When people think of Iowa fashion, they’re more likely to think of overalls and a John Deere hat than chic, sleek outfits.
That’s why Libby Glaser, a senior studying communications and entrepreneurial management, started her fashion blog, Stylin’ Iowan.
“A lot of people in Iowa, especially here at the university, have great style and I don’t think it is really noticed,” says Libby.
It can be hard to find your personal style when popular fashion magazines and blogs are showcasing expensive designer labels. While we’d all love to be able to drop $100 on a shirt, that’s not an option for many college students—Between parking fees, grocery bills and bar tabs, most of us don’t have much left at the end of the month to buy designer duds.
That’s where Libby comes in. Her goal is to show that students on a college-sized budget can still be hip and stylish. Libby likes to focus on stores readily available to U of I students, both in budget and in proximity—which means that popular stores such as H&M and Urban Outfitters rarely make an appearance on her blog. She also features other UI students on her blog, rather than just focusing on her own style.
“Honestly, I got sick of taking my own pictures all the time,” says Libby. “I like to show different styles and what trends people are into.”
A lot of her models come from her sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta. Though she says her sisters all have good taste, she does occasionally help her friends with outfit crises on Friday nights.
“They’ll joke around like, ‘Oh, I need the stylin’ Iowan’s help,’” says Libby. “But honestly, they all have such great style that I end up learning a lot from them and it helps guide my blog.”
Libby was originally worried about starting Stylin’ Iowan because she didn’t have much free time—she was serving as her sorority chapter’s Chief Administrative Officer when she came up with the idea, in addition to volunteering with the Special Olympics and taking a full course load. Libby started her blog when she thought her schedule had died down only to be offered internship as an event planner for the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center a week after her first post.
Now, Libby embraces her busy schedule. She hopes to one day open up her own business in event planning, and she’s diving into the world of graphic design and marketing to become more well rounded.
“I really enjoy the state of Iowa, so I love the idea of starting a business here someday,” says Libby.
Let’s hope she sticks put, because it would be hard to come up with a catchier name than Stylin’ Iowan.
Photos provided by Libby Glaser.