Oversea Style: Own It

Before boarding my non-stop flight to Rome in the Philadelphia International Airport, I said a silent prayer as my suitcase was weighed upon check-in. An ounce over fifty pounds and I’d be paying a hefty fee to transport my wardrobe for the entire semester. Yes, you read that correctly. I packed for an entire semester in one suitcase that to my relief weighed 49 pounds upon departure. I moved into Hawk Hill the past two years with two vehicles full of laundry baskets, shopping bags, and under the bed containers all filled with skirts, shoes, and every possible accessory known to man. I knew my semester abroad was about to teach me a serious lesson in minimalism, but what I have learned about style is even greater than the elegance of simplicity. The European women I’ve been surrounded by in Rome, London, Paris, and Amsterdam, have shown me the power of owning individuality in one’s own personal style including, showcasing the most natural version of themselves.

The unconventional beauty I am surrounded by everyday has encapsulated me. As I began to make some changes to my own make-up routine, and challenge the fashion I had always known, I checked in with some other SJU study abroad students this side of the pond. We discussed, with jitters, the valuable fashion lessons. As I talked with Stefanie Carapezza, ’15, currently studying abroad in Madird and Liv Foster, ’15, who has chosen Florence as her semester home, we realized that the style we’ve become obsessed with transcends clothes. The way women present themselves is authentic and honest, imitating the lifestyle of Europeans.

What we’ve learned is that style is far beyond the latest trend. In fact, your own personal style might not include the latest trends and that ladies, is OK. It’s a foreign concept (pun intended) to us sometimes to break out of the pressure that surrounds us in a school setting to dress a certain way, or in certain brands.

Instead of spending money on a few cheap, trendy pieces, we’ve noticed there a sense of re-wearing a truly great piece, in many great ways. And yes, we’ve had to get creative due to our suitcase limit. “Coming abroad forced me to pick and choose from my wardrobe what to bring to Italy. I have learned to mix and match different pieces in order to create totally different looks,” said Liv. Fashion, as we know, is always changing. This year, it is all about the ankle boots, but maybe you’re more of a combat boot girl. Go with the combats because if you don’t love what you’re wearing, no one else will either because in reality, your style is not just your clothes, but also, the way you carry yourself in them. “Clothes can help you project the right image, but at the end of the day if you are not carrying yourself the right way how can anyone else believe the look you want to present,” said Stefanie.

Stefanie Carapezza, ’15, poses bare faced and beautiful in Portugal 

Style can often be intertwined with respect, but it isn’t something we’ve put much thought into before arriving in our abroad locations. How many times have you frozen your butt off trying to rock a skimpy shirt in January? Or how about that short skirt that you wore on New Year’s Eve only to have goose bumps up and down your legs? I was shocked and relieved to see women dressing season appropriate, even when going out. Instead of a shirt to simply showcase one’s chest, a woman can be spotted in a blazer, with a pretty scarf and if a dress is underneath, you better believe there are tights too. We aren’t trying to be your parents, but this sensible style makes me believe that these women respect themselves enough that it commands respect from others. Why freeze to showcase your assets, that we already know are there? “The way girls dress is all about the silhouette and not about having your boobs and butt out constantly…I think that is so much more feminine and classy,” said Stefanie after spending a weekend with her 20-year-old cousin in Portugal.

While it is true that European guys are forward, I’ve noticed a much more openness of emotions than American men that translate into relationships. After some candid girl talk, Stefanie dished that her cousins’ friends have experienced relationships in which the boys were emotionally open, and ignited deep conversation. Is it possible that a more natural, confident and individualistic style could lead to this? We think so. “No one is pushing up their boobs, they are wearing something form fitting, that also leaves something to the imagination and that is probably why less of them get treated like a piece of meat,” said Stefanie.

Admittedly, I am used to a full face of make up, shivering in skimpy clothes until our cab to Manayunk arrives, and most likely, wearing a similar version of my roommates’ outfits. Before we went out I may have even made a fuss about my nails not being done, or my hair not being straight enough.

The naturalness of European women is enough to shake any American girl’s confidence, and it certainly challenged mine. However, we’ve come to realize, these minute details aren’t as crucial as we might believe them to be. “I sincerely think that they just don’t feel that their hair, makeup, or fingernails are necessarily important. And it’s really not, in Europe that is,” said Liv. So what does this mean to girls who are used to a perfect look everyday? See beauty in the imperfect, and in individuality. “Isn’t it sad how we pride ourselves on being so individualistic and you come here and realize it took leaving home and crossing the Atlantic to realize that it’s better to be yourself and be natural,” said Stefanie candidly, after discussing the power of harnessing one’s own personal style, and natural look. Without obsessing over details, the personality of an individual has the power to shine through.

We’re slowly adjusting to this apathetic attitude towards unnecessary cake make-up ourselves, although it hasn’t been easy. “Although their confidence in natural beauty inspires me, I find myself struggling to put my beloved Sephora self-tanning spray down,” said Liv. “That being said, I have found myself subconsciously wearing less eye makeup.” The color palette of clothing is generally toned down as well, further allowing for one’s personality to shine through. “Muting your pallet really allows for your natural beauty to take stage front and center,” said Stefanie.

Liv Foster, ’15, in a camel trench with a pop of color 

Our fashion lessons abroad don’t mean to discourage your love of everything pink, but rather, that you’re dressing for yourself, and only, to showcase your personality. Instead of allowing your carbon copy shirt be an indication of your interests, strike up a conversation about them instead. Use your style to enhance your appearance, but not speak for you.  

While we can’t completely rid ourselves of our American fashion sense in which we adorn everything we can, including every piece of ourselves, we can take away a few powerful lessons.

1.     Be polished, and realistic, but not perfect.

“I’ve learned that wearing yoga pants and a sweatshirt is not an acceptable outfit to wear in public (Thank God I’ve realized this). I’ve learned to take the extra 5 minutes to throw on jeans, ankle boots, and a trench coat and call it a day. I’ve learned that spending 15 minutes perfecting symmetrical winged eyeliner is the biggest waste of time.” – Liv

2.     Natural beauty, and your intuitive style, speaks volumes about your confidence.

“I will not return to ‘well what is everyone else wearing.’ You have to be yourself and put, dare I say it, put your best face, with its imperfections, forward and embrace the beauty that is inevitable when you are confident.” –Stefanie

3.     Style doesn’t mean laborious hours in front of your closet, or mirror, but rather, following your intution. 

“The women in Florence wear minimal makeup. Maybe a little bit of face powder and mascara at most… What’s interesting is that their outfits are always polished, including ankle boots with every outfit and a leather bag in tow.” -Liv

As we continue to mix and match key pieces, we hope that you take some notes from across the pond to further embrace yourself, imperfections and all, because the style that’s the most inspirational, is your own. 

xx

Taylor