[Do you ever feel like you can’t pull something off? Have trendy pieces in your closet that you would never have the courage to actually wear out? Well take those pieces out, shake off the dust, and continue reading!

In this series, I will choose a different piece that can be difficult to incorporate into an outfit and give you ideas on how to wear it. If there’s anything you would like to read about in the future, please leave a comment!]

It’s really starting to get cold out there now, but you can stay warm by adding a few furry touches to your wardrobe. Models on the fall runways sported real fur, but faux fur is a more wallet- and animal – friendly option. While it may be a little unrealistic and over the top for a college girl to sport a big fur coat, here are some ways you can subtly slip this trend into your wardrobe:

1) On the hood of your coat/sweatshirt (bonus warmth if it lines the coat too!). This is a really simple way to add some faux fur to your look. Wear it with jeans and your warmest boots.

Coat, Abercrombie & Fitch $200. Jeans, Seven For All Mankind $165. Boots, EMU Australia $90. Bag, Forever 21 $26.80.

Here are some more furry hood options. Click to learn more:

2) On your collar. This look was huge this fall and looks very chic and sophisticated.

Coat, Juicy Couture $385. Jeans, Charlotte Russe $30. Bag, Old Navy $16.50. Boots, Steve Madden $100.

Some more faux fur collared coats:

3) On your legs. Boots with the fur are always cute and stylish for winter. Tuck your jeans in, or wear them with leggings to keep your feet cozy.

All I can ask is that, no matter how cold it is at your school, PLEASE don’t succumb to this trend and wear these ugly things (I’m not even telling you where they’re from!):

4. On your head. Winter accessories are another great way to add some fur without looking crazy. Here are a few great faux-fur options.

Instead I saw Seven For All Mankind, Paige, Primp, BCBG, Free People, Steve Madden, etc. etc. etc: What distinguishes these particular brands from Forever 21, Charlotte Russe, or those created by T.J. Maxx and Marshall’s? After questioning several of my designer brand sporting friends and trying to justify several of my own purchases, I came up with the following list:

SIX REASONS TO GO DESIGNER

1. Product Quality – Many people who don’t believe in buying designer brands say that you are only paying for the brand name and that the product is no better than any other. While you are paying in part for the “privilege” to wear the brand’s name, you are also probably purchasing a product that is high quality. For example, I buy designer denim because it fits better and lasts longer than the jeans I buy for $25.00 at Bob’s. Designer clothes are usually made from finer fabrics and have superior stitching compared to those of bargain stores.

2. Consistency – Most people who wear designer clothes swear by a few designers. For example, someone might own thirty pairs of Paige jeans but refuse to even look at Joe’s Jeans. Both are expensive, high quality brands, so what’s the difference? Paige jeans consistently fit, last, and look great, where Joe’s Jeans aren’t as flattering (this isn’t my personal opinion, it’s just an example). People keep going back to the same brands because they consistently perform well for them.

3. Self Identity – Certain brands represent certain things (according to the advertising class I took last semester). For example, Ralph Lauren represents classic preppy. Club Monaco is worn most often by young stylish professionals. Abercrombie reminds you of a skinny and popular thirteen year old girl. People buy certain brands because what you wear represents who you are.

4. Social Status – Wearing designer clothing aligns you with an elite group: those who can afford it. People who wear designer clothing recognize designer clothing. They can also usually recognize cheap clothing. When you are wearing a Juicy Couture dress, you appear wealthier and of higher social status than others. And who doesn’t want others to be insanely jealous of your clothes?

5. Uniqueness and Rarity – Ok, so this one is pretty similar to #3 and 4, but I have another point I need to make. Why is a Monet painting so expensive? Because it’s rare. Why are designer clothes so expensive? Bingo, you got it. If you pay $45.00 for an (overpriced) Abercrombie tank top, I guarantee you that during its shelf life in your wardrobe, you will run into at least 3 people who own the exact same tank and at least 20 people who own a tank very similar. If you pay $500.00 for a pair of Balenciaga shoes, I can almost guarantee you that no one else will be wearing them at the same time as you. You’re never going to experience that awkward moment where you bump into someone wearing the same outfit as you, which you probably handle by smiling and saying “Nice outfit!”

