Budget Stylista: Skip The Jeans and Opt for a Denim Dress

Look, I love the denim/chambray shirt as much as the next person who inhales everything the fashion magazines offer up, but sometimes I feel a little bit like one of the characters from Hey Dude when I try to pull it off with a pair of jeans.

So how do I get my chambray on without rocking the denim tuxedo?
Two words: denim dress.

The denim dress is a fashionable and versatile wardrobe addition. First, it’s a great way to get out of those jeans (that may or may not be giving you muffin top) but still enjoy one of the biggest trends of the season. Second, it’s the ultimate transition piece to take you from summer to fall. Pair it with some wedges or flat sandals now and in two months, rock some tights and a chunky cardigan (or leather coat!) and you’re good to go.

Plus, we all know that dresses in general are the bomb.com because there is so much less thought needed to look cute and put together, and the denim dress is no exception. Throw one on, add cute shoes and a bag and – boom! – you = SO FREAKIN CUTE! Need some help finding the perfect denim frock? I’ve got 8 fun and flattering options right here. No, you don’t need to thank me. I’m just doing my job! Read More »


From CollegeFashion: Fashion Challenge – Flared Pants

Photo Credits: 1 – Heidi Klum, 2 – Behnaz Sarafpour, 3Style Scrapbook via Lookbook

The ’70s are back in a big way, especially in the denim world. If you don’t believe me, check out MK and Ashley’s new denim collection TEXTILE Elizabeth and James (Victoria Beckham is also a flare fan). Skinnies have become the norm (and will probably stay that way), but if you are looking for an alternative to your favorite straight-legged bottoms, this Fashion Challenge is the one for you. Read More »


From CollegeFashion: 4 Spring & Summer Denim Staples

The following post is courtesy of our uber fashionable friends at CollegeFashion.net!

If you’ve read some of my previous posts, you probably already know about my not-so-secret denim addiction. I l o v e the fabric, and always wear it year-round!

Of course, come spring and summer, I tend to ditch my skinny jeans in favor of cooler, girlier styles like the ones featured below. The following four pieces are my spring and summer denim staples. An added bonus? Most of the pieces can be worn year-round with the right combination of layers, and they’re perfect for the awkward pre-season transition phases. Fellow denim lovers, this is for you! Read More »


8 Under $20: D-D-D-Denim

Oh yes, the most tried and true wardrobe staple known to man (and woman): jeans.

Jeans are an amazingly versatile little thing: you can dress them up or dress them down; wear them in winter or summer: and find them in a seemingly unlimited variety of cuts, colors and styles.  Denim is ALWAYS in in some form or another, and this season is no exception.

Be on the lookout for denim in all forms: jackets, vests, dresses, and even shoes. Not that you should wear them all together. In fact, please don’t. But throwing in the perfect piece – whether it’s some adorable boyfriend jeans, a sexy mini or a pair of  ballet flats – is always welcome and always works. Especially when you’re dealing with cuteness like this. Read More »


Budget Stylista: Jeans For Everything

Gap’s new denim line is the bomb. The jeans are comfortable, cute, and, unlike the old Gap jeans, don’t stretch five sizes, giving you a saggy butt after 10 minutes of wear.

And if you haven’t tried on a pair of these babies, this weekend is your chance. Bring in a pair of jeans you aren’t wearing (like those ones that are now three sizes too small or three years out of style) and get 30% (35% if you have a Gap card!) off a new pair.

Since you’ll be rockin’ a new pair of jeans (or a few new pairs, if you’re really ambitious with that closet cleaning), I thought I’d put together a few outfits to highlight you new goods. These are three of my favorite Gap styles, but the whole line is fabu. Whether you’re wearing these jeans to class, out with the beau or – holla!! – on Spring Break, Gap’s new jeans will be perfect for the occasion.  Read More »


Duke It Out: Jeggings?

jeggings lead[It's pretty obvious that the average CollegeCandy reader has some very strong opinions. Opinions that she likes to share with everyone on the site. We love a strong woman, so we thought we'd give her a real forum to discuss her thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. Every Friday I'll be featuring a hot topic (like moving in to save money!) and leaving it up to you, the readers, to duke it out. So, read it and get your debate on in the comments section below!]

Ok, it’s no secret that we’re loving the skinny jean (even if it’s not always good for us) and leggings have been a fall go-to for the past several years, but now that the two have combined it’s time to decide how we really feel about this leg-covering love child – jeggings.

Jeans+leggings seems like it would be great idea, what with the era of the super-skinny jean everywhere, and in many ways they are. To start with, the hours of trying on required to find the perfect skinny jean? Gone, thanks to the jegging. They stretch, so you know they’ll fit you – even if you’re a weird in-between size (like me) or you have a “non-typical” body type, like thin but with muscular thighs.

That whole pocket problem (too far apart? too big? too small? too embellished?) is out the window too, since these babies don’t have pockets. And jeggings let you get away with things you probably couldn’t with regular leggings, like shorter tops, because the denim aspect makes them more “pants lite” than “hosiery.” Read More »


8 Under $20: JC Penney

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The recession is bad news for anyone looking to get a job, save some money or sell a house. But it’s great news for fashionistas! Stores that were once dowdy and just screamed “crazy cat lady” are bringing in new designers to create chic lines at lower prices.

Take JC Penney. When was the last time you stopped in there (not counting those post-Starbucks bathroom emergencies)? I know: never. Because their clothes were cheap, outdated and just not cute. Well, that’s not the case anymore! JCP now sells several lines by popular designers (Charlotte Ronson, Nicole Miller, and Allen B. Schwartz, to name a few) and they not only have stuff that is totes cute, it’s totes affordable as well.  I can’t wait to add some of these pieces to my closet… Read More »


8 New Denim Trends For Fall

Fashion’s obsession with denim continues with some hot new trends that move beyond the basic boyfriend and skinny jean. Update your wardrobe with these chic denim looks for fall for every budget:

jeggings


Denim Leggings (or Jeggings):

The next generation of skinny jeans, the stretchy skin tight denim / legging hybrid looks great paired with boyfriend blazers, tunic tops and chunky knit sweaters. Depending on your style, choose heels, ballet flats, ankle or tall boots, or even Converse sneakers to complete the look.

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denim jacket

Denim Jackets:

The classic jean jacket returns as a hot trend to wear with everything from dresses, pants, and yes – even jeans. The secret to wearing your denim jacket with jeans? Make sure one piece is a dark wash and the other a medium or light wash denim. Read More »


What She Really Thinks Of… Guy Denim Trends

Now that we’re about ready to trade in our gladiator sandals for boots and our tank tops for, well, tank tops with sweaters, I tried to search the web for other denim trends as a follow-up to last week’s post on bleached jeans. What popped up instead was this:

Before this, I’ve seen some silly pants on guys, but I’ve always kept my mouth shut because who am I to talk? They put up with my hundred-dollar-stiletto cravings, don’t they? (And they carry me home at the end of the night when those hundred-dollar silettos give me hundred-dollar blisters.) But what gets me this time is that this particular pair of jeans retails for about $550. [Yes, I‘m serious! FIVE HUNDRED.]

I don’t get it. Maybe it’s a guy thing, because all I saw when I looked at these was this: Read More »


Fashion Porn: Jean Orgy

jean orgy introRemember back in your pre-college days when the start of school always meant new outfits and school supplies? Even though you’ve probably swapped your notebooks with netbooks, there’s no reason to end the tradition of new clothes for the start of a new year and what wardrobe would be complete without a new pair of jeans? (Or 12.)

Denim (not sweatpants) should be the staple go-to in any college girl’s wardrobe. They are the perfect thing to pick up off the floor and pull on when you’re running late for class, you can wait months between washing them (don’t judge – you know you do it, too) and, obvi, they are a much better evening option if you wanna avoid the crotch shots.

With all the fits and washes of jeans out there this year, there’s bound to be at least one pair perfect for your lifestyle, figure and budget. The key to the perfect pair of jeans is to try on pair, after pair, after pair, after… well you get the picture. Each pair – even if it’s the exact same size and style – will fit differently, so patience is most definitely a virtue when it comes to shopping for denim. It’s also important to realize that not every fit will look good on you, so keep trying ’til you find that perfect pair that makes you feel like a million bucks.

Oh, and it’s OK if that pair also costs a million bucks. If there’s one thing worth splurging on, it’s a high quality pair of denim. Just trust me on this one. (Click on the jeans to get all the shopping info.) Read More »