The Craze: Maxi Mania

The Craze is a trend report bringing you the latest (and, duh, the greatest) in beauty and styles.

What’s not to love about the maxi dress? It’s comfortable and can either be casual or dressed up and comes in a variety of solid colors and prints. Tube top, halter and racer back are all available. The maxi can be crafted with cotton to silk fabrics contributing to the versatility this dress offers. These flowing fabrics were seen down the Spring 2011 runways of Jill Sander and Alberta Ferretti among others.

Alberta Ferretti

Jill Sander

Wear it to the beach or wear it out to an evening affair. The possibilities are endless. You can pair it with flat sandals or a great pair of espadrilles. The maxi is a great go–to dress for any occasion. Check out these affordable finds below and join in the maxi mania!

Anthropologie

asos.com

Forever 21

Free People

–Kate Ahrendtsen

The Orange Carpet: Do-it-Yourself Fashion

The Orange Carpet scours SU to roll out the best campus style (die, hoodies, die!)

Junior fashion design major, Grace O’Meara, was spotted wearing a chic outfit with her signature edgy touches. She offset her preppy J.Crew button up and cardigan with her bold color choices. The bright green cardigan added the perfect bold spring touch to liven up her blue outfit. O’Meara added a touch of masculinity to her feminine outfit with her, Vera Wang Lavender label combat boots (she found them on sale!)

She also showed off her hand made necklace made from fabric scraps. But, this handmade piece looked anything, but inexpensive; her careful construction resembled more expensive designer pieces. The vibrant piece goes with almost any outfit and adds a pop of color. These edgy choices make Grace look put together, yet unique.

Teen Vogue

Teen Vogue

You can find more DIY fashion ideas on the Teen Vogue website. (http://www.teenvogue.com/style/tips/search). You don’t need to be a fashion designer to try these!

Anthropologie

395 by Lizzie Fortunato

Top and Cardigan: J.Crew

Jeans: Rich and Skinny

Necklace: O’Meara

Boots: Vera Wang Lavender Label

Favorite trend: Bear Arms (fur sleeves trend for Fall 2011)

Least favorite tend: Poorly constructed or cheaply made clothing

-Victoria Troxler

The Craze: Walk Your Own Red Carpet

The Craze is a trend report bringing you the latest (and, duh, the greatest) in beauty and styles.

After watching the Oscars last week, mainly for the red carpet, I got excited for spring cocktail dresses. Some of my favorite looks were from Gwyneth Paltrow, Natalie Portman, Reese Witherspoon and Scarlett Johansson. Take these looks, neutrals and magentas, belts and bands, and pick out some rocking cocktail dresses for spring.

Below are some of my favorite cocktail wear for this season from BHLDN, Anthropologie’s new bridal shop. I know, a “bridal shop” isn’t exactly where you go looking for cocktail dresses, but BHLDN has some great looks that are sure to getting people talking at the party. Yes, they are a bit pricey, but are worth it, right?

-Kate Ahrendtsen

The Orange Carpet: Menswear Maven

The Orange Carpet scours SU to roll out the best of campus style (die, hoodies, die!).

Favorite Trend: Skinnies

Trend that needs to “die”: Nothing, Keitz says she is open to everything!

Seeking a cold-weather layering alternative to a cardigan or a blazer? Take a page out of Anders Keitz’s book and try wearing a vest as a layering piece. Keitz, a sophomore broadcast journalism major, wears a tailored vest to add an extra layer of both warmth and excitement to her outfit. Keitz also brightens up her outfit with a gorgeous floral print scarf.

A tailored vest is a timeless, classic piece that can be worn with jeans, dress pants, or a pencil skirt. A vest is a super versatile piece that won’t be going out of style anytime soon.

Interested in adding a classic and timeless vest to your closet? Check out these options. Hurry and check out these on-sale items before they go away!

Keitz is wearing:

Courderoy Pants: Madewell

T-Shirt: J Crew

Vest: Madewell

Scarf:Anthropologie

Boots: Steve Madden

Classiques Entier® 'Matrix' Vest at Nordstrom: $99.90

Madewell blazer vest $49.99

BDG Linen Vest at Urban Outfitters $29.99

– Rachel Laber

Cuse Closet: Perfectly Polished

Cuse Closet peeks inside the staff's wardrobes to find out where we're going and how good we look getting there.

