[The following post was written by the lovely ladies at CollegeFashion.net. Have you checked 'em out yet?]

With summer coming to an end and fall semester quickly approaching, most of us have just a few weeks left to try one of the hottest summer trend: crop tops! With scorching August temperatures still going strong, now is the perfect time to show a little extra skin.

I know many of you think crop tops are hard to wear, but I’m here to prove you wrong: They can be versatile AND flattering when styled correctly. Read on for my tips for wearing crop tops, as well as some sample outfits to get your inspiration going!

Tips for Wearing Crop Tops:

Pick a length. Crop tops come in a variety of shapes and lengths, and depending on how daring you are, you can pick a top that shows only a sliver of your stomach or one that bares your belly. Daring? Try a top that hits above your belly button (as seen above). More conservative? Opt for something that grazes the top of your jeans. When picking the length of your top, you should also consider what you’ll be wearing it with, and where you’re going!

Pick and choose the rest of your look wisely. Crop tops are cute, but they can either look amazing or awful, depending on the outfit you wear them with. Each piece you pair with your top will evoke a different look. A higher waisted bottom paired with a crop top, for example, will limit the amount of skin you’re showing and can actually look sophisticated and fashion-forward.

Add a tank. Not into showing your tummy in a tiny top? Don’t! You can still get that crop-top vibe by wearing one with a tank underneath. You can match your tank to your crop top, try a neutral, go for a color contrast, or just wear a nude tank underneath for the illusion of skin.

Keep it classy. This is a perfect end-of-summer trend to try since, after all, crop tops really aren’t appropriate for work or class, and they’re a bit odd and out of place for a trip to the grocery store! They’re perfect, however, for the gym, the pool, and music festivals. Style your crop top right, and you can even wear it to a party or on a date. Just keep a fun, casual vibe in mind and consider your venue and you’ll be good to go.

Try it out! Still afraid to incorporate crop tops into your summer wardrobe? Try wearing one on the beach over your bathing suit! It’s an effortless, but totally tend-conscious choice that will have people talking! Still not convinced? Layer, layer, layer! You can spice up a long-sleeved tee or a tight dress by wearing a cropped top over it as a layering piece.

Need some outfit inspiration? Allow the CollegeFashion ladies to assist.

It’s been a long, cold winter, but March and Spring Break are finally here! For those of you spending a week in a warm and sunny environment, here are some Spring-Break-I’m-going-to-paradise-and-I-need-to-look-cute-and-show-off-my-bangin-bod essentials for under $20.

And you know what that means: more margarita money.

Obviously, a bathing suit is the first thing on your list and Forever 21 has a great line of suits that are all $21 or less.  This is just one of my personal faves. The color will look great against your skin and you can pull off those straps easily to avoid an ugly tan line.

Chances are, if you’re anything like me, you’re white as a ghost and ready to look sun-kissed again.  But skip those harmful UV rays at the tanning beds and use this awesome spray tan from Vicky’s Secret.

And speaking of harmful UV rays, you’ll want to be sure to avoid those as much as possible if you don’t want to look like a raisin by the time you’re 25. So make it a point to slather on the sunscreen every morning before you hit the beach! Neutrogena’s sunscreen is consistently ranked at the top and the sheerness of it won’t leave you feeling sticky or icky, which means you can go from day to night easily and comfortably.

Cover-ups are great for those treks to the beach or pool and this one is cute enough that you can still feel sexy when you pop into bar for some beachside cocktails.

Flip flops are another beach necessity, so why not trade in those rubber ones for some that are stylish enough to wear for dinner or a night out on the town.  Once again, these make the transition from beach to party easy, and make the walk home from said party pain free.

You can’t go on vacay without some cute shades, but rather than spending oodles on the hottest designer look, grab some that cost under $10 so you don’t flip when they get scratched by sand, swiped by the pool or taken by the ocean. (And at under $6, you can grab up a couple pairs so you have back-ups.) I love the retro feel of this pair and the fact that the large frames will protect your hungover eyes from that bright sun is just an added bonus.

Keep those premature wrinkles away and look chic doing it with a chic, floppy sun hat.

You’ll want your clothes to do double duty on Spring Break (so you don’t have to pay extra when your suitcase doubles the weight allowance for the flight) so a  tailored pair of denim shorts is key. These are casual enough to wear with your bikini, but the dark wash and added details are nice enough to rock with a pair of wedges and a tight tank for a night on the town.

Leona Lewis may be a rising star but that doesn’t mean she’s let her fame go to her head. Or to her wallet. The British pop singer was spotted on multiple occassions with a girly, ruffled handbag in pink and black. Was it a Valentino? Nope. A Be & D? Guess again. Leona actually prefers Deux Lux, in particular, the Deux Lux Ruffle Bucket Bag.

This polyurethane purse features a cascading row of ditsy floral-backed ruffle trim and matching floral lining, a zippered main compartment, and is finished with padded handles. And what does a bag like this cost?

