latest uniform

Isn't it awesome when you find two items that were estranged at different ends of a store, put them together and suddenly can't picture life without their coexistence? I know, right? I have no idea what makes me love this combination so much, but the semi-fitted leather tank and slightly destroyed boyfriend shorts seems like such an obvious combination to me now, I can't believe I haven't been wearing this outfit every day for this whole summer. This is a case where being an outfit repeater is totally acceptable and in fact, encouraged. Now if you're skeptical about this look let me just say, I don't think I would have loved this look so much a few years ago either. I can almost guarantee you if I wore this outfit among some of my male friends they would maybe mostly probably actually definitely hate it. Some may think, "Well I can't really see any evidence that she has a butt or boobs and her heels may make her slightly awkwardly taller than me so this isn't fun for anyone." Oops, sorry. I don't dress for you.

Photos by Lynne

Outfit Details: Top: Gypsy Warrior (similar), Shorts: Gypsy Warrior, Necklace: Topshop (similar), Armband: Free People, Reversible Vegan Leather Bag: Free People (large size), Shoes: Jeffery Campbell x Free People

yours,

Austen 

morningside

Too often, we get stuck in our own bubble of the city. We find our complacent footsteps following the same sidewalks, which lead to the same intersections and we forget to wander. But after we've forgotten, we remember. We try to make it up to the city, which pardons us because it knows we are jaded in some ways, but not all. It turns out walking a few blocks out of your comfort zone reveals a pretty spectacular view, and a desire to get lost in the shadows of the six-story walk-ups as you amble back to safety. 

Photos by Celine

Outfit Details: Top: Lush, Jeans: BDG (similar), Jacket: H&M (similar), Shoes: Jeffery Campbell x Free People, Sunglasses: ZeroUV, Necklace: Brooklyn Charm

yours,

Austen

drive

Muted backgrounds call for red lips. Everyone knows that. They balance each other out like an equation you could never solve in calculus. An unexpected pairing sure, but harmonious nonetheless. Another valiant effort to inject some color into my wardrobe in the persistant monochrome battle. Picked up the patterned skirt from the LF sale, which every girl knows is one of the best deals of the season. Some people complain about the chaos of the sale, but that's the best part from my point of view. It's like the world's greatest treasure hunt. I've experienced the sale from every angle, from the ease of picking something up when I first walked in to the struggle of crawling on the floor for hours searching for an estranged shoe that got separated from its match. Best advice? It's always worth it, so go for it. 

Photos by Raney

Outfit Details: Sweater and Skirt: LF, Top: Gypsy Warrior, Shoes: Free People x Jeffery Campbell, Hat: BP Nordstrom, Necklace: Brandy Melville

yours,

Austen 

(from the) street style

I love when things have a way of finding you. There I was, walking to MoMA making what seemed like an infinite trek from Avenue of the Americas over to fifth when something caught my eye. I walked back to the chain-link fence and pryed off a piece of black velvet/sheer fabric decorated with repeated geometric somethings. So, thank you to the stranger that placed the top where I would stumble across it. My wardrobe is forever grateful.

Photos by Ava

Outfit Details: Top: literally found on the street dangling from a fence, Pants: Necessary Clothing (similar), Jacket: Free People (similar), Necklace: Brooklyn Charm, Shoes: Jeffery Campbell

yours,

Austen

white blank page

The back to school rush has hit full force. Students flooding back into the spaces they abandoned while seeking adventure or comfort or escape from academia. Reuniting with friends makes the city feel warm even as snow falls upon us and outlines our bodies with flurries of pure white. Each moment feels new, even if you have experienced it a thousand times before. Tabula rasa. It's like we never left, but at the same time, it isn't. Time spent inside urges us to reflect inward as well and reconsider what we thought we had previously believed to be an absolute truth.

Photos by Ava

Outfit Details: Top: Prabal Gurung for Target (similar), Shorts: Gypsy Warrior, Necklace: Free People (similar), Shoes: Jeffery Campbell

yours,

Austen

ninteen seventy something

The year was 1975, or 76. The Who toured the U.S. and it was wild. People crammed too close together wearing well-loved t-shirts and lots of denim, hoping to catch a glimpse of the stars on stage. It was the age of the frameless sunglasses and rock and roll. Strangers would laugh and clink their beers and wave American flags above their heads as they got lost in the chaos of strobe lights and lyrics that carried them high above the venue. It was a magical time, as I like to imagine. 

Photos by Lynne

Outfit Details: Tee: Topshop (similar), Leggings: Necessary Clothing (similar), Blazer: Lush, Bag: Brandy Melville (similar), Shoes: Jeffery Campbell

yours,

Austen

all that glitters

Winter break is an imperative of the college calendar. For me it means time for flipping through magazines that have piled up at home, scribbling musings, thoughts and blog posts, and of course, the celebrations. Holiday parties are my favorite; family and friends crowded together, exchanging stories and embraces and exclamations. For this gathering, I opted once again for the cross necklace with velvet top thing as you can see. It has that medieval vibe, but it's a subtle one. Can you blame me for the repetition?

 Photos by Jim

Outfit Details: Top: Gypsy Warrior, Shorts: Necessary Clothing, Tights: Urban Outfitters (similar), Necklace: Free People (similar), Shoes: Free People x Jeffery Campbell 

yours,

Austen