armourmag.blogspot.com
HOLIDAY 2013
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“Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life. To do away with fashion would be like doing away with civilization.� - Bill Cunningham.
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in this issue You’re Never Fully Dressed
12 Fashion Show
Ugly Christmas Sweaters
Retrospective
Embellished Outerwear Styles and Spaces
14 Winter Textures 18 DIY or DYE 19 Male Details 20 Fresh Men
22 The Gilded Age
28 Holiday Makeup 30 Study Abroad: Brisbane, Australia 36 Boots and Socks 38
A Follicular Journey
32 Downtown Vibe
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armour. Editors-in-Chief Sarah Mae Ettinger Neha Nair Editors Priyanka Reddy Camil Sanchez-Palumbo Lily Sullivan Director of Layout Becca Shuman Director of Photography Bonner Williams
Layout Team Ali Dulman Deborah Koh Shelby Lindblad Delaney Lundquist Alix Marson Monika Pawar Dan Raggs Tori Sgarro
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Contributors Amanda Bass Mary Bishop Lizzy Chalsen Reilley Dabbs Sydney Davis Jessica Hyman Alexis Kirton Nikoli Laba Lilian Lee Hillary Lux Aviva Mann Lexi Orsky Catalina Ouyang Olivia Pineda Laken Sylvander Founders Jacob Lenard Felicia Podberesky Chantal Strasburger
Photographers Hannah Blumer Jennifer Borman Rachel Catanese Alex DeRosa Paulina Gallagher Greta Garmel
letter from the editors Wake up. Look outside. Gray skies, bare trees, temperature probably in the low-30s. These dreaded signals are the most notorious culprits of convenience dressing, or resorting to something predictable to wear just because it has worked in the past. A uniform of sweatpants and fleece is so tempting. Even more tempting is the idea of just rolling up to campus wrapped in a snuggie. And let’s be honest, that would probably land you a coveted spot on the Armour blog (#StatementPiece). As winter sets in, Armour encourages you to change it up. Dressing up in the cold allows for so much variety – of layers, textures, and colors. See how vastly different styles are represented in our three editorials. And look at how warm they all look! From anachronistic stylings with a Victorian flair in The Gilded Age to heavy denim in Greta Garmel’s Downtown Vibe, we want to demonstrate that Armour does not wish to promote a singular conception of style. Instead, we pose the question: since no two individuals are exactly alike, shouldn’t each individual’s style be unique? The eclectic mix of styles in this issue highlights the diversity of Armour’s contributors. This issue also marks a another moment of transition for Armour. As Camil and Sarah prepare for a brief Armour hiatus to set off on their adventures abroad, Lily Sullivan prepares to step up as editor-in-chief in the spring. Look out, Wash U, you’re about to get a healthy dose of style expertise from a DIY-savvy St. Louis local in the coming months. And, as always, Get your armour on.
Sarah Mae Ettinger
Neha Nair
Lily Sullivan
After joining armour last year, I could not be more thrilled to be taking over as editor-in-chief alongside Neha this spring, as Sarah and Camil go abroad (tear). Former Vogue editor Diana Vreeland once said, "Oh I am mad about armour. Mad about it." Although the armour I speak of is a little different; my feelings could not be more alike. Look forward to a semester of thrift store finds, local culture, and lots of love from the armour team! P.S. A very special thanks to Jon Paul Designs & Collectibles. Their antique haven served as the perfect backdrop to the vintage dresses modeled in The Gilded Age editorial. Check out their beautiful selection of antique goods at the store on 7014 Clayton Rd.