A mere $68.

Looks like Leona is talented, stylish and financially savvy.

We all live busy lives; we go to school or work (or sometimes both), we try to keep our lives in order and, on top of everything else, we try to maintain a social life.

It can all be a bit overwhelming at times, especially when you’re running here, there and everywhere, and in the process of it all, still trying to look cute.  On a weekly basis, I will be posting a guide for an outfit that looks super cute and casual during the day, but you can easily rock out at night with a few accessory additions and/or a change of shoes.  And maybe, just maybe, it’ll help ease the stress of life a little bit because, hey, when we look good, we feel good, right?

This spring we see the return of the relaxed fit pant. And I couldn’t be happier. These pants are great because they’re totally sweatpant-comfy, without looking sweatpant-gnarly.  I love this pair from Express, especially with the  $9.99 (on sale) price tag!

Never wanting to look like you’re trying too hard during the day, pair the pants with a basic scoop neck tee for a simple look. Give it a nice lil’ spring boost by choosing a bright color; coral or yellow is a great way to go.

A cute and comfy pair of flats and some thin bangles round out the daytime look…

So classes are over and it’s time to meet the girls for a drink. You could go home and change the entire outfit, but why should you? Dressing this outfit up is easy; just add a cute jacket, fun necklace and change your shoes and you’re good to go. (You can even store these in your bag for a quick bathroom change.)

The jacket will instantly take this outfit from class mode to chic, evening mode, and swapping out the flats for a hot pair of gladiators will give you the glam factor you need. Plus, paired with the pants and tee, no one will ever know you came straight from lecture.

Just toss those flats into your bag and head out. Easy peasy.

 

[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.

Of course, no celebs are immune to the occasional “what the hell were they thinking?” moment, but for the most part, these celebs look foxy and fabulous and inspire us all to do the same.]

Charlize Theron is a not only a gifted actress and a natural stunner, she’s a fashion icon who is consistently placed on best-dressed lists for her ability to put together jaw-dropping ensembles that highlight her gorgeous face and body. She does a great job of wearing everything from vintage/classic to avante garde styles, and even when donning a casual look, she looks chic, put together and beautiful.

Dior is one of her favorite designers and I can’t imagine him having anyone better to show off his duds. Charlize accessorizes with very natural make-up and a shimmery bronzer to add a light glow to her lovely complexion. She’s worn her hair long, short, brown and blonde, and looked gorgeous with every different look.

Charlize has an essence about her that makes her look seem effortless and her statuesque presence is only highlighted by her beautiful fashion choices. The girl’s got a style that many women try to emulate, but few can pull off and that in itself makes her my Style Idol of the week.

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.]

The holidays are upon us, which means lots of fun excuses to get dressed up (and get drunk). But if you are going to make one pre-new years resolution this year it should be this (say it out loud with me): “I will NOT wear a little black dress to this years’ holiday parties.

There – don’t you feel better now?

What is with the black dress every year? There are so many options, especially this year! Options in ‘so bright you may need sunglasses to talk to me but I sure do stand out in a crowd’ colors. And the best part is? Unlike the celebs above, you don’t need to spend your life savings on a dress. We all know they get hot cider spilled on them at the party, anyways.

Need another reason to give up on black this year? How about the fact that you will finally be able to distinguish this year’s holiday photos from every other year you spent in the same drab dresses?! I knew you’d see the (bright) light.

And I am here to help. This week I bring you: Celebrity Chic on the Cheap: Not Your Average Black Party Dress.

Here are some fabulous bright blue dress options that won’t break the bank. All are equally cute, unique and (say it with me) NOT BLACK!

Shoes:

You can glam it up with a pair of killer heels, or take the cute-yet-comfortable approach with a hot pair of flats (which will look just divine with a pair of black tights if you need to keep warm!). Just do not do the Meester and opt for white pumps this time of year.

Bag:

Wear the black one as a clutch or throw the chain over your shoulder when holding your drink becomes more important than holding your bag. Or add even more fabulosity to the look by pairing the dress with this gold bag. (Unless, of course, your dress has sequins, in which case you you may end up looking like my grandma circa 1992.)

Bling:

It is a special evening, so special jewels are in order. You could go with some hot earrings or a great necklace, but I think cocktail rings are the way to go. Who doesn’t love the glamour of an oversized ring? It is the perfect amount of bling to look glamorous without going overboard.

But not anymore!

Now the hippest women in Hollywood are sporting the fringe. And as with every Hollywood trend, the general public (fabulous us) is always tempted to follow suit, despite the reprecussions. So for all of you toying with the idea of bangs, read the pros and cons before taking the plunge!

PROS:

1. Instant Chic – As we are college students, ponytails are our hairstyle of choice. But with bangs, a ponytail can suddenly become stylish! If you only have a few moments in the morning for you hair, leave down your bangs and sweep back the rest of your hair for a quick, but classy style. I guarantee that you’ll always look polished unlike the rest of those hungover girls in your lecture hall.

