During the summer, I live in my flip flops — they’re comfortable and they keep my feet cool. But while they’re great for the pool or beach or with shorts, flip flops don’t go with everything. In fact, they can look sloppy when worn with a dress or a dressier outfit. The solution?

Flat sandals!

They look like you actually put some thought into your outfit, instead of just throwing on whatever pair of flip-flops you had lying around, but they’re easier to wear (and a whole lot more comfortable) than heels or wedges.

Check out this collection of adorable flat sandals to find the perfect pair to take you through the summer months — but for just $20 or less, you can afford to grab a few different pairs! Now all you need is a pedicure and a cute sundress and you’re ready for summer!

Get up close to the Fantasia collection

How to manage your wardrobe

Create a flawless face

Pull off a long dress

Here’s why you need a round brush

The pros and cons of fringe tights

Bright pink lipstick trend is officially in!

Must have nail polish colors for the fall

Everyone’s talking about it

We heart Chris Benz

Loving this dress!

Sneak peak of a hot spring shoe collection

How to wear leggings

Are sweatpants dress pants?

Want to get Lea Michele‘s red carpet look?

How to wear the latest hair trend

A young Anna Wintour

A chic fall outfit for before it gets cold

Awesome Target find!

Do we like Jessica Simpson’s clothing line?

Chambray – a less structured version of denim – is lightweight, often light colored, and totally ’90s.  Though it is more popular for the spring (which is coming…in 5 weeks), it can easily be worked into that winter wardrobe.  And this season, it’s everywhere, in every form and at every price point.

Just be careful what you pair this stuff with; chambray-on-denim is just as difficult to pull off as its ugly sibling, denim-on-denim. You don’t want to channel Britney and Justin circa 2001. But, if done right, it can set yourself apart from the crowd (and maybe even get you stalked by a CC writer).

Ready for some chambray? Here are a few of my faves:

Hair flair can transform an entire outfit and conceal your unwashed hair on days when you just don’t have time to shower (i.e. after a particularly long Tiki Tuesday). More importantly, unlike those expensive skinny jeans you picked up at the Nordstrom half-yearly sale, hair flair will always fit regardless of those holiday pounds, the freshmen fifteen, or the beer belly you’ve been sporting since football season (curse you keg stands and beer pong).

Well, if you want the same accessories as the Upper East Siders but don’t have the same cash monay, don’t worry.  Here is a thrifty way to get the fabulous look without paying the big bucks. And if this particular style isn’t for you, something is wrong with you we’ve got another awesome DIY hair flair project you can do instead.

What You’ll Need:

Stretchy headbands/headwraps: You probably have one of these lying around, but if not, these are super cheap and you can pick them up at drug stores like CVS, Long’s, Duane Read or at any beauty store. My favorite brand to use is Scunci No Slip-Hair Grips because they come in packs of 4, are comfortable, and easy to decorate. Use a black headwrap to keep it classy or a bolder color to add some extra pop.

Fabric: A foot or two of any type of cloth fabric in any color/design you want! Most craft stores sell fabric squares meant for quilting, which are perfect for creating your hair flair, as your fabric needs to be cut in a square shape before you begin. Bonus: Many craft stores (Michael’s or JoAnn’s) have tons of leftover fabric scraps that you can get for super cheap. Just ask one of those ladies with the scissors!

The fabric color/design you choose can make your headwrap traditional and classy (think colors like Ivory, Champagne, Black, Grey, Red, etc), or have a little more funk (think designs like zebra, polka dots, stripes, or neon!).

Beads, Rhinestones, Buttons, MORE FLAIR!: These are optional materials, but will add that extra spunk to your homemade headband.

Hot Glue Gun/Glue: Every crafter’s best friend and sometimes lover. You’ll need this for a few steps throughout the DIY process.

What You’ll Do:

1. Cut fabric into a 6×6 inch square piece. Cut another 4×4 inch square piece. (Really, you can cut these two pieces in any size square you want [depending how big and bold you want your headwrap to be]. Just make sure one piece is bigger than the other.)

2. Lay the fabric face-down (so the design/color side of your fabric isn’t showing) and grab it in the middle. Using your other hand, twist the fabric around the finger holding the center. The twisting will swirl the fabric to create a ruche-like effect. Hold finger in place, then fold and hot glue the four corners of the fabric to the center. Repeat with the smaller piece of fabric. You should now have two bubbly looking pieces of fabric!

