Everyone loves stripes. If you don’t, you’re a psycho or you just haven’t seen the light yet. Fret not friends because I am here to show you said light. Stripes are fabulous in a sweater a la Les Francais, or to spice up a favorite body-con skirt. As stripes are a classic, these three outfits will show you how to mix up this must have trend for under $35!

Outfit #1: The Striped Sweater Updated

Sweater, H&M: $17.95; Jeans, Forever 21: $10.50; Boots, Forever 21: $32.80

Outfit #2: Stripes For Your Night Out

Skirt, Forever 21: $13.80; Shirt, Forever 21: 19.90; Heels, Mitzu 02: $14.97

Outfit #3: Everyday Stripes

Dress, Loveapella: $19.97; Tights, Forever 21: $3.50; Sweater, Dex: $34.97

Being a college girl on a budget, my favourite patterns are ones that never truly go out of style. Stripes, plaid and polka dots are a few of the staple patterns that can be found almost every season. These patterns are something that you can’t really ever call a trend, because they will always appear in some shape or form each season. Lucky for people like myself with an eternal love for polka dots, designer heavy weights such as Marc Jacobs and Stella McCartney had us seeing spots for their F/W 2011 collections. Yes ma’am, the polka dot is big (but not literally) this season.

What I love about polka dots, is that they have a playful, feminine, flirty vibe to them. That and they are one of the easiest prints to wear (and mix and match!) The size of the spots vary as do the colour combinations, meaning there are spots out there for everyone. Though polka dots are still a pattern, it is quite subtle for those gals just dipping their toes into the world of patterns. Read More »

I love stripes. I seriously own about 5 different striped tops, from tanks to sweaters to blouses, and I’d probably wear them every day if I didn’t get major pit stains all the time could! Stripes are not only cute and fun, but they’re super versatile, too! They can, depending on the rest of your style, be either preppy, punk, sporty, nautical or French-chic. Plus, since it’s such a simple design, it’s one of easiest patterns to wear. No wonder they’re everywhere this season — including tops, skirts, shorts, shoes, swimsuits, dresses and jackets, and everywhere from designer to more mainstream and affordable labels.

Check out this selection of amazing striped pieces for just $20 or less each!

The sun is shining. The birds are chirping. And I’m finally able to put the big winter coat away. It’s time for iced caramel macchiatos and driving with the windows open and the music blasting. It’s time for spring.

Well…almost.

For me it won’t quite be spring until I’ve done my spring shopping. And I plan to do a lot of spring shopping. Bright colors. Neutral shoes. 70s inspired shirts. Lady like pieces. Long skirts. So much to choose from. And so little cash. Sigh. I guess I’ll have to stick with my top five. These are the spring trends I just can’t live without. And you shouldn’t either. Read More »

I love me a bold print, so I’m shakin’ in my leopard maxi dress over the variety of fabulous prints coming at us this spring (if it ever comes). There are so many prints to choose from: animal prints, prints of animals, florals, abstract, paisley, tribal, stripes, polka dots and any other design you could possibly imagine. They come in all colors, on items of all types, meaning there are unlimited ways to incorporate prints into your look this spring.

You can even wear them mixed together. Crazy, I know!

While there are many prints that make a big statement, there are also many that are more subtle. A smaller, daintier print might be for you if you’re not looking to draw a lot of attention, or go for a big, bold pattern if you want to have all eyes on you when you enter a room. After all, there’s nothing wrong with drawing attention from the amazingly bold dress you’re wearing… unless it’s because you’re falling out of it.

If you’re up for the challenge, mix things up. How, you ask? By choosing prints in similar shades/complimentary colors. When you do that, the patterns look more like neutrals and you end up with a seriously interesting and appealing look. You ready to get your print on (literally)? Here are 15 of my favorite printed looks for spring. Read More »

One of the hottest colors for 2011, whether it’s for fashion or home decor, is navy. With the popularity of nautical inspired pieces the last few seasons, there’s a good chance you already own something in this dark shade of blue. Navy can substitute for black as a neutral in many cases, making it a good addition if you’re trying to banish some of the black from your wardrobe. For example, if you’re tired of your usual little black dress routine, why not switch it up with a little navy dress?

