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This article will feature a few items to jump-start your brainstorming. Click here to view the full collection of all the pieces, including the ones shown below, I picked out to wear this holiday season. Gold and Black is the new Black If you haven't noticed it while you were shopping, now is the time to know. A gold twist has been added  to the classic black, ranging from dresses (see our Firey Homecoming article) to rompers to accessories. Not only will this be perfect this season, but it's a trend that will never get old.  Red Nosed Reindeer You can never go wrong with classic reds, either bright like Rudolph's nose, or dark like the Grinch's heart. With dresses or skirts (or shorts!), black tights are the safest to go with. If you're feeling bold, make sure you consider what shoes you're wearing before picking out the stockings. Pair the red with a matching lip color or smokey eyes!  Make the Cut As the s

Name: Ryan Kim College: Duncan '14 Major: Mechanical Engineering Pre-Med Describe your style: "I'm a minimalist. I focus mostly on my pants, shoes, shirts, and then cardigans or whatever the outerwear. But I feel like giving a little bit of detail... brings you up to another level. So I often wear a pocket square with my blazer, or, if I'm wearing really simple toned cardigan or shirt, I try to boost it up a little with my glasses because they're a little more flashy [he has four different pairs] or I'll wear nicer shoes. I'm always balancing back and forth between classy casual and formal." How is your closet fit for a college budget? "My principle is when you need to spend, you need to spend. But if not, save up all that money." Most people believe I'm super lavish, but I'm actually kind of frugal. "I focus most of my money on my shoes and outerwear." Since people will mostly focus on your outerwear, s

Name: Elle Eccles College: Martel '15 Major: English & Psychology Describe your style : My color palette typically involves reds and burgundies, corals and pinks, turquoises and dark blues. And purple. Lots of purple. I’m careful to only buy things that go well with my skin tone, although black and white and red is also a great combo that I keep coming back to. Style Inspiration: I get my ideas from the styles of my peers, TV show characters, strangers on the street—really, keeping a style-inclined eye out helps me get an idea of what looks good on what body type, what colors go well together, etc., and I often end up organizing not just my look but my friends’ looks as well. That being said, I don’t approach style as a way to dress, I approach style as a creative outlet. It’s something I feel. And I’m always looking to change things up, always reinventing old outfits as a way of creating just one more thing that’s nice to look at. Favorite Clothing Item : E

" I bought the pants when traveling in Greece. They were just so beautiful and they make such a statement."   Name : Belle Douglass College : Martel ‘16 Major : Psychology What's your favorite clothing item : I love dresses, but I think my true obsession is with shoes. I own over 30 pairs. " I found the dress for $5 at a thrift store. I love these red boots. Red is definitely my favorite accent color, it just adds so much life to an outfit. I especially love the black, white, and red color scheme. " Making my own clothes : I first learned to sew at age 10 when my grandmother taught me to make clothes for my dolls. We cut patterns out of newspaper, and I sewed the clothes by hand. I now have a sewing machine (it used to belong to my great-grandmother) and cut patterns out of pattern paper, but I still love making clothes. I have a very loose process when it comes to designing things: sometimes I have a shape in my head that I really wa

We're back once more with the second part to our Esperanza 2014 style guide -this time we're sparking your imagination with these hot tips! Follow the Flames ASOS | Lipsy Dress | $70 If you’re looking for nice detail, the stitching and embellishments on this go well with the orange-red, as if flames have been sewn on. Catching Fire For inspiration we turned to the fiery spirit of Katniss from the Hunger Games.  Embody the brighter flames with this flowy, bright yellow dress – it’ll stand out among the icy dresses and dark suites for sure – or a billowy red one like the one Cinna created. Nasty Gal | Rare London Giovane Brocade Dress | $98  ...Or if you're more inspired by Katniss's coal outfit. Melted metallic gold and black make for a sultry combination! Smoked Out Pictures are from becomegorgeous.com Smokey eyes have always been a great go to for a weekend night out, but sometimes people forget to tone down everything. Kee