3. Add a small button, rhinestone, or bead in the center of the fabric if you want to add some extra glitz.

4. Now, hot glue the two ruched fabric bubbles to the headwrap, side by side. Let dry. Once the pieces are glued to the headband, take some leftover fabric, cut out a small strip and glue it behind the fabric pieces (inside the headband). This will make your headwrap look more polished and be more comfortable for you to wear!

5. Wear your new hair flair! Wear like a traditional headband or pull it low across your forehead for a more bohemian look.

6. Take all compliments modestly, direct all admirers to CollegeCandy, and tell them, yes, you are a fashion visionary and trendsetter.

When you’re on a budget you can’t spend your money on just anything. You need items that are versatile, timeless and just plain pretty. And this beautiful dress from ASOS is all that and more.  It is short enough and reveals just enough skin with its strapless design for hitting those clubs on Saturday night. Put on some sexy, strappy heels and you are ready to conquer the dance floor.

When the party’s over, work this dress in a different way. You got a holiday party coming up? Slip it on with a pair of pumps and clutch. A nice family dinner to attend? Put a blazer over the top and you’re good to go. Wanna rock it out? Add a leather jacket, tights and a pair of ankle boots.

Unlike most mini dresses, this ASOS design is anything but typical. I really love the contrast created by the light drape, especially how it crosses the bust to the waistline and then back over again on the bottom. It’s not only flattering and elegant, but gives the dress a bit of intrigue as well. If you’re into the classics, go with the black and white version.  For a chic yet edgier look, choose the black on black. And if you’re all about the show stoppers, the red dress is for you.

With this dress in your closet you’ll have the solution to every wardrobe dilemma. Whether it’s a birthday party or a wedding, this dress is the answer.

Street chic
Wear a military jacket with skinny jeans and ankle boots for an edgy vibe. Layer over a tank with jewelry that matches the jacket’s buttons or embellishments.

Military meets girly
Pair a tough military-style jacket with a feminine piece, like a chiffon dress or tulle ballerina-esque skirt.

Here are some other cute military jackets. Work one into your style now for a chic look that’ll keep you toasty.

Check out more style tips and advice at StyleBakery.com!

OVER-THE-KNEE-BOOTS:
This show-stopping style is EVERYWHERE and comes in as many varieties as its shorter counterparts, appearing in every incarnation from leather to suede to exotic skins, and with heels ranging from sky-high to nonexistent.

EMBELLISHED FLATS:
A perfect transition from class to dinner to a party, these versatile shoes offer a more comfortable alternative to stilettos without sacrificing one bit of glamour. This year’s flats have a dramatic edge, covered in everything from studs to beads to jewels, and they add sparkle to every outfit, whether it be your favorite skinnies and boyfriend blazer or your slinkiest LBD.

CUTOUT BOOTIES
Last year’s basic booties and this summer’s cage heels and gladiators combine forces this season to create a truly amazing phenomenon–the cutout bootie! Perfect with leggings, or with tights and a minidress, these showstoppers make a dramatic statement without making you look like you’re strapped into snowshoes. The trick to finding the most flattering style is the cut–look for booties that dip down and expose your entire ankle (so more like “shooties”–shoes and booties, get it?) rather than covering it, so your legs are elongated and not cut off.

If the aforementioned scenario doesn’t happen to you, it’s because YOU my friend, aren’t wearing booties. Much like me without coffee, many times an outfit is not yet complete or adorable without a bootie.

I know, I know – I’m putting a whole lot of importance on the must-haveness of a bootie when there are more important things to be talking about right now. Like fashion week. Um I mean, health care. But the bootie is an evening essential. Why? Because booties are cute, and a lesson we all must learn at some point or another is that sometimes cute things in life are essential. Why? Because I said so.

Seriously, though; pair them with skinny jeans you can bunch at the ankle, a skirt or dress worn with thick opaque tights, or leggings (gentle reminder once again – LONG TOP!). They make everything look instantly cooler, which is good for all you jeans-and-a-black-top girls out there.

I’ve done the research and scoured the internet for you. Well, I was scouring the internet for me, but I’ll share my bootie loot with you too. And let me tell you, my findings are cute and cheap. And by that I mean cute enough for any night out and cheap enough that if someone spills beer or throws up on them, life will go on.

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