In case you haven’t heard, it’s New York Fashion Week! Sadly, we’re not all celebs and fashion VIPs, so most of us won’t be making it into the runway shows. But that doesn’t mean we can’t ogle the designs from afar once the pictures come out! The designers that are showing their work this week cover a wide range of styles and looks. There’s a little something for everyone. Click through the gallery to find out whose clothes would be perfect for you…if you had a few thousand extra dollars to spend.

initiating the gallery...

Garnet is a student at Columbia University in New York City. She is “that person” who starts dancing at a party when everyone else is standing around, and if there were a Facebook stalking Olympics, she would be a gold medalist. She also loves cheesy 90s music, and almost died of happiness when Vanilla Ice retweeted her. Once. Follow her on Twitter @garnethenderson.

[Lead image via NataliaYeromina/Shutterstock]

“Oh my God, I love her shoes!”

“Check out that bag!”

“That dress is amazing.”

We ladies are constantly on the look out for the hottest fashion (at the lowest prices) and the coolest trends. Even the girl who just wears the same pair of jeans every day is looking for a comfortable pair of denim that make her ass look great. And that’s why we’re constantly providing a running commentary on the fashion we see on a daily basis. While some of it is certainly cringe-worthy, there’s a lot of it that is ooo-ahh-I-want-it worthy.  It’s not uncommon to see strangers ask each other where someone bought something.

But what about those things you can’t have and the people you can’t ask? The Manolo Blahnik’s you see Carrie Bradshaw wearing on almost every episode of Sex and the City or the Hermes bracelet on Kim Kardashian? Everyone wants it but few can have it…and that’s why I have a never-ending list of celebrity closets I want to raid.

These women have the clothes that make me wish I could walk into Barney’s, whip out a Fendi wallet, take out my limitless Amex Black card, and buy the entire store. Of course, this is currently impossible for me so instead I have to spend my days ogling the fashion magazines and fantasizing about shopping in my fave celebs walk-in closets.

Step with me into my fantasies, will you?

This week I was perusing USA Today (trying to find the crossword puzzle) and stumbled upon an article that struck me as, frankly, a bit terrifying. The article screamed HUGE DEBT, NO SAVINGS in my face, warning all of us in “Gen-Y” (that group of seventeen – twenty-somethings) that we’re the only generation unlikely to out-succeed our parents financially. Harrowing stuff, especially since we seem to be in a generation of “buy now, pay later.” And when we do buy,  we want the newest and shiniest and don’t settle for less than designer brands…. Not exactly recession-friendly behavior.

The article had me thinking about my own spending habits and the habits of my peers. I certainly have gotten my act together over the past year but still struggle with the little things. I write checks and forget about them until they hit my account. I have days where I spend ten dollars on Starbucks. And then other days when I spend $20. I went through a period where I didn’t pay off my credit card balance every month (never. again.). We all struggle with the economy and our own personal finances. Here are the top 10 ways to be a savvy spender and super recessionista.

10. Keep track of your spending.
Do you know how much you spent all day yesterday, to the dime? Well, you should. Keeping on top of every little expense can save you cash in the future and keep you mindful of where your cashflow is going.

9. If you can’t indulge, don’t indulge.
I’m not saying to give up every indulgence, but if you’re about to spend $200 on a dress that you don’t have, then either wait for it to go on sale or just walk away. The dress will always be there, so wait til the cash is.

8. PAY IT OFF.
If my dad is reading this right now, he’s falling out of his office chair laughing hysterically. It took me a year to pay off my credit card balance and you know what? The only way I could do it was to mail my credit card home and never, ever have it on hand. I’m sure there are people out there who can manage their money and understand that when you receive a credit card bill, you must pay it off every month. I was not one of those people. Fees, charges and overdrafts all affect your credit score and your finances. If you can’t handle it, don’t have it. If you can, pay it off every. single. month.

7. Write down your debt in a place you’ll see it
Paint it on your wall. Write it on your fridge. If you owe 50k in student loans, THINK ABOUT IT every time you spend money. Sure, buying shots for all your friends might seem like a great idea at the time, but that seventy dollars could be going to your loan payments. Do you really want to worry about student loans when you’re ready to take out a mortgage on a house?

