Here are a few of my recent outfits I have been posting on instagram lately. I love them all because they are very springy but functional for the inconsistent spring weather:

 This first one is my favorite combo. The polka dot collared button up is from Jcrew. I love wearing it underneath sweaters to spice it up a bit. The sweater is from Zara in Milan. It has these great brown elbow patches on them. The jeans are high waisted, mint green and from Urban. The flats are my favorites! They are oxford flats from Jcrew. I'm also wearing a leopard print timex watch from Jcrew and Tiffany pearls.

So this outfit is great for those Spring days in the city that are windy but still really warm in the sun. I'm wearing a floral romper from Urban outfitters. On top of the romper is a collared t-shirt from Urban outfitters. Topped off with a light pink sweater from Forever 21. My iphone case is from Jcrew and leopard print.

 Below is a favorite outfit of mine. The high-waisted skirt is from Urban Outfitters. I'm wearing a white tank top underneath my floral Forever 21 collared and draped shirt. The flats are from Jcrew and are ivory and navy blue striped with bows on the tips. I love the shoes with the outfit because the navy blue brings out the darker tones in the shirt. It creates a great balance with the pink in the top and the pink from the skirt.

Originality

Per usual, I have been trend researching on my spare time. When I checked out UO's newest dresses, I came across a dress that looked quite familiar. This dress is quite similar to the ASOS dress I presented on my most recent post. Both dresses end up being about the same price in USD but I think that they kind of overwhelm the idea of fast fashion. Fast fashion is just trying to keep up with the Designer and Better brands, but when all of these moderately priced lines have the same dress with the same print, it becomes played out- just like a new song on the radio. I guess the idea of 'originality' when it comes to fast fashion is: who can be faster at copying? ... and then faster at playing out the new style? 

Urban Outfitters (above) VS. ASOS:

This summer I am going to start silk screening again. I'm really excited and also kind of annoyed that these tribal prints are becoming so popular lately. These are the types of prints I have been doodling for years and now they are fashionable? I will also be taking a course at FIT that concentrates on CAD in pattern-making. It will be really interesting, in terms of the change of atmosphere. Printmaking in the studio in Italy was so inspiring. It was in this old building built during the high renaissance, yet hidden in a small courtyard covered with beds of exotic flowers. While inside the studio, the ceiling was made out of windows. It was really cool because you would look up and see stray kittens walking across or laying down catching some rays. Overall, it was a really secluded and a secretive treasure in the middle of Florence (Which kind of defines what makes Italy so special). It was really inspiring to collect your creative thoughts in that area and I am excited for the change of atmosphere when taking courses at FIT. A new type of inspiration based on the environment, but taking a few little pieces of Italian inspiration/influence, to make it something of my own. 

Buonagiornata!

Megan

Discounts are worth the wait..

'But it is possible for a woman to be elegant without spending very much money on her clothes, if she follows the basic rules of Fashion and is careful to choose the clothes that suit her personality.' 

- Christian Dior

My mother has trained my sisters and I to walk directly to the back of the store towards the sale section. Because of this, I have become extremely 'thrifty' over the years. That's not to say that I don't give in every now and then for a must have full-priced item in the window. Though, I must admit I am a pro at buying classics at the end of the season. Last September, when chunky autumn maroon and forest green sweaters were replacing the maxi dresses, I found great deals on all of those beautiful summer maxi-dresses with their exotic prints. Instead of spending $140 on an Anthro dress, I spent $40 because it was 'out of season.' The beautiful royal blue maxi-dress I bought from urban for $7 was at a wholesale of $80 two weeks prior to buying it. Rule number one in fashion, at least with RTW, be patient. If you are buying things a head of time, stick to the classics. Maxi-dresses aren't going anywhere and if you love a garment enough, it won't matter if it's 'out of style.' Be true to yourself and like Dior said, 'be careful to choose the close that suits her personality.' My $7 UO dress is elegant and timeless. I can't wait to wear it out to dinner in the Dominican Republic this spring break. Here are the dresses I have laid out for this upcoming trip, followed by trends for this seasons resort wear collections, Enjoy! : 

( From left, [pink] Urban Outfitters, [black] Forever 21, [stripes] Urban Outfitters, [brown] Anthropologie, as mentioned, [pink] Jcrew, [royal blue] Urban Outfitters, as mentioned, [brown prints] Neiman Marcus. )

( Jcrew, 'Amie Stripe maxidress) $98.00

Asos, River Island Colour Block Bandeau Jersey Maxi Dress £24.99

Asos, River Island Fringe Front Aztec Print Maxi Dress £28.00

Who said bikes can't be tricked out?

Quando tornerai Italia, vorrei una bicicletta carina come questi. Como sei dici, I want to 'trick out my bike when I return to Italy?' How awesome are these bikes? These are only a few shots of the many I caught a glimpse of in Italy. Amsterdam was even cooler.