Looks on Campus: Kelly
This week I ran into Kelly, a Yale fashionista from the class of 2013! (Proof that nerds can be beautiful AND stylish.) What really caught my eye was Kelly’s beautiful scarf, adorned with a great color palette. To my surprise, Kelly also had an amazing statement necklace underneath her scarf. Not only does Kelly accessorize well, she has a great fashion philosophy. Read on to learn more!
Kelly 101
Name: Kelly
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Some More Details…
Hometown: Yonkers, New York
Hobbies & Interests: “Random things, from performing in theater productions to playing on my Gameboy color. And boys. Definitely boys.”
Who or what inspires your style? “My mood and set of personal motives for the day. Oh, and Serena from Gossip Girl.”
Biggest Pet Peeve: “When people call me Ginny. Yes, I know I look just like her.”
Describe your style: “I feel like my basic looks are the ‘going-out’ look, self-explanatory, and the ‘comfort/cheap’ look, which means that I doesn’t look like I actually am trying, but I am. When a girl tries too hard, she looks high-maintenance. I want my style to look natural and effortless, even if that might not be necessarily true. When it comes down to it though, it’s all about wearing what’s appropriate for your vibe.”
Where do you like to shop? “Urban Outfitters, Forever 21, Guess… it always changes. As I get older, my tastes mature. Before, I used to be obsessed with Express. And way before, you know, it was all about Limited Too.”
Why did you choose this particular outfit? “New Haven in January is cold, so layering is essential. Today, I happened to be moving around a lot, so comfortable and stylish shoes were important. Skinny jeans, an obvious choice. I was on the way to an audition, actually, and needed to look approachable, yet classy. That’s why I went with more basic hues. The scarf is something I picked up from back home over break – it adds a splash of personality to an otherwise bland outfit.”
Elements of Kelly’s Outfit
1. Statement Necklace
Kelly’s necklace is definitely unique and adds a lot to her outfit. I really like the juxaposition of the tight/choker effect along with dangling beads. When I asked Kelly about the necklace, she said, “It was a gift from an old friend, a jewelry maker. It’s quirky, but somehow manages to be elegant. The color goes great with my skin, I’ve been told. I always get compliments on it.”
2. Riding Boots
Riding boots are a great investment and can go with just about anything! Kelly agreed that they are very versatile and said, “I hope you can’t tell from the picture, but they’re filthy. I use them ALL the time, from going out dancing to going out to brunch. The back boots are a quintessential accessory that transform any outfit. Oh, the wonders of boots.”
Looks Inspired by Kelly
Here are some outfits that showcase some key elements of Kelly’s style. If you like any of the pieces, be sure to share your thoughts with a comment! I wanted to show how you can take the two core pieces of Kelly’s outfit and transition them from look-to-look.
Outfit 1: Casual Cool
Product Information: Button Front Top – Topshop, Bootcut Denim – Bluefly, Cardigan – Old Navy, Necklace – Forever 21, Scarf- Topshop, Boots - Arden B
Outfit 2: Baby It’s Cold Outside
Product Information: Boots - Arden B, Necklace -Forever 21, Long Sleeve T- Forever 21, Jeans- Bluefly (gotta love their discounted prices!), Coat- Bluefly
What Do YOU Think?
Now that you’ve seen your first glimpse of Yale fashion, what do you think? Do you have any unique pieces like Kelly’s necklace? Let us know with a comment!
Posted on on January 27, 2010 / Filed Under: Looks on Campus / Tags: Campus Inspiration, College Style, Kelly, Looks on Campus, Riding Boots, Statement Necklace
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Luinae
She actually has really, really great style! This is a look I would like to emulate. And I didn’t even notice she looked just like Ginny until she mentioned it!
Linda
Love, love, love!
Simone
I like the outfits posted here, but I must say I don’t quite understand the comment about Express. Is she saying Express isn’t mature? I love Express for its internship/work clothes, as well as basic tees and jeans.
connie
not that kelly doesn’t look cute, but i’m surprised to see this featured as a look on campus. this is the second week in a row where i would say the look featured is very ordinary and pedestrian. you walk into any classroom and find someone wearing jeans, a sweater, a scarf and boots!
anonymous
Idea for new post/question: I have no clue about fashion and such. In a public school, I generally wear t-shirts or polos with khakis or jeans and running shoes/sneakers. I don’t have a skin routine at all. I extremely dislike makeup, tight clothing, sheer, skinny etc. stuff that isn’t really modest (deep v-necks, etc.) Also for polos and such I like the uniform kinds especially since there are few buttons and no logos.I basically stick with the archaic middle school dress code. I googled for some ideas (family/friends dislikes my lack of “style”) but fashion4nerds was only for guys. Shopping is a horrible event for me as well…my family/friends insist on dragging me to cheap “brand name” stores in the mall or find “brand name” clothes on sale for me to try. I mainly go to Target or Kohl’s for clothes. I’ve been reading CF since around last fall but being the simple/conservative type, I am not likely to try some of the outfits anytime soon. Any help/ideas? What are the most basic things that will be right for a fashion-impaired student like me?
wazy
I would have to agree with Connie. Kelly seems like a great girl and she does look very cute, but I find the outfit is very typical and safe. The pieces separately are great. However to me, everything seems washed out when put together. I can imagine it has greater impact in person though.
