The Northern Southern Belle: Show off personality with your back to school wardrobe

The Northern Southern Belle: Show off personality with your back to school wardrobe

Welcome back to school, Bisons! I hope that your first week of classes is off to a great start. It’s been super exciting to see everyone back on campus and to see everyone’s personality shining through with back to school outfits! There are definitely a lot of popular trends going on right now, so I thought I’d share them here! Athleisure Sets Comfortable and cute, these are so in right now! The matching / coordinating sets are versatile and fashionable, and allow you to stay relaxed and on the go all day! Many stores are hopping on this trend, but you can find sets at OFFLINE by Aerie, Free People, Lululemon, Athleta, and Fabletics. If you’re not into the matching sets, another great athleisure option is an athletic dress or skirt paired with a vintage tee for a cute and summery look.  Comfort is key on these hot days in Nashville, and the breathable material of athleisure allows you to stay cool and comfortable, while still being cute. Wide Leg Pants All summer, I saw wide leg pants with bucket hats. Celebrities like Olivia Rodrigo and Rihanna have helped this 90’s-style revival become the phenomenon that it is. Whether you choose a woven textile or denim, the cropped and wide leg looks are definitely in right now, and can be found at most stores, and lots offer a wide variety. Loft has almost completely put their skinny jeans online, focusing in store on the kick crop, wide leg, and 90s straight styles of pants.  Two Piece Sets I know I said athleisure sets are super on trend right now,...
The Northern Southern Belle: Summer style suggestions

The Northern Southern Belle: Summer style suggestions

Hey friends! It’s been a while, but I hope you’re all having a great summer! Things are finally getting back to normal, and it is wonderful to celebrate the summer with friends! We all have a great reason to celebrate this week, as the 4th is Sunday! With things opening back up and gatherings beginning to occur again, the 4th is a great way to show off your style and your American pride. When I think of patriotic clothing, I think of red, white, and blue, of course! When I was little, my go to Independence day outfit was a Faded Glory flag tee and a pair of jean shorts. While still patriotic, I’ve realized that there are plenty of other ways to express yourself and your love for the US through what you wear on America’s birthday. Red white and blue are still my go-to colors for the day, but a way to modernize it is to mix and match the colors with prints. Try a solid navy top with red and white shorts for a flag look, or blue and white stripes or gingham with a red hair accessory or lipstick.  Plenty of stores offer 4th of July themed attire. Target currently has a whole section in the women’s/juniors department of America-themed tees. If you’re going for a cute and casual look, pair one of these with a pair of shorts or a colored athletic skirt. If you’re looking for something to wear more than just on the 4th, Loft is a great option! Their new arrivals feature plenty of red, white, and blue that can fit...
The Northern Southern Belle: How to be fashionable while participating in the athleisure trend

The Northern Southern Belle: How to be fashionable while participating in the athleisure trend

The Northern Southern Belle: How to be fashionable while participating in the athleisure trend Ever since lockdowns kept us all cooped up inside, the desire to wear sweats or leggings and stay comfortable has exponentially risen. Quarantining in bright leggings and comfy jackets have skyrocketed the athleisure trend, which was already taking shape in 2019 but is not expected to go away anytime soon.  I’m all about being comfortable. I come home from work or class and am eager to put on a pair of comfy leggings and a tee-shirt, and many mornings I’m tempted to let that be my daily wardrobe choice. However, while I enjoy the comfort of this new fashion fascination, I do not want to lose my personal style in the shuffle of it. So, with that being said, I would love to suggest some ideas on how you can keep your style while remaining comfortable and feeling relaxed. I am a huge dress girl. I love wearing dresses, especially when the weather is starting to change as it is now. While it might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of athleisure, I believe that knit swing dresses are a perfectly good option for the trend. They’re lightweight and easy to wear, do not require much thinking when it comes to putting together an outfit, and they are super cute! Some of my favorites are from Loft, but Old Navy and Nordstrom offer a variety as well, and the price range for these three stores is pretty broad, so you have plenty of options.  If you’re not on board...
The Northern Southern Belle: Accessorizing with Masks

The Northern Southern Belle: Accessorizing with Masks

As we continue to wear our masks everywhere we go, there is a problem that plenty of girls are running into: how do you wear earrings without getting them caught in the elastic of your mask? This is a struggle I’ve dealt with as well and even lost one of my favorite hoops to the tangled mess of mask + earrings. So I’m here to share ideas on how we can accessorize while still staying safe with our masks. Avoid hoop earrings. These are my favorite, and I hate to take a break from wearing them, but with the way that they get oh so easily caught in the elastic of masks, it might be better to take a break from them. If you’re going to wear them, just be careful and make sure you don’t lose one when removing your mask. Instead, try a fun pair of dangling earrings, or a cute pair of studs. Loft has tons of cute earrings, as well as Francesca’s and Etsy.  Try a hued hairpiece. I haven’t always been big into headbands, but with our masks, they’re a great new way to accessorize and add a pop of color. If you’re not a headband fan, a cute ribbon or a bow scrunchie is a nice touch! Amazon, Anthropologie, and Forever 21 are all great spots to find these items, and there is a wide variety depending on your price range.  Draw the attention to your hands by decorating your fingers with rings. This is something I’ve recently fallen in love with. Each ring I purchase has a meaning behind it, which makes...
The Northern Southern Belle: Masks — Making the most of our new necessary accessory

The Northern Southern Belle: Masks — Making the most of our new necessary accessory

I’m back! After spending half of the spring semester abroad and the rest in quarantine, I’m happy to be back at Lipscomb and continuing my column for Lumination. A lot has changed since I last wrote: we got a new parking lot on campus, Chick-fil-A started serving milkshakes and, most notable, everyone is wearing masks due to the coronavirus, which has altered our college experience.  Wearing the masks doesn’t have to be a hassle, though. Not only will they protect you and others from the virus, but they are also a whole new form of fashion. You can pretty much find masks of any print imaginable, and with major retailers stepping up to sell masks, you can sport your favorite brand while also staying healthy.  Whether you’re a fan of florals, solids or something totally different, there is a mask out there for you. Plus, they can be an additional accessory to coordinate with your outfit! Try a solid color mask with your favorite printed top or dress. Choosing a color for your mask that is speckled throughout the garment will make it pop. If you’re a fan of wearing solid color tops, try a fun print! You can find masks of plenty of different florals, zigzags, polka dots, and plaids which can add a fun burst of color to your outfit. I love masks that are versatile and can be worn with multiple outfits if you are trying to coordinate. Multicolored masks such as florals and tie-dyes are perfect for this because the variety within the prints allows for them to match garments of multiple colors. But you...