Category Archives: Fashion

The last week of school is finally here. With summer quickly approaching and finals week soon after, many of you have probably switched your focus to the warm weather and with warm weather comes beaches.

You’ll finally be able to head out to your favorite shore spot wearing your favorite bikini. For this relaxed time, you probably don’t want to scamper around in just your bikini but you definitely don’t want to cover up completely, especially after you’ve lathered yourself in tanning oil all day long. Instead, opt for one of the many cover-up options available.

Beach Dress

This is a very reliable and favorite of many girls. These dresses always come in all sorts of fun patterns and colors and it’s so simple to throw one over your bikini with a pair of flip-flops. Continue reading →

As much as we might be jealous we have to face the truth: guys’ clothing is much more comfortable than ours. I don’t know if it’s the fit, the material or something else, but it feels so nice and snug to throw on one of their sweaters or big shirts and walk around the house. However, there’s one article of clothing that feels nice to wear and could actually be used outside of the house.

Boyfriend jeans are still comfortable but after a bit of styling, can look good as well. They go perfectly with the menswear trend that is slowly taking over all major fashion houses. Whether it’s a boyfriend cut of girl jeans or your actual boyfriend’s jeans, both can be used to create comfortable and stylish outfits. Continue reading →

Fresh off her fashion debut last weekend, Valley sat down with the woman behind Billie Jean Bowties and Designs, Nicolette Orji, for the latest on her original line.

Valley: How did you get your start in fashion?

Nicolette: My passion for fashion started when I was in high school. I subscribed to Seventeen Magazine and Teen Vogue and was inspired by what I saw. I also started shopping at the thrift store in high school. That made me passionate about clothes because of the different options I had of putting an outfit together. I was able to showcase that passion and love when I came to Penn State. My sophomore year, I was the fashion show director for an event at Penn State Altoona called Taste of Africa. I had to help come up with the clothes, concepts, themes and music for the show and I really enjoyed doing that. After the show, it made me realize how much I wanted to be a part of the fashion world. It made me realize my calling in life.

V: How have you developed your brand, Billie Jean Bowties and Designs? Continue reading →

Showing a little skin is sexy as long as it leaves something to the imagination, but what is a girl to do when the latest trend is showing almost your entire chest and sternum? Tops with deep V’s (sometimes almost hitting your belly button) are one of the latest fashion crazes.  Unfortunately, the trickiest thing about this deep V-neck trend is all about knowing how to rock this style but in a classy way.

One of the easiest things to do when wearing a shirt with a very deep V is to make sure that’s the only overexposed body part.  It’s all about balance.  So if you feel daring enough to rock that V that plunges down to just above your belly button, maybe pair it with a cute pair of flair jeans or a blazer. Continue reading →

Etsy.com is a go-to place for all of your handmade and vintage needs. It also has a ton of the most awesome recycled jewelry you’ve ever seen. Here are our favorites:

Typewriter key jewelry

If you’re a lover of writing and/or reading (or just super trendy), take a look at some of Etsy’s typewriter key jewelry. You can find rings, bracelets, necklaces and earrings that feature real typewriter keys. If you want to stay classic, go with the first letter of your name. If you want to draw a little more attention to your one-of-a-kind jewelry, go with a semicolon or a “back space”. The choice proves difficult with so many awesome options.

Vinyl record jewelry

Listening to a vinyl is great, but now you can wear it, too. LesCreationsdAna on Etsy sells handcrafted recycled vinyl record earrings. The designs aren’t as chaotic or obnoxious as some recycled soda can jewelry. The earrings are simple, yet eye-catching and contemporary. From posts to dangles, this shop has got you covered for affordable, beautiful recycled jewelry.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/LesCreationsdAna

Zippers

Zippers as jewelry? OK! Artstudio88 on Etsy has incredibly awesome handmade and recycled zipper bracelets and earrings. Zippers are badass, but not for every dress or pair of pants. So, when you’re looking to add some zip to your outfit, slip one of these on instead. These bracelets are made from colorful fabric, too, so they’re super cute rather than super intimidating.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/artstudio88?section_id=12447560&page=1

Chubbies. What are they? They’re not a nickname for fat people, they’re a staple of any serious frat star’s wardrobe.

Chubbies are a cotton short that falls high above the knee, and comes in pastel colors and fun prints like the American flag.

A word to the wise: Chubbies are not forgiving. The person who can wear chubbies is not too tall, not too short, not too skinny and not too fat. So if you’re about 6 feet, give or take a few inches in each direction, and in decent shape, you’re golden. Continue reading →

Summer is right around the corner, and we all know what that means. Time to pack away the sweaters and boots and break out the sunscreen and sunglasses. As designers begin to release their summer lines, here are the latest summer trends to keep your eyes protected from the sun but still looking fabulous.

Rounded

The Jackie Kennedy style has returned. This year, rounded sunglasses, whether small or large, are trending worldwide.

Decorated

Decorated frames are the latest trend. Experiment with floral, rhinestones or anything else that pleases your eye!

Bold

Dolce and Gabana’s newest line features bold, thick frames paired with vibrant summery colors.

Colorful Shades

Gucci’s newest line features lenses of hot pink, sea foam green, yellow, and blue. View the world in every color of the rainbow.

Mirrored

Be mysterious this summer with mirrored glasses. Find these in any shade or size.

Cat Eyed

Follow in the footsteps of Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn with this classic style.

Over-sized Geometric Shapes

Fendi’s newest line offers different geometric shapes. Explore with triangles, rectangles and octagons.

“I’ve always loved glasses, there’s something mysterious and classic about them, hence why I own 12 pairs. I think it’s the one thing about fashion that will never go out of style,” says Katie Sawchuk, an associate at Urban Outfitters who has a true passion for sunglasses.  She shared her personal preferences for summer styles with Valley.

“This year, I’m a really big fan of the 60 chic Jackie O glasses, as well as the cat inspired look that’s been really popular,” she says.

Use your own style and mix and match with these new summer trends.

Photo by Jonathan Hsieh

While the spring semester may be one of the most hectic times of the year, it is also undeniably the most exciting. Packed with exams, formals and other events stressing over finding the perfect dress should be the last of our worries. And with our jam-packed schedules planning a shopping trip can seem nearly impossible. However, we have good news ladies.

We were luckily born in the age of computers and have access to millions of online shopping sites. While searching through the all these websites can be tiring and seem impossible, if you know a few good go-to sites, looking for the perfect spring dress can become an easy and enjoyable process! Below are a few great places that will serve as your spring dress lifesavers! Continue reading →

The weather is finally above 30 degrees, the birds are chirping and the flowers are starting to sprout their stems. Basically, it’s finally springtime! And what does that mean? It’s time for spring fashion.

The maxi dress should be a staple in every girl’s spring/summer wardrobe. They’re fun, breezy and effortlessly chic. That is, if you do them right.

The idea of wearing a maxi dress can be daunting. Because of their design, maxi dresses can go from fashionable to frumpy in a hot second. But there’s no reason to fear the maxi, so long as you follow some basic guidelines. Continue reading →

Arguably the most essential item in a woman’s closet, the nude colored shoe may not scream “Look at me!” but it certainly has the power to complete a number of different outfits in any wardrobe. You won’t regret purchasing an investment piece like this! The versatility of a nude shoe is endless and its crazy level of wearability promises you’ll be saving money without even knowing it! Check out some of the different options below to find your perfect look! Continue reading →