A bow headband is an easy way to accessorize an otherwise basic outfit or detract from a borderline-bad hair day (you’ll probably want a hat for a full-on one). But bows are also a popular accent on other pieces of clothing, ranging from a bold accent bow on a heel to a more subtle graphic-print bow on a tank. This pretty, feminine detail adds visual interest to otherwise basic pieces. And even if you’re not into the whole “I look like a present all wrapped up” look of actual bows, there are lots of bow prints to choose from, including my personal favorite, the unexpected bow on the tights.

A bow detail is the perfect juxtaposition to the more masculine pieces popular right now. Bows are inherently girly (unless it’s a bow-tie!) and even the smallest one can soften the baggy silhouettes of boyfriend blazers or army jackets.

Still don’t have you sold? Here’s 15 pieces that should change your mind.

Sigh. So cute you just want it all, right?

ModCloth is known for their vintage and retro-inspired clothing. I personally love their selection of unique dresses and shoes – they have perfect outfits for anything from parties to work (and everything in between).

Another great feature of ModCloth is the amazing selection of quirky and standout accessories. ModCloth offers lots of cute and unique accessories to add the perfect finishing touch to any outfit. And the best part? Lots of ModCloth’s accessories are less than $20 each – like all of these great choices!

Click on any accessory to get started!

It’s almost the end of the year. As you’re making your New Year’s resolution list, here’s something to think about: punching up your style for 2011.

If you have “budget better” on your list, this might seem like it will counter a resolution to save money, but it doesn’t have to. An easy way to add a little punch to your wardrobe is with accessories! With a pair of patterned tights you can easily change the appearance of your go-to black dress. With a sparkly headband you can add some interest to your in-dire-need-of-a-cut hairstyle. Though Blair Waldorf-esque bow headbands may seem so Constance Billards, adding one with a lot of bling is a way to stray from that UES image.

By adding accessories from head to toe, you can add a lot of pizzaz to an otherwise basic outfit. And I’ve got 15 items to scoop up just in time for the New Year.

Let’s be honest, our main concerns in the winter are not just staying warm, but also trying to avoid hypothermia without having to resort to the Michelin Man look. And it’s not easy. Between the puffy coats and the matching look-alike Uggs everyone will be sporting, the last thing you want is to be stuck with earmuffs that make you look like a chinchilla curled up around each of your ears and died.

The solution? A very affordable and sophisticated looking wrap, like a knitted headband that covers your ears. Like this one from paddicake.com. It buttons behind your head and is adorned with a beautiful knitted flower, making the knitted headband both incredibly cute and functional.

The best thing about this headband is that it won’t give you hat head! No need to worry about pulling off that adorable knitted cap once you get inside the building with the heat cranking to reveal a sweaty, matted mess. Unlike a hat, you can wear this with any hairstyle and not worry about a thing.

And these are so ridiculously cheap ($6.50!!) that you can get one in every color, mix and match outfits, and not even fret if one falls out of your bag and into a slush puddle when you’re in a hurry to get to class because it took half an hour to get all your warm accessories on.

So what are you waiting for? You can color match with anything, including this season’s hottest color, slush grey. The only think you won’t have to color match is your bright pink ears.

Animal prints have been hot for the last few seasons, but leopard prints are especially huge this season.  However, this trend can be tricky to pull off–too much and you’ll just end up looking trashy. Or like Snooki. Or worse, Angelina.

The important thing to remember about rocking the leopard print trend is that less is more.  Wear just one piece at a time, and you’ll look classy and trendy.  If you’re still unsure about wearing animal prints, a great way to start is with accessories.  They’re a great way to introduce yourself to the trend by working it in a subtle way.

Here are some great leopard accessories to get you started–and they’re all less than $20!

These flats are not only adorable, but versatile, too!  Wear them in the daytime to spice up your usual skinny-jeans-and-cardigan combination, or at night with a solid colored dress and some black tights.

Patterned nail wraps are a huge celebrity trend, but getting them done in a salon can cost upwards of $40-50!  But you can get the trend for a lot cheaper ($10.95) by doing your own leopard mani at home with these fierce nail wraps. Hotness.

A scarf is essential for the cooler months, so why don’t you switch out your old boring black fleece one for this leopard one instead?  You’ll instantly look more fashionable, and at only $5, how could you pass it up?

I know this time of year isn’t the usual time people think about buying sunglasses, but it’s important to protect your peepers year-round. (And, no joke, when the cold wind is blowing, sunglasses really do help keep your face warm!)  I’m obsessed with these ones–retro cat-eye shape, leopard print, and only $5.80?  I imagine this is what love feels like.

The skinny belt–another classic wardrobe staple taken up a notch with leopard print.  This will look chic buckled around a cardigan, a simple dress, or with your favorite jeans.

I love the cross-body bag trend–since they keep your arms free, they’re perfect for anything from shopping to carrying around campus.  This one is only $12.50, and it’s big enough to hold a few books and notebooks, and even a smaller laptop!

This leopard headband is the perfect addition to any outfit.  The band is thin, so it’s a subtle touch, and the sweetness of the bow balances out the flashy-ness of the leopard print.  Oh, and did I mention it’s less than $4?

