2015年08月13日
Ace back-to-school fashion
Although the weather still screams summer, it’s that time of year when the lazy days of spaghetti straps and flip flops begin to wind down and going back to school is at the forefront of every student’s mind. Back-to-school time is a fashion season unto itself. It’s a fresh start — a time to flash your new pearly whites; sport a crisp, cropped hairdo; or reinvent your look with a sweet and spicy flair. Foolproof fashion is not hard to come by in the Vail Valley, and first-day outfit impressions are essential to getting to the head of the class.
CLASSIC PLAID
If plaid is not too grungy for our style icons including the oh-so-chic Olivia Palermo, then the Scottish tartan will be your back-to-school pattern throughout the fall season. A checked motif button-down can ward off any alpine chill or be used as an accessory when tied around the waist of your favorite, classic Dear John Boyfriend Jeans ($98, Kiwi Boutique). Pull on the organic cotton flannel Aventura Dylan long sleeve ($79, Ptarmigan Sports), which is a cozy button-up that is uber-soft and the perfect top layer for the first football game. For a little more of a rugged, pre-washed look, theBCBGeneration Plaid Shirt ($78, Kiwi Boutique) in Cedar Rose has a serious easy-breezy element that is both feminine and resilient.
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The love affair with the criss-crossed material goes one step further when you combo it with a smashing dress. The Cedar Rose pattern is expressed in the BCBGeneration Dropped-Waist Midi Plaid Tank Dress ($108, Kiwi Boutique). This tank dress is classically-cool and can be paired with simple Superga sneaks or, when the temps begin to dip, with knee socks and Frye boots. The BB Dakota Harlow Tartan Plaid Shift Dress ($78, Kiwi Boutique) has a slightly more cosmo-girl feel and will look epic with dark tights and black patent sky-high heels.
If you are feeling like a fearless fashionista, give your couture rivals a jaw-dropper and step into class sporting the finer-than-a-frog Living Royal Steph Stone Plaid Cat Knee High Socks ($15, PE 101).
COZY STYLE
Celebs are the biggest front runners in making comfy look cool — think red carpet-inspired sneaks and gowns for homecoming or oversized sweaters with leggings for Battle Mountain High School’s version of “Friday Night Lights.” Back-to-school snug doesn’t have to be frumpy. The airy Aventura Idyllwild Sweater ($89, American Ski Exchange) is the perfect throw-on for cool mornings or late-night canoodlings. The wool and acrylic sweater comes equipped with a hoody for cozy, fall days. TheAventura Caserta Sweater ($99, Pinecones in Avon) will give your ho-hum leggings a little swank as the shawl-styled sweater features contoured stripes for an uber-feminine look.
COOL RIDER
Leather for fall is not a shocker to us fashionistas, but this season the sultry hide is bestowing upon us a tough-girl-meets-Carrie-Bradshaw silhouette. Faux leather is always a veggie girl’s dream and theBB Dakota Faux Leather Jacket ($78, Kiwi Boutique) in gray and tan is a total must-wear this autumn. Of course, for those of us who just can’t part with our color vice, this savvy jacket comes in black, too. For more of an accessory rather than warmth, we are crushing on the Bishop + Young Faux Suede Vest ($108, Kiwi Boutique). The faux hide vest quickly turns a covet item into a super-luxe “own it!” staple in your back-to-school wardrobe.
The BB Dakota Faux Suede Crop Top ($76, Kiwi Boutique) gets an A+ in our alpine couture grade book. The supple faux suede is cut in a boxy style for a relaxed, lightweight design that offers a season-spanning edge — wear it alone or when the weather gets chilly, layer it over a long-sleeve form-fitting tee with your favorite leggings or skinny jeans.
ADD-ONS
A new backpack is never a tall order for back-to-school style. The leather drawstring sling Kooba Canyon Backpack ($428, PE 101) is sleek and trendy and has lining so that your cell phone will be snug and protected.
The Uxibal Chi Chi Suede D’orsay Flats ($120, Blitz Boutique) is a classic flat with a Mayan twist that will give your feet a feminine silhouette and a dash of color. Based in Guatemala and 100 percent hand-crafted by local artisans, Uxibal’s signature style uniquely reimagines traditional Mayan textiles into high end, contemporary-bohemian designs.
Although we are heading into the autumn color palette, you can still wear the vivid-hued hand woven belt ($68.90, Valley Girl), which features tiny seed beads in a geometric pattern
STRESS RELIEVERS
The new beginnings of a fresh school year are exciting, but often accompanied by a little chaos. Wind down after a long first day of locker combinations and schedules with the calming Colorado Aromatics Botanical Body Scrub ($14.95, Vail Valley Pharmacy) in lavender/rose. The luxurious salt will slough away your day and smooth your skin with shea butter and coconut oil. If hopping from class-to-class has your brain in a muddle, use the lavender Colorado Aromatics Toner/Hydrosol ($5.50-$7.95, Vail Valley Pharmacy) facial hydrator, which will tone, moisturize and refresh your skin, and your mood.
