Hello all! Its been in style for a couple of years now, but not everyone is totally confident in their tights/shorts pairing abilities. It's a very basic outfit choice that barely requires thinking in the morning. Shorts with tights are the new jeans.

^^ Above, I've photographed myself wearing the same lower half of the flannel shirt outfit from two weeks ago. In place of the tunic, I've switched in a decorative t-shirt and a black vest from H&M. As mentioned in a previous post, the boots were $50 at WetSeal, the sheer black tights were $1 at Walmart, and the shorts are cut-offs from an old pair of jeans. In this post, I'll inspire you with a few simple and a few more edgy takes on this simple style.

^Here are two really easy versions of this look. The first combines ideas from two of my recent entries; a pair of cut-offs or inexpensive store-bought denim shorts and a plaid/flannel shirt. To make a simple country outfit like this and add an urban flair, she's paired it with sheer black stockings with a run or two in them, and a pair of loafers.

The second look is a little more main stream. What I mean by this is that without the opaque black leggings and scarf (see my post on scarves), this outfit would look a little boring and out-dated. All of these things look like clothes I wore 5 years ago. But if you're like me, you know that clothes from a few seasons ago are not immediately ruled out. Keep simple outfit staples like tank-tops, basic shorts, and winter boots because these things are versitile and timeless. By adding two extremely basic and inexpensive accessories, the leggings and scarf, these old clothes are now brought up to today's standard of edgy fashion.

^As much as I never thought I'd be glad to say it, certain 90s fashions are coming back. One of these is the large sweatshirt (see previous post). If you happen to still own and fit sweatshirts you wore ten years ago, this is a simple matter of digging each of these items out of the back of the closet. If you trashed all your big sweatshirts a few years ago like I did in 8th grade, you may have to check thrift stores for a cheap throw-back from yester-year. Pairing a large sweatshirt (horizontal stripes being another thrend of the 90s) with a pair of cut-offs, opaque black leggings and loafers or flats, you have a quick and easy vintage look for chilly days.

^On that note, you can go even larger with the shirt. Try a sweatshirt that's entirely too large for you, cut off the collar so it hangs off the shoulder, taper it to your form with a thick belt, and contrast the large top with a pair of cut-offs and sleak tights. Something like the second look shown here is more of a one-of a kind find. Whether you shop thrift or boutiques, you can probably get lucky and find a loose-fitting sweatshirt with something unique about it like swquins or rinestones.

^^There are all sorts of quirky tops you can use to off-set the basic denim shorts/tights combination. A loose tunic or a wide-fit short-cropped top, for example, are both vintage fashion taken from the 80s and 90s. Choose the mood of your look through choice of color and shoes. The first two looks are more edgy with the black boots and strappy pumps. The third photo takes more of a playful approach with fun colors and Converse style sneakers.

^Create more of a school-girl or business look with the shorts and leggings by choosing a non -denim along with things like vests and blouses. Choose nuetral colors for this style like black white and gray combinations, or browns and tans. (photo submitted by confessi0nal)

^^As we have moved away from the denim topic for a moment, more of a classic look is achieved by selecting shorts made of slack material such as tweed or pinstripe. Just by simply replacing the denim with something more formal, you change the whole feel of the outfit.

^^Here, a similar pair of businessy, slack material high waisted shorts are dressed up and then down. The first look is very classy with a blouse, neat cardigin, and bow tie. The second photo shows how the similar pair of shorts can have a nerd-chic/rocker look by switching out the semi-formalwear for a fun t-shirt and what I called 'skippy' sneakers in the 90s. Also, see my post on the knitted beret she's used in her ensemble.

^^ Another style I used to be really unlikely to be cought dead in, which has now come back with new flavor, is high-waisted jeans... More to the point, cut-offs made from high-waised jeans rather than the actual full length jeans themselves. I'm sure the mall boutiques will be selling a version of this soon enough, but in the mean time, save money and be ahead of the trends by getting a pair of 80s/90 jeans from the thrift shop and cutting them into shorts. As you can see above, simply choosing the color and opaqueness of the tights and style of the shoes can make for a totally different look each time. I really like what the third girl did with the open-toe espidrilles.

^^A really cute look for those cool fall days before it gets too cold to do without a real coat, try throwing a sleak blazer on top of your shorts/tights/t-shirt look. The denim and t-shirt dress down the more formal looking blazer, tights and loafers.

^^ Here are two very different looks with the same basic elements. The first is more neat and clean-cut because it uses dark denim, perfectly rolled up, and crisp, new looking stockings and clean Converses. It's playful and fun but still classy. The second look is more 'grunge' style by incorperating slightly battered-looking boots, tights with runs in them, and a t-shirt that's a little loose fitting.

