Hi there, fellow Fashionistas/os! My name is Sarah Selip, and I’m a sophomore at Saint Vincent College. I’m a Marketing major with a minor in Communications. This is my first semester as a Style Guru, and I can’t even tell you how ecstatic I am to start writing for you!
I grew up in Latrobe, my college town. However, I’ve always had big city aspirations; I plan on moving to downtown Pittsburgh or another big city after graduation to pursue a job in fashion marketing. There are very few things I love more than a J.Crew style guide, a killer pair of red heels and a grande iced caramel macchiato from Starbucks. When I’m not out trying to take the fashion world by storm, in my spare time, I’m a college student, tennis player and a life and style blogger.
I’m not going to lie to you; one of my favorite things about college is being able to pick my outfit out every day. I’m the product of strict private school dress code; for 12 years, I had it easy: plaid skirt, polo and knee socks and I was out the door. This definitely had a huge impact on my current style, which I would label as “modern preppy.” Whenever I was in the fourth grade, I wrote my first report ever on Jackie Kennedy and her iconic style and never looked back. She has always acted as my number one style inspiration. However, my mom has also played a huge role in helping me create my personal style. She was the one who always picked out my outfits when I was little, and most importantly was the first to introduce me to J.Crew when I graduated from my middle school. I find it important to channel yourself when developing personal style. You can’t go through life basing yourself on others, so think of how you dress as a statement of who you are as a person!
My favorite styling technique has, and always will be contrasting statement or accent pieces against a neutral or monochromatic color palette. One of my favorite accessories is a pair of red pumps which can be dressed up or down, depending on the occasion. I also tend to gravitate towards a chunky statement necklace to really add some flair to a simple outfit. And ask any well-dressed woman, you need a great handbag to make any outfit complete; versatility and functionality are the two best qualities to look for in a purse. It’s a way to look very feminine yet still structured.
In the words of Miuccia Prada, “What you wear is how you present yourself to the world, especially today, when human contacts are so quick. Fashion is instant language.” You create a personal statement when you create an outfit, so why not make it bold and interesting? I’ll be writing a new article every Tuesday, and I can’t wait to share my findings by featuring the latest in Saint Vincent’s Bearcat style!
