Meet Chloe. Works hard, plays hard; reads Plato, reads Vogue-a well-rounded Duke student.
Today, Chloe's Kate Spade planner brims with appointments-studying for a midterm, meeting with her dean, hot date with the EFX at the gym, dancing at George's (unfortunately, no hot date there-this is Duke), even class. Luckily, this spring's fashions provide an eclectic mix that accommodates even the most schizo student's schedule. So run Chloe, run.
9:55 a.m. Trinity Cafe: Black and white
Entirely too early for human consciousness, Chloe must study for her 10:30 midterm. Time for a double-shot skim latte, serious cramming, and ultra-stylish black-and-white coffee shop attire. According to Vogue writer and Duke alumna Marina Rust, zebra hues form the crux of the fashion template this season, and Chloe is the fashion plate of Duke.
10:30 a.m. Carr Building: Fendi sunglasses
Chloe aces her midterm and leaves early, triumphantly sporting big Fendi sunglasses to conceal sleep deprivation
12:40 p.m. Gross Chem: Tropical print
Waltzes into the 300-person class. Almost 60 people there, and she knows 'em all. She models a wild tropical print that captures the attention of all the half-sleeping students. While black and white monopolize the news, colorful florals steal the scenes. Chloe likes stealing scenes.
2 p.m. Meeting with the Dean: Full skirt
Time for a responsible-looking outfit: a knee-length, full skirt with kitten heels and a preppy Vera Bradley bag (her mother would wear it-what could be more responsible?). She definitely does not look like an alcohol-violator. Wish her luck anyway.
4 p.m. Gym: Lycra capris and yoga bra
Always up on the new fashions, Chloe heads to the gym sporting J. Crew's hot workout line to prepare her thighs for the "return of the mini-skirt" (a horror movie in so many ways). After two years of capri pants and knee-length skirts, no one (well, almost no one) has seen above her knees, and she wants to be sure their grand unveiling will be magnificent.
7 p.m. Dorm bathroom: Towel and shower shoes.
Gross. No really, and shower shoes go with nothing. It is now decision time for dear Chloe: the slinky goddess draping shirt or the mini? They cannot be mixed.
"When you wear a mini-skirt, the number one rule is that your top must be very covered," Rust says. "Long sleeve, boatneck, flowy, asymmetrical-just so you don't show too much skin. As for shoes, absolutely no stiletto heels." Chloe goes for the mini, a Cameron Diaz-esque blouse, and chunky heels.
11:48 p.m. George's: Miniskirt.
Chloe feels at home in the microscopic fashion statement. She revels in compliments, screening the audience for someone who will still be taller than her in her four-inch platforms. But mostly, she feels satisfied. In one day, Chloe showed the Duke scene what this spring's fashions are all about.
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