Written By: Alyssa Sage Photographed By: Roberto Leon
The Style Diaries
Brooke Jarchow
When it comes to living a fast-paced life, UW-Madison junior Brooke Jarchow can most certaintly identify. As a media intern for a west coast-based PR agency, she has spent a considerable portion of the past six months jet-setting around the country to attend red-carpet events. For many, an on-the-go, often hectic lifestyle tends to become painfully obvious through one’s fashion choices. However, Brooke has successfully disproved this assumption by consistently employing a simplistically chic yet comfortable style.
monday: comfort zone
Brooke is a die-hard advocate for the oversized sweater, leggings and boots combo. After enduring two decades of Wisconsin winters, she’s realized that maintaining an extensive collection of sweaters and boots is essential. Brooke defines this three-piece combo as her “go-to class look,” simply because it provides her enough with coverage to keep warm on long treks to class while still offering a fashionable, put-together look. And what would a girl be without the fashion hand of her mom? Believe it or not, Mrs. Jarchow picked out these army green, Free People-esque booties.
tuesday: black to the basics
Black is undoubtedly a go-to wardrobe color for Brooke. “I once heard a quote ‘women who wear black lead colorful lives,’ and since then I’ve embraced my love for the color black!” she explained. She admires fashion pieces that strive for a chic yet casual look. Whether she’s running last-minute intern errands before a high-profile red carpet event or heading towards Capitol Square for a late-night cocktailing shift at Madison’s, the limitless versatility of all-black ensembles are utterly applicable to Brooke’s lifestyle.
wednesday: laid-back sophistication
Harem pants have evoked mixed emotions from fashion critics alike, but according to Brooke the reemerging style reinforces her appreciation for versatile pieces that have the ability to either dress an outfit up or down. She admires the way harem pants implement sophistication into a laid-back look. As for her heel choice, Brooke snagged this pair prior to an upscale internship event—all the while planning to follow through with the infamous “buy and return” method. Post event she realized how well the pair of mid-heels would complement her mostly-black wardrobe. She admits, “As long as my heels are comfortable enough to walk to Domino’s for some pizza after a night out then mission accomplished.”
thursday: the trend piece
For a girl who’s optimistic about embracing new trends, the resurrection of the late-1970s floppy-brimmed hat provided Brooke with the perfect opportunity to embrace an up-and-coming trend before it infested the UW campus. There’s something about floppy-brimmed hats that reeks of a wanderlust lifestyle, well-suited for a girl who travels so frequently. She first debuted her vintage accessory during a film festival event in Texas and further flaunted the piece when she traveled to Dublin for spring break. Since she’s in Madison for the time being, she’s excited to break out the hat again as we transition into sunny, Terrace-worthy weather.
friday: classic denim
After spending countless summers on her Grandma’s lake, Brooke has developed a fondness for casual separates that can easily be thrown on over a swimsuit in between boat rides and lake swims. Enter the denim button-up. After originating as simply a swimsuit coverup, Brooke has realized that this dynamic piece aptly fits the parameters of her casual wardrobe as well.
MODA