Recently, a style distressed CollegeCandy reader sent us an SOS for a little style assistance:

I have been wearing my 2-year-old ripped Sperrys all winter because I don’t want to dirty up my new, clean ones and can’t wear my Vans with skinny jeans without looking alternative. What I am wondering is, what are some good everyday shoes to wear around campus that aren’t Uggs, rainboots, or make me look like a stereotype?

Being the sweet, generous, fashionable girls that we are, we knew we had to help her out. So we put our style hat on (it’s a knit beanie, BTW) and got to work. And here is our fashion advice for both this college girl in need, and anyone else who’s sick of wearing the same damn Uggs every single day. Read More »

[Welcome to Celebrity Chic on the Cheap, where 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 (Jessica Szohr, anyone?) are spending $5,000 on an ensemble, you don’t have to.]

Reese Witherspoon has been flying under the radar for awhile. I hate to think her time has passed, but lately, I haven’t been super compelled to see any of her projects (and apparently I’m not alone, if the performance of her latest flick “How Do You Know” is any indication…) It’s a bummer, but there will always be a place in my heart for the woman who so brilliantly brought Elle Woods to life.

And apparently the paparazzi is equally as enamored of her, because lately (read: since her engagement), we’ve been inundated with tons of Reese photos: “Reese walks with her fiance!” “Reese goes shopping!” “Reese drinks a latte…while Jake Gyllenhaal cries himself to sleep!”

It was only recently that I’ve started to notice her great sense of style. Reese has a grounded, comfortable, girl-next-door aesthetic. While not flashy, it’s totally relatable and always looks very effortlessly put together. And it can be done at a fraction of the cost. Read More »

This post is courtesy of our fashionable friends at CollegeFashion.net. Have you checked them out yet?

Hot last year and coming back for round two, over-the-knee boots are both hot for fall and tricky to wear. But if you know what you’re doing (and you will after you read this), they could be the best fall accessory you’ll ever own.

If you weren’t sure about these boots last year, now is the perfect time to try them out!

Tips and Tricks for Rocking Over-The-Knee Boots

Much like any other trend, consider proportions for the most flattering look. The perfect pair of boots should hit about an inch above your knees. For hip coverage, consider pairing them with a longer top or tunic.

Squeamish about showing too much thigh? This trend looks just as chic with jeans, jeggings, or leggings.

Want to rock this trend, but low on cash? Try wearing a pair of mid-calf or knee-high boots with a tall pair of socks underneath for a very “model off duty” look! Read More »

[When moving into either a dorm or an off-campus apartment, your wardrobe will face two major challenges: 1. A major lack of funding (to add more to it). 2. A major lack of storage space.

For these two reasons alone, maximizing what you do own becomes essential. That's why you need to learn to Shop Your Closet. Each week, I’ll show you how to wear 1 item 3 ways – with the stuff you most likely already own! – to get the most out of your purchases.]

Fashion is all about recycling trends (which is why I kick myself when I think about all those leggings I got rid of in the ’90s ). One decade that made a strong reappearance during the Fall/Winter 2010 runway shows was the 1950s.  With the overwhelming popularity of Man Med, this really comes as no surprise; I mean, Banana Republic has a line to accompany the show! The re-emergence of the ’50s style means it’s time to break out the full skirt! But rather than looking like you’re an extra on Mad Men or a month early for Halloween, it’s important to know how to wear it right. Read More »

If there is one thing I hate about winter (unfortch there are hundreds of things I hate about winter) it would be that as I’m bundled in ear muffs, scarves, gloves, 10 layers of who knows what that is throwing my body into such a confusion because I’m sweating like a maniac under all that thermal but can’t feel my nose or ears a the same time, stores, my FAVORITE stores, have the audacity to decorate their windows with eyelet lace dresses, high waisted shorts and canary yellow tops that scream: BUY ME!

It is January 2010 and I’m supposed to buy shorts?

