Dresses are usually the go-to item when getting ready for a night out on the town. And for good reason! They’re cute, they’re sexy and there’s nothing easier than slipping on a dress and some shoes and heading out. But I challenge you to think outside the box a little bit and embrace the shirt and skirt combo. This alternative is far more versatile in that it allows for more choices; you can mix and match tops and skirts to create infinitely more looks. That means that the skirt you buy goes way further than that LRD that you can’t wear more than once a month because (oh the horror!) everyone recognizes it.

Skirts in all their sexy, flirty glory are the perfect alternative to the dress. Heck, you can even make a skirt and top LOOK like a dress, all while getting the versatility of picking the type of top you want. Want more coverage? Go for a crewneck long sleeve tee. Want to exercise your right to bare arms? Go for a tank. Really the possibilities are endless.  Read More »

A girl can only own so many pencil skirts. Actually, let me rephrase that. A girl can (and most likely will) own a ton of pencil skirts, but can only wear them so often before it starts to feel like all sense of a fashion identity has been lost.

Only two short months into the post-grad working world, and I have already reached my limit. It’s not that I don’t like pencil skirts – much to the contrary I actually think they are extremely sexy and flattering on almost all body types. But the staple black pencil skirt with cute-but-not-too-revealing-top uniform can get really boring, really fast.

So instead of stuffing my closet full of yet more simple, streamlined skirts, I’ve decided to spice them up just a tad with unique details that give an outfit just a ounce of wow factor. I’ve gone on a hunt for pieces that are still totally office appropriate, but keep me from falling asleep when looking at my outfit in the mirror.

The perfect skirt? Banana Republic’s Silk Pocket Skirt.  From a block away it appears to be your standard black skirt, but a closer look reveals understated detailing that takes an outfit from average work attire to office chic. Read More »

One of the best things about fall (besides Halloween, candy corn, pumpkin everything, Honeycrisp apples, etc.) is switching up your wardrobe. If you live in a colder climate (read: hell. frozen. over) like me, each October you yank your tanks and dresses from your closet (shed a few tears) and swap ‘em out for the sweaters and boots stuffed under your bed. And then you hit the mall to add a few new fun pieces to your already warm and snuggly fall/winter wardrobe.

But what should you add? With so many trends happening right now, you don’t have the space (or, more realistically, the money) to load up on everything this season. You need the best of the best – the items that are cute and functional and will get you through until the snow melts…in June.

Perhaps we can help. This week I asked the CollegeCandy writers to share their fall/winter fashion must-haves. See what they’re lovin’ this season and stock up on a bit of it for yourself. Sure, they may not have the best taste in men, but when it comes to fashion, they know their ish. Read More »

Like most of you, I am a (recently graduated but not willing to accept it) college student who would rather dish out money for fashion than food. But sometimes, like in a recession…or when I’m really hungry, that doesn’t work out so well. A girl’s gotta eat (and look fabulous), right?

Which is why I was having some serious issues lately. You see, I am in love with the whole high-waisted skirt look that I see on celebs like Lauren Conrad and Amanda Bynes. It’s slimming and hot and I loooove it. But I can’t justify spending a good chunk of change on a skirt that will be out of style in 6 months when I have 10 perfectly fine skirts lining my closet.

So I decided to figure out a way to turn what I got into what I want. Turns out, it’s not that hard to make your own high-waisted skirt. Even for crafty rejects like myself. Read More »

So, long skirts were in style at some point in the last 5 years and you somehow have, like, 12 taking up space in the back of your closet. You’re obvi more into the show-off-your-legs kinda skirts these days, but you can’t bear to part with them. You don’t have to – in fact, they could be the most versatile pieces in your entire wardrobe!

Did you know that your skirt is not just a skirt? That’s right, a long skirt doubles as a strapless top or even as a dress! Stop wasting money buying new things when you have plenty to work with already. And in a variety of ways!

