A Couple of pictures!

 Below are some pictures of two of my friends who very nicely agreed to model different pairs of jeans. Both of them are a little shorter than average (even though they think they're much taller than me, they're lying to themselves--they're both short) so I thought, perfect! different types of jeans for short girls!

Picture 1: V is wearing boot cut jeans, over brown wedged-booties. I thought an outfit like this one needed something brighter on top so I decided to pair this orange flowy tank-top with it. Usually I avoid wearing a flowy top and boot cut jeans or a loose pair of pants/skirts/shorts because it tends to look very floppy. In this case though, tucking it in looked effortlessly cool and comfortable.

Picture 2: D is wearing olive jeans, the same brown booties, a striped t-shirt and a black epaulets-military style jacket. For this outfit I decided to try mixing many different colors, something I don't usually do because too many colors in an outfit tends to make it look over-the-top or crowded! However I think it turned out looking really good and the shoes added the extra few inches the outfit needed to make it better than OK. 

Picture 3: In this  picture V is wearing a knitted sweater under a black  blazer and white jeans. You may have noticed how all the outfits so far contain the same pair of shoes. I honestly thought the shoes looked good with each outfit and wanted to show that they could work with different outfits and on different people. (We also had no other heels with us, so the choice was limited!) The white jeans are shorter around the ankle, which is perfect for skinny jeans. Like I mentioned in my previous post, I sometimes have extra material at the bottom of my jeans, and it's really unflattering for the ankle (makes it look bulky)! This white pair of jeans, however, is the right kind of cut you want for skinny jeans. 

Denim Jackets!

“Fashions fade, style is eternal.” -Yves Saint Laurent 

 

I really love this quote. YSL isn't only a brilliant designer, he is also completely right when it comes to fashion and stylet. Definition of fashion:  a popular trend, esp. in styles of dress. Popular definition: liked, admired or enjoyed by many people. Mix that up, and you've got a new 'trend', a new must have item. Remember when UGGs were really popular in our school, and everyone wanted them? Whether they were UGGs or fUggs, most girls had a pair, but everyone wore them...why? Yes, they're really warm, and yes they can be worn with almost anything (shorts, jeans, leggings, sweatpants, skirts--though I don't understand how girls can wear skirts& UGGs in the summer..) but let's be honest, UGGs are ugly shoes, though not as ugly as crocs, obviously! But that didn't stop any of us from buying some, since they were 'in style'. But that's the thing you see, they used to be such a big hit in our school and now they aren't as popular as the y used to be. The problem with all of us it that we all follow the same trends, originality is so low nowadays. Don't get me wrong, some people try to be original, but originality is sometimes overrated. Personally I believe that we can all follow the same trends (it's pretty normal considering we're teens and all want to fit in) or all wear the same clothing item and still be original. Because it's all about the way you make it your own. The way you accessorize, the way you coordinate your colors or patterns and the way it fits you. This is why I love jackets, and denim jackets in particular(I think I own at least 5 different denim jackets and they range in color, style, length and fit). Like jeans, I think denim jackets fit practically everyone, no joke! Here are a few pictures of my friends who are all different shapes and sizes but all looked good in these jackets:

Picture 1: In this picture, A is wearing a green denim jacket(it's actually mine hehe!), red-wine trousers, a plain white shirt and a gold flower necklace. I'm actually I huge fan of white shirts, it's essential in any ones closet! Everyone should have at least 3 white shirts(short sleeved, tank-top and long-sleeved) because they always come in handy and can be worn with ANYTHING,but more about white shirts later! As you can see on the third picture, the jacket is a little big for her due to the fact that my shoulders are broader than hers so it kind of floats around the back/bust area in the third picture. This is one thing you should always make sure off, having the right size/cut for your shape. Nonetheless, I think the color works, her tanned skin tone!

Picture 2: In this picture, D is also wearing red jeans, a beige-ish top with flowers on it and a dark blue cropped denim jacket. Unlike the first jacket which is cut to 'outline' the waist, this jacket is cut straight down. I actually really like cropped denim jackets because I find them to be the casual, cute version of denim jackets(don't ask me why, I know denim jackets are usually casual too but this kind seems more casual!). In fact, this is my spring/summer obsession. On my personal blog I wrote a whole post about my obsession with beanie hats during the winter, well this season's obsession is definitely cropped denim jackets! I've always thought that this style fit taller girls most because they tend to have a longer torso and therefore the 'cropped' effect works very well. When you're short like me, it sometimes looks like a normal denim jacket, which is really frustrating! 

Little tip: if you ever purchase a denim jacket(cropped or not) and you feel like it's cut down too straight, it's very possible to have it taken in. I've done that with my cropped jacket because I wanted it to fit closer to my torso, and it was worth it!