^^ Another look that contrasts classy and grungey is the leather/swade jacket look. The contrast between something hard-core like the jacket and something girly and classy like the tights makes for an interesting rocker vibe.

^ Other types of jackets can be used as well for more caual types of looks. The first photos emphasizes the blue denim by choosing a dark corderoy jacket and black tights. The second tones down the shorts by pairing them with similarly-colored tights and offsetting it all with brightly colored shoes and a light denim jacket.

^^ You don't always have to choose black stockings. Simply selecting a quiet, but not-so-nuetral color like navy blue can add livelyness to the outfit without going overboard. Or, you can lighten up the whole look by choosing pale colored tights and shorts.

^^Switch it up a lot by choosing a pattern. Wearing one out-of-the-ordinary print like argile stockings or floral shorts can make this simple style %100 more unique.

What do you think of this look??

*Next weekend's post will be on VESTS. If you have a cute outfit using a vest, please take a photo in it, upload it to your photo blog and send me the link in a messege! Thank you!!*

If you've been a subscriber for a few months now, or if you've scrolled back far enough in my past entries, you may have noticed that I've previously made a post on "The Man Shirt" which had a brief section about oversized flannel shirts. I've since collected even more photos and examples of this trend, and as it becomes more popular, I thought I'd give more in-depth of an inspiration to all of you. Here is a brief eveolution of the flannel shirt:

                    A                                  B                           C

(A) Men's flannel shirt ($14 at Kmart or close to nothing when found at a thrift store or father's/brother's/boyfriend's closet).

(B) "Plaid Tunic" ($20 at Charlotte Russe)

(C) "Dress-length flannel shirt" ($20 Forever21)

For your refference, other nicknames for this trend are 'tunic' and 'night dress'. The going price in most womens boutiques for this shirt is around $20, but I firmly believe that the same look can easily be achieved for cheaper with whatever men's flannel shirt you can find, paired perhaps with a thick belt around the midsection and a pair of tights.

^^Here is what I did with this look. I'm still shopping around for a good price on a plaid shirt, but I have in the mean time found a 'tunic' in the clearence section of Charlotte Russe for around $7. I've paired this long, collared blouse with a cut-off and rolled-up pair of jeans that had gotten too big for me. To add a feminine flair, I threw in a pair of black shear tights ($2 at Walmart) and edged it up with a pair of cowboy boots ($50 at WetSeal which is pretty expensive for me lol).

^^Another thing to remember is that if you're having a hard time finding a long tunic or over-sized flannel shirt (or if you're a little nervous about trying out this edgy look head-on) you can achieve a similar, 'safer' look with a normal fitted women's plaid shirt. It's easier to work with because since its already the 'right' size, you don't have to worry too much about contrasting the manly quality of the larger shirt with feminine accessories. Just wear the small fitted shirt with other simple outfit staples. This look goes really well with skinny jeans.

^^ Here is how the fitted plaid shirt looks with a simple pair of athletic short-shorts.

^^ Here is a similar look with athletic short-shorts, only this time paired with more of an over-sized plaid top.

^^Personally, I don't prefer the athletic/pjs shorts look for myself. I prefer to add some structure and make it look more like actual clothing (hehe) and wear it with denim shorts/cutoffs or denim skirt.

^^ Here is a look similar to the one I tried. It incorperates the longer tunic with shorts and shear black tights. This girl's look is a little classier than mine because she's selected dress shorts (shorts made out of slack material) rather than the light blue jean cut-offs I used. She also spruces it up with the midsection belt I've mentioned above.

^^ My favorite rendition of this style is where a long or 'dress-length' plaid flannel tunic is worn with a midsection belt, shear black tights, and a casual black shoe or penny-loafer. If you are confident enough to pull this look off, more power to ya! If you're like me and feel kind of awkward or naked in this look, or don't think you have the body for it, don't worry! There's an option for you:

^^ As mentioned before, a pair of short shorts on top of your shear tights helps you feel less naked without overpowering the look. Another way to go is to trade out the shear tights for a pair of opaque leggings. These can be worn as pants, so you don't have to worry about anyone seeing your underwear like you would wearing the shear tights. It's more comfortable and less restricting than the shorts option, and doesnt take away from the outfit as much. This is also a great solution on colder days.

^^ Keep in mind that you don't have to own plaid to pull off this look. a similar style is achieved with either a solid colored tunic like the one I showed you from my closet, or a plain colored flannel of your dad's or someone's. The solid color allows for either more of an understated look (if you're not a flashy person and you want the fact that you're not wearing pants to make enough of as statement without adding loud patterns), or if you want to make your statement with a bright colored- tunic rather than a loud patterned plaid.

