Oxford Strolls

To college students around the world this week they speak of as, "finals week" happens to be the most stressful, brain-wrenching, and dreaded week of the ENTIRE semester. Growing up, I always heard my older siblings complain about this week and now that I have had to endure it, I now understand why it is so disliked. In preparation for this life-sucking week, my wonderful roomies and I planned of for a day in the city shopping to soothe our souls and that is where my inspiration came from this past week.

This week's style diary features my beautiful roommate, Allene Leak. As she was getting ready, I saw her outfit laying out on her bed and instantly knew that I wanted to feature her uptown/european style on The Retro Renegade. This look was the perfect ensemble for a breezy day in Honolulu. The outfit was fun and flirty and truly showed her personality. 

This look consisted of: 

H&M Printed Dress, which she bought on her adventures in London.

A Madewell Leather Bag & Belt

American Eagle Outfitters Geometric Sandals

This outfit was such a statement and I feel like it sums up the holiday spirit here in Hawaii. With the hidden red pigment in the design, it brought a touch of festive to her overall look. The holidays here are nothing like in the states but it is still its own kind of holiday spirit. She even has her toes painted to match the red! All in all, this outfit has Allene's name written all over it. 

 As I prepare to head back to the mainland (AKA LAND OF SWEATERS!), I am looking forward to truly dress in the holiday spirit. No more subtle reds and greens while wearing shorts and tankinis, time for the sweaters, boots, and scarfs! Thank you Allene for being a wonderful model & The Retro Renegade is lucky to feature your fun and unique style! 

Stay classy and very warm my precious readers.

Till Next Time!

Xoxo

-The Retro Girl 

Be a Part of The Love Club

Recently I have been having this mad obsession over Lorde. I heard her hit "Royals" months ago and of course  fell in love, but this weekend I happened to purchase her EP The Love Club, as well her new album, Pure Heroine. Let's just say, she is the inspiration to this weeks style diary and I have no regrets about that. 

This week was filled with so much driving! Although I am on a small island, you'd be amazed the miles I happened to travel this week. Whether it was a run-away morning to the fabric store in Pearl City to get the finishing touches for my latest dress creation (I will blog about that soon!!), an emergency trip to Starbucks, the Midnight premier of the Hunger Games (my life is forever change), and the necessary gelato breaks in Honolulu, I had plenty of time to soak in Lorde's new tunes while on the road.

My inspiration for this outfit came from the song "The Love Club" on her first EP. It says, "Be a part of the love club, everything will glow for you. Go get punched for the love club, for the love club" and I felt like this outfit was the perfect combination of "glow" and "punch" or my interpretation being rough and romantic. 

I chose to start my outfit with my Forever 21 Printed Pencil Skirt and add my Fushia Peplum Blouse from American Eagle Outfitters. I first added a Banana Republic Black Sweater but felt it was a little to professional looking for a Sunday Morning look and decided to add an American Eagle Outfitters Denim Jacket to create more of rough appeal. I added Black Wedges from The Loft and an Ann Taylor Navy and Gold statement necklace. I did a simple side bun and wore my square diamond earrings. 

I felt like this was the perfect Sunday outfit, although I did hate all the layers in this hot weather. It the perfect combination of romantics and roughness. The moment I got my black wedges from Loft, I  have found myself wanting to add them to every outfit and this has to be one of my favorite. (Thanks Mom, you always find the best shoes)

Who knew outfit inspiration could come from my latest album obsession?! But that is the funny thing about fashion, it is not just clothes, it is a lifestyle. The way you dress says what kind of person you are, your mood, your outlook on life, and much more. Putting my daily inspirations into my outfits has become second nature to me and I hope all can master this. Most of us do not even realize how every aspect of our lives affects our personal style. This week try and channel your inspirations into your outfits.

Look for inspiration all around and apply it to this weeks outfits. Change things up, be you, and rock that look you've been dying to try. 

Till Next Time!

Xoxo

-The Retro Girl 

Fall without the Fall

Fall has always been my favorite time of year. Whether it was the outbreak of my sweaters, change of colors on the trees, or the overdose of hot cocoa- Fall had it all. As I have continued to adjust to my new life in Hawaii, the absence of Fall has actually been an adjustment for me. I have found myself heading to Starbucks (just to get my White Chocolate Pumpkin to feel like it truly is October) and have managed to decorate the dorm room with my witches and ghosts(although I SWORE I would never decorate like my mother!) All week I have tried to incorporate Fall color schemes and trends into my paradise wardrobe and this look happens to be just one of my favorites. 

Although it looks like this if FAR from a Hawaiian outfit, this look actually was the perfect combination for an overcast, cool day in Laie. It felt so refreshing to finally wear a sweater and take my interpretation of a Fall look on a island that somehow survives without this season we all know as "Fall"

This outfit consisted of:

-H&M Button up sleeveless blouse

-Forever 21 Mustard Sweater

-Forever 21 Abstract Snake Skin Pencil Skirt

-H&M Clutch 

-Juicy Couture Statement Watch

-Loft Gold Bracelet

-Loft Black Wedges

This entire outfit is one that a broke little college girl can afford to buy while sticking to her budget. Although everyone loves the Chanel, Dior, Gucci, Prada's of the world, fashion does not just come from the label. Anyone can make a statement in any outfit. Explore fall trends and try them out- Whatever your weather condition-Sun or Snow, let the Fall trends begin! 

Hope you are all having a fantastic Monday!

Xoxo

-The Retro Girl


*sweater creds to the one and only, Allene Marie Leak! 

First Day of School Cliché Post

As my first semester of college began today, I pondered on what on earth I wanted to wear. I wanted to make sure all who I came in contact with knew how much fashion means to me. I decided to wear a maxi dress from Pacsun with a cream eyelit cut out blouse and a denim vest. Being in Hawaii, the wearing so many layers seems to be uncommon but I instantly fell in love with the outfit and decided it would be my look. Here's to a new year and a new me! Yay for being one step closer to my career in fashion! 

Xoxo

-The Retro Girl