Every girl needs a good purse (or 12). Whether you’re going for groceries or running from class to class, they are simply essential for holding all your, uh, essentials. Each week, I’m going to show you a fashionable, yet functional purse for the college crowd and let you know why you absolutely need it! I apologize ahead of time to your bank account.

Since my last few picks have been “higher end,” I decided to stick to a budget this week! (I’m doing this as much for myself as I am for all of you. Trust me.)

ALDO is a company founded in the ’70s in Montreal, Quebec, Canada (represent!) by Aldo Bensadoun. In 1993, ALDO skipped across the border and joined my friends in the United States, designing fashionable, affordable shoes before expanding to handbags and other accessories. ALDO is now a giant, international corporation with over 1,000 stores in 160 countries!

The Decourcey is an example of what ALDO does best: takes a classic and put their own spin on it. In this case, they’re elaborating on the classic black, quilted handbag with a chain strap. Made of 100% synthetic material with a semi-matte finish, this bag won’t run your bank account into the ground (like a Marc Jacobs or, gasp, Chanel), but will give you major style points. Like I said, the front is quilted, but the back is solid black. The bag has no obvious front side, so you could wear it either way, making it even more versatile.The chain straps are silver-toned and go with everything you could imagine. Seriously, this bag would look great with a chic leather jacket or a dainty sundress! Read More »

Every girl needs a good purse (or 12). Whether you’re going for groceries or running from class to class, they are simply essential for holding all your, uh, essentials. Each week, I’m going to show you a fashionable, yet functional purse for the college crowd and let you know why you absolutely need it! I apologize ahead of time to your bank account.

Even if you don’t live in a cold climate (like Northwestern Ontario – there is a snowstorm going on as I write this!), you know there is a clear distinction between winter and summer wardrobe pieces, including handbags. For example, a purse covered in mink fur ain’t gonna fly in July. Not only will you look silly, the fur with make your arm hot, causing it to sweat, which will mat the fur and make you smell like a wet dog. Okay, I know, a semi-graphic example, but I think my point has been made. Because of this distinction, it’s important to incorporate some transition pieces into your closet. And this is where the Poya by See by Chloe comes in!

See is the diffusion line of Chloe, a chic French fashion house that is very popular with It Gals. Not only do they have a full ready-to-wear line of apparel, they also make gorgeous bags with the same street-style feel. While it may be hard to pull off a more couture Chloe dress for your day full of classes, a See by Chloe dress would be easy peasy. (Not to mention, easier on the wallet.) Read More »

Every girl needs a good purse (or 12). Whether you’re going for groceries or running from class to class, they are simply essential for holding all your, uh, essentials. Each week, I’m going to show you a fashionable, yet functional purse for the college crowd and let you know why you absolutely need it! I apologize ahead of time to your bank account.

Urban Outfitters has been one of my favorite shops since I was a funky 15-year-old trying to spice up my Catholic school uniform. They specialize in quirky yet stylish fashions for the girl who wants to be a little bit different. Besides carrying great, vintage-inspired clothing, Urban Outfitters also has a phenomenal selection of purses to suit your every need! Many are “online only,” but since they have a great website and even better return policy (seriously, the best one out there), you don’t have to worry about ordering and not loving your purchase.

Cooperative is a company that sells lots through Urban Outfitters, including, of course, some fabulous purses. I couldn’t find ANY brand info about this one, so I can’t really tell you where they come from or the inspiration behind them. If anyone knows, let me know! Read More »

When you go out, you need to be able to carry around all your stuff–money/cards and I.D., keys, phone, camera, lipgloss, etc.–but you don’t want to be weighed down by your usual purse.  Which is why a clutch or wristlet is an absolute necessity for every college girl: they’re small enough that they won’t get in your way while you’re trying to navigate a crowded bar, but big enough to hold the essentials.

These options are all cute, big enough to hold everything you need, and cost $20 or less! Read More »

[The following post was written by the lovely ladies at CollegeFashion.net. Have you checked 'em out yet? You should. Right now. OK, after you read this.]

Though I’m usually into spacious, oversized bags, minimalist-inspired cross body bags have been on my radar for the past few months. Cross body bags are great for those times when you don’t need or want to carry a ton of stuff with you–think simple shopping trips, nights out, or house parties. And since you have to fit all of your things into that tiny space, you’ll make sure to pack only the essentials, right?

Why it’s a favorite:

Security. Not only can you swing a cross body bag over your shoulder and walk with confidence knowing it won’t get in your way, but when you wear one across your body, it makes it difficult for anyone to swipe your stuff. That’s a plus any way you look at it!

Convenience. Let’s be honest: carrying around a cute clutch gets obnoxious sometimes! (Case in point? One of my good friends once brought a big silver clutch to a club and got so sick of carrying it that she threw it away!) And while we love wristlets, they can be annoying when you’re attempting to dance or grab a drink. With a cross body bag, though, you’re covered. Grab your things, slip it on, and forget about it until you need to touch up your lip gloss.

