[Welcome to Celebrity Chic on the Cheap, where our style guru takes a celebrity look and breaks it down for you, our poor college fashionista. What does that mean? It means that while the celebrities (like "damn, she always looks so cute," Ashley Tisdale are spending $5,000 on an ensemble, you don’t have to.]

Confession: I miss hot-mess Nicole Richie. You know, 2003, fresh out of rehab, best friends with Paris Hilton, multi-colored, slightly raggedy extensions rocking, flashing boobies at fashion shows Nicole. I mean, sure, the babies are cute, her hair always looks silky and glorious, and the same antics that a 22-year-old engages in are a lot less cute in a 30-year-old. But still. I’m always a little bummed when not-Lindsay-tragic hot messes start domesticating themselves, because their uninhibited messiness is kind of admirable.

But it’s no big, because now I can admire Nicole for her banging sense of style. She’s the reason we all know who Rachel Zoe is, because Ms. Zoe is the one who gave Nicole a makeover even Cher Horowitz would be impressed by. And after Nicole became a style icon, suddenly every Hollywood starlet under the age of 30 was in Rachel’s care, but while they all looked like clones, Nicole always stood out. She has a strong sense of self that comes through in the outfits she wears, so while she may be uber trendy, she never looks dull or uninspired. Read More »

The new thing gaining popularity in my closet (and Kim Kardashian’s) is definitely the vest. I’m a layer goddess, so whenever I see a vest paired with a summer scarf or a big bag I start drooling. And it’s starting to get super embarrassing when I’m in public.

Whenever I find myself searching for an easy go-to-night outfit, the vest is loyal to my dress-up needs. The right kind of vest can dress up any simple tee and skinny jeans.  But you know what the fabulous twist is? The right kind of vest can also casual down any outfit as well.  It is so versatile!  Like an extra whipped boyfriend, the vest is the best for all your feel-good needs.

Therefore, in an ode to the vest let’s look at the cheapest and most stylish ones of them all. Read More »

This look is from the Nautica Fall 2007 collection…show your boyfriends!

Bright and early this Wednesday morning, fashion’s bleary-eyed elite (and me) invaded New York’s Bryant Park for Mercedes Benz Spring 2008 Fashion Week.

Phew.

My first stop? Nautica.

I know, ladies. It’s not a women’s line, but trust me when I say that my report on this specific show is worth it.

The theme? Hot male models with no shirts on.

Okay, no. I’m no fashion maven so to me the theme was a kind of bathrobe/bathing suit/sports jacket thing. But fashionable nonetheless!

If this collection was any indication of what’s to come for men’s wear, expect to see your best guys wearing the following:

Those Ray Ban sunglasses every celeb has been sporting all summer? Expect to see these classic frames everywhere.

They aren’t just sunglasses anymore, clear lenses make these frames totally wearable 24/7.

Vests, vests, and more vests. Nautica was all business. That said, don’t expect your boy to don cufflinks next spring. It was complete desheveled organized chaos. Read More »