Picture 3: In this picture S is wearing a light-wash denim jacket. It has a little bit of the 'destroyed denim' look going on in the back, which I love. This friend of mine(you know who you are!) is probably one of the few people who's style I absolutely love. I know that sounds harsh, and that doesn't mean I hate everyone else's style because I actually like most people's use of fashion to show creativity and originality (even if the outfit may look really weird at times),  it just means that I genuinely and constantly love her style, it's so cool and quirky& trendy at the same time(you should see her shoes, they're silver, really high and unimaginably comfortable when you wear them, dead serious they're amazing)! Back to the jacket. This is more of a typical denim jacket style, the straight, long style, though the light-wash 'effect' gives it a cooler vibe and stops it from being simple. This lighter color also compliments her skin tone, which is another factor to consider when buying a denim jacket, how dark/light you want it to be!

So here are some examples of different girls wearing the same item but differently. Because you see denim jackets look girl on all three of these girls and they're definitely not identical. And what YSL said is true, fashion does 'fade', but style is eternal. If you're 'stylish' or if you have your own original style, it doesn't matter whether something is 'in' or 'out' of fashion because you wear it differently ever time. I think that there's nothing cooler then starting a trend, a more importantly, bringing back  a trend in a new way, making it 'fashionable' again. Because as I've observed in the fashion world, what goes around, comes back around eventually!

Below: A little picture of me in my own jackets and plain white shirt! I love accessorizing so I'll usually wear scarves of a piece of brighter jewelry if I wear a darker color (like black or a navy ensemble). 

Jegging offenders: Beware!

First of all, let me get one thing straight: I don't think a specific body type shouldn't wear jeggings, I believe that NO ONE(slim, curvy, short, rounder, tall girls ) should. ever. 
  

I don't know why, but recently I've seen jeggings re-emerging in society. I thought we were finally over that epidemic but clearly, we are not! Let me justify what exactly I have against jeggings. I do not have a problem with the concept of jeggings, in fact, I find them practical when the right color is purchased. Gray, black, navy and white, that actually look like jeans material are okay. Blue denim look-a-like jeggings (found mostly at Yendi's) are not. The later usually gives off a vulgar vibe if worn with nothing covering your butt . If you don't have anything covering your backside, please go home and fix that. The former, when worn right, can create an amazing outfit. Celebrities such as Beyoncé has worn them on the red carpet and looked stunning as always. Sienna Miller, Lily Allen, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Alba and Rachel Bilson, amongst others have all worn jeggings and have looked great, whether it was casual or formal.

When worn to complete and outfit, jeggings are true life savers and the perfect mix between comfortable and stylish. Unfortunately, most people don't  wear them them to complete an outfit, and wear them too light for them to look acceptable. If I were to wear jeggings, I would make sure they flatter my body, that they make my legs look toned, long(I'm 4'11--1.51cm, so the longer the illusion, the better! ) and slimming. If you wear them with a tank or a tee, make sure it's long enough and most importantly, to all of you who still wear jeggings, keep it classy and wear them with confidence! Because you should always wear whatever you want, but honestly jeggings rarely look good on everyone, a small amount of people can pull them off. In fact, most of you girls said that the body part you 'hated' the most about yourself were your thighs, so let me warn you, jeggings tend to cling in all the right places all the wrong ways. 

If you DO still decide to wear jeggings here are a few ways to wear them:

First Idea:

• Black jeggings 
• Long white shirt/ Pastel pink sheer shirt 
• Over the knee black suede/leather boots 
• Cute short black blazer 
• A Turquoise stone ring 
• Long dangly necklace 

Checkout this outfit,  just an idea for an outfit which includes all the items above: 

http://www.fashiolista.com/my_style/list/180106/ 

Second Idea:

• Navy Jeggings
• A blue and White stripped t-shirt/tunic --sailor girl style!
• Gold gladiators or ballerina flats
• Gold clutch

Another possible outfit, including all the items listed above. Just a plain, basic, 'sailor girl look': 

http://www.fashiolista.com/my_style/list/180466/ 

For more ideas and advice on how to wear jeggings, checkout these cool websites:

--> http://www.beautips.info/fashion-tips/hot-fashion-trend-in-fall-2010-wear-jeggings/                            --> http://www.29secrets.com/sections/style/how-wear-jeggings

21st Century Jeans

So what are the jeans of today? Clearly Jeans have evolved since it's appearance in 1853, just like any other garment in the fashion world! But what are the options today? All of us can't possibly wearing the exact same jeans like they were doing decades ago, can we? NO. No way. Thank goodness for designers of today! Like I said in the previous post, there are so many different options when it comes to jeans that no one should be complaining about not having enough choice! Yes, there are times I wish I could wear boot-leg jeans and not have to wear heels to stop them dragging on the floor, but everyday I'm glad that petite clothing exist. Because it isn't just shorter clothes you know? It's clothes that have been designed to fit different proportions. Shorter proportions!

