Fashion Week.  A place for designer’s ambitions, dreams and hard work to spill out onto a runway in front of an intense, anticipating public eye.  In front of other sweaty-palmed designers.  In front of Anna Wintour and Blake Lively’s mane.

Excuse me for sounding dramatic, but isn’t that what Fashion Week is all about?  Being dramatic? Based on my nightly routine of viewing pages and pages full of lustful fashion lines this week, that seems to be the case. In fact, it seems that Fashion Week exploded this season.  It exploded right on my face.  And now I’m left blinking at a screen full of lace, sheer fabrics, bold colors, drapery, fur and tribal makeup.

At first, I couldn’t decide if I was liking anything that was popping out from behind the curtain. It looked like MC Hammer and Lucille Ball barfed onto some fabric, smeared the regurgitated styles all over models with paint on their faces and let it go on a long strip of runway.  The chic, bold colors and ’40s-inspired ideas came together awkwardly and I was pursing my lips like Ms. Wintour.

But after taking a moment to sit back and appreciate the artwork, craftsmanship and deeply thought out designs and styles, I started to find some beautiful pieces.  And I. mean. beautiful. Then I started drooling. Then I started Googling ways to make a couple thousand dollars fast so I could get my hands on some of these things. Then I got scared about selling my eggs/body. Then I gave up and just got excited for these thoroughly anticipated clothes to hit the racks so I can window shop with that glazed over look in my eyes before I pop into Forever 21 for the knock-offs.

Ready for some Fashion Week porn? Here are a few of my favorite things that came down the runway this week: Read More »

Another New York Fashion Week has come and gone, and if it weren’t for the fact that London starts up just as it ends, I’d be spiraling into a deep pit of fashion depression, downing Chunky Monkey as I flipped through pictures of my favorite collections for the 47th time. I’m not crazy, I just feel like this year NYFW and I took our relationship to the next level. Though we’ve been doing long distance forever, the live-streaming of my favorite shows has been making it easier to cope. We even spent Valentine’s day together this year, with our dear friends, Betsey and Marc.

Yeah, it’s kinda serious.

While shopping for Fall clothes is still many months away, there is lots to look forward to once you hit the mall come August (despite what we originally expected/feared). Next fall will be far from drab, with lots of bright and neon colors. And the little red dress you rocked on Valentine’s Day appears to have some staying power, so hang onto it! Oh and if you’re sick of the horizontal stripe, have no fear; Marc Jacobs was all about the polka dots, so you may have a new simple pattern to hate next year.

With some designers looking to the post-war 1940s for inspiration and others drawing from the grunge era of the ’90s, fall fashion is going to be varied, fun and exciting. And I can’t wait! Wonder what you’ll be wearing on the first day of classes? Here’s a look at the biggest trends from Fall 2011 NYFW: Read More »

[While most of us are relying on photos and livestreams to get a glimpse of New York Fashion Week, some very lucky CollegeCandy writers were blessed with the opportunity to attend some of the biggest shows at Lincoln Center. Of course, they promised they'd share their experiences with everyone, so here is Melanie's first-hand account of one of the most anticipated shows of the week.]

What better way to spend Valentine’s Day than at New York Fashion Week? When boys fail, fashion rules. In the famous Lincoln Center Theater on February 14th, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week showcased the fashion show of the season from the iconic Betsey Johnson. Our friends at Rowenta treated us to an extra-special night of floral prints, celebrities galore, crazy kooky hair and catwalk cartwheels.

The show opened with dark eyed, gaunt models strutting their stuff in the “He Loves You Not” portion of the show. The hair was sleek and airbrushed with black lace patterns, and the clothes were deliciously pressed and witchy (thank god for the Rowenta steamers and irons backstage). The music blared, Jill Zarin texted on her Blackberry and Miss Jay silently nodded his approval as the gothic looks stormed down the runway. It was incredibly chic, sleek and dark. My MVPs? A long fur coat and a lace up dress.

It took all my power (and fear of the many security guards standing by) to keep me from jumping on the runway and tearing them off the models. Read More »

Every morning when I get off the subway to go to school, I have to walk right past Forever 21. And it’s torture.  School been in session for three weeks now, and there has been this super hot navy lace dress (I think it’s a dress, but you never know with that store…) every time I walk by.  Seeing as I don’t REALLY need another dress (remember how I bought 3 in the spring?) I’ve been trying really hard not to go in and buy it in all its gorgeous, lacy glory.  So far I’ve been successful, thanks to the fact that my classes start before the store opens (which might be the only redeeming thing about 9am class).

The good news for me and every other girl out there with a closet full of frocks: dresses aren’t the only way to incorporate lace this season. This dainty, feminine fabric is on everything right now (both in and out of the bedroom), even showing up in some new and unexpected ways. Our girls over at CollegeFashion have even put it on their Back to School shopping list; do you even need another reason to stock up?

Oh you do? Well here are 15.

(And if you do happen to find and purchase that little navy lace dress, let me know so I can live vicariously through your closet.)

[Click on the pics to shop!] Read More »

Ladies, it’s time to embrace the plaid.

OK, before you former uniform-wearing girls get all “I spent the last 12 years of my life in plaid, why on Earth would I wear it once I can finally pick my own clothes each day?!” let me explain. Plaid is so. much. more. than the pattern of choice for schoolgirl kilts; it’s classic, it’s versatile and it’s probably one of the easiest ways to incorporate a multicolored pattern into your wardrobe.

