Claire

Name: Claire H.

Grade: Sophomore

Major: Journalism

Minors: Political Science and Spanish

What is your process of getting ready in the morning? I usually decide if I’m in the mood for pants or a skirt or a dress. If it’s pants, I alternate between black skinny jeans and vintage high-waisted mom jeans. It depends on how I feel that day. If it’s sunny, I’ll usually take the opportunity to wear dresses or Birkenstocks or something that I was excited to break out because I didn’t have to wear socks for once. So I have a lot of staple pieces that I will repeat a lot. I have the same jeans I will repeat a lot. I have the same ankle boots that go with pretty much every outfit. I kind of go through phases of stuff that I like at certain times. So I pick through a select few things that I’m in the mood for that month. 

Claire keeps her look simple, but put together with a vintage t-shirt and chambray top paired with a Nordstrom jacket and jeans from Urban Outfitters.

When you shop, do you go for pieces that are versatile and fit into your seasonal mood? When I  shop, it’s usually a statement piece or something really basic. I like pieces that are versatile and will make a lot of outfits more interesting.

Claire takes her look to the next level with a collection of vintage rings. The diamond ring on the right was her great-grandmother’s. She had the diamond fit into a new band to give it a modern twist.

Do you have any style tricks that make you feel like you’re getting away with something? That’s why I like dresses. Because you look like you’re put together, but it’s really the easiest thing since it’s only one piece. The outfit I’m wearing today looks really casual, but it took a lot of elements to put it together. Dresses are a nice trick to look put together and presentable, especially on campus. You don’t see a lot of dresses.

Spring means one thing in Oregon: you can wear your Birkenstocks without socks!

A lot of people say they like to feel “comfortable” and “confident.” What do those words mean to you? It’s easier for me to feel confident when I’m comfortable, but I’m not always comfortable. I’ll wear things that’s too tight or stuff that is not neccesarily really comfortable, but I feel really good about myself in it, so I feel comfident. Confidence is more important to me than comfort when it comes to fashion.

Is there comfort in being uncomfortable? There’s comfort in being confident and feeling like you looked good that day. It’s not a physical comfort, but if you feel comfortable in what you’re wearing, it’s easier to project that confidence.

Claire’s necklace is from Imelda’s, a boutique in Portland.

Who do you dress for? I dress for myself. Even days I don’t leave the house, I like to get out of my pajamas and put on a somewhat nice outfit because I feel better about the day if I looked good.

Claire’s tattoo is a quote from The Great Gatsby, which is one of her favorite books. For her, the quote is about being a better version of yourself every day.

If you could have the clothes from any TV show, what show would it be? One character I have been really into lately is Rachel from “Friends.” I really like the clothes she wore on the show. She wears a lot of stuff that is in style right now, like tiny tops and high-waisted things. She wears a lot of mom jeans and overalls. Growing up, I was also really influenced by “Gossip Girl,” which is really funny because my style now is really different from anything on the show. Even when I was watching it, I wasn’t neccessarily dressing like them, but fashion played such a role in that show. It was cool to see girls dressed so nicely and everyone cared so much about fashion in that world.

Are you more of a Blair or a Serena? I always thought I was more of a Blair because she’s also a brunette, but her style is really preppy and weird. Serena is more free and easy going.

Claire’s funky glasses are from Ray-Ban.

 WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY HANNAH STEINKOPF-FRANK, @HSTEINKOPFFRANK

Alex

It can be difficult to be fashionable on a budget, but Alex’s affordable look proves that style doesn’t have a price tag. Alex is a junior history, English, and psych major with a pre-law concentation. Due to her three fields of study, Alex is busy, but she believes focusing in multiple fields makes her a more well-rounded person. After graduating, Alex plans to move to the East Coast and get a law degree with a focus on international business.

Alex’s black dress and mustard infinity scarf are from H&M, her beanie is from Forever 21, and her her jacket is from Target. Alex was inspired to dress up her LBD with a few cute and also practical accessories.

Alex’s boots are from Cathy Jean and fit right in with the Pacific Northwest foliage.

Alex bought her leather bag from a small shop in Boston while in the city over winter break.

If she had to pick any decade, Alex says she is most inspired by the 1970s.

WRITTEN AND PHOTOGRAPHED BY HANNAH STEINKOPF-FRANK,@HSTEINKOPFFRANK

Serena

While the Ducks might not have the BCS National Championship, they are not letting it hamper their school spirit, or style!