Navy works well with all other textures and trends of the season. Navy lace? Check. Navy stripes? Check. Navy Sequins? Check. So when you’re hitting the mall looking to add new life to your wardrobe, try navy instead of black. You won’t be disappointed. Read More »

[The following is a guest post from our gal pals at CollegeFashion.net. They're like college Rachel Zoe (with a little extra meat on their bones). Have you checked them out yet?!]

Stripes can be intimidating. They’re bold, they’re brazen and they can be a little difficult to wear. Some people fear that horizontal stripes make you look wider (totally not true!!) and they can be a little too bold for the wallflowers among us. So it’s understandable that some would be hesitant about them.

But stripes can also be fun and exciting, injecting a little bit of punk rock into an everyday outfit. Stripes were a big trend on the Spring/Summer 2011 catwalks, and they’re an easy way to get a next season feel right now.  Read More »

[When moving into either a dorm or an off-campus apartment, your wardrobe will face two major challenges: 1. A major lack of funding (to add more to it). 2. A major lack of storage space.

For these two reasons alone, maximizing what you do own becomes essential. That's why you need to learn to Shop Your Closet. Each week, I’ll show you how to wear 1 item 3 ways – with the stuff you most likely already own! – to get the most out of your purchases.]

As the temperatures stop, drop, and roll (or just drop), we must say goodbye to our favorite summer styles in favor of warmer options. And it’s depressing. Not because we don’t love fall (because, DUH, we do), but because it’s hard to part with best friends and that perfectly worn-in tank, that’s been with you through everything, is the best friend of all.

But what if I told you that you didn’t have to shove your summer staples in a Tupperware box under your bed until next April? What if there was a way to work them into this new, chillier season?

Prepare yourselves, because it’s not only possible, it’s adorable! If you loaded up on  striped shirts this summer and aren’t sure how to wear them into the fall, never fear. I’ve found three ways to extend the life of your summer favorite, without looking out of season. Read More »

This year’s fashion trends range from the ranch to the yacht, and stripes are one of the perfect ways to look seaworthy this summer.

The easiest way to incorporate nautical elements into your wardrobe is with stripes.  With so many super cute ways to wear stripes how can you not have something striped (or something striped for every day of the week!) in your wardrobe?  Summer items are starting to hit clearance racks, so you can pick something up to wear now with shorts, or later with jeans without breaking the bank.  While the longer sleeved breton-striped tops will keep you warm if you’re outside on a summer night, some of the striped dresses are perfect to toss over a bathing suit at the beach.

If you’re pinching pennies for a summer vacay, stripes are a recurring fashion trend (just look back to Coco Chanel and Audrey Hepburn!) so you may even luck out finding an adorable top at the thrift store.  Just don’t be afraid to check the men’s (or boys if you’re petite) departments as this unisex trend looks even cuter when it’s loose and laid back. Read More »

I LOVE the nautical “I’m on a boat” look. Almost as much as I love that song. There is just something about red, navy and white that screams summer chic. Give me an excuse to add yellow and/or gold as a compliment and I’m practically drooling. On a boat.

And even though this look is never really out of style, it’s majorly in style this season. It’s about as in as Justin Beiber, except substitute 13-year-old tweens for the fashion obsessed clamoring for a bit of this nautical love. Boat shoes for girls, cute navy and red jackets, hair bows, big beach totes – is it the 4th of July yet?!

The good news is you don’t have to wait until mid-summer to sport this fireworks-suitable ensemble. And there is always an excuse and place to wear it. And I’m going to show you three ways. Yes, one shirt, 3 adorable looks. America really is beautiful my friends.

[A note on the shirt: The style of this shirt is very in, but the key is to look for one that comes in on the sides like this one so that you get the flowy look without looking like you’re preggo with an eggo. And yeah, the shirt isn't cheap, but it's incredibly versatile, making it a very sound summer investment.] Read More »