culture – Style Babe

Trends // the trend that needs to come back

Published on June 27, 2017June 27, 2017 by Addie1 Comment

Hey Babes!‍

Fashion trends come and go, and then come again, and a lot of times, you never see them coming.

When a trend does resurface, you might be all about it, or you might wish that it stayed in the decade it came from. There’s a lot of mixed opinions, but since it’s a trend, there must be something about it that makes it “cool.”

Nowadays, you don’t have to look very hard to find out that a lot of the current fashion trends that “came back” are from the 1990’s/early 2000’s, and I, just like every other Milennial, LOVE the how today’s style reflects that beloved era.

But, even though I’m all about the chokers, crop tops, and mom jeans, there’s still one trend that I haven’t seen make a big comeback just yet: shell jewelry. More specifically, cowrie shell chokers and puka shell necklaces.

You might have read those names and thought “What?” And it’s ok if you did, because honestly, before writing this post, I didn’t know that this type of accessory had names other than “shell jewelry” either. And if you didn’t recognize the names, you’ll most likely recognize the pictures. Honestly, it’ll be pretty hard not to if you’re a 90’s baby.

In my opinion, these two trends deserve to come back along with the rest of the era they’re from, and I’m about to break them down and tell you why I think so.

The first of the two necklaces, the cowrie shell chokers, basically consists of a a row of cowrie shells woven onto a hemp or hemp-like string. The one I have is about as simple as it gets, but you’ll find that there’s a really wide and unique selection of styles when it comes to shopping for pieces such as this one.

They might have colored hemp, decorative beads, or the shells may dangle instead of being in a fixed position. It’s also common for the shells to be in between two pieces of string, so it looks kind of like a ladder.

When I was little, I loved the cowrie shell chokers because they were a chunky statement piece, and always looked handmade, which gave them a really home-y feeling. Plus, all of the older girls that I looked up to and wanted to be like always wore them so well and looked super stylish while wearing them.

I remember one summer camp I went to where we took a trip to Sea World, some other girls and I thought my group leader was the coolest person on the planet because she had a cowrie shell choker and a tounge piercing. After that, I just had to have one.

I can’t remember where I got it, but I did end up getting one eventually, and I still have it even though it’s just been sitting in my jewelry box.

The other trendy piece of shell jewelry from my childhood, the puka shell necklace, is a string of several small cone shell pieces. A lot of times, they have other beads or charms, such as a surfboard, or the shell shards can be dyed another color so that the necklace is something other than white.

The puka shell necklace itself, along with the process of making it, can actually be tied back to Hawaiian roots, but most people associate it with surfers and beachy lifestyles. I know it’s not just a Florida or California thing though, because when I was growing up, it seemed like every character on tv was wearing one, regardless of the setting.

Like the cowrie shell choker, I still have an old puka shell necklace sitting around in my room somewhere, but since I couldn’t find it in my old jewelry box, my sister let me borrow hers.

This particular necklace is from Ron Jon Surf Shop, so it’s most likely not “authentic,” and it’s probably overpriced, but it’s still the perfect example of a trend I want to come back.

That brings me to another good point and little side note: if you’re visiting any beaches this summer, and looking for some shell jewelry to take back as a souvenir, stay away from big tourist beach shops, and look for independent local shops, or individual local sellers themselves. It might be a search, but I know it’s common for the residents of beach towns to handmake and sell things like shell jewelry. If you’re lucky, they might even come up to you and have you take a look at their work while you’re lounging on the beach, I speak from experience.

Even though the puka shell necklaces appear a little more basic, and don’t always look as handmade as the chokers, I still think they’re cute, and I feel like their subtlety makes it easier to find things to wear them with. Pairing a cowrie shell choker with an Aztec print skirt might not look very good because they’re two different styles, but a puka shell necklace might go really well with said skirt, because they’re a solid white and don’t have a lot going on.

Also, the whole shells found on the chokers limits them to beachy styles, but the puka necklaces look more like shards and aren’t as obvious, so it won’t look like you’re wearing two contrasting styles if you wear it with a more boho or grunge outfit.

If these trends did come back, I’m not sure if I would wear them every day like my tattoo choker, but it would definetly be a cool acessory to wear to the pool or the beach, or if I happen to be wearing a beachy outfit. And since I already still have both of them, I wouldn’t need to go out searching for new ones.
I might just get my wish too, because the Prada Fall 2017 Ready-to-Wear runway show features quite a bit of shell jewelry, and anyone in the fashion industry knows that every big trend is first seen on the runway, so I’m going to take that as a very big hint from Prada.

What do you think about this trend? Is there a certain trend you want to see make a come back? Or not come back? As always, let me know in the comments!

dress well. eat well. live well.

××,

Addie

Hair // what you should know before getting rainbow hair

Published on April 26, 2017 by Addie5 Comments

Hey Babes!‍

I feel like every time I take pictures for a post, my hair is a different color. I was never the person that dyed their hair every month, but that’s who I’ve become in the past year.

