[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 (Reese Witherspoon, what what?) are spending $5,000 on an ensemble, you don’t have to.]

Olivia Wilde has been up and coming for a few years. To me, she will always be Marissa Cooper’s experiment with lesbianity on The OC, but she’s definitely moved on to slightly more prestigious fare since then (oh you know, only snagging a regular role on House). She’s been a staple on sexiest actresses list for a few years because…well, have you looked her? She smolders. But I hadn’t realized she was a bit of a fashionista in her own right until she stepped out on the Golden Globes red carpet a couple of weeks ago in the this sparkly, dazzling, beautifully constructed number.

Seriously, if fashion were porn, that dress would be the money shot.

Since then, I’ve been paying a bit more attention to Ms. Wilde, and last week, she somehow managed to make a jumpsuit look cute.

My mind is still blown, quite honestly.

But, I’m a realist, and really, 98 percent of us will never actually wear a jumpsuit (rompers are already shameful enough). So this outfit will be based on the essence of Olivia’s look and therefore a lot more wearable. Read More »

After spending weeks searching Internships.com, writing cover letters and getting a few interviews, you’ve finally managed to land an internship for next semester. Wahoooo! You’re all ready to start – now what the heck do you wear? Dressing for internships can be difficult, especially on the limited college girl wardrobe. You want to look professional, obviously, but you also want to look, well, like you.

How do you create a work wardrobe that doesn’t make you look old and boring?

Don’t worry, we’ve got your back.

When you’re dressing for an internship, keep a few things in mind. One, if you’re going to be doing any errand running or anything that involves standing, how comfortable are your shoes? If you can’t walk in heels, don’t wear them to the office no matter how cute they look. Also, if you’re not sure of the office dress code, it’s always better to overdress for your first few days than to under dress. Dress pants, skirts and dresses are the safest and most desirable options. Read More »

[When moving into either a dorm or an off-campus apartment, your wardrobe will face two major challenges: 1. A major lack of funding (to add more to it), and 2. A major lack of storage space. For these two reasons, maximizing what you already own becomes essential. That's why you need to learn to Shop Your Closet. Each week, I’ll show you how to wear 1 item 3 ways – with the stuff you most likely already own! – to get the most out of your purchases.]

One of the most versatile items you can have in your wardrobe is a blazer. When you’re operating with limited closet space or a limited budget, you want to make sure you have items (especially outerwear) that go with pretty much anything, and a cropped blazer is one of the go-to pieces you should own. First off, this item goes with pretty much everything! Jeans, skirts, dresses, leggings, shorts…. all of them can be paired with a cropped blazer. By adding a tailored piece over your wardrobe staples, you’re streamlining your look, instantly making everything look more pulled together and tres chic.

This blazer (or any blazer you’ve got hanging in your closet) can go with you pretty much anywhere: over a dress to cover your arms on a brisk autumn night, over a flirty tank when you’re out on the town with the girls, or over a blouse for a more professional look. Simply throw it on over anything you already own and you’ve got a totally fresh, new look. Read More »

[When moving into either a dorm or an off-campus apartment, your wardrobe will face two major challenges: 1. A major lack of funding (to add more to it). 2. A major lack of storage space.

For these two reasons alone, maximizing what you do own becomes essential. That's why you need to learn to Shop Your Closet. Each week, I’ll show you how to wear 1 item 3 ways – with the stuff you most likely already own! – to get the most out of your purchases.]

Fashion is all about recycling trends (which is why I kick myself when I think about all those leggings I got rid of in the ’90s ). One decade that made a strong reappearance during the Fall/Winter 2010 runway shows was the 1950s.  With the overwhelming popularity of Man Med, this really comes as no surprise; I mean, Banana Republic has a line to accompany the show! The re-emergence of the ’50s style means it’s time to break out the full skirt! But rather than looking like you’re an extra on Mad Men or a month early for Halloween, it’s important to know how to wear it right. Read More »

One of my favorite places to shop before school is J.Crew.  Everything about it is sophisticated, fresh and fabulous.  But my only issue with the store is that all that sophistication doesn’t come cheap. Sometimes I’ll walk in, pick up a cute skinny belt for my new pencil skirt (from Marshalls…), look at the price tag and try not to strangle myself with it.  $89 dollars for a string of leather???

As I repeat to myself, There are people starving in Africa, there are people starving in Africa, I promptly leave the store empty handed, looking wistfully back at the perfectly put together outfits in the window.

But thanks to store turnover and a whole new crop of Fall fashion pouring into J. Crew stock rooms nationwide, I can finally fulfill my J. Crew dreams. Yes, it’s time for their end-of-summer sale they’ve got some really great goodies to offer, all under $20!  I even spotted a leather skinny belt! Let the celebration commence. Read More »

The following post is courtesy of our gal pals over at CollegeFashion.net. Check them out for all your fashion and beauty needs!

Versatility is everything when it comes to fashion on a budget; when shopping for new clothes in summer, I always look for pieces that will work in hot weather and easily transition into fall.

