How to, as a Proclaimed Scrub, Still Look Awesome

A question has arisen: Can a declared scrub still pass as an above-average-looking human being?

Challenge accepted. 

All you scrubs out there, I got you. Don't worry. I mean, I'm not going to put on airs and act like I always look great; I definitely have full-on scrub days when I don't even really pass as... human. But, on average, I like to think (and I believe others do too?) that I look better-than-acceptable.

Here are some tips to achieve you-don't-know-I'm-actually-a-scrub status, without sacrificing all hope of comfort.

1. Harem pants/draped pants. What a blessing. You do need to make sure the top is fairly fitted and/or cropped, otherwise you'll just look like a sack. 
2. Dresses. To be honest, I never really understood this logic; so many female scrubs have told me that dresses are absolute scrub-savers, because they take zero effort. That's not really the case for me, because dresses are personally worry-inducing, but see what works for you. Logically, I suppose it'd be very simple to pull one over your head and be good to go. 
3. High-waisted shorts. Find a pair that fit you perfectly (none of those that give you wedgies and/or leave behind those oh-so flattering pinch lines) and hold on tight. Try to get a black pair, a denim pair, and a white/mint/miscellaneous-color pair. High-waisted shorts elongate the legs and can go with any type of top. 
4. Loose sweaters/cardigans. Soft, feminine sweaters are super comfy and still constitute second glances. A flash of the collarbone is pretty on point.
5. A maxi skirt and tucked-in tank top. It can look exceptional with the right colors/patterns/fabrics, and it's so effortless. 
6. Lace shorts. They will get you so. Many. Compliments. I kid you not. They're fairly easy to style, and people notice. 
7. Tie a simple tee, short-sleeved or long-sleeved. It's sexy and helps streamline an outfit. 
8. Brandy Melville. Enough said. (Yeah, I know, my California is showing...) So comfortable and still cute. 
9. Get out of your bed and plan your outfit out the night before. If you're really not feeling it, just wear the next day's ensemble to sleep. (We've all been there... don't be ashamed.)
10. If you do have a day for sweats (or a couple...), make sure your face looks good that day. You have to make a sacrifice somewhere. Either you have to spend time on your bodily ensemble or you have to make an effort to... well, make up your face.
11. Make sure at least once a week, you actually attempt to look nice. As in, you put on a two-piece ensemble that required some coordination and thought (e.g. a pale blue high-waisted skirt and burgundy crop top paired with some strappy sandals), and brush your hair.

Conclusion: It's all about balance. Sadly, a scrub can't go full out scrub without appearing to completely fail at life.

Source: Experienced scrub who suffers from extreme chronic laziness. If I can do it, you can do it. 

A Lipstick Jungle

I had quite an enjoyable time exploring an overwhelming number of lipsticks today with my lovely best friend! However, we realized that we, amateurs that we are, did not know how to properly find the appropriate lip colors for our respective skin tones. Do we swatch on our hands or the insides of our wrists? Do we find reds with blueish tints or yellow tints? It's so confusing!
When I went home, I decided I had to know, so I found some helpful tips on red lipsticks for all you other curious lipstick beginners out there!

Collegefashion.net:

• Cool-toned reds are blue-based reds that tend to look slightly pink. These shades of red look best on girls that have cool, rosy undertones, meaning skin tones like porcelain and ivory, rose-beige, and medium beige.
• Warm-toned reds are yellow-based reds that tend to look slightly orange. These shades of red look best on skin with yellow undertones like sand beige, golden medium, or olive skin. 
• Shades of red that aren’t 100% cool or warm are considered neutral. These shades can work with many different skin tones and can look different on everyone. Neutral reds are also considered “true reds” because they don’t look pink or orange.

Fair skin (Glamour)

Medium skin (Glamour)

P.S. Make sure to use lip liner! 

Men's Style

"Clothes do not make the man, but they can make the woman's day if worn properly."

1) Navy Suits

2) BOW TIES

3) Coral

4) Pocket Squares

5) White Linen Shirts

6) Sleeves rolled up to the elbows

7) Windsor Knots

8) Ray Bans

Fall Fashion 2013

The air is becoming crisper, students are out buying supplies, schedules are being picked up... Ah, autumn. Love it or hate it, it comes with an influx of new (or recycled?) trends that we can nitpick and analyze to our hearts' content.