The Craze writer, Kate Ahrendtsen, knows how to dress to impress. For her interview, she layered on the garments and accessories to create a lasting look. Instead of going for a strict black and white ensemble, Kate chose to add a bit of color. She wore a high-waist free flowing black skirt over a pair of textured white tights, creating a chic and professional look. She incorporated color with her soft lilac top adorned with intricate beading. The bold black beads picked up the black in her shirt, helping tie them together.

She then chose to layer a neutral tan blazer overtop for a polished and professional look. Her caramel brown boots contrast with the blazer giving the outfit a relaxed feel.

As a final touch, Kate layered on bracelets and a watch and wore simple diamond earrings to complete her look. The stacked bracelets act as the perfect accessories because they pick up the glimmer from her top. Kate’s outfit is perfectly polished and sure to making a lasting impression.

Dress: purchased at a boutique in Pennsylvania

Blazer: Asos

Boots: Anthropologie

Stockings: H&M

Watch: J.Crew

Wrap Bracelet: Chanluu

Silver Cuffs: Tiffany&Co.

-Brittany Fowler

Cuse Closet: Bundled Up and Ready to Go

Cuse Closet peeks inside the staff's wardrobes to find out where we're going and how good we look getting there.

The cold weather, complete with wind and cloud coverage, was no match for our Biz Buzz writer Elizabeth Lafontaine. Her jacket, embellished with pockets and zippers, looks both warm and fashionable. By cinching in at the waist, it flatters her figure instead of fitting like a bag.

Her tights, however, are what make her outfit unique. Instead of wearing plain black leggings or any other solid color, she chose tights with a bold print. Since the rest of her outfit is neutral, the tights don’t look busy, but rather give a new sense of life to her outfit (and the mundane grey day).

The hues are dark, making these tights perfect for autumn and winter. She then paired brown boots and a snood scarf (one of those scarves that is a ring of material that can be worn around the neck, head, or both at the same time depending on the size) to complete her look.

As a final touch, she wore a headband for a sleek and polished look, instantly adding a hint of gold in her hair. Elizabeth didn’t have to worry about the chilly weather as she walked to classes. She layered her clothing, added a scarf, and walked into the brisk air looking warm and fashionable. Bring on the snow Syracuse.

Coat: Andrew Marc

Tights: Anthropologie

Snood Scarf: J. Crew

Boots: Nine West

Headband: J. Crew

-Brittany Fowler

Cuse Closet: Bundled Up and Ready to Go

Cuse Closet peeks inside the staff's wardrobes to find out where we're going and how good we look getting there.

The cold weather, complete with wind and cloud coverage, was no match for our Biz Buzz writer Elizabeth Lafontaine. Her jacket, embellished with pockets and zippers, looks both warm and fashionable. By cinching in at the waist, it flatters her figure instead of fitting like a bag.

Her tights, however, are what make her outfit unique. Instead of wearing plain black leggings or any other solid color, she chose tights with a bold print. Since the rest of her outfit is neutral, the tights don’t look busy, but rather give a new sense of life to her outfit (and the mundane grey day). The hues are dark, making these tights perfect for autumn and winter.

She then paired brown boots and a snood scarf (one of those scarves that is a ring of material that can be worn around the neck, head, or both at the same time depending on the size) to complete her look.

As a final touch, she wore a headband for a sleek and polished look, instantly adding a hint of gold in her hair. Elizabeth didn’t have to worry about the chilly weather as she walked to classes. She layered her clothing, added a scarf, and walked into the brisk air looking warm and fashionable. Bring on the snow Syracuse.

Coat: Andrew Marc

Tights: Anthropologie

Snood Scarf: J. Crew

Boots: Nine West

Headband: J. Crew

-Brittany Fowler

The Orange Carpet: Stylish & Sleep Deprived

The Orange Carpet scours SU to roll out the best of campus style (die, hoodies, die!).

Name: Risa

Year: Junior

Major: Women & Gender Studies

Hometown: Dallas, TX

Fashion Icon: Frida Kahlo & Nicole Richie

Trend that needs to die: Ugg Boots with short skirts

It is hard to believe that this is what Risa looks like when she is deprived of two nights of sleep. As took a break from cramming for her midterms in Food.com, her Persian blue tunic caught my eye. She had a vintage- bohemian laidback vibe about her, so it was no surprise when she named both Nicole Richie and Frida Kahlo as her style inspirations. (Risa dresses up as Kahlo every year for Día de Los Muertos.) Mixing elements of boho, traditional Mexican culture, androgyny, and military influences, Risa chooses pieces that are both stylish and ethical. Majoring in Women & Gender Studies with a minor in Sociology has allowed her to learn about sweatshop practices and encouraged her to buy fair trade and vintage whenever possible. This Mexican beauty polished off her ensemble with a pair of slouchy boots and a knit scarf. If only we could all look this fabulous around midterms!