I was really attached to my bleach blonde hair, and after seven years, it became a part of my identity. I never thought I’d be in a hair salon for anything other than a root touch up, until last summer when I decided it was time for a major change.

When I first made the desicion, I wrote about my experience and thoughts that led to it, but now that some time has gone by and I’ve done some experiementing, I thought I would do an updated version about what I’ve learned, and what you should know if you’re thinking about dying your hair an unnatural color.

But First, Bleach

Before getting into the colorful dyes, your hair needs to be bleached, or at least very light. If it’s not, the color won’t turn out and hold like it should, and you’ll end up wasting time and money. I happened to be lucky enough to be way past that step, but if you currently have dark hair, lightening it is a must before you can get to the fun stuff.

The thing about bleach is that it’s really harsh on your hair, and you have to be careful not to damage it too much. There’s no way to completely prevent damage, and once it’s done, you can’t undo it. It’s definetly something to think about, and you should definitely go to a professional, especially if you have long brown hair that’s never been dyed.

If you do decide to go through with bleaching your hair, you should know that getting to the color you want might even be a longer process. Depending on how drastic the change is, it might take a few trips to the salon before you get to the blue or pink shade that you desire. It’ll take patience, time, and money, but your hair will thank you for it in the long run.

If you’re on the fence about it, you might want to test the waters by dying a small section of your hair first, like a streak or the ends. That way you can get a feel for how harsh the chemicals are on your hair, how the color looks on you, how fast it fades, and what it looks like when it does fade.

Before I decided to go completely silver, I would just do the ends, so that I could still have the blonde I loved so much. I actually really liked the silver color, and well, you know the rest.

It Will Fade Fast

Speaking of fade, if you’re planning on having a funky hair color for awhile, then you also need to plan on getting it touched up regulalry, because it WILL fade, and fast. When you first walk out of the salon, you’ll have the vibrant color you were aiming for, but after the first wash you can expect it to become much more dull, and maybe even completely gone. However, if you stick with the same shade long enough, you’ll start to notice that takes a little more than two washes for it to disappear.

When I first went silver, you could barely tell after the second wash, if not the first, but as i kept getting it redone, my hair started to build a base and it would stay on longer every time. Eventually, by the time i went back for my next appointment, a lot of the silver was still there. I feel like that also helped pave the road for the rainbow colors I have now, because after 2 washes, it is still very much rainbow, and I don’t think that would’ve been the case if I had done it a few months ago.

You should only wash your hair every other day anyway, but if you want to keep the color bright for as long as you can, you should replace a couple of washes with a dry shampoo. When it is time for a real wash, using a shampoo and conditioner that is specifically for color treated hair will also help to keep the color from fading quickly.

Two other major things you want to stay away from are sunlight and chlorine, so if you’re planning on getting blue hair right before you head out on a tropical vacation, just know that it probably won’t be very blue by the time you leave. Last summer, I had a fresh color right before my cruise, and by the end of the 7th day I was definitely considered a blonde. To give you a side-by-side comparison, the first picture below was taken on day two, and the second was taken on day four. Of course that’s after being in the sun all day, every day, but there’s still a pretty big difference.

It’s an Investment

If you haven’t figured it out already, then going, pink, blue, green, multicolored, or whatever else, is an overall investment. How much of an investment depends on your hair now, what colors you want, and how long you want them for, so it’s different for everyone. Going silver, and then rainbow, was actually easier for me because I don’t have to worry about my roots as much, but it’ll be harder and more costly for someone who currently has jet black hair.

If you’re thinking about using a box dye to save money, you might want to think twice, especially if it’s been colored before, because you could end up ruining your hair and spending much more trying to repair it than you would’ve for an all over color. Whatever method you choose, I strongly suggest doing lots of research and at least getting a professional consultation first.

But the color itself is only half the investment, the other half is the care and maitenence. Like I mentioned before, if you’re going to want to find good hair products for color treated hair, and you want to make sure any products you’re using won’t cause damage, strip the color, or turn your hair green. If you love to swim, you’ll probably have to sacrifice going underwater without a swim cap, because chlorine is bad for the color too, but if you’re up for the challenge, then go crazy!

dress well. eat well. live well.

××,

Addie

Style // what to wear for a comfortable finals week

Published on April 25, 2017 by AddieLeave a comment

Hey Babes!‍

For college students, the end of April means one thing: Finals. I’m just about finished with my college career, but if there’s on thing I’ve learned about the end of the semester, it’s that finals schedules are unpredictable.

I don’t know about your college, but at my college, the day and time of the final exam is nothing close to the day and time that the class has been the rest of the semester. So even if all my classes are on Tuesday and Thursday, I might have three Wednesday and a Friday final.

But now matter when my tests are, or how many I have, it can still be stressful and involve a lot of studying. It’s not always easy to commit to study sessions that are several hours long, but feeling comfortable can help you to relax and improve your focus because you won’t be distracted by your clothing. When I’m looking for ultimate comfort, there’s certain styles I choose over others, and I’m sharing them with you so you can have an easier time getting through finals week.

