If I know one thing it’s that girls who only shop at Victoria’s Secret for the bras/panties/sexy lingerie are really missing out. That Vicki has a lot more to offer than lacy underthings that make your boobs look huge; Victoria’s Secret is also an awesome place to stock up on clothes, shoes and beauty products. They even have jeans that give your butt some lift!

VS is truly a one-stop-shop for all your girlie needs and the best news is, you can find things within your college gal budget (i.e. under $20). Shop on, ladies. Shop on! Read More »

America has more name brands than Law and Order reruns and while you may want to go unload your entire check at GAP or Abercrombie, you don’t want to buy something that you thought was cute and unique and later have buyer’s remorse when you see something identical for less.

I’m not encouraging you to start buying knock off Jimmy Choos from Payless and wanna-be BCBG dresses at Walmart (although, just throwing it out there, you may find some very GOOD knock offs). All I’m saying is you should know that EVERY store is competing with another store and when you shop competitively, you save money. Money that you can use to stimulate the economy…or your wardrobe.

So I thought I’d help you sift through the proverbial mall and figure out which stores are best for your budget. Each week I’ll be comparing apples to apples (or undies to undies) to give you the real deal and arm you with the knowledge you need to make the wisest wardrobe choices. Ready. Set. SHOP. Read More »

[It's pretty obvious that the average CollegeCandy reader has some very strong opinions. Opinions that she likes to share with everyone on the site. We love a strong woman, so we thought we'd give her a real forum to discuss her thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. Every Friday I'll be featuring a hot topic (like inter-cultural dating!) and leaving it up to you, the readers, to duke it out. So, read it and get your debate on in the comments section below!]

With Halloween on the way, thing are getting sexed up, so it only seems right that we get down to discussing the bare minimum of sexy coverings – lingerie.

On one side, practically every woman I know owns at least a couple of sets of racy underpinnings, and there’s a good reason for it. Completely aside from the obvious “look sexy for sex” aspect of lingerie (let’s face it, if clothes are coming off, guys care less about the undies than what’s under them) there’s a certain mental boost that comes from wearing pretty things – even if no one else gets to see them. Like putting on a great set of heels, the right underwear can change your mood, maybe even make you want to be ballsier/flirtier/whateverer and pump up your game. And in turn, that feeling can lead to all sorts of good things, including sex.

Another bonus on the lingerie side is that brands like Victoria’s Secret and websites like figleaves have brought sexy (and wearable) lingerie into reasonable prices, so now we can all afford to have a little more “badda-bing” in our lives.  And yeah, the average guy probably couldn’t tell La Perla from Fruit of the Loom, but pretty underthings are still probably going to get his heart pounding better than the rose-printed cotton ones your grandma bought you in high school. When you look sexy, you feel sexy, and do any of us really wake up in the morning and say “I just wish I weren’t so damn sexy!” (well, maybe on a good day). Read More »

I had an aversion to plaid for a really long time. Seeing it gave me hives as I remembered the days I was forced to wear it every day in the form of a pleated skirt paired with an ill-fitting polo and some tall navy socks.

Shudder.

But that’s all changed thanks in part to my (Gossip) girls doin’ their thing on the UES of New York City. Well, that and the fact that designers have embraced the classic pattern this season. Plaid is everywhere right now and it’s so cute I can’t even think of a good enough word to describe my newfound love for the stuff. Yes, I’ve gotten over my plaid-allergy and I want it all. There has never been a better or easier time to reclaim this fabulous fabric. Just leave your old plaid skirt in the closet (unless it’s Halloween… or you’re into role playing) and embrace a more sophisticated and updated plaid piece instead.

There are many ways to wear plaid, despite your shape, style or budget.  Every type of clothing and accessory imaginable can be found in plaid this season.  Whether you want to make a statement with a plaid coat, or embrace this trend secretly (via Victoria), there’s the perfect piece (or pieces!) out there for you. Read More »

School is in full swing, which means you’ve got classes, student groups, long hours in the library, late night binges after a long night of drinking….

And you gotta fit the gym in there somewhere.

I know, it’s always the first thing to go when things start getting busy, but it shouldn’t be! Working out regularly will keep you fit (obvi), and also help ease the stress and give you that much needed energy to get through those 16 credits, rush meetings, group projects and everything else you need to get through before Friday.

If that’s not enough to motivate you, perhaps some cute clothes will do? It’s obviously not easy to pull yourself out of bed and trek to the gym when you look (and therefore feel) like crap. Those baggy sweats and dirty t-shirts aren’t doing anyone any favors, especially you. And with all the super cute workout-wear that’s out there right now (in every. single. price point), there’s no reason to look drab for the gym. If you’re super busy, you can pile this stuff on before class and sneak in a workout during lunch; the clothes are so cute, no one would ever know. And if you’re just lazy, having cute and trendy pieces around will make you feel better and motivate you to get your butt moving. (It really works!)

If you need a kick in the (yoga) pants to get back to the gym, I’ve got 16 right here for ya. Enjoy. Read More »

When it comes to fashion, us college girls have standards to uphold. In the fall we must waltz into lecture in a pair of killer leather boots and a blazer. When winter hits, it’s our chance to show off all of our scarves and that cute button down pea coat. Then we enter spring, when mom ships us all of our jean skirts, sundresses and cute tanks.

