Polka dots had a big come back this season. Modern takes on polka-dots have been shown all over the runway by designers who were inspired by the vintage print. Polka dots manage to make a dress look chic without being too busy. They can also make a classic purse look up-to-season. This trend ranges from bold to understated, and is far from just black and white. Seen on the models of Marc Jacobs and Diane von Furstenberg, and now here on CC. Three looks with pieces for just under $35!

In Class Chic

Blouse: H&M, $24.95 Leggings: Forever 21, $5.50 Flats: Forever 21, $17.80

Weekend Casual

Skirt: Forever 21, $15.99 T-Shirt: Forever 21, $5.99 Earrings: Forever 21, $6.80

Meeting His Parents For The First Time

Dress: Forever 21, $27.80 Flats: Top Shop, $32.00 Earrings: H&M, $5.95

As it’s creeping closer and closer to December, I’ve started dreaming of holiday parties. I just love gathering with friends and family over Christmas, especially when there are some drinks and dancing involved. Something about this season makes garish things totally acceptable: giant headbands, adorned sweaters and loads of sequins. I don’t have any sequined pieces in my wardrobe, but may soon because I’ve found the Jack Wills Hadlow Vest!

Jack Wills is a company from the UK, with a style similar to Abercrombie and Fitch. It’s preppy, but a bit quirky. This sequin vest would be a divine addition to any party-girl’s wardrobe. The micro sequins shimmer but aren’t harsh and glaring, while the cut is flattering and not too body-conscious. I wanted to show you that a flashy piece like this can be toned down and worn day-to-day and this is the perfect piece to experiment on! Read More »

Everyone loves stripes. If you don’t, you’re a psycho or you just haven’t seen the light yet. Fret not friends because I am here to show you said light. Stripes are fabulous in a sweater a la Les Francais, or to spice up a favorite body-con skirt. As stripes are a classic, these three outfits will show you how to mix up this must have trend for under $35!

Outfit #1: The Striped Sweater Updated

Sweater, H&M: $17.95; Jeans, Forever 21: $10.50; Boots, Forever 21: $32.80

Outfit #2: Stripes For Your Night Out

Skirt, Forever 21: $13.80; Shirt, Forever 21: 19.90; Heels, Mitzu 02: $14.97

Outfit #3: Everyday Stripes

Dress, Loveapella: $19.97; Tights, Forever 21: $3.50; Sweater, Dex: $34.97

Feminine, chic and featured in both seasons every year; lace is is a stylista’s must have. Lace can be the staple to any outfit or the contrasting piece to an edgy look. Lace is traditionally feminine but it’s lack of elasticity make its a very structured look which provides the perfect amount of contrast. Whether you sport it on a skirt for a night out or on a blouse for job interview, you can never go wrong in lace. These three outfits will show you essential ways to wear lace, with pieces all under $30.

Outfit #1: A Night Out

Dress, Forever 21: $19.80 Necklace, Lulu’s: $17.00 Ring, Lulu’s: $12.00 

Outfit #2: Just Right For Class

Shirt, Forever 21: $8.99 Maxi Skirt, Lulu’s: $21.00 Flats, Urban Outfitters: $19.99

Outfit #3: Date Night

Skirt, Forever 21: $11.50 Shirt, Lulu’s: $15.00  Heels, Forever 21: $25.80

When I’m getting ready to go out during the fall, I find myself having to choose between wearing the cute dress I’ve been dying to wear but being freezing with bare legs…or choosing a “tights appropriate” dress. It seems like that supercuteIcannotwaittowear dress never quite works with tights. It’s either too stretchy and shows tight lines on my stomach, turns frumpy when I throw tights on, or just isn’t the right color. And, to make matters worse, I’m perpetually cold. All the time.

