BETTER BASICS BY GRANA

As a college student it can be challenging to find high-quality pieces that are within my price range. My wardrobe usually goes a few months at a time without updates. When partnering with brands I'm always hoping that their offerings are within the average college student's budget. With Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, and any other winter holidays you might be celebrating just a couple weeks away, the stress of gift-giving means extra strain on everyone's wallets.

A classic Christmas gift for siblings, parents, and friends is a sweater. If you think about the stereotypical Christmas sweaters grandmas knit, a sweater might not seem like that great a gift. But if you actually think about all the things you can wear a great basic sweater with, it starts sounding like a much better idea. So let's say you decide to get sweaters for your mom and aunt. You go online and are confronted with cashmere sweaters priced $200-$500. How on earth is a full-time student with a part-time job supposed to be able to afford that, and all of the other gifts she plans to get?

Let me first say that the Holidays aren't all about how much money you spend on presents. It's a season of giving, but giving can come in a lot of forms. You can give your time, your love, your friendship, and your words. If you do plan on buying presents, make sure to keep in mind that quality is more important than quantity. I usually give out a mix of homemade and store-bought gifts! You don't have to spend all your savings to show the people you love that you care.

The good news is that you can still get your mom that beautiful cashmere sweater, without breaking the bank. Grana is an online shopping destination with the primary goal of producing high-quality basics at low prices. At Grana, the best textiles are sought out worldwide, and designs are produced in-house to keep costs down. I partnered with the brand to showcase three of their pieces — the cashmere crewneck sweater, silk ankle pants, and silk loose shorts — each under $100! 

As a self-proclaimed simpleton I'm always looking for the perfect wardrobe basics that are comfy, without looking frumpy. These three pieces are the perfect new additions to my wardrobe. Both of the silk bottoms can be dressed up or down, and the cashmere sweater is perfect for layering during winter.

To get free shipping and 10% off your order at Grana through January 2017, use my code "CAITLINxGRANA" at checkout. 

Pants Look: Silk Ankle Pants - Grana | Cashmere Crewneck - Grana | Leather Jacket - Ganni | Backpack - Free People (here, in black)
Shorts Look: Silk Loose Shorts - Grana | Ribbed Mockneck Top - Urban Outfitters (similar long sleeve version here) | Shoes - Puma

REFORMED AND ALTERED

I don't know why it took me so long to realize the convenience and money-saving power of tailoring. Over the past five years-ish, my weight has fluctuated. Not slightly. A lot. Like size 2, to 000, to 4, to 8, to 2. Negative body image will do that to you. Over and over again. With my weight varying so much, shopping has become somewhat of a nightmare. I never really know what size I am, I end up hating most of the things I try on, and when my weight changes again I have to buy new clothes.  

When I was cleaning my room the other day I realized I had jeans, skirts, and dresses I had purchased sometime within the past year. Some of these pieces were multiple sizes too big, and not in the cool/oversized/boyfriend-look way. Internally crying at the thought of all the money I had "wasted" on items that no longer fit, as I stuffed them into a donation box, I had an epiphany. I could take all of these items to my local cleaners and have them altered! Not only would I avoid having to buy replacements for these items, but I could also support a local business.

Having one dress, two skirts, and a pair of jeans altered cost me roughly $70 (equivalent to half or three-quarters of a pair of jeans from Madewell). In other words, I am now obsessed with having my clothes altered. This green faux leather skirt I bought at ZARA last winter was one of the items I had taken in, and I am SO thrilled that I now get to wear it. I have a love-hate relationship with ZARA. Do I love that they always stock on-trend pieces, and that their shoes are AMAZING and very affordable? Yes. But as a "fast fashion" company, they contribute huge amounts of pollution to the environment, fail to provide workers with safe conditions, and perpetuate waste and a throw-away society. I figured that the least I can do, if I am choosing to support a fast-fashion company, is to be selective about what I buy, and to recycle those pieces in any way I can. 

When I think about it, this look is pretty sustainable. The camel turtleneck I'm wearing here is from Reformation, an LA-based womenswear brand that prides itself in its sustainable practices. If you check out their website, you'll see that on each item page is a breakdown of the environmental impact caused by the production of that piece. Not only does Reformation have a mission statement that I full-heartedly support, but they also happen to make great clothes. This sweater is incredibly cozy, and the perfect camel color. Want something soft and warm to cuddle, but can't deal with a pet? But yourself a fuzzy sweater, instead. Rest assured, I will be wearing mine all Fall and Winter.

I'm heading to New Orleans for Thanksgiving, and I have no idea what I'm going to wear. I would probably wear this outfit to Thanksgiving dinner just because it screams Fall (at least, to me), but I plan on stuffing myself with turkey, mashed potatoes, and pie until I assume a comatose state, so I figure a leather mini skirt isn't the most strategic choice. 

There is no doubt, though, that both pieces in this outfit will be coming with me on my trip. After all, it is already almost Thanksgiving, and my days to wear green leather skirts and turtleneck sweaters are probably numbered.

Sunglasses - Ray Ban | Sweater - Reformation (similar here) | Skirt - Zara (similar here) | Shoes - MissGuided

GET YOUR KNIT TOGETHER

September is just around the corner, which means I can officially start wearing Fall clothes, regardless of the fact that it will probably be 80+ degrees in LA until late October. Summer is great, tans are fun (as long are they aren't preceded by gnarly sunburns), and the longer days are nice. But let's be honest. Fall and Winter are far superior seasons because they entail OUTERWEAR AND KNITWEAR! 

I miss wearing outerwear so much. I haven't touched my knits in months. That's why I want to be completely prepared with a huge selection of perfect knit sweaters when temps finally drop. As long as we're talking mid-70's, I'll wear a sweater. I'll just convince myself that it's cold enough to warrant doing so. 

I rounded up a selection of 9 sweaters — different in their structure, material, coverage, and unique details. I already have some sheer sweaters and chunky knit turtlenecks in my closet, but I need to get my hands on some split sleeve detailed pieces, as well as everything else on this list. Hopefully this list is helpful to you, too!

Topshop Sheer Sweater | Proenza Schouler Split Detail Sweater | Zara Bow Sweater | Zara Ribbed Sweater | House of Harlow Quinn Sweater | The Reformation Urlina Sheer Turtleneck Sweater | The Reformation Cordelia Alpaca Sweater | Finders Keepers Tomorrow Knit | Keepsake Imagine Knit | Free People Rossi Henley