While you continue to cope with April showers, I’m here to remind you that it’s nearly time for May’s flowers! If the rain has you in a slump that not even Cee Lo on repeat can get you out of, you might have to take some more drastic measures. Like busting out those spring clothes that channel your cheery, summer self.

And what better way to channel spring than with bright, happy florals?

Even though the flowers might be a little scarce in your area at the moment (hell, even the sun is scarce in my part of town), now’s the time to start pulling out your bright-colored, floral print items for spring. Why? Well, for one thing, maybe that great floral top will inspire Mother Nature to get a move on with the spring weather. And if that doesn’t work, well, at least you’ll be looking splendidly springy until she does.

The wonderful and surprising thing about spring florals is that there really is something for every kind of style; there are lots of small floral prints in light colors if you like to dress girly, and large graphic floral prints in bright colors for those of you looking to make more of a splash (and not the April rain puddle kind). From skirts to dresses to bags to undies (??), everything’s coming up florals this season. And here are 15 items to get your garden wardrobe started.

[Click on the image to shop it!]

Every year the Pantone Institute names a “Color of the Year.” Last year they had us swooning over turquoise, but this year the color of choice is honeysuckle. This year’s “it” color has a different feel from 2010; while turquoise is reminiscent of oceans, honeysuckle is considered the color equivalent of a vacation. Honeysuckle is also a confidence color, meaning it channels an attitude of being able to conquer the world.

Yes, all this from a color.

Apart from what wearing the color means, honeysuckle is generally flattering on all skin tones, bringing out a warm glow on those who wear it. As it’s a type of pink it obviously has the connotations of being a feminine shade, but it’s not too bubblegum or girly for those of us who tend to stay far, far away from the pink family. Still, if you don’t want to end up looking like Elle Woods in head to toe Pepto Bismol, there are tons of honeysuckle accessories around that can add a fun punch of springy color to your typical everyday look.

If you’re feeling up to looking pretty in pink or taking a much needed fashion vacay, here are 15 items to get you dreaming in honeysuckle this spring.

A bow headband is an easy way to accessorize an otherwise basic outfit or detract from a borderline-bad hair day (you’ll probably want a hat for a full-on one). But bows are also a popular accent on other pieces of clothing, ranging from a bold accent bow on a heel to a more subtle graphic-print bow on a tank. This pretty, feminine detail adds visual interest to otherwise basic pieces. And even if you’re not into the whole “I look like a present all wrapped up” look of actual bows, there are lots of bow prints to choose from, including my personal favorite, the unexpected bow on the tights.

A bow detail is the perfect juxtaposition to the more masculine pieces popular right now. Bows are inherently girly (unless it’s a bow-tie!) and even the smallest one can soften the baggy silhouettes of boyfriend blazers or army jackets.

Still don’t have you sold? Here’s 15 pieces that should change your mind.

Sigh. So cute you just want it all, right?

Not gonna lie, I could literally write an entire book of how I think everything Sofia Coppola does is the coolest shizz ever.

No big deal, she was only the director of some of my favorite movies, like The Virgin Suicides and Marie Antoinette. She’s just the daughter of Francis Ford Coppola, the director of The Godfather, besides being related to some of the coolest people in Hollywood (like Jason Schwartzman, heyo!).

Besides those minor details, she quietly pursues another interest (that she is, unsurprisingly, awesome at) and that is fashion.  She created her own fashion line called Milkfed, unfortunately for me, sold only in Japan. She and Marc Jacobs are pretty much best friendz forever, considering she is also his muse for his ENTIRE BRAND.  Also, the woman interned at Chanel when she was 15-years-old for Christ’s sake.  Wanna know what I was doing when I was 15?  Taking MySpace mirror pictures in my bathroom wearing a “sweet new top*~!”  Therefore, Sofia: 1 million, Cristina: 0.

The things she creates and inspires are godly to me, including her style.  The confusing yet awesome part of Sofia’s style is that she sticks many times to classic feminine pieces but has still been known to have a sort-of androgynous style as well.  Sofia will rock anything from jeans and a t-shirt to a Marc Jacobs original and make it all look like it was made for her specifically.  She has been quoted as not liking anything too loud and flashy, but sticks to a style that represents her calm disposition.  Plus she made it socially acceptable to wear flats to red-carpet events.  Yep, she definitely knows how to get the ball rollin’.

So, yeah, who wouldn’t want to take a little inspiration from this fashion icon? And here’s how we can all channel Sofia through our own wardrobes.

