BY CAMILA RYDER

In print | Published October 1, 2009 — Updated October 08, 2009 21:43

Name: Isabel Rivera
Class Year: 2010
From: Bronx, N.Y.

What She’s Wearing:
“I’m wearing a Gap t-shirt. These pants, I think I got them at Ann Taylor Loft and my shoes are Nine West. My bag is also from Nine West,” Rivera said. Though she shops at fairly mainstream stores, Rivera bought her earrings from a small jewelry store on 57th and Lexington in New York City.
Her outfit’s neutral palette conjures up the idea of a basic, go-to fall wardrobe of black or grey coats and brown boots. But it’s her nude flats that stand out. Nude lips, dresses and sheer tops have dominated much of the runways, but nude-colored shoes can balance out any outfit. The most-seen item on celebrities at red carpet events has been the patent leather, nude Christian Louboutin pumps. Pair them with a jewel tone dress or even a black tweed suit, the nude color evokes the natural look and effortlessly elongates legs. Rivera’s pointy-toe flats are reminiscent of Louboutin’s style.

How would you describe your style?
Rivera said her style is “pretty basic” and “fairly conservative.” With a job in the admissions office, she enjoys spending “money on work clothes because it’s what I need.” Rivera’s professional, pulled-together look makes her unlikely to wear pajamas to class. “I can’t leave my dorm in sweatpants, I just can’t,” Rivera said. “I’ve actually tried to do it, and I can’t do it!”

Style influences/inspirations:
“I went to high school in New York City, so I would take the train all the time,” she said. “I’d see all the pretty fashionable people get on the train.” New York City is one of the fashion capitals of the world and “it’s hard not to be inspired by [people] and be like, ‘That looks good, maybe I’ll try something different,’” Rivera said.

Rivera also studied abroad in Argentina, and there the elegantly dressed women inspired her fashion outlook. “Everyone there dresses really nicely,” she said. “They look so good, but they also dress very basic. That’s what I aspire to, when they look good effortlessly. It just works.”

Wardrobe Staples:
Rivera definitely sticks to the basics and likes “black skirts and black pants a lot.” Cardigans are another must-have for Rivera. “There’s one that I really love, but I get mixed reviews on it,” she said. “People call it ‘the rug’ because it actually does look like a rug. But it’s really comfortable and it’s my favorite.”

Since she focuses on a sophisticated look, it’s no wonder that Rivera likes to wear pearl earrings. “I think that [they’re] really easy and also very simple,” she said. “I always think everyone looks good in them.”

Follow blogs or fashion web sites:
“I think everyone and their mother looks at The Sartorialist for random things,” Rivera said. Though she doesn’t browse many fashion blogs, her favorite web site is Instyle.com.

Do you think you’ve got great style? Want everyone to know about it? Then submit a photo of you in your best outfit to cryder1@swarthmore.edu. Please include your name and contact information.

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