By Amanda Beck Image by Andrea Sabugo Corseted silhouettes, low rise capris, and feathered accessories filled the runway as Ella Mae Jepson debuted her latest collection at New York Fashion Week. Inspired by what she described as “trashy Jersey shore meets Marie Antionette,” the collection created a bold and unexpected take on modern fashion. Founded in 2021, Ella Mae’s Los Angeles-based fashion label became known for blending whimsical designs with sustainable practices. Jep

By: Savanah Ord Photo by: Savanah Ord Styling doesn’t have to drain your wallet, looking and feeling your best can absolutely be affordable. Thrifting is all about sustainability, creativity, and individuality. It’s the perfect way for college students, and really anyone, to build a unique wardrobe while staying budget‑friendly. Know your basics Basics are the foundation of every wardrobe. They’re perfect for layering, dressing up, or keeping things simple. Basic jeans are a

Rachel Spence By Amanda Beck Today we are highlighting Rachel Spence, a valuable CDR alumna. Rachel graduated in 2018 with a degree in Integrated Marketing Communication. During her time in CDR, she stayed engaged with the club by writing blog posts for our website. Rachel also exceeded expectations with her writing by having it published in the Rocket under the CDR column. Rachel found her way after graduation by utilizing her knowledge of the fashion industry, working as a

By Jordan Ensign, with Kasaundra Harvey and Shyann Tarr Next month, three members of the College Dress Relief team —Kasaundra Harvey, Shyann Tarr, and Jordan Ensign— will be graduating from Slippery Rock University. Today, we're highlighting the ways CDR has shaped their undergraduate journeys, and the memories made and lessons learned along the way. From left: Kasaundra Harvey (CDR Co-President), Shyann Tarr (CDR Secretary), & Jordan Ensign (CDR Blog Editor) Why did you deci

By Madison Walloch Photo courtesy of Alaina Titchen On Monday, March 23, CDR members attended the 2026 Pittsburgh Opera Fashion Show, titled “It’s About Time,” at the Bitz Opera Factory. The show was curated by Richard Parsakian, and served as his final show after a 45-year long career in events. Parsakian is also the owner of Eons Fashion Antique, which is focused on costume design for film, TV, dance, and theatre. The store will be celebrating 40 years in business this Ju

By Amanda Beck Today we are highlighting a past CDR member, Alyssa Kasunich. Alyssa graduated from SRU in 2022 with a degree in Integrated Marketing Communication. Alyssa Kasunich Alyssa currently holds two positions, as a Digital Account Manager at Little Moon Marketing, and as the Digital Media Manager at Safety First. While Alyssa did not hold a position during her time in CDR, she still gained valuable experience and created lasting memories as an active member. She was

By Savanah Ord Spring is here, and it’s the perfect time to refresh your wardrobe. The goal is simple: keep the pieces that worked in winter, but swap in lighter fabrics, fresh colors, and versatile layers. A few thoughtful changes can make your outfits feel new without a full wardrobe overhaul. 1. Swap Heavy Outerwear for Lighter Layers Photo from Pinterest Winter coats and heavy jackets can be replaced with trench coats, denim jackets, light cardigans, or utility jackets. T

By Jordan Ensign I'm someone who likes to cut my hair frequently. I usually can't go more than a couple months before getting the urge to mix it up—but that many professional haircuts a year can get expensive and time consuming, especially for a busy college student. Those are just two of many reasons why, for over five years now, I’ve been cutting my own hair. What began as a DIY clean-up following one unsatisfactory salon experience turned into a consistent habit that gives

By Kasaundra Harvey Photo from Pinterest Let’s be honest, almost every college student right now is in need of a restful, relaxing break. The semester has felt extra intense these days, and here at College Dress Relief, we’re all about relieving our stress. We may be a fashion club, but we are also knowledgeable about taking the stress out of college students' lives. Whether you’re going away to a sunny beach or going home to your family, here are five of my favorite de-stre

By Amanda Beck Mariah Ricci Our alum spotlight today features Mariah Ricci, who graduated in 2017 with a Communication degree with a focus in Public Relations. She currently works at FLOW Wellness as both a Marketing Outreach Coordinator and a Psychotherapist. Mariah played a significant role in the growth and development of CDR. In fact, it was Mariah who took the initiative to get CDR enrolled as an official club in 2016. We cannot thank her enough for starting this incred

By Amanda Beck Today, we’re proud to highlight an incredible CDR alumna, Brooke Henderson (soon to be Brooke Santarelli!) Brooke Henderson Brooke graduated from Slippery Rock University in 2018 with a degree in Integrated Marketing & Communication. During her time at SRU, she served as President of College Dress Relief, helping to shape the organization into the impactful and empowering club it is today. Currently, Brooke works as a Lead Communications Specialist at UPMC, wh

By Brianna Price image from Pinterest Let’s be real, styling and creating outfits can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. Effortless style isn’t about flashing logos or chasing every trend, it’s about looking sharp without trying too hard. For young guys just getting started in the fashion world, having the right basics, knowing a few simple tricks, and paying a little attention to detail can help you put together looks that feel natural, confident, and completely yo

By Kasaundra Harvey Below is a recap of some of our club’s events this year. We’ve had two photoshoots so far where we’ve gotten to know our members and shoot content for our platforms in the process! Macoskey Center In September, our club held a photoshoot for members to get new, professional headshots and other photos at the beautiful Macoskey Center. We had a wonderful time getting to know our members early in the semester while creating content. The Macoskey Center off

By Kailyn Turko Happy fall, all! With the weather starting to change, it can be a challenge to have cute outfits while keeping cozy. It can be especially difficult when it is cold in the morning — when you are leaving for class — and warmer when the sun is out in the afternoon. I wanted to share some tips about layering that can help take your outfits to the next level! image from Pinterest Jackets Everyone’s go-to item when the temperature starts to drop is a jacket. It is b

By Rylan Strauser Styling versus wearing. What’s the difference? Anyone can throw on a pair of pants and a shirt and make it look good, but what makes clothes stand out? What exactly turns a basic outfit into a creative outfit? In my experience, making an outfit interesting – or styling – is easier than you may think, but it takes knowledge on how to efficiently and effectively mix pieces in your wardrobe. Through styling, you can take a simple pair of pants and a simple shir