Peppered throughout magazines and blog sites are optimistic articles about delicious summer activities and fashion trends to anticipate and enjoy. However, there is one thing about summer that is so heinous and disgusting that I feel I must warn the masses before it destroys them: flip-flops, fashion’s Anti-Christ.

I can hear the gasps and verbal WTF’s already. I know, I know, flip-flops are practically the poster children for summer fun. Calm yourselves, I have reasons.

1) They Make Any Outfit 1/4 As Cute: No matter how much effort you put into your ensemble this morning or how much you paid for that sundress, if you add flip-flops to the equation it will look instantly less cute. Much less cute. So much so that it defeats the purpose of even trying to make a cute outfit and you should have just worn sweats.

2) Your Feet Will Get Dirty: Want to know why outfits are less cute with flip flops? Perhaps it’s because dirty feet are not cute. On anyone. And dirty feet are inevitable when flip flops are involved. Your toes will turn brown, your heels will turn black and your calves will be covered in whatever crap that flop is flipping up. Seriously, no one wants to see your cracked and crusted feet stomping around in fluorescent rubber contraptions.

3) They Make Your Legs Look Fat: For some reason, colored slabs of rubber are not the most slimming choice for summer fashion. Optical illusion? Perhaps…At any rate, you spent all winter in the smelly gym to look like this, so don’t waste it on flip-flops!

4) Shoes Should Not Be Noisy: Sexy can be defined as the sound of stilettos clacking across a marble floor. The opposite is true for the sound of flip-flops slapping against your dirty feet.

5) They Aren’t Practical: Let’s face it – having half-an-inch of rubber barely attached to your foot is not the smartest choice available in footwear. They lack traction, stability, and could cause bodily harm (or at least a serious bruise to your ego). Who hasn’t flipped out of their flop before, or slipped on a little spilled beer?

6) There Are Cuter Options: This season it is almost a crime to opt for cheap-o flip-flops when there are gladiator sandals and adorable flats! Fringes, patent, and metalwork – oh my!

Now that I’ve stated my reasons, I would also like to point out that nothing beats a lazy day on the beach with nothing but a pair of flip flops and a good book to keep you company. For me, however, the beach is where my flip-flops will stay.

[This story was originally posted by Katie - Michigan State]

Get it? Got it? Good. Want some more? Don’t worry, there are plenty more faves where this came from.

I’ll admit, a few years ago when leggings came back in style, I thought there was no way I’d wear them. In fact, I told everyone I knew that I’d rather “walk around pants-less than try and pass off some leggings as pants.”

Obviously, I’ve since eaten my words. Leggings are now a staple in my wardrobe and I often wonder how I lived without them. They’re versatile, comfortable and affordable. I wear them to the gym, to class, to work and to party. Not even jeans can do that. And there are so. many. different kinds now! Forget those basic blacks, leggings come in all sorts of colors and patterns now, meaning even more opportunities to wear ‘em. Here are a few pairs you can rock out for under $20.

Betsey Johnson is known for her fun, flirty styles and these snakeskin print leggings live up to her reputation.  You can wear these with a graphic tee for daytime or a sexy top and stilettos for night.

Take a walk on the wild side (or pay homage to Peggy Bundy) with these leopard print leggings. Yes, they seem like a lot, but leopard is very big this season and you can easily tone these down by pairing them with an oversized solid top and some basic black flats.

Think of these baby blues like a pair of jeans: they’re neutral and will go with just about anything. My pick: an oversized tee or button down and a pair of sandals or flats.

If you’re not quite ready for a patterned legging but you’re sick of your boring black pair, these are for you. The zippers on the ankles give them just a little extra spunk and they look adorable with flats.

The lace/damask print on these is casual enough to be worn with a plain top for daytime classes, but stylish enough to be paired with heels and a sexy top for a night out with your fabulous friends.

Denim leggings (AKA jeggings) are back for another season and finding this pair at Anthropologie for half-price makes ‘em even sweeter.

So they’re not technically UNDER $20 (they’re exactly $20), but, really, $20 is totally worth it for a pair of adorable, vintage-inspired pedal pushers.

