Image by Georgie Morley
A guide to styling intergalactic fashion
The galaxy isn’t only a massive conglomeration of stars, planets, stellar remnants and cosmic rays — it’s also the inspiration for the latest fashion trend. From starry skirts to spacey photos, the Milky Way can give nearly anything a fresh and modern spin.
Websites like Etsy and Wanelo have been overflowing with galactic clothing and accessories — from bras and leggings to skirts and socks. Celestial rings, necklaces and earrings are also becoming more popular, along with bags and even phone cases. But what clothing does one match with items that look like they’ve been dipped in a vat of outer space?
In order to make your wearable galaxy stand out, pair the print with very simple colors so your outfit doesn’t clash. If you wear a spacey-printed shirt, it would look best with black leggings or jeans, a black blazer and tasteful boots. If you wear starry leggings, a long denim shirt would make the print pop, while also conveying a relaxed look.
Finding things to wear with galaxy-printed shoes — whether Jeffery Campbell heels or a comfy pair of Vans — can be a little trickier. For a casual outfit, try matching the shoes with dark skinny jeans and a sheer, button-up pastel top. You can also sport some high-waisted shorts with a flowy top that matches one of the colors in the galactic print. If your style is a bit more edgy, try wearing the high-waisted shorts with a band shirt tucked in, a bold blazer and a silver, dangly necklace to complete the look.
For a fancier outfit that accents the shoes, try texturizing by wearing a black velvet dress with dark, translucent tights. When in doubt, wear black — it is the one color that is guaranteed to make the print stand out.
The galaxy can be right at your fingertips, too, if you have patience and the right colors of nail polish. In order to create the effect yourself, get ahold of two dark colors (black and deep purple), two or three accent colors (light purples or blues), and two light colors (light blue, white, or cream). Paint two coats of the dark color onto your nails, and before they dry, use a small sponge to blot the centers of your nails. From there, paint around the blots with accent colors and use the sponge to blend the colors. To highlight the centers of your mini galaxies, use the light colors and blend them. To finish them off, try painting over all of your nails with a clear, sparkly polish that imitates stardust.
Looking for a way to add stars to your digital life? There’s an app for that. Adding a galactic effect to any of your photos somehow makes them look that much cooler. With a quick edit of a boring picture of yourself in the iPhone’s GalaxyFX application, followed by a swift post to Instagram, your once-lame selfie can become much more of an eye-catcher. While scrolling through Instagram or Tumblr, one may also notice that if the galaxy effect is added on to a picture, it makes him or her appear that much higher.
So why has this trend exploded like a supernova? By soaking vintage-styled clothing in spacey paint, we’re taking fashion back to the future. Having the galaxy printed on one’s clothing, nails or accessories gives that person a fresh look that exudes creativity. Fashion usually imitates seasons or landscapes, and since we’ve run out of scenery on our own planet to emulate, we’ve launched into outer space for inspiration.
Considering that hardly any two prints look exactly alike, galactic print has the ability to awaken one’s curiosity and imagination. And with a futuristic style that is dynamic and edgy, it›s impossible not to stand out.
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Robyn Schmitz is a sophomore journalism major whose fashion inspiration is Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century. Email her at rschmit1[at]ithaca[dot]edu