I’m going to be honest with you — my first thought after watching that Shopaholic film was ‘so this means if I got a credit card, I could have amazing clothes like that too?’

Definitely not the point, as every person I shared my revelation with was quick to point out. But what’s a shopaholic on a limited budget to do? Figure out how to do it on the cheap!  I’ve rounded up some less expensive alternatives to those pricey stores we all love in hopes that we can look super trendy, without being super broke.

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Lately, I’ve been enjoying wearing pants when I go out, as opposed to skirts and dresses. Pants are a fun and unexpected option for a night on the town that also keep you mega comfy! Harem pants made a comeback a few seasons ago and since I’ve never featured them, I figured it was about time!

This pair from Forever 21 features a fun, tribal-inspired print in girly rose pink. As they are harem pants, they’re made from comfy, lightweight rayon and come to capri-length. These are a great option for summer, as they will keep you cool and looking chic and polished. This week, I decided to show you how to wear harem pants for a night out and a day at the office. Forever 21′s prices are so affordable that it doesn’t matter if this piece is super trendy – you’re getting your money worth with only a handful of wears. You can’t expect amazing quality for the prices, but you will have at least a season to wear out your piece. Read More »

Rachel Bilson never fails to impress. She always makes fashion look so simple and easy. That’s what all of my favorite fashionistas have in common. Even if they spend 5 hours on their outfits, it always looks like 5 minutes. True style is a reflection of your personality, so it shouldn’t look forced or uncomfortable. But enough with my philosophizing, let’s get to the clothes.

gray blazer - Macy’s, $34.99; gray hobo bag - New York & Co, $11.99; black booties - DSW, $9.94; denim shorts - American Eagle, $29.99; boyfriend shirt - Lands’ End, $19.99; sunglasses - Forever 21, $5.80

Blazers always make me swoon, and I’m totally jealous of wherever Rachel is that it’s cool enough to even wear one (why does summer have to be soooo hot?). This gray one is perfect for layering. Boyfriend shirts will never go out of style, and they always look sexy paired with a blazer. Denim shorts make this look more summer appropriate, and take it towards a more casual place, especially distressed ones. Black booties add a little rock star/Taylor Momsen-y edge, which fits in very smoothly with this ensemble that flirts very coyly with “grunge.” Accessories include a great, functional, cute little gray bag and classic wayfarer sunglasses. It’s an interesting outfit for day or (especially) for night that combines comfort with sexiness.

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Once upon a time full-figured women were forced to wear muumuus, oversized t-shirts and mom jeans. No one even considered the idea that plus-sized women wanted to be hip, fashionable, and trendy. But today, retailers are beginning to welcome bigger women with arms wide open.

There are stores in malls and online for women of all shapes and sizes. And because we know that not all CollegeCandy readers are squeezing into their size 0 jeans at night, we wanted to introduce you to some of our favorite plus-size stores. Read More »

So…I’m back, just a few days away from my very last semester of college ever. It’s a strange feeling, knowing that this is the last time I’ll buy my school supplies, search for cheap books online, write down all my assignments, and swear to keep it together this year. Because when I fail to do so with all the grace and elegance I have in my mind, I can’t just say, oh well, maybe next year. Because there is no next year.

This is it, my last shot, my final semester. So I better to do it, right. With that thought in mind, I’ve come up with a few resolutions to guide me through my last semester as an undergrad. Some of these make a lot of sense; some of them are completely ridiculous. But I do intend to follow through with all of them.

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 (like hot mama, Jessica Alba) are spending $5,000 on an ensemble, you don’t have to.]

Emma Watson has come a long way from being that little girl in Harry Potter with the big frizzy mane. She has survived the leap from child star to adult actress relatively gracefully, as the wildest moves she has made recently involve going to an Ivy and chopping her hair into a killer pixie cut.

I want her life.

Emma’s style tends to be spunky, but tailored and obviously well-thought out. She loves glam accessories, and a mix of vintage, classic, and trendy pieces. She has a knack for looking incredibly classy and chic, while also totally age appropriate. And seeing as this leading lady is the same age as many of us, we too can achieve such fashion perfection. Even better, we can do it on our we’re-in-college-but-don’t-have-millions-of-dollars-from-our-wildly-successful-movie-career budgets. 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 (like rockstar Rihanna) are spending $5,000 on an ensemble you don’t have to.]

It’s been awhile since Gwen Stefani reigned pop music (yet I know I’m not the only one who still gets “this shiz is bananas, b-a-n-a-n-a-s” stuck in her head), but she definitely hasn’t been slacking on being a fashion icon. Despite the fact that she has two kids, she never seems to leave the house looking anything less than perfectly coiffed and styled. Gwen’s look is so visually inspiring and fun, with tons of vibrant colors and ’80s-inspired festivity.

We’re getting deeper into the doldrums of winter, but our wardrobes definitely don’t need to be as dreary as the weather, right? Let’s all take a hint from Ms. Stefani and turn up the heat for the long, cold winter ahead. 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 (like "who the hell are you and why are you so beautiful" Rosie Huntington-Whiteley) are spending $5,000 on an ensemble you don’t have to.]

There’s no way I could continue to write a fashion column without highlighting Rihanna. This girl is one of the most eclectic celebrities out there. One day, the paparazzi snaps photos of her in suspenders and harem pants; the next, you could easily see her in a body-contouring mini-dress with 6-inch stilettos…going out to lunch.

Rihanna attained her fashionista status by being completely and utterly balls to the walls…how can you not love it?

However, the outfit I’m re-creating today is actually one of Rihanna’s tamer looks, because though you, CollegeCandy reader, are fabulous, you are bound to certain rules of fashion that do not apply to celebrities. Read: you can’t really pull this off for class.  But it’s still hot, not just in its own right, but relative to that tragic gaggle of girls strutting around campus thinking Uggs, leggings, and Northface = high fashion. Read More »