6. Cut back on the frills
I love caramel frappucinos, fancy make-up and high-end jeans. But, if I skip the Starbucks and hit the office coffee machine, ditch Sephora for CVS and pass up Saks for the Gap, even just for a month, I’ll save over $400 a month. Trust me, no frapp is yummier than that.

5. Plan, plan, plan
Okay, so you want to go on vacation in two months? Plan all your expenses ahead of time. Flight, hotel, bathing suit, meals, drinks, etc. Once you lay out a budget and know how much you need to set aside, it will keep you saving.

4. Get by with a little help from your friends
Plan free or cheap activities with your girl friends. Spa day at home, baking and picnicking are huge budget boosters over salon mani/pedis, high end cupcakes or fancy dinners.

3. Take advantage of your Tech-savvy
Right, Gen-Y is terrible at saving money. We’re the generation that live in a recession and have more debt than any other generations. Blah. Blah. Blah. We get it. But, what’s that one perk that we have? We’re so tech-savvy. From twitter to iPhones, we know how to work the techy angles. So embrace it. Download finance managing apps for your phone or sign up for Mint.com to see where your money’s going. Be smart and savvy and use the tools available to help!

2. Think of the big picture
If you’re still in school you don’t feel the weight of your loans right now. Even if you don’t have loans, great, but you’re about to have a whole mess of new expenses coming your way. If you plan on ever buying a house, leasing an apartment or buying a car, save now and save often. You never know when life’s going to throw you a curveball and if you don’t have that financial cushion, things can get pretty ugly, fast.

1. Don’t stress.
Yes, thinking about finances sucks. I can’t think of anything that gives me more anxiety (not even the thought of putting on a bikini in less than a month). But don’t let all the statistics terrify you. Just take a deep breath, evaluate your spending (past and present), then plan for your future. Pretty soon you’ll be ballin with a big house and five cars before you know it. Just don’t put it on a credit card!

Well, Target is at it again.  Now that the not-so-Gaultier line has come and gone, it is Zac Posen’s turn to take over the racks of Target.  Posen’s line won’t debut until April 25^th in stores, but we got a super special preview of the collection and Zac has certainly hit the target this time (no pun intended).  And now that I’ve seen it, I’m seriously considering packing up my tent and camping out in Brooklyn the night before. It’s that good.

Unlike predecessor Gaultier, Posen’s Target line actually reflects his own design aesthetic, without looking cheap or low quality.  Considered a newcomer to the industry, Posen’s feminine image is easily recognizable and is reflected in his Target Collection.  From bathing suits to a tuxedo suit, the collection literally ranges from A to Zac. 

Designed for the flirty girl’s night on the town, the collection’s main focus is on dresses.  Bold prints and vibrant colors make up the majority of dresses, but the variation of silhouette offers several options. (All of which I want/need.) Included are a full-length dress and a chambray button up dress that are both perfect for a summer day.  The cherry-red chiffon ruffled dress is a must-have for any special occasion, and at $79.99, it’s completely a no-brainer.

Beyond the assortment of 50’s inspired dresses, the collection also includes a red suede jacket and a neon lipstick graphic tank which is sure to fly off the shelf at only $16.99.  To soak up the sun in a retro and trendy fashion, a number of swimwear pieces add splash to the collection.  Bold metallics are offered in both bandeau shape and in a halter one-piece.  High-cut hemlines bring one-pieces from Speedo back to sexy for Summer 2010.  Although the mod-yellow raincoat may not be so helpful in a storm, at only $49.99, it may be form rather than function but it is totally worth it.

As a whole, when it comes to detailing, large bows, ruffles, and pleats mix the fun of the ’80s with trends of today.  With prices from $16.99-$199.00 and pieces for both day and night, there is virtually something for every fashionista. Or, you know, a lot of things just for me.  Be sure to hit the stores quickly (and bring your A-Game) because the collection will only be available until May 30^th, and based on what I’ve seen, it’s going to sell out quickly.

To see the entire collection, click here.

If you are a student at The Fashion Institute of Technology, this sounds like a regular Monday to you. To anyone else, this sounds more like a scene from a movie. You probably don’t think that girls like this ACTUALLY exist. They do. Crazy right? For a 9:00 Monday class, you probably wake up at 8:30, grab a hoodie, some Uggs, your Northface, and are set.  The thought of wearing sweatpants to class is horrifying to the FIT student body.  It’s a completely different world, the fashion school world.

Contrary to popular belief, the life of a fashion school student is not one continuous episode of Project Runway.  However, a typical school day is nothing like a day at the average university.  Classrooms are not just for learning.  The competition students face everyday is cut throat.  FIT students are arguably some of the most driven in the nation when it comes to working towards career goals.  They are friendly with each other, of course, but at the end of the day, it’s dog eat dog, and each extremely well-dressed canine is left to fend for himself.  Professors at FIT do not qualify to teach unless they have been working in the industry for 20 years. Most are still active and successful in their fields and choose to teach as a side job.  Opportunity is lurking around every corner and students are ready to tackle it when it comes their way.  Duly noted, they wouldn’t dream to tackle it in sweatpants.

As many would assume, a large percentage of the population are female.  The small male population is made up of mostly homosexual men.  Often better dressed than the girls, these boys have their eyes on the prize as well and put up fierce competition in every outlet.  Girls do not come to FIT to meet boys, it is a fact, and it will never change.  However, if any straight male were to walk down the block at FIT, he would probably kick himself for not applying.  It may be because they are interested in fashion, or because many want to become models themselves, but FIT girls tend to be strikingly attractive.  It is unfortunate, but true, that in the fashion world, it is all about how you look.  Even behind the scenes, being overweight is considered unacceptable when applying for jobs (as we all found out in “The Devil Wears Prada” when Anne Hathaway’s character was reprimanded for being a size 6).  Consequently, most girls are in tip-top shape, and better yet, know how to dress accordingly.  Although it is not their goal to impress some guy in class, girls know that they are constantly being judged by each other, their teachers, and potential employers that show up to guest speak in class.  They treat every day like an interview and dressing to impress is top priority.

It does sound intense (the dressing up, the constant comparisons, the competition), because it is, but as an FIT student I can attest that it is completely worth it.  Even getting up early to do my hair. Every day is a new adventure and life at fashion school is never boring.  The lack of testosterone is disappointing, but it’s a compromise I am willing to make because I am certain that I am on the track I’m meant to be on. Plus, with all these fashionistas around, you wouldn’t believe the hand-me-downs I get. It’s that fact alone that makes my lack-of-a-dating life completely worth it.

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.

Who inspires your style? Or better question, WHAT inspires your style? Many of us use movie characters (like Penny Lane

Describing Chloe Sevigny’s style in one word would be like attempting to describe color to a blind man: Impossible.

She is a wild child with a wild style. It’s vintage-meets-designer, quirky, eccentric and European chic with just the perfect hint of grunge. It doesn’t sound like it would turn out well, but somehow Chloe works it. Not to mention that smirk she’s always sportin’ that says, “What I’m wearing right now is what you’re going to be wearing next month.” Only she’s not arrogant, which I totally would be if I had her ability to wear a potato sack and have a million people be inspired by it.

Although she works as an actress by day (most notably as the second wife on HBO’s series, Big Love) her newest job and eternal interest has always been related to fashion.  It has apparently always come easy to her, considering she never actually follows trends but seems to instead set them.

To name a few of her fashion accomplishments, we can start with the fact that she is the face of the fashion house Chloe, besides collaborating with Open Ceremony.  She also seems to always choose roles that have a very quirky-cool costume attached, and is constantly on the best-dressed list at every award show she attends. It is no surprise, then, that I am totally inspired by Chloe Sevigny and her fashion prowess, and want to make her look all my own.

Product Information: Sunglasses -Bleudame, $9.80; Black socks (pack of 3) – American Apparel, $12.50; Dress – Forever 21, $21.90; Sweater – Urban Outfitters, $68; Heels – Forever 21, $27.80; Structured bag – Forever 21, $21.80; Red lipstick

This look is typical Chloe and I love it because it looks carefree and chic all at the same time. Wayfarer sunglasses add some edge to the romantic, floral, ’90s-style dress, and the baggy sweater hints at Parisian chic. The boots are unique, especially paired with socks, and wouldn’t work on most people. In fact, most people would look insane. But, somehow, they work  for Chloe and, if you rock her signature confidence, they will work for this look, too.

I’m just going to start this off by saying I would have absolutely no qualms switching lives with Leigh Lezark for a day, or a month, or longer.

I don’t remember how or when I first heard her name, but I immediately wished my name was an alliteration that easily rolled off the tongue like hers. Too bad we can’t always get what we want (thanks, parents!). On the bright side, something we can achieve is her effortlessly bad-ass sense of style.