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You’re Never Fully Dressed By Mary Bishop
You’re never fully dressed without confidence. About a month ago, my friend and I strutted into a 70’s themed party wearing practically the same outfit (sick bell bottoms with heels and flowy lace tops, ah thank you). As the night progressed, I started to notice a surprising trend: I was getting almost twice as many compliments as she was. “How could this be?” you might ask, knowing that this particular friend is stunning and constantly receiving attention. Well let me tell you, it was confidence. Coming off of a great day, I went into the party feeling fearless as ever while my friend was obviously a little war torn from the last 24 hours. Yes people, I am about to blow your mind— 6
confidence is EVERYTHANG. Unless you’re insanely attractive or insanely not attractive (oh right, it’s the inside that counts)—physical appearance means nothing without pluck. But having that self-assuredness is easier said than done. And achieving it isn’t fully in your control. You can pretend to be confident, sure, but no one is actually having a good time when they’re faking it. Ask anyone who sits outside on the patio benches at Harry’s (except don’t, because they’re probably too busy pretending to be having a good time). A helpful tip for gaining confidence: don’t expect to be entertained when doing something that has continually disappointed you (shout out to all ma sophomores who are slumping!). Surrounding yourself with people who make you happy and bring out the best in you is the most effective way to build yourself up. Join more clubs, reach out to more people, and get yourself into silly, funny, and adventurous situations—work on you and not your clothes. I can talk your ear off about how to “look better” in terms of clothing, but in the end it’s your attitude that counts. I could care less about a dude’s horrible t-shirt, just as long as he has the confidence to back it up. And it works the other way around. Wear whatever you want because who actually cares about style? Who’s with me?
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OUTSHINE GRANDMA WITH THE POWER OF UGLY
Writer: Laken Sylvander Photographer: Jennifer Borman Models: Marilla Havens and Eboni Sharp
UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATERS, that is. As the holiday season approaches, it’s time to don the ultimate ironic apparel. But does our desire to wear ugly Christmas sweaters really stem from irony, or from a deep love of the classic holiday itself? In an age where nostalgia guides our every move (vintage-inspired Instagram filters, the revival of Nintendo culture, and Britney being back), the fact that our generation has turned to the coziness of all that is reminiscent of cookies and fireplaces is really no surprise. Brands like Urban Outfitters and Topshop have stuck to the classics with chunky knits featuring glue-on pompoms (check your local thrift shop for the real deal), but the likes of Marc Jacobs and Stella McCartney have revamped the American classic for a more aesthetically pleasing taste of wistfulness. If you’re not looking to commit to full-on ugly, let them be your guiding angels. In fact, if you’re not into felt snowmen juggling wreaths on the roof of Santa’s workshop, a milder red-and-white aztec knit could be the way to go. Either way, when it comes to emulating Grandma’s style, perhaps it’s safest to stick to Christmas time.
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Embellished Outerwear Written by Priyanka Reddy Photographed by Alex DeRosa Modeled by Emma Searson
The recent movie adaptation of Anna Karenina had a lot going for it (Keira Knightly can do no wrong), but the most striking part was the costumes. Scene after scene, the Russian nobility ran around in the freezing Moscow weather draped in elaborate furs and outerwear more intricate than any modern-day red carpet gown. Considering the deadly cold those characters had to deal with, the common excuse of “it’s too cold to look good” loses validity. Who says we can’t rock a jeweled coat or a fur collar in our moderate midwestern weather? Donning a heavily embellished parka means that no matter what you’re wearing underneath, you’ve got a killer outfit. Jewelry becomes unnecessary when your sweater has more bling than Blue Ivy’s sneakers. Try a beaded sweater instead of your fallback hoodie and your 9 am lab might almost feel glamorous. After all, who doesn’t need a little more sparkle in their lives?
Styles & Spaces When Landis Powell brought home a fallen tree branch as her next decorating venture, Grant Phillips didn’t blink an eye. In fact, his mom has one just like it at their Portland home. The effect is chandelier-like above their dining room table. It lends to the natural airiness that embodies the apartment, from the homemade light wood crab leg in the living room to the wood framed doorways and ceiling. The pair embodies the whole of the West Coast; Landis’s room has the tones of California beaches while Grant’s is scattered with assorted Navajo patterned accessories and an Oregon flag. Although
Written By Reilley Dabbs Photography by Neha Nair Grant brushes off many pieces as random eclectic finds, even the modular Ikea shelves are decorated with straw baskets that complement the tiny beanbags resting on the floor perfectly. In Grant’s room, the walls are filled with his own art school creations and quirky things from thrift shops on Cherokee street. Landis’s walls hold pieces from her artist mother and friends. In one of the paintings, a vintage bather peeks out from behind thick white goggles and a swim cap. While the chemistry major and art-school student have seemingly diverging style interests, the result is a peaceful Northwestern retreat.
