Now that Halloween has come and gone, it means it’s only going to start getting colder.  Bundling up in a warm coat is not the only way to stay warm on a chilly autumn day – gloves or mittens are essential. Well, if you want to feel your hands upon arriving at your destination. Have you ever tried to grip a pen to take notes with numb hands? It ain’t pretty.

But gloves are. Designers have really pulled out all the stops on gloves/mittens this year. They’ve incorporated all the latest trends (studs, ruffles, animal print, color) and made them fully functional for women of the 21st century. Meaning, fingerless/thumbless options so you don’t have to risk frostbite to check your News Feed.

And the best part: you can get them for cheap. You don’t need to spend $30 on something that you know you’re gonna lose (because you will and you know it).  Just stock up on the cheapies or, even better, grab a pair with strings. It worked in pre-school, so why not now? While your friends may mock you, you’ll be the one laughing when they tear off a mitten to return a text and lose it somewhere between here and that lecture hall across campus.

Here are some of the best of the best in hand and wrist warmers. Click on them for more info. Stay warm out there!

Read More »

There are so many fabulous high/low designer collaborations this year, it’s getting hard to keep track! Here are the collections we’re coveting:

1. Jimmy Choo for H&M
This is probably the most anticipated designer collaboration of the season. Jimmy Choo has designed a line of shoes, clothing, accessories, and menswear. The line hits stores Nov. 14, but here’s a sneak peek from the lookbook.

Read More »

The leaves are starting to change and the temperature is starting to drop, bringing in the season of hot- cocoa-and-tv-nights and cute, cozy clothes. While layering sweaters and scarves might seem like a no-brainer, there is another way to ensure you stay warm. And chic.

With a hat.

Yes, while you always listened to your mother when she told you to zip up that jacket, you probably tuned her out when she started nagging you about a hat. “You lose most of your body heat through your head,” she’d yell behind you. Not that you cared; you’d rather lose body heat than look dorky and mess up that hair you just spent 30 minutes straightening.

But not anymore. Hats are all the rage (just ask The Budget Stylista) and I’ve got 16 right here that will make your mama proud. They not only serve the ever-functional purpose of keeping you warm, but they also add a whole new layer of cool to your winter ensembles. Oh, and did I mention how wonderful they are for covering up an unfortunate hair day? Because bad hair days happen.  Especially if you’re doing a walk of shame across campus.  But no one will know if you throw a little cap on top.

And don’t tell me you’re not a “hat person.” Everyone can be a hat person, especially with the variety of styles. Just take a gander and you’re sure to find one that you love and that loves you back. Read More »

I had an aversion to plaid for a really long time. Seeing it gave me hives as I remembered the days I was forced to wear it every day in the form of a pleated skirt paired with an ill-fitting polo and some tall navy socks.

Shudder.

But that’s all changed thanks in part to my (Gossip) girls doin’ their thing on the UES of New York City. Well, that and the fact that designers have embraced the classic pattern this season. Plaid is everywhere right now and it’s so cute I can’t even think of a good enough word to describe my newfound love for the stuff. Yes, I’ve gotten over my plaid-allergy and I want it all. There has never been a better or easier time to reclaim this fabulous fabric. Just leave your old plaid skirt in the closet (unless it’s Halloween… or you’re into role playing) and embrace a more sophisticated and updated plaid piece instead.

There are many ways to wear plaid, despite your shape, style or budget.  Every type of clothing and accessory imaginable can be found in plaid this season.  Whether you want to make a statement with a plaid coat, or embrace this trend secretly (via Victoria), there’s the perfect piece (or pieces!) out there for you. Read More »

School is in full swing, which means you’ve got classes, student groups, long hours in the library, late night binges after a long night of drinking….

And you gotta fit the gym in there somewhere.

I know, it’s always the first thing to go when things start getting busy, but it shouldn’t be! Working out regularly will keep you fit (obvi), and also help ease the stress and give you that much needed energy to get through those 16 credits, rush meetings, group projects and everything else you need to get through before Friday.

