This season it’s all about channeling our inner Lillian Gish in beautiful, enchanting chiffon. Designers alike have been contrasting this sheer trend with 70s inspired flares, or even masculine and military-inspired jackets. Chiffon softens a statement trend (like minimalism or menswear) without going overboard like fellow effeminate trend, lace. Below are three looks that combine the best of chiffon, all for $30.00 or less! Read More »

[The following is a guest post from our gal pals at CollegeFashion.net. They're like the college Rachel Zoe (sans baby bump). Have you checked them out yet?!]

On any given day here at OU, I’d bet at least 60% of students are rocking The North Face, Columbia or Patagonia (“Fratagonia”, as some might say) outerwear. Perhaps it’s a southern or midwestern cliche, but literally EVERYONE I know owns a zippered or pull-over fleece jacket. And I’m betting many of you probably own one, too. (Admit it!)

As popular as they are, jackets like these are often negatively associated with “the uniform”, as I like to call it. You know, the Uggs/leggings/oversized V-neck/fleece jacket combo that is popular at countless colleges across the nation. While I’m not saying it’s “wrong” to dress this way, why not challenge yourself to think outside the box and rock a more unique outfit?

There’s a way to rock these babies and still stand out in a crowd. Just because you’re in a situation that requires a warm, tough, and no-frills jacket, it doesn’t mean that you have to give up looking stylish. I hope you find this styling challenge as practical and fun as I did.

Tips and Trick for Making a Fleece Jacket More Stylish

Add a funky scarf. This is the easiest way to dress up a fleece coat. A colorful scarf will catch the eye of people around you. Others will pay attention to the texture, or the unique way it’s tied around your neck.

Wear one with a hat. A slouchy beanie adds a laid-back vibe to any outfit, including one with a plain fleece jacket. Plus, you’ll stay super warm!

If you have to buy a fleece, look for unique styles. I love the plush and fur-lined versions I’ve seen.

Pair one with chic shoes. Fleece jackets go great with riding or motorcycle boots, or those cute lace up ankle boot wedges that are getting popular. They also look fine with oxfords, ballet flats, loafers, and anything casual. Read More »

The following is a guest post from our gal pals at CollegeFashion.net. Have you checked them out yet?!

Despite my affinity for heels and wedges, sometimes my feet need a break! Ballet flats and boat shoes certainly make great alternatives, but if you’re like me, you love making a statement (even on your laid-back days).

Once reserved for hipsters or basketball players, high-top sneakers are on their way to making a full-fledged comeback on college campuses. I was hesitant to buy a pair at first, but when I spotted the perfect pair of black, yellow, and pink Nike Dunks on sale at an outlet mall, I knew I had to have them!

It took me a little while to figure out how to style these babies — at 5’2”, shoes with no heel and thick ankles can easily make me look stumpy. But I did a bit of research and found out that my new high top sneakers can be stylish and flattering if worn correctly.

Ready to take on the challenge? Read on for secrets to pulling this look off right! Read More »

Q. What is the best way to wear booties?

A. Not only are ankle boots a huge trend, but they’re also extremely versatile. You can wear them with jeans or leggings or in place of a pump with dresses and skirts. Since booties range from super low (sometimes called shooties) to heights that are well above your ankle bone, how you wear your boots depends on the style of boot.

Shooties or shoe booties look best with skirts, dresses and long skinny jeans or leggings. These are the most flattering style to wear since they come down low on the leg, making them look longer than with other styles of boots. Booties that come up a bit higher on the ankle can also be worn with skirts and dresses but look best on women with slim calves. Another option for ankle boots is to wear them with skinny or boot cut jeans or leggings. Here are some celebrity photos for inspiration: Read More »

I recently went to Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC), a massive electronic music festival/rave, and saw some wicked cool costumes. While I didn’t go all out with leather and lace like some party-goers, I did enjoy stepping away from my usually more conservative outfits and wearing neon bright clothes. I liked it enough, in fact, that I figured I could try to work them into my daily summer wardrobe.

And why not? When paired with the right articles of clothing, bright pieces are a super easy way to add color and fun to your look.

The easiest way to incorporate color is with a bright pair of shorts. Sure, you have your reliable blue or black jean shorts that practically go with everything (so you can grab the nearest clean – or not – top), but colored shorts would make the outfit more vibrant and exciting. I picked up these shorts featuring destroyed cuffs from Wet Seal, and at $12.50, they won’t make you feel too guilty about dipping into your account for a “novelty” item. They come in a couple of other colors, and  if the cutoff look isn’t your thing, other styles are offered in even more colors.

I’ve been pairing these with a basic top (white or gray v-neck, anyone?), some key accessories and flip flops and my summer look has been instantly amped up. I’m even considering heading back to Wet Seal and getting every color they got.

I’ll be the first to admit that I am a What Not to Wear junkie. I love (and am not afraid to admit it) watching Stacey and Clinton trash horrible wardrobes, and watching people’s confidence blossom when they feel good about themselves. I would love for S&C to come to my house with a set of rules. The $5,000 Visa wouldn’t hurt either.

I’m just not sure about the “throw all my clothes away” thing. But that’s neither here nor there.

Now, there are many WNTW rules that I don’t need to worry about (I’ve got years before being tempted by the “mom jeans”), and I doubt I’ll be getting on the show anytime soon, but those fashion experts provide tons of guidelines that everyone can benefit from.

Everything I’ve learned about flattering fashion I learned from What Not To Wear. The following rules, courtesy of Stacey and Clinton, can guide all of us into more flattering options when shopping, or when trying to clean the skeletons from our closets. Read More »

Ah, late fall. Midterms have passed, Halloween decorations festoon every front porch and retail store, piles of red and orange and yellow leaves line the streets, and there’s a lovely crispness to the air, which, before we know it, will turn to terrifying sub-zero wind chill factors and white-out blizzard conditions.

Woot. Woot.

But just because it’s time to put your miniskirt away doesn’t mean you have to start dressing yourself like Estelle Getty (god rest her sassy little Golden Girls soul). There are plenty of ways to bundle yourself against all forms of winter weather while still looking like a hottie.

Layering!

Lucky for all of us who live in the northern reaches of the U.S., layering continues to be all the rage in fashion. Stay warm while rushing between buildings to your next class by wearing multiple light weight pieces on top of each other. Por exemple, a tank top under a long sleeve tee under a cardigan will keep you cozy without making you look like the Michelin Man. Throw on a scarf (another fashion must these days) for even more insulation. On real nippy days, put on some long johns – believe me, those puppies work wonders and fit nicely under most clothing.

Get Russian About It

So I don’t know if you guys know, but Russia is pretty chilly; hence, those f**kers know how to bundle. For serious drops in temperature, think Soviet style: giant fur hats (fake, if you’re broke or a hater), full-length high-collared wool coats, knee-high riding boots. Not only will you be impervious to the cold, you’ll feel like a sexy spy from the 1950s. What more could you want out of life? Read More »

[Do you ever feel like you can’t pull something off? Have trendy pieces in your closet that you would never have the courage to actually wear out? Well take those pieces out, shake off the dust, and continue reading!

In this series, I will choose a different piece that can be difficult to incorporate into an outfit and give you ideas on how to wear it. If there’s anything you would like to read about in the future, please leave a comment!]

One shoulder tops and dresses were huge on the runways this fall. Almost every show at fashion week featured the look. Perfect for a night out on the town with the girls, the one shoulder look is revealing but in a chic rather than “look at my boobs!” sorta way.

The key to this look is to keep it basic – the asymetry of the pieces stands out on its own so you don’t want to overpower the outfits with necklaces and other major statement accessories. Read More »