Schuyler is a first year from Greensboro, North Carolina majoring in political science. And when she is not studying, preparing to be an Orientation Leader, or serving as Zeta Tau Alpha’s Service Chair, my fabulous friend lets her spontaneous and bubbly personality shine through her unique style and selective prints. She is not afraid to step outside of the box and dares to follow the trends of fashion magazines..and she rocks it! Read here to see what she has to say about her wardrobe!
Her Campus: How would you describe your style: are you one to follow trends, or create your own unique flair?
Schuyler Freyaldenhoven: I think I’m a little bit of both. I’d definitely classify my style as more trendy than classic, but with that said I don’t hop on board with every trend that comes along. You have to know your body type, your personal style, and the general feel of your wardrobe, and then pick and choose the trends best suited to you. Overall, I’d say my style is super young and fresh with a little edge!
HC: Who inspires and influences what you wear- any fashion icons?
SF: Celebrity street style is where I seek inspiration for my fashion choices. I’m convinced that People Style Watch magazine is the greatest publication since the Bible! It shows you what celebs having been wearing on a day-to-day basis and then tells you how to get similar items at a realistic price point. I especially love Blake Lively, I think she is the queen of casual-cool. I also seek inspiration from art, music, and movies. For example, the bohemian vibe from Lana Del Rey’s music videos is something I like to incorporate into my look.
HC: The weather cannot make up its mind! How do you find a style to work with the extreme day-to-day differences?
SF: One word: layers. My Barbour jacket is absolutely essentially to ward off the morning chill on campus and can easily be ditched when the day warms up. And how could I forget about scarves? I prefer lighter materials that can be bundled up when it’s cold, and then breezily draped around the neck when the sun comes out. Not only are scarves versatile, they are also a really inexpensive way to add color, pattern, and texture to your wardrobe.
HC: Everyone has an obsession: scarves, shoes, necklaces…what’s yours?
SF: Boots, for sure. I think people have this conception that they can only be worn in certain ways or during certain times of the year, but that’s just not how I see it! Tall boots with jeans in the winter, heeled booties with dresses for fancy nights, ankle boots with cut-off shorts for summertime… the list goes on. Some of my favorites include my distressed Frye harness boots and my fringed Sam Edelman booties.
HC: Do you have a go-to essential for any wardrobe?
SF: I feel so incredibly cliché saying this but I would feel a lot less prepared if I didn’t have a couple of little black dresses hanging in my closet, ready to be thrown on at any moment. Especially in college, it seems like plans are made at the absolute last minute, so having a trusty LBD is a must. I think I’ve worn them to at least 3 cocktails this year. There is no shortage of black dresses out in the world, so I promise there is one fit for everyone’s style. My personal favorite LBD is long sleeved with zippers and mesh inserts for a fun, edgy vibe.
HC: I know you love prints, how do you like to incorporate that into your everyday style?
SF: Patterns add so much energy to an outfit, but I think a lot of people shy away from them because they draw a lot of attention. I usually bring prints in through my tops and scarves but I’m trying to branch out into wearing more printed skirts and pants. My red and gold jacquard skirt from Urban Outfitters is one of my favorite pieces I own.
HC: You have some super funky, chic pieces in your closet- where do you find them?
SF: My signature pieces always come from the most random places. For example, I love wearing flowy kimono-style jackets that can be really pricey at vintage stores but I get mine from crazy inexpensive places like TJ Maxx or Forever 21. On the other hand, I don’t mind investing in signature pieces because they truly are what set your style apart from the masses, and chances are you will wear them a lot! My favorite funky investment would be my collection of Jennifer Zeuner jewelry. She has the most unique and meaningful designs- I love my classic bar necklace and crescent moon ring because they remind me of the way I want to live my life: simply and keeping trust in the universe.