Bag, Skirt, Shoes, Shirt, Sunglasses

Sofia is all about the classics and it doesn’t get more classic than a crisp white shirt. Add a little girly flair by tucking it in to the polka dot skirt and mix things up a little with the masculine styling on these ballet flats. It’s a combo that totally works and just oozes Sofia’s personal style.

The wayfarer sunglasses add a hint of laid-back cool that is so very Sofia, and the overly structured (and somewhat masculine) bag is just another way to make this look a little androgynous and a lot more interesting. It also happens to be a similar style to the bag that she helped Louis Vuitton create in honor of her personal style, for about an eighth of the price.

Yes, LV made a bag just for her.

Stop being cooler than me, Sofia.

[The following post is courtesy of our most fashionable friends over at CollegeFashion.net.]

Overalls have always been on my “don’t” list, especially since I’m from a small farming town where everyone wears overalls, and not in a trendy way. However, this farming basic might be edging it’s way onto my “do” list, with a little nudging thanks to Ralph Lauren and Ms. Alexa Chung (photos above). Like it or not, overalls are definitely on the spring trend radar – and although they’re challenging, they’re more wearable than you think.

Keep in mind that the point of this series is to show fun ways to style more difficult-to-wear trends. A micro-trend by definition is a short-term development in fashion, so every trend might not appeal to everyone! The goal is to get you to be bold and try these out-there runway trends in real life.

Tips and Tricks:

Moderation is key. Don’t pair your overalls with anything even remotely western inspired–you don’t want to look like you’re wearing a costume. Skip plaids, agriculture-y boots, and cowboy anything. As with any trend, going overboard can look tacky.
Step it up a notch - literally. If you choose a pair of overalls with full legs, like the look in Picture 1, opt for heels instead of flats on the bottom. A high heel makes the look intentional and feminine.
Ladies first. Overalls look masculine, so balance that out with something ultra-girly, like Tomeka’s lace shirt in Picture 3, or this tie-neck blouse and ladylike bag:

Need help styling some overalls? Get the rest of the tips here!

But the article’s vocabulary isn’t the only baffling thing about it. In the piece, author Shane Watson proposes that all women have a “fashion sex,” a sort of gendered style that comes naturally to them.

Confused? So was I. Watson tries to explain herself by pinpointing the “fashion sexes” of some celebrities: “Anyone can see that Scarlett Johansson is a Girl, who should stick to asset-flaunting bodycon dresses” (whatever those are), she writes, while Kristen Stewart is “a tomboy through and through” whose outfits should never clash with her “natural urge to look a bit rough, undone, cool and … boyish.” Madonna is another celeb who Watson classifies as boyish: her “DNA is probably 12% bloke — in a good way. It’s the reason she looks like a man in drag in a pussy-bow blouse, but fabulously hot in a pair of chaps,” Watson writes.

I guess what this really means is that, according to Watson, women are innately either traditionally feminine, a little more hard-edged (read: manly), or androgynous. These traits are “non-negotiable,” she says, meaning that an inherently girly girl should never wear “the leather trousers, jacket and peaked-cap look” that serves Catherine Zeta-Jones so ill in the picture that accompanies the article.

Of course, the thing is that in that picture, Zeta-Jones doesn’t look uncomfortable or inappropriate. She’s Catherine-frickin’-Zeta-Jones—even if she hasn’t made a good movie since winning a Best Supporting Actress for Chicago, one thing she does have going for her is that she’s still one of the most beautiful women on the planet (and a very lucrative deal with T-Mobile). I think she would probably look smoking even if she was wearing a burlap sack and one of those big, furry Russian hats.

The notion of fashion sex is totally ludicrous; having short hair or, in Stewart’s case, a curiously surly demeanor (does that girl just not know how to smile?) doesn’t make a woman un-feminine—look at a pixie-haired Halle Berry in that famous Oscars dress, for just one example of why Watson is completely wrong. Hell, even K-Stew looked pretty, classy and, dare I say, comfortably girly at last week’s Oscars. So-called “boyish” types can look great wearing frilly dresses, and so-called “girly” types can look amazing in jeans and distressed Chucks.

Every girl should wear whatever she wants without fear that she’s somehow going against “type,” whatever that means. There’s no sense in pigeonholing yourself to just one kind of look, especially if you’re only doing it because some crazy British lady thinks you should.

