Blogger Feature: Hilary of Young & Naive

Please welcome one of my favorite new buddies here in the blogosphere, Hilary from Young & Naive. I love her calm, cool, and collected personality, and her street chic style!

3 words to describe your personal style? 

I would say minimalistic, neutral, with a few bursts of color. Minimalistic because if you noticed, in all my outfits I wear few pieces of jewelry. In my opinion, beauty stands well on its own. I think a simple outfit is one that looks the most put together. Neutral, this is because I rarely wear bright clothing. I love black, white, tan, gray and all the above. Its just who I am but that "burst of color" above is when I accentuate with shoes or purses or head wraps that have a bunch of color.

Who are your celebrity style icons? 
 Rachel Bilson is my main celebrity style icon. I love her effortless California style. She is simplistic and minimalistic and loves neutrals as much as I do. And she always looks put together, whether she is in leggings and rain boots or a dress and heels. Also Rachel Zoe, who doesn't love some Zoe in their life? Although she always wears jewelry, the outfits she puts together look absolutely amazing at all times. I've never not been impressed by her style.
 
What is your favorite item in your closet?  
My favorite item in my closet is my high waisted dark jeans from Urban Outfitters. I love the basics as mentioned above. I think black biker boots, a slouchy black tee, and skinnies might be arguably the best outfit. Sure, heels and booties are great and look fantastic but who dresses like that every day? As a student I sure don't. Comfort is key in my closet!

What would you consider the 5 essential items to a fashionable wardrobe?  

Five essential items, thats a tough one because I'm a sucker for anything and everything shoes and clothing. I would say that the five essential items to a fashionable wardrobe would be: a pair of riding/biker boots, dark skinnies, plaid shirt, vibrant wedges or heels, and a classic white v-neck. With those five things you can already come up with at least three different outfits. For a broke college kid, revamping is everything for my fashion and personal style.

What is your go-to, never-fail outfit?  

Well that goes along with the question below. It all depends on the season and the weather. In the summertime, a tank and maxi skirt with a pair of gladiators is my go to outfit. In the fall, a pair of riding boots with a long cardigan and white v-neck. In the winter/snow, my winter boots and as much clothing as possible (it gets cold people). And in the spring, a fun colored pair of heels with jeans and a slouchy tee.

Here in Southern California, we don't exactly get true "seasons." How does seasonal weather affect your wardrobe choices?  

Seasonal weather can be your best friend or your worst enemy, it just depends on how you look at it. Personally, I love having every season especially for the style that comes along with it. Ohio has crazy temperamental weather. It can be 50 degrees on a day in January, then the next day it could be sleeting/snowing and hailing with a 30 degree temperature. That being said, layering is key here in the winter and that is how my wardrobe is affected. I don't get to wear a lot of my cute frilly shirts because they simply look stupid when layered. You'll see on my blog that my fashion choices in the winter are much more simple than my spring/summer/fall outfits.

As a student/young professional, how do you find a balance between fashion and comfort/professionalism/appropriateness? 

It's not hard to find a balance between fashion and professionalism. Zara is my favorite place to get work clothing/sorority meeting clothing. I try to pick out clothing that I could wear out with a pair of jeans and heels or wear to work with a skirt and heels. I try to be age appropriate too, nothing bothers me more than people who don't act their age.

One trend I'm dying to try is the bright orange spring trend that is going on right now. I need some more colors in my life.

I feel most myself when I’m wearing: a pair of leggings, riding boots, flannel, v-neck and hair in a bun on top of my head. This is when I am most comfortable and it gives me the ability to do whatever I want to do!

Thanks, Hilary! Make sure you all head over to Young & Naive to see more of Hilary's lovely looks!