Most people think of  plaid as just for prepsters, but it can actually be pretty fashionable! Paired with boots, chunky knits, or dark colors, it’s perfect for the chillier months. But if you’re unsure about adding plaid to your wardrobe, the great news is it’s easy to incorporate it as little or as much as you’d like! Whether you opt for a plaid dress, coat or just accessories, there are lots of options out there that are also budget-friendly! All of these options are just $20 or less each.

initiating the gallery...

Being a college girl on a budget, my favourite patterns are ones that never truly go out of style. Stripes, plaid and polka dots are a few of the staple patterns that can be found almost every season. These patterns are something that you can’t really ever call a trend, because they will always appear in some shape or form each season. Lucky for people like myself with an eternal love for polka dots, designer heavy weights such as Marc Jacobs and Stella McCartney had us seeing spots for their F/W 2011 collections. Yes ma’am, the polka dot is big (but not literally) this season.

What I love about polka dots, is that they have a playful, feminine, flirty vibe to them. That and they are one of the easiest prints to wear (and mix and match!) The size of the spots vary as do the colour combinations, meaning there are spots out there for everyone. Though polka dots are still a pattern, it is quite subtle for those gals just dipping their toes into the world of patterns.

Outfit 1:

There are only a few more weeks left to wear sandals, so enjoy it while it lasts! For a summery look I like this tiered polka dot blouse with a pair of shorts and a sandals. As it’s starting to get colder, a cardigan in a deep olive green is a topping touch. With this look you could easily swap out the sandals for flats and add a pair of tights to stretch how long you could rock it. This top incorporates the sweet peter pan collar that is sixties-inspired, as well as being slightly sheer, making it spot on trend.

Outfit Details: Tiered polka dot top – Forever 21 $19.80, Dolman cardigan –  Old Navy $34.94, Black beaded flip flops – Kohls $7.20, Pleated shorts – American Eagle $35.54

Outfit 2:

Adding a little glitz to your basic black and white polka dots is easy with cute flats and a sparkly bracelet. Though the skirt is a print, as the polka dot is subtle, you can also wear it with a bright colour on top, like this rich, berry t-shirt. A cropped blazer or a faux-leather moto-jacket could be added to this look if you want to wear it at night.

Outfit Details: Purple v-neck – American Eagle $15.09, Polka dot skirt – Forever 21 $17.80
Beaded bracelet – Forever 21 $5.80, Glitter flats – Target $12.99

Outfit 3:

Though I’m a huge fan of skirts and dresses, there are some times that I just want to wear a pair of pants out at night. I’m sure many ladies will agree that their are moments you either want the comfort of pants, or simply don’t feel like shaving your legs. A pair of skinny jeans with sky-high heels is one of my favourite looks for heading out dancing. A pretty polka-dot shirt and a bright slim belt are a way to be covered and classy while still looking great.

Outfit Details: Polka dot tee – Old Navy $17.94, Cheap Monday jeans – Karmaloop $65,
Pink skinny belt – Forever 21 $1.50,  Peep-toe bow pumps – Piperlime $49.99

As plaid never really goes out of style, it’s one of those things that everyone (and their purse-sized dog) has in their closet. If you haven’t jumped onto the plaid bandwagon, or only have your school skirt in your closet,  it’s easy to find plaid on the cheap. As everyone owns plaid, if you’re sick of your current pieces, try swapping with a same-size friend.

As much as I love plaid, there are some challenges with it. First, there’s Catholic school girl stereotype. Second, the farm girl image. And third, the punk-rock princess with safety pins in her skirt. If you play carefully with plaid then it’s pretty easy to avoid these not-so nice plaid stereotypes.

If you don’t want to look like an extra from Hit Me Baby One More Time, avoid knee socks, mary jane shoes and a tied-up shirt with a plaid skirt. To steer clear of a cowgirl get-up, stay away from wearing both jeans and cowboy boots with your plaid. And unless you’re channeling your favorite punk rocker you might want to avoid the ripped mesh shirts. Just some suggestions.

For those looking to keep their plaid looking fresh, here are two suggestions on how to rock plaid on a budget.

The Plaid Shirt: 

For early fall, I love me a plaid shirt with denim shorts. I like the shirt tucked into the belted short, for some preppy flare. A simple flat with bow embellishment and a beaded bracelet in a complimentary color finish off the outfit. When it starts to get a little colder you could add some tights under your shorts, and add the jacket from the outfit below. Transition pieces are the greatest.

