Spotlight: The Yellow Button and Exclusive Coupon

Graduation season is upon us and while finals may be on your mind, finding the perfect dress or presents for the new grads in your life can be just as stressful. No fear, U of Style has the solution: it’s called The Yellow Button!  Located conveniently in downtown Harrisonburg at 191 South Main Street. The Yellow Button is a fashion boutique that offers “clothing that makes you feel great and look effortlessly stylish,” according to owner and buyer Miranda Lancaster.

Throughout the end of April and the whole month of May, The Yellow Button will be offering U of Style readers an exclusive coupon to shop the amazing selection of unique clothing and accessories. To receive this $5 off for every $50 you spend coupon, simply print the coupon and take it with you on your next trip to the Yellow Button.

With new inventory arriving daily, The Yellow Button is the right place to stock up on the perfect graduation ensemble and  new summer accessories that you will not find at home. The Yellow Button offers the best of two worlds with a small boutique atmosphere and many brands to choose from including:

• Free People
• Lucky Brand
• 7 for all Mankind
• Tulle
• Frye
• TOMS
• BCBGeneration

 Recently I bought these two dresses pictured above (left: Free People Flamingo Pink Shift Dress  right: Gentle Fawn Dress) and I am absolutely in love with them. I can’t wait to wear my cowboy boots with the Free People dress and the Gentle Fawn dress is perfect for a night out with my friends! So fashionistas head to The Yellow Button today and enjoy your exclusive coupon! Happy shopping!

Bargain of the Week: Foxfield Race Hats!

Still in need for a perfect hat for race day?  Well Target has the perfect option for girls on a budget!  With Foxfield Races quickly approaching this weekend, this will be a great last minute option.  Worn by sophomore, Nicole Bandy, this oversized hat combined with the perfect sundress will make your race day on Saturday.

For only $2.50, this is a great pick  for girls who are debating about whether they should even bother investing in a hat for Foxfield Races.  Available in three colors: tan, brown, and pink, these colors will work with any sundress!

So head over to Target and finalize your outfit for Saturday!  Not only will you be protected from the sun, but you’ll be satisfied with the price you paid for it!

Spotlight: A Dress Fit for a Princess

As the countdown to the Royal Wedding quickly approaches, all eyes are on Kate Middleton’s wedding day fashion. One of the most talked about topics and a question that is on every girl’s mind is the style of Kate’s wedding dress!  Recent speculation has cited Sophie Cranston of the Libélula label as the designer of the wedding gown. Even though I don’t know the identity of Kate’s dress, I do know that it will make fashion history and inspire future brides for years to come.

While we wait in anticipation till April 29th, here are some of my picks for a princess inspired wedding dress without the royal price tag!

The dresses (in order left to right) are White by Vera Wang, Oleg Cassini, and Galina Signature from David’s Bridal. Will you be watching Kate walk down the aisle? What are your royal wedding day predictions?

Want to look like a Princess?

Kate Middleton is said to be one of the top fashion icons in the world right now. Because of Kate’s fairy-tail story, degree from St. Andrew’s, and keen sense of fashion, she has become the ideal role model for girls around the world. But just because your future may not hold a prince or admission to St. Andrew’s (or maybe it will ?!)  doesn’t mean you can’t dress like this future Queen! Check out these outfits, inspired by the lovely Kate Middleton.

Royally yours,

Spotlight: Every Girl’s Dream

It’s every little girls dream to grow up and become a tiara wearing princess.  With the royal wedding approaching quickly, I really enjoyed seeing the potential tiara designs for Kate Middleton spotlighted in InStyle.  Designers have created numerous of sketches, but out of the many thirteen were chosen to be spotlighted in InStyle’s articles.  Designers include John Hardy, Alexis Bittar, Fenton & Fallon, Rodrigo Otazu for Swarovski, Johnny Rocket for Swarovski, Royal Asscher, Van Cleef and Arpels, Chopard, Judith Ripka, Isharya, Tacori, Cathy Waterman, and Anita Ko.

Out of the 13 designs presented within the article “Kate Middleton’s Tiara: Jewelry Designers Sketch Dream Tiaras” I particularly fell in love with Tacori’s design.  This tiara encompasses the traditional design of a tiara with a modern twist.  As a jewelry company founded in 1969, that prides itself in creating handcrafted and intricate jewelry designs, I think that Tacori’s tiara would be the perfect addition to Kate Middleton’s wedding day ensemble.

What tiara is your favorite?  Check out the article HERE and let us at U of Style know!

