[The following is a guest post from our gal pals at CollegeFashion.net. They're like the college Rachel Zoe (sans baby bump). Have you checked them out yet?!]

On any given day here at OU, I’d bet at least 60% of students are rocking The North Face, Columbia or Patagonia (“Fratagonia”, as some might say) outerwear. Perhaps it’s a southern or midwestern cliche, but literally EVERYONE I know owns a zippered or pull-over fleece jacket. And I’m betting many of you probably own one, too. (Admit it!)

As popular as they are, jackets like these are often negatively associated with “the uniform”, as I like to call it. You know, the Uggs/leggings/oversized V-neck/fleece jacket combo that is popular at countless colleges across the nation. While I’m not saying it’s “wrong” to dress this way, why not challenge yourself to think outside the box and rock a more unique outfit?

There’s a way to rock these babies and still stand out in a crowd. Just because you’re in a situation that requires a warm, tough, and no-frills jacket, it doesn’t mean that you have to give up looking stylish. I hope you find this styling challenge as practical and fun as I did.

Tips and Trick for Making a Fleece Jacket More Stylish

Add a funky scarf. This is the easiest way to dress up a fleece coat. A colorful scarf will catch the eye of people around you. Others will pay attention to the texture, or the unique way it’s tied around your neck.

Wear one with a hat. A slouchy beanie adds a laid-back vibe to any outfit, including one with a plain fleece jacket. Plus, you’ll stay super warm!

If you have to buy a fleece, look for unique styles. I love the plush and fur-lined versions I’ve seen.

Pair one with chic shoes. Fleece jackets go great with riding or motorcycle boots, or those cute lace up ankle boot wedges that are getting popular. They also look fine with oxfords, ballet flats, loafers, and anything casual. Read More »

[Welcome to Celebrity Chic on the Cheap, where 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 (like a sweater and skinny jeans) you don’t have to. All you have to do is click on the goods and - boom - you can buy the entire look. For cheap. Yes, we know - there is a spot for her in heaven.]

Rachel Bilson has lived a charmed life. She made out with Adam Brody as part of her job (sniffle, I still miss The O.C.). She made out with Adam Brody for pleasure. She had a whirlwind engagement to Hayden Christensen. She is going to be starring in an NBC show that was created with her in mind. She has cultivated a reputation for being one of the most consistently stylish and adorable celebrities, she writes a column for one of fashion’s holiest publications (InStyle), and her most recent job title is Eyewear Ambassador for the Sunglass Hut. (I don’t know what that means, but I’m jealous.)

If that’s not enough to make you want to be her, she’s also got some serious personal style.

Rachel’s signature style is a combination of trendy and classic. She constructs awesome outfits by mixing textures, sticking with flattering silhouettes, and choosing eye-catching accessories. And putting them all together flawlessly.

While I may never be able to wake up in Adam Brody’s overly slender arms have her life, I find comfort in knowing I can have Rachel’s style. Even with my meager budget: Read More »

My obsession with bathing suits started a very long time ago. I still remember begging my mom for something new and neon every time we went to Target. Pool parties were better than Christmas, and I used to don a bikini to help Mom and Daddy wash the dishes (true story.) And then I grew boobs. And butt. And self-consciousness. Suddenly, the joy of putting on a bathing suit and eagerly anticipating super soakers, sprinklers, sand castles and snorkeling fins turned into anxiety about love handles, saggy elastic, way too much rear exposure and the horrors of anything that jiggles.

Well that’s bulls**t.

Bathing suits are supposed to be fun, flirty and cute. We wear them when we’re supposed to be having fun, not stressing because we’re not as surgically enhanced as the girl next to us or investing in last minute sarongs. With Spring Break steadfastly approaching, it’s time to check out the best bathing suits out there and re-vamp our ideas about swimsuit shopping.

So grab a trusted and honest friend, remove the necessary body hair and spray tan yourself silly (it seriously helps in dressing room fluorescents) and let’s shop. Read More »