A skirt that has an elastic waistband can easily be worn as a dress or top. If you think the silhouette looks a little too funky, add a belt at your waist to pull it together. Accessorize with long necklaces and a killer pair of shoes, and you’re ready to go. Read More »

[I used to show you how to pull off runway trends in the series "Rock the Look." In this new series, I'll be taking a different item you probably already have in your closet each week and showing you three new ways to wear it. After all, the best shopping tip anyone will give you is to only buy pieces that work with something you already own. Last week we played around with those shorts you have in your closet and this week we're going to put that white tank to work.]

Everyone has a basic white tank, like this classic Theory top, in their wardrobe. Maybe you wear it under a sweater, or with sweats on a lazy day. However, that basic white tank is not reaching its full fashion potential. Such a versatile piece can be worn in so many different ways, it’s like having ten outfits in one!

Here are three new ways to rock that tank top: Read More »

If it’s one thing there’s no shortage of this season, it’s cute skirts. Really cute skirts. And sister, you’ve worked hard all season to get those legs in tip-top shape. Giving up that late night pizza for extra lunges and calf strengtheners (or maybe doing extra lunges and calf strengtheners to make up for that late night pizza…).

With so many options available there is really no need to spend at Barney’s what could be spent on booze when you can just hit up a cheaper store and still look effortlessly chic. So here are a few of my favorite affordable skirts for your summer wardrobe: Read More »

[I used to show you how to pull off runway trends in the series "Rock the Look." In this new series, I'll be taking a different item you probably already have in your closet each week and showing you three new ways to wear it. After all, the best shopping tip anyone will give you is to only buy pieces that work with something you already own. Last week we worked the blazer, and this week we're moving on to the basic white blouse.]

As a college student gearing up for a summer internship or office job, you might not have a very expansive work wardrobe. Maybe your parents footed the bill for a few new professional outfits, but after the first week of work you might start feeling like you’ve run out of things to wear.

One thing you most likely own is  a white blouse, like this one from Gap. This top is so basic, there are a million ways to wear it. The good news? You may already have a couple of the other items in your closet too! Here are three ways to wear a white blouse (Click on the pictures to get all the shopping info!): Read More »

Let’s cut to the chase. Vanessa Hudgens looks cute. I mean the girl could wear a potato sack and look cute. but here’s the good news: you don’t need to be dating a man with better side swept bangs than mine in order to attain this level of cuteness. I know!! So exciting.

Anyways, Hudgens works this season’s floral trend perfectly. And it’s not easy; there are three different levels of floral patterns and if you pick the wrong one, it could be a fashion disaster. What are they?

1) The cheap, horribly tacky looking kind
2) The kind that looks like your grandmother’s couch. Or your grandmother’s floral skirt. And matching floral vest.
3) The really, really cute kind.

With color and patterns being EVERYWHERE this season it’s really easy to become desensitized to it all and, before you know it, you’re sporting a fabric that is best suited covered in plastic with a remote control and the year 1977 attached to it. So leave it to me – and, uh, V. Hudge – to help you sort through the bubbie looks to find the floral must-haves.

Here is this week’s Celebrity Chic on the Cheap: Everything’s Coming Up Vanessa Hudgens.
Read More »

[Every week 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 are spending $5,000 on an ensemble, you don’t have to.

All you have to do is click on the goods and - boom - you can buy the entire ensemble. Yes, we know; there is a spot for her in heaven.]

So it’s (almost) March. I can’t believe it. Namely because I can’t believe I am actually this pasty and I don’t know if two months is enough time to rectify the albino-ness that is my skin.

But everywhere I turn it’s cute, short, tight, high waisted skirts. Ones that scream, “You have to have me!”And after seeing this look on Amanda Bynes, I know that I need to invest in some quality self tanner so that I too can rock this look without looking like I spent all winter soaking in a vat of White-Out.

So while I go grab some self tanner that won’t make me orange here is this week’s Celebrity Chic on the Cheap: Amanda Bynes is High (Waisted) Read More »