[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), and 2. A major lack of storage space. For these two reasons, maximizing what you already 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.]

There’s a pile of clothes on the floor beside your closet, and you’re still standing in your undies undecided about what to wear. The transitional season wardrobe slump has hit you. Whether key pieces of clothing are sitting in your hamper (two wears over what is considered hygienic) or you just can’t make up your mind, you have nothing to wear. On the verge of running late for your class, your job or meeting up with friends, you know you have to ”Make it work!”

The catchphrase of style guru Tim Gunn can be applied to the battle with your closet. His Top 10 Wardrobe Essentials may seem targeted at career women, but having some of these items can help you on days when you have nothing to wear. Meet the “every occasion” top – a shirt that can be layered under a jacket (or cardigan) but can be worn alone for a night out. For this week’s Shop Your Closet I chose a cute, affordable ruffled keyhole top from Old Navy that will work with the goodies you’ve already got in your closet. Read More »

Shorts have been around for a few seasons now and (after getting over that whole ‘thighs rubbing together’ thing) I’m finally warming up to them. And even though winter is almost here (sigh), shorts are showing no signs of saying farewell. In fact, now that designers are making them in winter fabrics like wool and tweed, they’re taking over.

At this point I wouldn’t be surprised if North Face started making quilted down winter shorts.

So how does one wear these “winter shorts,” you ask? Simple. Just like in the summer, you can make these shorties look great for day or night and still show off those legs of yours. Only this time, they’ll be wrapped in some tights (because frost bite is not a good look on anyone). Read More »

Tweed might make you think of a stereotypical professor - the old man (who doesn’t know how to use email) with elbow patches on the tweed blazer he wears every single day, the one that looks like he’s wearing since he started teaching 30 odd years ago. Well throw this image out the window, because tweed is a gorgeous fabric that should be in every college girl’s (and guy’s for that matter) wardrobe.

This gorgeous textured fabric is perfect for fall, especially for the college girls. It’s a thicker fabric that will keep you warm. It comes in several neutral shades, making it the perfect compliment to your rich colored tops. And while the tweed blazer is always a classic, if you feel too stuffy in one, there are many alternatives to work it into your wardrobe. Think winter shorts, dresses, bags, and even the knee-high socks that are so popular this season.

So forget about Professor Boring McTweed and embrace the new tweed of 2010.

[Click the image for all the shopping info!] Read More »

So, Express isn’t cheap. That is pretty obvious when you walk in and the hot shirt your eying for your birthday party is marked at $49. But every few months, they have a major sale. And I mean major. The kind that makes you giddy and happy and willing to sift through giant over-stuffed racks because the deals are just. that. good.

You see, Express marks their stuff down to really low prices and then gives you an additional 20% off of that! That is some serious saving on a lot of really cute stuff. It’s a frugal fashionista’s dream. And that dream is coming true right now.

I sifted through the (digital) racks for you and pulled 8 of my favorite pieces. They’re all under $20, so you can stock your closet without that annoying guilt getting in the way. Read More »

This week our usual Fashion Porn was placed on the back burner to make room for the fashion lover’s Christmas: Mercedes Benz Fashion Week.

As fashion week wraps up, I already have a long shopping list of what I must find once Spring clothes hit the shelves.  While I’m aware that this is months away, the collections this year were so beautiful that I’m going to have to start saving up in order to stock my closet with the affordable versions of the designs I saw this week.

And although it’s hard to play favorites with the many diverse collections that walked the runways, there are five fabulous designers that really stood out amongst the prints, sky high heels, and oversized accessories at this year’s NY Fashion Week. Fashion Week MVPs, if you will

The Fashion Week All-Stars. Read More »

We’ve teamed up with our friends at FashionPulseDaily to bring you the best of Forever 21. Every Wednesday, we’ll highlight a fabulous Forever 21 item that stands out above the rest in that over-crowded (but totally fabulous), color coordinated store. For more fashion fun, check out FashionPulseDaily.

Without a doubt, it can certainly be a challenge to find a dress that is winter-weather worthy. Oftentimes, I just throw on a pair of thick tights under my favorite summer dresses, and off I go!

The ideal winter dress, this Madeira Knit Dress, $22.80, has a knit bodice and tweed skirt portion to it, that also has a bit of wool for some extra warmth. I’m not suggesting to ditch the tights, merely to pick-up a cute winter-specific item which will give you a style, and warmth boost.

[In early adulthood there is an activity that plays a large role in most of our lives; nights out on the town. And with those nights out always comes the question: “What am I gonna wear?!?” Each week I’ll be putting together a cute and affordable “going out” ensemble guide (that you can tweak to your own personal style and body type, of course) so that maybe that age-old question can be answered a little quicker than usual. And your friends aren't waiting - for hours - for you to emerge from your room.]

So the weather’s colder and we’ve said good-bye to the sexy tanks and sandals of summer, but that doesn’t mean you can’t look sexy & flirty, while still keeping cozy. A perfect fall solution is to pair up those sassy summer dresses with a funky pair of tights and a cute and flirty jacket. You won’t be miserable freezing your bootie off as you bar hop, and I can bet you’ll still be turnin’ heads.

I love this dress from Forever 21 and it’s only $22.80. It’s basic enough that you can wear it multiple times in a plethora of ways. Add a belt, wear different kinds of tights and/or shoes, put on a blazer; all of these things will mix it up and give you a new outfit. Of course, you can find basic cocktail dresses all over the place, so find what suits you and go with that, just make it as basic as possible so you can dress it up with accessories without going overboard. Read More »