Monday, July 4, 2011

We've Moved!


Jenni, Amy and Megan have evolved and added another friend to our fashion family.
You can find us here at our new blog. 


Follow us! We'll miss you if you don't.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Chick Pee

Posted by Jenni

Sorry we haven't been around much lately; what with finishing our degrees, adopting kittens, and working to afford our thrifty finds, we haven't found time to post!
Here's just a fun read from me to you about one of the inconveniences of clothing. I'm off to vintage shop (http://www.rockitagain.com/) with Look contributor Jared Dawdy.
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Chick Pee

Have you ever used the restroom at an amusement park, museum, or concert? If so, you'll know what I mean when I say that the length of the line at the ladies' room is worse than customs when leaving Amsterdam. Why?

Five Items of Clothing Which Make Peeing Almost Impossible

-A prom dress. Prom typically takes a long-ass time to happen somewhere Far Away from Your House. That means you are stuck with an embarrassing dilemma - risk tossing your tulle and skewing your demurely disguised underwear, or holding it. My sophomore year, prom was on a boat. I was really, really thirsty when I got home.

-Button-fly jeans. I'm not sure why they even make button-fly jeans, because in the heat of the moment, you risk yanking the buttons off, which is sure to bring you plenty of "XYZ, dude. X Y Z." This could work to your advantage if it's April Fools Day, but it probably won't be.

-Anything tardy. Leotards. One-pieces. Tutus. Anything in one piece that requires a locker room. The advantage of this is that everyone else has to do it too, so you're not naked all by your lonesome. It must be hard for Lady Gaga.

-An apartment owned by someone of the opposite sex. Especially when you're tryna holla.

-A romper/jumper with tights. I made this mistake only this past semester and as a result, I had to get completely naked in the English building to pee. I would not recommend this sober. Drunk, it's understandable. Sober, it's cold.

So the next time you're waiting in line at a restroom, try to open your heart to those poor women who decided to dress up like the Little Mermaid that day.

XOXO,
Jenni

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Hey, Longwood Look!

What do we, like, actually wear?



We like this look because the dress is uber-spring, but the blazer is all business. We also keep the makeup quite pink, without too much dark eye makeup, and we love the heeled Oxfords - sexy without the plaid skirts and rulers.



Ryan McGuire (yes, a girl! Named Ryan!) rocks our skin-baring rule: Pick and choose. Since the dress is short and sleeveless, we gave her a long-sleeved cardigan, funky pop-art flats, and lots of textured necklaces. Amazing legs? Check.



Blogger behind both the Longwood Look and Freckled Italian (http://www.freckleditalian.com/) Megan Flynn always looks adorable, but especially in her electric sweater/tights match. By keeping those colors solid, the detail on the bodice of her dress pops, and those caramel heels are a delicious complement. Good sunglasses are a must - instant celebrity, and fewer wrinkles later. What's not to love?



On-campus collaborator Amy Jackson uses neutrals to her advantage in this photo; the orange cat pairs well with her violet tights. We're kidding! She incorporates that mysterious sex appeal that comes in darker, more muted color palettes, and proves that casual shoes can make an outfit (and person) way more approachable.



This is an idea for spring at night - espadrilles, brighter lip color, longer earrings, and a messy updo. To achieve said messy updo, scrunch a curl cream into hair and let air-dry, then tie into a low pony or bun. Wrap hair around the tie to be a little more grown-up.

What's your favorite look? Did we miss one of your favorite outfit combinations? Let us know! We love to hear from you here, on Facebook, or at longwoodlook@gmail.com.

Fashionably yours,
The Longwood Look

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Welcome, happy morning!



Happy Easter from the Longwood Look!

Monday, April 11, 2011

Long Skirts: Romance or Rack?

Posted by Jenni

This spring, long, swishy skirts are splashed across the pages of all our fave fashion mags, and although the styling is gorgeous, like the outfit idea below...



(Image: The Style Sample http://thestylesample.com/category/vintage-thrift-finds/page/2/)

I'm not sure it's for me. I love long dresses, so I should love long skirts, right? They're romantic, interesting, and hey, if I really hate them so much, I can just pull them up and have a new strapless dress!



(Image: Bachman's Sparrow http://www.bachmanssparrow.com/blog/)

How cute is she? The stripes are nautical with the rope belt, the jacket brings some edge, and the scarf as a headwrap? Swank. Love the nude cutouts - definitely this season's heels to own!

It seems to boil down to creativity: if you have a hankering for a long skirt, find one that you love, and use things you already own to use it more than one way.
Outfit idea: your new (or thrifted!) long skirt worn as a dress, a military-inspired blazer and a skinny (metallic!) belt. We love wedges, but if they're not for you, a gladiator sandal (with a pedicure!) will also be fab. Pinning half your hair up with a pretty barette won't hurt, neither ;)

So, are you convinced that long skirts are worth a try? Let us know here or at longwoodlook@gmail.com.

XOXO, Jenni

Monday, March 14, 2011

Things we love

Posted by Jenni, Amy, Megan, Jared Dawdy, and Casey Walker

Since I'm abstaining from shopping lately, it's given me an opportunity to evaluate what makes my life better and happier on a smaller scale, so I thought it would be a good excuse to bother some of the best writers and chicest people in my life.

The original question: What helps you get through your everyday?

Amy


"5 hour energy, all the way. I think that because I don't eat meat and as a result don't get many B vitamins. It makes me feel really great for the rest of the day when I take one. And it's not so packed with caffeine that I can't also enjoy a cup of coffee or four.

It's a tie between that and my perfume (Pure Poison by Dior). Smelling it throughout the day is a mood-booster for me. Something about wearing (a sensible amount of) perfume and earrings seem to add instant lady-ness to even the most casual or hastily thrown together outfit."