Cost-effective. Small purse, (usually) small price tag! Need I say more?!

Cute! I love the look of a cross body bag with just about any outfit. They’re a little bit sporty, totally chic, and work well whether you’re in an oversized sweater and leggings or a flirty bandage skirt. The hands-free style is catching on and some of our favorite celebrities seem to agree– so make sure to be on the lookout for cross body bags this season! Read More »

Once upon a time, my great friend showed me a little website she knew and loved called Etsy.com. “It’s Betsy without the ‘B’” she said ever so kindly as I typed it into my browser. She did however, fail to tell me I was going to lose an average of 3 hours a day digging into the website and dumping my very shallow money truck into the virtual Etsy ‘shopping cart.’

Etsy.com is fashion crack. And I love it. It puts me in a happy place of inspiration and vintage goodies. Anybody can share and sell their vintage or homemade items on the site. And anybody can put the light out on their paycheck buy the vintage goods.  But sometimes it can be difficult to find that perfect item going for cheap.  Good thing CollegeCandy is here, because we’ve got proof that 8 Under $20 is so pleasantly possible on Etsy.com.

[Important Note]: Some of these items only have one in stock. So if you really fall in love, act fast and whip out that VISA. Otherwise, just go explore Etsy. It has many many beautiful vintage items to lust after. Read More »

Handbags may take home the gold for the biggest problem-poser during the summer months (okay perhaps a close second to melting foundation and yellow pit stains).

All fall and winter I run about my life with a two-ton bag slung over my shoulder (and the red marks to prove it). Seriously stick your hand in there and you’re likely to find half of Sephora, enough snacks to feed a small army and a textbook-sized agenda. And while the chocked full schedule may die down a little during the summer months (making room for the much needed lazy days on the beach…or in bed, whatever), that doesn’t mean that it’s easy to decide what stuff can stay and what has to be left at home.

I love my big bags, but I love my sanity more and there is just no way I could deal with a 12 pound bag in the sweltering heat of summer. Which means a chic, easy-to wear and most importantly compact(!) bag is on the top of my wish list.

And Steve Madden’s Bleigh handbag fits the bill perfectly. Seriously Steve, I now know what love feels like. Read More »

The following post is courtesy of our uber fashionable friends at CollegeFashion.net. Check ‘em out – they rock our socks off.

In Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic series, Becky explains her obsession with Denny and George scarves. They’re super luxurious, super gorgeous, and every girl aspires to own one — and correspondingly, they’re super expensive. Accessorize, on the other hand, is a generic store that sells various accessories, much cheaper than the brand-name Denny and George.

“Usually what happens is, I spend half an hour lusting after scarves in Denny and George, then go off to Accessorize and buy myself something to cheer myself up. I’ve got a whole drawerful of Denny and George substitutes.”

If you’re anything of a strategic shopper with limited funds (practically the definition of a college girl), you may have paused here, like I did, to say… but wait! Why didn’t she stop buying junk at Accessorize, and save up for the Denny & George? Probably if she held off on 10 items from Accessorize, she’d be able to get the scarf! Read More »

Ladies, it’s time to save some moolah to purchase the greatest invention since sliced bread: The Cleavage Caddy!

Yes, the name in itself sounds a little WTF with a pinch of late-night infomercial, but have no fear, the Cleavage Caddy may just be our new savior. What is it exactly? Well it’s a bra…that also simultaneously doubles as a mini-purse! Plus, if you’re wearing a low-cut top, it makes a very cute layering cami.

That’s three essentials for the price of one. Holler.

This may be the most clever invention for women since…let me think…birth control? Think about those nights when you’re out on the town, bar hopping, and along with your 5-inch platform pumps and skinny minny dresses, you have to worry about holding a clutch/purse with all your valuables. With the cleavage caddy, you can easily stuff everything you need to bring (ID, lipstick, money, keys, credit cards, charm and wit) into your cleavage and be a social butterfly the whole night. Not only will you be hands-free for those Long Island ice teas, the cleavage caddy will definitely add a kick to your step. Read More »

I have an unhealthy obsession with handbags, but then again who doesn’t? It just seems like no matter how many you have thrown in the closet, an outfit always manages to emerge requiring a clutch or hobo that you don’t own.

That bag for me at the moment is the Deena & Ozzy Canvas Menswear Tote from Urban Outfitters. I’ve already had a couple of warm weather ensembles that felt like they were missing something and the minute I laid eyes on this bag I knew it was just what I needed.

It reincarnates the lazy, romance of summer with its soft canvas material and adorable buckle strap closure. It reminds me of a student traveling abroad in a romantic European country. And I am ready to bring a little European romance into my totally average American life. The mix of details is genius; the classic canvas tote is updated with a rustic flare from the buckled closure and soft leather detailing.

And the bag is so versatile that you can choose to channel certain details to complete an outfit.

Read More »