Do you know what today is?

Yes, it’s Thursday.
But it’s not just any old Thursday. It’s the most fabulous Thursday of 2010.

It’s the first day of New York Fashion Week!

As we speak, the world’s biggest designers are putting the final touches on their ferosh spring 2011 looks, Rachel Zoe is going bananas over the Oscar looks she’ll inevitably find at the shows, Lindsay Lohan is waiting with baited breath to see if she’ll get any front row seats this year (I’m putting my money on no), and Anna Wintour is scouling from behind a pair of oversized sunglasses (standard).

Meanwhile, we’re busy living the slightly less glamorous life: writing the first papers of the year, getting back into the groove of seemingly endless homework assignments, or – if you’re as lucky as I am – studying for grad school admissions tests.

Let’s face it: the closest any of us college-going girls are going to get to this year’s Fashion Week is an impromptu clothing swap with our roommates. Read More »

Photo Credits: 1 – Heidi Klum, 2 – Behnaz Sarafpour, 3 – Style Scrapbook via Lookbook

The ’70s are back in a big way, especially in the denim world. If you don’t believe me, check out MK and Ashley’s new denim collection TEXTILE Elizabeth and James (Victoria Beckham is also a flare fan). Skinnies have become the norm (and will probably stay that way), but if you are looking for an alternative to your favorite straight-legged bottoms, this Fashion Challenge is the one for you. Read More »

Safety pins are no longer just for those dire emergencies when you’re getting your dance on, trying to get low, and then you split your skirt and need to pin it. (Yes, if you’re wondering, this may have happened to me recently.) Metallic safety pin inspired fashions are all over the runways this season.

They’re making a statement on necklaces, earrings, bathing suits, purses, and anything else you can imagine. Whether metallic or color, safety pins can add an extra edge and funk to your wardrobe!

I needed inspiration on how to best incorporate this season’s look into my college wardrobe, so I looked to my all time favorite DIY craft heroes, the ladies over at P.S. I Made This, and they did not disappoint!

Here is an inexpensive, easy, and fun way to transform your plain tank-top-and-jeans-typical-college-girl look to runway ready diva. Seriously, it’s so easy you’ll wonder why you didn’t think of this sooner. Read More »

Whitney Port, ex-“Hill’s” star and current star of “The City,” recently showed her newest Whitney Eve collection at the Fresh Faces in Fashion event in Miami, FL.  Co-star Lauren Conrad has proven to us all that just because someone dresses well or has trendy personal style, does not make them a good designer (or even a good discount designer).  Arch-nemesis Heidi Montag has also proven that turning yourself into real-life Barbie does not mean you can change your career choice daily: you cannot be a “singer” one day and a “designer” the next.

After two boring, copycat lines from these battling blondes failed miserably, we all expected (and maybe hoped?) that Whitney’s would be equally lame.  Just because of her MTV status, Whitney is a character that we love to hate.  We deem her untalented, famous for being famous and of course we all know that her “jobs” are staged for the show.  Before her lines are even shown, we get ready to read Whitney-bashing reviews and joke about how much they suck. Read More »

[It's pretty obvious that the average CollegeCandy reader has some very strong opinions. Opinions that she likes to share with everyone on the site. We love a strong woman (unless she happens to be charging at us with her fists raised), so we thought we'd give her a real forum to discuss her thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. Every Friday I'll be featuring a hot topic (like Valentine's Day!) and leaving it up to you, the readers, to duke it out. So, read it and get your debate on in the comments section below!]

I really thought that this trend was going to die last year, but apparently, I really missed it on that call. From what I have seen so far from the runways and red carpets, sheer is back for spring. And I’m not just talking sheer here – I’m talking “hello world, here’s my bra” no tank top, sheer. I give it up to models, they can strut down the runway in just about anything and make it seem like an OK idea, but in the real world, can anybody make this work?

On the one hand, I kinda like the idea of sheer – it’s sexy and, let’s face it, this is probably the only time in my life I’m going to have a body that can come anywhere close to being OK that uncovered. Plus, I have a lot of pretty bras that I never really wear because they show under clothes, so sheer could definitely help get my money’s worth on that front (and the boy toy gives a thumbs up to anything that involves seeing bras). While I might not be as bold with it as some of the celebs I’ve seen (holy crap, Leighton!) a sheer top + cute bra + jacket could totally be cute for grabbing a drink with the girls. Hey, as long as we’ve got youth on our side, we might as well embrace it, right? Read More »

[America has more name brands than Law and Order reruns and while you may want to go unload your entire check at GAP or Abercrombie, you don’t want to buy something that you thought was cute and unique and later have buyer’s remorse when you see something identical for less.