If that’s not enough to motivate you, perhaps some cute clothes will do? It’s obviously not easy to pull yourself out of bed and trek to the gym when you look (and therefore feel) like crap. Those baggy sweats and dirty t-shirts aren’t doing anyone any favors, especially you. And with all the super cute workout-wear that’s out there right now (in every. single. price point), there’s no reason to look drab for the gym. If you’re super busy, you can pile this stuff on before class and sneak in a workout during lunch; the clothes are so cute, no one would ever know. And if you’re just lazy, having cute and trendy pieces around will make you feel better and motivate you to get your butt moving. (It really works!)

If you need a kick in the (yoga) pants to get back to the gym, I’ve got 16 right here for ya. Enjoy. Read More »

If there is one thing I hate this time of year, it’s the realization that pretty soon my iced coffee and flip flops will be replaced with puffy jackets, steaming hot tea and the phrase “I can’t feel my fingers – get me to Florida.”

But there is one thing I love this time of year: fall coats.

You can’t have any ill feelings toward a fall coat. It’s not too cold when you wear them, the trees are pretty, Pumpkin Spice Lattes are in season and they are always so irresistibly cute.

If you live in coat-wearing climates, a great coat is worth spending a little more on because you wear it day in and day out. It’s what most people see you in (i.e. that cute boy walking right next to you on your way to class!) and it’s the best way to cover up a hot-mess-schlumpy outfit. Throw it over sweats and a baggy T-shirt, or the outfit you wore last night and are forced to walk clear across campus in this morning, and everyone will be none the wiser.

Here are 10 great fall coats, from cropped to trench, military to leather, that will make the iced to hot coffee transition a little more bearable. Oh and did I mention they are all under $150?! Booya. Read More »

When it comes to fashion, us college girls have standards to uphold. In the fall we must waltz into lecture in a pair of killer leather boots and a blazer. When winter hits, it’s our chance to show off all of our scarves and that cute button down pea coat. Then we enter spring, when mom ships us all of our jean skirts, sundresses and cute tanks.

But every single one of us has that day (or week) when real clothes just aren’t going to happen, whatever the reason:

1. You partied way too late and can barely open your crusty eyes. And…the walls may still be spinning.

2. It is below zero and blizzarding outside your dorm window, and your linoleum floor sends an icy chill up your leg when you get out of bed.

3. You have a test/essay due and spent the last 26 hours awake…at your computer.

Bottom line: You are not squeezing into jeans, a dress or any other article of clothing that requires zipping/squeezing/thinking. You are wearing sweats and UGG’s and that’s that. Luckily, while sweats can hardly be considered proper attire for any public venue, there are tons of new styles and options out there that won’t have everyone shooting you dirty looks as you run into class 20 minutes late.

So, if you’re gonna go with sweats, be a dear and go with a pair of these: comfy enough for an off-day, but cute enough that no one has to know.

Read More »

Just because summer is over, doesn’t mean you have to mourn. With the start of fall comes new opportunities – including new clothes (!!!). And what’s one piece you just gotta get this season? The skirt. It’s chic and fun and more versatile than a pair of jeans.

Yes, really!

Skirts can be worn dressed up or dressed down. You can wear them over bare legs to show off that tan, or layered over a fun pair of tights when the weather gets cool. You can rock them to class with a tank and flats, or pull ‘em up a little higher with a tucked in cami and some heels for a night on the town. There is so much fashion opportunity with a skirt, you’d be a fool not to get at least one. Or, you know, all sixteen of these. Read More »

Remember 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 »

The stepping stone to the perfect outfit is the right underwear. With the start of the school year rapidly approaching, it is time to purge your drawers of anything ill-fitting, stained or tattered. It may be hard to part with your favorite undergarments, but there are a million reasons why you should. Like the fact that no boy wants to see you in a pair of torn up undies, or that around 80% of women wear the wrong size bra.

Be nice to your girls and go get re-fitted.

It’s a new year, and it’s important to purge the old and buy new pretty underthings.  Even if you usually steer clear of color in your wardrobe, your lingerie is the perfect place to add a little excitement without any risk.  Whether you’re going to be showing it off for someone special (or someone those beer goggles make you think is special), or are just going to be dancing in front of your own mirror, it’s a good time to pick up some new pieces.

Lingerie can make even the shyest girl feel instantly sexy, and there is literally something out there for everyone. In fact, there are lots of somethings, which means you can stock up and hold off on laundering for a little bit longer. Anyways, here are some of my favorite under-thingies – from sexy to sweet, normal to naughty – right now: Read More »