What piece (furniture/art/etc) makes you feel the most at “home”? My Pendleton Blanket that my parents gave me for high school graduation. Have you integrated Saint Louis design into your decorating or do you stay true to your west coast roots? I have tried to! I think it is an ongoing process. I have really enjoyed hunting for antiques on Cherokee (That is where Tobias my antelope came from). St. Louis has a cool history that I would like to incorporate into my room so hopefully in the future I can find something that speaks to that. What piece best represents your “self ”? Tobias, the taxidermy, definitely says a lot about me. It is a bit of an unusual item to have but it reminds me of Oregon and the types of things my mom would collect back home. She has a big interest in natural objects or creatures such as rocks and bones. I guess it reflects an appreciation of nature in a weird way. Do you consider your home an extension of your style or do you approach interior decorating differently from your fashion? I think they are connected. Both are a mix of old and new, and classic and creative. I just go with whatever I enjoy in both cases. How would you define your space’s style? Do you each have different ones, or did you find it easy to integrate them together? I think we both have North West style, but mine is maybe a bit more rough around the edges. Landis and I have very different rooms, which reflects this. Our shared spaces are pretty clean, and simple. I think our aesthetics have mixed a little. The branch above the table was Landis’ idea but something that I was totally excited about.
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grant phillips
Styles & Spaces What piece (furniture/art/etc) makes you feel the most at “home”? I always have a fresh orchid in my room. Back when I lived with my parents, my mom always kept fresh flowers around the house and orchids are my favorite. Fun fact: I kept my first one alive for five months! Have you integrated Saint Louis design into your decorating or do you stay true to your west coast roots? I think I have stayed true to my West Coast roots. Saint Louis definitely has a rich history and I am absolutely obsessed with all the old brick buildings, but ultimately, I think the inside of my home is going to be a little more on the modern side. What piece best represents your “self ”? Besides all the artwork and the random branch hanging from our ceiling I think my bed is probably the most representative of who I am and where I like to spend most of my time. It’s just so fluffy and warm and stacked with so many pillows. I am pretty sure I spent more time choosing my duvet than I did selecting every other item in the apartment combined. Do you consider your home an extension of your style or do you approach interior decorating differently from your fashion? If I am going to be super honest, I definitely put a lot more of myself into decorating our home than I ever would into my own style. But in terms of our living space I really wanted it to be a place where we would both be happy to come back to everyday so I invested a lot of time thinking about how to open it up and make it as warm and fresh as possible.
How would you define your space’s style? Do you each have different ones, or did you find it easy to integrate them together? I completely agree with Grant (on everything... all the time). Our love for the North West is pretty apparent. But our rooms definitely illustrate the differences between us. The best way for me to describe them is mine has a beach house vibe and his is woodsy (that’s the best I got). The Branch! I knew I wanted to hang a branch in our dining area for a while (back home we have this dinosaur above our dining room table and at certain times of the day it creates the most beautiful shadows) so when I finally told him, I was worried he was going to think I was crazy. Instead, he embraced it with open arms! That is when I knew it was meant to be... Landis, has your mom’s art had an influence on your design? My mom’s aesthetic has certainly rubbed off on me throughout the years! My love for her art is a good indication of that. Hanging up her artwork was the final touch to decorating our apartment. Over the summer, I went to her studio and selected all my favorite pieces— I think we are so lucky to have access to such nice work as college students (but then again, I am a little biased). Many are old prints from 30 years ago, but I also grabbed some of her newer ones, which are now hanging in the eating area. You can’t have an eating space without at least some illustrations of pumpkin pie and hot chocolate, am I right?
landis powell
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FALL FASHION SHOW RETROSPECTIVE Written by Hillary Lux Photography by Hannah Blumer
Each year in October, the Junior and Senior fashion majors showcase select pieces for the Fall Fashion Show. This student –run show attracted over 200 students, faculty, and locals, filling the Steinberg Gallery. The Fall Show is always an exciting sneak peek to the Spring Fashion Show, where the juniors show process work and the seniors show their signature collections. This fall, the juniors completed blazers inspired by architectural elements that spoke to their conceived customer. The seniors developed their personal inspiration while incorporating architectural design. They created a high end, one of a kind evening gown and a corresponding day dress to be produced in the mass market. The show was followed by a champagne reception and a chance to speak with the designers and view the garments up close. Check back with Armour for updates and information on the Spring Show!
