The other day I was browsing the Topshop website and came across a dainty little number with so much potential. The Orange Cutaway Halter Dress (yeah, real original name, Topshop), is, like you guessed, an orange, halter-style dress made of flowy chiffon. Besides the knockout color, this dress also features a stunning cutout in the chest area, giving it a sexy ’70s feel and a very thin break in the fabric on the back, which will be evident when you’re moving around. Bottom line: The dress is hot, but leaves something to the imagination! When most people look at this dress, they immediately think “going out,” however, when paired with the right pieces, this dress becomes a super versatile item for both day and night.

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Now that Spring is officially here, I can’t wait to start bringing all my favorite warm-season clothes back into rotation — and of course, pick up some new items as well! One must-have I’m looking forward to purchasing this season is a LWD — A Little White Dress! Think of it as your LBD’s lighter and brighter cousin — it’s perfect for nearly every occasion (except a wedding — you don’t want to upstage the bride!), there’s a fit and style out there for everyone, and it’s even possible to find one that fits a college student’s limited budget!

All these dresses are just $20 (or less) each and are perfect for all sorts of occasions, from Spring Break and beyond! Read More »

We’re so close to Spring Break I can almost taste the sunscreen and tequila (not together. Ew.)

As you start to think about what to bring (and equally important, what not to bring) you might be finding some gaps in your Spring Break-appropriate wardrobe. Got your swimsuit (or maybe 15)? How about something to go over it? If you left your favorite sundress at your parents’ house, or lost it somewhere between Independence Day and Welcome Week (damn you, kiddie pool!), there are plenty of cute (and affordable!) options hitting store shelves right now.

And don’t hold back; you need one!

First, a new sundress can do double duty, working both as a cover-up at the beach-side bar and as a super sexy, fun frock for when you’re out at night with your friends. Plus, while you’re most likely buying it for Spring Break, you’ve got a whole lot of spring and summer coming up (not soon enough) to get plenty of use out of it. And, depending on the cut and style, with the proper accessories (tights, a long-sleeve tee or a blazer) you can make a sundress last well through next winter.

So have some fun and embrace the variety of shapes, bold colors, funky patterns and styles of this season’s sundresses. Just don’t forget to pack your sunblock. Lobster red skin clashes with everything. Read More »

Although the end of summer means the end of many good things in life (i.e. slip n’ slides, lemonade stands, dunk tanks, debating the possibility of frying an egg on your driveway…), the end of summer also means the beginning of something brand new.  Something fresh and exciting.  Something every style-hungry college girl craves out there…

End-of-summer sale racks.

Overflowing with those highly coveted summer items, now super duper cheap, they are a fashionista’s dream come true. And just in time for Labor Day! Can you handle it?? I barely can.  In fact, I’m itching to toss this computer aside and haul ass to the mall, frizzy hair be damned.  Oh, but wait.  We have the sales right at here at our manicured fingertips. And it’s all under $20? Who says dreams don’t come true? Read More »

Fourth of July has come and gone (and, thankfully, so has my sunburn). Summer is half way over! Before you know it, you’ll be back at school walking to class hungover way too early because in your summer stupor you seemed to forget that 11am is really still too early to have a class. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

It’s still summer and for the past 6 weeks you’ve been working on that tan of yours. And, glass half full, you’ve still got a good 6 or 7 weeks left to bronze yourself. You know what is best paired with a tan? White, coral, turquoise and brown – only the best summer pairings since you put jicama and guacamole together. But to all you Snow White ladies of the universe (I SO feel you, my fair ladied sisters) these colors are universally flattering on every skin tone and every hair color. I have yet to see someone who does NOT look good in turquoise. (Seriously, find me said person and I will buy you a drink.)

Anyway, here are some of my favorite ways to rock this killer summer combo, day or night. Read More »

Why didn't I think of that?

Okay, so it’s hot.  Like really, really sweltering hot.  The temptation to stay inside and watch the first season of True Blood on DVD is certainly great, but you’ve got to escape the house at some point.  While there’s not much we can do to persuade mother nature to tone it down a few (hundred) degrees, there are a few tactics you can implement to keep cool on your outdoor adventures…and a few you’d do better to stay away from.

