'Cuse Closet: Simply Sweet and Chic

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

The Craze and Designer Confidential writer Christina Riggio knows how to look chic while staying comfortable. Her outfit is perfect for a lunch date, interview, or just a day full of classes.

The jet-black blazer sets the tone for her outfit. It helps dress up her look and instantly transforms it from casual to chic. Her nude top provides a deep contrast against the black blazer and is visually appealing. She wears skinny jeans in a dark wash for a polished and mod look. However, it is the subtle touches that tie this outfit together.

The touch of lace adds a feminine touch to her outfit without looking overly girly. Her ballet flats pick up the black in her blazer, while the small bows with a golden middle ties in with her simple yet elegant gold bracelets. Overall, her look is sophisticated but not overdone. The sleeves of her blazer are rolled up for a casual look while the blazer itself dresses up her outfit. With her bright smile and glossy locks, she is perfectly accessorized.

Blazer: Aqua

Top: J.Crew

Jeans: J Brand

Flats: Coach

Bracelets: Juicy Couture

-Brittany Fowler

Cuse Closet: Sweet Simplicity

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

Often times it’s not about what you wear but rather how you wear it. Sola Ayodej knew how to do just that. During her shift at Ellie Mia Boutique, Sola wore comfortably casual attire. Her heather grey long-sleeved shirt acts like a basic plain white tee and gives her look a classic, laid-back feel. She then wore skinny jeans tucked into her chic black leather boots, which dressed up her look.

She wore bold accessories in order to decorate her outfit. Her chunky silver earrings instantly dressed up her casual look taking it from relaxed to fashionably chic. She wore her hair tied back in order to allow the earrings to make their statement. The silver earrings also complemented her gold watch, which created a nice balance between silver and gold luster.

This magazine journalism major and forensics minor successfully created a look that balances casual attire, chic accessories, and silver and gold. She knows how to balance comfort and fashion making it easy to stay comfortable throughout any shift.

Shirt: Mano

Jeans: Gap

Boots: Coach

Earrings: Forever21

-Brittany Fowler

Cuse Closet: Getting Better all the Time!

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

Last Thursday I got sick. It wasn’t too surprising, after working through too many long nights and watching everyone around me fall victim to the sinus plague, but this year I wanted to be prepared. As soon as I felt that tell-tale tickle in the back of my throat, I headed to CVS to restock my supply of cold season staples- Tylenol Day Time, Mucinex, and Halls cough drops. After popping all these cold medicines, I felt like a zombie (or perhaps a meth-head) and I don’t think they really aided in my recovery. What did help, though, was rest and the best cure of all—fashion.

When I'm feeling rundown, sick, or slogging my way through day two of an all-nighter, one of the things that always makes me feel better (along with drinking as many cups of vanilla roast as possible) is to take a few extra minutes getting ready in the morning and picking out something I really love. Usually during these groggy moments I reach for the most classic clothing in my closet however I never want to feel as done as a post-makeover contestant on TLC’s What Not to Wear (pre-makeover contestant goes without saying). I try to strike the balance between power dressing and personal dressing by combining my staples with patterned and colored pieces as much as possible, to give me a little more moxie. While layering my most tasteful trench and a wool sweater dress over a floral frock from last season, I was well on the path to a speedy recovery.

Black Trench Coat- Michael Kors

Black Wool Sweater Dress- Madewell

Black shoulder bag - Vintage Coach (found at Value Village for $15)

Charm Necklace - Handmade

Brown Corset Belt- Madewell

Floral Strapless Dress worn underneath - American Eagle

Tights- Hue

Black Patent Pumps - Steve Madden

-Emily Montgomery

Cuse Closet: Shorts + tights, would you do it?

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

 

Allison Mariotti. Photo: Kaytie Wilson  

Today I tried a controversial trend: shorts with tights. While some debate that this should never be worn, I decided to do it anyway. My inspiration was a J.Crew display window that showed this combination. I paired my cuffed destroyed denim shorts with patterned tights.

Because I am only 5’3”, I decided to add my black studded ankle boots give the illusion of longer legs. For the top of my outfit, I chose a layered look, with a navy tank and a long plum cardigan with oversized buttons. For accessories, I wore my old-fashioned cameo ring and my Coach watch.

Tank: Old Navy

Cardigan: Anthropologie

Shorts: American Eagle 

Tights: Free People

Boots: Seychelles

Ring: Nordstrom

Watch: Coach

- by Allison Mariotti