I think unoriginality in naming products may be trendy this season, since every single one of my picks is lacking a fun nickname! ASOS decided not to rock the boat and, thankfully I suppose, put all their creative juices into churning out one of the most eye-catching bags I’ve seen lately.

The Leather Panelled Bucket Bag (henceforth known as “the bag”) is made of 100% leather (duh) in gorgeous shades of camel and chocolate, as well as an unexpected teal suede. The mixture of the neutrals with the teal is just divine and is probably my favorite thing about this purse. It’s so bright but doesn’t overwhelm the bag or make it so you have to carefully match your outfit to it. The teal suede will serve as a nice pop of color during cold winter months, too. The contrast stitching of chocolate thread on camel leather is subtle but really gives a retro feel and seems well-thought-out.

Unfortunately, exact measurements for this baby weren’t available, but I think you can get a good sense of the size from the picture with the model below. The top is open, but there is a fancy pocket on the front that closes securely to keep your cell safe. The buckle strap actually works, so you don’t have to worry about anyone getting into that pocket. The long, yet adjustable shoulder strap is perfect for toting around all your essentials and easy to sling on between classes. A hands free option is always nice when it comes to purses.

I love this purse and think it would work beautifully in most collections. The colors and very “fall”, but the pop of teal makes it unique and interesting. If you’re looking to pick it up, head on over to ASOS where it’s available for about $135 – pretty darn good for real leather!

[Every girl needs a good purse (or 12). Whether you’re going for groceries or running from class to class, they are simply essential for holding all your, uh, essentials. Each week, I’m going to show you a fashionable, yet functional purse for the college crowd and let you know why you absolutely need it! I apologize ahead of time to your bank account.]

Up in my (northern) neck of the woods, there is a chill in the air and it’s got me thinking Fall! Fall is my absolute favorite fashion season; cozy sweaters, brand new denim and, of course, fall handbags! The Oasis Suedette Crossbody from ASOS perfectly defines fall handbag and totally deserves a feature in this column.

Obviously made of a delicate suedette fabric, this handbag by Oasis screams Autumn. The camel and natural tones, along with golden hardware will pair perfectly with your fave jeans, a cardi and a pair of boots! Do you know how excited I am to pull out my boots?! Anyways…

This is a medium-to-large sized bag, depending on your size. On my 5’8 frame, it runs into the “almost too small” category, at least for everyday wear. The dual straps (crossbody and carrying) are my preference, and are totally ideal. You can carry this on your forearm or shoulder like a socialite, or swing it over your shoulder while dashing to get a coffee before class. There is a full top zipper, in addition to the turnlock flap, so your belongings are super secure. As for storage space, the front pocket is perfect for easy access to your cell and a lipgloss, while the interior zip pocket serves to hold extra special items.

How cute is this purse when worn!? You are going to look like a lovely, English rose!

If you’re interested, head on over to ASOS (evidently one of my personal fave websites!). It retails for around $70, with free shipping and returns!

[Every girl needs a good purse (or 12). Whether you’re going for groceries or running from class to class, they are simply essential for holding all your, uh, essentials. Each week, I’m going to show you a fashionable, yet functional purse for the college crowd and let you know why you absolutely need it! I apologize ahead of time to your bank account.]

I usually have a backstory for why I chose to feature a certain bag, but this week I don’t. This purse is just gorgeous, vintage-inspired and great quality! Meet the Leather Tassel Frame Bag by ASOS.

ASOS is one of my favorite websites. They originally began selling reproductions of styles seen on starlets, and while they still dabble in that, they feature much more! Super trendy clothes and accessories at bargain prices, as well as hard-to-find cosmetics brands round out the selection on ASOS. They’ve had free shipping for a few months now and free returns as well, so it’s really a no-brainer to shop with them.

This purse comes in two gorgeous shades of leather: teal and oxblood. How badass does that sound!? Both colors are muted, making them ideal for fall and winter use. The bags are made using a frame, which is a super vintage shape and trend and feature some art-deco detailing on the front. There’s also the namesake tassel! It’s a medium-sized satchel, with a short handle for toting around and a longer, removable strap to throw over your shoulder. I love bags with 2 straps; they are just that much more versatile!

