How to Get a Capsule Wardrobe

Capsule wardrobes are a great way of simplifying your closet and are key for any person who considers themselves to be a minimalist.

So, what is a capsule wardrobe?

A capsule wardrobe is "a minimal, interchangeable wardrobe with a finite number made up of clothes you actually love to wear." (Huffington Post)

To get started with this type of closet makeover, one needs to start by doing some serious spring (or summer, winter, or fall) cleaning. This means taking out everything that you don't wear anymore, have holes or other signs of wear, are no longer in style, or that don't fit. Let's be honest: holding on to your skinny jeans for eight years doesn't bring you any closer to your weight loss goals, and that skirt you had in high school probably won't be trendy again for another twenty years.

Once you have cleared your closet, it's time for some shopping. It helps to divide your wardrobe into halves: spring and summer, and fall and winter. That way, it's easier to shop when you have seasons to focus on. One will want to find pieces that are versatile, comfortable, and well-made, as these are going to be the pieces that are worn for the entirety of the seasons you are in. Make sure you place a limit on yourself so that you only get the things that are truly necessary.

For a great example of a capsule wardrobe, equipped with shopping links, check out this post by Stephanie Drenka.

Do you currently use the capsule wardrobe method for your closet? If not, is this something you'd be willing to try?




Sources:

http://utahvalley360.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Minimalist-Wardrobe.jpg

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/erin-flynn/what-is-a-capsule-wardrob_b_10172000.html

stephaniedrenka.com/spring-summer-capsule-wardrobe

Popping 60's Hairstyles

For our final project, my group is looking at the hairstyles and crowns of LSU homecoming queens through the 60's and 80's. My personal concentration for research is the 1960's. After thumbing though the Gumbo yearbooks for those years, I wanted to see how other women were styling their hair in this time period.

Recurring types of hairstyles in the 60's include: bodacious volume in the form of bouffants and beehives, stylish bobs, ponytails, angular pixie cuts, extra long hair, fringe/bangs, and afros for African American women. Hairpieces and wigs, as well as headscarves and headbands, were popular accessories for these hairstyles, adding an extra bit of sass.

First lady Jackie Kennedy, wore her tresses in an elegant bouffant. Her fashion sense was a huge influence on women during this time.

Jackie Kennedy, 1962

Blonde bombshell, Bridgette Bardot, is seen here showing off several hair trends of the 60's: long, voluminous hair, wispy fringe, and a statement-color head wrap.

Bridgette Bardot, circa 1960

The iconic model Twiggy made the short and sleek pixie cut popular, mixing masculine and feminine styles for a new, edgy aesthetic.

Twiggy, 1967

African American women began to embrace their natural hair texture and sported the statement-making afro, turning heads and making history with their glamorous new style. Here's Angela Davis (in the center with no glasses) as she makes her way to present her first philosophy lecture at UCLA.

Angela Davis, 1969

What's your favorite hairstyle from the 60's? Would you dare to be different and sport any of these looks?

Sources:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/09/1960s-hairstyles-photos_n_4063781.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/23/pixie-haircut-evolution-photos_n_4144739.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afro#/media/File:Angela_Davis_enters_Royce_Hall_for_first_lecture_October_7_1969.jpg

Burning Hot Fashion

No, I am not talking about something revealing, figure hugging, or made of shimmering red fabric. The hot fashion I am referring to is what can be worn to keep from overheating, especially in scorching Louisiana summer weather. The need for this type of clothing is increased for college students, who often have to walk long distances in sometimes extreme heat. Here are a few tips to keep it cool on campus:

1. Watch out for shapeless pieces of light-weight fabrics. The material is what you are looking for, but without some sort of structure to the clothing, it will just stick to you when you start to sweat.

2. Another thing to look out for if you don't want your outfit clinging to you are heavy embellishments, like beading or metal accents. These will weigh your clothes down and cause them to stick to you.

3. If possible, trade in your backpack for something smaller, like a cross body. We have all experienced the back sweat from a heavy backpack. Opting for something that hangs further away from the body will help alleviate that extra heat.

4. Choose light colored pieces. These will reflect light and heat, keeping you cooler, while dark clothing absorbs light, doing the opposite.

5. This one is for the ladies: wear a light bralette or sports bra instead of a padded bra. The padding will make for the dreaded chest sweat that sometimes peaks through our tops.

Do you have any other tips for dressing cool? What do you like to wear on campus in the summer heat?


Inspiration source:

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/advice/a41303/summer-style-tricks-to-keep-you-cool/

Visual Kei

Japanese rock band, The Gazette

Visual kei is a sub-genre and subculture of Japanese rock, know for elaborate ensembles and statement-making hair and makeup. This may not sound too unusual for rock bands, but visual kei bands and made up predominately of men. The style began in the 1980's, largely inspired by the hair metal bands of the time, as well as Japanese graphic novels known as manga, and even kabuki performances, an over-the-top theatrical play native to Japan. The style of these bands can be controversial among some groups, as some members blatantly cross-dress. 

Visual kei band Versailles, all male members

Visual kei is unique as a music genre in the way that it is defining characteristics have to do with the appearance of the member. Within visual kei, one can music ranging from pop to extreme metal. Among the people in my peer group that I have spoken to, it seems that fans usually take one of two stances: they like the music but not the way the members look, or they like the exotic style but don't care very much for the music. I have only met a handful of people so far that like both the appearance and the sound of visual kei bands. I can't personally say that I like the music of every visual kei band, because the genre content is so varied, but even if I don't particularly favor a bands songs, I can still appreciate the effort and detail they put into their looks.

Diaura, all male members

What are your thoughts on visual kei bands' music and style?

Image sources:

The Gazette--https://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/visualkei/images/1/18/Gazette01.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20100721210819

Versailles--http://wallpapercave.com/wp/6v7vS29.jpg

Diaura--http://www.di-aura.com/slider_image/wide/1.jpg