But that dress, that top – they are just so. freaking. cute. So I cave and I buy them. And then I take them home and stare at them and even though know it’s January (and my jeans are wet and frozen to the knee), I want to wear them!

So this week’s Budget Stylista goes out to every girl like me who’s trekked in sloshy snow to her favorite shop and couldn’t stop herself from loading up on the spring styles. No more waiting 6 long, cold months to sport your new goods; I will show you how to wear them now without catching frostbite and then again once the snow (and your body) thaws out. Read More »

Get your Jonas on now, peeps, cuz it’s gonna end soon.

New Year’s Eve makeup ideas!

Make some resolutions….in bed.

Everyone wants Kate Winslet’s bod.

Crave: platform boots. Drool.

Is Rihanna headed for a meltdown?

Hard to believe that in only 2 days we’ll be ringing in the new year and it’ll have been a decade since all that Y2K mumbo jumbo.

I know; that whole “only 2 days” thing freaked me out, too. Not because I’m not ready for 2010, but because I’m not ready for NYE. I’ve been so busy unwrapping presents and relaxing in front of the TV that I have yet to secure a NYE-worthy ensemble for the big countdown.

But it’s OK. As usual, Forever 21 has come to the rescue with some pretty fantabulous frocks and smocks for under $20. So grab that wad of Christmas cash (don’t worry, you won’t need much of it here!), and head over to the mall. Here are some of the goodies our BFFs at F-21 have to offer for the big, bold and boozy night. Read More »

Style can be really stressful, especially for someone that is so obsessed with fashion that I can’t walk a street without being drawn in by some supernatural force to pretty much every store I see. No matter how full my closet is, there is always a new trend coming out that makes it feel incomplete (and keeps my wish list a mile long).

So anything that takes a little stress out of fashion, I’m all about it.

Which is why I am in love with the new Frannie boot by Michael Kors.

Why, you ask?

Well it’s leather, it’s chic, it has an adorable fold over top. And, oh yeah, did I mention it’s four trends in one?

Read More »

There are so many must-have styles of boots this fall: over-the-knee, mid-calf, ankle, heeled, flat, etc. In order to snag all the looks you want, you need to shop smart. We found cute boots that will flatter every type for under $100!

1. A pair of Knee-high boots is a classic wardrobe staple. They look cute with skinny jeans, leggings, or skirts and they’ll keep you warm and comfortable in crisp fall weather.

2. Mid-calf boots look best with leggings or the skinniest of skinny jeans (otherwise the denim will bunch up in an unflattering way).

Read More »

So you know how last week I said the essential item for fall on campus is an oversized, throw-on-anywhere-and-go cardigan?

Well, I lied.

Fact is, aside from the essential cardigan there are a few other essentials that should be stashed in your dorm room (and no, I’m not talking about your birth control or condoms… although those are probably just as important, unless you like to frequent drugstores for awkward encounters with pregnancy tests and Plan B boxes).

Where was I? Oh yeah – boots.

A great pair of fall boots may even rival the essential-ness of a great cardigan. Pair the two together and – shazam! – you’ve got yourself one fabulous looking outfit, even if what’s underneath resembles a burlap sack or something out of Heidi Montag’s closet. The great thing about tall riding boots (combined with a long cardigan or top) is that they can turn leggings into acceptable pants (key word here being long top - I don’t need to see your jelly shaking on my walk to class with my morning latte), and we all know the benefit of not being stuck  in a 3 hour lecture in too-tight jeans and our muffin top spilling over onto our crush’s lap.

Un.comfort.able on all levels.

Boots also prevent the awful wet socks in the winter time, are comfortable to walk around campus, and make the hungover-hot-mess look you could have going on look instantly chic and pulled together. Can Uggs do that? I think NOT.

Bottom line: Boots are a must have, but usually muy caro (that’s spanish for really expensive.  See mom! I did sort of pay attention in High School!). Here are some affordable options that cut back on the price but not on the style.

I l-o-v-e these options: Read More »