Leopard print made its come back last fall and by the looks of things, it’s not going anywhere. Leopard printed heels, flats, scarves, tops, dresses, pants (Peg Bundy was SO ahead of her time!) are popping up just about everywhere. In your typical shades, in pops of colors, mixed in with other patterns, leopard prints are just an animal you can’t avoid. Pun intended.

The key when shopping for animal prints with your Budget Stylista mindset is avoiding a cheap looking leopard print, which can be hard, lots of them exist. Sometimes it’s hard to determine what is chic and what is downright cheap (and tacky) looking. As a general rule of thumb, I tend to stray away from black and white leopard print (it just doesn’t look right to me) and smaller condensed animal spots.

Not sure about what to wear leopard print with? You don’t need to stick to a white or black base. Leopard print is the new neutral: It goes with nothing, yet everything all at the same time. In fact, I think this print is most fresh when paired with a bright color. Throw a leopard print top on with black jeans and a hot pink bag. Or tie a leopard print belt or scarf over a red dress. Pair the adorable leopard skirt below with a bright pair of blue pumps! Leopard should be fun and playful.

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[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), and 2. A major lack of storage space. For these two reasons, maximizing what you already 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.]

There’s a pile of clothes on the floor beside your closet, and you’re still standing in your undies undecided about what to wear. The transitional season wardrobe slump has hit you. Whether key pieces of clothing are sitting in your hamper (two wears over what is considered hygienic) or you just can’t make up your mind, you have nothing to wear. On the verge of running late for your class, your job or meeting up with friends, you know you have to ”Make it work!”

The catchphrase of style guru Tim Gunn can be applied to the battle with your closet. His Top 10 Wardrobe Essentials may seem targeted at career women, but having some of these items can help you on days when you have nothing to wear. Meet the “every occasion” top – a shirt that can be layered under a jacket (or cardigan) but can be worn alone for a night out. For this week’s Shop Your Closet I chose a cute, affordable ruffled keyhole top from Old Navy that will work with the goodies you’ve already got in your closet. Read More »

More than just about anything else, apparently.

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

A few weeks ago a CollegeFashion reader suggested that mixing prints would be a good Fashion Challenge topic. To be honest, I was a little apprehensive — while many celebrities can pull this look off, at first I wasn’t sure how it would translate in real life. After doing some research, however, I’ve found there are many ways to work mixed prints into your wardrobe and still look stylish.

Think you’re ready to pull off this tricky trend? Read on for some tips and sample outfits.

Tips and Tricks for Mixing Prints:

Stick with the same color family. Rachel Bilson (as pictured above) rocks this trend by sticking with black and white.
Many people consider leopard print to be neutral. Leopard print, a hot trend for fall, is an easy print to work with. In the picture above, Whitney Port pairs a black and white striped shirt with a leopard skirt.
Use patterned accessories. Try rocking a printed belt or scarf with a patterned top or dress.
Try a top or dress already made with mixed prints. When the look is built in, the prints will be designed to complement each other, so the hard work is done for you!
Stripes plus florals equals love. This tried and true combination is easy to work into an outfit – it’s the perfect combo to try if you’re unsure about this look.
Be confident! This trend isn’t for the timid. Wear your outfit with some attitude, and everyone will admire your fearless fashion sense.

Now that you know the rules, get some outfit inspiration from the experts at CollegeFashion. Click here to see how it’s done!

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So I was in Forever 21 yesterday (because, let’s face it, I’m there weekly) and I noticed something happening. Something scary. Something….leopard.

My fight or flight instincts began to kick in and I found myself making my way towards the door. The leopard was everywhere and I was overwhelmed. Leopard scarves (fine), dresses (meh), pants (oy), and bra-tops (WTF?!).

I would not win. I’d have to make a run for it.

But while Forever was going a little leopard overboard, I noticed that familiar print popping up all over the mall. Yes, even in Nordstrom.

So now I am hiding in my house, hoping that the Peggy Bundy print doesn’t come near me. Clearly I’m alone on this one – I mean, someone must be buying this shiz. Tell me: is that someone you!?

Leopard Print is back. Love it or hate it?

Okay, so I’ll admit it; when it comes to shoes, I have a problem.

I can’t stop buying them.

I love all kinds of shoes, from flip flops to stilettos to my trusty Chuck Taylors. I love my tried and true (black pumps, ballet flats, etc.) and I love finding fun and funky shoes to add a lil’ oomph to an outfit. I have shoes ranging from Payless and Target to Steve Madden and even a few beloved pairs of designer shoes (that were all purchased in outlets or amazing clearance sales, I must add).

The best thing about shoes is that trends come in cycles so you can save your favorite pairs and use them for more than one season.

This season there are six major shoe trends emerging, although a couple of them are old trends re-surging, so I’m here to let you know what you’ll be seeing on footsies in the next few months. Read More »