True story: I caught Julia on my way out of the dining hall, screamed “skort!” in her direction and then she agreed to let me photograph her for CF.
Having met her prior through theatre, I have noticed that Julia always seems to rock that cool-girl-without-trying style that I personally wish I could pull off.
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Julia 101
Name: Julia
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
School: Barnard College at Columbia University
Year: Sophomore
Major: Theatre and Psychology
Let’s Talk Fashion
Who or what inspires your style? “My close friends are definitely my biggest style inspirations. They all have incredible, funky taste in a range of style genres. I like to think that I take little bits from what they have taught me and attempt to make it my own.”
Where do you like to shop? “I get most of my clothing from cheap thrift stores like Goodwill and Buffalo Exchange. I always find weird things that I MUST buy.”
How would you describe your sense of style? “I’d say that my sense of style is so eclectic that it’s borderline not a style at all. I dress differently according to the situation and the way I’m feeling that day. Sometimes I go all out and sometimes I’m just in sweats and a t-shirt with something odd on it.”
Why did you choose this particular outfit? “This is actually a sort of go-to outfit for me. It’s really comfortable and easy to throw on but it still sort of looks like planning went into it. Also, my friends gave me a lot of the pieces I’m wearing, so I think of them when I put the articles on, which makes me happy.”
What fashion advice would you give to other students looking to improve their style? “I’m sure people could more easily give me fashion advice, but I guess what I would say is that it’s important to fill your wardrobe with pieces that make you happy or remind you of fun times you’ve had. If you feel completely confident in what you are wearing, everyone else will love your outfit. It sounds cliché but I honestly believe that it’s true.”
What are your favorite trends right now? “I’m really into the early 2000s nostalgia that’s been going on. Nothing beats slap bracelets, gauchos, tiny hair braids, and platform flip-flops. Also, denim-on-denim of course.“
Do you have any favorite fashion designers? “Of course, I dream of Burberry bags and Louboutins, but I’m not sure if I could choose a particular fashion designer as my favorite. Of course, Betsey Johnson was my queen when I was twelve and she honestly still is.”
What do you do for fun – do you have any unique hobbies or interests? “My main interests are theater and acting, but my hobbies definitely include eating In-N-Out Burger, watching RuPaul’s Drag Race, and petting puppies.”
If you could raid anyone’s closet, who would it be, and why? “I would probably raid Violet Chachki’s closet. She’s an incredible drag queen who always wears bejeweled pieces or intricate corsets. I think spending one second in one of her outfits would give me enough confidence for the year.”
Where did you get this outfit? “Two of my closest friends, Bella and McKinley, gave me the top and the skort that I’m wearing out of their wardrobes. My shoes are Superga brand.”
Elements of Julia’s Style
1.The Faux Belt Buckle + Sweater Tank
Julia’s skort was giving me serious nostalgia — it reminded me of the outfits my mom dressed me in elementary school, in an amazing way. That makes this ensemble a perfect nod to back-to-school season.
This belt, which is sewn onto the skort itself, gives Julia the perfect excuse to rock my favorite trend of all time: the half-tuck.
Julia paired her skort with the perfect oxymoron piece: a sweater-tank. She proves that this piece is perfect for the transition from summer to fall or spring to summer. The edge of the tank also has an unfinished look to it, adding another fun detail.
2. White High-Top Sneakers
No casual shoe style is more classic than the white high-top sneaker. Julia rocks hers through all seasons and with any outfit, and I love that she lets them get worn in and grungy — they work well with her laid-back vibe.
3. Party in the Back
Storytime from Julia herself: she was walking around New York one afternoon when a guy on the sidewalk turns to her and calls out “looking good in that skirt!” However his fascination quickly turned to confusion as Julia kept walking and he discovered that she was in fact wearing “…shorts??”
That hilarious anecdote aside, Julia’s outfit is one that turns heads from the front as well as the back. The heart-shaped cut-out in the tank and the once-tacky now-trendy skort give this outfit an unexpected twist that really elevates her entire look.
Now tell us what you think!
Did you rock skorts as a child? Have you found some of your best pieces at used/resale shops? What looks are you looking forward to wearing this back to school season? Comment below and share your thoughts!