Raechal Sabin, 21, Cedar Rapids
Student @ Mount Mercy College

(Cliff Jette Photos/Video)

 
Where do you get your style inspiration from?
First and for most, I have to say that my mother has always taught me that it isn’t what you wear or how much it cost, but how it looks on your body. She has also taught me to pay attention to detail. For example, I could buy a designer, BCBG dress for $300, but look better in a dress from Von Maur for half the price. It is important to remember that a price tag doesn’t determine beauty or self-satisfaction. I am constantly looking for new fashion ideas. I look online daily as well as in fashion magazines. I take the magazine’s ideas and put my own twist on them. Fashion is meant to be affordable and fun. Another aspect of my fashion is hair. I love trying new styles and updo’s. I love to wear my hair wavy, curly, straight, crimped, teased, braided and twisted. I accent my hair with butterfly and flower clips or colorful bobby pins. Based on what clothing I chose for the day, my hair changes to compliment that clothing. Makeup is another important part of a person’s style. For me, less is better. I would rather just wear mascara and pink lipstick then “paint on my face” everyday. True inner beauty is what makes a person beautiful because they are more relatable.

See more photos of Raechal.

Who are your style icons?/Why?
Prepare yourself, I have many style icons, this is because I mix and match their styles in with my own. My style icons are Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Simpson, and Heidi Klum. I have picked them because they all dress “chic, classy, sexy, and vibrant”, which defines my style. Reese Witherspoon is more of the classy-chic type. She loves black and red, and knows what clothing flatters her body. She loves wearing stilettos and big-framed sunglasses. I chose Jennifer Aniston strictly for the reason that she knows how to dress. She has a great body and wears form fitting clothing that also flatter her body. She has a great style and her hair always looks beautifully done! Jessica Simpson, a big favorite of mine, has a sexy style. I love her oversized purses and funky high heeled shoes. She too wears animal print and big-framed sunglasses. I love how she carries herself so confidently. She knows she looks great and isn’t afraid to show it! This is the same for Heidi Klum. She is a very confident woman as well. Heidi knows what clothing flatters her body, and isn’t afraid to show some skin. Her hair always looks flawless and her makeup is natural. I hate when women layer on the makeup as if they are frosting a cake. Simple is ALWAYS better. I feel I am “most pretty” when I only wear mascara and lip gloss, because it is more natural.

What is your favorite local place to find amazing pieces?
Since I am a college student, I cannot afford to spend a fortune on designer jewelry so I take a short trip to Mount Vernon. In Mount Vernon there is a jewelry boutique called, The Silver Spider. In this boutique are affordable purses, clothing, scarves, and jewelry of all kinds. The best thing about this boutique is they have “buy one-get one free” deals on jewelry. All of their jewelry (especially earrings) are sold under $10. If someone was to look in my jewelry box, three-fourths of my jewelry comes from that boutique!

What is your staple go-to store for fashion finds?
I get all my clothing mainly from Express inside Lindale Mall. I also am a huge fan of Target. They have adorable sundresses and great hair accessories. Although, one of my favorite sundresses is from Plato’s Closet, which is a secondhand thrift shop.

What is the one fashion item you can’t live without?
High heels and oversized purses! Sorry I know that is two!

What do you want to splurge on?
Well, someday I would LOVE to own a pair of Jimmy Choo’s! I love to pamper myself with pedicures and highlights, however, if I had to pick I would splurge on a designer dress or a trip to a spa!

What are you willing to skimp on?
Jewelry, because most of my favorite jewelry I bought for under $10!

What kind of fashionista are you?
My style is chic, classy, vibrant, and sexy. Though I love color, I think black and gray flatter my silhouette the most. I am a short girl with curves so I stay away from clothes that are too baggy. Less is more and showing too much skin takes away from the outfit. I love cocktail dresses with stilettos, which I pair with big dangly earrings. I love bright colors like pink, orange, purple, and lime green. All throughout summer I wear sundresses with big sunglasses, simple jewelry, and wedge heels. The best thing about a sundress is that it can be dressed up with stiletto heels, a fashionable belt, or a touch of makeup to transform you from day to night! Everyone loves to flaunt their best attributes. I think by wearing forming-fitting clothing it does show off my curves. I am a HUGE fan of animal print, but don’t get me wrong, a little goes a long way! I love to wear leopard or zebra print tops with skinny jeans or a jean skirt. I have a leopard print sundress that I cannot wait to wear this summer! I think the animal prints bring out a wild side in me.

I try to stay up-to-date with the latest trends. I love molding other styles into my own but I keep in mind the older fashions of Marilyn Monroe or Jackie O. I think it’s important to “funk” up your style but remain classic at the same time.

 
What are you wearing?
A gray jumper, short sleeve that buttons down the front and attaches to shorts, with a gray and white cotton scarf. Both are from Express at the Lindale Mall in Cedar Rapids. I wore this with black  peep-toe wedged heels from Dillards.