I’m not encouraging you to start buying knock off Jimmy Choos from Payless and wanna-be BCBG dresses at Walmart (although, just throwing it out there, you may find some very GOOD knock offs). All I’m saying is you should know that EVERY store is competing with another store and when you shop competitively, you save money. Money that you can use to stimulate the economy…or your wardrobe.

So I thought I’d help you sift through the proverbial mall and figure out which stores are best for your budget. Each week I’ll be comparing apples to apples (or undies to undies) to give you the real deal and arm you with the knowledge you need to make the wisest wardrobe choices. Ready. Set. SHOP.]

New York & Co. and Express both sell clothes that most would consider “Business Casual/Professional Wear” and “Evening Wear.” And while you may not by your ridiculously sexy homecoming dress there, if you want to look sophisticated, sexy and like a grown up, these two stores are contending for your money.  Going to an interview? Don’t know what to wear to your job’s “Grab Bag/Potluck” Soirée? Still haven’t quite decided what you’re packing for thanksgiving dinner? Read on and win. Read More »

Punk rock influences abound this season with studs, zippers, skinny black pants, leggings, leather jackets and more. Whether you go head-to-toe rocker or wear a single piece to toughen up your look, this trend is singing our song. Here are some of our favorite pieces at every price: Read More »

Epperson’s model’s did. But we’ll get back to that later.

Last night’s episode of Project Runway made me realize three things:

1. When models aren’t walking the runway, they have zero sense of personal style.
2. Many of the designers on this season of PR would make great designers for Delias or Forever 21.
3. I should have had one more drink at happy hour if I really wanted to enjoy this show.

Yeah, I said it. No matter how much they try and make this season of Project Runway match those of the past, it’s really just falling flat for me. I don’t know if it’s because some of the designers are old (I don’t need to see Epperson tear up as he sews a frock) or because none of them are Christian Siriano (or even Stella!), but I find each episode more boring than the next.

I had some high hopes last night. And not only because I had some cocktails before the episode began. I really thought the challenge – dressing models for an industry event – would lead to some serious drama, both on and off the runway.

Instead, I watched as some really beautiful women explained some really God-awful ideas (“I want to look like a classy, chic, elegant…tiger.”) to the designers. I mean, really? A bright blue jump suit with gold rope? That sounds eerily similar to what I wore in my tap recital…when I was six…and we were dancing to “The Good Ship, Lollipop.”

Don’t get me wrong; some of the models had a really awesome sense of style, but it’s now clear that modeling means looking good in clothes…that other people put on you. The end. Read More »

Fashion Week is here.
Fashion Week is here!!

I’ll admit it: I may be one of the only people who looks forward to fashion week more than Welcome Week (yeah I said it). But you know that when you come out of your week long drunken haze and find yourself bored in class (after all, one can only stare at her econ professor for so long wondering how this man who can barely speak a word of English is allowed to teach economics at a major university), you will need to preoccupy that boring classtime with other thoughts.

And what better thoughts than that of Spring 2010? After all, it’s never too early to think about Spring Break – especially when an adorbs Marc Jacobs sundress mini is involved, right? Of course, right. Now that’s a language we can all understand. Read More »

You know what they say in baseball: “Three strikes, and you’re out!” And now we know the same is true in Project Runway.

But more on that later.

First let’s discuss Tim Gunn in flip flops and Wayfarers. If that’s not the best moment in Project Runway history, I’m not sure what is. I just wanted to pinch those little cheeks. But there was no time for that, what with the surfwear team challenge!

Oooooh.
Aaaaah.

Everyone knows that team challenges are a disaster and a half, so I had a feeling this episode was going to be pretty delicious. I immediately began placing bets (with myself) as to who would work together best, who would go up in flames like a Sambucca shot, and who would just sorta coast through the challenge and get zero camera time.

It didn’t take me long to figure out that Ra’mon and Milk Dud the dud that is Mitchell would be a whole lot of hot mess. Especially after Mr. Mitch declared that he chose Ra’mon so he could “carry him.” I normally love me an adorable gay man, but this guy is just too much.

And how does he welcome his partner to the team? By criticizing Ra’mon for picking out “some pretty ugly things.” You know what, Mitchell? Ra’mon might have an eclectic taste in fabrics, but at least his clothes look good. Yours, on the other hand… well, we’ve all seen your crap coming down the runway (and the nipples exposed beneath it). And so did the judges, which is why you haven’t made it out of the bottom two yet!

Ooooh, SNAP! Read More »