Name: Harley Emery
Hometown: Springfield, Oregon
Year: Freshman
Major: International Studies and Spanish
How would you describe your style? How did you develop it?
I would describe my style as primarily preppy-urban, but I have definitely gone through phases where I dressed a bit edgier. I developed my style by reading fashion magazines at first, like Seventeen and Vogue. Then I just started experimenting with different looks to find out what worked for me and what didn’t. I think my style is definitely still evolving, and I’m sure it will change quite a bit more in my lifetime!
If someone was struggling to find or develop a style, what advice would you give her?
I would advise her to invest in classic articles of clothing that are of good quality, and will never go out of style (e.g. nice jeans, sweaters, simple skirts, etc.). Once she has the basics, then she can experiment with adding accessories and more personal pieces until she finds what makes her feel best about herself.
What are your favorite stores? Why?
My favorite stores right now are Express, Urban Outfitters, and H&M. I love Express because it has a great mix of professional, going-out, and day-to-day clothing. It’s a great place to get good-quality, timeless clothing that you can wear for years (I have skirts and dresses from Express that I’ve had for four years. They are still in style, because they are just so classic). Urban Outfitters is another favorite of mine, because their clothing is so laid-back and unique. H&M is great in large part because of its reasonable prices. It’s challenging for many college students to find cute clothes on a budget, and H&M does a fantastic job at catering to that type of customer.
What are some clothing items or accessories that you cannot live without?
Living in the Pacific Northwest, I wear boots almost on a daily basis. That being said, I find it very important to always have a variety of boots in my closet, so my outfits don’t always look the same. At the moment, my black Chelsea boots and my (fake) Timberland boots are my favorites. I am also going through a huge trench coat phase and cannot live without my beige duster.
What would you say is that one something special that makes a killer outfit?
I’ve noticed lately that the outfits that always stand out to me most on other people are the ones with personal touches. Adding your own unique touch to a trend or a simple outfit sets you apart from everyone else wearing similar things, and shows that you think for yourself when it comes to fashion, which is extremely important. When it comes down to it, trends fade, but the individuality that you add to your clothing will last a lifetime.
What would you suggest if you only have five minutes before you walk out the door?
Put on some nice jeans, boots, and a cute sweater! Maybe add some lipstick to complete your outfit!
Is there any trend that you wish would come back again or disappear entirely? Why?
I would do just about ANYTHING to make the UGGs and Birkenstocks trends die completely and never come back. Ever. Neither are flattering, and both make any outfit look sloppy in my opinion.
A trend – or more like a way of life – that I wish would come back would be people dressing up for day-to-day activities. I would love to see more people wearing skirts, dresses, jewelry, and all-around more professional looking outfits on campus.
What are some beauty or fashion tips you learned from pageants?
I learned that putting effort into how you present yourself always pays off, regardless of whether you are going to school, work, or into a job interview. Showing that you put thought into how you look shows confidence, and that you really care about whatever it is that you are doing.
Do you believe makeup can impact fashion, and if so, how?
Absolutely. If your makeup looks nice, it can dress up any outfit and make you look more put-together. On the other hand, if you are wearing too much makeup, it can distract from your outfit.
If you had the possibility to switch closets with anyone, who would it be? Why?
If I could switch closets with anyone, it would be Karlie Kloss. Our styles are pretty similar, and she probably has an incredible closet because of all of the designers she’s worked with.