09 August 2008

& this is freedom, darling ..



With school fast approaching the “lucky” newbies are nervous. Not because of classes, or even meeting new friends rather how to deal with the horrific uniforms.

If you have had the opportunity to read other blogs and their entries of “dealing with uniforms” they are for the most part very very VERY wrong. Long story short I read about fifteen that said wear different pants! Um sweetie that goes against the idea of having a uniform in the first place. Take it from a girl who had uniforms all her life you can NOT change the pants, tops, shoes (and with my school... even the socks!).

Okay girls, close your mouths and shun thee fear of uniforms. Because there are many ways of making them unique and have your personality.

One word – A c c e s s o r i e s. Nowhere in any school that happens to be on this planet says anything about not wearing accessories.

Nail polish – I’ve had heard of some prep schools that don’t allow nail polish. However, most schools do allow nail polish – read up on your school of conduct to find out if this is permitted. Personally, I loved wearing Russian Navy OPI in the winter, having a French manicure in the summer, a gorgeous Lilac shade with a cute design the manicurist did on the thumb in the spring time, and any shade that was shiny for the fall. Remember you can mix it up. Try different shades – darker and the lighter ones. Try the fun ones like the sparkly, shiny or super bright neon kinds.

Caution: Try to stay away from fake nails. They can chip and tare your real nails. If you want that look of a thicker nail – layer the nail using a CLEAR polish… it will harden and make the nail thicker and stronger.

Hair Accessories

a) Headbands seem like a god sent to a girl who is forced to wear uniforms. There are different types of headbands such as the plastic, ribbon, thicker bands, thin bands. Experiment and have fun with it! I love this one from Claires. Especially if you were to wear it just to the side so you can see the pretty bow at the end.

http://www.claires.com/product.asp?name=prod&color=white&rcid=31&id=4270&scid=38

Also there are plenty of designers that create headbands with their logo’s on them such as: Juicy (see link below), Chanel, Burberry.. etc

http://www.juicycouture.com/store/catalog/prod.jhtml?itemId=prod5520008&parentId=cat11702&masterId=cat115&cmCat=cat000000cat103cat115cat11702&index=1&tid=P9

tip: when buying headbands do a colour that will make the headband stand out. For example, I have brown hair so buying a brown headband would not be something that I would do. Rather, I would buy a red or forest green headband so that colour would pop.

Caution: most plastic headbands look cheaper and they break faster. Be careful when putting them on.

Blair from gossip girl can be used as an incredible inspiration

H)B) Hair tiesSo cute when you have a bright basic or even one with something on it – such as a gemstone. Pretty easy and understandable.

Caution: Personally, I stay far away from pigtails but If you must do them. Do NOT do the baby spice look. It looks immature and kiddish. Out of my highschool career I have seen ONE person who has done pigtails that actually look good (it was in gym class). She had really long hair (one hand past the shoulder length hair) and she did the pigtails closer together and the pigtails were low in a MATCHING neon hair ties. And she also did a basic plastic double strap black headband with it. However, just be wary with styles like that it could leave you looking like your 6.

c)

iin keep in mindthat there are others types of hair accessories such as Hair combs, Hair spins and Barrettes. They can be very fun and beautiful if done properly. Hair combs can add serious sophistication to any up do. Hair spins are smaller and should be positioned carefully. Barrettes are pretty easy for those lazy hair days to pin your bangs away from your face.

School Bags

Probably the most important accessory you could do. There are loads of different types, colours, and styles. There are many ways of holding your books in style by using your basic backpack, totes, or even a larger purse. La Sportsac is always a good place to start because of all the fun prints. Personally I had about 2 backpacks (one lacoste which I LOOOVE), 5 totes and 1 large purse and I would just alternate them whenever I wanted to. There are no rules about sticking to the same bag throughout the entire year. Change them up to fit your other accessories or whatever. J

TIPS: Remember if you have that basic boring black bag PERSONALIZE it. It can be done in seconds and can look really cool. (ie – sowing bows, embroidering initials).

Brooches

When thinking about Brooches you may be thinking grandma. But they can look soo glamous if worn correctly. For example you could pin them to your collar or even somewhere on your boring basic colour backpack. Here’s a great site with a bunch of Brooches so you guys can get ideas - http://www.fashionjewelryforeveryone.com/OtherProductsMain.html

Jewelry

Buy something that fits YOUR style. It can add a lot of fun and character to your outfit.

a) Necklaces – with something as boring as a uniform you want to make your accessories stand OUT. Get a necklace with a longer chain or design on it that will make the necklace the first thing one would look at. Remember you can do lockets, dainty kinds, thicker types, pearls etc.

b) Bracelets : make’em bright, charm bracelets (Tiffany’s are stunning), dainty, layer

c) Earrings – the longer ones (tend to stand out more), hoops, studs

d) Rings – I think that’s pretty understandable.

Caution: Stay away from overcrowding your hands with rings. It looks tacky.

OTHER RANDOM TIPS

TIP 1: Remember girls. You want the accessories to stand out NOT the uniform.

TIP 2: some schools do not allow heels or ballet flats or sandals. Beware and READ your school of conduct BEFORE spending a cash load of shoes. This goes the same to belts, patterned or bright tights and scarf’s

TIP 3: omg pleaseee don’t hike up your kilt to a belt. You will look like a hooch. And the boys will stand underneath the stairs just to watch you walk down them (they can look up your skirt). And yes.. they do this lol I’ve seen this happen.

TIP 4: get pants hemmed! They look wayyyyyy better when they actually fit you properly

Have a good school year and good luck to all the uniform kiddies

xxx

stephanie

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