^^Here are a few ways to make a plaid shirt part of a layered look. For both of these looks, start with a pair of sorts. The first girl made for a heavy, dark expression by choosing a dark denim for the shorts, and then by layering the plaid shirt on top of a band t-shirt and under a dark denim jacket. The second girl makes more for a playful look by choosing light blue denim shorts, and by layering the plaid shirt over a flowy white sleeveless top. The light colored hat helps with the fun/flirty/playful expression.

^^ Lastly, if you are lucky enough to have a really long plaid top ("dress length" tunic or really large men's flannel) you can skip the tights or leggings for knee-highs.

Well, this has been my longest post ever... Sorry about that. As you can see, there's a million and a half ways to go about this look, so have at it!

*Want to become a model for this website??!? All you have to do is photograph yourself in any outfit you would like featured on the site, and when I've gathered enough info on that trend, I'll post your photo in an article. Look for a statement like this at the end of every post informing you of what I'll be featuring next! Next time, I'll be featuring ANIMAL PRINT! If you have any animal print, put together a look, photo shoot, upload it to your photo blog and send me the link in a messege or comment! Thanks girls!!

Summer's almost over, and I just wanted to sqeeze in a post on how to get the most use out of a pair of denim shorts. Now that the dog day's of summer are over, you don't just have to throw on that pair of shorts with a tank and flip-flops and hope not to pass out from the heat anymore. Now you can make an edgy fashion statement and use that pair of cut-offs as a vital accessory.

 

I've always loved bows. Ever since I was a little tike, I would tie ribbons on the end of my two braids. Once I was in the seventh grade, I realized it wasn't giving off the right impression anymore, and I had to grow up. You can imagine how psyched I was when ribbons and bows came back into style for big girls.

I've recently sewed some big bows, embellished them with button centers and stitched clasps on the back to make brooches. Also, today, I purchaced these hair accessories from Charlotte Russe.

^^Here are some extremely easy looks to try. Tie a thin ribbon onto a long necklace. Or tie a medium width ribbon around your head as a headband for an Alice In Wonderland look.

^^This is the babydoll look. It would take a few stitches to make a tube out of a silky fabric, tied into a bow and then clipped with a bobby pin. for the artistically impared, however, something like this can be found pre-made at a craftstore, or even in the hair accessories section of a boutique.

^^I am obsessed with headbands. My hair is naturally poofy, and not every day is automatically a good hairday for me. I never leave the house without a headband in my purse in case it gets windy or humid. My favorite headbands are the ones with big bows on them. They make any outfit a little bit more adorable and girly.

^^These bow brooches go with any outfit. Just pin them on and you're good to go. Innocent, cute, sweet, and to the point.

Alright, I know its still summer for most of you, but the weather in my area has SUCKED lately. I'm also just really excited about this cute, affordable look for fall. I'm finally getting a car soon *woot* but in order to pay for it, I'll have virtually no spending money for back to school wardrobe. Fortunately, if you're poor, you can still be up on the trends. The purpose of this site is to help girls like us who aren't roling in the dough to look awsome with little or no money. The huge sweatshirt look is cheap and easy like a Dominican hooker! (not that wearing it will make you look like one haha! Check this out and let me know what you gals think!

^^ You have a hoodie already... if you don't, more power to ya, but if you're looking for a funkier way to bum it out on a lazy day, loose the jeans or sweatpants for a pair of shorts with shear tights. Dress it down with uggs or up with pumps.

^^A similar look is accieved with an over-sized long sleeve t-shirt for a slightly warmer day. The off the shoulder look makes it more causual and laid back. if you don't have a wide neck or v-neck shirt, cut the collar yourself.

^^Class it up a little bit with a sweater rather than a sweatshirt. Very cute and reminiscant of the early 90s.

^^Retail stores are now selling sweatshirts that are made to fit more like a dress. Obviously, as its a newer look, you'll probably have to look a little further than your closet or the thrift shop. I got one of these on sale for about $7 at Rue 21.

^^ This last look is my favorite. Remember when we were seven years old and we pretty much lived in sweatsuits? Over the past 15 years, we've forgotten about the plain, hoodless, un-fitted sweatshirt. Honestly, a couple years ago, I wouldn't be seen dead in one, but surely enough, once something's been out of style for long enough, it comes back in a new way. I absoluely love the embroidered sweatshirt and have been scowering the thrift shops for something similar with little success. Good luck to you!