Who says you can’t go bright? The pop of color and classic plaid print is a perfect spring combo. Throw a loose black or white tank on top and you’re done.

It’s time to man up, ladies, and empower yourselves to live life without the aid of Prince Charming. Not only does this make our lives a whole lot easier (hello, do you really want to wait around for someone to jump-start your car?), but sometimes it’s safer to take matters into our own hands (instead of asking some rando to do it for us).

Here’s a rundown of the 10 things every woman must know how to do. Watch, learn and take pride in the fact that you are in total control of your destiny.

1. Change a tire: Being your own mechanic isn’t necessarily a manly thing. Whipping out that wrench and jack can save yourself some time, money and can even keep you safer. Sure, when I was forced to fix a flat I looked ridiculous – kneeling on the side of I-295 in my skirt-suit and patent stilettos – but it took me 20 minutes, saved me some big-time embarrassment and allowed me to still be on time to my interview. Don’t forget those hand wipes though; grease could be an outfit-ender.

2. Make a Roast: I’m not trying to say you have to become Suzie Homemaker, but learning some basic cooking techniques can’t do anything but help you out in the long run. You don’t want to end up like my good friend who cooked a knife right with the chicken (even if, according to her, plastic peels off of pans easily). Being able to feed yourself, no matter how rudimentary it may seem, is certainly a skill that’s worth it to perfect.

3. Rock a pair of killer heels: Maybe its one of my personal pet peeves, but I cannot STAND to see those girls who insist on wearing Spice Girl era platform heels and can’t even walk into a party without looking trashy/twisting their ankle/sighing and taking them off. A hot pair of heels is a must-have for any college wardrobe, but they’re worthless if you don’t know how to walk in them. So here’s the deal: first, buy good heels. Not only will they last you, but they will make a difference on your feet. Secondly, watch this. (And if you live on a giant campus like me, bring flip flops or some roll-up flats for the walk home.)

4. Use a power-drill: I ran into a huge predicament at the beginning of this school year. New apartment + newly framed pictures + stubborn drywall = failure. I needed some major electronic help, and it happened to come in the way a rugby player armed with a power drill. I’m a stubborn person who never likes to admit I need help, so in my embarrassment, I watched and learned intently and vowed to be able to be a little more DIY in the future. Whether it’s fixing that wobbly chair in the kitchen or mounting a corkboard above your desk, it’ll always come in handy.

5. Have an effective workout: Everybody wants the perfect body: slim legs, flat abs, great butt; the whole package. No matter how much you run or ellipticize, there are only a few things that will actually be effective. Make every minute of that painful gym experience count!

6. Basic self-defense: Channel your inner ninja. I’m not saying you have to carry a concealed machete with you everywhere you go (because that would never fit in your clutch), but making sure that you’re ready in case something ever happens is the best thing you can do.  When it comes to your safety, you can never be too prepared.

7. Create a great first impression: There’s only one first time and for most of us, this isn’t a good thing. Thankfully, somebody has got it down to a science and is here to help the rest of us mortals out.

8. Remove a hard stain: There’s nothing that ruins a good day more than knocking your sushi on the floor. Except knocking the soy sauce, too. On to your shirt… and all over your pants. Not only is it embarrassing to have a giant brown spill down the front of you, it could quickly become a permanent fixture on your favorite shirt. I’m all about the dry cleaning, but for when you can’t afford some professional help just take a quick gander at this and save yourself some green (and some embarrassment) down the road.

9. Jump start a car: We’ve all been to the epic tailgate where someone’s pickup is blaring Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” and everyone’s having a great time. Truth is, the entire time everyone’s jamming to their favorite pre-game tunes, the battery of the car is quickly draining. It’s easy for a battery to drain, and even easier for it to leave you stranded. Here are some quick pointers on how to avoid this unwanted situation and deal if it comes up.

10. Tap a Keg: A untapped keg is borderline sacrilegious. The only good thing about a kicked keg is that I can lift it with one hand, so having a quick backup plan is a must. Everyone makes tapping a keg into a huge deal, but it’s much easier than you’d expect. And when the keg stands return, you’ll be the party savior that’ll go down in history (assuming people remember…).

And there you have it. Take some time to learn these things and you won’t need a man for anything. Well, almost anything.