6. Celebrities Wear Designer Clothes – Yes, it’s stupid to buy something just because Nicole Richie wears it. Have I done it? Yup. I own three Primp tops even though the only reason Primp became trendy is because Paris Hilton and Britney Spears both wear it. Celebrities started the big sunglasses trend (or Rachel Zoe started making celebrities wear big sunglasses). Now I own a pair of huge sunglasses (which my boyfriend doesn’t hesitant to call hideous). People copy celebrities, and no matter how shallow or sheep-in-a-flock syndromish (yea it’s not a word) that is, it’s always going to be that way. Celebrities are like living bulletin boards for designers.

So there you have it – the 6 main reasons people wear designer clothes. I’m not saying that you should wear designer clothes, but I’m also not advising you against it. My wardrobe consists of a mix of American Eagle, H&M, and random deals I got on designer items (courtesy of Filene’s Basement and the demise of Jasmine Sola). Do I think it’s a little ridiculous to spend $2,500 on a dress you’re going to wear once? Yes. Would I do it if I could afford it? Of course!

It’s important to remember that fashion is an art, and clothes designed by Dior or Emilio Pucci are works of art. They are meant to be looked at, admired, and copied. And worn by rich people and famous style icons (who want to be looked at, admired, and copied). And finally to be discovered and treasured by you and when you get your hands on them for half the price!

I’m not at all surprised.

Even more so than a purse or shoes, sunglasses are the first thing people notice about your outfit. You wear them all day and some people, like myself, wear them everyday. So why not drop as much on a pair of Gucci shades as you do on a pair of Manolo’s if you’ve got the spare change?

In recent years sunglasses have become the new It accessory. Pictures of Nicole Richie in oversize glasses that engulfed her tiny head became as ubiquitous in tabloids as pictures of Britney Spear’s cellulite, and the Olsen twins are now more famous for their Ray-Ban Wayfarers than their Balenciaga Motorcycle bags. Even wearing sunglasses at night has become popular with hundreds of pictures of drunk hipsters wearing the Kanye West designed shutter shades in dark clubs on websites like lastnightsparty.com.

If you’re like me and you can name the designer behind a pair of jeans based on the stitching on the back pocket (and you know that Seven7 jeans are nothing like 7‘s), and you can identify a Marc Jacobs or Chloe bag based on the metal hardware, then it makes sense to think about spending hundreds on a pair of sunglasses. Unlike a t-shirt, which can’t be easily identified (who can really tell the difference between an Alexander Wang tank and an American Apparel one, anyway?), sunglasses are as identifiable as jeans or purses. When you spend $300 on a pair of shades you’re not doing it for the UV protection, you’re doing it for the status. It’s a two fold thing. You’re letting everyone know that: 1) you know fashion, and 2) you can afford to spend $300 on a piece of plastic and metal.

The problem is, not everyone can afford a pair of Chanel or Karen Walker (my personal favorite) sunglasses. Instead of trying to save up and buy shades I’ll probably just scratch or lose, I prefer to buy several pairs (okay, maybe tens of pairs) at stores like Forever 21 that make fantastic knock-offs of designer styles. Instead of buying just one pair that goes with every outfit, I buy separate pairs for separate outfits.

Whether you chose to spend a lot on one pair or to spend little on many, many pairs, remember to take care of them. Invest in a nice case and a soft glasses cleaning cloth. Nothing is worse then spending your hard earned dough on something you accidentally step on when you roll out of bed in the morning or crush in your trendy, over-sized (and over-priced) handbag.

[Image from thesun.co.uk]