Exposed zippers are hot. As in, “if you unzipped this my outfit would fall off” hot (in theory – most items are actually double-layered so no need to worry about someone unzipping you!). They also make a piece more interesting.

This trend, already embraced by celebrities like Kate Bosworth, is a must-have for your wardrobe as it will be going strong well into spring and summer, according to Joyce Chang, features editor of People StyleWatch.

“Whether you’re going more refined or tougher, there’s a zippered look for every one and every budget,” Chang said. Here are a few ideas:

Adding zippers in an unconventional way gives these jackets a much chicer and more interesting appeal. The left jacket from LF ($192) is a good option for light spring outerwear. The right jacket (Marc by Marc Jacobs, $154.90 at Saks) is also cute and unique.

We all love black leggings for a night on the town, but they get a little drab and boring after awhile. Add some edge to your look with these Live Wire leggings ($30) available at Lulu’s. The added zipper is a small detail that really changes the entire look and feel of the pant.

Add this trend into your wardrobe a little more subtly by wearing zipper embellished shoes, like these from Charlotte Russe ($12.49). Pair them with skinny jeans and a long black tank top and you have yourself a new twist on an evening classic.

Here are some more options and ideas from ShopBop. They aren’t cheap, but they are a great inspiration for different ways designers are using the zipper this season. Click on the image to learn more:

With the economy being what it is, I’ve found myself turning to the Internet more and more for both my daily necessities and my fashion cravings. If I see something in a store I like, I immediately look it up online, sometimes while I’m still in the store (thank you, iPhone), to find out if I can get it online for cheaper.

Other stores exist only in the online realm, and those can be very hit or miss. And when they’re selling items from a brand I’ve never tried before, it can be a bit nerve wracking ordering anything. Thank the recession gods, then, that there are websites that sell non-brand but still on-trend fashions for prices that are so low, I can browse, buy, and try out different styles without taking (too much) away from my rent money.

GoJane.com is a perfect example of an online-only store that sells trendy items for super cheap. The items are all GoJane.com brand, but like other trend chasing stores like Forever 21 and H&M, many of the GoJane items are almost identical copies of other popular brands and designer collections. They sell a pretty wide range of items, from shoes to prom dresses, and the clothing is suited for high school, college, and post-grad aged girls.

I took it upon myself to prowl the site, hunting for the best deals and cutest tops, bottoms, and boots, all in order to help you, dear College Candy reader, get started shopping on GoJane.

I’ve been eyeing these stud heel lace-up boots . They’re very similar to these Nine West “CUZZA” lace-up strapped boots, which, in turn, were inspired by a pair of Marc Jacobs’ ankle boots. I actually like the GoJane ones better than the Nine West ones because they’re a bit less rugged looking and a bit more fun. They’re currently on sale for $29.99, originally $42.99.

In college, your typical daily uniform probably consists of whatever jeans are clean and whatever shirt doesn’t smell, but every once and a while you do find yourself needing a cute dress and heels (like, when the parents come and you wrangle them into taking you that expensive Italian restaurant you could never afford on your student loan budget). One of my favorite dresses on the site is this purple chiffon flower tank dress on sale for $29.80. The flowers on the bust remind me of a 3.1 Phillip Lim design and the little princess shoulders and chiffon overlay are so pretty they make me want to wear a garland in my hair and throw a tea party.

If you want to go with a safe bet, try a pair of leggings, like these shiny liquid ones for $16.10, or these fun floral lace ones for $15.60.

Then there are things that I think are just plain ol’ adorable and just want to show you, like this colorblock shirt dress with an oh-so-cute drawstring waist and gold buttons on sale for $10.80, and these I-can’t-believe-how-cheap-they-are sailor jeans with a wide leg and button trim on sale for $28.70.

When you’re done shopping, be sure to use the code GJSHIP50 if your order is over $50 (which really shouldn’t be too hard with all this cute shiz) to get yourself some super nifty free shipping. It’s like shopping in a store…only so much better.

I fully agree with some of the gripes that Leah has with Teen Vogue (seriously, the duration of their internships is growing painful). However, while browsing the site recently, I came upon a program Teen Vogue sponsers that seems like it may be worthwhile.

Teen Vogue Fashion University takes place throughout the weekend of October 26-28 in a variety of venues in NYC. The event is designed for girls ages 18-22 who are looking to become involved in some aspect of the fashion industry.

The list of guest speakers is impressive, ranging from designers Vera Wang and Phillip Lim to Tim Gunn (from Project Runway) to fashion and beauty photographer Kevin O’Brien. For $150, “students” will get to choose which seminars they would like to attend, recieve a tour of the Teen Vogue offices, attend a concert by up-and-coming band Locksley and network with some major names in the fashion world.

In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to meet the Teen Vogue editors and the next GO! International designer for Target (Erin Fetherston, maybe?).

Apparently, sources who had attended last year’s Fashion U claim to have walked away with some sweet giveaways and valuable information.

The downside? You need to apply. Applicants are not informed of their acceptance until mid-September, which may be difficult for girls who live outside of the parameters of NYC. The site doesn’t specify how many people are accepted into the program, so hopefully the range of students is not confined to editor’s daughters and their friends.

Otherwise, I’d say Fashion U is a go. What other opportunity does a normal college girl have to be in the same room with multiple movers and shakers of the fashion world?

At first there were a few labels by celebrities like Sean John by rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs and L.A.M.B. by singer Gwen Stefani. In these beginning stages the public could realistically believe that these few celebrity/designers had a genuine interest in contributing to the fashion world.

It wasn’t long before other celebrities smelled the money making, publicity friendly empire. Labels consisting of basic tanks, oddly shaped jeans, and tacky looking accessories were assembled and thrown into the market. Countless celebrity fashion lines later, it’s quite obvious that this is no longer about the clothes.

As the consumer, we can easily dodge crappy labels and opt to spend our money elsewhere. However, the consumer is not the victim in this story. Those who suffer from the carelessly assembled celebrity fashion labels are young up-and-coming fashion designers. These kids who have wasted thousands of dollars at design school and slaved away for hours in front of sewing machines only to discover their work doesn’t mean a thing. Sadly, an overpriced t-shirt made from cheap material “designed” by a celebrity is generally going to sell quicker than an interesting piece by a breakthrough designer.

Of course there are still a number of individuals around who appreciate decent style and give a handful of young designers the chance to succeed. It’s not impossible for a nobody to break through and become recognized for their extraordinary designs, but this obstacle makes the process a hell of a lot harder.

Personally, I think that most of these celebrities should just stick to what they’re good at- singing, acting, whatever it may be. Of course their clothes will sell, but no respectable woman will ever view a J-Lo velour jumpsuit as the height of fashion. Give the designers a break and if you must, invade a new industry.