It doesn't matter what you wear. This bag will make the outfit.

Going out 3-5 nights a week is a lot of pressure. You have to learn to pace yourself so that you can go out again the following night, you’ve got to learn your limit so you aren’t throwing up in class the next day, and you’ve got to look cute.

The “going out top” has become an often-used phrase in the shopping vocabulary of college girls nationwide, but oftentimes we forget about the rest of the outfit. Like the bag. Stacy London will tell you that a bag is just important to a complete look as your top. It makes a statement and not just “I’m hiding this girl’s tampons.”

That being said, using the same clutch 5 nights in a row is not only a big fashion mistake, but it leaves your trusty black “going out bag” covered in beer stains, marks from the dirty bathroom floor and some sticky crap that landed on the side after you dropped it on you walk of shame home. That’s a good look on no one.

But how does anyone justify buying a new clutch when they’re so damn expensive? Seriously? $200 for something that barely fits my cell phone?

Well, not anymore!

Now you can complete your “going out” look – bag and all – without breaking the bank! I found some of the cutest clutches around (big, small, ruffled, leather…)and all of them are – wait for it – under $30! At that price you can snatch them all up, or at least grab two that make a bold statement and rotate. You’ll look good and still have a little money leftover to store in one of these clutch clutches. Read More »

I. Love. Purses.
Love.
I have big purses, little purses, designer purses, cheap purses, leather purses, nylon purses…
But a purse that looks like a giant vagina?
I could fit so much in there! (That’s what she said.)

If Carrie Bradshaw was literally going to be the lady who lived in her shoes, then I will be the lady who lived in her handbags. I guess the upside is that handbags are a lot roomier and more cushion-y than those 12 million pairs of Manolos Carrie rocked on a season to season basis.

Fact is, I love handbags. And I don’t discriminate against clutches or cross body bags or cute totes, either.

Anything that holds all of my crap also holds the key to my heart. And what’s more, this season there are so many options! Fringed brown shoulder bags, adorable chain strap clutches… I mean, for seriousness, how does one decide without Suze Orman knocking on her door saying, “hellooo, you’ve got a problem, girlfriend.”

Well, thankfully, you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank for that banging new bag (now there’s a tongue twister – take that, Sally and your sea-shells at the shore). Here are a few of my budget bags that are must-snags. Target and Lulus are not messing around this season, that’s for sure. And while blacks, browns and beautiful cognacs are still wardrobe staples, colors are becoming the new neutral. From jewel tones to gray to a soft red, don’t be afraid to add a splash of color to your normally uniform black ensemble.

And, best part, you can rock that bag knowing you’ve done both me and Suze Orman proud. Sure, Carrie has her Manolos but you have your Tarjay, and that extra money in your wallet is much more fab.

Read More »

Have you met our new BFFs over at What’s Haute? We love popping over there to do some “window shopping” of all the designer bags and accessories that we would have to work for life and beyond to afford. Still, we can’t stop. Well, our friends know how we feel and now they are bringing us some cheaper (yet still beautiful) alternatives, right here on CollegeCandy. To see more couture goodness, visit What’s Haute.

Leona Lewis may be a rising star but that doesn’t mean she’s let her fame go to her head. Or to her wallet. The British pop singer was spotted on multiple occassions with a girly, ruffled handbag in pink and black. Was it a Valentino? Nope. A Be & D? Guess again. Leona actually prefers Deux Lux, in particular, the Deux Lux Ruffle Bucket Bag.

This polyurethane purse features a cascading row of ditsy floral-backed ruffle trim and matching floral lining, a zippered main compartment, and is finished with padded handles. And what does a bag like this cost?

A mere $68.

Looks like Leona is talented, stylish and financially savvy.

Now that I’m halfway done with my college career (a pretty cushy place to be, considering I have two more years before the real world), I anticipate all the bright eyed and bushy tailed freshmen about to invade the dorms and use fake-id’s at all my favorite bars. Putting myself in their shoes, I wish that someone had been there to give me advice for my college career (all I got was my Mom telling me not to hook up with any fraternity boys until Spring semester). So I dove in head first and learned a few lessons of my own.

I learned the value of my dry erase board to my social life, I learned that “attendance optional” classes are not always a good thing. I learned that I should always have an assortment of costumes readily available, and that sharing drinks with my friends meant sharing drinks with whoever they made out with (and whoever they made out with…) All of these were very important lessons, and I’d like to share some of the pearls of wisdom I gained my freshman year. Read More »

Have you met our new BFFs over at What’s Haute? We love popping over there to do some “window shopping” of all the designer bags and accessories that we would have to work for life and beyond to afford. Still, we can’t stop. Well, our friends know how we feel and now they are bringing us some cheaper (yet still beautiful) alternatives, right here on CollegeCandy. To see more couture goodness, visit What’s Haute.

With the economy flip-flopping more than John Kerry, it’s difficult to justify spending lots of cash on a bag. So the $95 Glam Noir Leather Zip Clutch in Black is priced just right for a recessionista’s budget!

