Women’s fashion often borrows ideas from men’s fashion, but menswear-inspired looks are especially hot right now. And I’m feeling it. Last week, NYC had some gorgeous spring weather and I busted out all my sundresses. But this week, it cooled off again, and I was happy to throw on a pair of skinny cords and a button up shirt.

Our friends over at College Fashion are feeling the menswear look, too, and they’ve put together a few looks inspired by stylish Brit Pete Doherty. Check it out here.

Menswear-inspired fashion is a huge trend for fall, and I for one am a huge fan! Now, I’m not talking about wearing your boyfriend’s or dad’s clothes (although that can be cute) — everywhere you look, you can find clothing and accessories that are inspired by guys’ clothing, but are made for women! And the best part is, menswear-inspired fashion is available at every price. All of these great pieces are just $20 or less each.

initiating the gallery...

Who or what inspires your style? Many of us use musicians (like Debbie Harry) or

I’m probably not the first person to break the news to you that Annie Hall and (500) Days of Summer are essentially the same movie. (And if I am, I’m sorry.) Diane Keaton and Zooey Deschanel play basically the same character and each movie illustrates love, going back through time to figure out what (or who) went wrong with back and forth over-analyzing.  But to me, the most important aspect of these movies (besides the “groundbreaking” lessons I learned) is they both demonstrate the iconic style of the fashionably quirky female protagonists.

In Annie Hall, Annie and Alvy attempt a relationship.  They break up.  They get back together.  The process repeats, blah blah blah.  It was a great movie no doubt, but half the time I was watching, I was more focused on how I can dress like a women trying to dress like a man without looking like a man.  Does that make sense? Let’s hope so.

For those of you who don’t know, Annie Hall’s style was revolutionary for its time. Before this movie, it wasn’t extremely popular for women to be rockin’ a tie, vest and high-waisted, wide-legged khakis without getting “WTF are you thinking?” looks from their peers. Annie Hall pushed the envelope, blurring the lines between male and female style, forever changing the landscape of women’s fashion. There’s a difference between something a man would wear and menswear, and the character of Annie Hall proved that. Katherine Hepburn may have started the “pants-on-women” trend, but Annie took it to a whole new, somewhat crazy, level. And it worked, because it was classic and bold at the same time.

The menswear style is a female approach to a masculine type of piece; a classic watch, a vest, fedoras and suspenders. It’s adding just a touch of maleness to the shape, cut and silhouette of traditionally female style.  It’s sexy and chic, modern and classic, structured yet relaxed. It’s no surprise that this is a trend that’s been around for decades, all thanks to Annie.

Wanna try it out? Don’t worry, you don’t have to go quite as balls to the wall at Ms. Hall (her hats were always a bit over the top). Just choose a few dude-inspired pieces and go from there.

Watch, Skirt, Shoes, Suspenders, Shirt

This outfit uses Annie’s love of menswear yet feminizes it to be a little more wearable while still iconically recognizable.  The high-waisted khaki skirt plays off of the khaki pants Annie is famous for, but which most 21st-century women wouldn’t be caught dead in. (Pleats? Ew.) Instead of going for a structured vest and tie (both of which are totally doable – don’t be afraid to try ‘em out!), I opted for suspenders to add the masculine twist.

The white shirt and oversized watch are classic pieces every women should have in her closet, no matter what style you lean towards.  And the shoes are played off of the oxford style flats that would be most appropriate for this outfit, but won’t freak too many people out by the dudeliness of them.  If you’re bold enough, wear the most masculine shoes you can find (in the women’s section, that is!)  and rock this outfit like you pioneered it yourself.

I want to be Olivia Palermo.

To be fair, I don’t want her attitude. Or her brains (or lack thereof). Or her annoying, drunk cousin who is always loafing on her couch. I don’t even really want to be on The City. I really just want her wardrobe, namely those adorable men’s inspired flats she started rockin’ around town last season.

It was love at first sight, really. Shiny, chic flats that didn’t make you miss the 4 inch heel with the red sole Olivia typically donned. They were different, they were tres chic, they were (at least they looked) comfortable, and they were way, way out of my price range. But then, on a late night shopping spree at Kohl’s with my mom last week, I found these: a cheaper ($19, baby!) version of Olivia’s shoes that are still just as hot, classy and comfy as the designer originals. They were everything I wanted and more, perfect for this weird in-between-seasons business when it’s too hot for Uggs and too cold for Havianas.