I cannot get enough of this purse. The vintage style and dulled leathers just scream classy, Fall fashion! This will pair perfectly with a preppy outfit for class or a fancier dress for evening. If you’re liking what you see, you can pick it up for about $115 from ASOS!

Check out Alex’s other must-have-bags (because you can never have too many must-have bags).

All of us bargain-loving college girls know about the best sites and stores for affordable clothing, but here’s one you may not have heard of: ASOS. ASOS is a British shopping site that also sells to other countries around the world, including the United States. ASOS specializes in trendy clothing and accessories for both men and women, and sell a variety of both ASOS-branded and designer items. My favorite feature of the store, however, is that they also sell more affordable versions of clothing items that celebrities have worn.

Prices for many of the designer pieces can be pretty steep, but ASOS-brand items are actually surprisingly affordable (especially when they’re on sale)! Right now, there are a ton of fabulous pieces of clothing and accessories for as little as $20 — or even less! Click below to see eight great under-$20 picks available from ASOS!

[Welcome to Celebrity Chic on the Cheap, where our style guru takes a celebrity look and breaks it down for you, our poor college fashionista. What does that mean? It means that while the celebrities (like rockstar Rihanna) are spending $5,000 on an ensemble you don’t have to.]

It’s been awhile since Gwen Stefani reigned pop music (yet I know I’m not the only one who still gets “this shiz is bananas, b-a-n-a-n-a-s” stuck in her head), but she definitely hasn’t been slacking on being a fashion icon. Despite the fact that she has two kids, she never seems to leave the house looking anything less than perfectly coiffed and styled. Gwen’s look is so visually inspiring and fun, with tons of vibrant colors and ’80s-inspired festivity.

We’re getting deeper into the doldrums of winter, but our wardrobes definitely don’t need to be as dreary as the weather, right? Let’s all take a hint from Ms. Stefani and turn up the heat for the long, cold winter ahead.

Shopping Deets: Leopard Pants – ASOS, $24.14; Tunic – Forever 21, $10.50; Jacket – PacSun, $24.99; Boots – Target, $49.99; Bag – Target, $24.99.

Who doesn’t love a great cowl neck sweater? So dramatic, but so simple. Combined with this great contrasting pea coat, the top half of this outfit is so refined and conservative. Then, hello, leopard print! Animal print always makes a comeback in the winter, but instead of going for shoes/tops/scarves, try these amazing skinnies. They’re eye-catching, spunky, and totally awesome. Paired with neutral colors on top, they’re toned down enough to wear to class without looking like you tripped and fell out of a terrible music video from 1983.

Finishing off the look is a pair of badass knee-high black boots and a black crossbody purse that don’t compete with the crazy print of the jeans. This look is the perfect mix of feminine, quirky, and risk-taking, just like Gwen Stefani.

Get more celebrity looks for less here.

Who inspires your style? Or better question, WHAT inspires your style? Many of us use T.V characters (like Joan Holloway) or celebrities (like Chloe Sevigny) as style inspiration, even though, most of the time, they are being dressed from head to toe by the best stylists. Which we don’t have. And sometimes it’s damn near impossible to work their Hollywood looks into our not-so-Hollywood lives. I’ve made it my mission to tap into the mind of a fashion stylist and show you how to take your style inspiration – whatever it may be – and make it more you!

Although today she is synonymous with drugs, alcohol, plastic surgery and being an all around hot mess, let’s rewind about 18 years back to the days when Courtney Love was in her prime.  In the ’90s, Courtney Love was one of the few women who represented the grunge music genre. As is usually the case, with different genres of music come different ways of dressing (or in her case, throwing on whatever was on the floor – clean or dirty – and peacin’ out,) and hers rocked. Pun intended.

