Recruitment 2013- Inappropriate Shoes

Recruitment 2013- Inappropriate Shoes by alwayslakin featuring dash shoes

How to Dress for Workout Success

Whether you're in the best shape of your life or still working your way to your ideal figure, summer is the best time to get out, get active, and get in shape! Once these habits are established, they are great to bring into the new school year and head to the gym with. In college, the gym is a social mecca where on any given day you'll see your math tutor lifting weights, your roommate sprinting on the elliptical, and the hotties from the basketball team playing shirts vs. skins. The best way to conquer the gym and get motivated is to walk in those doors with a plan and feeling great. The easiest way to feel empowered, is to feel like you look great. Here are some budget friendly pieces that add a pop of style to any work out!

Bottoms Up

(Left to right, top row: 1, 2, 3; middle row: 4, 5, 6; bottom row: 7, 8, 9)

I usually choose bottoms first because it usually depends on what activity I'll be doing. Spandex capris are great for things like yoga, pilates and activities where you want some coverage. Plus, everyone's butt looks great in spandex! Compression shorts are great for weight lifting as well as cardio activities that involve sitting like biking and the rowing machine. Running shorts work well for (obviously) running, the elliptical and many other excercises. These shorts are a great way to add color and personality to your workout wardrobe!

Top it Off

(Left to right, top row: 1, 2, 3; middle row: 4, 5, 6; bottom row: 7, 8, 9)

The gym is a great place to wear all those t-shirts you acquire from different college sporting events. A trend that I've been noticing is people (guys and girls!) turning their t-shirts into muscle tees by cutting the sleeves off.

It's All About the Bra

(Left to right, top row: 1, 2, 3, 4; middle row: 5, 6, 7, 8; bottom row: 9, 10, 11, 12)

A good bra makes a big difference. Nobody wants to be "that girl" with the chest bouncing up to her chin, it's just uncomfortable to watch. Buy a bra with plenty of coverage and support, with a taught fabric to avoid over-stretching.

Sweet Feet

(Left to right, top row: 1, 2, 3; top-middle row: 4, 5, 6; bottom-middle row: 7, 8, 9; bottom row: 10, 11, 12)

Shoes carry the ability to amp up your game, and you don't have to buy an expensive pair t0 reap the benefits. For less than $100 you can find a pair that has all the necessities: ankle support, proper width, arch support, toe room and plenty of style. Be sure to pick a color that fits well with the rest of your wardrobe because these shoes are the one thing you'll wear with every outfit at the gym.

Thoughts?

Do you have a item you wear that gets you in the zone? Do you have a power color that you wear to the gym? Which pieces are you most pumped to add to your wardrobe?

Leave a comment!

Now Writing for College Fashion!

The CF Guide to Thrift Shopping in a Small College Town

Photo Credit

I attend Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. Many people say that Corvallis is the quintessential college town: a little bit of urban, plenty of rural, and many local businesses that have been around for decades. Corvallis isn't even 1% the size the New York City. We don't have a Target, a Walmart, or a mall. This, as my fellow small-town girls know, makes shopping a challenge.

In Corvallis, if you're a fashionista craving a shopping trip, you hit the the racks at consignment shops, discount stores, and the Goodwill. Many people think, "Goodwill? Ew, gross!" But with the right skills and some good hand sanitizer, thrifting is the most budget friendly way to shop.

Below, I'll share my tips for thrift shopping in a small college town. Whether you go to school in a tiny town, too, or just want to be more frugal, these tips will help you save money and look fabulous.

Thrifty Tips

1. Patience. This is the number one virtue for thrifters! You have to be in the mood. Going through rack after rack takes time and energy, so grab a coffee before you go and be ready to scavenge for the best finds.

2. Know what you're looking for. Be aware of what you're looking to add to your wardrobe. Don't buy 5 tees if your shirt drawer is already full. Make a mental (or physical) list of items you'd like to add to your wardrobe and keep your eyes peeled. Doing this will help you keep your focus and avoid blowing money on the nonessentials.

3. Know your brands. There's only one Goodwill in Corvallis, but when I'm home in Portland, my friend and I head to the Goodwill in the more affluent part of town. There, we've found items from brands like Kate Spade, Coach, and Lucky Brand Jeans. If you're not thrifting in an affluent area, brands to look for that are often cheap at thrift stores include J. Crew, Nordstrom, Lucky Brand, American Eagle, Pendleton, higher-end Target clothes, and more.

4. Know your trends. Thrift stores are great for trendy pieces because people usually discard trendy items once they feel the trend has passed. And as we all know, things from the past often come back into style, like penny loafers. So if you want to try a trend, try to find it at a thrift store first.

5. Assess the value. The best way to assess value is to first ask: Do I love this piece? Can I live without it? Next, ask: Is it well made? Are there any stains or holes? Finally, ask: Is the price worth it? If you really want the piece, but you feel the price is too high, you could try and haggle.

6. Try it on. You have to try it on. Hear me? Someone gave it away for a reason, right? Many garments could be defective, stretched out, or weirdly shaped. Also, sizes vary from brand to brand (my best friend is anywhere from a size 6 to a 10 when trying on jeans at Goodwill). Suck it up and try it on. Since waiting for a dressing room is a pain, and you often have to get a sales associate to unlock one for you, I like to wear something easy to try things on with, like leggings, a tank top, and shoes that easily slip on and off.

7. DIY potential? Do you have any skills like sewing or embroidery, or are you a master with the glue gun? Be inspired to change things you buy and make them your own!

Stores to Look For in Your College Town:

While not every college town will have the same variety of stores, if yours doesn't have a mall, it may have one of these fabulously thrifty stores:

• Discount Stores: TJ Maxx, Marshall's, Ross
• Thrift Stores: The Goodwill, Value Village, The Salvation Army
• Consignment Shops: Search "consignment" or "vintage" on Yelp...

Read more at College Fashion...

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Hailey Rose Jones Photography

I want to do a tribute to one of my amazingly talented friends and one of the most compassionate people I know: Hailey Rose Jones. She just launched her photography website! You should all commit it to memory and look for updates, she is a fountain of inspiration that never ceases to amaze me. Especially since she styles her models perfectly! 

You can find Hailey's work on her website, flickr, or tumblr!