Loose Shirt/Tank Top

It can be hard to stay focused on the important stuff if you start to feel sweaty or have to keeping readjusting your clothing. You might feel fine when you leave your apartment, but after migrating from place to place on campus, all of the movement might cause discomfort.

Constantly having to pull at your shirt because it’s sticking to your skin is a real annoyance, especially when you’re trying to study, but wearing loose tops will allow the air to flow in between your skin and the fabric, helping you feel cooler, and it won’t ride up like a fitted tank would. This works for both t-shirts and tank tops, but I personally like tanks better because I don’t have the extra fabric on my shoulder.

T-shirts and large tank tops don’t have to mean your old high school sports team shirts either, there’s tons of graphic tees and tanks out there that will allow you to look stylish and feel comfortable. I’m pretty sure I got this “BATCAT” muscle tank at PacSun around Halloween a few years ago, but it’s perfect for year-round studying because it’s cute, thin, loose, and isn’t too “Halloweenish”.

PINK makes a lot of cute ones with fun sayings too, and you can never go wrong with repping your school. If you don’t want the standard name/logo tee that the bookstore offers, check local boutiques and online stores for cuter and less expensive options. I love this FSU themed “Fear It” tank that I found in a small shop in Thomasville, Georgia, because it’s unique, stylish, and I can still show school spirit.

Light Cardigan

Unfortunately, you don’t always have control of the air conditioning, and after sitting in the library or a coffee shop for awhile, you might realize that it is suddenly really hot or really cold. Once you notice one of the extremes, that’s eventually all you are going to be able to think about, and it’s hard to concentrate if you’re sweating or shivering.

You can always put a jacket on if it’s cold, but if it’s hot, you’re limited on what you can take off. That’s why I like to wear the lightest top and bottoms possible and have a light sweater and/or pair of sweatpants handy to warm me up as needed. Also, different buildings may have big differences in temperature, so you’ll be prepared if going from a comfortble room temperature to freezing air conditioning.

If you bring sweatpants with you, you might have to find room for them in your bag, unless they have detachable legs, but with a cardigan you can easily tie it around your waist or drape it over the back of your chair when you aren’t using it, making it easily accessible and convenient to grab so you don’t have to entirely stop what you are doing. You don’t have to bring both, but it is a good idea to have one, depending on if your legs or arms get colder easily.

I like to keep this oversized garnet cardigan reserved for long study sessions because it’s loose enough to move around in, but still keeps me warm. Plus, it has a hood and a zipper for extra convenience.

Sweatpants

As I just mentioned, you might want to have a pair of sweatpants that you can slip on if it gets cold, but they’re also a good option if you don’t want to wear shorts. I love leggings and yoga pants, but not if I’m planning to sit in the library with my laptop and a textbook for hours.

When sitting for a long period of time, I change positions frequently to stay awake and focused, and a lot of those positions include folding my legs on the chair, or stretching out one leg onto another object. Yoga pants don’t give me the flexibility to stay comfortable for that long because the elasticity will only let me stretch my legs so far before I feel like they’ll tear. Also, if I’m moving around a lot, sometimes the waistband will tend to slide down and I have to readjust more than I want to, because I can’t focus if I feel like my pants are falling off.

Loose fitted sweatpants are a better choice because they still offer the comfortable and relaxed feeling that yoga pants give you, but you’ll be able to sit in many positions without feeling the pull of the fabric. If the legs have elastic cuffs, it’s even better because if you suddenly notice that you are hot or cold, you can roll them up or down as needed. If you have a full day on campus, one building may be hot, but another cold, so it’s always good to be able to roll them up/down.

It’s not my school, but my University of Wisconsin sweatpants are my favorite because they have the fitted waist and elastic leg cuffs I was just talking about, and the inside is warm and fuzzy, so they’re still comfortable despite the bagginess.

Slip On Shoes

Sneakers are more comfortable for walking, but when you’re at a desk for a few hours straight, you’re feet might want some time to breathe. If you’re at home, it won’t be a problem taking your shoes on and off, but in public places, it’s not usually considered socially acceptable, and you could look like “that” person and cause the whole room to smell like feet.

You can avoid this with sandals, and but if they have a strap on the back it can still be hassle. Every time you want to take them on or off, you’ll have to adjust the strap, and it puts an extra step inbetween getting up to freshen up in the bathroom or order another coffee. By wearing backless sandals that you can easily slip on and off, you’ll be able to make yourself at home in a quiet corner of the library and easily get up if you need to.

These flip flops from American Eagle might make a lot of noise when walking, but they make it a lot easier to sprawl out on the floor or in a bean bag chair.

If you keep these tips in mind, you’re sure to have a more comfortable experience studying or taking an exam. But clothing is just one part of it, and it’s not a bad idea to have water, snacks, and a game plan with you when preparing for the last week of the semester.

I wish you all a successful and low-stress finals week!