There are a million different stilettos, combining every trend imaginable.  For the trend-shy gal with impeccable balance, wearing a stiletto with instantly add flair to an outfit.  And for everyone else, stilettos are the easiest way to spice up an otherwise ho-hum ‘fit, as well as experiment with different trends.  And though they are not practical for everyday wear (unless you’re Posh Spice), they are always little pieces of art. Seriously, when I’m not wearing them, my shoes double as beautiful bookends. Now that’s what I call multipurpose!

With so many gorgeous possibilities there truly is a pair of stilettos for everyone (or every outfit). Here are a few pairs that have recently left me drooling. I want, I want, I want!

The Golden Globes are coming, which means the hottest of the hottest will be strutting their bad selves down the Red Carpet to talk to Ryan Seacrest and look damn fine doin’ it. And I’ll be sitting there, laptop in hand, taking notes – the kind I should be taking in class – on what everyone is wearing.

Honestly, award show red carpets are my heaven. I tune in just to see what everyone’s wearing, then tune out before the actual award show even starts. I just get so inspired by what I see on my favorite celebs and can’t wait to get a little bit of that beauty for myself. Before I know it, I’m sitting in my salon as my hair stylist is cutting me a fresh set of bangs.

And then reality sets in and I realize that red carpet styles rarely survive in real life settings. Yep, there is a reason a red carpet is not rolled out for me on my way to my Communication Studies class.

Bangs:

Red Carpet: They are cute, chic, and, like a magical power, turn every celebrity into an edgy and sassy beauty queen. Sure, the last time I had bangs was in my 3rd grade school picture (when my mom splurged to get me the laser background!), but they’re back and fabulous, so how can I resist?

Real Life: OK, bangs look great for a few hours on a red carpet, but not so much after a shower or a date with the treadmill. You have pretty much 3 minutes post-shower to get those little guys in place before you’ve got yourself a one-way-ticket to Wavy Town. And forget about rockin’ the fringe at the club.  A little perspiration and – boom – you look like that weird kid who never showered that sat in the back of your classroom sniffing White-out in high school. Soon you’re scouring the aisles at Target for cute clips and headbands to get those things out of your face.

Rompers

Red Carpet: They look so sporty and stylish on those young celebs with their perfect legs and sky-high heels.  And they are so versatile! The young and fabulous work them on the red carpet, the beach, and grocery shopping.  There’s nothing I like more than mixing it up.

Real Life: Have you ever tried wearing a romper to the bathroom? It’s like a bad party you didn’t want to be invited to. Do you mean I really have to take next to the entire outfit off to take a leak? And it’s not much better in the outside world, either. A one-piece shorts ensemble is not cute when your thighs rub together and start pushing those puppies up to your happy place. No thank you.

Strapless

Red Carpet: The strapless gown is a Hollywood classic. Celebs look elegant, sexy and chic walking the carpet in a sweetheart neckline, which also happens to be the perfect canvass for that blinging diamond jewelry.

Real Life: Yeah, everyone looks stunning in strapless…. but its hard to feel that way when you spend half your night tugging at the top to avoid a serious wardrobe malfunction. Then you pull it too high so you yank at the bottom. Then it starts to fall and you grab at the top. Then the bottom. Then the top. Then you start feeling the pinch of that awful strapless bra you’ve got on underneath. It’s not pretty. At all.

Super High Heels

Red Carpet: The red carpet dresses may be gorge, but it’s the shoes that always make the outfit. The taller the better when it comes to the carpet; there is just something so much more fabulous about a woman in a tall pair of heels. I drool over the red bottoms, how long and lean they make everyone’s legs look, the embellishments on the front…. Sigh. I could just do a little dance.

Real Life: But don’t try doing the little dance while actually wearing them. These things are lethal for walking purposes, and your feet haven’t hurt this bad since the day your mom strapped them in a pair of jelly shoes that were far too tight. Seriously, I bet those Hollywood A-Listers kick those $1000 bastards off their feet as soon as they hit their seats…then subconsciously pray they don’t win so they don’t have to put them back on.