Post courtesy of out friends at StyleBakery.com. For more awesome fashion, style and beauty news, check them out!

While edgy, “boyfriend,” and boho-chic looks may be super trendy at the moment, sometimes a girl just wants to look girly! There’s no better way to accomplish this than with ruffles.

Ruffles can be super flattering when placed correctly. If you’re flat chested, a ruffled top will add some extra oomph. A ruffled skirt or dress can also emphasize or give the appearance of curves on your bottom half. Ruffled shoulders can also make arms appear slimmer. Here are some ultra feminine yet chic summer looks that incorporate ruffles:

Wear It To Work or a Job Interview:

1. BR Monogram Ruffle Skirt, $120 at Banana Republic
2. ABS by Allen Schwartz Ruffled Dress, $179 at Dillard’s
3. Kenneth Cole New York Ruffle Sleeve Silk Blouse, $45.90 at Nordstrom

For a Night Out:

1. Ruffle Shine Top, $59 at Bebe
2. Karina Grimaldi Antonella Ruffle Front Halter Top, $144 at Singer22
3. Young, Fabulous & Broke Scarlet Ruffle Front Dress, $118 at Revolve Clothing

For a Day of Shopping:

1. Metallic Ruffled Tank Dress, $129 at Bebe
2. BCBGMAXAZRIA Ruffle Collar Top, $79 at Nordstrom
3. Pour La Victoire Ella Ruffle Gladiator Sandals, $219 at Bloomingdale’s

Hanging By The Pool:

1. Shay Todd Neilhead Ruffled Bikini, $200 at Net-A-Porter
2. Hmotif Tan Paris Sandals, $39.95 at Steve Madden
3. Shoshanna Fan Cover-Up Dress, $285 at ShopBop

One More Tip: Don’t overdo it! Wear one or maybe two ruffled pieces at a time.

In attempts to save money, I swore off any sort of shopping for the month of June. I don’t need another dress or another pair of shoes for at least 12 years, but I could definitely use some extra moolah in my bank account. Knowing that I’d cave the moment I stepped foot in a clothing store, I haven’t gotten near one since May. Unfortunately, though, my personal pact did not stop my daily shopping emails from arriving in my inbox.

And that is where I saw this beauty, which makes me super happy that July 1 is just around the corner.

May I introduce you to the perfect summer dress? It’s light and feminine and the cut would be flattering on almost anyone. The flowers are bright and summery, yet delicate. They let you take part in the floral trend of the summer without screaming “I’M TAKING PART IN THE FLORAL TREND OF THE SUMMER!” And those ruffles? Sophisticated and somehow totally girly.

The dress also happens to be half-off, meaning it is summer (and recession) perfectionion. I just hope there is one left in my size when Thursday rolls around. I’d be more than happy to break my shopping fast on this gorgeous frock.

]]> http://collegecandy.com/2009/06/29/wardrobe-wish-list-bcbg-printed-flutter-sleeve-dress/feed/ 1 Lauren - University of Michigan bcbg 1 bcbg2 http://collegecandy.com/2008/12/02/feeling-mannish-in-the-winter/ http://collegecandy.com/2008/12/02/feeling-mannish-in-the-winter/#comments Tue, 02 Dec 2008 18:39:07 +0000 ccandyblairh http://www.collegecandy.com/reality/12800

Ah, fall. With its gorgeous colors, crisp air and back-to-school excitement, it’s undoubtedly my favorite season. The only problem with fall is that it leads into my least favorite season, winter. Being a New England gal, I’ve begrudgingly grown used to braving heavy snow and freezing temperatures, but there’s something else about winter that I’m not wild about.

It’s that, well, I get downright…mannish.

My appetite grows with the cold weather and I start scarfing down everything in sight. Science …

Ah, fall. With its gorgeous colors, crisp air and back-to-school excitement, it’s undoubtedly my favorite season. The only problem with fall is that it leads into my least favorite season, winter. Being a New England gal, I’ve begrudgingly grown used to braving heavy snow and freezing temperatures, but there’s something else about winter that I’m not wild about.

It’s that, well, I get downright…mannish.

My appetite grows with the cold weather and I start scarfing down everything in sight. Science says that is my way of packing on extra pounds to stay warm, but I know it is just that warm Mac and Cheese just tastes so. good. in the winter.

