You always know there will come a day.

But when that day comes, it feels like within the blink of an eye, everything is about to change. 

Over the last two years, I have had a column called “Fashionably Slate.” 

Not only did I consistently write this column, but I fell in love with the ability it gave me to talk about everyday life and feelings — even in the form of fashion. Think of it as therapy; what you love can apply to anything if you want it to. 

As I prepare to move my tassel from right to left in just eleven days, which I cannot believe, I am reminded of all of the memories that I have created — simply from writing about clothes, accessories and my adoration for human expression. 

I am feeling sentimental, so I am going to create three outfit ideas with SU’s color scheme – navy blue, red and white. 

Navy Blue

Navy blue is one of the best colors of all time. It has the ability to capture any emotion: happy, sad, angry or calm. It reminds me of a picnic in the summer sun, but it also reminds me of a rainy day where “Twilight” is the only thing playing on the TV.

As navy blue relates heavily to denim, I am, obviously, going to begin the outfit with a pair of excellent jeans. Often, I do not like to wear jeans; however, jeans have the ability to take an outfit from usual to spectacular. 

For example, with these dark jeans, I would buy a pair that had a large roll at the foot. I am sure you’ve seen them: bell-bottom jeans with a cuff at the bottom. Then, I would get a dark red blazer; the blazer would be sleeveless. It would have gold buttons down the front and a symmetrical, concave triangle formation at the waist. With this, I would wear white kitten heels (the heel under three inches), and I would wear dark red sunglasses with a messy bun to complete the look. 

The outfit would immediately go from a usual denim outfit to a classy, elegant style that fits any occasion. 

Red

Red is also one of the best colors – it’s not the first color of the rainbow for no reason. It is one of those colors that just makes sense. Now, I like more of a wine-red; however, regular red is just as good. Let me tell you why.

I’m picturing a short skirt. The skirt has ruffles, and it looks almost like a bubble skirt. It has white and red gingham pattern, as white and red relate to summer exponentially. With this skirt, I would wear a navy blue short-sleeved top — preferably longer and ribbed. To fit the aesthetic, I would wear white ruffled socks and red ballet flats. It is a perfect outfit that needs no explanation; it is simply incredible. 

White

White is an innocent color. It is pure and adds a touch to any outfit. White is a shade; black and white have the ability to turn any outfit into a force to be reckoned with. To style white, I am thinking of a long white skirt that twirls when you turn to say hello to a stranger at a coffee shop. 

Next, I am picturing a dark red top. Whichever you have works with the idea. Next, I am imagining a blue and white, vertically striped button-down — particularly open. On top of that, navy blue shoes, or shoes that obtain navy blue in some way (potentially New Balance 530s), would look excellent. 

For a full-circle ‘50s look, which I adore, I would suggest white, thin sunglasses and curled hair. These would finish the look; nevertheless, do what makes you comfortable. 

SU’s colors are a beautiful addition to any outfit. They are also a beautiful way to remember a time period that cannot ever be forgotten – the college experience in which you remember forever. Our experiences may totally differ, but at the end of the day, we are all one. We all love this place for several reasons.  

If it were not for Shippensburg University, The Slate would not exist in my personal timeline. If The Slate was not a part of me, my life would be significantly different. I would not be who I am, in other words. 

My first “Fashionably Slate” discussed recent trends on SU’s campus. It has been truly mesmerizing to see what has changed and what has stayed relevant. Once and for all, it has always been more than just clothing. It is, really, about the way we work cohesively to celebrate our perfect differences. 

I want to end my final Fashionably Slate with a reminder of how I ended the first - “Keep being unique and live beautifully.”

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