Frankly, I’m over freezing my ass off when it starts getting chilly. My leather jacket can only do so much for the body temp. You know? Read More »

[We're teaming up with our friends at Rent the Runway to bring you an awesome, new look every week. If you like what you see, you can go right to the site and rent it yourself. Need some outfit inspiration? Leave a comment below and we'll work hard to find an RTR outfit that works for your needs.]

Call me old fashioned, but I’m all for date night. I still prefer dinner with face to face conversations over texting, I don’t think a three game winning streak with a cute guy at the beer pong table qualifies as getting to know each other, I and believe there’s no better combination since PB&J than dinner and a movie. And since dating seems to be a dying thing on college campuses, when date nights do come around, I feel all sorts of pressure to look extra good. We need to keep dating alive, people. Please take me back to the good old days when your parents picked up your 6^th boyfriend, drove you both to Chili’s and sat a table or two away to enjoy their meal.

When your knight in shining armor — or at least your ticket to a free meal — picks you up, you’re going to want to look perfect, no? If you don’t need to worry about a flawless outfit, you can focus on more important things… like coming up with backup conversations fillers ahead of time to avoid those awkward silences. Phew. Read More »

Everyone has a closet full of logo tees. Tees from concerts, beach-side festivals, and the like. I’m always puzzled as to what to do with these shirts. Sure, they make great bedtime tees and workout gear, but what if you really like your Death Cab for Cutie concert tee and want to wear it on a normal day, just in a super fashionable way? I decided to challenge myself this week by using a piece with a loud graphic and seeing what I could come up with! Enter, Lyric Culture.

Lyric Culture puts a fantastic spin on the logo tee by incorporating classic lyrics into the mix. Their “Radar Love” tee intrigued me, with it’s 1/2 sleeve and in-your-face graphics. I knew that with the right accessory pieces, I could easily sport it any hour of the day! Read More »

After months of sweltering heat and humidity in New York City, I am officially ready for fall—bring on the pumpkin lattes, cozy sweaters and crisp air. And the best part about the changing seasons? An excuse to go stock up on back to school fall essentials. And I’m not talking about school supplies (though I do miss the thrill of purchasing fresh erasers and binders). I’m talking about some rockin’ new outfits to help start the semester right!

Accessories are the easiest way to keep your rotating pieces looking bold an on-trend. When they’re from Payless, you don’t need to drain your piggy bank for cool new looks. You can mix up your go-to looks with bags, cute new shoes and awesomely glitz and glam jewelry. After a few purchases, you’ll swear you have a whole new wardrobe.

All of the fall finishing-touch accessories in the following looks are available at Payless and brashgirl.com and are from the retailer’s new edgy brand — Brash!

Read More »

As it is now August, I’m starting my hunt for transition pieces. That means summer shapes that are going to carry me through until the time when I’m busting out my sweaters and packing away my shorts. I’ve really built up my tank top collection this summer, focusing on pieces that I can wear in a variety of settings and, hopefully, once school beings again. Earthy prints have been on my radar and I think I’ve found a great piece in the fluXuS Sundance Top in Ikat.

fluXuS is a celeb-fav brand with a California cool vibe and standout basics. The brand’s name was taken from the Latin “to flow”. fluXuS believes in artistic expression through personal fashion and that is definitely apparent! The Sundance Top is made of a soft-to-the-touch blend fabric and features a stunning ikat print in brown, tan, grey and blue (it’s hard to see from the photos, but it’s definitely there!). Read More »

My summer thus far has been filled with backyard BBQs, nights out with girls, day-trips and weekends on the lake. Although shorts and tank tops cut it for all these events, sometimes I just want to be girly and wear a casual, summery dress. Cue the Gentle Fawn Wilderness Dress!

This gorgeous dress comes to just about mid-thigh, making it sexy and sassy, without showing off too much. It’s 100% cotton, so it’s super lightweight, but the detailing is what really steals the show. A beautiful eyelet design decorates the upper part of the dress and the unexpected cut of the top make it super unique! You definitely don’t have something like the Wilderness Dress is your wardrobe. Read More »