The weather is getting colder, and winter will be here before we know it.  Which means lots of rainy and snowy days.  Get a leopard print umbrella like this one ($12) to instantly cheer you up on all those gloomy winter days.

I get it. With winter carrying on for another 6 weeks (thank you, Mr. Groundhog) your life really does feel like Groundhog Day since you wear the same thing day after day…after day: jeans and a black top, or sometimes, if you’re feeling a bit crazy, jeans and white one. After the novelty of a cute winter ‘drobe wore off (like the 2nd week of negative temps and slushy snow), it’s hard to put any effort into looking presentable and unique.

But after this article you will see that even if you keep your winter uniform intact, you can make it look like you really cared and make a ordinarily boring ‘fit ready for any occasion just by adding a few fun accessories.  And you can do it all for cheap. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: accessories are the BEST way to revamp an outfit, create a look, change it up, or try out a trend without spending that booze money breaking the bank.

Winter Uniform #1:
Jeans, White Tee and Sweater

I LOVE pink and grey. With this adorable headband drawing the eye up, no one will even notice that you wore that EXACT same outfit yesterday. Throw on some fun bangles, a pretty necklace and – presto chango – you just want from drab to oh-so-fab.

Jeans: Urban Outfitters, $54
White Tee: Delias, 2 for $20
Cardigan: Delias, $39.50
Headband: Lulus, $28
Necklace: Forever 21, $6.80
Bracelets: Anique Michelle, $12

Winter Uniform #2:
Black and Denim

Ah, black. So versatile. So easy to work with. You can dress this look up with pumps and a clutch, or dress it down with Uggs and a tote. The key is big, bold accessories. This necklace is great because it’s dressy and ties in perfectly to the black-on-black top combo. And that ring, sigh, is to die for. It’s the easiest way to completely change this look. Just make sure not to go overboard with the accessories. If you do a bold necklace, stick to more toned down earrings and rings. If you wanna rock a big ring, choose a more basic necklace.

Remember: you want to accessorize, not be a walking jewelry box!

Jeans: Gap, $69.50
Cardigan: Old Navy, $29.50
Cami: Old Navy, $10.50
Necklace: Forever 21, $10.80
Earrings: Forever 21, $3.80
Ring: Charlotte Russe, $8.50

Winter Uniform #3:
Good for Any Outfit

Throw on the scarf, necklace, earrings or ring with ANY solid color ensemble, jeans or leggings, and out you go! My vote is for the circle scarf – cozy AND bright. And these bracelets are SO cheap you can buy 5 and layer those bad boys up!

Though grossly under-rated, hair accessories might be one of the best ways to spice up an outfit and add a special flair. Cheaper than a hot pair of shoes and more practical than a bunch of bangles, headbands and hairpins do double duty: they accessorize and pull that hair out of your face.

Whether you’re looking for something rocker chic, vintage, boho or classic, there are adorable hair pieces out there at super cheap prices. So instead of spending $30 on a shirt you will really only wear once, why not spend $20 and load up on some hair accessories that will enhance the stuff you’ve already got hanging in that closet?

The pearls and feathers make this head piece look luxe enough to be seen on a red carpet and glam enough to make even that my-hair-is-so-so-greasy ponytail look chic.

I love how ethereal this metal leaf headband is. It’s so simple yet it could totally make an outfit.

An easy way to work the sequins, this headband definitely makes a statement. And that statement is: I know how to make a boring jeans-and-tee-outfit look damn good.

Another twist on the bow headband, this one is perfect for the preppie girl with a love of pearls.

This rhinestone rose clip can dress up your everyday look, or be the perfect dose of old school glam for that LBD you’re sporting on V-Day.

Animal print is huge right now, but if you’re worried it will make you a little too Snooki, adding it in small doses is the way to go. Unless you use these clips to hold up that giant pouf…

If you want to rock the embellished headbands but aren’t quite ready for the giant bow, these two headbands are the perfect medium. And, let me just say, they are the best accessory when you know you can’t wear your hair down (because you’re going to a sweaty frat party), but don’t want to look like you just came from the gym.

Lucky for me, metallics have been all the rage for the last few years and the fashion gods have decided to keep it around for yet another season! And I can see why; a metallic piece adds instant glam to an outfit. And you don’t even need much. A little shine goes a long way, whether it’s on a shoe, in a bag, or across an entire dress.

Of course, metallic pieces are perfecto for New Year’s Eve. There’s no better way to start 2010 than with a hot metallic mini-dress or a slammin’ metallic skirt. If that’s a bit too much for you, there’s a wide variety of shiny accessories out there that can add some heat to any look. And with retailers slashing their prices big time, many of these fabulous pieces will cost pennies, putting a very small dent in your Christmas money (and leaving enough for overpriced New Year’s tickets).  Lookin’ for a little shine? Here’s some of the best out there.

Are the employees at Starbucks beginning to memorize your order? Do you have under eye circles resembling black eyes? Might someone mistake you for a caveman if they happened to graze your leg?