And you don’t have to skimp on style. This little black clutch incorporates one of this season’s hottest trends – exposed zipper detail – with asymmetric lines. The glossy black leather exterior paired with the bright, violet bengaline lining makes it look a lot ‘richer’ than $95 bucks! It has a snap flap closure and measures at 11″w x 6″h x 1″d, so it can easily fit your wallet, keys, cell phone, lipgloss and more. It’s the perfect date clutch! And you’re left with money to spare.

Get it at Luna Boston.

[I want it, I need it, I can’t live without it. There are so many things on store shelves and racks right now that we want to take home and hang in our closets. Things that are so cute, everyone should know about them. We’ll share ‘em with you here (because we’re that nice), but as far as actually getting them goes….well, you’re on your own with that one.]

While I do not have the $1,200 plus sales tax it would take to bring this bag home with me, I would do just about anything to get my paws on this new bag from Coach.

It has all the elements that make a Coach bag: the buttery leather, the quality construction, and the design that just screams classy. Only it’s better. There is no cheesy “C” print screaming “I BOUGHT THIS AT COACH!” and it is absolutely chic. This is the kind of bag that makes a statement. Hell, this is the kind of bag that makes an outfit. I could leave the house in jeans and a wife beater and look instantly glamorous by throwing this over my shoulder. In fact, maybe I should just sell everything else I own to get it. I don’t need 14 pairs of jeans anyway…

Ugh. I feel the same way about this tote that I do about Jason Segal: I would cut a bitch just to get it. Sigh.

[Life isn’t black and white. As much as we wish we simply loved or hated things, there is often that whole annoying gray area in the middle. Like, we hate getting up for early morning classes, but we love being done by 11. Or, we love how Spanx make us look, but hate how sweaty we get putting them on... Damn you, gray area; you make decision-making that much more complicated!

There are so many difficult choices in life (do we love or hate high heels??), so we thought we’d sort through ‘em right here. Every week we will discuss another issue we are torn up about. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!]

Big bags have been increasingly in style for the past couple of years. Designer oversized bags are often seen on the shoulders of celebrities as they appear in the pages of UsWeekly or on Perez. It’s only natural that this is a look we want to emulate. But is it worth it? I’m torn.

Love it: Most importantly, big bags let you carry ALL of your stuff wherever you go. Class? Party? Airport? Whatever! They are SO versatile, and look cute in practically any situation. You can tote your glasses, iPod, makeup case, wallet, magazine, camera, big sunglasses, Blackberry, ALL of it, anywhere, in style!

But really, let’s be honest–we really love them because an oversized purse make most girls look skinnier. There’s something oddly slimming about carrying a supersized bag, and body conscious girls tend to know this and use it to their advantage. A big bag almost always make their wearer appear more dainty in comparison.

Loathe it: Unfortunately all of this amazingness comes at a price. First, all of all, all of that crap you packed in there tends to get lost and create a mess in that bag of yours. Before you know it, you’re digging through your stuff and all of the things that have accumulated with it, such as gum wrappers and spilled eyeshadow, to get to the bottom of your bag to attempt to switch off your ringing cell phone in the middle of class. Read More »

Have you met our new BFFs over at What’s Haute? We love popping over there to do some “window shopping” of all the designer bags and accessories that we would have to work for life and beyond to afford. Still, we can’t stop.

To see more couture goodness, visit What’s Haute.

Sophia Bush hosted the LeSportsac 35th Anniversary Celebration in NYC this past week. I’ve always like LeSportsac bags, especially the collaboration collection they did with Gwen Stefani a few years ago.

For the 35th anniversary, the brand revisited some vintage classics from 1974 and modernized them for 2009, but still at affordable price points. Prices range from $28-178.

I particularly love the bag Sophia’s posing with – the Posey Shimmer Lexie Tech Tote. The patent-finish orange nylon tote features a spring clasp on the sides and contrast gold banding throughout. The double rolled handles measure a perfect 7″ and there is a two-way zipper closure at the divided main compartment.

As my friends know, I never leave the house without fully stocking my purse with all of the essentials. The tricky part about that, however, is being prepared without looking like a bag lady.

In other words, you gotta make sure that you have what you need in the most miniature form possible. Here are some of my personal favorites to keep me prepared without ruining my outfit (or sweet dance moves) with a massive purse.

A wristlet: The right bag is step one to making sure you’re fully stocked with what you need for a night out. I prefer to use a wristlet because I can throw it around my wrist and not worry about it slipping off. Plus, they’re small enough to hold onto all night without crampin’ your style. Try to get one with a zipper – I once lost my ID and debit card due to a faulty clasp.

Lip gloss: But not any lip gloss. Be sure that you buy a shade that you can wear with almost any make up style. That way, you can just keep it in your purse without having to remember to switch it out every night. Also, try to get one that will moisurize your lips as well so you don’t have to take up precious purse space with an additional lip balm. I like MAC lip gloss in Spalicious.

Gum or Mints: I prefer to use mints because you don’t have to deal with wrappers or have to spit anything out. My freshman year of high school, I discovered Certs Powerful Mints for prom. The package has 60 powerful yet yummy mints in a package the size of a credit card. Perfectttt. Read More »