I would have to disagree with her on one point. If I put a lot of effort into what I’m wearing I sure hope it shows, haha!
A Yalie
Agreed, she certainly looks cute, but I’ve seen many looks on campus that are more unique and creative.
Perhaps next time the author should look beyond her suite for examples, and do campus fashion justice.
Lynn
I agree, this outfit is a fine casual outfit, but not inspiring in any way. I see people like this every day – in this column I’d like to see a risk taker, someone who does something I would never think of or tries out some style I was never daring enough to attempt.
I also think a better format would be multiple pictures of different outfits from their wardrobe, which would allow us to get a better idea of their style and showcase a variety of different looks.
Zephyr - CF Editor
Thanks for the constructive criticism, guys! This is a fairly new feature we’re doing on a weekly basis this semester, so it’s all trial and error. Our goal is to show you guys what real college students are wearing, and looks we think are cute. We’ll definitely be on the lookout for more daring looks in the weeks to come.
In the meantime, if any of you know of someone who always looks fab on one of the campuses we cover, and think she should be featured here, send us an email with the contact form and we’ll be in touch. Also, if you want to snap photos of a friend or yourself for Looks on Campus, we accept user submissions too. If you guys want to see this section get better, send us looks you think are better than what we’ve been featuring! We’d love to check ‘em out.
lisa
I actually like this one…. because unlike the last edition of this feature it actually in a closer look is obvious that it is a well constructed outfit, but casual…. its nice to not always look really dressy, but also from time to time look casual, and i think kelly shows how you can do that and still make some sort of statement… plus i really like the boots
Mika
I LOVELOVELOVE her boots. Anyone know where they are from?
Hopkins Gal
Kelly is beautiful and her style is subtle, but elegant. The various pieces, and the ability to mix and match makes her clothing choices not only classy, but practical. As with many of the other people who commented, I think that the boots and necklace are fabulous.
I disagree that this site should only display wild and risk-taking styles (that few people would want to buy or wear). Maybe at Yale everyone dresses like this (I doubt it). They sure don’t at Johns Hopkins.
Mika
anonymous: fashion isn’t really something you can just learn overnight, it’s a personal thing, something that represents who you are and your personality. If you want to get more into fashion and develop your personal style I would suggest reading fashion magazines and blogs (like CF!) to draw inspiration. Figure out what you like and when you are shopping try to pick out items that reflect what you have seen and liked. Fun assecories (like Kelly’s scarf above) are another great way to add personality to an outfit. Personal style is all about figuring out what you like and finding ways to wear it. Fashion magazines and blogs also can give you a sense of what looks good together and how to wear things.
I hope I helped :)
pluto
I find the inclusion of Kelly’s style in this column very reassuring, and it is probably my favourite so far.
I know to a lot of people it might seem everyday and uninspired, but to me it is proof that timeless simplicity is far more enduring than trendy gimmickry.
I personally have a very limited wardrobe. Not because I cannot afford fashionable items, or because I have no sense of style, but because I am afraid that if I make myself part of this trend cycle I will never get out, forever hunting fashion items to keep my look “current” and “relevant” because the last trendy item just does not stand up to the test of time.
Kelly has done an amazing job of the classic wardrobe staples and she looks fabulous!
Sharon
i love her boots! do you know where she got them?
wendy
She looks cute, ordinary but cute. I mean, how do you expect people to dress on campus.
Tibby
Ah! I am pretty sure I have those same boots in brown. LOVE them. Too bad I can’t wear them in the snow in fear of ruining them. Like this article :)
Charlotte
Kelly’s way cute, so she can pull off any outfit. Where did she get her boots?! I love them
Mika
tibby- where did you get those boots? I’m kind of in love with them… haha :)
Tibby
Mika- actually, after looking at them closer, mine are suede, not the shiny-er material that Kelly’s are. But other than that they’re the exact same style down to the buckles! I found them at DSW shoe warehouse a few months ago, good luck!
Katie
anonymous: I think CF definitely has some stuff that isn’t too risque, and if you object to any of the pieces of a featured outfit, you can always modify it to suit your own tastes and wardrobe!
EXAMPLE: This post has skinny jeans, which you say you wouldn’t feel comfortable in. If you like the scarf, sweater and statement necklace combo, translate the skinny jeans to boyfriend or looser-fitting jeans, then pair with flats instead. It’s still the look you like — just within the parameters of your wardrobe and taste!
Anyway, I feel like the onus is kind of on you a little bit — it sounds like you’re looking for a stylist when what you really just need to do is do what everyone else is: finding your own style within the parameters of what you’re comfortable in!
