STYLE SINS : Thou shall not be a scruffy student!

Although  fashion trends are becoming more wild and abstract , I am utterly perplexed by the new fashion trend hitting the uni scene like the plague: the 'Scruffy Student' look. Meeting to the expectations of its name, students would deliberately step out onto the streets with a jumbled  assortment of  of clothing to appear fashionably edge, but instead would look like a jumble Sale found in Camden Market. Being a student myself, I can understand why students may become less conscientious on the way they project themselves at university, being lumbered with colossal amounts of work, and neverending readings to do. But does this really excuse a lack of passion for fashion?

Passion? Yes. Fashion? Kinda. Style? Hell to the No. 

Fashion can be brought, but style is free. Its a unique feature manifesting inside all of us, a by-product of our personality and interests Despite the tight budget and even tighter work deadlines we face, it is never excusable to step onto the streets looking like Courtney Loves double act. 

Style Sin Number 1 ladies :Thou shall not look deliberately scruffy and unkempt! 

This is not a moment to be preaching Drake's "YOLO" excuses ladies. No "Hell Yeah, Hell Yeah", its not "F***ing Right"! 

University is the perfect opportunity for you to explore life and find yourself, both in a philosophical and fashionable sense. But looking like unkempt (and well...dirty!) has never written in anyone's destiny, and it never will be.

I'm a firm supporter and believer in expressing your individuality, and being comfortable with your look, but there is always an exception to the rule, and this is definitely one of those special exceptions. Yes, comfort is a vital factor when constructing an outfit for the day, but that doesn't suddenly make it excusable for you to look like a Jeremy Kyle cast-off in public. A long day of studying and lectures on a Monday Morning may feel like you've done ten rounds with Mike Tyson, but it doesn't mean everyone else has to know - or in this case see for their very eyes - your personal perils. 

The general message: being a 'Scruff' will not benefit you in anyway! So save those creased up tees and trackies for indoors, and more importantly save yourself from being a fashion offendee! Replace these garments with simple,yet versatile fashion pieces, that can be adapted and be worn in a multiple of ways.  Here are some of the key pieces you can adapt and wear numerous times that both tick the comfort and stylish boxes. Talk about two for one! Now thats a bargain a girl can't resist!

-The Simple White Tee; a fail-safe garment, you can never go wrong, whatever the season!
-A good pair of jeans; note the word "good" - you need a pair that fit good accordingly to your personal body shape! Shake what yo' mama gave you and invest in a simple tailored pair of jeans; I guarantee it will remain a key piece in your wardrobe for years.
-Leather Jacket; your trustee friend, whatever the weather!
-Leather look leggings: an upgrade from the legging sensation that will immediately update your outfit!
-A simple LBD; can be worn both day and night, with the right accessories!

Being a student doesn't make it acceptable to dismiss the fundamentals of fashion!

Justjode xox

New Year, New Wardrobe?

With 2013 dawning upon us, millions of women will aspire for a new and improved version of themselves, making it a great incentive for a brand new wardrobe and an empty wallet (preferably from Louis Vuitton or Prada, a girl can dream!)

But why waste your money on an entire new collection of clothes to better yourself? For an improved you, use your imagination and money productively and cautiously. Look through your wardrobe and question yourself on the following;

Which 3 key items would boost my style up a gear?
Perceive your wardrobe as a house, its contents the furniture. What pieces of furniture could be added to turn your house into a home, a better representation of your individual style? What item would bring an extra bit of ' Va Va Voom'? 

Does my wardrobe have the core fashion essentials?
A house can never become a home without the essentials (let alone livable!). With no bed, no sofa, no TV, your house is empty and bare. So how you expect your wardrobe be too? Pull out your notebook and make a checklist on whether your wardrobe has all of the key ingredients of a true fashionsita? Does it have a good pair of jeans tailored for your body shape? A nice crisp white shirt? A leather black jacket? A LBD? If not you know what to do.
With essential staple pieces such as these, you'll be prepared for any event thrown upon you! These essentials are both timeless and versatile; you can always build upon them with accessories, and can be reassured that they will never go out of fashion. 

Do you have any fashion fiasco's hiding in your closet?
In a house, you take out the trash on a regular basis, or it will become a complete bombsite. So why should your wardrobe be any different? You cannot expect to improve on yourself, or your style if you're still laden with excess baggage. It has disaster written all over it. So give your wardrobe a full one on one inspection and get rid of any items that either ;

1. Does not suit your style
2. Does not suit your body shape.
3. Does not fit you. PERIOD.

Do NOT chuck out any items on the reason that "its no longer in fashion". The fashion world is like a cycle, its consistently changing and evolving, but it will always return back to the start. Look at 2012 fashion scene. We had a 1920's throwback with the peplum dress. Don't be surprised it''ll dominate the fashion world again in the future.

Do you really need to buy anything at all?
This question is for headed specifically at all you shopaholics out there! You've shopped til' you've dropped at those Christmas Sales, and now your wardrobe is bursting more than Christina Aguilera's jeans. Your wardrobe isn't like Narnia - it doesn't expand, at at this rate it will explode!

So don't be delusional with the concept of "New Year, New Me, New Wardrobe".(Unless your Courtney Love, then that's a whole new different can of fish!) Invest your money into key pieces that gives your wardrobe the X Factor, this isn't 60 minute makeover honey!

Happy New Year!

Justjode xox