Thigh High Boots

Red Carpet: Who doesn’t love how hot Kim Kardashian looks in a pair of over-the-knee boots? She’s like a sexy, real life Cat Woman. Meow.

Real Life: Obviously, Cat Woman didn’t need to worry about pairing those hot leather boots with jeans. Us real ladies can barely shove our jeans into those things without getting all bunchy and gross,  and if you finally succeed, they are always a slouchy disappointment.

Everyone wants a little Hollywood glamor in their own lives, but maybe it’s time we all take what we see on the red carpet with a grain of salt. Or find ourselves a way to afford a team of stylists to keep everything in place and designer goods made just for our bodies.

Hard to believe that in only 2 days we’ll be ringing in the new year and it’ll have been a decade since all that Y2K mumbo jumbo.

I know; that whole “only 2 days” thing freaked me out, too. Not because I’m not ready for 2010, but because I’m not ready for NYE. I’ve been so busy unwrapping presents and relaxing in front of the TV that I have yet to secure a NYE-worthy ensemble for the big countdown.

But it’s OK. As usual, Forever 21 has come to the rescue with some pretty fantabulous frocks and smocks for under $20. So grab that wad of Christmas cash (don’t worry, you won’t need much of it here!), and head over to the mall. Here are some of the goodies our BFFs at F-21 have to offer for the big, bold and boozy night.

Bandage dresses are sexy, sassy and give your curves some major va va voom. This one comes in 3 different colors and, holler, it’s only $13.50. That means that even with all that holiday spending, you can look hot to trot on NYE…and have some extra cash leftover for that bottle of bubbly.  Pair it with some hot heels and sparkly jewelry and you’ll be set.

Looking for a little more sparkle?  This tube dress is sexified with some glam rocker thrown in.  You can doll it up with some stilettos or really rock it out with some knee high boots or booties.

And if that’s not enough bling and shimmer for this one special night, Forever’s got plenty more where that came from. On any other night a sequins dress or mini might be too much for you, but on New Year’s Eve there’s nothing wrong with shining like the Times Square ball. (And if you’re only spending $20 on a dress, who cares if you only wear it once??)

If sequins aren’t your thang, leather is perfect for you. What better way to scream sexpot than with a “leather” mini? It’s totally hot on its own (well, with a top, of course), or you can have tons o’ fun giving yourself a rock star alter-ego; heavy jewelry, over-the-knee boots or booties can make this look hot, hot, hot.

Too cold for minis or dresses?  Rock out a sequined, studded or jeweled top with a pair of skinny pants/jeans and a pair of sky high heels. You can’t go wrong with this tried and true look…

Now all you gotta do is do some sexy hair and make-up and get ready to break all your new year’s resolutions…

So Hanukkah begins on Friday and Christmas is 17 days away, which means it’s time for holiday parties, dinners, and gatherings of family and friends. And that means you’ll need some super cute looks to show off.  Of course after buying gifts, paying travel expenses to go home, and all the other stuff you’ll be spending on this holiday season, spending money on yourself probably isn’t the most reasonable idea. But you don’t have to ruin your budget (or your reputation by re-gifting…) to look fantastic.

Here are 8 items under $20 that you can add to your wardrobe to make it extra festive.

Forever 21 has all the goods for the perfect holiday looks:

If you wanna shine this season, why not go for sequins? The one-shoulder combined with the short length makes this dress totally sexy without being skanky and you’ll definitely stand out in a crowd. Slip on some black tights, black pumps and a black boyfriend sweater for that holiday dinner. Then rock it again on NYE with some jewel toned stilettos or a hot pair of booties.  Did I mention it’s only $15.50?

Looking for something a little more conservative or family-friendly?  This dress is only $14.50 and gives a classic look a modern, fun and totally stylin’ twist.

Pair this top with a pair of black skinny pants or jeans, a cardi or a boyfriend blazer and a cute pair of flats for anything from a casual holiday soiree to dinner (at the kids’ table) with the entire extended family.

Wet Seal is another great spot for affordable and bangin’ pieces

Too cold for a dress but still wanna sparkle? Try some sequin leggings. They’re a great way to stay warm and look sassy all at the same time. Just pair them with a long, loose fitting top and you’re chic to go.

