The dress I selected from the Fashion School Store this week was sure to stand out with its bold print and beautiful color. From the front, the dress is modest and conservative, but the back is low-cut with elaborate detailing to show just the right amount of skin.

To not take away from the interesting design of the dress, I kept the look otherwise very simple. Nude heels with a pop of red on the sole and a chunky bangle were enough to complete the outfit without diverting the attention from the dress.

The dress was designed by Kent State fashion students and is part of a no-waste collection, where a specific amount of fabric yardage must be used with no leftover scraps.

The challenge of incorporating the entire piece of fabric into one garment makes for a very unique piece with eye-catching detail.

—Ashley Jaros

Karen’s pick:

Sheer maxis with daringly high–slitted skirts are a must-have this season. Because they provide endless styling possibilities, they serve as an excellent base for your daily summer uniform.

Although typically worn as a top layer over hot pants, high-waisted minis, tanks, bandeaus or longline bralettes, they can also add an exciting element beneath your favorite summer sundresses.

Instead of going the typical route, I purposed a sheer, script-printed maxi dress as a slip. With a striped cotton sundress overtop, the dramatic two-tiered effect is simultaneously contrasting and complementary.

The look is perfect for a summer concert or festival, especially when finished with a matching flower head-wrap.

The overall appearance is feminine, graphic and whimsical; a compilation of spring/summer 2012’s leading trends.

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Channeling the vibe of a trendy Soho boutique, The Fashion School Store offers an eclectic assortment of fashion products that are designed and/or made by Kent State students and alumni.

With this look, I wanted to capture the aesthetic of the store by mixing classy with casual all the while giving the look a little edge.

This Paris T-shirt is a great basic for any wardrobe because it can be paired with denim for a casual and comfy look, or it can be amped up when paired with a flirty, pearl-embellished bubble skirt.

To break up black and white, I like to add a splash of color to ensembles using bright accessories or by adding an extra accent layer.

Here, I chose to do both by pairing the tee and skirt with a multi-colored gemstone cuff bracelet and a vintage striped vest.

By mixing materials such as the cotton shirt, chiffon skirt and woven polyester vest, this look displays as much variety as the Fashion School Store itself.

— Missy Pasquale
 
 

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Linen and leather may not be the most traditional of pairings, but the contrast of weights and textures make for a fantastic, casual spring look.

The trick to pulling it all off is showcasing one item and sticking to mostly basics and classics
for the rest.

Here, I’ve paired a traditional linen blazer with a basic graphic tee, my go-to pairing for spring. On bottom, high-waisted leather shorts increase the cool factor, but maintain an overall tailored aesthetic that keeps everything feeling cohesive.

When sporting a mostly black and white outfit like this, spring’s shockingly bright accessories will breathe life into your look, making the classic shapes at play look fresh and playful.

— Karen Zapp

Missy’s pick:

Leather doesn’t have to be limited to cold weather months; it can be worn in the spring too by playing with proportions and creating a fusion of mixed materials.

Take this leather vest, for example: Paired with a long sleeved shirt or sweater it would have no attributes for spring dressing.

However, paired with a tank and a skirt, the proportions hint toward an ensemble suited for sun. Also, the toughness of the studded leather seems harsh by itself, but when placed with more delicate, lightweight materials such as this linen tank, the juxtaposition creates a cool eclectic vibe.

The same effect could also be achieved by pairing studded leather with linen shorts or pants.

— Missy Pasquale

Ashley’s pick:

Although we’ve seen some record high temperatures recently for spring in Northeast Ohio, it’s still just a tad too soon to pack away your leather jacket just yet. Get more use out of an investment in a leather jacket for winter by pairing it with the right outfit to prolong wear into spring.

The thing to remember is that you need to offset the edgy and masculine look of a motorcycle jacket to avoid looking too harsh in spring.

For my look this week, I balanced out the cropped leather coat by working with one of spring’s most popular trends — pastel hues. Wearing bold pops of color balances out the leather and gives the entire ensemble more of a spring vibe.

When done properly, color blocking looks sophisticated and stylish without trying too hard. The leather Sperry boat shoes were just the right touch to pull the leather back into focus and further heighten the casual appeal of the outfit.

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