Plaid is one of the 10 Modern Pieces Every Girl Should Own and the plaid shirt has become a uniform for both male and female college students.  It’s easy to wear with jeans, super comfy, and looks good even when it’s been balled up on your floor and you only have 10 minutes to make it to class.  It’s also been super popular for a few years, and appears to have major staying power.  If the plaid shirt isn’t your thing, or you want other ways to incorporate your new favorite pattern into your wardrobe, there are lots of coats, bottoms and accessories out there for you! And each one is cuter than the other.

Another bonus about plaid?  If you’re ever in a bind about what to wear to an ‘I love the ’90s’ party, a plaid shirt is your best bet… Take that, solids! Read More »

This year’s fashion trends range from the ranch to the yacht, and stripes are one of the perfect ways to look seaworthy this summer.

The easiest way to incorporate nautical elements into your wardrobe is with stripes.  With so many super cute ways to wear stripes how can you not have something striped (or something striped for every day of the week!) in your wardrobe?  Summer items are starting to hit clearance racks, so you can pick something up to wear now with shorts, or later with jeans without breaking the bank.  While the longer sleeved breton-striped tops will keep you warm if you’re outside on a summer night, some of the striped dresses are perfect to toss over a bathing suit at the beach.

If you’re pinching pennies for a summer vacay, stripes are a recurring fashion trend (just look back to Coco Chanel and Audrey Hepburn!) so you may even luck out finding an adorable top at the thrift store.  Just don’t be afraid to check the men’s (or boys if you’re petite) departments as this unisex trend looks even cuter when it’s loose and laid back. Read More »

I’ll admit, a few years ago when leggings came back in style, I thought there was no way I’d wear them. In fact, I told everyone I knew that I’d rather “walk around pants-less than try and pass off some leggings as pants.”

Obviously, I’ve since eaten my words. Leggings are now a staple in my wardrobe and I often wonder how I lived without them. They’re versatile, comfortable and affordable. I wear them to the gym, to class, to work and to party. Not even jeans can do that. And there are so. many. different kinds now! Forget those basic blacks, leggings come in all sorts of colors and patterns now, meaning even more opportunities to wear ‘em. Here are a few pairs you can rock out for under $20. Read More »

Welcome back to The Rival Rundown! If you’ve always wanted to give props to your school on CC, now’s your chance! Shoot us an email explaining what’s awesome and unique about your school (or what stinks about Rival U) at rivalrundown [at] collegecandy.com!

Our focus this week are two Big East schools who have thirty years of history as basketball powerhouses. Syracuse and Georgetown may be known for their excellence in ballin’, but they are also competitive in top-notch academics and, er, curiously named mascots. Here’s to one of the most well-rounded rivalries in college sports!

Quick Facts

Georgetown: Private Jesuit university in Washington, DC with 7,000 undergraduates. Founded 1789.
Syracuse: Private research university in Syracuse, NY with 13,000 undergraduates. Founded 1870.

1. Basketball Record

Georgetown: 37-43
Syracuse: 43-37

Three credits to: Syracuse Read More »

This week, in honor of heavy books, stuffed make-up bags and bulky laptops, I’ve decided to dedicate It’s On to tote bags.

Every girl’s tote needs are totally (tee hee) different. Some of us carry body-bag size totes, while others prefer something a bit more…manageable. Some bring along a purse and a tote. Some of us carry only a tote, and fill it with everything from makeup to Macbooks. With such a variety of uses, there is obviously a giant variety of toting options. And while you could go buy a Coach tote for anywhere between $500 to $900, there are plenty of places where you can get equally cute totes for a cute price.

And you don’t even have to leave the house or jump from store to store. Or run around town comparing prices. Someone else does all the work for you; all you have to do is point and click. Allow me to let you in on a few secrets. My shopping pot-o-gold, if you will. Use wisely. Read More »

[While everyone is fabulous in their own right, we thought we should celebrate the campus fashionistas of the world for their continued excellence in not looking like a hot mess for class. So, we started stalking those girls on campus to get a few pics and get some tips on their personal style.

And maybe a restraining order or two.

But it’s worth it to highlight fresh, unique wardrobe choices that show personality and the courage to wear what you believe in.]

I knew I wanted to feature Amalia for my fashionista-of-the-week from the moment I saw her walking to Psych class, leggings tucked into her buckled riding boots and a funky bright-blue American Apparel zip-up on top. Her clothing choices draw attention, probably because she takes her fashion inspiration from all over the world,  including Portugal and Brazil, which she’s visited many times (…not for the sun or the beach or anything).

And when it comes to jewelry, I really think she started the statement jewelry trend; I have yet to see her without a glam bracelet or a pair of adorable dangly earrings that somehow totally make her outfit. She’s got spunk and is not afraid to be big and bold in her fashion choices, and that’s just the way the boys like her. Well, that and her booty, but that’s a whole different post.

Name: Amalia S
Year: 2011
Major: Psychology and Latin American Studies
Amalia in 3 words: bootylicious, empathetic, fun

1) Describe your personal style.
Really eclectic and always changing. Two weeks ago I hated animal print, now I can’t get enough of it. I also really love bright colors, no matter what time of year it is.

2) You can’t leave your house without your ________.
Jewelry; I feel naked without my necklaces and rings. Also, during the winter I am never seen without a scarf on, usually one from H&M. Read More »