Hillary Lux
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Claudia Frovola
Madeline Docherty
Laura Desch Virgina Stattman
Camile Wright
Ruth Schmalenberger
Cherise Matthew
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Winter Textures Written by Amanda Bass Photography by Hannah Blumer
Layering is the perfect way to stay cozy and fashionable this winter. We’re not talking about piling on every boring, black article of clothing you own because, hey, black goes with everything, right? No, we’re talking about luxe layers that will make a statement. Long gone are the days of drab, bulky winter layers. This season, try a more festive take on the look by stacking on cable knit sweaters, fluffy scarves, furry vests, and chunky jewelry. Give these tips a try to make a statement and stay warm all winter long: · Stick to solid colored pieces with interesting details and textures. Mixing fabrics and embellishments is a surefire way to rock the trend. Play up different textures, from nubby wool to sparkly sequins, to faux fur, and beyond, don’t be afraid to pile on the decadence. A cozy wool cardigan with a silky top and furry scarf, yes please! · Pair different textures in monochromatic colors if you’re feeling adventurous. Winter whites are a definite must. But, if you’re going to rock white on white, try to mix creams with bright whites for a multi-dimensional look. · Have fun with layering! Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean you can’t look stylish. Avoid drab, boring layers and pile on some fun, jeweled sweaters and sweatshirts or your favorite chunky statement jewelry. With just a little sparkle, you can take the look straight into the holiday season. · Collared shirts are a good way to avoid the not-so-desirable, frumpy, potato sack look often associated with winter layering. Rather than piling on multiple sweaters, try a prim and proper collared shirt (Extra points if its embellished!) underneath a crew neck sweater. · To finish off the layered look, pump up the texture even more with teased and tousled waves or a loose bun and you’re ready for just about any occasion.
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DIY OR llivan u s y l i l h t i w DYE
Either as a gift or for you, this easy to make box clutch, will work not just for the holidays but all year round.
GLUE: use mod podge to glue the paper into place
SUPPLIES: -wooden box -mod podge glue -sponge brush -textured paper -button -wire
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TRACE: the shape of the wooden box onto the textured paper and cut out 18
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WRAP: take an old button and wire wrap it into place over the closure
male details
Writers: Nikolai Laba and Olivia Pineda Photography: Alex DeRosa
shoelaces
shirtsleeves
It may seem minor, but it’s the little details that pull together a look. The basic way to tie a shoe involves two knots, the starting knot and the knot that ties the two loops together. If these knots are not balanced, it can lead to the blow slanting down the top of the shoe instead of sitting horizontally across the top. The easiest way to fix this is to change how you tie the initial knot; for example, if you usually go left over right, try right over left, and vice versa. Keep the second portion of the knot the same.
Rolling your shirtsleeves is an easy way to give your outfit a more casual look when wearing a button-down shirt, and it can make businesscasual attire more appropriate for warm weather. However, rolled shirtsleeves can often look sloppy or hastily done, making your outfit appear disheveled and unkempt. To roll your sleeves in a polished way, first unbutton the cuffs of each sleeve, taking care to unbutton all the way up to the “gauntlet” buttons further up the sleeve. Flipping the cuff back and inside out, fold back once, using the width of the cuff as a measuring standard for the width of the fold itself. Continue folding, making sure to have the same number of folds on both sides, until the cuffs hit slightly below the elbow. You should have a nice threequarter sleeve length on both arms.
ties Knowing how to tie a tie is an essential skill that will help you look polished and professional. The most basic and necessary knot is called the four-in-hand knot. Start with the wider side on your right, about twice as long as the thinner side. Cross the wider side over the thinner side and wrap it around, bringing the wide potion to the left side of your body again. Bring the wide side up through the back so that it’s laying down the middle, push it through the first loop, and pull it through. Be careful that the knot doesn’t get twisted through the loop. Straighten it out and make sure that the tip lands around your belt buckle for the ideal length. This knot works best with wide ties but can be used with thinner ones as well. A good rule of thumb is to make sure your tie width matches the width of your lapels. If you’re looking to standout, give the Trinity or Elredge knots a try; they can be difficult to accomplish but when done correctly, they can add flair to your outfit.
pants Cuffing pants can have the same effect as rolling shirtsleeves, instantly dressing down an outfit or creating a more summery look. With skinnier pants, a short fold looks best, where the hem is only folded up once. For looser, wider pants, you can experiment with a thicker cuff, folding two or three times over. Unlike shirts, there is no cuff to set the width of the fold, so try a 2-3 inch fold with a wider cuff. One of the great things about cuffing pants is being able to show off fun socks underneath, adding a pop of color or pattern to an otherwise neutral outfit. Alternatively, you could choose to bare some skin and go sockless with a pair of lace-up dress shoes.
