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.

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Shoes can be tricky. They can make or break an outfit. They’re not always cheap, though, and cheap shoes won’t last long in the wear and tear of college life. It’s a great idea to invest in a couple of pairs of “staple” shoes that will go with anything.

I’m not sure where this particular lady is emailing from, but by the sounds of it she might be somewhere like me in Minnesota where lots of snow really messes with my footwear choices. However, there are dozens of options that you can wear that don’t involve the cankles caused by UGGs or the sweaty calves that come with a day in rainboots.

If you still have a couple of weeks (or months!) of cold weather left, a great pair of boots would be a perfect, versatile addition to your wardrobe. Ankle boots or knee-high hoots look great with skinny jeans and also look fantastic with dresses and skirts. If you don’t want UGGs or rainboots, there are hundreds of different colors and styles you could go for. If you want a style that will go with everything, a simple black or brown ankle boot is a great choice.

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There are lots of styles you can go for. You can opt for a heel (like the ones above), or stick to something more comfortable. A studded boot can give an edgy look, or you could try the military trend with a lace-up ankle boot. Here are my favorites for under $50…

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If you fancy something a little more feminine, you can always go for the standard girly ballet flat. Again, they look great with skinny jeans in the warmer months, or with tights and a skirt or dress in the winter. They come in all kinds of styles and colors, but as with boots, a neutral color would definitely be a good idea.

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As you can see here, black is really versatile for ballet flats as they’ll go with anything, but you can also try some pretty, feminine styles or vibrant colors to brighten up your outfit. Here are my favourites…

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Finally, if you want something a little more edgy without being too casual, try a menswear inspired oxford shoe. They look edgy and cool with skirts and dresses, but perfect with skinny jeans. They’re definitely a shoe for standing out from the crowd!

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Oxfords can come in a number of different colors, but blacks and browns are most popular. Pair with skinny jeans and a tailored blazer for a masculine look, or something super-girly for a constrast.

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You having a fashion emergency? Email us and we’ll get our team of fashionistas on it ASAP!

[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.

Shopping Deets: Jacket, Leggings, Tunic, Boots, Bag, Scarf.

This outfit looks so toasty, without being bulky or awkward-looking. This gray and black faux fur coat is both functional and cute (and, hello, CHEAP), and this super adorable (and thick!) ruffled scarf adds a feminine flair. Adding a grey tunic and some black leggings is a casually chic look, and add some sexiness with some basic knee-high boots. A to-die-for pink clutch adds some much-needed color to any otherwise neutral outfit.

This is the perfect winter day look – it’s simple, warm, and not at all schlubby, and when it’s -9183 outside, it’s pretty unreasonable to expect a ton more.

Get more celebrity looks for less here.

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!

Short girls can rock this trend too. Pint-sized stars such as the Olsen twins, Hayden Panettiere, and Hillary Duff have all been spotted in over-the-knee boots. I’m only 5’2″ so I understand the hesitation. As long as the boot hits the right part of your thigh, it will look just fine! If you’re still nervous, pair your boots with a pair of leggings that match their color– your legs will look miles long!

Let the boots be the focus. As with all trends, a little goes a long way.

Ready to buy a pair? Look for styles that can be adjusted to last throughout the seasons. After we featured the Chinese Laundry Tripin Boots last season, I rushed out and bought myself a pair. These boots have no heel (perfect for day or night), can be scrunched down to make a shorter slouchy boot, or can be buttoned or unbuttoned for several different looks!

Hop on over to CollegeFashion.net for affordable picks and adorable outfit inspiration!

[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.

With Socks:

Skirt, Top, Sweater, Socks, Booties.

This is the season to focus on socks and the full skirt is the perfect way to do it. Grab a cute pair of knee-high socks (which are both adorable AND functional as they will keep your legs warm on cool, fall days) and start layering. Just grab a button-up shirt and tuck it into the skirt, top it off with your favorite cardigan, then slip on the ankle booties you nabbed last fall. And if you don’t feel like rocking heels, you can swap them out for your knee-high boots and let the socks peek over the top instead.

With Lace:

Skirt, Top, Flats, Bag.

Did you know the full skirt can work for night as well? The key to pulling this off is balancing it out with something a bit more sexy. Like lace or a silky cami.  Add some sparkly flats (or even patent pumps) for added pizazz and a bright colored bag and you’re all set to hit the town.

With Class:

Skirt, Top, Blazer, Shoes.

I l-o-v-e mixing and matching different shapes, textures and styles. It just makes things more interesting and, when working with a full skirt, more modern. For this look, I added a bow-tied top under a cropped blazer and oxford-heels for a more scholarly look. But work with what you’ve got. Try a t-shirt under a cardigan with some funky necklace. Or a tank under a blazer and some flat boots. This skirt is incredibly versatile so play around in your closet and you’ll find hundreds of ways to wear it.

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.

