I think about it a bit more (I’m a senior – I’ve gotten so used to it by now) it is kind of ridiculous here; it’s like a personal fashion show every time you walk through the quad.

But that’s how it is, and most students learn to love the pressure to look good.

Now, Laura is only one of the fashion-forward girls on the St.Thomas campus, and she also happens to be one of my favorites. She’s blond, lean and is often mistaken for a Cameron Diaz body double.  After spending four years at St.Thomas, Laura has perfected the casual, clean-cut and vintage street style many girls love.  She nails the most AMAZING finds at thrift markets and often spends entire Saturdays stuck in a Urban Outfitters rack.  I just love how her style is simple, structured, and one-of-a-kind. She found her chestnut leather bag at a thrift market in New York, her amazing leather booties at a Saks 5th Avenue sale and can’t go anywhere without her staple rosary necklace and thick gold wrist-wear, all things that make Laura’s style 100% Laura. Read More »


Campus Couture: Brooklyn, Drake University

[While everyone is fabulous in their own right, we thought we should celebrate the campus fashionistas of the world for their continued excellence in not looking like a hot mess for class. So, we started stalking those girls on campus (like Brittany from Northwestern) to get a few pics and get some tips on their personal style.... And maybe a restraining order or two.

But it’s worth it to highlight fresh, unique wardrobe choices that show personality and the courage to wear what you believe in. You think you’ve got some major style? Know someone else who’s always looking ferosh? Think the world needs to see what she can do? Send us an email with some photos and she could be the next fashionista celebrated right here.]

At a school where most girls’ wardrobes are dominated by T-shirts and going-out tops, I always find it refreshing to spot a girl who takes her style seriously. So after seeing Brooklyn roaming around campus on multiple occasions, I just had to stop her. She has the uncanny ability to look effortlessly cool in every situation. Whether she’s heading to class or dressing up for a formal event, she manages to achieve that difficult balance of looking polished but still 100 percent original.

Brooklyn is great at pulling together pieces that fit together without being overly matchy. Her style is all her own, a mix of timeless pieces and funky accessories. It’s a look that’s often imitated but never quite duplicated–because the thing about effortless style is that trying to pull it off just doesn’t work. It has to come naturally. And for Brooklyn, it just does. Read More »


Campus Couture: Tatomme from Ryerson

[While everyone is fabulous in their own right, we thought we should celebrate the campus fashionistas of the world for their continued excellence in not looking like a hot mess for class. So, we started stalking those girls on campus (like Ashley from Lakehead!) to get a few pics and get some tips on their personal style.

And maybe a restraining order or two.

But it’s worth it to highlight fresh, unique wardrobe choices that show personality and the courage to wear what you believe in. You think you've got some major style? Know someone else who's always looking ferosh? Think the world needs to see what she can do?  Send us an email with some photos and she could be the next fashionista celebrated right here.]

Allow me to introduce you to Tatomme, probably the only girl I’ve ever met who can truly pull off a chambray jumper. And by “pull off” I mean “work it like she’s got Rachael Zoe dressing her and she’s walkin’ down a runway.” I just met her this semester, and I was instantly impressed with her style.  We are in a few classes together right now – including being on a team in TV -  and I look forward to seeing what interesting and unique outfits she comes up with each day. She incorporates so many things that I could never pull off, and some I might even wonder why she ever thought to even try it on, but I always admire what she is wearing… and the creative mind that thought to put it all together.

I mean, those shoes and the jumper and that jacket? How did she ever know it would all work together? But it does. Flawlessly.

My favorite thing about Tatomme’s look, though, is that signature bag, which she casually slings across her body as we lug camera equipment across campus.  When I asked her about it, I learned that this Liz Claiborne bag originally belonged to Tatomme’s mom, who wore it when she was about our age.

Vintage, cute and sentimental…. I just love it. Read More »


Campus Couture: Renee, Northwestern

I love this drapey cardigan. It's the little details like that set Renee's style apart.

[While everyone is fabulous in their own right, we thought we should celebrate the campus fashionistas of the world for their continued excellence in not looking like a hot mess for class. So, we started stalking those girls on campus (like Meredith at Simmons!) to get a few pics and get some tips on their personal style.

And maybe a restraining order or two.

But it’s worth it to highlight fresh, unique wardrobe choices that show personality and the courage to wear what you believe in. You think you've got some major style? Know someone else who's always looking ferosh? Think the world needs to see what she can do?  Send us an email with some photos and she could be the next fashionista celebrated right here.]

I work with Renee and whenever we work together, I always catch myself stealing glances at her fantastic outfits. I love how Renee makes fashion look so easy, like she didn’t even try but somehow always looks totally chic and put together.

I’m also inspired by how Renee takes really basic pieces and adds little details here and there to really set her look apart from the other thousands of girls roaming our campus. Whether it’s a fun ring, a pop of color/print under an otherwise all-black ensemble, or a perfectly worn-in pair of boots, Renee knows just how to put things together so she fits in and stands out all at once.

But the best thing about Renee’s style is that it works for the no muss, no fuss college lifestyle. Renee proves that with just a little bit of planning and a few fun details, you can be casual, comfortable and still undeniably cute.  Read More »