Ditch the Skanky, Remain Sexy [Budget Stylista]

Living in a college town typically makes partying Tuesday-Saturday an acceptable after school activity. This is thrilling and all, but the more I go out, the more I begin to realize how skanky the typical “going out” look has become. Sure, we’re all young with hot bods, but when did style become a free show of goodies? It’s not like I wear a maxi skirt and a zip up to the clubs, but some of these outfits are straight-up embarrassing. Luckily for you, our skanky 2 sexy machine is up and running–ready to clean up some raunchy ensembles. Take your look from “booty call” to beautiful without exhausting your college budget!

Plunging Necklines

Showing off the girls is fun, and going out is the right time to do it. However, boobage flying around while doing the cat daddy is not the classiest move. Go for a sweetheart neckline that allows a good amount of cleavage to show without going all willy-nilly. Even if you don’t have much to show, it cuts low enough to give the illusion.

Caged Sweetheart Dress $48.00

Sheer fabric is a beautiful detail that can be really flattering. But when you can make out a nipple, it becomes a problem. Choose the location of your sheer fabric wisely, preferably in low ‘slip’ risk areas on the body.

Peplum Mesh Dress $58.00

Bold patterned dresses aren’t very skanky, but they definitely make you look like a cheeseball. Nicki sports a galaxy printed dress that would be appropriate for…….actually, it’s not appropriate for anything. Class up this look with a bold tank dress that flatters and spotlights.

Leona Caged Dress $68.00

Alright, Tila Tequila is obviously the poster child for skanky clothes, but I guess she owns it pretty well. Lace has become really popular, but the whole bra under a layer of lace thing has got to go. Just because it’s the same color does not mean it’s acceptable. Layer the lace dress over a light slip for a classy, yet feminine look.

Nom de Plum by Ya Ya Swank Dress $69.00

 

I love cut outs. I think they’re a really chic way of showing skin. However, when the amount of skin showing rivals the amount of fabric, it’s skanky. Opt for a simple LBD with torso cut outs, a perfect hybrid of elegant and sexy.

Lucca Couture Cutout Dress $59.00

www.fashionablymeg.blogspot.com


How to Have a Stylish Spring on Campus [Budget Stylista]

Oh, the glamorous life of college kids. From the lectures, to the parties, to the late night library sessions, to the awkward Sunday morning walk of shames. This is our weekly schedule. This is how we roll through the best four years of our life! Here in the Midwest, awkward weather has set in. One week, 85 degrees. And the next week? 36. This has caused much style confusion throughout campuses as I witness athletic shorts and tees worn to the clubs, denim shorts and tall UGG boots worn to the dining halls and even sequin dresses and wedges worn to class (uh, did you think this was Bar Hopping 101 or are you wearing your outfit from last night?). Granted, I’ve been a bit off myself. My thought process is along the lines of “60 degrees…warm enough for a short sleeve blouse but not enough for denim shorts?  It’s sunny and slightly warm out but my classrooms are already blasting out the cold air, so UGG boots and a tank top?” Awkward.

As your Budget Stylista, I’ve decided to go over affordable, proper spring attire for the library, classroom and local bar. Hopefully that chick from Bio who wears a maxi dress and Converse reads this post. Read More »


Candy Dish: What Happened to James Franco’s Body?!

Ever think you wouldn’t want to see Franco shirtless!?

Lindsay says she will never see a judge again

Who is your favorite Will Ferrell character?

Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens strip down for ‘Spring Breakers’

Get ready for spring with these beauty tips!

Matt Bomer to play Blaine Anderson’s brother on Glee

5 ways to simplify your cyber life

Do you have your pastel nail polishes for spring?

Have you seen these jeans with a built in picnic table?!


Candy Dish: Robert Pattinson Topless for ‘Cosmopolis’

Robert Pattinson shirtless in ‘Cosmopolis’ trailer

Larry David has a real life Curb moment in a parking garage!

Find out who Jennifer Lawrence pictured as Katniss [Video]

Anna Wintour wears sunglasses inside because she can

Fashion inspired by Adam Levine

Houses you dream about!

How to have a great 90s bachelorette bash!

American Idol’s Jessica Sanchez gets a standing ovation!

Check out these trends for spring 2012


Candy Dish: Reading is Sexy

What his favorite book says about him

Is your favorite show staying on the air?

The best natural remedies

Does this look like the ideal woman to you?

I don’t know who Ricky Whittle is, but he’s hot

6 spring trends to watch out for

Aubrey O’Day dyes her dogs’ hair

New Found Glory still exists

Coolio is now in the same jail as his son

[Lead image via JHershPhoto/Shutterstock]


Budget Stylista: Carrying Change With a Della Tote Bag

One of the most refreshing looks to come out of Mercedes-Benz fashion week? The tote bag! Spring is the perfect time to ditch that impractical, understated clutch you’ve grown so attached to. It’s been some time since you took your entire makeup bag out to lunch, so don’t feel bad tossing everything but the kitchen sink into a fab tote bag. For these past few winter months, we’ve been making statements while keeping warm with layers upon layers of clothing. As we start thinking about lighter looks, it’s the perfect time to play up a great statement bag. If you’re looking for a burst of cheery color and fashion with a conscience, check out DellaLA, a company that creates gorgeous products as well as helps the women of Hohoe, Ghana. Read More »


Budget Stylista: Getting Waisted on Spring Style

Whether it be the latest look of Betsey Johnson’s spring/summer collection, Lauren Conrad photographed glamming it up in Hoboken or seeing that trendy chick in your biology class rock something fresh, there is no denying that spring trends are taking over. Completely over my dry skin, frizzy hair and all this winter weather in general, I have no problem developing an unhealthy addiction to the latest looks. I will be celebrating the first official day of spring in one of my favorite new trends: High-waist, distressed denim shorts.

I discovered the trend in early January as I tried to drown out my winter blues by searching swim suit designers on Etsy.com. For those of you who don’t know about Etsy, it’s a fabulous site serving as a virtual boutique for up and coming designers that create unique, one of a kind crafts, clothes and accessories. Thrift store junkies-this is your haven! While searching wedges, tank tops and swim suit cover ups, I stumbled upon a collection called BajuesBest.

BajuesBest consisted of numerous pairs of denim shorts. Not simple blacks, whites or navy pairs, but gorgeous works of art. Each pair was personalized with ombre dyes, studs and vintage cuts. I immediately fell in love with the fit and fades of unnatural denim colors. I contacted the designer (or should I say artist) Julia, and received a pair of high-waist charcoal denim along with a faded, studded, pink vest that made me feel like a cleaner, more fashionable form of Ke$ha.

(SaboSkirt.com)

The shorts fit snugly against hips and right below the belly button. They are such a fabulous alternative to the classic t-shirt and jean shorts. Slip on a pair, tuck in your tee, add a pair of lace-ups, a bold necklace and you’ve turned your ensemble from June-casual to spring collection chic. SaboSkirt.com offers beautiful pairs for an average of $98.00, but if you’re a struggling college student budget-stylista like myself, go grab a fabulously fitting, great quality and one-of-a-kind pair of BajuesBest for $40.00. If you’ve stuck to your New Year’s resolution of cutting back on the Mickie D’s dollar menu, this is a great opportunity to show off your long limbs and tight back end, as well as your favorite statement wedges. Grab a pair, snap a pic and add your photo to the comments section; I’ll pick my favorite to be featured in an upcoming article of my favorite spring trends.

Let’s be real, the best part of spring break is looking fabulous & getting waisted.

All of the above from BajuesBest


Hot or Hot Mess: Keira Knightley in Rodarte at the 2011 Jameson Empire Awards

[Like it or not, we all judge people every day. Especially when it comes to their fashion choices. From the girl with the too-short skirt for class to the old guy who insists on wearing short shorts and doing butterfly stretches at the gym (yeah, try to get that visual out of your head), it's impossible not to form an opinion. And now we're gonna share those opinions with the world. Every week, I'll be highlighting a celebrity look that I may love/hate/not understand and see what you, my college fashionistas, think about it. So put on your Joan Rivers fashion cap (which is undoubtedly made out of all the skin she's had nipped and tucked over the years) and let it all out.]

One thing I love about being British is the word “quirky.” This word is frequently flung around as an affectionate way of saying that we dress kinda eclectically and often downright weird. It’s the word that allows us to get away with looking like our Grandmas and wearing our boyfriend’s clothes (the delightful Ms. Chung springs to mind). But being “quirky” and a little out-there doesn’t always work, no matter how willowy you are.

Take this dress for example. It has that perfect “found-this-in-a-vintage-store” look, despite the fact it’s price was probably closer to that of a yacht. But it also looks a little too grungy. It really should be a gorgeous dress, with the light tan color, pretty sparkles and adorable collar, but I’m not sure if it’s the odd shoulder that looks like it’s falling off her, or the tiered skirt, but it definitely looks like something old Aunt Hilda donated to Goodwill. I like that she’s kept her makeup and jewelery simple with so much going on in the dress, but maybe a lighter shoe would have tied the look in better — or a black clutch to pull together the black shoes. Read More »


8 Under $20: Summer Shorts

Even on the hottest days, I’m more likely to be seen in a skirt or dress than shorts — the reason being that I’ve just never really been the biggest fan of shorts, because I’ve never seen them as particularly fashionable. Sure, they’re suitable for working out or for a more casual occasion like a sporting event, but not for much else. Or at least that’s the way I used to feel about shorts.

The more and more I see celebrities or other fashionistas wearing shorts, I’ve started to think that my old feelings about them may have been wrong. When styled appropriately, shorts can look cute and even downright chic. And with so many different styles, colors, and patterns of shorts available, like the eight unique styles seen here, there’s a pair out there for everyone!


 


Hot or Hot Mess: Ashley Olsen in The Row Red Suit in New York

[Like it or not, we all judge people every day. Especially when it comes to their fashion choices. From the girl with the too-short skirt for class to the old guy who insists on wearing short shorts and doing butterfly stretches at the gym (yeah, try to get that visual out of your head), it's impossible not to form an opinion. And now we're gonna share those opinions with the world. Every week, I'll be highlighting a celebrity look that I may love/hate/not understand and see what you, my college fashionistas, think about it. So put on your Joan Rivers fashion cap (which is undoubtedly made out of all the skin she's had nipped and tucked over the years) and let it all out.]

Let’s face is, style-wise, the Olsens often make some… er….unusual fashion choices, but usually end up looking incredibly chic in something that really, really shouldn’t work. But does this outfit just cross over the line of odd?

Ashley Olsen stepped out of her New York apartment this week in a red suit from her and Mary Kate’s line, The Row, and black and gold Chanel sandals. The outfit was perfectly on-trend with this season’s brights, and I love the striped shirt under the jacket, but I’m not sure how I feel about the sandals. Perhaps this would have looked better (or less school-teacher-trying-to-look-”hip”) with more fitted-style trousers and oxfords instead? Or maybe the whole suit is the problem. The ill fit makes it look like something Ms. Olsen picked up at the local Salvation Army….

What do you think, is this outfit a hit or a miss?