Campus chic

Short-sleeve and shorts weather is finally starting to emerge, and it is an exciting time, as it signals fresh wardrobes and unfussy pieces. Mixing styles and layers may be trickier, but the beauty of sunny days is dressing simply and still looking great.

The key to minimalist style is to dress for the body — this means taking advantage of certain silhouettes while avoiding others. Not every trendy piece is automatically flattering; rather, it is about the wearer who learns to dress smartly for his or her body type.

For those with pear-shaped bodies, emphasizing the smallest part of the body, the waist area, is essential. It is also imperative to flatter the curves, and take the time to seek out the right pieces. Empire-waist dresses, pieces that cinch and nip at the waist, and those that elongate legs are always sure hits.

Sophomore art major Mahsa Borhani confidently dresses for her body shape while still exuding style and grace. Taking a cue from her earthy surroundings, Borhani wears color schemes and patterns that reflect a bohemian, hippie influence. “I absolutely love vintage, unique pieces,” she said. She also follows trends closely by visiting blogs like www.whowhatweardaily.com, a site that captures celebrity style, while providing its readers with more affordable options.
With slender body types, creating volume, utilizing texture, and varying lengths are chic, easy ways to integrate style into the framework of the body. Designers like Alexander Wang and Alber Elbaz, creative director of Lanvin, have been lauded for creating dramatic, feminine pieces. They’re known for designing modern, wearable and sustainable dresses that are timeless and confident.

Senior chemical and biomedical engineering student Jessica Tsang wears a few simple pieces that fuse together seamlessly. She takes advantage of her slim silhouette by wearing a textured cropped jacket with flecks of gold. To offset the short length, Tsang wears a grey tunic that lengthens her torso. Adding on small details, she wears a midnight-blue scarf and pointy black flats with cutout straps.

Regardless of body shape, if you invest the time to pick out and try on different pieces, the look will almost always work. It is not about what you wear, but how you wear it. Following this philosophy, Borhani exhibits great style without sacrificing her personality, and Tsang’s carefree outfit proves just how style-savvy she is.