Hello CollegeCandy viewers! My name is Meg, and I’ll be taking over the “Budget Stylista” column. I’m a freshman at the best school in Ohio, so adjusting to the “college budget” has been a tough transition, especially with my passion for style. Though shopping on a budget takes a little more effort, it can keep your closet full and your wallet fuller. With spring approaching new trends have been gracing the malls, outlets, runways and celebrities ensembles.

A few major trends, including color blocking and blazers, have been seen just about everywhere. Designers like Jason Wu, Donatella Versace and Balenciaga have welcomed the trend with open arms. With fresh looks and a refreshing pallet of colors, spring 2012 is looking to be an innovatively stylish season! (Click all the photos for shopping deets!)

Versace Spring 2012: Though neutral frocks ruled the runway, dainty pastels and brights like this little number stole the show. Finally, after months of dreary winter earth tones, it’s time to freshen your look with a burst of color. For those of you cautious stylistas, bold amounts of brights is the first step in your color blocking mission. The recreated ensemble features a coral mini with cream accents and simple jewelry. Total cost: $108

Jason Wu spring 2012: I honestly believe Jason Wu is my spirit animal. Jason has an incredible talent of taking a cup of couture, a quart of quality and a teaspoon of street chic to create gorgeous collections fit for fashionistas and minimalists alike. Take a high waist pair of shorts and pair them a fitted blazer to create a trendy NYC inspired look. Pair with an edgy pair of H&M kicks (did I mention they’re priced at $16?!)  and some funky shades. Total costs: $119

Balenciaga Runway 2012: Balenciaga is never one to disappoint, or fear taking risks. In B’s runway collection, clashing printed ensembles and lace ups were rocked in many different ways. With a Kelly Ewig marbled skirt and an H&M fitted leopard top, the patterns are so wrong they work together perfectly. If there is one thing to learn from the geniuses behind Balenciaga, it’s that opposites do attract; so much so that they go on to create a beautiful love child. Total cost: $140

There you have it fellow budget stylistas, the must-have spring trends recreated to become affordable and adorable. May the frugal force be with you!

I hate to go all crazy department store on you (It’s January 28th? Time to set up a Memorial Day swimsuit display!) but the fashion industry is always 6 months ahead of us normal folk. The elite designers of the trade have challenged us with innovative, advanced looks that put oh-so 2011 trends, like flare legged jeans and feathers, to shame. What? You can’t afford Roberto Cavalli? No worries fellow broke college students; I’ve recreated the looks with budget friendly brands. Prepare to rock 2012 with these inventive spring trends:

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Jessica Simpson is looking way pregnant.

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We can’t pronounce his name, but he’s hot.

Want to know where to get cheap, trendy scarves?

Classy, simple, minimalist ladies, beware! In this season of jewelry, the bigger the better!

While we used to make fun of Mr. T for his over-sized, overwhelming gold chain, we need to face facts and accept that big, gaudy, over-the-top jewelry is here to stay. (But not for long because every so often fashion trends recycle themselves, duh.)

Long ago, we as females reserved our ring fingers for the biggest rock of our lives: our engagement ring.  Since we’ve upped the ante on the jewelry field, the big, statement rock we once saved for a special day is now made in every – and I mean every ­– shape and size for all 10 fingers.

Like peacocks? Buy a peacock ring. Like bunnies? Buy a rhinestone embellished bunny ring and wear it on your pinky.

Because all of our style trends this season are in fast-forward, take a look at some of the most fashion forward statement rings! Read More »

This isn’t a post that’s going to tell you what the latest fashion trends are. Or a post that’s going to tell you what the worst fashion trends are. In fact, I’m not really attempting to change what you’re wearing at all. This post is more of a warning. Or an I told you so for our future selves.

By now we all know that trends come and go. They’re in and they’re out before we can even blink, never mind save up the money to splurge on them. But those trends we do manage to indulge in? Even those come back to haunt us. Remember that stuff that you thought was so totally cool back in the 90s (a lot of which happens to be coming back into style now…) that you laugh about now? Well give it another ten years and these will be the trends you’re regretting.

10. Fedoras. So cute. So chic. You’ve got to love menswear inspired pieces. Right now there’s nothing out of place about heading to the beach with a a fedora atop your head. But I fear that a few years from now there definitely will be. Read More »

[This post and contest come hot off the Internet presses from our friends at CollegeFashion!]

Although it’s not officially summer yet, I think it’s safe to say the hottest season of the year is in full swing. Now that the warm weather calls for a change in fashion, it’s time to update your summer wardrobe. Of course, this doesn’t mean you have to spend tons of money on a closet full of new clothes. That’s why I found six trendy, yet versatile items that will keep your look stylish all summer long and can easily be paired with the items you already own.

No matter what your clothing budget this summer, rest assured that purchasing even one of the items here will help to freshen up your summer look.

Feathers have always been huge in the world of fashion — and in the last few seasons, they’ve seen an especially big surge. While in the past, feathers were a glamorous touch added to hats and the collars of jackets, these days the feathers on  clothing and accessories have a more bohemian, earthy feel. Feathers and feather print adorn everything from jewelry to clothing to hair accessories, and I love the way they look with the other seventies-inspired fashion that’s popular this season.

And since feathers are literally everywhere these days, the good news is you don’t necessarily have to spend a fortune on them. Here are a few great feathered choices for just $20 or less!

I consider myself a fashionista, a fashion enthusiast, a clothing connoisseur. I keep up with the trends using my two favorite outlets: a fashion glossy and Twitter. And when I’m walking down the street and see that glam girl rocking the maxi dress I’ve had my eye on for weeks? I’m no happy camper.

But there’s one thing I consider worse — walking down the street and feeling the need to check what century I’m in because of a particularly “out there” ensemble. Sure, fashion recycles itself, but some of it deserves to stay in the trash.

Here are the  10 trends I hope fashion leaves behind.

10 wedges you’re going to want

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Dress like Leighton Meester

Steal her awesome style

Michael Kors shares his makeup tips

You can now own 3D sunglasses

Prereqs for beauty

Check out the newest hot fabric

Topshop’s new makeup line is perfect for the summer

Meet a backstage beauty

I really want/need this polish

Here at CollegeCandy we like to consider ourselves quite the fashion go-to girls. I mean, we tell you where to shop, what to buy, and how to wear it. So it’s only right that today, the first day of Mercedes Benz Fall 2011 New York Fashion Week (gah, that’s a mouthful!), we offer you our two cents on what’s to come.

But not so much on the clothes themselves, or even the designers. We’ll leave that to the professionals. Instead we’d rather focus on everything else. So here’s what’s coming your way from the runways of New York over the next 7 days. Well, besides the great clothes, and the good looking guys, and the gorgeous models, that is.

1. The ugliest clothes you’ve ever seen. They’ll be hideous. Unflattering. Out of proportion. They will break every fashion rule that has ever been made. No one will ever wear them. And no one will ever want to. But for the entirety of Fashion Week people will rave about how brilliant the designers are, and how great the clothes look. And sure they will probably inspire some really cute outfits from some less than Fashion Week-worthy designers, but those clothes? The originals? Those won’t be worn again. Not even by Blair Waldorf. Read More »