But that's okay for shorter girls, what about taller girls? What about slim girls? What about curvy girls? What about girls with big hips? Or girls with big butts or girls with no butt? What about long&lean girls? What do they wear? You see, designers had to think of everything, they had to have a range of options to satisfy all of their female customers. I mean, how great is it to find that pair of jeans? You know what I'm talking about, those jeans, that specific par of jeans you love because they fit you perfectly. And whether or not fashion and clothes is 'your' thing or not, every girl has that one pair of jeans that you wear when it's a 'special occasion', or you're meeting someone you like and you want to look your best(in a casual way, some of us might choose a dress or skirt depending on the weather). And that's the thing, the fact we have so much choice gives us the opportunity to find jeans that fit the 3 C's: Comfortable, Complementary and Cute. My motto when it comes to clothes is very simple: wear what you want, but wear it with confidence, because there's nothing worse than wearing an outfit and doubting yourself the entire time. If you think you look good, be confident. Obviously not everyone may like it, but who cares? Wear what you want to wear and when it comes to jeans, pick something you feel comfortable in, that flatters your body and looks cute!

Just avoid one thing and one thing only, jeggings.  

A little History of Jeans

Jeans are probably the most worn item of clothing amongst teenagers nowadays. If you just look around our classroom, at least 3 quarters of the class are wearing jeans(unless it's like 44°, and that NEVER happens in Geneva, so yeah, jeans it is!). But that doesn't mean everyone is wearing the same jeans. Jeans, like t-shirts, range in sooo many categories. There are different cuts, different fits, different lengths, different colors, different brands, different materials and different prices! If you're wondering what I mean by 'different materials' here's a little history about jeans.

History of Jeans 
Jeans were originally designed by Levi Strauss, a Bavarian immigrant who moved to San Francisco in 1850. In the mid-19th century, during the Gold Rush, Levi had the idea to create trousers which would be worn by miners. He had heard that miners needed durable pants, so he hired a tailor and started making garments out of tent canvases. Later denim was used, and copper riveting was added to pocket seams. In 1853, partnership of Levi Strauss and his two bothers Louis and Jonas was formed. When he died in 1902, the company was passed down to his two nephews, and later to their in-laws: the Haas family. In 1946, the company decided to stop wholesaling and to focus mainly on manufacturing clothing under it's own brand name, Levi Strauss& co, this was when the company's most impressive growth occurred. By the 1960's the company which had once only been worn by American cowboys had become popular worldwide!

Denim on the other hand, is said to have originated from france. The word 'denim' comes from the town which it was created in, Nîmes. Get it? De Nîmes --> Denim? How cool is that?!

The Results are finally here!

When I started this project, I briefly asked some girls if they wouldn't mind being photographed for my project. Some girls said yes, but many more suddenly became very agitated by the thought of being on a fashion blog! I understand where they were coming from. I personally prefer being behind the camera than in it's main focus whereas some girls love posing for pictures. Truth be told, most of the girls who were okay with the idea of being photographed were girls who were confident in how they looked on camera and didn't mind posing. Other girls were more shy about the idea of being photographed and outright refused. In January I gave out a survey to both girls and boys, asking them both a series of question which relate to my project. To make it fair, I did the survey too! These were some of the questions I asked the girls:

1. Name 5 physical features you love about yourself:

2. Name 5 physical features you hate about yourself:

3. Which question was easier to answer?

6. Do you hesitate to do things because of what others might think?

7. Do you hesitate to wear certain things or dress a certain way because of what other people may think?

There were so many different answers I decided to make pie charts for some of the questions. Here are the two questions which surprised me most and on which my next post will be based on:

Welcome

Beauty a combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight…

That’s the true definition of beauty. A combination of qualities, such as shape, color or form that change from person to person and in this case, from girl to girl. But see, we live in the 21^st century. We’re constantly ambushed with magazines, movies and adverts exposing models and celebrities that have been photo-shopped to perfection.We live in a world where the perfect body size it determined by your dress size, and that shouldn't be acceptable.

 This project is very important to me because it relates to my current everyday life. Like most teenage girls, I want to fit in and be accepted by my peers. I want to complemented and liked, by members of the opposite sex. Like most girls I also have insecurities. Insecurities that when thought about deeply, are probably ridiculous. But at the moment, they seem to be disastrous.

Going to an international school is great; it’s an amazing opportunity most people don’t get experience in their lifetime. It’s a chance to grow up around people that have different cultures, morals and values, then those that I may share. Growing up in a community like this one is what has taught me to be open-minded, accepting and understanding towards other beliefs. This is my main inspiration for my stylebook.

The fact that there are so many girls my age, all around the world who may share different cultures, or live in different environments to the one I live in but still face the same teenage issues that I face makes me feel understood. I want to create a book that encourages teenage girls to be themselves, to be confident and to embrace their differences. Yes, at this age we all want to fit in and most of us don’t want to stand out too much, with the fear of attracting negative attention to ourselves, but I want to a book that encourages girls to be different. I want to show that different can be beautiful. That being a different size, height or shape, than what is always represented in modern society is more then okay, it’s great! But mostly I want to create a book I wish I could’ve read about how to embrace my culture and difference through fashion and style.




xx, Maxine M