You can’t go wrong with a pencil skirt, especially a bandage-style skirt. You can wear this with just about anything for any occasion (a sparkly top for a party, a BF blazer for dinner) and look absolutely stunning, sexy and classy.

This dress is great for cocktail parties and will definitely give a fun, flirty look. You can go classic with some faux pearls, red shoes & lipstick, or give it an edge with more heavy, metallic jewelry and some studded booties.

If nothing at F21 or Wet Seal strikes your fancy, Charlotte Russe is bound to have something cheap and chic for you.

Wanna go for the tried and true dressy-top-with-jeans look?  This top has a flattering cut, is grandparent-appropriate and still gives a little holiday sparkle with the rhinestone details.  Add some black boots or strappy silver heels and you’re set.

Not comfortable in a pencil skirt? Opt for something flirty and feminine instead. Add a basic white tank and some tights and you’ve got an adorable and unique holiday look.

]]> http://collegecandy.com/2009/12/08/8-under-20-get-ready-for-the-holiday-parties/feed/ 1 Jess T. - Columbia University 8under600x360 photo courtesy of forever21.com photo courtesy of forever21.com photo courtesy of forever21.com sequin leggings skinny skirt tank dress charlotte holiday top blue skirt http://collegecandy.com/2009/11/03/8-under-20-tillys/ http://collegecandy.com/2009/11/03/8-under-20-tillys/#comments Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:00:11 +0000 Jess T. - Columbia University http://collegecandy.com/?p=45255 ]]>

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.

Who says thermals have to be unattractive?  This thermal comes in a variety of colors and will not only keep you cozy for those long hours spent in the library, but you’ll look good to boot.

Bereanies (beret beanies) are the perfect solution to keeping your head warm while maintaining your style. And, trust me, these things can work on everybody, so give it a shot.

Two of the biggest trends this season are purple and ruffles and this sweet and flirty top lets you kill two trends with one shirt for under $8. Just pair it with some black skinny jeans and a pair of heels and you’ve got the perfect party look for the season.

If you’re not daring enough for a liquid legging but bored with the basic black, these could be your legging soul mates. The lace running down the side of these not-so-basic black leggings adds a hint of freshness and sex appeal to a typically standard look.

Tired of wearing the same old jeans?  Why not pull on a pair of sailor pants? They’re basic enough to wear every day, but cute enough to add a much-needed change to your same-jeans-all-the-time “rotation.”

I love BF cardis as much as I love me some BF jeans (and my actual BF) and I adore the stripes on this one.  Not only that, there are several colors to choose from and with their $19.99 price tag, you can afford at least a couple of ‘em.

The cut of this tunic will give some va-va-voom to a gal’s curves and the red plaid is perfect for the holiday season.

You can’t go wrong with girlie ruffles. Ever. And a belt to cinch your waist? Everyone needs one. This is the perfect skirt for all those holiday parties you are sure to be attending this season. It’s versatile – you can dress it up or dress it down, and it will look cute with flats, booties or some sexy stilettos.

"Just five more steps. Just five more steps...."

I would put money on it that every college girl has at least one pair of high heels stuffed into their tiny dorm room closet (or if you’re like me, you have 12 and they are strewn all over your floor where you kicked them off after a long and painful night). They are pretty much a staple of every woman’s wardrobe, especially us college girls who need to look sexy every weekend (isn’t college life so demanding?).

Of course heels are an integral part to every party outfit, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t come with some sacrifices. And while I feel hot when I first slip into those bad boys, halfway through the night (or immediately after I step outside the door) I am seriously rethinking my shoe choice/contemplating using the pointy heel to saw off my baby toes to ease the pain/looking for someone to give me a piggy back ride home.

I love them so much, but I loathe them just the same.
It pretty obvious: I’m torn.

Love Them
Honestly what is hotter than a pair of amazing heels? They instantly take a dress or a pair of jeans from drab to glam, and they send your confidence skyrocketing through the roof of the frat house. Who doesn’t add a little extra sway to their hips when they walk down the street in a pair of metallic gladiator heels? That guy you’ve been giving sex eyes to in class won’t be able to stop sending them right back when you click into the party in those skyscrapers.