Megan


"First of all, breakfast.

Second, I agree with Amy about perfume. I wear Princess by Vera Wang and it just makes me happy.

Also, you can't go wrong with a good ponytail or high bun.

My obsession with J.Crew heels has turned into a compulsion to own them, so I wear a pair of those every day to work. I've gotten to the point where I feel strange in flats.

Last but not least, nail polish. I like dark colors or a nude pink. OPI or Essie."

Jared


"Hmmm well first of all, coffee. I cannot and will not get through my day without that in the morning.

A good shower in the morning and using bath and body works shower gel is awesome; it smells woodsy and refreshing, I like it. My body spray or cologne is nice and makes me feel like I always smell good too, I suppose haha. Not a major big deal but it is certainly a plus to know I smell good.

In general looking good is important; for me, I can't roll into class with bed hair, in sweatpants I slept in, and no shower. I need that good shower and just in general looking together to even begin remotely "feeling" together."

Casey


"Well since Jared stole my main item (Bath and Body Works shower gel) I must say that I can't do anything without my sunglasses. Even if it's raining I'll instinctively put them on and then just look like a tool in class.

Without cable and less and less things to watch on Netflix, my guitars come in real handy every once in a while too (I enjoy looking at them)

In addition, I have a Phillips Sonicare toothbrush that just makes cleaning fun!

Hope this rare glimpse into my day to day helps."

Jenni


Despite the above picture, I really love my hair. I apply TIGI Bedhead curl cream to it, blow-dry parts of it, pin it in many directions, then go. I also pretty much live for eyeliner; my all-time favorite is Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner in Onyx. I love Daisy by Marc Jacobs to spritz over my hair. My hair is pretty glam by now.

I completely deflate without diet soda. I drink at least one a day, sometimes at breakfast. I know.
I also love to read. Every night before I go to sleep.

Thank you, everyone! Look forward to more posts from our Special Correspondents Casey Walker and Jared Dawdy (Jared is a photographer! See his photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/valondite/)

Fashionably yours,
The Longwood Look

Monday, March 7, 2011

Without a Debt

Posted by Jenni

Yesterday I endured the torrents of rain in order to have a delicious Vietnamese lunch and then to go shopping. When I got home, I gathered my recent purchases and hauled them up to my room, where instead of hanging or folding, I simply stared in amazement.

I had bought this...



and this...



and these too!



In a matter of days, I managed to render my recent paycheck null and void. So I decided to follow through on my faith and abstain from clothes (and shoe) shopping for Lent. For Jesus, and for me.

How am I going to do this?



When God closes a door, I open a bucket of mango margaritas.

XOXO, Jenni

P.S. Black coat-dress, Vera Wang, Kohl's. Printed flower dress, Banana Republic Factory Outlet. Belt, Betsey Johnson, at Marshalls. Three graphic tees, all Banana Republic Factory Outlet.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The Bobeau Effect

Posted by Jenni

I've recently discovered a new term for the merge of bohemian and downtown: Bobeau (pronounced "bo-bo"). The idea is to take something bohemian in origin and mix it with something urban, like a jewel-tone top with an organic woven detail at the neckline.
For me, this was something of a discovery; I had never been able to pin down a definitive term for my wardrobe, but bobeau hits it right on the spot. My clothes are whimsical, but I wouldn't classify myself as hippie-chic. The difference? The way I pair my clothes puts away the sixties vibe and any notion of 'costume'.
You might wonder how we think of these things at the Look, and the truth is that most of the time, we're just selective about what we purchase. Amy loves military-inspired clothes, so she often looks for something more delicate or feminine to balance them. Balance is a good word to keep in mind.



See how these earrings are bobeau? They're feathered, but they're attached to a rhinestone-studded sphere. When I wear these, I tie my hair back and I don't wear a necklace, but I do wear a funky graphic tee and a long sweater. They're an accent; they're meant to hint at a look, not scream one.



These fab shoes are another example of bobeau with their floral pattern and modern shape. They look awesome with a skirt and tights or skinny jeans, and they're even better if your pedicure chips. Both pieces at Forever 21 stores and forever21.com.

If you have a new style, don't hesitate to let us know right here, right now. Send us pics, too!

XOXO, Jenni

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Capris, or not capris?

Posted by Jenni

This question never bothered me until I read the latest issue of Real Simple magazine; apparently, capris or capri pants are one of the hot items this spring. Real Simple is neck-and-neck with Glamour for my favorite magazine, and about 95% of the time, I agree with their judgment. But now I'm not so sure.

Capris for me have always looked best on women who are naturally petite. I'm 5'7" and curvy to start, but I also have a long torso and disproportionately skinny calves for my frame. Therefore, anything that stops abruptly interrupts the lines of my clothes, and I feel awkward and uncomfortable. So I was pretty reluctant to take Real Simple's advice this time, until they styled their models with the "high and low" aesthetic.


realsimple.com

In the above photo, they've chosen some skinny capris with a T-strap flat (or kitten heel), an embroidered wrap, and a loose white blouse. The contradiction of the shapes creates visual interest, and the mixture of the fancier tops with a short, casual pant is fun.
Everyone at the Look loves the high-low style because it forces us to be creative and shakes up the way we look at our wardrobes. I like to wear loose V-neck tees with skinny jeans, beat up sneakers, and this amazing Betsey Johnson necklace.



If you want to try out the capris trend, Marshalls and TJ Maxx have options in a variety of sizes at fair prices, and my personal shoe pick for these tricky trousers? Wedge sandals. They'll give your legs length and height, they're actually comfortable, and our fashion Tarot cards predict hotness. Bon voyage!

XOXO, Jenni