Fashion Blogger Chronicles: Shainna Tucker

All fashion blogger friends have an interesting tale of when they first met. After posting pictures from my first runway show on Tumblr, Shainna was the first to reblog all of my photos. After contacting me about featuring more of my looks on her blog, A Thick Girl's Closet, our friendship blossomed from there. Shainna, better known as Shay, has an amazing spirit and a great eye for fashion. I would love to introduce one of good fashion blogger friends:

 Name: Shainna aka Shay

Age: 21

Course Major (Minor): Communications Major and Studio Art Minor

HomeTown: Montclair, NJ

Blog: A Thick Girl's Closet

 Where are your absolute favorite places to shop? Which stores have your go to items that you have to have?

Forever 21(skinny jeans), Asos, Aldo, Target, Thrift Stores, Call it Spring (for bags), and Torrid.

 How does your personal style reflect your personality? What kind of inspirations do you draw from with outfits you pick out for class or an outing?

My style reflects my personality in that it is very “out there” It’s fun, a little loud lol I like to try new things in life and my wardrobe is no different. My inspiration for picking out an outfit depends on where I’m going. But mostly blogs and other fashion bloggers. And online shopping. Sometimes just seeing a certain item in a store or online will trigger an outfit idea.

IFB (Independent Fashion Blogger) Conference Look

 What trends are you drawing inspiration from right now?

Oh man…high waisted a-line skirts (with belts), lace up wedge booties, colored jeans, leggings (of always), blazers(colored and white with black lapel), that’s just to name a few.

　

 Do you have any favorite fashion blogs? Magazines? Website? If so, what are they?

Ok I’m gonna have cut this one short, but here we go…

My Thrifted Closet

Stylish Curves

Classice Raw Beauty

Nadia Aboulhosn

Fashion Bananas

Dulce Candy

Curvy Geekery

Independent Fashion Bloggers

Cosmo

Vouge

What kind of advice would you give to the lovely ladies who follow CRB, pertaining to how to create their very own personal style?

Honestly I would say, don’t be afraid to try things. Playing dress up is not just for little girls any more. Find reasons to dress up, going to class is always a good excuse to wear a new item you got over the weekend. Find out what works for you. Some times you’re gonna have a hit, and some times you’re gonna miss lol and that’s fine. For the curvy women, not all styles are only for straight size women, play around with things that might seem risqué or out of your reach. You might surprise yourself. And last but not least the best asset to your personal style is your CONFIDENCE. If you don’t love yourself in the inside…honey you clothes and style mean nothing. You male the clothes. They don’t make you. That’s is super cliché but it is so true. Walk with your head held high…that’s sexy.

Fashion Notebook Style Maven Feature

Hello Fashion Babes!!

I was featured not too long ago on this amazing fashion blog based in Kenya! I was so excited when I was contacted by Nancie Mwai, the head blogger of the Fashion Notebook. Ms. Mwai's personal style is something you all need to check out, both refreshing and true to her Kenyan roots!  

Check out my Style Maven Feature Here: Chakayla 

OOTD: Ballerina in Thrifted Stripes

Hello Fashionistas!!

So I think I will be rocking this ballet style bun for the entire fall season. This bun definitely complemented my outfit this week, especially since I have been dying to wear this new thrifted find :)

What do you all think?

Please excuse the random guy in the back :)

Fit Rundown:

Striped Cardigan: GoodWill

Trouser: Friend Thrifted

Velvet Kitten Heels: Urban Outfitters

Smooches!

OOTD: Pocket Full of Sunshine

Hello Gorgeous Lovelies!

This weekend has been a refreshing one! I missed you all, so that means its time for another post! Once again, I appreciate all my veteran and new readers of CRB :)

Without your support, this blog would not be what it is today.

I love you all! 

Fit Rundown:

Earrings: Forever21

Vintage Silk Top: GoodWill

Vintage Trouser: GoodWill

Velvet Kitten Heels: Urban Outfitters

Fitted Leather Jacker: Wilson's Leather (online)

Smooches!

OOTD: Game Day Chic

Hello Lovelies!!!

How are you all doing? I can't believe it is already November and the weather is just as beautiful as it was in the Spring here in NC! I love this! This past weekend, me and a great friend of mine went to Wake's Football game against Norte Dame, we lost but its all good! I still love my DEACS!

Since this game was pretty epic, I decided to spice up my game day look with my favorite (not so new anymore) shoes, leg warmers and leggings. I can't forget my Torrid Safari Jacket and my clutch from a local clothing swap. I had to step out with Wake Forest Class to show those Irish what's what! 

How are you all sporting your casual fall pieces?

Fit Rundown:

Button Down: Brother Thrifted

Safari Jacket: Torrid

Leopard Skinny Belt: Forever21 

Platform Wedges: Urban Outfitters 

My fabulous friend Jasmine C., looks stunning in her Micheal Kors Vest and Forever21 Hat!

Smooches!

College Fashion Chronicles: Chelsea H.

