Name: Emily Cieslak
Year: 2019
Major: Creative Writing and Environmental Studies
Hometown: Wenatchee, WA
Position on The WALK: Junior Features Editor [Ed note: check out her articles here!], Print Magazine Writer, Layout Team Member
Any other activities/extracurriculars: Stylist for Penn Fashion Show, The Daily Pennsylvanian, Wharton Communication Media Relations Assistant, Fossil Free Penn
What spring/summer/fall/winter trends are you most excited to try?
I love 70s fashion, so I am excited to continue reliving the decade in summer silhouettes. I cannot tell you how long I have wanted to wear off-the-shoulder-tops, and I have recently gotten obsessed with wrap skirts.
What current trends are you least excited about/do you loathe?
Though I haven’t noticed this trend on campus yet, I have seen this new combination of wearing dresses over pants in magazines. I think this ruins the appeal of both dresses and pants, and you waste two outfits in one. Also I am glad it is getting warmer and boots will go away because I could not get behind over-the-knee boots. Not only would they personally make me look shorter, but more often than not, I think they look tacky.
Describe your personal style in 3 words or less.
Classic.
What’s the most essential item in your wardrobe?
A good pair of ankle boots. They instantly make any outfit more stylish, give some height and are surprisingly comfortable.
Ditto for your makeup bag?
I use a sunscreen every day because any dermatologist will tell you it is the best step you can take to prevent aging. My goal is to have as little wrinkles and brown spots as possible, fingers-crossed.
Who/what would you cite as your style inspiration?
I have always looked back at style icons of past decades, but I think the look I try to follow the most is that of Olivia Palermo. She constantly looks chic yet on-trend, elegant yet subtly sexy.
If you could go anywhere in the world – for personal, professional, or style-inspiration purposes – where would you go, and what would you do?
I am one of those people who can spend hours at a store shopping for beauty products, so going to South Korea and being able to try all of their innovative beauty trends would be the dream.
What’s the best style, health or beauty, advice you’ve ever given (or received)?
Back before thick eyebrows were popular and many women would over pluck theirs, my mom instilled in me the beauty of full brows and would never let me get mine plucked. I’m so glad I listened to her because now I love my natural shape and consider my brows one of my best features.
Best piece of style advice you would give someone?
This goes against a common thought held in fashion, but as long as you buy quality pieces and they still fit, I say there is no reason for throwing clothing away, even pieces that no longer are “trendy.” Trends continuously recycle, and over time you can find new and more interesting ways to wear an item.
Images courtesy of Kaleb Germinaro