Plus, they make your calves look freakin’ amazing. And let’s be honest, a lot of bars and clubs would close that velvet rope faster than you could say “hello, I need a shot” if you showed up in a pair of flats. Yeah they are comfy and much more trendy than ever before, but they’re flats! They just aren’t sexy nightlife attire.

Loathe them
Isn’t it obvious? Those bitches hurt. After about an hour my pinkie toes start to scream. Then I get cramps in my legs. And then I spend the rest of the night switching from foot to foot in attempts to give each one a little break from the pain. And let me tell you: you can’t possibly be on top of your pong game when you are teetering 5 inches above the ground and can’t think of anything but the blister forming on the backs of your heels.

And if that’s not bad enough, the walk home is pure hell, each step feeling like someone is shoving a knife up through my heel. I am reduced to that hobbling, walking-on-coals-while-I-have-something-up-my-ass walk. It’s not pretty. When I slip out of the heels as I stumble in at 4 am (If I haven’t already muttered “screw this” and kicked them off in the stairway), it feels like I am still walking in them….for the next 3 days. The arch of my foot aches, paralyzed in it’s 4 inch stretch, not to mention the Charley Horses that visit my calves and jolt me screaming out of my sleep. And the blisters? Disgusting.

All that pain can’t possibly be good for the future of my feet and I’m starting to wonder if a pretty shoe is worth a really ugly foot down the road.

What do you guys think? Is Saturday night sexiness, worth a week of pain and recovery?

So as I write this, I’m sitting on my lanai (balcony) overlooking the beautiful, blue Maui ocean (yes, I’m on my first “real” vacay in years), which means I’m not particularly keen on scouring the internet for under $20 deals for long periods of time (not to mention, they’re only giving me an hour of free wifi). So where did I head?

The mother of all cheap & trendy spots: Forever 21.

And no, she did not disappoint. Checking out the website or a store near you is a necessity before you head back to school, as there are loads of insanely awesome deals on ridiculously cute clothes.  What are you waiting for?  Read, set, GO!

Here are a few things I know I’ll be grabbing up. You know, when I get back to the mainland.

Denim leggings have been spotted on the likes of Whitney Port and Fergie, and are a big for fall. I know it’s a difficult trend to wrap your mind around (or shove your legs into), but we were all resistant to normal leggings at first, weren’t we? Just give these a shot. I love that they are black (more slimming), will look great with a cute pair of sandals or some sexy booties, and are only $16.90.

Cardigans are definitely a fall necessity and this one is perfection with it’s darling lace details and cropped sleeves. It’ll look great with jeans, a pencil skirt or, if you wanna totally prep it out, a pleated mini.  SO CUTE!

Ballet flats are a wardrobe staple and these ones will liven up any look with their bold color and reptile print.  Tack on the $8.50 price tag and who can say no?

Once school’s back in session and that hottie from O-Chem asks you out, you’ll want a sexy top to wow him and this does the trick, fo sho.  Bustiers always work wonders for the girls and have a great way of slimming the waist as well.  Pair it with a pair of dark jeans and some sassy stilettos and soon you’ll be makin’ your own chemistry.

Simple shirts are so important, especially for those days you overslept and are already 25 minutes late to your review sesh, and there’s something so tomboyish yet sexy about a basic raglan tee. I can’t explain it, but at $5.50 you can grab a few and figure it out for yourself.

I’ve always had a thing for big ass earrings and I love the gold/turquoise combo and the Indian vibe of these.  Just be sure not to go overboard with other accessories or crazy bold prints; these can be a centerpiece on their own.

Belts are such a fantastic accessory: they’re cute, they add some flair, and they give nice definition to your waist.  And this one does all that with an 80′s elastic band and the gorgeous lotus flower deet on the front. Sigh. I’m in lust.

A skirt for under $7, seriously?!?  This is such a versatile piece that can be used to create so many different looks from casual day to girls’ night out. And it comes in 3 great colors (this awesomely bold royal blue, and 2 neutrals; black & grey)! This might be all you’d ever need for a complete wardrobe overhaul.

Seriously now, Forever 21, have I told you lately that I love you? And this isn’t the distance talking; this is real.