A Touch Of Grunge

Shoes: Converse.  Shorts: Urban Renewal.  Sunglasses: Ray Ban.

Grunge has come a long way since the 90's, and we're loving the little touches of it that we're seeing in fall fashion.  Plaid, army fatigues, and distressed anything (denim, leather, vintage tees... you name it) are turning up everywhere.  For a spin on the usual plaid shirt styling, try it tied around your waist for a carelessly cool vibe.  It's disheveled, it's fresh, and it feels new all over again.  Plus, with some added feminine touches, it can be surprisingly girly!

Now, we could go pairing this outfit with some combat boots... or even better, some chunky-soled Dr. Martens.  But if you don't want to go that far with the look, we suggest pairing it with some cute & classic Chucks.  They're the perfect simple addition to complete the ensemble, as shown by It Girls Cristina and Allie.

This fall, we're throwing on our flannels and getting grunge-chic.  Can't wait!

It Girl Trend Report: My Favorite Sunglasses

We all have those favorite pairs of shades that we always wear in the hot sun. Whether you're at the beach, cruising on the freeway, or taking a stroll around town, your shades are often a style staple and a reflection of you. This week, we asked our It Girls what their favorite sunglasses were and we got exposed to many cool brands to choose from. It was no surprise that half of the girls are obsessed with Ray Bans--we are too! For Victoria, she loves her Ray Bans because "they are very unexpected". "The frame is almost wayfarer style with a fun modern yet old Hollywood twist! The white color attracts attention in the best way! They go with almost anything and never fail to be a fun statement piece for whatever I am wearing". Serena also has a love for the non-traditional Ray Bans as she sports a pretty white-framed Ray Ban style. Serena added, "I picked my white ray bans. I love these because they're an unusual shape so they stand out in a way. Plus, I love how the white looks against my complexion-it accentuates my tan". For Cristina, she opts for the Ray Ban classic aviators which go best with casual outfits. Allie loves her Diane Von Furstenberg sunglasses--we love the square framed lenses that are still trendy right now. 

We don't know about you guys, but as much as we love name brand shades, we always worry about one thing: losing them! Avery understands our fears too and so therefore, one of her major weaknesses is buying cheap pairs of sunglasses that look like the real thing! "My go too cheapy places are Forever 21 (naturally) and Urban Outfitters. I love that I can grab a cute pair, throw them on, and if I lose them, hey, I lose them". Our thoughts exactly! Marisa feels the same way with her cool shades from Nordstrom. "These sunglasses are actually only $10 from Nordstrom in the BP section! They are super cheap and fashionable and I love them".

What are your favorite sunglasses to wear? Let us know by leaving a comment or sharing with us on Instagram: @thesororitysecrets.

It Girl Trend Report: Beach Essentials

Since school is (almost) out for everyone, one thing is on our mind... sunshine and summertime!  Pool parties, beach bonfires, and warm nights await us.  Those summer days wouldn't be complete without a few style essentials, to keep us looking cool with the sand between our toes.  We asked our It Girls to tell us all about their favorite beach staples, in this week's trend report.

One of the biggest trends?  Cute swimwear.  We loved Alyx's tribal pattern 2-piece from Karma Loop, and Rachel's black & white striped option is always classic.  Next up is accessories, from sunglasses to hats.  Ray Bans seem to be the It Girl brand of choice- so many cute styles!  Hats, from floppy to straw, offer style as well as sun protection.  Also, leave it to our It Girls to think of something useful, such as an insulated lunch bag.  As Marisa says, "This is one of my favorite beach items to bring with me... they come in all sorts of cute patterns, and they keep food and drinks cold!"  Serena's adorable Lilly Pulitzer bag is also practical, because "the inside (of the tote) is lined with plastic, so getting sand out is easy."

Palm trees, sea breeze... yes please!  Summer is almost upon us, and we can't wait to hit the beach in style.

Hey Sailor

Photography: aMaes Photography
{On Ali} Blazer: Forever 21 (similar here).  Tank: Forever 21, old.  Shorts: Urban Outfitters.  Necklace: Forever 21 (similar here).  Hat: Amazon.  Sunglasses: Ray Ban.  {On Sakura} Dress: H&M (similar here).  Shoes: Sperry.  {On Karen} Jacket: Forever 21.  Tank: H&M (similar here).  Shoes: Sperry.  Lips: Make Up Forever.  Sunglasses: Jimmy Choo.

Hey there, sailor.  This week, we're getting back to the nautical basics: classic prep, classic Americana.  We're feeling the red, white & blue spirit, topped off with some gold touches and bold stripes.  While we were at it, we decided to have some fun playing up the look with accessories.  Sakura picked an oversized hair bow, and Ali wore her captain hat (yes, she wore it for Halloween one year-- but why not).  Shorts pair nicely with tailored jackets, and short hemlines pair nicely with... Sperrys!  Yes, both Karen & Sakura showed up to our photo shoot rocking the exact same pair of metallic boating shoes.  Great minds think alike!  Another thing we all agree on?  You can't go wrong with all-American preppy style.

Tuxedo Casual

Top: Urban Outfitters.  Jeans: Express.  Accessories: Forever 21 (necklace here & similar bracelet here).  Shoes: Jessica Simpson.  Beanie: Urban Outfitters.  Nail Polish: Essie Mint Candy Apple.  Sunglasses: Ray Ban.

Throw on your fancy tuxedo pants!  We're seeing tuxedo pants everywhere now... and we're loving their casual denim reincarnation, as seen in these Express jeans.  Nope, this look isn't just for the boys, and not just for black tie affairs.  These jeans feature an ankle length, perfect for showing off some snazzy high heels.  Since blue denim pairs nicely with black & white, we loved adding this acid wash denim shirt from Urban Outfitters.  Accessorize with some chunky gold accents for polish.  Ali added a beanie to the look since, well, we love how a hat completes any look!

Love tuxedo jeans?  Tell us what you think of this trend below!

Contrast

Blazer: Thml Clothing (sold out, similar here and here).  Tee: Splendid.  Jeans: J Brand.  Hat: New Era.  Sunglasses: Ray Ban.  Shoes: Forever 21 (old, similar here).  Belt: Nordstrom (similar here).  Lipstick: Revlon Really Red.

Spring 2013 is white hot!  One of our favorite trends for the season is the classic black & white combo.  It's effortlessly chic, and looks extra polished when worn in the form of a structured blazer.  Black denim is one of our top staple items, as we talked about in the boho leopard post.  Wearing black and white together is a bold contrast that makes a statement.  But, we wanted to make the look even more of a contrast.  We paired a grown-up piece (the blazer) with an unexpected piece (the hat).  With a personal touch, the outfit becomes your own!  What spring trend are you most excited to wear?

We also found a super cute white blazer from Boutique To You, which is perfect for this look!  Use our promo code SECRET15 for an extra 15% off of your purchase.