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by Aviva Mann, Lexi Orsky, and Paulina Gallagh
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Now that we’ve learned about the impact that the subtle “male details” can have on an outfit, let’s take a look at how some of these trends are represented on our very own campus. From Ruby to Koenig, Park to Lien, the freshmen boys are turning heads on the 40. As we transition to the colder months, some boys may feel a little lost when getting dressed in the morning. Our mission: to track down the best-dressed freshman studs on campus and shed light on their wardrobe choices. We encountered a duo that created a competition out of dressing well for Gen-Chem. We even discovered a group of Umrath boys who have instituted “Classy Mondays” and “Casual Fridays” on their floor. See how these boys express themselves through fashion, and give some of their looks a try.
her
Fresh Feet L.L. Bean and Timberland-style lace up boots give off a tough vibe without being too bulky. They are dressier than sneakers, and therefore more versatile to pair with skinny cords or jeans. One freshman stated that they make him feel “rustic and manly” and keep his feet warm in all weather. After a few laughs he added, “Ryan Gosling even has the same pair.” Cuffed pants can reveal an otherwise hidden point of interest in your outfit — a cool pair of socks. A polka dot pattern or solid neon will surely to show off your goofy side and perhaps spark a conversation. Colorful Vans, classic Sperry’s, and lace up oxfords complete these funky and casual looks. Mixing and matching is the trick. Vests St. Louis weather can be unpredictable. Layering with a vest can be a practical and fashionable solution for every temperature and occasion. From the sweatshirt-style zip up, to the dressier suit-vest and the puffy collared look, vests work over almost any long sleeve tee, knit, or button down.
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THE GILDED AGE PHOTOGRAPHY BY BONNER WILLIAMS MODELED BY ANA PAU SHELLEY
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there and back again: a follicular journey by catalina ouyang
anne hathaway
cameron diaz
tia mowry
There’s no denying that short hair still drags along a stigma. Will your new crop complicate certain things in the romance department? Yes and no. It may close certain This is a scenario feared by many who have Polo-clothed country club doors, but it gazed wistfully upon the likes of Agyness can also open up an entirely new world of Deyn, Mim Nervo, Halle Berry, Posh Spice, effortless possibilities. There will also never Winona Ryder or the ever-changing Rihanna and thought: well she looks like a BAMF, now be a more acceptable time to cash in on the guise of the “edgy commodity.” I really would love to look like that, but do I really want to decimate three years of growing As a preliminary disclaimer, here are some pains and risk looking like Kate Gosselin? less optimal things you may prepare yourself to hear: The first rule about going “rogue:” if you’ve had the earnest inkling, go for it. There will never be a more acceptable time than now to “But your long hair was so pretty.” (classic backhanded compliment) go nuts on your head. “Sorry, I don’t date dudes.” (some men can be so rude) Secondly: don’t wuss out afterward. Do not cry. Do not immediately Google the price of On the flip side, you will receive an influx of a weave. There are many things to admire banal compliments ranging from “Girl you about Anne Hathaway but her sobbing reaction is not one of them. Chances are you are rockin’ that” to “Your hair is amazing. look fine, and even if you don’t, that doesn’t You are amazing” to “Gosh, I could never pull that off” to people at parties actually mean anyone has to know that you know. getting on their knees to faux-worship you Owning the look will make it exponentially (this has happened). less humiliating. Actresses who have burst into tears after chopping their hard-earned locks.
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If you’ve taken all that into consideration and you mean business, here are some possible trajectories for your hair:
pixie
amber rose
shave up
cool patterns the pixie: standard.
if you are feeling particularly gutsy, try a shave-up!
then you can carve some cool-looking patterns into your head. but don’t be embarrassing about it.
if you are feeling inordinately gutsy, go for the amber rose.
