Qvestion? Ansver: Ask TuffyLuv@collegecandy.com.

Dear Tuffy Luv,
I’ve never wanted a relationship. I mean, I’m 19 years old, why should I? Now, dating, that’s where it’s at. But I keep finding myself in sticky situations. I’ll be seeing a guy and he’ll bring up the “exclusive” conversation when, wait a second, weren’t we diggin’ this whole casual thing two dates ago? What changed?

I guess my problem is that I’m always the bad guy. I don’t intend to hurt anyone and I make sure I’m communicating that I don’t want a boyfriend right now. I don’t want to mess with their heads and I don’t want them to be unhappy. Maybe I’m toxic. But growing up, my brother was a real player and I refused to be some clingy girl who relied on the opposite sex only to be lied to, cheated on or disrespected, like many of his girlfriends.

Tell me I have a good head on my shoulders, that I have absolutely no obligation to be in a relationship and that I’m “doin’ good, kid.” Or… tell me I’m a bitch, and I should start looking for a house on a hill capable of housing many cats. You know, set me straight.

Thanks,
Casual-Cathy

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Question?! Answer. Ask TuffyLuv@CollegeCandy.com

Dear Tuffy Luv,

I recently graduated from college and moved back home because I got a job offer. Around the time college was ending, I was casually seeing this new guy. We currently live about three hours away from each other and are in very different situations; I have moved back in with my parents and have a serious job, whereas he still lives with roommates and works hard but parties a lot harder.

The status of our relationship is very unclear. At first, I just wanted things to be casual…a sort of “I’ll see ya when I see ya and we’ll do it” type of deal. But now we talk every day and he’ll say things like “I miss you,” which are not very casual activities. Every time I try to pull out of the situation he insists that “I’m his girl” and we should just see where it goes. I know where it’s going….nowhere!! We live too far and I’m afraid that his party boy ways are just too much for me to handle. I’m constantly worrying that he’s going to find another girl and is just keeping me on the back burner.

How do I tell him that he needs to commit or let me go? He says we don’t know each other well enough to commit but doesn’t want to let me go because he insists we’re building a new relationship. Am I just being played for a fool?

— Not So Casual Read More »

Military inspiration is everywhere this season. I mean, anyone who reads this website can see that. From t-shirts to jackets, bags to boots, everyone’s getting in on the camo fun. So, of course that means cargo pants are back. The good news is that unlike their original counterpart, cargs (as I like to call them – yeah, we’re tight) aren’t big and baggy and look like you could actually carry cargo in them. This time, they are not at all focused on the function but solely on the fashion. The cuts are a lot skinnier, making them super cute with booties and pumps, and perfect for pairing with some feminine flair (think a silky or sequined tank).

And for all that I say thank you, fashion designer gods. The less bagginess going on in the leg area, the better. Read More »

[Welcome to Celebrity Chic on the Cheap in which 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 are spending $5,000 on an ensemble, you don’t have to. All you have to do is click on the goods and - boom - you can buy the entire ensemble. Yes, we know - there is a spot for her in heaven.]

I’m an unabashed Xtina lover. She snagged me with “Reflections” (yes, I took it all the way back to Mulan), and I’ve stuck with her through her various musical and aesthetic reinventions, from the dirty to the vintage to the futuristic.

What I’ve always admired about Christina, besides her stellar voice and her ability to redefine catty and alienate her peers is her personal style. She is not one of those celebs we’re likely to catch bumming around in slouchy sweats and stained shirts (I still love you, Britney!). Even when she’s strolling around L.A., she’ll elevate a casual tank top + leggings look with interesting accessories and sky-high heels. 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 »

Who or what inspires your style? Many of us use T.V characters (like Joan Holloway) or celebrities (like Courtney Love) 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!

The Royal Tenenbaums is one of Wes Anderson’s many dysfunctional-family masterpieces he is infamous for. Besides portraying one of the strangest and most awkward families known to humanity, the main characters in The Royal Tenenbaums each have an extremely specific style, much like cartoons, that they hardly ever drift from.

Exhibit A:  Margot Tenenbaum.

The adopted daughter of Royal Tenenbaum is a prodigy playwright at the tender age of 14… which happens to be two years AFTER she starts smoking cigarettes. She’s one messed up lady, but still, somehow, inspiring to me in more ways than one. Read More »

Is this chic enough for the cereal aisle?

