[The following post is courtesy of the girls at CollegeFashion.net!]

We’re back to the daily grind of classes, homework and campus activities. Along with acing tests and keeping to deadlines, one new semester resolution to add to your list is dressing well for class.

Sure, it seems frivolous, but the truth is that when you’re dressed nicely, you feel more confident, and that attitude extends to everything you do. Maybe you’ll have that extra nerve to raise your hand in class, give a great presentation or talk to the cutie sitting next to you. Don’t underestimate the power of dressing for success.

Of course, when you roll out of bed to make it to an 8 a.m. after pulling an all-nighter, fashion can be the last thing on your mind. And sometimes the only thing you crave as you venture out into the January chill is a cozy sweatshirt. But comfort and convenience don’t mean sacrificing style; if you plan ahead and get creative with styling, you can go to class in outfits that are both comfy and fashionable. Read More »

I do believe it is officially mid-August, which means most of you will be headed back to campus in the next few weeks.  It also means Back to School shopping is well underway, an occasion that might as well be deemed a national holiday.  As a B2S pro, I’ve been asked by my adoring fans girls I used to babysit what items they should snag for a foolproof freshman wardrobe.

Trying to piece together outfits that go from classroom to frat house basement is indeed a daunting task, but it can be done.  Here’s how to look ten times better than missy in the denim skort trying to steal your place in the keg line:

Get a go-to top. Make it frilly, make it fun. This will be the one top you can always rely on when you think you’ve got nothing else to wear.  Snag it in a color other than black so you’re sure to stand out, but also be sure it’s machine washable.  Finding a dry cleaner near campus is so not worth the cost or effort.

Take it into autumn with the perfect fitted jacket. This season is all about military inspired details, and outerwear is the perfect place to show off your fashion know-how.  Go for an army jacket with a slim, feminine fit to keep you warm when summer evenings turn into crisp nights.  Throw this one from J.Crew over your favorite sleeveless top and a pair of skinny jeans for the walk to class or the stumble home from the bar.

Add a scarf. No, not the chunky kind Mom knits you for Christmas.  I’m talking about the ones thin enough to twist, tie, knot, and drape around your neck.  Anthropologie hit a homerun with their Stonybreck Scarf.  The funky print boasts a color palate that will match with just about anything and the price is on the lower end of the splurge scale.  Don’t let the roommate borrow this one because you’ll never see it again! Read More »

Miss mom/dad/Fido? Do not go home! I repeat: DO NOT GO HOME!

Got questions? Hit me up in the comments or shoot me an email at melanie@collegecandy.com

I hear college is the perfect time to get a credit card. Should I trade in my debit for credit?
NO. Okay, so maybe the prospect of a limitless spending spree “for emergencies only” is a good idea in theory, but it really isn’t that great. You gotta pay that shiz off sometime, and that “sometime” comes with a giant interest fee.

Hold onto your debit card so you can only spend what you got. If you decide the perks of a credit card (airline miles! woooo!) are too good to pass up, make sure you get the lowest limit card possible and PAY IT OFF every month. Don’t do any of that minimum BS – that will only get you in big-time trouble down the road. Are those new Citizens/front row tickets to another DMB show really worth ruining your credit score? I think not.

I’m homesick. What do I do?
I can’t tell you what to do, but I can tell you what not to do. And that is go home every weekend. DO NOT DO IT. This will only make you miss home more and won’t help you get adjusted to your new lifestyle at all. Keep in touch with your family and friends from back home, but try and branch out of your comfort zone. You went away to school for a reason – to become independent and to experience college life. Try and push yourself to stay on campus for a few weekends in a row and give mom and dad a call every couple days. To tell them how much fun you’re having. Cuz you will be. Read More »

College girls spend so much time focusing on finding the perfect pair of “classroom to club” jeans or comfy/cute campus shoes that they often forget about the clothing they’ll spend the most time in: loungewear.

Many people don’t realize that after walking around campus breaking in those new skinny jeans or working hard at that killer internship that the first thing you’ll want to do is throw on something comfortable upon dorm/apartment arrival. Here is a guide of what to look for while shopping for new loungewear.

PJ’s: Do not, I repeat DO NOT wear your pajamas to class! No matter how cute/expensive they are, nothing screams “I don’t give a sh*t about how I look” more than rocking a pair of ‘jammies to your Chem lecture. This may be acceptable for some of you who have super early (Read: 8 am) classes and labs, but try to wear them sparingly (and absolutely NO P.J.’s of any kind after noon); it’s kind of hard for your professor to take you seriously when your bottoms are covered in violet tiaras and have the word “Princess” inscribed on the butt in fuschia fabric glitter.

Wearing your pajamas are definitely okay in your dorm, since very few people will see you in them (and if they do, they will also be wearin’ em). Just remember to be smart about your pajama options, since you never know what you’ll have on when fire alarm inevitably goes off at 3 a.m. (Note: racy lingerie will not keep you warm as you sit outside for an hour). Victoria’s Secret’s PINK line is pretty much the official wardrobe of most college girls, but American Eagle’s Aerie collection also offers pajamas in simple plaid and polka dot patterns in soft, but not too girly, colors. Read More »