It's October, which means Starbucks is bringing back the famous 'pumpkin spice latte', the crunch of dry leaves on the ground signals a familiar cold season approaching, and of course, dark tones are back to making a statement in the world of retail.

Now dark colors usually correspond to an edgy, grunge-like motif when they break out of the closets and make appearances in Forever 21 windows; but I've noticed, as I caught myself one day staring at the ensembles of choice, the new slogan for this season, 'Fall is Femme.'

Interesting, yet unique.  The view of dark tones is changing each season, incorporating tones from the yellow-orange-red color spectrum into the oversized sweaters, scarves and bomber jackets that consistently trend each fall season is now considered a more feminine look.  They are being paired with black, navy and gray pants, ideally skinny jeans or leggings, and completed with articuraly-laced combat boots.  However, this popular look is no longer associating dark tones as indicators of being unapproachable.

In fact, fall is made for most women.  Each year, after the hot summers, the idea of getting cozy in an oversized sweater while still looking like you got dressed for the morning is pristine, because many girls want to be comfortable and look put together, which is difficult to do for most other seasons. 

The styles keep updating and the trends are being followed. Pinterest and Instagram have been the meccas for everyday attire, making pictures available to users by displaying unique clothing combinations and popular pieces for fall.  

This fall, the most trended color look seems to be olive, burnt orange, mahogany and burnt chambray, paired with the original dark tones - black, navy and gray.  

Image Source: images/stories/blogs/fall femme.jpg

Fashion is about more than just clothes to freshmen Aaron Greene and RJ Miller. Stepping out of your comfort zone can be difficult, especially in a new environment, but it is no challenge for these two. It's no wonder the two roommates were "Best Dressed" in high school, as they find inspiration from diverse aspects, including family members, fashion magazines and the people that surround them on a daily basis. The relaxed personalities of Greene and Miller are reflected in their style, as they include unique adornments ranging from shoes to watches to button-ups, accenting styles that cannot be duplicated.

Q: describe your style in one word.

Aaron Greene: Finesse

RJ Miller: Unique

Q: what inspires you?

Aaron Greene: My family. My mom, dad and brother are all-fashionable and have always inspired me to dress my best. Every time I go out, I try to look presentable. My dad encouraged me to always to look my best every time I step out.

RJ Miller: I like to set an example and have a standard for myself.

 Q: where do you shop?

Aaron Greene: I do a lot of vintage shopping.

RJ Miller: Urban Outfitters is one major place I like to shop.

Q: what is your general opinion on style at the University of South Carolina campus?

Aaron Greene: There's hardly any diversity as far as fashion is concerned. Everyone seems to be fitting to the status quo

RJ Miller: I feel like what everyone is wearing on campus is what everyone is used to.

Q: what is your favorite piece of clothing?

Aaron Greene: The Beatles used to wear English Laundry. I love artists that aren't afraid of trying something different. Musicians correlate to fashion that way. I'm inspired by people like Jimi Hendrix. They all went out on a limb for what they loved.

RJ Miller: I just bought Olympic Sevens this summer. They are my favorite thing I own. And I think it is cool that Michael Jordan wore them in the 1992 Olympics.

Q: why is it important for you to express yourself through what you wear?

Aaron Greene: I think dressing a certain way shows how you feel. I present myself. People express their feelings through different things. Fashion is that outlet for me.

RJ Miller: It definitely is a way to express yourself, and it can be inspirational for others. People see you around and it leaves an impact

Q: what's advice would you give to other students seeking to express themselves through fashion?

Aaron Greene: Be who you are. Even if no one else is brave enough to, you still can.

RJ Miller: Look through fashion magazines to find what you want to wear. You don't just have to buy it because everyone else is.

Q: is there anything you'd like to add?

Aaron Greene: I encourage people to not be afraid of who they are. Fashion is more than just clothes. It's how you carry yourself. Confidence is a huge part of it. Fashion illustrates that.

RJ Miller: One thing is that I feel like fashion/ "swag" is not a one-day thing. It is a lifestyle that you have to live.

This week marks the kick-off for the launch events of Columbia Style Week (this year, June 5^-9) and, needless to say, I am super stoked. To make sure this year’s event week starts off with a bang, they’ve decided to host a few mini-events to build anticipation, and boy did it work. Last Saturday,

they held an event called Posh and Panache hosted at M² in the Vista. This is probably the cutest store to ever hit Columbia. Clarissa started her store in her very own apartment in New Jersey, and then opened her first brick-n-mortar store in Atlanta. Since there hasn’t ever been anything else like it in Columbia, her local family advised her to open a store here. Selling everything from printed tunics to True Religion jeans, there’s something for everyone’s price point. Here are a couple greatly styled pictures from the night.

Above, the back says it all. Below is me with the owner and, again, go check her store out in the Vista. Let’s be honest, you are guaranteed to find something that could always have a place in your closet.

Here we are, at the beginning of February, and apparently the groundhog thinks we’re going to have 6 more weeks of winter. I think that Mr. Punxsutawney Phil is a complete liar. I wasn’t aware that winter meant clear, blue skies with highs in the low 70s. I mean, I am NOT complaining, I love it, but let’s be honest, how the heck are we still supposed to dress in winter wear when all I really want to do is throw on some "jorts," a tank and a snazzy pair of flipflops on my way to class and call it a day. It looks a tad weird on my grossly pale skin, though. Just sayin’…I think there are still some definite, great ways to dress for this warmer weather while still being considered "winter attire." Here are two great outfits; one for day and the other for night: 

DAYTIME

Here is a great go-to look for rushing to class or walking around town with a coffee or tea in hand. A great pair of skinnys, flat boots (because it is definitely not appropriate to wear flipflops yet), a great solid tee and a lightweight sweater with, might I add, shoulder cut-outs. This still says it’s a cold month, but warmer for some freakish reason. You can certainly find this entire outfit in my closet.

NIGHTTIME 

Here, I'm giving you 2 looks to check out, only because there are those who either like to get super dressy for nights on the town, or, like me, who try slightly, but by the end of the day, you don’t really care to impress anyone (unless it's with your sarcasm). Shown above, this look is a great demonstration of how to go out with out wearing a jacket. She's sporting a semi-summery dress, but when paired with tights and closed-toe heels, it's turned into a great nighttime ensemble for February.

The look shown below is definitely a bit more my style. A light, long-sleeved tunic will keep you warm when you’re outside, and cooler when inside. Another great pair of skinnys, whether leather-inspired or denim and a closed-toe heel again, shows off your footwear and can help keep you comfy.

So, here’s to living in the South, where we can basically wear whatever we want while still dawning our "wintergear." I know I’m still wearing my faux fur here, people.

Image Sources: http://images.nymag.com/fashion/08/fall/fur0808_slideshow_btn.jpg; pinterest.com; vi.sualize.us; myheartbeatsforvogue.tumblr.com; whosdatedwho.com

We’ve had a crazy-busy month, so we’d like to take a time out to show you some pics of the most stylish party-goers at several USC events that G&B Style couldn’t miss:

Carolina Productions presents: Battle of the Bands

Only a few short seasons ago, neutrals were generally associated with one word: boring. However, these hues are making waves this winter, not because they’ve changed, but because of how they’re being worn. Instead of the traditional monochromatic usage, we’re mixing several colors into one look. With the necessity for layering during South Carolina’s bi-polar fall and winter seasons, trends like these are exactly what stylish students need for long and busy days!

Here are some examples of how we at USC like to exemplify this trend: