[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 (or trying-to-come-back celebrities, like J-Lo) are spending $5,000 and more on an ensemble, you an spend way less...and save the rest for Margarita Mondays.]

Lake Bell isn’t exactly an A-list actress, although she has been working steadily for almost a decade (most recently, you may have seen her being hilarious in No Strings Attached). However, she is definitely A-list in the fashion world, as her red carpet style has been garnering her tons of accolades for the past few years. She has a reputation for having a quirky style that is different from a lot of other starlets around her age. And I like quirky.

I also like cheap, which works out well for me, because Lake’s uniquely gorgeous outfit is easy to create on my meager college budget. Read More »

Dresses are usually the go-to item when getting ready for a night out on the town. And for good reason! They’re cute, they’re sexy and there’s nothing easier than slipping on a dress and some shoes and heading out. But I challenge you to think outside the box a little bit and embrace the shirt and skirt combo. This alternative is far more versatile in that it allows for more choices; you can mix and match tops and skirts to create infinitely more looks. That means that the skirt you buy goes way further than that LRD that you can’t wear more than once a month because (oh the horror!) everyone recognizes it.

Skirts in all their sexy, flirty glory are the perfect alternative to the dress. Heck, you can even make a skirt and top LOOK like a dress, all while getting the versatility of picking the type of top you want. Want more coverage? Go for a crewneck long sleeve tee. Want to exercise your right to bare arms? Go for a tank. Really the possibilities are endless.  Read More »

Oh the joys of summer – sunshine, beaches, the end of school, sandals… and of course, rising hemlines!

As the temperature starts to rise, it’s time to bare those legs, soak up a little vitamin D (just make sure to wear sunscreen!), and enjoy the lovely weather. Sure, you could wear shorts, but then you gotta deal with that whole “thighs rub together and shorts ride up” situation. Plus, skirts are way more fun, and a cuter, flirtier way to show off those gams.

So enjoy the start of summer with a skirt. Here are 16 perfectly adorable options to choose from. Just remember, knees together when you’re getting out of the car.  No one needs to see you pull a Britney! Read More »

So I know that half the country is covered in pounds of snow right now, but for some reason I can’t get my mind off the sunshine. All I can think about is pretty colored drinks in hollowed out fruits (and what I’ll be wearing when I drink them). Plus, spring break is coming up sooner than I realized, which means that in the hours that I’m not in the gym (or thinking in my head that I should be at the gym when I’m really on the couch eating Doritos) I’m shopping online for some cute spring outfits.

And let me tell you, I’m drooling over these trends!

If you’re ready to lose the Uggs; the long, colorful scarves; and the gorgeous riding boots behind like me, then read on to know what to start shopping saving money for this spring! Read More »

Just because summer is over, doesn’t mean you have to mourn. With the start of fall comes new opportunities – including new clothes (!!!). And what’s one piece you just gotta get this season? The skirt. It’s chic and fun and more versatile than a pair of jeans.

Yes, really!

Skirts can be worn dressed up or dressed down. You can wear them over bare legs to show off that tan, or layered over a fun pair of tights when the weather gets cool. You can rock them to class with a tank and flats, or pull ‘em up a little higher with a tucked in cami and some heels for a night on the town. There is so much fashion opportunity with a skirt, you’d be a fool not to get at least one. Or, you know, all sixteen of these. Read More »

It’s easy to transition your entire summer wardrobe into fall with a few pairs of tights. Yes, that’s all you really need.

Throwing some tights in the mix is insanely cheaper than buying a new wardrobe (the Hue tights, above retail for only $12.50 or 2 for $20) and you can really create tons of new outfits with just a few pairs. Tights can function merely to keep your legs warm when it gets chilly while also adding style with bright colors and patterns.

And you can do it all with everything you’ve already got cluttering your closet. Here are some looks to try: Read More »

There’s nothing that puts a smile on my face like finding a fantastic bargain, and since we all wanna look good in a crappy economy, finding those deals is even more important these days.  Each week I’ll feature one store/website where you can find eight A-dorable items for under $20 (not too shabby, right?).

This week I’m featuring Mandee.  While some of their stuff admittedly looks like it costs under $20, it’s a great place to find cute basics, cheap denim, and certain trendy pieces that probably won’t last more than one season (so paying under $20 is perfect).  Another bonus: they often have good sales that make their stuff even more of a bargain.

Summer’s more than halfway over and school will be back in session before we know it, but there’s still plenty of warm weather to be had (and hey, you can usually utilize some of your cute summer clothes for those early days of fall semester) which means it’s not too late to buy halters, flip flops, shorts or skirts, especially when you can find ‘em this cheap. Read More »

[We all live busy lives: we go to school or work (or sometimes both), we try to keep our lives in order and, on top of everything else, we try to maintain a social life.

It can all be a bit overwhelming at times, especially when you’re running here, there and everywhere, and in the process of it all, still trying to look cute.  On a weekly basis, I will be posting a guide for an outfit that looks super cute and casual during the day, but you can easily rock out at night with a few accessory additions and/or a change of shoes.  And maybe, just maybe, it’ll help ease the stress of life a little bit because, hey, when we look good, we feel good, right?]

It’s easy to bring out your wild side this season with the offerings of ikat and other tribal prints available in darling dresses, skirts and tops.  And a bonus is that with the right style, this print can easily look fabulous no matter what time of day you’re rockin’ it.

Read More »

Maxi dresses are everywhere and are not only super cute and stylish (in that boho kinda way), but they’re a perfect look for everything from shopping, museum hopping, or BBQing in the park, to a glamorous evening on the town. And all you need are a few quick changes.

You can find maxi dresses in all sorts of price ranges, but if you’re looking for less expensive versions, your best bets are Target , Wet Seal ,Charlotte Russe or Forever 21.  I love the colors and style of this dress, and the halter style works well for those of us who are on the bustier side (I would also recommend wearing a tank or a tube top underneath if you’re not wanting to Leave it to Cleavage).

Read More »

With spring fast approaching (it’s mid-March already?), the floral trend is once again in full swing. Although most people are fairly familiar with this repetitive trend, there are a few things to keep in mind when you’re rocking petals on your outfit.

Here are the 3 biggest tips for keeping florals feminine and sophisticated:

1. Watch the colors you choose for florals. When you pick out a floral-printed piece, make sure you have an item that will go with it and match at least one of the colors.

2. Choose floral patterns that are proportionate to your size and shape. If you are small or big, wearing a huge flower pattern will make you look more so. Also, rock florals on a part of your body you want to bring attention to, not the ones you want people to ignore!

3. To avoid looking like you just escaped from the nursing home, pick floral items in soft, flowing materials such as silk. And make sure they skim your curves but don’t look too tight. Read More »