Serena plays it comfortable for her 8 a.m. class the morning after the game. Serena is an advertising major and art minor. Serena is passionate about creative design, something evident in her relaxed, yet put together outfit. Her goal is to eventually work for an ad firm or as an editor or creative director for a magazine. When Serena is not busy with classes or her sorority, she enjoys drawing, specifically doing hand-drawn typography.

Serena is literally wearing head to toe Madewell, including her jacket, shirt, pants, and shoes. She has always loved the cult sister brand of J. Crew and was beyond excited when she got hired to work at their first Portland, Oregon store last summer.

Serena’s fashion has changed since she started working at Madewell. As she said, Madewell became her personal style, but instead of being a walking ad for the brand, she combines pieces in interested and unexpected ways, like her cute and comfy “Bien” t-shirt and sweatpants with a fitted denim jacket.

Serena’s on-trend plaid slip-ons are a piece from Madewell’s collection with Vans.

Her eggplant nail polish works perfectly with her Tiffany & Co. ring (left) and Madewell double ring (right).

 Serena’s Fjallraven backpack is totally in vogue and matches her nail polish to boot!

Photographed and Written by Hannah Steinkopf-Frank, @HSteinkopfFrank

Titi

We see trends in magazines and on social media that come and go. Those trends usually translate into our everyday wardrobe. Trends like high-low (aka mullet) hemlines or platform flip-flops may seem embarrassing or kitschy later, but there is one trend that Dressed Up Ducks thinks is here to stay. Minimalism. Minimalism takes style and simplifies it. Out with arm candy and patchwork denim and in with clean lines and structured pieces. Titi, an international student from China, hints at the minimalism trend in her burgundy and black outfit. Titi’s outfit only incorporates basic pieces, but each piece is combined with care. Titi achieves a sleek, understated style!

Titi wears a Prada bag (so fancy). While a Prada bag does not seem minimalist, she tells me that she has had the bag for many years. Because the bag is of high quality, the wear-to-cost ratio may be equal to a similar knock off Forever 21 bag that only works for a season. Either way, the bag envy is real.

Titi finishes off her look with a pair of Chelsea boots from Urban Outfitters. So chic!

Having trouble dressing up this holiday season? Try dressing down and give the minimalism trend a go!

Written and photographed by Elinor Manoogian-O’Dell, @ElinormODell

Maria

Sometimes it isn’t one item in an outfit that stands out, but the outfit as a whole that attracts your attention. Maria, a general science major, pairs a number of classics in order to create a stylish and well put together ensemble. Her black circle scarf, cargo jacket, and cuffed jeans all work together to create this laid back look. Add red lipstick and her outfit is complete! Maria says she mostly shops at places like H&M and Forever 21, but her favorite place to shop is her mom’s closet.

At this point Dressed Up Ducks can definitely say that booties are a trend that are going to hang around for some time. They add a little height and sleekness to any outfit.

This scarf is not only trendy and warm, but it adds more detail to the outfit. The unique knitted pattern is very cool.

Happy finals week!

Written and photographed by Elinor Manoogian-O’Dell, @elinormodell

 

Nicole

As finals week is upon us, most Ducks have taken to wearing their PJs to class. Some have continued to keep it styling despite the mountain of essays, projects, and exams. Nicole is staying warm and fashionable with a comfy layered look that is part knitted layers and part badass rocker. Nicole is a senior advertising major with a minor in digital arts. She loves the creative aspects of advertising and being able to do art within a business culture. She would love to move to New York and work for a company there. For now, she works at Nordstrom and interned for the company over the summer. According to Nicole, working at Nordstrom fuels her creativity, especially because she can shop while she works and is able to share her style with other people. She describes her style as being like a gothic teenager, which seems pretty accurate.

Nicole’s shift dress, cardigan, and infinity scarf are all from Nordstrom. Combined with a leather jacket from Urban Outfitters, the look utilizes the layered trend without being too chaotic.

Nicole’s hat is also from Urban Outfitters. What originally struck me about Nicole is her grey/purple hair. She says a lot of people comment on it, and not all of them are nice, but it is a style that fits right in with her personal style.

Nicole finishes off her look with a pair of boots from Steve Madden. By tying the laces only halfway up, she creates a more relaxed looked. This is a great DIY to give an old pair of shoes some new flair.

Written and photographed by Hannah Steinkopf-Frank, @HSTEINKOPFFRANK