Abby Strusowski
Abby pictured on the left
Year: First-Year
Major: Journalism
Fashion is an art form that allows us to express who we are by what we wear. This expression is indicative of our style. The way I see style is similar to a fingerprint: everyone has it and no two are alike. While some people find their fashion niche in big brand names, others may choose the thrift and consignment store route. Some might even mix and match, adding pieces from both ends of the fashion spectrum to create a new kind of panache. Everything we wear contributes to our personal style—from a good pair of jeans to a simple wristwatch.
“I didn’t really think I had one to be honest,” Abby jokingly said when asked how she would describe her style “I just wear whatever looks good to me. I don’t really care what other people think. I really like simple outfits that I can pair with crazy shoes.”
Paying a visit to Abby’s closet, I instantly noticed her quaint yet diverse shoe collection. “I have crazy print shoes and some with different textures,” Abby said as she held up a playful pair of cheetah print pointed-toe ankle boots, “And I don’t go over board with my shoes, or any of my clothes really, when it comes to prices.”
Being able to pair shoes differently with multiple outfits is something Abby seems to have mastered. “I wear these three pairs the most right now and I just interchange them,” Abby said.
Shopping can be a daunting task for the average person. Going to one store after the other, rummaging through racks of clothing and standing in line can make a day of shopping feel like an eternity. On top of that, there is no worse feeling than entering a store and having to check the price tag to make sure your fashion taste matches up with how your bank account is looking on that given day.
Abby pictured on the right
To get the most bang for her buck, Abby has found an alternative way to achieving her simple and modern style of dress that encompasses neutrals and fun pops of color. “Forever 21 is like my holy grail because there are pieces in there that look more expensive than they actually are. Just recently they put a Nordstrom Rack in the mall by my house… oh my God. I’ve never actually bought anything from the actual Nordstrom, but I love Nordstrom Rack because it’s basically the same stuff with better prices. I think the thrill of finding things on sale is a lot more fun than the actual clothes.”
Accessories are also a big part of personal style. It takes a special kind of person to be able to find good quality clothing and accessories for an even better price. “I follow a lot of fashion bloggers on Instagram and I’ll try to find pieces that they wear for a cheaper price. If I see someone with a $300 handbag I’ll go find a similar one for $20. Even the nice Kate Spade bags that I have are from the sale section. I could just never spend that much money on one thing. All the sunglasses I own I got from Forever 21 for $5.”
Along with some brand name pieces, Abby also finds thrifting to be a great source of finding clothing that pairs well with her contemporary fashion sense. “Some people don’t like spending the time to go hunting through the thrift store, but personally I love it.”
Most times it’s not about where we buy the clothes, it’s how we style them that makes those fashion-forward individuals stand out. “I feel like sometimes people will see something I’m wearing and think I spent all this money on it but in reality I got it for half-off with a coupon.”