But every single one of us has that day (or week) when real clothes just aren’t going to happen, whatever the reason:

1. You partied way too late and can barely open your crusty eyes. And…the walls may still be spinning.

2. It is below zero and blizzarding outside your dorm window, and your linoleum floor sends an icy chill up your leg when you get out of bed.

3. You have a test/essay due and spent the last 26 hours awake…at your computer.

Bottom line: You are not squeezing into jeans, a dress or any other article of clothing that requires zipping/squeezing/thinking. You are wearing sweats and UGG’s and that’s that. Luckily, while sweats can hardly be considered proper attire for any public venue, there are tons of new styles and options out there that won’t have everyone shooting you dirty looks as you run into class 20 minutes late.

So, if you’re gonna go with sweats, be a dear and go with a pair of these: comfy enough for an off-day, but cute enough that no one has to know.

Read More »

The word lingerie packs a powerful punch. At its mention our minds are taken into a whirlwind of lace and passion and hair blowing in the wind.  There’s such a big taboo clinging to lingerie, realistically speaking: lingerie is sex. If you walk into Victoria’s Secret and ask for your size the salesperson is bound to ask what the special occasion is. Anniversary? First time with your new BF? Plan on seducing a hottie into a one-night stand tonight?

But why does it always have to be about the men? It was made for women to wear, you know, and there’s no label on the tag that says “For sexual encounters only.” So why do us girls feel like the only time we should wear it or purchase it is when we have a sexual prospect in the near future, only to wrap it up and hide it in the bottom drawer until the next opportunity arises?

Is there a problem with wearing it for your guy? Of course not! I’m all for spicing up the bedroom; add some heels and a whip if that’s what your into. But why can’t we also wear it for ourselves? I think us girls deserve to feel beautiful, we deserve to feel comfortable, and once in a while why not throw on a slinky satin baby doll instead of your brother’s old sweatshirt and some bleach stained shorts? (Although I think I’ll always return to that as my default. There’s just something about a worn-in, holey sweatshirt).

Perhaps if you’re dorming with a roommate you should hold off on your proclamation of femininity in the bedroom (it could be weird to come home to someone lounging around in a lacy thong), but if you’re lucky enough to have a single room, go out and buy yourself some cute, flirty nightwear. You might be surprised at how refreshing it is.

Don’t know where or what to buy? Here are a few of our favorite sites: Read More »

Just because summer is over, doesn’t mean you have to mourn. With the start of fall comes new opportunities – including new clothes (!!!). And what’s one piece you just gotta get this season? The skirt. It’s chic and fun and more versatile than a pair of jeans.

Yes, really!

Skirts can be worn dressed up or dressed down. You can wear them over bare legs to show off that tan, or layered over a fun pair of tights when the weather gets cool. You can rock them to class with a tank and flats, or pull ‘em up a little higher with a tucked in cami and some heels for a night on the town. There is so much fashion opportunity with a skirt, you’d be a fool not to get at least one. Or, you know, all sixteen of these. Read More »

The stepping stone to the perfect outfit is the right underwear. With the start of the school year rapidly approaching, it is time to purge your drawers of anything ill-fitting, stained or tattered. It may be hard to part with your favorite undergarments, but there are a million reasons why you should. Like the fact that no boy wants to see you in a pair of torn up undies, or that around 80% of women wear the wrong size bra.

Be nice to your girls and go get re-fitted.

It’s a new year, and it’s important to purge the old and buy new pretty underthings.  Even if you usually steer clear of color in your wardrobe, your lingerie is the perfect place to add a little excitement without any risk.  Whether you’re going to be showing it off for someone special (or someone those beer goggles make you think is special), or are just going to be dancing in front of your own mirror, it’s a good time to pick up some new pieces.

Lingerie can make even the shyest girl feel instantly sexy, and there is literally something out there for everyone. In fact, there are lots of somethings, which means you can stock up and hold off on laundering for a little bit longer. Anyways, here are some of my favorite under-thingies – from sexy to sweet, normal to naughty – right now: Read More »

No matter how hard you fight it, it’s almost time to go back to school.  As you’re checking off your to-do list, make sure you factor in the college student’s favorite pastime: sleeping.  Whether you live in a res hall or are off-campus with roommates, it’s important to have some cute and comfy PJs to toss on. Why?

1. Lots of people are going to be seeing these things (and I’m not talking about the people you bring home…), so it’s time to toss out the ratty high school t-shirts and invest in something cute.
2. Lots of people are going to see you, so if you tend to sleep in the buff I’m pretty sure your roomie would much prefer to see you in some jammies than, well, see your naked butt. Factor in the unexpected fire alarms/friends barging in at all hours of the night, and you’re going to want to have something to toss on even if you have a room to yourself.

Lucky for all of us, there are tons of options when it comes to cute and cozy PJs. No matter how much or how little you’ve slept in in the past, there’s something (or lots of somethings for those 6 week runs between laundry days) super adorable for you.  And if you feel like channeling your inner Holly Golightly while your roommate studies 10-feet from your face, there’s a mask for you, too. Read More »