STYLE GURU STYLE: Militant Minimalist

Rebecca Minkoff’s 2015 pre-fall collection is riding the wave of minimalism while adding its own military twist. Only featuring olive green and black, the nine outfits featured baggy jackets, leather skirts, cross-body bags and huge pockets. It avoided the stiffness that military fashion risks generating and all the pieces were sensible and versatile.

To translate this into a college outfit, I focused on this look. I replaced the skirt with high-waisted pants, which were more fitting for winter. The zippers and front seams add to the collection’s utilitarian vibe and make these an easy way to upgrade from your classic blue jeans. I like to make my outfits interesting but re-wearable and these pants work perfectly for that.

I paired the pants with a black Zara tee with a faux leather panel. It reflected the sleek and classic direction of Minkoff’s collection and was comfortable too! I’m also wearing my brand new vivofit watch, which I never take off. It matched the functionality I was aiming for. Instead of the deeper makeup hues in Minkoff’s collection, I opted for a neutral lip balm that dramatized my face but was more appropriate for class. For the purse, I chose an army green to match the pants, but any neutral color would work equally well.

Get My Look: 1. A futuristic watch is a great addition to this (and almost any) daytime look at school. It’s useful and–let’s be real–pretty darn cool. Also, depending on the model you get, it can help track your workouts and fitness. 2. This cross-body bag is edgy and polished and can match almost any outfit. 3. This jacket has a zip-off hood and is made of 100% cotton, making it a cozy layering piece. Wear it to class with jeans and a flannel or with a leather skirt for a night look that will stand out.

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