The wonderful thing about keeping short hair is that color treatments and perms and other chemical processes become a breeze. If your hair gets damaged beyond repair, you’re just going to cut it again anyway. The initial chop is the relatively easy part; growing it back out is painful and demeaning. The image of grade-school boys comes to mind. Never fear, we recovering women have tools at our disposal:
the clips
the bow phase 1
phase 2
the headband
In any case, after about six months of self-loathing mediated by various hair accessories, you will have come full circle to your former pageant-queen-beach-babe-bombshell self. Nothing about going for the chop is wholly irreversible, and the pains are arguably well worth it. So take that incredulous leap now because twenty years down the line, you won’t want to be that person who once said, “I could never pull that off.”
phase 3
the baby pigtails phase 3.5
also, honestly, the bowl cut is kind of in these days.
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Holiday Makeup Written by Lilian Lee
Photography by Rachel Catanese
If you need an edgy look for a fun night out, try this simple but unique winter inspired look. Begin by applying primer all over the face (Clinique Superprimer Face Primer, $27). This will keep your makeup looking fresh all night long. Apply concealer to even out your skintone on any blemishes or discoloration on your skin (Sonia Kashuk Concealer Quad, $10). Dust a layer of translucent powder to set the concealer and prevent it from slipping and sliding around the face (Tarte Amazonian Clay Translucent Powder, $28). With a brow gel, fill in the brows using an angled brow brush and reshape your brows in a thinner, slightly arched shape (Makeup Forever Aqua Brow, $20). Pat an eyeshadow primer on the lids (Too Faced Shadow Insurance, $20) and as it dries, take a matte bronzer and contour the sides of your cheeks right under the cheekbones for a polished chiseled effect (Benefit Holla Bronzer, $28). Add a swipe of highlighter to the tops of the cheekbones for a healthy, beautiful glow (theBalm Mary Lou Manizer, $20). Draw a thin line with brilliant blue liquid eyeliner (Lancome Artliner in Sapphire, $30), flicking the eyeliner to create a slight cat eye. Carefully draw metallic silver eyeliner above the blue eyeliner, following the shape and flicking the outer end slightly higher than the blue eyeliner (Urban Decay 24/7 Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Bobby Dazzle, $19). Take the same silver eyeliner and open the eyes by drawing a small line out from the lower lash line. Use a blue eyeliner pencil to line your waterline (Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Pencil in Abyss, $19). Curl the eyelashes and add volumizing waterproof mascara (Yves Saint Laurent Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils Waterproof Luxurious Mascara, $30). Add false eyelashes if desired. Finish off the look with a nude-red color to add beautiful pigment to the lips without distracting from the eyes.
To begin, use a lightweight foundation or tinted moisturizer to even out your skin tone. Fill in the brows with brow powder and brow gel to create a natural soft arch and full brows (E.L.F. Brow Kit in Medium, $3). Prep the eyes with an eyeshadow primer (Urban Decay Primer Potion, $20) and sweep a shimmering gray taupe eyeshadow (Lancome Color Design Eyeshadow in All that Glistens, $19) across the lids. Line your eyes with a beautiful forest green eyeliner (Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Mars, $19), flicking the pencil slightly to create a small wing in the outer corner. Bring the liner down to the outer lower lash corner and gradate the color towards the center of the eye. Brighten the eyes by applying a light champagne eyeshadow (NYX Loose Pigment in Nude Pearl, $3) to the inner corners. Curl the lashes and apply a volumizing mascara (Lancome Hypnose Drama Waterproof Mascara, $27). Sweep a mauve-y lavender blush (Coastal Scents blush) across the cheekbones and highlight the high points of the face with a champagne highlighter (theBalm Mary Lou Manizer, $20). Finish off the look by swiping a plum tinted lip balm to keep your lips moisturized in the cold winter air (Clinique Black Honey Almost Lipstick, $15).
Amp up your everyday makeup with some easy winter inspired colors. Apply a moisturizing foundation all over the face to create a clean, flawless canvas. Frame the eyes with clean, full brows by using a tinted brow gel (Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel, $22). After priming the eyes, sweep a medium gold eyeshadow across the lids and apply a deeper golden brown eyeshadow to the crease (Urban Decay Naked Palette in Half Baked and Smog, $50). Further deepen your eyelid crease with a deep grey brown color accent color (Urban Decay Naked Palette in Dark Horse, $50). Line the eyes with black gel eyeliner, winging out the outer corners (Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner, $26). Then curl your lashes and apply a volumizing black mascara (Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara, $28). Contour your cheekbones with a matte bronzer and highlight the face with a champagne highlighter (Urban Decay Naked Flushed palette bronzer, $30, and theBalm Mary Lou Manizer, $20). Finish off with the most glamorous lip color of them all, a classic red. Sharpen the edges of your lips with a foundation brush dipped in concealer.