Same here. And it’s not pretty.

It’s that time of the semester when all that skipped reading starts to catch up with us and we see more of the library then we do the outside world. Let’s just say I’ve resorted to flipping my socks inside out. I barely have time to eat, let alone sit in the laundry room for 2 hours duking it out for a dryer, only to find myself trekking back to my room with a pile full of wet clothes to hang dry over my door.

That being said, my fashion sense is screaming to get out, as I’ve locked it away for a couple weeks and invested instead in a couple new pairs of Pink sweats. And let’s not even start on my hair. When it gets washed, it definitely doesn’t get brushed, and in the morning I end up looking like Chewbacca and Medusa’s offspring. This is something a straightener can’t even begin to fix.

Which is why right now I am totally loving Anthropologie’s Twinkle Headband. At this point in the semester, it is literally a lifesaver.

Slip this badboy on and it will instantly transform my rat’s nest bun into a chic up-do. The headband is elegant and sophisticated, but casual enough to be acceptable head wear to class. What I love most is its antique look; the muted gold tones and metallic beaded accents give a sultry Grecian feel to even the simplest jeans and t-shirt combo.

What I love second most? It doesn’t make me feel like I’ve stuck my head into a wood vice. We’ve all worn those headbands that leave your temples throbbing with permanent indents above either ear. This headband is cloth and has an elastic band that fits snugly around the base of your head and stays in place without the migraine. Plus, it’s thick enough to conceal all those fly-aways and the bangs you’re trying to grow out for winter break.

Now when I get a last minute text to do a little bar hopping or grab dinner in the caf. I won’t hesitate, considering how many potential hookups I will chase away with my disheveled appearance. I can now quickly answer “see u in 5!”, slip on my twinkle headband, add a quick spritz of perfume on either wrist, and I’m out the door.

Yea it’s a little pricey at $38, but let’s be honest, a $5 headband from Claire’s doesn’t come with the booty-call saving abilities.

Hair flair can transform an entire outfit and conceal your unwashed hair on days when you just don’t have time to shower (i.e. after a particularly long Tiki Tuesday). More importantly, unlike those expensive skinny jeans you picked up at the Nordstrom half-yearly sale, hair flair will always fit regardless of those holiday pounds, the freshmen fifteen, or the beer belly you’ve been sporting since football season (curse you keg stands and beer pong).

Well, if you want the same accessories as the Upper East Siders but don’t have the same cash monay, don’t worry.  Here is a thrifty way to get the fabulous look without paying the big bucks. And if this particular style isn’t for you, something is wrong with you we’ve got another awesome DIY hair flair project you can do instead.

What You’ll Need:

Stretchy headbands/headwraps: You probably have one of these lying around, but if not, these are super cheap and you can pick them up at drug stores like CVS, Long’s, Duane Read or at any beauty store. My favorite brand to use is Scunci No Slip-Hair Grips because they come in packs of 4, are comfortable, and easy to decorate. Use a black headwrap to keep it classy or a bolder color to add some extra pop.

Fabric: A foot or two of any type of cloth fabric in any color/design you want! Most craft stores sell fabric squares meant for quilting, which are perfect for creating your hair flair, as your fabric needs to be cut in a square shape before you begin. Bonus: Many craft stores (Michael’s or JoAnn’s) have tons of leftover fabric scraps that you can get for super cheap. Just ask one of those ladies with the scissors!

The fabric color/design you choose can make your headwrap traditional and classy (think colors like Ivory, Champagne, Black, Grey, Red, etc), or have a little more funk (think designs like zebra, polka dots, stripes, or neon!).

Beads, Rhinestones, Buttons, MORE FLAIR!: These are optional materials, but will add that extra spunk to your homemade headband.

Hot Glue Gun/Glue: Every crafter’s best friend and sometimes lover. You’ll need this for a few steps throughout the DIY process.

What You’ll Do:

1. Cut fabric into a 6×6 inch square piece. Cut another 4×4 inch square piece. (Really, you can cut these two pieces in any size square you want [depending how big and bold you want your headwrap to be]. Just make sure one piece is bigger than the other.)

2. Lay the fabric face-down (so the design/color side of your fabric isn’t showing) and grab it in the middle. Using your other hand, twist the fabric around the finger holding the center. The twisting will swirl the fabric to create a ruche-like effect. Hold finger in place, then fold and hot glue the four corners of the fabric to the center. Repeat with the smaller piece of fabric. You should now have two bubbly looking pieces of fabric!

3. Add a small button, rhinestone, or bead in the center of the fabric if you want to add some extra glitz.

4. Now, hot glue the two ruched fabric bubbles to the headwrap, side by side. Let dry. Once the pieces are glued to the headband, take some leftover fabric, cut out a small strip and glue it behind the fabric pieces (inside the headband). This will make your headwrap look more polished and be more comfortable for you to wear!

5. Wear your new hair flair! Wear like a traditional headband or pull it low across your forehead for a more bohemian look.

6. Take all compliments modestly, direct all admirers to CollegeCandy, and tell them, yes, you are a fashion visionary and trendsetter.