As UW-Madison Style Gurus, we truly enjoy our job of reporting on the street style of our beloved campus, but the exciting experience of studying abroad can open our eyes to fashion in a new way.
CollegeFashionista Style Guru and retail major Megan Mansell is currently spending a semester in Sevilla, Spain where she’s had the opportunity to feature Fashionistas/os on the site.
Megan has been writing for four semesters, but she’s experiencing a new world of fashion in Sevilla.
Caroline Wilson: Define your style.
Megan Mansell: My own personal style is literally all over the place. I wear what I feel, so one day I’ll be in leggings and an oversized tee, and the next I’ll be made up in an LBD with tights and boots.
One thing that remains constant is I always throw a little piece of me on; if I’m wearing something super simple, I’ll wear a head wrap or create a wrist party on both arms.
CW: When did you first fall in love with the world of fashion?
MM: I’m fairly positive I was born a fashion lover. My dad is in retail and my sister owns a clothing store; it didn’t take long for me to follow in their footsteps!
CW: Has studying abroad in Spain impacted your own personal style?
MM: I’d say studying abroad has only made me take more risks. I’m not sure why, but I feel like everything is acceptable here and I take full advantage of that.
CW: How would you say that the street style of Spain differs from Madison?
MM: Street style is definitely different here. The main thing I notice is that everyone is dressed up constantly. It is simply not acceptable to leave the house in sweats.
CW: What’s been the best fashion related part of studying abroad in Spain?
MM: That leads me to my favorite part of being here-the street style is literally an art form. I see mothers pushing strollers with four inch heels and a fur coat on and I absolutely love that.
CW: Who are your favorite fashion designers and why?
MM: I am a sucker for Alexander Wang. I love that his ready-to-wear collection is so wearable.
I remember during a meet and greet with Vera Wang, she told us that it’s very important to her to actually make clothes that real people, not just runway models, can wear and I think Alexander utilizes this notion, too.
That being said, I think his runway shows are incredibly inspirational!
CW: Where do like to find your personal style inspiration?
MM: My inspiration for my day-to-day wardrobe comes from all over the place. I’m someone who likes to mix super classy pieces with totally trendy pieces, so sometimes my best inspiration is just looking through magazines.
At home, I have an inspiration board where whenever I see something I love, I pull it out of the magazine or book and pin it up. I love to look to it when I’m in a predicament about what to wear.
CW: Do you wish to pursue a career in fashion, and if so, what do you dream of doing?
MM: My dream job is truly to write about fashion. My ultimate dream would be to write for NYLON magazine.
CW: Do you have any tips to stay fashionable in our frigid weather?
MM: Accessories are definitely the main way to stay fashionable in the cold. Faux fur is my personal favorite because it’s warm, trendy and unique. Scarves are a great pick also, because there are so many options out there that you can pick ones that speak to your style.
CW: What has been the best part of writing for CollegeFashionista?
MM: Writing for CollegeFashionista has made me appreciate all different types of style and has just opened my eyes to the fact there are so many people around me putting effort into their wardrobe every day, and I love that.
CW: Why do you think College- Fashionista is great to have on campus?
MM: I think CollegeFashionista is an outlet for people who love fashion to see it in a very relatable form. While I absolutely love fashion magazines, sometimes it’s just fun to see people your age, with a similar budget, pulling together amazing pieces. It’s very inspirational!