Okay, I’ll admit it: I spend a decent chunk of my time gawking at the heinous outfits documented on Go Fug Yourself, a site where two hilarious writers analyze the wacky get-ups worn by the rich and supposedly stylish. There’s something so satisfying about seeing how even gorgeous celebrities, who are endowed with personal stylists, makeup artists, and assistants upon assistants, can somehow leave their mansions thinking that things like this (or this! And don’t forget this!) actually look good.

But even though the Fug Girls can get a little vicious from time to time—any celeb wearing leggings instead of pants better be prepared to get seriously ripped apart by these ladies—I really admire the fact that their site generally only critiques the crazy things stars wear to high-profile events, like movie premieres and awards shows. Even these bitchy bloggers try to stay away from criticizing boldface names for throwing on ratty jeans and sweatshirts while they’re walking their dogs, or pumping gas, or doing any of the other menial chores that gossip rags love to say make stars seem Just Like Us. That’s because everyone knows that sometimes, it’s nice to forget fashion and wear whatever’s comfortable—especially if you’re just out running errands.

Well, everyone but Suze Yalof Schwartz of Glamour Magazine. In January, Schwartz took a trip to a Whole Foods store in search of women whose choice of garb left something to be desired. Her quest to take unsuspecting shoppers from “eek to chic” was documented for a Glamour Don’ts to Dos segment on the Today Show. Read More »

I’ll be honest: I always thought Alloy was for the 12-17 age group, but then I started flipping through their merchandise and realized that they have a ton of cute stuff for us more sophisticated ladies. I mean, how could you not love this dress!?

Their regularly priced stuff is already reasonably priced, but they have a huge sale/clearance section that is even better. Another bonus: they have a wide range of sizes from petites up to plus-size so it’s a great option for you skinny minnies and us curvier gals.  Here are a few of my favorite things (besides raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, of course)… Read More »

Okay, I, like most girls, love to dress up. I love zipping up a sexy dress, painting on some dramatic cat eyes, and slipping into some sky-high heels.

But I also have those weekends when I am so burnt out, running from class to work to the gym, that I rather curl up in my pajamas and hide under the covers all weekend then spend an hour putting together an outfit.

That’s why I couldn’t be more ecstatic that t-shirts are formal this fall. Whoever came up with this idea is a genius and my new favorite person. There are so many options (these tees are literally everywhere, which means you can find them in any price range), but my favorite is the Slub Cotton Crystal Necklace Tee from J Crew. It’s is ultra classy and chic, while still being unbelievably comfortable and wearable at the same time.

Sure, the price tag is a little steep ($49.50 to be exact), but considering the amount of times I’m going to wear this thing (when I finally get my paws on it), it will be totally worth it.

What makes it even better is that with this one addition to my wardrobe I have enough new outfit combos to get me through every weekend in fall. I can pair it with a skirt and a cardigan for a family function, with some skinny jeans and flats for a dinner with the girls, and with some leather boots and a tailored blazer for an instantly put together/ as-comfortable-as-my-PINK-sweats Friday night bar hopping get-up. Read More »

Last week we talked about revamping the essential cardigan from your closet and updating it.

But as the old saying goes: “make new friends but keep the old.” So while I’m not discouraging you from busting out that cardigan from sophomore year of high school, I’m also not your mom yelling, “You do not need and can NOT afford that new sweater, honey!”

Why? Because sometimes when things are so darn cute the line between want and need becomes very, very blurry. And to me, cute, comfy and – let us not forget – cheap cardigans are wardrobe essentials. Reason enough to make a new friend. Anything that makes me look instantly pulled together while hungover for my 9am lecture is a ‘must have a stockpile of these’  in my book, and cardigans do just that.

Trade out that oversized school mascot or sorority sweatshirt and pair a cami with a cardigan and flats and you can get away with wearing “workout” pants as an outfit. Well, as long as that cardi covers your butt, of course. Even with your hair on top of your head you can walk out the door and know you at least look somewhat decent. (Although, I would try getting rid of last night’s under-eye makeup that is now smudged down your cheek…)

Enter our new fall bestie: the cardigan. Here are a bunch of options for you, my budget shopper proteges: Read More »