Outfit details: Plaid Shirt – $29.50 American Eagle, Cuffed Denim Shorts – $15 Old Navy,
Beaded Bracelet –  $15.25 American Eagle, Belt – $6.80 Forever 21, Bow Flats – $17.99 Target

The Plaid Summer Dress:

I love toughing up a simple, summer dress. While for the final days of summer you can enjoy wearing your plaid dress with sandals, it’s another piece that’s easy to transition. A faux-leather jacket and 3-finger ring are a nice contrast against the girly dress. This is a beautiful blue scarf that would contrast nicely with the pink, but also look good against the black jacket. A pair of trusty Toms finish off the outfit.

Outfit Details: Plaid dress – $31.20 Quiksilver, Faux-leather Jacket – $49.94 Old Navy,
Teal Scarf –  $24.10 American Eagle, 3-Finger Ring – $6.80 Forever 21, Slate Toms – $54 Toms

This summer fashion is taking cues from one of our favorite girls from Kansas, who wore a memorable gingham dress on her journey along the yellow brick road. The modern day interpretation? Checked fabric made into everything from skirts to scarves.

Checked fabric is similar to the ever popular plaid, though, in my opinion, a much more summery version. There’s just something so light and airy about checked fabric, no matter which way you wear it. And, contrary to what you might think, it’s quite versatile. If you opt for a small check, from a distance your piece will look like a solid color, but have a lot more visual interest up close. (Which means you can also mix it up with other prints!) If you’re looking to make a bigger statement, a larger check will be more obvious and add a pop of fun to any spring or summer look.

Got ya sold on checks? Here are 15 items to get you thinking about how to incorporate the pattern into your no-more-school! wardrobe.

Jennifer Lopez has been one of my style icons for over a decade. As a supremely awkward adolescent girl, I used to watch her music videos and drool over her sexy, trendy, totally stunning outfits that she wore with the kind of confidence that I continue to marvel at to this day. After marriage, two kids, and a few colossally embarrassing career moves (Bennifer, anyone?), J Lo still oozes pure, unadulterated diva swagger. And I absolutely love her for it.

Recently, she showed up to an American Idol party dressed in a schoolgirl inspired outfit, abs bared and all. Had anyone else done this, everyone (myself included), would have written it off as another tacky crime against all things fashionable and chic. Yet somehow, when I saw this 41-year-old mother in this pretty blatantly ridiculous ensemble, I saw a regulation hottie wearing a really cool, funky, edgy outfit.

Jacket, Top, Shorts, Heels

So, first of all, I had to ditch the ab baring shirt because we are not extras in Britney’s “Baby One More Time” video. But this ruffled shirt is really cute and feminine, and the low v-neck still adds sex appeal. Plaid is a classic pattern, and this cropped jacket is fun and creates an interesting silhouette (and emphasizes the adorable sleeves on the shirt). Choosing black shorts instead of a black skirt veers this outfit away from being too costume-y and kitschy, but still trendy and hot. And, of course, a J-Lo inspired outfit is incomplete without a pair of pumps to make your legs look glorious.

This would be a great night time look, and could even transition into day time with some tweaks and an extra shot of confidence. Though I still question the logic of asking Jennifer Lopez to judge a singing competition, there is no doubt that she is an amazing judge of what is stylish.

Get more celebrity looks for less here.

It’s the week after Christmas, you’ve spent the weekend enjoying holiday treats and all you want to do is bum around the house. It’s cold outside. You’re cringing at the thought of stumbling out into the treacherous terrain, but you made plans to meet up with a friend. Standing in front of your closet, you stare at the few things you’ve got and wonder how you can possibly stay warm.

Well, grab your trusty pullover sweatershirt, and I’ll show you how to wear it without looking like a slob!

Outfit 1:

Product Info: Sweatshirt, Plaid Shirt, Jeans, Boots, Liners, Hat.

Layer a collared shirt under your sweatshirt to give it a more refined look. If you have a plaid flannel shirt, this look will be super cozy, and yet you’ll still look cute! If it’s slushy outside, put a pair of fleece liners inside your rain boots so your toes will be toasty warm! Top it off with a cute beanie and you’re ready to brave the cold… in style.

Outfit 2:

Product Info: Sweatshirt, Skirt, Tights, Boots, Necklace.

A skirt and thick ribbed tights take your sweatshirt from sloppy to super feminine.  If you want to add a little sparkle to your outfit, a bib necklace is the perfect touch, and it’s an unexpected contrast to the more athletic feel of the sweatshirt. A pair of boots are the finishing touch for this outfit that make this overall look comfortably chic. That means you can go meet your friend for coffee in comfort, and still look cute if you run into your high school crush.

Outfit 3:

Product Info: Sweatshirt, Cords, Blazer, Shoes, Scarf.

If you bought a pair of cords this fall, they’re a cozy alternative to jeans during the winter. (Of course, this outfit does work with jeans as well, if you don’t own cords.) I tossed a blazer over the sweater, and then a cute scarf over top. (Seriously, a blazer and a scarf make everything look better!) Chic and warm, the perfect outfit for winter.

Find out other ways to re-work what you’ve already got stuffed in that closet of yours.

Now is probably one of the best times of the year to think about buying a winter coat. It’s before the first I’m-so-freaking-cold-why-haven’t-I-bought-a-new-coat day, but after stores have brought out loads of coats – and even marked some down! If you’re in need of a new coat this year (or just want something that doesn’t say North Face on the shoulder), Thanksgiving is the perfect time to pick one up. If you’ve moved to a slightly different climate for school, by now you can probably anticipate what you’re going to need to get your butt to class every day; you’ll be home with your parentals’ moolah; and what better time to buy a coat then when you can get one for cheap (Black Friday, anyone!?)?

There are so many styles of coats (and capes!) to suit your personal style and work with your lifestyle. Whether you only go outside when necessary or you need something to watch Quidditch from the sidelines, there’s a coat out there for you. And, damn girl, they are cute!

Ladies, it’s time to embrace the plaid.

OK, before you former uniform-wearing girls get all “I spent the last 12 years of my life in plaid, why on Earth would I wear it once I can finally pick my own clothes each day?!” let me explain. Plaid is so. much. more. than the pattern of choice for schoolgirl kilts; it’s classic, it’s versatile and it’s probably one of the easiest ways to incorporate a multicolored pattern into your wardrobe.

Plaid is one of the 10 Modern Pieces Every Girl Should Own and the plaid shirt has become a uniform for both male and female college students.  It’s easy to wear with jeans, super comfy, and looks good even when it’s been balled up on your floor and you only have 10 minutes to make it to class.  It’s also been super popular for a few years, and appears to have major staying power.  If the plaid shirt isn’t your thing, or you want other ways to incorporate your new favorite pattern into your wardrobe, there are lots of coats, bottoms and accessories out there for you! And each one is cuter than the other.

Another bonus about plaid?  If you’re ever in a bind about what to wear to an ‘I love the ’90s’ party, a plaid shirt is your best bet… Take that, solids!

I’ll admit, a few years ago when leggings came back in style, I thought there was no way I’d wear them. In fact, I told everyone I knew that I’d rather “walk around pants-less than try and pass off some leggings as pants.”

Obviously, I’ve since eaten my words. Leggings are now a staple in my wardrobe and I often wonder how I lived without them. They’re versatile, comfortable and affordable. I wear them to the gym, to class, to work and to party. Not even jeans can do that. And there are so. many. different kinds now! Forget those basic blacks, leggings come in all sorts of colors and patterns now, meaning even more opportunities to wear ‘em. Here are a few pairs you can rock out for under $20.

Betsey Johnson is known for her fun, flirty styles and these snakeskin print leggings live up to her reputation.  You can wear these with a graphic tee for daytime or a sexy top and stilettos for night.

Take a walk on the wild side (or pay homage to Peggy Bundy) with these leopard print leggings. Yes, they seem like a lot, but leopard is very big this season and you can easily tone these down by pairing them with an oversized solid top and some basic black flats.

Think of these baby blues like a pair of jeans: they’re neutral and will go with just about anything. My pick: an oversized tee or button down and a pair of sandals or flats.

If you’re not quite ready for a patterned legging but you’re sick of your boring black pair, these are for you. The zippers on the ankles give them just a little extra spunk and they look adorable with flats.

The lace/damask print on these is casual enough to be worn with a plain top for daytime classes, but stylish enough to be paired with heels and a sexy top for a night out with your fabulous friends.

Denim leggings (AKA jeggings) are back for another season and finding this pair at Anthropologie for half-price makes ‘em even sweeter.

So they’re not technically UNDER $20 (they’re exactly $20), but, really, $20 is totally worth it for a pair of adorable, vintage-inspired pedal pushers.

Who says you can’t go bright? The pop of color and classic plaid print is a perfect spring combo. Throw a loose black or white tank on top and you’re done.

The most delicious guys of 2009.

Denise Richards looking for more publicity.

Smartest t-shirt ever?

Everyone’s mad for plaid.

Get Taylor Swift’s curls.

Does God hate Lady Gaga?