So I snatched ‘em and before I even got home, I had an entire list of things I could wear with them. These shoes add that extra bit of couture and glamour that a normal flat could not and I believe every girl needs a pair. Don’t believe me? Just look what they can do for these three basic outfits:

Hot and Sassy
This dress is sexy and seemingly vintage all at once, which goes perfectly with these old school shoes. Layer on the tights for a more streamlined leg, then pull your hair back into a messy pony and add this gorgeous, retro headband. If it’s cold where you are, I feel bad for you you can always toss on an oversized black sweater to complete the look.

Dress: Lulus, $29
Shoes: Candies for Kohl’s, $29.99
Tights: Hue, 2 for $20
Headband: Forever 21, $3.80

Sexy & Stylin’
Like most flats, these tuxedo shoes look best with skinny jeans that can show ‘em off. My favorite skinny jeans right now are these from the Gap (my butt has never looked better), and I absolutely L-O-V-E this top. A built-in necklace? Genius! Just add a few statement pieces – like a bright, classic bag – and you’ll be the (nicer, smarter) Olivia Palermo of your next bash.

Skinny Jeans: Gap, $69.50
Top: Lulu’s, $30
Shoes: Candies for Kohl’s, $29.99
Bangle: Forever 21, $5.80
Purse: Forever 21, $16.80

Professional/Casual Chic
Got a big interview? Work at an office? Major presentation that is worth 65% of your Econ grade? You don’t have to get all dowdy; these adorable shoes work for all that, too. (Yes, they may just be the most versatile footwear since the gladiator sandal.) Go for a dressier black skinny jean, top off with a flowy camisole and a boyfriend blazer and a fun, bright bag. You’ll look professional yet chic, and your feet won’t blistered and hurting by the end of the day.

Jeans: Macy’s, $19.99
Blazer: Target, $29.99
Shoes: Candies for Kohl’s, $29.99
Cami: Lauren Conrad for Kohl’s, $19.99
Bag: Lulus, $44

Being that 1) I’m a college student 2) it’s right after Christmas and 3) I’ve been celebrating the end of the semester at the bar for about 2 weeks now, it’s safe to say that my bank account is dangerously close to the negative. So going out and buying new outfits isn’t really an option.

Which is why I am interested in investment pieces to update my tired winter wardrobe. I want something timeless that is going to last, not another sweater from Express that will only make it through one season’s worth of laundry cycles before pilling and fraying.

And I have hit the jackpot with Michael Kors’ Gold Runway Watch with Glitz.

I am hopelessly in love with menswear watches, which is what drew me to this in the first place. The sturdy band, the oversized face, and the three sub-dials are masculine and classic. But the boyish charm is accentuated with feminine details that balance the piece from being too heavy: a brushed gold surface, crystal detailing and elegant numbers written in a whimsical font.

It’s the perfect mix of stately sophistication and playful girlishness.

To. Die. For.

I can see myself slipping it on with a blazer and jeans and totally channeling the menswear trend, or toughening up a girly outfit by paring it with a ruffed A-line dress and heels.

The crystals make it dressy enough to wear for a night out with a skintight mini and a leather jacket, but the brushed gold gives it a chic elegance, making it totally appropriate for a day at work or classes.

The amount of wear I will get out of this thing is ridiculous. Which is why it is a totally justifiable investment. Now I just have to convince my mom that week-late Christmas gifts are completely acceptable.

Then there are others who are always dressed so fashionably that you wonder if they live in a clothing store. Or how freaking early they wake up to pull an entire outfit together before making the trek to class.

While everyone is fabulous in their own right, we thought we should celebrate the campus fashionistas of the world for their continued excellence in not looking like a hot mess for class. So, we started stalking those girls (and guys!) on campus to get a few pics and get some tips on their personal style. And maybe a restraining order or two. But it’s worth it to highlight fresh, unique wardrobe choices that show personality and the courage to wear what you believe in.

And to kick off this whole revolution I chose my friend Shane. I couldn’t think of a more fashionable person; he makes bold choices with his wardrobe daily, making him not only my best dressed guy friend, but my best dressed friend. Period. I mean, isn’t his whole silver eclectic vibe amazingly hot?

Here’s the deets:

Name: Shane Yang
Year: 2010
Major: English with a minor in Chinese
Shane in 3 words: Urban, metro, chic.

1) Describe your personal style.
Clean cut and sharp. You can never go wrong with the shirt and tie combo. I like to mix it up sometimes with a neon jacket or retro shades, but otherwise my outfits are pretty simple.

2) You can’t leave the house without your ____.
iPhone. Oh, and during the summer, my aviators.

3) Name your favorite place to shop.
The vintage shops along the streets of Shanghai are the best places in the world to shop. And also Zara.

4) What/who is the biggest influence on your style?
I like David Beckham – he always seems very polished and put together. Having a Spice Girl at your side isn’t bad either.

5) What’s your favorite trend, past or present?
The double-breasted jacket. Looks good on everyone, even my old man.

Do you have a friend who always looks like she’s workin’ the runway? Spot a super fly girl on campus? Snap a photo and send it to Editor@CollegeCandy.com and she could be featured in a future Campus Couture!

Both in and out of the kitchen, Padma is looks consistently pulled together and fabulous. She’s a big fan of fun and flirty dresses, adorned with draping and beautiful details that are oftentimes inspired by her Indian heritage. She’s got gorgeous gams that she loves to show off in mini-dresses, but she also knows how to pull off (and totally rock) the menswear-inspired look. Lakshmi makes form fitting vests and classic trousers look ultra chic and feminine, which is not easy to pull off.

The most notable (and enviable) aspect of Padma’s signature style, though, is her love of bright colors that flatter her deep skintone. She looks fantastic in everything from bright yellow to hot pink, and she isn’t afraid to wear them. She also gets major bonus fierceness points for not shying away from pieces that expose the large scar on her right arm caused by a car accident when she was younger.

This girl is more than a Style Idol; she’s a freaking fashion hero.

Some girls look really cute in this trend, but I fear that I would just look like the 7th grade version of myself when I used to be a little hefty and could only fit into my older brothers’ hand-me-down flannel shirts. Yeah, those were the days.

On the other hand, maybe this look is good for those of us doin’ the Walk of Shame from our boyfriend’s; instead of looking like a hot mess, we may look uber stylish!

So, what do you think? Is the menswear look hot or very, very not?

George Bush and Sarah Palin meet on Thursday SNL.

The economic downturn has some upsides.

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Porn for the fashion obsessed.

Etch-a-Sketch art.

Are Brad and Angie finally gonna get hitched?

Tips for getting over the breakup (without ice cream sundaes).

Incorporate some menswear into your style.

Check out a sneak peek at this year’s Simpsons Halloween episode.

Sick of all thoe election commercials? Watch these instead.

Calorie Counts: Friend or Foe?

Celebrities are always wearing hats. And looking very chic and sophisicated when they do so. When it comes to the common girl, though, most of us get a little insecure when it comes to donning some headwear. When you wear a hat you usually give off one of two vibes: 1) The “I’m so fashionable and trendy that I wear hats” vibe, or, 2) The “OMG that girl looks ridiculous in that hat” vibe. If you love headwear but you’re nervous that you might be vibin’ with number 2 if you even try on a cute hat in the store, follow these tips. If you know where to buy em and how to wear em, pulling off the hat trend will be a cinch.

Fedora – This menswear inspired felt hat makes a bold statement by itself so make sure the rest of your outfit is relatively low key. Wear it with you’re hair down and use it to dress up a simple classic outfit like Hillary Duff’s. If you’re feeling extra ambitious, try tilting it to one side. Tres chic!

Splurge: Tarnish Fedora With Bow available at Nordstroms – $158.00

Bargain: Stripe Trim Fedora at Forever 21 – $10.80

Cossack – Take a cue from the Russians with a faux fur Cossack hat this fall/winter. These hats will definitely keep your head warm when it’s cold out. The look to aim for with a Cossack hat is luxurious and bundled up. Wear with a nice winter coat (when it starts to get cold out, obviously), a scarf, and boots for the ultimate winter-y look. Shiny lip gloss and pink blush will make you look especially polished and put together. Make sure you take the hat off when you get inside, however, to avoid severe head sweating.

Buy a Russian-Style Faux Fur Cossack Hat at FabulousFurs.com – $49.00

Cloche – These bell shaped French hats are extremely stylish this season and super and easy to wear. A cloche pairs well with any simple, understated outfit. I recommend a sweater, tight jeans, and high heeled leather boots.

Purchase an UGG Australia Classic Back Snap cloche at Zappos.com – $107.10

Or if you’re on a budget try this black felt cloche from Forever 21 – $12.80.

Beret – These are by far my favorite hats. I love the way they look super low-key – like you just threw it on as you ran out the door. This hat is perfect for every season and occassion. Just like the cloche, the knit beret looks great with any outfit, but to avoid lookin’ like you’re trying too hard, it’s a good idea to keep the outfit basic.

Splurge: Marc by Marc Jacobs brown dotted wool pleated beret available at Bluefly.com for $159.00.

Bargain: Basic wool black beret at SolidColorHats.com for $7.50