Although there is much controversy over Courtney Love as a person – like whether she “killed Kurt Cobain,” or that time she crashed Kurt Loder and Madonna’s interview flashing all her drunken bits on national television – I couldn’t care less, because, well, sometimes the crazy people have the best style. And there’s something about Courtney’s mix of innocence and rock star, sweet and edgy, angel and devil, that makes me forget about all the crazy sh*t she says and does.

So, if you want to channel Ms. Love with your wardrobe and not with the booze/smudged red lipstick/tiara/stringy bleached hair/tattered-on-purpose dresses, all it takes is a pinch of sweet and handful of edge.

Product Info: Dress – Urban Outfitters, $58.00; Mary Janes – Target, $22.99; White Eyelet Dress – ASOS, $60; Ankle Boots – Forever 21, $32.80;  Lip stain-Benefit, $28.00; Lipstick – Cover Girl, $1.99.

The key to Courtney’s signature look is taking something frilly and girly and mixing it with the unexpected edgy pieces. I love the way black booties can totally change a feminine eyelet dress, and how the brightest red lipstick makes it that much harder. And how, somehow, putting those three things together works and works well. The best part: you probably already have all the pieces to make this work. Just grab your girliest summer dress, a hot pair of shoes, some black tights, muss up your hair a bit, stain those lips red (stain provides a more intense hue) and you’ve got the Courtney Love look without the Courtney Love, you know, everything else.

]]> http://collegecandy.com/2010/02/24/i-love-your-style-courtney-love/feed/ 7 Cristina-Michigan State University Courtney Love courtney love look http://collegecandy.com/2010/02/17/i-love-your-style-joan-holloway/ http://collegecandy.com/2010/02/17/i-love-your-style-joan-holloway/#comments Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:00:20 +0000 Cristina-Michigan State University http://collegecandy.com/?p=54020 gettin' tipsy. I've watched Mad Men maybe one time (or less) during Christmas break and wasn't exactly its number one fan. But for some reason I couldn't take my eyes off of Joan Holloway's style and attitude on the show. And that's probably the only reason I lasted as long as I did...]]> Who inspires your style? Or better question, WHAT inspires your style? Many of us use fashion icons (like Edie Sedgwick) or celebrities (like Chloe Sevigny) as style inspiration, even though, most of the time, they are being dressed from head to toe by the best stylists. Which we don’t have. And sometimes it’s damn near impossible to work their Hollywood looks into our not-so-Hollywood lives. I’ve made it my mission to tap into the mind of a fashion stylist and show you how to take your style inspiration – whatever it may be – and make it more you!

I’m going to be completely honest with err-body in the club gettin’ tipsy.  I’ve watched Mad Men maybe one time (or less) during Christmas break and wasn’t exactly its number one fan. But for some reason I couldn’t take my eyes off of Joan Holloway’s style and attitude on the show. And that’s probably the only reason I lasted as long as I did…

In the office, Joan wiggles around making the majority of her male (and some female, unsurprisingly) co-workers on the show pull at their collars.  Not because of her bold red hair or even the fact that she lets her curves do the talkin’ when it comes to her tailored-by-a-naughty-secretary office-wear.  It’s that one word we can never stop using: confidence.

If she wasn’t so completely and utterly secure and confident with herself (and her mad man skills in and out of the office), then I doubt she’d have as many fans as she currently does.  Wait, nope. That’s a lie.  There’s wayyy too much to love about Joan’s feminine and subtly sexy style that would make most men decide they really “need to work late tonight.” And if you looked as good at her, you’d have her sky high confidence, too. So why not take a little inspiration from everyone’s favorite red-headed-curvy-sexy-’60s-secretary?

