New York Fashion Week has come and gone but the impulse buys are here to stay.

Story by Manuel Valdez

From prints to pink, you may have found yourself dazzled and swept away by the eccentricities. Before you knew it, you were driving home from the mall with a tassle-adorned jumpsuit and regret in your heart. It seemed like all hope -and money- was lost as you hung your future dust-covered outfit in the back of your closet.

The mourning period ends here. This style guide will give you tips and tricks on how to turn that funky fashion statement into the ultimate staple for your spring wardrobe.

Animal Prints

At some point in your life, you may have been  told that animal prints are tacky. In 2018, the tables have turned. As seen in looks from Tom Ford, R13 and Adam Selman, animal prints are here to electrify your spring. To balance out the sharpness of this latest trend, try pairing a neon printed top with your darker denim jeans. Your darker denim will compliment the animal print so that the brighter base color of your top will seem more like a pop of color rather than a harsh highlight.

Bright animal prints could also serve to make your more neutral outfits come alive. By adding a printed bandana around your neck, you can take your white v-neck and light-wash jean combo to whole new levels of casual fashionistx.

Transparencies

You don’t have to be shy with sheer clothing. Ulla Johnson, Mansur Gavriel, Jason Wu and Jeremy Scott showcased see-through outfits with elegant details for their runways this spring. While these designer looks are peek-a-boo from head to toe, you can take this style element and dress it to your comfort level. Adding a strappy tank of the same color as your sheer top makes the entire piece look cohesive while also giving you hints of skin to show off. For a more daring look, try a black bralette or briefs with your sheer ensemble. This will give your outfit an edgy flair with a hint of late ‘90s chic for your nights out on the town.

Fringe

Fringe has widely been considered a design element of the past made for hippies and stylish cowboys. Diane von Furstenberg, Ulla Johnson, Tracy Reese and Calvin Klein are making all the right moves with these fluid frocks that are designed to add length and texture to any look. For a fringe that dominates your outfit, go for a sleeker supporting piece such as a halter cami or satin boy shorts. For fringe that is used as more of a pop than an entire piece, go with pieces that are just as free-flowing as the fringe. Wrap shorts or a bell-sleeved top will keep your look moving without letting it get too caught up in the whimsical.   

Hot Pink

Hot pink set the runways ablaze with its sharp contrast and bold tone. Alexander Wang, Ulla Johnson, Tory Burch and Christian Siriano went all out with their full body brazen looks. Like most colors with heavy saturation, hot pink should be paired with a darker piece in order to balance out the brightness. Navy blue, deep olive green and dark goldenrod are colors that will make your hot pink sizzle without forcing you settle for a plain neutral.

Following these tips will help guide you in your quest to being the hippest style icon on campus without having to carry around the worst last season item ever: impulse buy guilt.