Impress your family and friends with your sophistication and wear a classic smoky eye and beautiful red lips at your next holiday party. 31
DOWNTOWN VIBE 32
photography by greta garmel
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Looking Forward:
Summer Styles
from
Brisbane, Australia
Photos and Article by Jessica Hyman
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As an American living here for the past couple of months, I have been often asked, “What do you think is the difference between Australian fashion and American?” To me, I see Australians as people who love fun colors, prints, and cuts and who see personal style as a way to stand out as an individual. Walking around Brisbane, it is not uncommon to see many outfits you’ve always wished you could pull off, or hair colors you’ve only seen in pictures (I personally have been crushing on pastel styles). The variety and prevalence of prints is astonishing; everyone dares to play around with color and patterns in a way American’s shy away from. Where Americans look for tailored coats and form fitting denim, Australian’s live in rompers and crop tops. Where American fall back to black-on-black, Australians sport bright prints and chunky white wedges. Part of this may be the weather; Brisbane boasts a tropical climate where it rarely rains and has only a handful of sweater worthy days a year. They have no need to layer sweaters over jeans with boots; most days are too hot for sleeves.
One of the stores in Brisbane that exemplifies Brisbane’s style is Verge Girl. Started by two sisters, the stores features affordable clothing with an edge. Located downtown, the shop sells an array of unique items. Think sunglasses with huge circle frames, strawberry printed halter tops, white flowing lace tops with bell bottom arms, bright jellies in pastel colors, sunflower print shorts, and long cross necklaces. One of the owners of the stores Daniella (pictured far left) is the epitome of Brisbane fashion, a mixture of 90’s throwback with the bright beachy style of Australia. She believes that Brisbane’s fashion is fun and playful, exhibited by her own unique tastes. The two sisters also have their own fashion line, also called Verge Girl sold online and in the store that is definitely worth checking out (you’re in luck, they ship to the states!).
One of the major trends that Verge Girl caters too as well as many other Australian stores is the throwback to the 90’s. Celebrity icons of Rihanna and Cara D have been playing with this decade’s soft grunge feel. In Brisbane, white platform shoes are everywhere; the most popular beAn example of a big difference ing made by an Australian brand, would be choices for a night out. Windsor Smith. Acid wash denim, A classic night out for an Ameri- crop tops, and platform shoes are can student would involve jeans, popular as well as middle parts, heels, and a sultry top. Wearing Miley Cyrus’ buns, jellies, and all black would be normal as well. metallic accessories. But in Brisbane, no one goes out wearing jeans, even in the Brisbane’s style in one word is somewhat cold weeks that they fun, and the clothes are memocall winter, truly a mild spring at rable. Brisbane’s sense of style best. Girls tend to experiment with is also unique. As the capital of their style more then Americans; Queensland, this beautiful state think dark, dark purple lips, skyon the east side of Australia high bright heels and plunging boasts some of the world’s most V-necked playsuits. For them, their stunning beaches and the Great style is everything. Barrier Reef. The people are laid
back, yet creative. Their style has surf influences, beach ready vibes, as well as their interpretations of the runways trends. Because of it’s warm climate, the fashion tends to be more fun rather then it’s counterpart of larger cities, Sydney and Melbourne, which may emulate a more New York or Chicago style of fashion. If you’re looking to fully embrace summer the way these beach loving Australian’s do, then definitely look for some bright printed rompers and dresses to be sporting this summer.
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boots socks The Trendy Hiker Boys can layer too! Pair outdoor lace-up boots with simple socks that have a pop of fall color. Trendy, cool, easy.
The Leather Motorcycle Boot With mid-height leather boots, a bit of a taller sock creates a nice balance. Patterned socks are great, especially when they have a pop of color.
The Short Boot Spruce up the leggings-and-boots look with short, flat boots and fun, patterned socks. This layering combo is great for days where it’s chilly, but a bit warm for heavier, tall boots.
The Classic The classic combo of tall black boots with bright socks is perfect for those days where you feel you’re wearing a little too much black. Every girl needs a pair of knee-length, bright socks to pair with her tall boots!
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By Sydney Davis Illustrations by Neha Nair
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