Fashbook's back-to-school fashion tips

June signals the start of another school year, and after a summer of cut-offs and floral sun dresses, many fashionistas are back to wearing uniforms and prescribed black shoes. But back to school does not have to mean back to boring. "Fashbook" offers some back-to-school style tips to keep you fashionable all year round.

 

Stand out in eye-catching accessories

 

How do you stand out in a sea of students in uniforms? Accessorize! L.A. Ferriols, fashion assistant of Meg Magazine, advises students to wear accessories like cuffs, bangles, and pins or badges that they can attach to their uniforms. "Get accessories that you can wear on and wear off with the uniform, depending on your mood," she said.

 

Ferriols also advises students to invest in key accessories like bags and shoes that come in jewel tones or colorful animal prints. Eye-catching bags are statement pieces, but make sure to get a bag that's sturdy and big enough to hold your school books and other supplies.

 

Comfortable fashion

 

For those who do not have to wear uniforms in school, comfort dressing is the way to go. Sprinting from one building to the next? Wear sneakers or flats. "Play around with flats," Ferriols said. "Footwear is definitely something that's a statement piece on its own." Pair sneakers with a dressy top for a sporty and girly mix.

 

Since school opening coincides with the start of the rainy season, invest in a jacket or blazer that can keep you warm and dry. "You can wear a scarf around your neck, or a very good jacket or cardigan that is not too thick and not too sheer," she said. "Pick something that you can take from day to night."

 

Invest in transition pieces

 

A new school year does not require an entire new wardrobe. Students on a tight budget can still wear their summer getup and update the look with transition pieces. "Update your look by pairing pastels with brighter colors, or wearing florals in darker shades," Ferriols said. "The look this season is more toned down. Paisley prints are in." 

 

Tailored chic is also in. "They can invest in tailored pants. If your outfit is too casual, make it a little more formal by adding a blazer," she said.

 

(Almost) au naturel

 

For hair and makeup, Ferriols advises girls to keep it simple: combed hair, defined lips, and groomed eyebrows. "It's good to just have defined lips. Get a shade of lip color that's perfect for you and matches your skin," she said. 

 

"You can put a little bit of mascara. A touch of blush wouldn't hurt," she added. "You want to look natural and not overly done."

 

She adds that eye shadow is negligible. "Anything on top of that could be a little too much, especially if you're just going to school and you just want a natural look," she said. "It's school; you don't want to look like you're clubbing." 

 

It's also good to get a good haircut before school starts. Get a hair style that works for you and is manageable, especially on early mornings when you're running late for class. "Just make sure it's always combed, and always have hair pins and an elastic band for a ponytail, so you can do an updo on the spot," she said. — GMA News