Grab a Cold One
The timeless, tried and true remedy for beating the heat.  Find a shady porch, call over a few friends, and ice down a six-pack.  Just make sure you don’t over-imbibe, as alcohol dehydrates you quicker than a walk through the Sahara.  Throwing a few bottles of water into your cooler can save you from hangover hell.

Kick Off the Heels
Nothing’s worse than dressing for work in the summer.  Fitted pencil skirts, blazers, business shirts…might as well add pit stains and forehead sweat to the company dress code.  Lighten up your wardrobe by mixing in airy (yet professional) sundresses and ditching the heels for a pair of cute flats or sandals.   Looking to make a bold statement at the beach?  A bikini and stilettos is not the message you need to be sending unless you just divorced someone named Spencer. Read More »

American Pride Doesn't Have to Look Like This

Fourth of July is here! Commence drinking, hot dogs, drinking, and singing “Bye Bye Miss American Pie” and maybe burning your hand on sparklers (which I don’t care how old I get, they will always be so freakin’ cool).

I’ve already given you recipes for the bbq you’ll be hitting, and now we have one more thing to tackle: the Fourth of July ‘fit.

You need to look somewhat festive (i.e. I don’t suggest your skull tank or vintage “I love Canada” tee) but you don’t want to look like a walking advertisement for the US of A. I’ve got you covered: from red, white and blue festive to festive without being decked in the colors of our homeland, you will look like those American Girls that all those foreign boys (and the Counting Crows) talk about. And you will be ready to pull a Miley and Party in the USA. Woot woot. Read More »

It’s starting to get hot, hot, hot outside! While I’m stuck in landlocked Alberta, where no one has pools, I’m sure many of you out there are gearing up to start hitting the beach, or hang out poolside on a weekly (if not daily) basis.

Whether you choose to wear a bikini or a one-piece, you’re going to need a cover-up for going to the beach, or even just covering up a bit to avoid extreme sun exposure.  Lucky for you there are some really cute options this year that will easily transition from the beach to the boardwalk (assuming you dry yourself up enough to avoid those pesky wet marks around your boobs…). Seriously, toss a pair of wedges and a few bangles into your beach bag and you can take these things all over town.

So put on your sunscreen, grab your shades and don a cute cover-up as you get ready to hang out by the water!

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Flowers are pretty in the garden so why wouldn’t they be extremely smashing printed all over your dresses, shorts, skirts and closet?  At least then they wouldn’t shrivel up and die after 3 days when you forget to water them. Yes, that is my ultimate philosophy with floral and I’m stickin’ to it. I will trip over children, bump into old women and elbow wandering husbands/boyfriends to find my way to get to that perfect, floral sale item.

Lucky for all you beautiful CollegeCandy readers, you don’t have to worry about injuring anybody in your quest to find the perfect, floral piece, because I’ve already given someone a black eye doing it for you. And here are eight, all under $20, floral beauties. Read More »

Last week I had a series of outfit mistakes, each one leaving me standing on a subway platform, sweating like a pig, wishing I could strip naked and put on something that wasn’t bringing on hot flashes like a menopausal woman.

First it was the skinny jeans that seemed like a good idea in my cool apartment, but instantly made the back of my knees sticky when exposed to the 90 degree sauna outside. The next morning I vowed to never make the mistake again and I slipped on a mini skirt. An hour later the hip hugging stretch fabric was making me claustrophobic, not to mention that it kept riding up making me look like the office hooker.

As I felt sweat stains spreading down the back of my white tank the next day I cursed myself and then hit the web in search of some scorching-temperature outfits that could get me through the summer of hell that this is turning out to be.

I stumbled across the Flowers in the Fountain Dress from Modcloth (which is always my go-to site for girly frocks with a vintage vibe) and wished I could have it delivered to me right at my desk.

The strapless top is just what I need, with no uncomfortable straps or restricting high necklines, and the sweetheart shape couldn’t be any more adorable – sexy in a way demure enough for the office. We get the comfort and airiness of a mumu without committing a massive fashion faux pas. Much to the contrary, this dress couldn’t get any cuter. The baby doll shape accents the waistline without feeling too binding as the fabric flows away from the body (giving my legs some much needed breathing room). Read More »