initiating the gallery...

]]> http://collegecandy.com/2012/05/18/8-under-20-neon/feed/ 1 onlafayette 8 under 20 http://collegecandy.com/2011/05/10/8-under-20-rompers/ http://collegecandy.com/2011/05/10/8-under-20-rompers/#comments Tue, 10 May 2011 20:00:57 +0000 Laura - St. John's http://collegecandy.com/?p=101774 anyone with any sort of shape could ever pull them off this particular fashion staple from our parents' days needed a comeback. But they've had some pretty good staying power this time around, and I'm starting to think I might have judged rompers too quickly.]]>

When rompers first hit runways and stores a few seasons ago, I was pretty skeptical — I wasn’t so sure anyone with any sort of shape could ever pull them off this particular fashion staple from our parents’ days needed a comeback. But they’ve had some pretty good staying power this time around, and I’m starting to think I might have judged rompers too quickly.

For starters, they do seem like the perfect clothing item for summer! Rompers are a complete outfit in just one piece of clothing, they don’t require finding a matching top, and they transition from day to night with just a few simple accessory swaps. It’s like they’re made for those lazy summer days.

I just might have to give rompers a chance after all! And with so many cute rompers available at affordable prices (like all of these, which are just $20 or less each), there’s really no excuse not to!

Spring is in full swing and summer fashion is right around the corner! While we love our skirts, dresses, and rompers for warm weather, there’s nothing easier to wear or style than a great pair of shorts. From classic chinos to stylish scalloped and lace options, there’s a short for almost every occasion.

Sometimes, however, it’s best to keep things classic with denim shorts. As all savvy college fashionistas know, classic doesn’t have to mean boring!

Click here for the cutest of cute and totally-on-trend denim short picks and outfit inspiration courtesy of our fashionable BFFs at CollegeFashion!

I love stripes. I seriously own about 5 different striped tops, from tanks to sweaters to blouses, and I’d probably wear them every day if I didn’t get major pit stains all the time could! Stripes are not only cute and fun, but they’re super versatile, too! They can, depending on the rest of your style, be either preppy, punk, sporty, nautical or French-chic. Plus, since it’s such a simple design, it’s one of easiest patterns to wear. No wonder they’re everywhere this season — including tops, skirts, shorts, shoes, swimsuits, dresses and jackets, and everywhere from designer to more mainstream and affordable labels.

Check out this selection of amazing striped pieces for just $20 or less each!

[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 all the crap you've got). 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.]

I’m being incredibly optimistic about the weather. After several weeks of gray skies, rain, snow, sleet and at times a strange hybrid of precipitation, the weather network is telling me it’s going to be sunny next week(!!!) And after months of only wearing things that can be stuffed into boots that make my feet sweat, all I want to do is show a little ankle (even if it means shaving my legs).

Which is why I’ve been dreaming about pulling my boyfriend jeans out from the bottom of my dresser drawer. Those little guys haven’t seen the light of day since September and I miss them dearly. Lucky for them and for all of us who have a pair (or 3), boyfriend jeans are going to stay strong this season, meaning now is the perfect time to figure out how you’ll add them back into your outfits as it starts to (fingers-crossed) warm up.

I’ve got a lot of go-tos when it comes to online shopping, but one of my new favorite online-shopping discoveries is Libby Story, an adorable boutique based out of Mississippi that also happens to have an amazing online store. What I love most about Libby Story is their unique mix of new, vintage and recycled items such as clothing, shoes, jewelry, and housewares at affordable prices. I haven’t ordered anything yet, but it’s only a matter of time — the more and more I browse the site, the more things I fall in love with!

Right now, I’m really loving Libby Story’s selection of jewelry and accessories. Their new and vintage pieces are all so unique and would make amazing addition to my collection. And what’s even better, some of them are super cheap — even as little as $20 or less (like all the pieces seen here)!

Along with bold, bright bags and loose-fitting tops, tribal-themed accessories and clothing, particularly Aztec-inspired items, are going to be everywhere this spring. Personally, I’m a big fan of this trend in jewelry – the bright colors and interesting patterns and shapes create bold statement pieces that are as fun to wear as they are to look at.

These styles look particularly great with the bright hues and breezy shapes of summer clothing, but you might want to think about starting to incorporate some pieces now. Many stores are already carrying great tribal-themed jewelry, and it’s just the pick-me-up our wardrobes need as we suffer through another 6 weeks of the dull grays and blacks of winter-wear. Even more, you can get a lot of it for less than $20, like all the pieces shown here!

[Click any image to view the gallery.]

[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 (I'm talkin' bout you, Olivia Wilde) are spending $5,000 on an ensemble, you don’t have to.]

I am completely in awe of Vanessa Hudgens. If my four-year long relationship with Zac Efron had ended, I would have fallen off the face of the earth. I would have gone on a bender that would make even Lindsay Lohan and Charlie Sheen stop and side-eye me. My only mission in life would have been to redefine trainwreck. There’s no way I would have stepped out in public on a regular basis looking even more gorgeous and stunning than ever. And yet, that is exactly what Miss V did.

I bow down to her post-breakup prowess.

Vanessa has always had a shabby chic aesthetic that I love. She’s all about pieces that flow with her body, nothing too overwhelming or overly constricting. (Guess she’ll fit in well next Fall?) Her look is flattering and easy to put together, while still being visually intriguing and fresh. Layers and great accessories are staple elements of a Vanessa-inspired outfit and with a little savvy online shopping, I’ve layered and greatly accessorized one for myself.

Shopping Info: Jeans – Macy’s, $17.99; Ruffle Tank – Old Navy, $1950; Boyfriend Cardigan – Forever 21, $24.90; Bag - Urban Outfitters, $29.99; Boots – Delia’s, $39.99; Necklace - Forever 21, $4.80.

Who doesn’t love cardigans these days? I’m definitely more partial to the long, flowy, “boyfriend” style cardis. They add casual sophistication to any outfit, and this cream one is definitely a great addition to any closet. I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned my deep adulation for ruffles before, so I’m totally obsessed with this black ruffled tank. It could be worn in approximately a zillion different ways, never losing any ounce of its cuteness. Combined with skinnies and suede boots, it’s totally contemporary chic.

Of course, no boho chic look is complete without accessories. This bag from Urban Outfitters is amazing for everyday use, as either a crossbody or a handbag. And the Forever 21 necklace is so cute, in that “my 8-year-old sister made this at summer camp” way, similar to Vanessa’s necklace.

Sigh. Now if only her perfect hair was as easy to emulate as her style.

Get more celebrity looks for less here.

The groundhog Puxatony Phil may have predicted that Spring is right around the corner, but it doesn’t look like winter’s ready to give up just yet. With freezing temps and snowstorms still affecting most of the country, it can be hard to believe that there’s an end in sight.

Beat those winter blues by brightening your wardrobe! Brightly colored handbags are going to be big this Spring, but they’re also perfect for winter. Set against the gray and gloomy weather, colorful handbags stand out and look even more cheerful than they do in the warmer months. Here are a few budget-friendly options — each is $20 or less!