2. Edginess – Even though bangs are quite popular now, they still give your look a sense of mysteriousness. (Yes, that is a word…now.) People tend to associate bangs with European models and super fashionable women (Daisy Lowe, Charlotte Gainsbourg, etc), so you are automatically clumped into that category too!

3. Coverage – Fact: bangs cover your forehead. And what else is potentially on your forehead? Acne and messy eyebrows. It’s not rocket science that with bangs people will not be able to see these little problems. I stumbled upon this genius of bangs in Edinburgh when I could not for the life of me find a tweezer. So I cut myself a pair of full on fringe and, Voila!, the issue was gone. Or at least hidden behind some fabulously chic new bangs.

CONS:

1. They stick to your forehead – Find yourself in a bit of humidity and – BAM – your bangs are glued to your face. And working out? Don’t even think about leaving them flying free, unless you want to look like a greaseball. They’re going absorb the sweat from your face and get real ugly, real fast. And pinning them back becomes a total pain when you have to use 37 clips just to keep them off your face.

2. They get in your eyes – You never realize how fast hair grows until you get bangs. Trim them in the morning and by lunchtime they’re back in your line of vision! Which brings me to my next point…

3. Upkeep – You cannot be a low maintenance person and get bangs. They require constant trimming, straightening, gelling, etc. If you are already strapped for time in the morning, probably not a wise decision.

Just like most things in life, the glory of bangs comes at a price. But is it a price you are willing to pay? You tell us: are they worth the fuss or are we better off without em?

[Every week 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.]

While I may be the only person on this site who is so not up to date on The Hills – I just feel like I lose 50 million brain cells everytime I watch that show – I have to admit I do like this look.

It’s great for class – casual, yet pulled together- and screams “I’m a regular person- but not that regular- I stand out. I should be on TV for doing absolutely NOTHING!” (And really – who doesn’t want to have a look that screams that?!)

The hat makes this look a little different, adorable, and covers up your dirty hair that you didn’t have time to wash after you hit snooze 6 times…

Cable Knit Beret

Audrina rocks this hat in white, but my pick would be yellow. That extra pop of color just makes this outfit that much cuter.

Black Denim Skinny Jeans

The zippers are cute for flats/pumps- but these jeans are also best for tucking into boots. Skinnies are an easy way to take a boring outfit and make it fabulous.

Bracelets

Buy this Motley Bangle set, or throw on an assortment of what you have at home. You can mix and match just about anything – chunky and fine, silver and gold, jeweled and plain…the possibilities are endless.

Aviators

Cute, chic and totally cover up that mess of a face for your 8am class.

Sheer Tee (in oatmeal)

Please, I beg of you, do not wear a black bra underneath it. Unless your name is Carrie Bradshaw this look is just. not. cute. If your complexion is pasty like mine, then I would stay away from the oatmeal and do a brighter color instead. Either way, solid tees are the way to go to keep this look on the classy (instead of so trendy you will be out of style by lunch) look.

Cute. Cheap. Big.

What more could you ask for in a bag?

[Do you ever feel like you can’t pull something off? Have trendy pieces in your closet that you would never have the courage to actually wear out? Well take those pieces out, shake off the dust, and continue reading!

In this series, I will choose a different piece that can be difficult to incorporate into an outfit and give you ideas on how to wear it. If there’s anything you would like to read about in the future, please leave a comment!]

Previously worn only by tattooed biker chicks, leather jackets have become a must-have item for fall. Stylish and comfortable, the leather jacket is the perfect substitute for that tired North Face fleece.

Although they are a little bit pricey, leather jackets are a worthwhile investment since there are so many different ways to rock them. The above crop leather motorcycle jacket from Victoria’s Secret is $198, but it works with so many outfits that it will be a splurge you won’t regret.

Here are four ways to rock the leather jacket:

The Classic Leather Jacket Look

Over a white shirt and jeans. Clean, crisp, cool. For an extra kick, throw on a pair of black booties. Tres chic!

Raglan Top, Express, $24.50. 77 Straight Jean, American Eagle Outfitters, $29.50. Shoes, Nicole Bitter at Piperlime.com, $89.

Rocker Chic

Pair a graphic tee with grey skinny pants, rock the LJ (leather jacket) and you’ve completed this look.

Tee, Forever 21, $12.80. Jeans, PacSun, $39.50. Shoes, Fitzwell at Zappos.com, $65.

Feminine

Dresses are cute, but sometimes they need a little oomph. Give some edge to a cute dress by layering with feminine pieces and, of course, the rockin’ leather jacket.

Dress, Tempted at Macy’s, $33. Necklace, Aldo, $15. Boots, Aldo, $130.00.

Glammed Up

A minidress with leggings and heels is perfect for a night out on the town. But since it’s getting a little chilly at night lately, throw on a leather jacket for warmth and extra style.

Minidress, AmiClubWear, $19.99. Leggings, Arden B, $28.00. Bangle, Aldo, $8.