1) Peplum

Yeah, this is still in, and according to Glamour, it's not gonna die. I wish I could say I like this trend, but I'm not so partial to it. Maybe I'm just bitter because I don't have the stick-thin body to pull it off. I don't think I've seen a single peplum piece that I've liked so far, and this trend came out a while ago. To me, it just looks bulky and uncomfortable. It's not subtle and it's... kind of frilly. I dunno. It's just not my thing.

2) Layering

Yes, yes, and YES! Layering is timeless! This time, it's layering textures. Is that awesome, or what?! A word of caution–don't get too excited (like me), and make sure to keep it all very streamlined, lest you end up looking like...a hot mess. No other way to put it.

3) Leopard/Zebra Print

Never really got on board with the leopard print; it was always a bit too... Real Housewives of ______ for me, so I dunno. But meh. Whatever floats your boat. Zebra print, on the other hand, looks pretty awesome if you ask me.

4) Leather

So glad this is still in because I've been thinking about investing in brown or black leather! As for leather pants, I have a pair that I could wear comfortably a couple years ago, but now... hm. Not sure. A bit too scared to try them on, to be honest. What's the deal with white leather, btw? Seems like many people are a bit iffy/cautious when approaching it, but I think it looks nice. *shrugs*

5) Classic Prints/Menswear

'Warholian' is Bazaar's take on it. Houndstooth, graphics, etc. I love the menswear, but still mulling over the different little prints. Not gonna lie–I'm still caught up with the flowy florals from spring. Sorry.
Menswear, on the other hand, I can get on board with. I LOVE that look. It's edgy and still sophisticated, and completely appropriate for work (I think).

6) American Pastoral

Guys, I gotta be honest. I don't really know what this means. It just kind of gets all hazy in my brain with a mix of Walt Whitman? nature? high boots? what? Yeah... not sure. But high boots=YEAH! Plus, what I'm seeing of this trend so far (or what they're calling this, anyway), I'm loving, so 'sall good for now.

7) Hats

Can't pull this off :( But I usually love seeing hats on other people! A good hat can elevate an otherwise standard outfit to a whole new level.

8) Emerald Green

Fantastic. I have many pictures for this trend because I love the color so much. I'm glad emerald green is back, because it's rich and full and perfect. Plus, I just recently purchased an Icebreaker Merino shirt in emerald green and am eyeing a BCBGMaxAzria dress in the same shade... Hmm.
Whether you think of emerald-cut diamonds, Costa Rica, or Harry Potter's eyes, be sure to get on board with this trend, because hardly anyone looks bad in emerald green (or am I wrong? I may just be biased).

9) Military

SO want a military jacket right now!! Unfortunately, I might have to wait a couple weeks.. or months... I've been buying way too many clothes recently. Online shopping is dangerous, y'all. But anyway, this is a nice homage to our army that keeps our country safe while looking cool.

10) Gray

I guess gray is the new neutral! ...I really hope this has nothing to do with the Fifty Shades of Gray (Grey?) release... otherwise I may have to give in to my natural stubbornness and try to boycott the trend. But besides that, gray is a-okay (see what I did there!)!

11) Color-blocking

LOVE this trend. It's cool, yet fun; classy, yet punchy; cute, yet sophisticated. It's versatile, and I'm in love. You can do it with bright colors, like yellow and green, or with neutral colors. Anyway, it looks great, and you can take the shortcut by getting a simple colorblocked blouse, or add in your own flair by mixing and matching your personal pieces (I don't have the coordination to do that, sadly...).

12) Slouchy pants

I reaaaaalllyyyyyyyy WANT a pair of these! Harem pants, menswear trousers, whatever. Sadly, when I excitedly held up a pair to my friend while shopping, she was like "Dude. You could never wear those out." To which I was like, ":(!!!" I guess you have to establish a firm foundation of edginess and fashion forward-ness before attempting the difficult task of pulling off slouchy pants. Sigh. Oh well. Good things come to those who wait.

Happy shopping, everyone!