Product Info: Red signature dress – Lulu’s, $35; Wool Jacket – Alloy, $72 ; Pen Necklace- Amazon, $20; Monochrome peep-toe shoe – Asos, $49.70; Rose crescent hoop earrings set - Forever 21, $3.80

This outfit represents Joan’s style almost too well. It’s understated yet sexy, easy yet glamorous. The red dress comes together in all the right places and would be perfect for a date. In fact, I think it’s safe to assume that your date is going to want to start grabbin’ your curves even tighter than the dress does.  The signature pen necklace is a recurring staple in Joan’s wardrobe, as are the earrings that look like you stole inherited them from your grandma.  The coat is more modern, since you don’t exactly want to look like you just walked out of the ’60s, but still gives you a little old school glamour. And then there’s the shoes. I have 6.5 words for you: Cream peep-toe Mary-Jane T-Straps.  Droooooool.

When you’re on a budget you can’t spend your money on just anything. You need items that are versatile, timeless and just plain pretty. And this beautiful dress from ASOS is all that and more.  It is short enough and reveals just enough skin with its strapless design for hitting those clubs on Saturday night. Put on some sexy, strappy heels and you are ready to conquer the dance floor.

When the party’s over, work this dress in a different way. You got a holiday party coming up? Slip it on with a pair of pumps and clutch. A nice family dinner to attend? Put a blazer over the top and you’re good to go. Wanna rock it out? Add a leather jacket, tights and a pair of ankle boots.

Unlike most mini dresses, this ASOS design is anything but typical. I really love the contrast created by the light drape, especially how it crosses the bust to the waistline and then back over again on the bottom. It’s not only flattering and elegant, but gives the dress a bit of intrigue as well. If you’re into the classics, go with the black and white version.  For a chic yet edgier look, choose the black on black. And if you’re all about the show stoppers, the red dress is for you.

With this dress in your closet you’ll have the solution to every wardrobe dilemma. Whether it’s a birthday party or a wedding, this dress is the answer.

 

[I want it, I need it, I can’t live without it. There are so many things on store shelves and racks right now that we want to take home and hang in our closets. Things that are so cute, everyone should know about them. We’ll share ‘em with you here (because we’re that nice), but as far as actually getting them goes….well, you’re on your own with that one.]

If you’re looking for an alternative to European-based companies such as Topshop, H&M, and ASOS, consider taking a peek at what Lipsy has to offer. Among the many fabulous pieces on its website was this classy tulip skirt with a bow sash. And I want it.

It comes in two great colors, so you can stand out in the crowd, yet still look sophisticated. The tulip skirt accentuates the hips and then narrows to show off your curves while the abundant bow adds that extra bit of oomph to an otherwise simple piece.

Instead of reaching for your favorite denim skirt, which has probably gone ragged from the number of times you’ve worn it, pair this tulip skirt with a tucked-in tank top to create a cute, fresh look. In need of a more formal outfit? Wear this versatile skirt with a delicate blouse, and all eyes will be on you as you enter the room.

A colorful graphic tee (like the Henry Holland ones above) will make your outfit stand out. However, if it’s not usually your style, it can be hard to incorporate one into your ensemble without looking too casual, too punky, or like you’re trying too hard.

Below are a few examples for different ways to rock the graphic tee. You can pair one with dressier items for a more glam look, or work it with some basic jeans and fun accessories for the more casual version. Whatever you do, have fun with it. These shirts aren’t mean to be taken seriously.

1. With jeans, heels, and some sparkly accessories for a nighttime look with a casual vibe:

Tee, Karmaloop. Shoes, Aldo. Jewelry, Aldo. Clutch, Whiting + Davis.

2. For a night out on the town, pair a graphic tee with a sparkly mini skirt, tights, and heels. Make sure you throw in a bright color or two somewhere as well.

Tee, Urban Outfitters. Skirt, Asos. Necklace, Ross-Simons. Clutch, Bebe.

3. Cute but casual. Rock a colorful tee with cuffed jeans and bright heels – just make sure the colors all complement one another. There is a fine line between cute-and-casual and overdone-and-cheesy. Wear this look to the mall or to class.

Tee, Delias. Jeans, American Eagle Outfitters. Bag, Forever 21. Shoes, Charlotte Russe.

Remember: pulling off the graphic tee is all about OD’ing on accessories, funky colors, and confidence. Have fun with it and soon all your friends will be jealous of your new (non-Ed Hardy) style.