I bundle up in clothes that don’t exactly show off my figure so I can be warm, and let’s just say I get a little lazy about regularly shaving my legs. And forget about wearing something pretty and feminine, like a short skirt. Nope, it’s my warmest baggy jeans and clunky boots all the way. With my hat pulled down over my hair, I’m one step away from getting an, “Excuse me, young man” when I bump into someone on the street.

I am getting a bit worried that my boyfriend will soon forget what it is like to date a girl, so I am making it my goal to retain a bit of femininity this winter. Below are a few things we can all do to draw the line between hibernating animal and college girl braving the winter winds.

If you want to look cute and feminine and still stay warm, there are ways. For one, you may not want to shave your legs every day, but a pair of pantyhose will hide that and keep your legs warm if you opt for a skirt. Use your layers wisely: start with a silk undershirt for warmth, and then a nice form-fitting shirt and sweater combo should be enough to keep you warm.

On the outside there’s not much you can do to dress up a parka, but go for a tailored pea coat for as long as you can hold it out. Dress up those somber winter colors with a colorful hat and scarf combo. And for that touch of boho chic, get a pair of cheap wool gloves and cut the fingers off. I need my hands to be warm in winter while having the dexterity for writing/texting, and I’ve received many compliments on my handmade fingerless gloves.

If you’re still feeling overly masculine, do something pleasantly girly, like curling up with a mug of hot chocolate. The best part of winter for me is feeling cozy indoors, especially if you’ve got someone to cozy up with. Bonus if that someone doesn’t care how often you shave your legs, or how much winter pudge you’ve packed on.

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This week’s Best of College Candy!

Thursday, November 20th

Hottest Cover Guys…yum

People Magazine just came out with their Sexiest Man Alive issue. Here’s our list of the top 10 hottest cover guys.

Sexy Time: All I Ever Needed To Know I Learned From A Porn Star

Nina Hartley is an extremely successful adult film star with 650 different video appearances under her belt. I asked her to give me some of her wise wisdom about sex, relationships, and everything in between.

Wednesday, November 19th

He Said/She Said: Do Guys Like Sarcasm?

Do guys find women who are sarcastic unattractive? Is sarcasm the unibrow of a woman’s personality (hence the photo)? I asked a guy to give it to me straight.

Autumn Drink Recipes That You’ll Fall For

My bartending style tends to run more towards the “What’s in my fridge right now?” trial-and-error method.  But I have a few favorite drinks that do really well in cold weather.

Tuesday, November 18th

Gossip Girl Recap: Thanksgiving Dinner- Enough Time For Pie, Coffee, and Surveying the Damage

This week’s Gossip Girl episode was more like a slice of pumpkin pie than a carving station.

Pillow Talk with Diana: My Boyfriend is Bi!

I’ve been dating a great guy for a couple of months. When we started dating, he told me that he is “sort of” bisexual, and that he’s hooked up with guys before.

Monday, November 17th

BeautifulStranger.tv Saves My Poor Fashion Sense

You’re walking down the street and you see some girl who looks perfectly put together: Cute outfit, matching accessories, perfect hair and make-up. And you think to yourself…why can’t I be that put together?

Amy Poehler is the “Smart Girl at the Party”

Smart Girls at the Party is a new online series about young girls doing great things. The show is meant for kids (I mean, it’s sponsored by Barbie, duh), but it’s host is SNL’s very own baby mama, Amy Poehler.

Sunday, November 16th

Battle of the Teen Queens: Miley and Taylor

Miley Cyrus seems to be at the crest of the fame wave, but can Taylor Swift be far behind?

A Yummy Fall/Holiday Treat: Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies

I have made these cookies for my annual Christmas baskets numerous times and they are always a big hit.

Saturday, November 15th

The Love List: Stuff White People Like And Stuff I Like

Wall Decals- The best way to make your dorm room or apartment look more legit. It looks like it’s hand painted or wallpaper, but- surprise! – it’s a removable decal…

You Got Game: Picking Up The Hottie

Look through my phonebook. The list is never-ending. Dan. Paul. Rick. Mike. Javier. Alex. Nicolas. Nicolas #2. Cedric. Brandon. And so on. Not to brag, but I’m something of a certified P-I-M-P.

Friday November 14th

James Bond, We Love You

To celebrate the opening of Quantum of Solace, College Candy wanted to recap on the hot men who made us lust after Bond, James Bond.

The CC Weekly Weigh-In: Drinking Makes Us Wanna Sing

You throw your hands in the air (and wave ‘em like you just don’t care) and sing whatever song is on as loud as you possibly can.

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