Copy Risa’s Style

Frida Earrings $24

Handmade at Tamar on Etsy

Belle Star Boots, $195 at Anthropologie

Apple of My Eye Tunic $128 at Free People

-Hannah Simon

Cuse Closet: Heard of hipster? Here's trickster

Cuse Closet peeks inside the staff's wardrobes to find out where we're going and how good we look getting there.  

Today's closet: Emily Montgomery

Emily Montgomery's trickster look

Messing with people’s heads is high up on my list of “no-no’s” along with biting into popsicles straight from the freezer, forwarding chain emails and listening to Owl City (sorry folks). Of course, there's always room for an exception (though not in the case of Owl City). 

The shirt-tucked-into-high-waisted-skirt combo that I’m a fan of frequently elicits compliments of “cute dress!”  Telling people "Actually it's a shirt and skirt!"  feels petty...and pointless. I’m content accepting their compliments per usual and with the subtle pleasure of fooling yet another person.

Blue blouse with black fringe detailing- Anthropologie
White Cami- H&M
Satin Skirt- H&M
Black Tights
Blue and Brown Boat Shoes- Lela Rose for Target thrifted at Value Village
Blue Striped Scarf- Muji

- by Emily Montgomery

Cuse Closet: Wishing it was spring!

Cuse Closet peeks inside the staff's wardrobes to find out where we're going and how good we look getting there.

Today's closet: Allison Mariotti

 

Media Editor Allison Mariotti's winter-to-spring look

As I got ready for my graphics class, I combined winter trends with transitional spring style. The core of my outfit was my menswear-inspired blazer from Anthropologie. For some color and femininity, I added a coral tank underneath the blazer. The bright color brought a spring feel to my look.

Over-the-knee-boots are a big trend this season. They are extremely versatile and can be worn with dresses, skirts (but not too short), or with skinny jeans, like I did today. I prefer flat over-the-knee boots versus ones with heels, to keep them from looking too over the top. I pulled the color from the tank and added coral and gold bangles. 

Finally, I put on my favorite pink and gold J.Crew ring for extra pop.

Blazer: Anthropologie

Tank: J.Crew

Jeans: Abercrombie & Fitch

Boots: Urban Outfitters 

Bangles: Forever 21

Ring: J.Crew

- by Allison Mariotti

Fierce+Foreign: The jumper dress is feeling French

Fierce+Foreign draws on the fashion experiences of SU students studying abroad.

Mademoiselles, here's a fashion staple worth investing in this winter - the jumper dress. 

I've seen French girls wear it with tall leather boots and a chic knitted beret. My personal favorite is a comfy cowl neck dress that encapsulates the effortless French style that fashionistas in the world yearns for.

Yellow cowl neck dress from Benetton's Winter 2009 collection.

Why is the cowl neck dress so... français? 

Well first, let me give you a quick DL on how our peers dress across the pond. French style doesn't scream for attention; the color scheme usually spans the many shades of black, in other words, just black. 

Even in warmer temperatures, the French don't reveal too much skin, and American girls here are often told that wearing short shorts will immediately expose you as a foreigner. There's no oh-la-la factor, no head-turning pink hair, gaudy jewelry and other eccentricities. French style is like a soft-spoken lady.

Almost every guy wears a pea coat and scarf, which unfortunately is something of an anomaly in the US. The cut is always of prime importance, as it must hug the body where it should. One does not necessarily have to look neat. In fact, one of the most attractive aspects of French style is its effortless, disheveled comfort. I still can't figure out how French mademoiselles make a messy ponytail look so good! 

Banana Republic cowl neck dress for $98.

Yours truly prefers a cowl neck over turtle neck because it's more fluid and doesn't give you that rigid neck brace feeling. It's a sleek look that transitions effortlessly from an outfit for the daily grind to a night out on the town. Cinch your waist with a thin belt in a contrasting color. If you choose a neutral colored dress then pair it with bright colored pantyhose. 

Get inspiration from the chic but pricey dresses from Anthropologie and Banana Republic. I've scowled the web and found the best price to be Uniqlo, a line of sweater dresses of their trademark ROYGBIV colors for $49. 

The key is to choose one that's short and sweet, 'less you want to look like a school teacher.

- by Jenny Cheng