Spring Trending: Citrus-y Brights

Runway photos courtesy of Elle & College Fashion

It's no secret that bright colors are in--but how do you wear them? Take a page out of the runway books, and wear them head-to-toe (dresses in citrus shades are so cute!) or just try it in a pop, like on a purse, shoe or bangle. However you wear them, lemony yellows and tangerine oranges are definitely making a bold statement this spring!

What's your favorite citrus-y shade?

How To Dress...Breezy Boho

Do you wanna be the kind of girl who looks like she knows her indie films and goes to random concerts at cool, out-of-the-way venues? Or maybe an artiste who frequents an underground-style coffee house and has been to poetry slams? Maybe you just want to look the part...that's where these boho style tips come in!

1. Layers, layers, layers! Don't be afraid to put together a bunch of pieces for a look that's your own. Make sure the layers are different lengths, and try playing with texture.
2. Refined = wrong! Don't wear that string of pearls or that 14-karat gold bracelet your grandma gave you. Stick with jewelry that's made out of leather and cloth, with some silver or gold accents--handmade is even better.
3. Your hair is an accessory! If you have naturally-wavy hair, make it look beautifully undone by scrunching it with a salt water spray. If it's straight, rock some messy braids. If you've got curls, make them looser by running a large-barrel curling iron through it. The hair's gotta match the vibe of the clothes!

When I'm feeling carefree, I'd love to try an outfit like this one.

How To Dress...Preppy Cool

Ever wanted to know what it would be like to go to a private school and wear the same outfit day after day? With these tips, you can look perfectly preppy without forking over the money for prep school.

1. Stick with one color scheme... If you like navy, stick with navy, and other coordinating blues. Or go for classic red, or forest green. Neutrals, like khaki and grey are always classic too.
2. ...But mix it up with a pop of color! You don't want basic blue to look blah, so add in a touch of pink, or maybe aqua. Same goes for other colors (with red, try orange or yellow if you're really brave...with green, red is best).
3. Fit is essential. Make sure everything you're wearing is perfectly tailored to flatter your frame. So take that blazer to the tailor shop if you must, and don't be afraid to stray from your usual size to get something that works.

This is my dream 'prep school' outfit--if only real uniforms would be this cool!

How To Dress...Trendy Tomboy

If you're a self-professed "high-maintenance girl" like me, then you may have wondered what you'd look like if you decided to--gasp!--not really care about what you wear for a day. Okay, so you'd never actually do that, but why not try a more sporty, laidback style?

1. It's all about being comfortable! Sure, you can't actually wear pajamas to class, but why not rock a pair of high-quality, super-cute cropped sweats from a store like Hollister or Abercrombie & Fitch? They come in tons of colors and aren't just comfy--they're also classy.
2. Skip the heels! Tomboys don't wear stilettos, so if you're trying to recreate this look, forget them for the day. Try a pair of stylish and simple ballet flats or moccasins. (P.S. Your feet will thank you!)
3. The beauty of simplicity! Leave all the bangles and hoop earrings at home...wear a cute and cozy scarf and maybe a stand-out pair of socks.

I'm in college now, so a lot of people just wear sweats or jeans and tees to class. Not me! But I would totally try out this stylish and comfy outfit.

How To Dress...Sweet Rugged

Like my post on nature-inspired fashion ("Inspired by Nature"), today I'm going to show you how simple it is to look rugged without looking, erm, macho.

1. Pretty in plaid! Any kind of plaid or check is great, but stick with more feminine styles that show off your shape to avoid looking boyish.
2. Rips and leather make for an unfinished look! So buy destructed jeans, or even better, rip 'em up yourself. And don't forget leather accessories, such as a woven belt or a simple necklace.
3. Go girly in the details! Like that pearl necklace you just bought? Go ahead and wear it--it'll make a nice contrast against all the rough-and-tough pieces. But make sure to stay simple so skip the dangly earrings, please!

I've never actually dressed rugged before, but I would love to try it for the first time in this outfit!

How To Dress...Pretty Chic

Are you more likely to be called a tomboy than a girly-girl? Do you normally wear sweats, tees, jeans and tennis shoes but want to dress more feminine? Then check out these tips on how to switch up your style!

1. Orange is the new pink! Okay, so not just orange but all bright, sunny colors like red and yellow can be substituted for pink if your not ready to go that girly.
2. Lace + floral = perfect! Nailing the style is as simple as that, really. You can mix florals, too, as long as they share colors in the same family and are of different proportions. Lace is always great too, and is a simple way to add chicness.
3. Tailored is better! If you don't wanna look like one of the guys, make sure you wear more fitted pieces. I'm not saying skin-tight, just skip anything super-baggy.

Being a very girly dresser myself, I had fun with this and chose an outfit I would just love to have!

How To Dress...Fierce Feminine

This is the first in a series of posts about how to dress in a certain style. I've been thinking a lot lately how hard it seems to switch up your style. But with these tips, you can make a splash with your wardrobe!
Today, its all about how to dress edgy while still maintaining a girly look. Many girls find this hard to achieve, but it really is as simple as 1-2-3.

1. It doesn't have to be all black! Really, if you're not a big fan of the color, substitute dark grey. Or add in bright colors to play off basic black.
2. Accessories are key! As with most styles, you don't want to go too over-the-top with your actual outfit--save that for the accessories. Try studs, zippers, even giant bling!
3. Make it your own! Get inspiration from magazines, fashion shows, even your favorite music artists, but don't forget that for your outfit to really shine, it has to be "you". So try something unexpected and see if it works...if not, at least you experimented!

Here's a fierce outfit I would love to rock!