SPOTTED Spring Fashion: Dressing in Layers

I spotted James Madison University students, Calvin and Tyiesha, at the Delta Sigma Theta Cirque Du Soleil: GranD STand fashion show this weekend. They both were Spring fashionable in layers while enjoying the show.

Wearing layers is great for Spring because they keep you prepared for the quick temperature changes. You can easily take things on and off depending on the weather throughout the day.

What’s another plus about their looks?? Both Calvin and Tyiesha are wearing vintage pieces. Calvin’s cardigan belonged to his grandfather and Tyiesha’s blazer was a great find at a local thrift store!

Want to appear in our next SPOTTED segment? Dress extra fabulous this week and you may see your picture on UofStyle!

What to wear for when: EASTER!

With Easter on Sunday, I know a lot of college students will be making their way home for the weekend. Because of this, you will be exchanging your off-the-shoulder top and jeans for your Sunday Best. I know for me, sometimes what I think is fashionable and conservative, is not exactly what my mother deems appropriate… Therefore, if you want to be classy yet colorful, wear a bright, floral dress and pair it with a cute pair of peep toe heels. If your not in the mood for a bright outfit and recently been following the trends with a more subdued look, wear beige\nude with another subtle color. These outfits are fun, cute, and most of all family appropriate!  

Stay in fashion, 

How to: Wear Cowboy Boots

Cowboy Boots 

Growing up as a northern girl, cowboy boots were never really a big fashion hit for girls in my high school. Usually the only time I saw someone wearing them was if they were going to a country music festival. So naturally coming to college further south I saw girls who could pull off the cowboy boots look effortlessly. As a freshman I immediately decided I needed to buy a pair and figure out how to wear them. Here are some tips that I live by for how to wear cowboy boots, enjoy!

• Decide on a color, style and shape: Leather boots are the most common type and they come in several color options. Cowboy boots with a pointed toe look the most authentic. If you’re not comfortable going full out cowboy then you should choose a pair with a rounded toe. The last option you must decide upon is the length of your boots. You can go for the traditional look of the calf-length boot or opt for cute ankle cowboy boots.

• Embellish your boots: Do not be afraid to embellish your boots by buying a pair with studs or rhinestones like the boots in the picture above. These small details on your boots will be the perfect touch to add style to a casual look!

• Consider your budget: If you only want to wear your cowboy boots once and a while, you can find many cheaper options at places like Payless, Bakers or Forever 21. However, if you plan to keep your boots for a long time you should splurge and invest in a nicer pair like Fyre. Over time they will mold to your feet and be the most comfortable pair of shoes for both day and evening fashion.

• Dress them up or down: You can pair your cowboy boots with a casual dress to dress your outfit up or pair an embellished pair with jeans and a top. Add a few accessories like the Stella & Dot necklace above (I bought this last weekend and it is the perfect summer necklace) and you’re ready to go!

What are some of your favorite things to wear your cowboy boots with? Happy shopping fashionistas!

Guilty about shopping? Try GILT.COM

Do want to shop high-end brands at a low cost? DUH! Who wouldn’t? Well you’re in luck, fashionistas. Simply join Gilt.com and you’re in. Gilt.com provides its customers with sales on clothing and accessories of up to 60% off of brands such as Free People, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Prada, Calvin Klein, Seychelles– just to name a few. The only catch is that sale items go really quick, so be sure to be on your computer once the sale begins.The best part is that the brands are constantly changing, so if you miss one sale, you can definitely catch the next. Gilt.com even offers jetsetter opportunities, gift ideas, and things for men, women and children of any age. So join the Gilt.com and be part of the never-ending sale of the century!

What A Guy Wants: Fashionable Combinations

Here’s some food for thought:
I recently read  an article in Cosmo titled “101 THINGS ABOUT MEN.” In the article there was an excerpt explaining “The Combo That Dudes Can’t Resist.” Cosmo asked guys to rate women 1-10 based on the following combinations and these are the scores:

1. SKINNY JEANS AND A BEER: 10
2. A little black dress and a martini: 8
3. A miniskirt and a seabreeze: 8
4. A pencil skirt and a whiskey: 7
5. A tube top and a margarita: 5

Surprised? I had to say I was a little. But don’t fret fashionistas… I got the scoop and already have an outfit picked out for you! After asking some of my guy friends what they believe is the most flattering outfit, this is my conclusion for you to try sometime this weekend if you would like: cute black flowy tank, lighter jeans, strappy black heels, and most importantly, accessories that are big, bold, bright, and fun.

Stay in fashion,