The Spring Dress
For Winter, take a pair of tights (black or gray for this dress) and pair with a long sleeve shirt worn UNDER the dress. I love the mint color long-sleeve shirt under this because it picks up the mint in the dress, but still looks wintery paired with black boots, gray tights and a dark gray cardigan. (If mint isnt your thing, black, white or gray work too!) Not to mention, the long-sleeve-under-the-strapless combo looks VERY Marc by Marc Jacobs. Throw on a cute chunky beret to keep your head warm and off you go, lighting up the snow filled streets with your spring/winter style.

Dress: Lulus.com, $44
Tights: Lulus.com, $17
Boots: Urban Outfitters, $88
Cardigan: Forever 21, $15.80
Beret: Forever 21, $4.50
Long Sleeve Shirt: Forever 21, $5.50

When it starts to get warm (in, uh, 4 months), ditch the boots for these super cute flats, throw on a springy necklace and show off those collarbones you’ve been hiding all year!

Dress: Lulus.com, $44
Flats: Urban Outfitters, $28
Necklace: Urban Outfitters, $28
Sunglasses: Lulus.com, $9

The Springy Shirt
Sure, a hot pink sheer t-shirt screams party on a boat/spring break, but paired with black legging/pants, high heeled boots (with traction – lord knows how many times I’ve totally bitten in while wearing boots with a flat bottom) and a long black cardi, you can wear this on any night out, all winter long. Pair with some fun bracelets (or other chunky jewelry) and let the pink be a fun bright pop of color on a cold, dark night.

Tee: Express, $29.50
Leggings: Victoria’s Secret, 2 for $40!
Boots: DSW, $49.94
Cardigan: Nordstrom, $24
Infinity Scarf: Nordstrom, $24
Bangles: Forever 21, $6.80

For the spring, tuck that tee into a high waisted skirt (or you could go with a pair of shorts, like these, which I LOVE), throw on some cute peep toe heels (these ones are adorable and CHEAP), swipe on a little bronzer and you are so spring ready.

Tee: Express, $29.50
Skirt: Forever 21, $19.80
Heels: Lulus.com, $27.50
Ring: Forever 21, $2.80 (!!)

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.

Bandage dresses are sexy, sassy and give your curves some major va va voom. This one comes in 3 different colors and, holler, it’s only $13.50. That means that even with all that holiday spending, you can look hot to trot on NYE…and have some extra cash leftover for that bottle of bubbly.  Pair it with some hot heels and sparkly jewelry and you’ll be set.

Looking for a little more sparkle?  This tube dress is sexified with some glam rocker thrown in.  You can doll it up with some stilettos or really rock it out with some knee high boots or booties.

And if that’s not enough bling and shimmer for this one special night, Forever’s got plenty more where that came from. On any other night a sequins dress or mini might be too much for you, but on New Year’s Eve there’s nothing wrong with shining like the Times Square ball. (And if you’re only spending $20 on a dress, who cares if you only wear it once??)

If sequins aren’t your thang, leather is perfect for you. What better way to scream sexpot than with a “leather” mini? It’s totally hot on its own (well, with a top, of course), or you can have tons o’ fun giving yourself a rock star alter-ego; heavy jewelry, over-the-knee boots or booties can make this look hot, hot, hot.

Too cold for minis or dresses?  Rock out a sequined, studded or jeweled top with a pair of skinny pants/jeans and a pair of sky high heels. You can’t go wrong with this tried and true look…

Now all you gotta do is do some sexy hair and make-up and get ready to break all your new year’s resolutions…

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?

That’s right. This boot has three zippers, which allow you to instantly transform your boot from above the knee, to below-the-knee, to mid-calf, to ankle booties. Tell me that’s not the most genius thing you’ve heard in a while.

I can wear them as-is over skinny jeans, fold down the cuff for a more conservative right-below-the-knee look, zip off the top layer for a mid-caf boot that will fit nicely under a boot cut pant (because how annoying is it to have that bulkiness that makes it look like you have gigantour calves?), and then zip off the top two layers for a trendy ankle bootie that looks adorable with a mini dress and opaque tights.

It’s so perfect it makes my head hurt!

These boots are the answer to my fashion stress. Owning these means an end to my drooling/crying when I pass a shoe store with a window display full of ankle boots and I’m stuck wearing my knee-highs. I can simply zip off the top and instantly be on trend once again!

Too bad genius comes with a very steep price tag. As in, a month’s rent. Here’s hoping Target or my pal Steve Madden will get on board and bring me a little Michael Kors knock-off that is both fashion and wallet friendly.

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).

3. Over-the-knee boots are especially of the moment and look laid back with jeans and a slouchy sweater or edgy with leggings or a short dress with tights.

4. Ankle boots are also trendy this fall. We love heeled booties for nights on the town and flats for class and weekend afternoons.

Check out more style tips and advice at StyleBakery.com!

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: