My name is Jessica, and I am excited to say that this is my second semester as a Style Guru with CollegeFashionista. As a rising sophomore at Syracuse University and a true Long Islander at heart, I hope to take advantage of the long summer ahead by continuing to appreciate and admire the trends that surround me every day. From Nassau County to Manhattan island, there will be tons to see and share with everyone at CollegeFashionista!

I’ve loved fashion all my life. I have always been a creative girl and what better way to celebrate creative expression than by the clothing I wear every day! I believe that the way I present myself is the greatest representation of who I am, and that all starts with what I’m wearing. As I’ve gotten older I’ve learned to the appreciate the value of originality in an outfit. Why settle for simple black leggings and Converse when an outfit can be so much more than that with a few simple changes?

What I like most about my style is how it really reflects my personality. I usually put together outfits that balance my quirkiness with conventional trends. I love to shop and browse, and although it’s hard to keep up with where my top spot is (because it often varies) most of my clothing is from Urban Outfitters, Madewell, Free People and Anthropologie. That being said, I love a good boutique and also recycling looks, whether that mean rummaging through a thrift store or someone else’s closet. I love to search for statement pieces and always try to have one focus in each of my outfits.

My outfit is a good example of my laid back summer style. I would probably wear this to lunch with friends. A bright, oversized graphic T-shirt is the perfect complement to patterned leggings of a similar color scheme, and both help prevent a boring look. And one promotes some good topics of conversation. Who doesn’t love Mickey Mouse or a good story about how it was purchased across the country in a California thrift store? Down to my toes, my new Birkenstocks are the perfect finishing touch to complete my look, just in time for open-toe shoe weather! I opted for mirrored lenses to reflect the sun and bring good vibes to go along with 75 degree days.

I am so excited to learn and grow from the great experiences I will continue to have with CollegeFashionista this summer as I capture and share my favorite looks.