For those of you still wondering, Leigh Lezark is a DJ in the trio Misshapes in New York City.  Oh yeah, and she’s a model.  Yes, a DJ and a model.  Très, très jaloux (which is French for, I’m mad envious).

DJ Leigh and her Misshapes posse like to bump electronica and indie rock.  They are also known to attract the Hispter crowd, but I try to stay open-minded to the boundary-pushing that she, and her party-mates, tend to inspire people with. I just love their sound. I also find Leigh Lezark incredibly chic, cool and mysterious with her all-black ensembles, signature jet-black bob and aversion to ever smiling in a photograph. And while The Misshapes tend to dress in some brands that are a bit out of my league (Alexandre Herchcovitch, House of Holland, Imitation of Christ, Jeremy Scott, Obesity and Speed, Pleasure Principle, to name a few), I’m going to toss some more affordable options in your general direction.

Because you don’t have to spend like a DJ/model to dress like one.

Product Info: Shiny tank body-suit -American Apparel, $34.00; High-waist jeans -Urban Outfitters, $64.00; Draped cardigan -Wet Seal, $14.99; Studded booties -Forever 21, $36.40; Sunglasses -Bleudame.com, $5.00; Studded handbag – Aldo $24.49

I like this outfit because while it still exemplifies Leigh’s personal style, anyone can make it their own for class, a party, or even a not-so-strict-uniformed job. You can really turn the rocker edginess up or down depending on what you’re going for. Plus, most of us already own all the separate components that make up the basic structure of this look; just grab shoes, a bag, or even a stack of bangles with some studs and you’ve got the Leigh Lezark edge. Now work on that pose and pout and you’re good to go.

Hello, Wednesday. I have quite the love/hate relationship with you. Obviously, I love that you’re in the middle of the week and that many dub you “Hump Day.” But you’re still just the middle of the week – there are still two more long days to go – and no matter what people call you, I haven’t found anyone to celebrate Hump Day with.

There’s only one thing that can make this any better (without costing you a bundle of money or a days worth of calories)  and that’s a great big game of “Would You Rather?” Because there is no better way to pass time in that ridonkulous 2-hour class than by pondering life’s most preposterous situations.

So think long and hard, choose your answer and give us the deets in the comments section below, K? K.

Would you rather choose 20 items from your favorite fashion icon’s wardrobe to have for free OR have your favorite designer make five pieces just for you?

So much couture, so little time. Hmmmm.

I think diffusion lines might be the best thing to ever happen to us college girls, after happy hour and delivery food, of course. We can only do so much drooling as we click through the Bloomingdale’s website until we need something tangible to hang in our closets. It is this online window shopping and my empty wallet that had me anxiously awaiting Jimmy Choo’s new line for H&M.

What could be better? The red carpet looks I have been ogling on my favorite celebs at a price that even I can afford. So I raced down there to see it, the entire time trying to contain the excitement that I may leave the store with a brand new outfit for Friday night’s party that will have everyone asking, “where’d you get that dress?” To which I could reply with five words I never thought I would be able to say, “Oh, it’s by Jimmy Choo.”

Apparently everyone else had this same idea because the crowd was ridiculous. I could barely make it past the doorway before hitting the traffic jam of women accosting the Jimmy Choo display. Eventually I fought my through and got my hands on the dress I’d been eying since this collection was leaked online. I was ecstatic, elated and ready to slip it right on and work the mall like a runway when I spotted the price tag. I felt my heart sink into my stomach. The dress cost over $200.  I started sifting through the rest of the collection (and fighting to keep those other crazy girls from tearing it all right out of my hands) and it was the same story.

As much as I tried to justify the items to myself, the sad truth is: the line is still way too expensive to fit comfortably in my budget between Ramen and Starbucks Lattes. So I left, a giant scrape up my arm and my head held low.

But while this line was more expensive than, say, any of the GO! International lines at Target, the pieces are beautiful and high quality, meaning they are worth the price. I couldn’t afford them, but if you can, there are definitely some pieces you should invest in. If you haven’t seen them yet (because you weren’t willing to battle the bitches for a slice of Jimmy heaven), here are a few of my favorite items from Jimmy Choo’s line for H&M.

And if you’re feeling generous, I love the shoes the best. Feel free to overnight them to me.

[Photos courtesy of FabSugar.com]