With the spirit of transitional dressing in mind, I found 3 pieces that are perfect for the warm summer months, but can easily be worn into fall and winter. For each piece, I’ll show you how to wear it “now” (in summer), and “later” (in fall/winter), to help you get some wardrobe bang for your buck. Read More »

I feel like all I’ve been seeing are American flags plastered to every store window and bumper. Which is fine by me. Who’s going to complain about a whole day off from work to down 30 beers and stuff your face with hamburgers? (…And celebrate our country, of course!)

But where July 4th does get my panties in a knot is when it starts bleeding over into fashion. The amount of horrendous American flag pants, t-shirts, scrunchies (yes, scrunchies) and even themed nail art that has passed me by on the street is ridiculous. And although red, white and blue really isn’t a color palate I dress in often, seeing all of these proud Americans struggling to express their love for America in an outfit that is just plain wrong, is just plain wrong. So this year I vowed that I could find something just as appropriate for the day (and the entire season) without sacrificing my dignity or style.

The winner? The Madison Marcus Infinite Striped Jacket. It was included in a July 4th inspired slideshow on Shopbop but when I saw it all concept of a holiday celebration outfit flew out the door. Instead I had flashes of all the places I would walk into looking incredibly chic in my white cotton blazer with the criss-crossed navy stripes.

The jacket is so smart that it’s almost unbelievable. It’s channeling the nautical theme which gives it a crisp, preppy feel, but the detailing is so modern that other nautical inspired wear comes nowhere close to being as wearably chic. The combination of the laid-back rolled cuffs and the sophisticated tuxedo color give the jacket this uniquely casual “oh this thing? I just threw it on” vibe, while the one-sided pocket and asymmetrical stripes and buttons make a huge fashion statement. Read More »

Graduation is fast approaching and soon we college girls will have to swap our flip flops and sweats for pumps and two-piece suits.

Unless you have an amazing job where you can work in your PJs, you’re going to need to update your wardrobe with some real people clothes (that don’t permanently smell of pizza and beer, no matter how many times you wash them).

I, for example, currently own one pair of nice slacks and two dress shirts. And because of all that pizza and beer, they don’t exactly fit as well as they used to. Looks like it’s time to update my closest. But like most college students, I’m not exactly rolling in the dough and can’t exactly afford to buy an entire new wardrobe.

So as per usual when I need some real life advice, I sought out my go-to career hero, president of Hearst Magazine’s Cathie Black. With her work wardrobe guidelines, I’ve compiled a no-nonsense guide to work fashion, complete with tips to help you (and me!) navigate the world of appropriate work wear. Read More »

Everywhere you look this season there are boyfriend blazers. This simple wardrobe staple can elevate any casual outfit and give it that extra touch of class.

Whether worn over a cute spring dress or paired with skinny jeans, the basic boyfriend blazer is a must-have for every woman’s closet. Now don’t get me wrong, I obviously love me a basic black boyfriend blazer (say that five times fast… I dare you), but it can also look pretty boring and plain.

So if you want to add a little punch or color to your traditional blazer, here is an easy and fun way to update your boyfriend blazer with a patterned cuff.

What You’ll Need:

A boyfriend blazer: Use one you already own or pick one up that’s cheap and chic at Marshalls, Target, or TJ-Maxx. To really get into the season, try a white blazer.

Fabric: Pick any color or pattern that strikes your fancy. You can go bold with something bright and solid; channel Lily Pulitzer with some bright florals; or go for a classic Burberry style with a red, black and beige plaid. Really, the opportunities are endless, so find something that’s you. You’ll need about 3 feet of fabric, so just get a yard (as most craft stores cut by the yard). Joann’s Fabric has a huge and fun selection.

Sewing materials: Needle and thread in black or a color that matches your fabric pattern. A sewing machine if you feel so inclined. A seam ripper if you’ll be recycling an old BF blazer. 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 (like Kayla at Lakehead!) 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. You know someone who's got great style? Think the world needs to see what she can do?  Send us an email with some photos and she could be the next fashionista celebrated right here.]

College is a wonderful place. It is pretty much the last four years where you can be completely irresponsible and (kind of) get away with it. It is a place where 11 AM is considered early, and where throwing on sweatshirts, pajama pants and Ugg boots (every day) is completely acceptable… and expected. This is why when someone actually has jeans on, I take notice. Which is how I noticed Kerstein, who’s mostly known as KP around campus.

It was time for me to get a “little sister” in my sorority, and I knew the girl I was looking for had to be stylish (it runs in our family.) And along came KP. When she wasn’t wearing sorority letters, she was rocking some seriously edgy outfits, always accompanied by studded belts and funky vests. She even managed to make a backwards baseball cap look chic (when it was raining and she wanted to protect her hair)!

While KP can often be seen sporting super risky looks, I would never say she has one particular style. She can be rocker and edgy, classical and feminine, or comfortable and laid back – all depending on the day. But no matter the heavy watch she has around her wrist or the trendy boots she’s walking in, her best accessory is without a doubt her personality and her confidence, the two most important parts of any fashionista. Read More »