My second New U article: Fashion on a Budget

Apologies for the lack of original posts. I'd just like to share the second fashion article (fourth article overall) that I've written for New University:

As college students, when we think about money, we think about how we spend ludicrous amounts on gasoline, how we wish we hadn’t made so many Starbucks runs and how buying textbooks tends to leave gaping holes in our wallets. Accumulating costs throughout the quarter leaves us more worried about being in debt than about the next It bag or pair of Nikes we’re going to buy.

Basically, fashion is not something most of us can spend too much on. Some of us are willing to sacrifice our savings for style, but for those who would rather be more frugal with fashion, here are some tips.

The first thing that one should keep in mind is what to splurge on versus what to save on. For girls, bags are splurge-worthy because they can last season after season and have the power to add polish to any outfit. Guys tend to spend their cash on multiple pairs of shoes and an array of dress shirts. Many people, guys or girls, insist that the price of designer jeans can be worth the perfect fit. But what can one do if they want to dress to impress without spending too much? Don’t get your skinny jeans in a twist: It’s very possible to save some money when shopping for the pricier items of your wardrobe.

One way to save is to subscribe to the mailing lists of your favorite stores. What you may think is spam could actually be great savings. Not only will a store e-mail about new items, but the store (which could be anything from Barneys to American Apparel) can also mail promotional codes for “private” sales, deals on shipping and even discounts just for signing up for their newsletters.

Although extra e-mails can be annoying, it’s worth it to save some cash with a few clicks. Another online shopping tip is to Google promotional codes or coupon codes for wherever you’re ordering from. Sites like Retail Me Not and Coupon Cabin offer codes for savings on tons of sites.

Now that you know how to save on regular-priced fashion, where can you find clothing that’s inexpensive to begin with? Start by looking where you would normally be hunting for DVDs and toiletries: Target. The megastore has a surprisingly good selection, including their GO International line, which carries designs by different designers that change every few months. Currently, Rogan for Target’s eco-friendly women’s wear line is in stock. Look to places like Target for affordable basics and swimwear.

Searching for another opportunity to find some inexpensive and trendy fashion that’s even closer to campus? Look no further than UC Irvine’s upcoming Sample Sale, organized by Associated Students of UCI. On Tuesday, May 20, come to the Student Center’s Emerald Bay and Doheny rooms to find tons of merchandise at factory prices. Approximate prices for some of the clothing include hats and T-shirts for $10 and shorts, backpacks and sweaters for $20 to $25. The brands include BB Dakota, Rocawear, Kallusive, The Other Duck, Stussy, Rad, Undefeated, USDA Clothing and more.

Now that you know how to fill up your closet for less, spread the knowledge and use those extra pennies to fill up your gas tank. Happy shopping!

My first fashion article for the New U!

I've written a few articles for UC Irvine's newspaper, New University. This article, called "From the Runway to Ring Mall" was published this week. Ring Mall is the name of the fake street (shaped like a ring) that goes around campus. Also, Fashion Island is the nearby mall in Newport Beach. Enjoy!

From the Runway to Ring Mall
BY LOUISE LAO
The sun is shining and the breeze is balmy—spring has definitely arrived. Some days, the heat is sweltering enough to drive a girl into the ubiquitous shorts and flip-flops uniform. What can you do to get out of a hot-weather fashion rut, especially on a college student’s budget? Here are a few spring and summer trends to take from the runways to Ring Mall.

IN RAINBOWS

In this spring’s shows, ROY G. BIV ruled the runways. Color was bold, bright and unapologetic. Designers did not shy away from color, and neither should you. To interpret this trend in a subtle way, try taking one item of clothing and wearing it in an unexpected color. Buy jeans in a striking lemon yellow, or for those who take baby steps, a pale blue. Accenting neutrals with brights, like the chartreuse miniskirt or the lipstick red jacket paired with pale colors at 3.1 Philip Lim, is quite a brilliant move. More ways to add punch to an everyday outfit are to layer with a bright cardigan or wrap oneself in a scarf in an eye-catching color—why not both? Spring is no time to be shy. Even Ralph Lauren, which is known for its classic designs and color palette, sent models sashaying down the catwalk in vibrant, saturated hues in the label’s 40th anniversary show. From Easter-egg pastels to Day-Glo neons, fashion went full spectrum.

AROUND THE WORLD

Many designers took inspiration from global cultures in their collections, from Christian Lacroix’s outlandish feathers and prints to Proenza Schouler’s more subdued palette. African motifs and Asian ikat patterns were prevalent on this season’s runways. Fortunately, for those on a budget, this trend can easily translate into an accessory, like a scarf or piece of jewelry, to update a basic outfit.

Another global-inspired trend of the moment is the gladiator sandal. Although the shoes have appeared in past seasons, they are everywhere this spring. If you want to keep the style a bit more subdued (in other words, if you want to avoid looking like you’re about to fight Russell Crowe) try the style in black or silver with just a few straps. With these global looks, you can dress like you’ve traveled the world, even if the most exotic place you’ve been lately is Fashion Island.

ART STAR

Vivid colors, expressionistic and aggressive brushstrokes—does this sound like a critique from a studio art class? Actually, we’re talking about dresses from Chloé and Dolce & Gabbana, among others. This season, many pieces appear to be streaked with paint and covered in a myriad of intense hues. Art and fashion unite more than ever this spring. In addition to fashion inspired by the abstract expressionism movement, designers have been inspired by illustration.

A prime example lies in the fairy illustrations printed throughout Prada’s collection. Are you artistically inclined? Grab a fabric pen or even some acrylic paint (because it’s permanent, it works as fabric paint) and make some fairy figures (or anything you’d like!) of your own. If you’re more on the crafty side, a bottle of Rit dye is your friend as designers were also inspired by the look of watercolors. Dip-dyeing a shirt, skirt, scarf or even a dress will create the much-desired ombré effect. Tie-dye shirts and scarves are also fresh ways to bring the artistic trend to everyday wear.

Now that you are familiar with some of the trends of spring and summer, make them your own. Don’t fear color, pattern or personalization. As Coco Chanel once said, “Fashion is made to become unfashionable,” so embrace changing trends as different outlets for self-expression. Have a stylish spring!