Esperanza is less than two weeks away and we hope that dress shopping hasn't been too stressful. With two great themes (Fire & Ice), there's a lot of room for fun and creativity. Here are a few simple tips that will inspire and help you find the perfect icy dress!  Falling Snow JK2 | Strapless Mesh Cocktail Dress | $56 Nothing says ice more than actual ice. Sequins, jewels and crystals are the perfect way to turn a dark colored dress into a snowy night. Teal, Mint, and Purple Mountain's Majesty Zara | Long Gathered Dress | $139 Everyone and their mothers are going to be wearing blue! Mix it up a little by adding in some green and purple hues and you'll be queen of the tundra. Sleeves of Snow BCBG | Lake Rhine Stone Cocktail Dress | $428 Esperanza is going to be in a tent outside. You want to look cool but that doesn't mean you have to freeze your butt off.  I personally think long sleeved white mini dresses are so so classy. ICE I

Name : Sarah Percival    College : Duncan '14 Major : Math & Statistics  Describe your personal style: Colorful, simple, modern. Favorite places to shop : Forever 21, Buffalo Exchange, other thrift and consignment stores. What is your style journey? Why do you dress the way you dress? I want to be able to express myself visually, but I can't really draw or paint so I use my clothes to make a statement. It's easier to put on a pretty dress in the morning rather than putting on pants and a shirt. I'm pretty lazy in the morning, so I like to do things that are quick. Any fashion or style tips? Shop at thrift stores, 'cause you can find really interesting things that are really cheap. Photographer Statement : "I featured Sarah because she has a unique, colorful style that really stands out." -Nathan Alison

Name:   Brittney Xu College:  Brown '14 Major:  English & Economics Describe your style in three words. Evolving, Vibrant/Colorful What was your style journey? The way you dress shapes how others see you--it's always an experiment for me. It's fascinating that people react differently when I dress up and each outfit feels like a different costume or personality. That's why I can't quite pin down my personal style, because it's dependent on who I want to be that day. I believe in fashion's power to challenge people's expectations and speak against authority. You say you experiment--what do you look for in people's expectations? What's a "successful experiment"? If I'm trying to look good, I could try to get compliments, of course. If I'm feeling cynical, maybe I'll subvert how you're "supposed to dress". Any reaction is successful, because what I'm inter

Name:  Ashley Ugarte College: Martel Major: Health Sciences and Environmental Policy Studies Describe your style: Sexy, Confident, Eclectic, with a touch of vintage What inspires your style?:  My mom, she was and still is a fashion icon in my eyes. Always starting trends and would rock MC Hammer pants back in the 80's. Gotta love her. Favorite Place to Shop: Definitely secondhand clothing stores, thrift shops, and vintage boutiques. You run into lots of gems there. Then there's always Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, and Anthropologie, a few of my faves for when I decide against being entirely eco-friendly.    Favorite clothing item: High-waisted anything. I seriously can't wear normal pants, shorts, or skirts anymore.  #1 Accessory:     Earrings. Only studs. Otherwise I feel naked or look like a chola... no hoop earrings for me thank you very much!  Tips, yo?:  Don't be afraid to be yourself, as much of a clic

Name:  Nathan Alison College: Brown College '14 Major: Computer Science Describe your style: Classy-ish, geek-chic. What motivates you to dress up everyday? It's a cascading feedback loop---people liked it when I dressed up so I started experimenting more until I dress like this everyday. People actually get mad when I don't dress up. It makes me more confident and helps me stand out---plus it's fun. Any fashion faux pas? Senior year of high school, I wore exclusively pastel polo shirts. How do you feel about fashion trends? I believe in them so much as they are something to subvert. They exist but you can work around them. What inspires your style of dressing? I try to be as unbound by time period as possible. My bow tie/suit combo has been around since the 1800's. I purposefully fit different decades into my aesthetic. Any fashion advice?  Maybe a lot of people have the mindset that "You don't h

Name:  Spring Li College: Hanszen '14 Major: Cognitive Sciences How would you describe your style:  I don't really have a set one - one day I'm all street and funky, the next day I'm a flowery girly girl.  It's as different as the weather!