One of the biggest fashion trends for the 2010-2011 fall/winter season is velvet.  The ultra-soft fabric looks and feels luxurious, so it’s great for holiday parties.  It’s also warm, making it perfect for cold weather.

Just because velvet seems luxe doesn’t mean it has to be pricey, however.  For under $20, you can add any one of these great velvet pieces to your wardrobe this holiday season! Read More »

Here at CollegeCandy, we’ve sort of been obsessed with sequins lately.  And why shouldn’t we be?  Sequins are fun, glam, and, depending on what you style them with, you can rock them day or night.  And while designer sequined clothing can get pretty expensive, these pieces are all under $20! Read More »

I just love purple clothing and accessories for fall.  The deeper and jewel-toned shade you see in stores this time of year are flattering on everyone, and you feel instantly more sophisticated when you wear it (it is the color of royalty, after all).

And not to mention it looks amazing with gray, my other favorite color for fall.  Here are some great purple items to add to your wardrobe this season for $20 or less each! Read More »

[Welcome to Celebrity Chic on the Cheap, where our style guru takes a celebrity look and breaks it down for you, our poor college fashionista. What does that mean? It means that while the celebrities are spending $5,000 on an ensemble (for basics!!) you don’t have to. All you have to do is click on the goods and - boom - you can buy the entire look. For cheap. Yes, we know - there is a spot for her in heaven.]

Kourtney Kardashian is totally my favorite Kardashian sister (no, I’m not ashamed that I even have a fave). Did you know that she’s the only one who went to college? Not that I don’t respect a career path that includes being Paris Hilton’s bestie/leaking a sex tape/capitalizing on having a booty that is basically a work of art or…what is it that Khloe does?

But I appreciate that Kourtney at least didn’t expect to make “shameless fame seeker” her bread and butter, and if the 85736837349 hours of Kardashian footage on E! is to be believed, she is actually interested in being a successful businesswoman.

So basically, I like her/mildly pay attention to her because she’s kind of normal. But moreso because, while her taste in men isn’t top notch (more like bottom of the douchey barrel), her taste in fashion totally is. And this particular outfit’s got me jonesing for a shopping spree. Read More »

Every year, as the snow melts and we are once again able to break out the flippy floppies, we begin to see flowers popping up everywhere. And I’m not just talking about in planters and vases. Florals are consistently a huge spring trend, and this year is no exception.

But there is one difference for Spring, 2010; this year’s florals are taking us back to a simpler time. A time before the Jersey Shore when Blossom, Saved By The Bell and (the original) 90210 were dominating the TV lineup. Yes, the ’90s are knockin’, so open up that closet and let them in. Read More »

As winter break winds down, I’m starting to have nightmares of exams, a jam packed calendar, and having my alarm wake me up before noon. But no matter how much I dread it, next semester is coming and it’s coming fast.

Obviously this has me tearing apart my closet, sifting through piles of jeans and tanks and blazers, letting them all duke it out for a place in my tiny suitcase.

After packing my must-have PMS sweats, I moved on to “work attire,” because, sadly, instead of lounging around the house all day eating leftovers, I will actually have to wake up early and go to an internship when I get back to school.

After my pair of black dress pants and a modest sweater dress made the cut, I was extremely bored. Am I really going to go from partying with friends in my leather jacket and sequined mini to a stuffy button up? I felt my fashionista heart breaking into a million pieces.

That is until I stumbled upon Express during a daily web-surfing session and found the High Waist Cotton Pencil Skirt in Geometric. Suddenly a light bulb went off: Just because I have to wake up early and go to an office like an adult doesn’t mean that I have to leave my fashion-forward college self behind. Read More »

When we finally finish up finals and return home for the holidays, of course we must run to the mall and soak up the holiday cheer: hum along to the cheesy department store music, watch some kiddies take a picture with Santa and sip on a to-die-for Starbucks Peppermint Mocha (seriously if you haven’t tried it, go get one immediately). And then, after an hour of battling the crowds, we realize we can’t afford anything and walk back to our cars with nothing but a caffeine buzz and an empty red Starbucks cup.

And that, my friends, is when you should head to Target. Not only can you get a gift for everyone on your entire list there, but you can also pick up stuff for yourself without feeling guilty. Seriously, they’ve got a ton (and I mean a TON) of really great stuff under $20 lining those racks. I just want it all. And at these prices, I may just get it all. Read More »

So maybe I’m a little late in the game, but 2010 is, like, soon. It feels like only yesterday that I was sitting on my daybed thinking, “this is the last time we can sing ‘Tonight We’re Gonna Party Like it’s 1999′” as I placed 5 too many butterfly clips into my hair and rocked out in my platform gym shoes.

God I feel old.

But I digress. New Year’s Eve is hands down the best excuse to dress up. But that doesn’t mean you gotta splurge on some hot frock that will look great in pictures, but not so great sitting in the back of your closet for the next 2 years because you have nowhere to wear it again. There are plenty of ways to spice up your look for the big night by adding some fun pieces to the stuff you already own. Here are just a few not-a-dress options to ring in the big 20-10. Read More »

With Thanksgiving around the corner (I say this with giddiness…pumpkin pie, football, sleeping all day anyone?) the Holiday Season is about to hit full force. Which means my search for the perfect holiday outfit is officially on. The fact that I spend way too much time shopping online means that, of course, I have already found the perfect piece to jump-start this outfit: Free People’s Summer in the City Sequin Skirt.

But unlike the shimmering strapless red dress that I invested in last year, this year’s statement piece has something that the Christmas-ball-colored-bubble-skirt did not: versatility.

Not only is this skirt perfect for Christmas dinner with my family, but it will look awesome with some sky high heels on New Years with my friends, with some flat black knee-high boots for a date with my boyfriend, and with some opaque tights, flats and a cardigan for work or class. Honestly, this skirt is a fashionista’s dream come true.

The skirt is super flirty and feminine with a chiffon overlay and beaded embellishments, but it’s short length and contrasting hemline make it endearingly edgy at the same time. This contrast means I can play up the feminine for work or family holidays, and indulge my inner rocker chick with a leather jacket and some chain jewelry for girls’ night out.

And the fact that it’s lightweight means I can bring it into the spring and summer too with a cardigan and a pair of embellished sandals. This skirt is really going to get around.

I don’t feel as guilty forking over the $100 knowing I am going to get so much wear out of it, unlike the red dress which still sits sparkling in the back of my closet, longing to go to class but knowing it can never have the dressed down versatility of my new Free people skirt.

I’m pretty sure there is nothing better in life than a really fantastic sale section. Especially at a store stocked with things you already love. Take home some awesome finds on the cheap? Yes please!

Much like Urban Outfitters and Express, Tilly’s is chock full of really cute stuff at a somewhat “affordable” price. But it is in their fabulous sale section where you really hit the fashion jackpot. They’ve got everything from basics to statement pieces to stock your closet, and all of it is ch-ch-cheap. Here are a few items I found to be totally darling and will fulfill your inner frugalista. Read More »