"Don't be afraid to be you"

Chelsea Hopson

Ok my loves, this is by far one of my favorite college features here on Classic.Raw.Beauty. This young lady attends my university, so I am super excited to be featuring her. Mostly quite and reserved, this fashion maven expresses her personality and delightful ego through her fashion choices. Chelsea is the epitome of style and grace. Her modern and vintage pieces spark inspiration for cool, chic outfits. Literally, my jaw drops every time I see her strut on the quad on her way to class. She is simply amazing, and my favorite featured fashionista:

  

Name: Chelsea Hopson

Age: 19

University/Occupation: Biology Major, Political Science/Film Studies Minors

Hometown: Richmond, VA

Current Location: Winston-Salem, NC

Where are your absolute favorite places to shop?

This is an easy question. I absolutely love H&M, Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, Goodwill, a store in Richmond, VA, called Rumors and any other thrift store. 

Which stores have your "go to" items that you have to have?

 I would say that all the stores I shop in have an item that I must have. I can always count on Forever 21 for shoes or jewelry, Urban Outfitters for unique pieces, Goodwill for unique, affordable items, and H & M for my classy, sexy pieces.

How does your personal style reflect your personality?

 I feel as though my personal style directly reflects my personality.  I am very different, quirky, original, classy, fun, goofy, analytical, and the list goes on. My style shows all of that in one. Some days I may wear something vintage inspired and the next wear something with more of a street style. My style is me and whatever I want to wear. Also I can be kind of shy at first so I try to let my clothes show who I am even if I can’t myself at times.

              What kind of inspirations do you draw from with outfits you pick out for class or an outing?

I don’t have specific inspirations.I may be inspired by the weather and nature, or a movie I saw, or a picture viewed. I usually just wear what makes me happy. For class I wear whatever I feel like wearing. For an outing I have really drifted towards being sexy with as much clothes on as possible. I feel like for outings to the club girls feel like they have to wear nothing while my friends and I wear “clothes” such as pants and button ups or cropped sweaters and skirts. We stand out easily and reflect the young women we are.

    If you could have the CRB wish to have a dinner with any fashion icon who would it be?

Ok I have a tie between to lovely ladies. I would want to have dinner with Solange Knowles and Zoe Saldana because I absolutely adore and look up to these two women for style. Solange style drastically change when she went natural, that is with hair, and I have been following her ever since. I have natural hair also so I can look to her for new hairstyles. Also her style mixes patterns very well and I love to mix and contrast with my outfits. Zoe is just raw beauty. Her clean-cut, different pieces are absolute wants of mine. I never question what she wears and her looks are always sharp, classy, sexy, and fun at the same time. These two are what I inspire my style to encompass.

What trends are you drawing inspiration from right now?

I think I am drawing inspiration from like combat boots with skirts or dresses, wedged boots or oxfords, maxi skirts such as maxi chiffon skirts, vintage which is always in, ethnic prints, skinny cords, a colored lip and the 70s. I am in love with wide leg pants especially wide leg chiffon pants.

What kind of advice would you give to the lovely ladies who follow CRB, pertaining to how to create their very own personal style?

I would say don’t be afraid to be you and to broaden your fashion horizon. If you want to wear two vibrant patterns in one outfit, or mix vintage pieces with an urban twist DO IT! Wear what feels right to you and what makes you happy. Also I would one day think of an outfit that you want to try. Instead of going to places like Forever 21 where you can look at the manikin and imitate the style, go to a thrift store or Goodwill. What I love about these places is that they are extremely affordable and they force you to be creative and to think outside the mainstream box. So to develop personal style, be yourself and don’t be afraid to try new things.

Refined Beauty in its Essence 

OOTD: Vintage Kitch

Is that a Horse?

Indeed it is my lovelies! This is by far one of the most interesting pieces in my wardrobe. Clothing swaps and thrifting have become staple sources that add vintage appeal to my wardrobe. I was very skeptical about putting this wrap skirt on, but I did it anyone and felt pretty good about it. Alot of my classmates stopped and said, "Is that a Horse Chakayla?" All I could do is smirk and keep moving. I thought the horse added character to this look. I am a firm believer in being different :)

Once again, I am in love with HUE tights, they fit perfectly! I am totally obsessed! 

Fit Rundown:

Striped Button Down: GoodWill

Wrap Around Skirt: (Free) Clothing Swap

Hue Tights

Smooches

OOTD: Aztec Queen/ OOTN: WE Like to Party

Welcome to CRB my loves :)

Yesterday was another beautiful autumn day here in North Carolina. I have been absolutely dying to wear my new pair of velvet kitten heels that I scored from Urban Outfitters a couple of weeks ago, and yesterday was THE day! I threw on some thrifted and clothing swap finds and created a casual, yet tribal look for the day. The color of this abstract top contrasted so well with my comfy black trousers. This look was styled by my best friend She'Rea of My Thrifted Closet. She insisted I take this one of a kind top out and rock the hell out of it! She is amazing!

What tribal pieces are in your wardrobe? 

Fit Rundown:

Dream Catcher Earrings: DIY

Tribal Top: FREE from a Clothing Swap 

Black Trousers: GoodWill

Velvet Kitten Heels: Urban Outfitters 

The sleeves of this top is amazing!

A God Send....The Lovely She'Rea!

Later that Nite....

I revamped my look from day to night by adding a statement blazer, strappy wedges, and a tube top. I have on the same trousers I wore throughout the day. See what accessories and blazers can do to a fit? 

"Where did you get that?"

Blazer-Goodwill Thrifted

Tube Top-Body Con Skirt :)

Strappy Wedges-DollHouse

Vintage Clutch- FREE at Clothing Swap

Last Night was wonderful!