Classy French Fashion

This was the first week I had for my classes here at the Universite Rennes 2 in Rennes, France. Since arriving week ago, I've been slowly observing how people typically dress around the campus. As I had assumed, people were dressed a lot more formally than they would back home. Actually, since I've arrived here, I haven't seen not one pair of yoga pants/leggings worn as pants/sweats. At all.

I talked with one of my new friends I've made since arriving, and when she asked about what I saw differently, I described to her the typical uniform of people on my campus. She was nearly in shock when I described to her how informal we Americans are for class. But there's no use changing it; we just feel more comfortable, I suppose. 

At any rate, here are some pictures from my first two days of classes.

Besides people dressing more formally, I also noticed another thing with fashion: layers. Black tights, a blazer, and a scarf are essential to fitting in fashion wise here. Luckily I came with plenty in stock, and for my first outfit, I put together a T.J. Maxx dress and Zara blazer (both bought while I was in Atlanta) with a scarf my grandmother had bought me for Christmas and tights I already owned. Of course, I couldn't come here without my beloved oxfords, even though a few of the studs have begun to fall off one of the shoes. In this pic, you can also see my ombre hair in curls. 

Oh, and about dyed hair: I have yet to see a French person with it. The only people on campus who have dyed hair (as in with color that they were definitely not born with) have been American or people from the U.K. I'll get back to you as soon as I figure that out. 

This outfit was made with my ruffle blouse, Zara blazer and skirt, and of course my oxfords. Pretty preppy and a little more monotone than my usual outfits, but I still love how it came out.

ABW Challenge: Day 23

Day 23

Very dressed up today. I was under the impression that I had a presentation today... Apparently, I had the wrong day, and it isn't until Monday. Although I do feel I wasted a more formal outfit for an informal day, I still love this dress. I got it from Forever  21, and have mixed and matched it with different sweaters, blazers, and tight combos. Earlier, when I thought I had the presentation, I went with just the dress and the waist belt, along with the cute F21 t-strap flats. When I realized my mistake, I decided to dress it down by putting on a blazer. Typically, this would make the outfit even more formal, but because the blazer is oversized, it gave it more of a laid back feel.

Shopping List:

• Grey dress: Forever 21
• T-Strap Bow Flats: Forever 21

Cinema Style: Selina Kyle

This set was a lot of fun to put together. I love Nolan's version of Selina Kyle/Catwoman compared to other interpretations of the character. In the past -at least to me -Catwoman seemed to only represent the sexy villain trying to seduce Batman to her side. Nolan's character seemed more realistic; she is portrayed as a struggling poor young woman, and though she does have skills in the seductress department, she is still human. She cries when she thinks that all of her work is in vain. She is scared when the bad guys surround her. She is not so human that she is the damsel in distress character either; she is able to carry her own and work with Batman, not simply being saved by him.

Selina Kyle's costume in the movie seemed to reflect a different sort of intrigue than what would normally be associated with Catwoman. It is made up of minimalist and dark color pieces that have a close fit, but no overtly revealing cuts. To me, this allows her to blend in more with the upper class she steals from. The outfit is just enough to fit in with the rich, while not enough to make her stand out from the crowd; a perfect combination for a cat burglar.

I came across the long sleeve dressed and instantly knew it would be something Selina would have in her run down studio apartment. I felt as though she would appreciate the Chanel eau de parfum, and may even use it a time or two prior to going to the latest gala. The pearl string necklace is a homage to the one which she steals from Bruce Wayne at the beginning of the movie. I chose the shoes to be the one non-traditional piece to her ensemble, and maybe purchased with the money made from one of her heists.

Timeless Romance

This set was inspired by an answer I posted to Polyvore about what pieces are needed to achieve the soft, feminine. Although my answer was voted the best, I did come up with dresses, skirts, and blouses that helped show the romantic trend. In my opinion, the look itself is timeless; the only differences through the years are what particular pieces are used for the look. During Summer 2012, pastel colored high-low skirts, bustiers, and sheet blouses are readily available in stores to get the look. Bow accented shoes and bags paired gold jewelry complete the romantic look for the modern girl.

Girl on Fire

I admire people who take chances with fashion. Not just the ones who go completely out there and sometimes over my head - Lady Gaga comes to mind -but the people who wear something that you know if someone else were to put it on, it just wouldn't work. Kristen's fire red dress worn at the Cosmopolis premiere of the Cannes Film Festival reminded me of this concept. In the past, there have been celebrities who have shown a tad bit too much skin while wearing a gown, nearly to the point where you feel embarrassed for them (Am I the only one who still remembers J. Lo's green wrap dress at the Grammys?). In the past, Stewart has often walked this line. In mid May, Kristen wore a nearly transparent black dress to the world premiere of her movie Snow White and the Huntsman.

The thing about this dress I admire more so than the one worn at the SWATH premiere is the complete allure to it. Though the plunging neckline is the most eye catching attribute to it, it isn't the only reason why it was turning heads at the premiere. The lace back draws the eyes to the softer side of the gown. The rouge tint to her lips gives her a glamorous, classic Hollywood feel. And though the shade of the dress is in the same color family as the carpet she poses on, Stewart's dress makes it apparent that she has no plans on staying in the background.

Let it Rain: The Burberry Trench

Let it Rain: The Burberry Trench by elle-kelly featuring a floral skirt

Catherine Deane v neck dress
£675 - harveynichols.com

THOMAS RATH silk polka dot blouse
€398 - jades24.com

Burberry coat
$1,195 - parkandbond.com

Floral skirt
£12 - desireclothing.co.uk

Leather shoes
£170 - kurtgeiger.com

Chain jewelry
$105 - boticca.com

Burberry folding umbrella
$190 - stylebop.com

Flower stud blue
ourstyle.hu



This set is the first in my "Designer Staples" collection on Polyvore featuring iconic items from even more iconic names. 

The Burberry plaid print isn't one that goes unnoticed from any educated woman. The classic trench coat is an easy fashion staple to any wardrobe, but having a Burberry one on her back feels as though there isn't a rain cloud in the sky that could ruin her day. A woman feels proud knowing that she has this coat on, protecting her from the wandering eyes, all wondering the same thing in their heads: How can one simple piece of khaki clothing do that?

The best part of it is that it's a sort of hidden secret; a pedestrian may not even see the print on the inside, and only notice the confident demeanor in her heeled step as she walks to the grocery store. Only the lucky wearer knows. 

And all of her friends and sisters who ask to borrow it.