Stephanie 101:
Age: 23
College: University of Pittsburgh
Current city: Pittsburgh, PA
I caught up with Stephanie Campbell, the brains behind Glam and Graffiti, to hear a little bit more about how she started blogging, where she finds inspiration and how to shop big on a small budget. You’ll love what this completely accessible, down to the Earth and relatable blogger has to say. Also, she’s a Pittsburgh girl and we happen to be the best girls out there. You know what it is.
Did you start you blog while you were in college?
Stephanie: I did. I started it in 2010, my sophomore year. I was into a lot of different activities. I started College Fashionista at my school. I was so involved with business but I really wanted to keep those fashion and writing roots. After that I started doing a lot of photography and street style and launched a blog from there to keep my ideas. It was a creative outlet.
Has your personal style changed since you started blogging?
Stephanie: I would say it’s changed because of what I was dressing for. I have that very city street style. I’ve always been very into black and taking a normal outfit and dressing it up with something glam. I definitely used to dress for school more and now it’s a little more work related.
You live in Pittsburgh, which is a big, wonderful city, but isn’t a fashion city in the way that a place like New York is. How do you find inspiration?
Stephanie: I think the street style fashion is amazing here. Everybody here has their own perspective. They’re taking inspiration from the people around them. There’s a lot of different styles, whether it’s the hipster trend or a more city chic look. There’s a lot of office influence as well. I think it’s really original. Nobody is afraid to show their fashion in Pittsburgh. I always think of the phrase ‘the street is your catwalk.’ It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing or who you’re wearing, it’s how you’re wearing it.
To that effect, what advice would you give girls who don’t have tons of money to spend but really want to build great wardrobe?
Stephanie: I always look for statement pieces. Whether it’s that bag or that dress – I’ve always been more of a dress person than a shoe person or a jacket person – but that one statement piece that’s going to make you feel like you’ve got this. Even in an interview or something – it doesn’t have to be eccentric, it just has to fit you and express your personality as well. I love doing looks for less. You can find that little black dress sometimes when you’re not even looking and it may not even break the bank compared to something else you have your eye on.
What are some of your favorite places to shop?
Stephanie: I love shopping at Nordstrom because you can find some really well-priced options. Topshop is filtered into there as well and I studied in London for a semester and really fell in love with Topshop. I love Zara as well. I love Anthropolgie. I can’t even afford it at times but what they do visually is amazing. I really look to them for inspiration. J Crew, Banana Republic. I work for American Eagle Outfitters and my entire closet is from there.
What trends or new looks are you loving it right now?
Stephanie: The jogger – it’s like the MC Hammer pant. I actually find a lot of inspiration from Man Repeller because every time I wear them my boyfriend is like ‘don’t you want to wear your skinny jeggings?’ and I’m like ‘no, I like these.’ It’s a look that men don’t understand because it’s more flowy. I love the high-waisted, which is back in a big way. I love tucking in an Oxford shirt, I love tucking in a tank top with a blazer over it. One thing I like and want to start rocking more is the fashion forward sneaker. It’s about finding the perfect sneaker and pairing it with a really cute skirt.
Is there anything you wore in college that you now look back on like ‘ugh, I can’t believe I wore that?’
Stephanie: I used to wear the same thing all the time. I mean, I still do that but it’s not as accepted when you work. If I have a favorite black shirt (which I totally did) I would wear it every day. If you love a pair of jeans or a bra or a black shirt, just buy a lot of it.
Finally, what are five items every woman should own, in your opinion?
Right now I think ever girl should have a pair of loafers. They’re really transitional from summer to fall. I also think that she should have a light jacket – last year leather was the way to go. This year denim jackets are making a comeback, though they never really went out of style. A pair of high-waisted jeans in a dark denim wash, one pair of of cut out heels – not clogs or anything but those shoes that you don’t really know if you should wear socks or not. Those will work really well right now. Lastly, the Oxford shirt. A white Oxford button down that doesn’t wrinkle.
Image via Glam & Graffiti