Katie
Also, Zephyr, I like this feature! I agree that it does have the vibe of people asking friends — then again, it can be sketchy/awkward to be like, “Hey, stranger, mind if I take your picture for my website?” — but I know that I like those sites like The Sartorialist, and this is like that in a form that can be really relevant and inspiring.
Maybe a way to mix it up would be to also just to text-free photo ones? I’ll send in pictures if I see something I really like on campus, but if editors don’t ask all the questions, they could just post the photos of people whose looks REALLY stand out with a “What do you think?” box so we can talk about whether we think they look, where we might get similar looks, etc.?
I like this version of the feature too, but that might attract the commenters who are saying that they feel like the current looks are too pedestrian.
lalalina
I also agree that this feature is great! The first few editions were really extreme and these past two were more low key, but I think that is ok. I have no problem seeing something that a lot of girls wear, but it would be nice to see someone who takes it to the next level.
Simone- I love express too, but only for going out clothes. There business attire, tops and bottoms, can be on the risque side bc they are generally too form-fitting
lalalina
Oh Zephyr, I am in my first semester of grad school, can I send in fashions I see around campus or is it only for undergrads?
Kelley
It’s refreshing to see a fellow nerd with style! I think one of the more difficult things with fashion is achieving a balance of comfy/chic and Kelly’s style emulates that balance perfectly…especially on days spent in lectures and labs.
Anonymous – in response to your question…it sounds like you may want to take it slow at first in trying to change your style. I would suggest switching your running shoes with some Converse Chuck’s (their still sneaker-y but are definitely better looking). If you feel their still too similar to what you already wear, I would opt for some Moccasins or simple flats.
For Jeans I would go for a trouser cut if you don’t like skinny or “tight” fitting denim. Trousers looks great on almost anybody and their super comfortable as well.
It sounds like you prefer being more conservative in your fashion and so for tops I would suggest ditching the polo’s and getting some crew neck tees, their not as low as a v-neck but don’t stuff you up as much as a polo. If you pair the tees with a few different cardigans I think you’ll find you still feel conservative but a little more fashionable.
Last, I would find statement accesories that you really love, this would be your area to take more of a risk and have a little fun. Scarves, earrings, necklaces, bags, rings…etc.
I think these 4 steps are a good ease into finding what risks you’re willing to take and which ones you’re not. You can add in new patterns, trends, cuts, and colors whenever you feel ready. I think developing a sense of fashion is a slow process anyway….and it never really ends.
I hope I helped some. Here is a link to an article written by Zephyr on “Wardrobe Essentials for College Girls” that may also help.
http://www.collegefashion.net/fashion-tips/wardrobe-essentials-for-college-girls/
Good luck!
Suburban Sweetheart
Kelly looks like every college girl who has ever existed. She looks cute, sure, but I hope for – and expect – something a little more daring from this blog.
Elizabeth
Just throwing my two cents in… Many recent CF articles have featured bolder, brighter, louder outfits that send off a somewhat aggressive vibe. This is totally understandable owing to the current popularity of rocker and 80’s styles, but I’m glad CF seems to be realizing that even though such styles are trendy, not every girl’s individual style is going to coincide with them. After all, each of our individual styles is based on a complex blend of personality, shape, environment, and many other factors, not all of which end up in a sharp, daring look for every fashion-conscious girl. Lots of us feel more like ourselves in more gentle, naturalistic styles such as Kelly’s. So when I uploaded CF, I was delighted to see her laid-back but pulled-together outfit – she has a beautiful sense of fashion that is cute, classic, and very natural-looking all at once, proof that such looks can indeed be fun and chic! :) (Though yes, she really did need that beautiful scarf to keep the outfit from looking a bit too bland.)
Tennyway…I guess what I’m trying to say is that I really liked this article and I’d love to see more Kelly-ish outfits peppering CF! :)
Kim
Chictopia.com is great site to get some fashion inspirations!
Jessica - Butte College
LOVE HER BOOTS! I bought a pair of similar boots from Forever21 as an impulse buy, and have had a hard time taking them off since. I’m all about boots lately.
It’s always refreshing to see some quality photography on CF. Great job with the backlight:) Makes her hair look stunning.
I really like her insight about looking too high maintainence. I have an issue with dressing up quite a bit, and it causes people to think that I’m stand-offish and not too polite. To break this stereotype, I try to talk to people as much as possible so they can see that I’m really fun to talk to.
Mika
tibby-i’ll look, thanks!
Mika
oh, and tibby- what brand are they?
haha thank you! ive become a bit obssesed with them..:)
Tibby
Mika- they’re “white mountain” brand. I love them!
Mika
tibby- i’ve been searching but I can’t find them…hmm. But, I have found many more adorable boots that I now must have! haha :)
thanks for your help!
Ana
I personally, love this look because of the scarf! It’s beautiful, and the scarf from the first outfit as well is quite fabulous. I don’t mind seeing cute, ordinary day outfits, I actually love them because they give me the most inspiration!
anonymous
Mika, Katie, Kelley: Thanks for replying! and Kelley that was extremely helpful- just what I needed! =D