The sun is shining. The birds are chirping. And I’m finally able to put the big winter coat away. It’s time for iced caramel macchiatos and driving with the windows open and the music blasting. It’s time for spring.

Well…almost.

For me it won’t quite be spring until I’ve done my spring shopping. And I plan to do a lot of spring shopping. Bright colors. Neutral shoes. 70s inspired shirts. Lady like pieces. Long skirts. So much to choose from. And so little cash. Sigh. I guess I’ll have to stick with my top five. These are the spring trends I just can’t live without. And you shouldn’t either.

Wide Leg Jeans.

I resisted this trend. I resisted this trend a lot. Because as much as these jeans are supposed to flatter every body type, and as much as these jeans are supposed to make your legs longer, and as much as everyone wants to embrace these jeans with open arms, I was worried they’d look dated next to my favorite pair of skinnies. But two weeks ago I caved and bought a pair. I tucked a white button down into them and paired them with some wedges and a really cute belt. And you know what? It looked really great. I may just have a new favorite jean.

Check out our favorite wide leg jeans here

Chunky Wedges.

Being all of five foot nothing I’m a girl who likes her heels. But I like them even more when they’re a chunky wedge with wooden or rope woven bottoms, and lots of crisscross straps. I like them in leather and in cloth. In bright color and neutral shades. I like them with skinny jeans and wide leg trousers and longs skirts and short dresses. I like them with pretty much anything, actually. And this spring wedges will be my go-to shoe. That’s for sure.

Check out our favorite chunky wedges here

A Striped Shirt.

Sometimes preppy. Sometimes Parisian. Always chic. I love stripes because they’re like wearing a print without actually having to wear a print. (I’m not a big fan of prints.) And I especially love this seasons stripes because there are so many different options to choose from. Horizontal stripes. Vertical stripes. Thick stripes. Think stripes. And those cute one that looked they were drawn without a ruler? Those are my favorite. I’m a fan of the traditional blue, but this season everyone’s favorite pattern is available in lots of bright colors too.

Check out our favorite striped shirts here

70s Accessories.

When I was flipping through the pages of my April StyleWatch I almost started to feel like I was watching an episode of That 70s Show. 70s style is back this year, and it’s pretty big deal too. Now I’ve never been much for peasant tops or bright red pants, but even I can appreciate crochet accents and fringe bags. Flower rings, turquoise jewelry. Big earrings. Keep them coming please. I’ll pair them with my wide leg pants.

Check out our favorite ’70s accessories here

A classic trench coat.

The trench is having a moment right now, of that you can be sure. But I know I won’t have to feel guilty about this purchase because the trench has been around for a very, very long time, and it will continue to be around for a long time to come. From Audrey Hepburn to Victoria Bechkam, from rainy days to dinner dates, every girl can wear a trench for just about any occasion. And I plan to use mine quite a bit this season.

Check out our favorite trench coats here

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Stay warm with these amazing boots!

I know what you’re thinking: white denim can only be pulled off by the super-skinny-I-say-I-eat-cookies-but-I-really-only-’eat’-water-I-totally-have-you-fooled! type of girls. But I’m here to tell you you’re wrong! Wrong! Wrong!

White denim can be worn by almost anyone given that you wear it the RIGHT way. I generally recommend going one size up when wearing white pants. Also, look at your body type; if your legs are short, if you are bottom heavy or if you just feel your  legs are not your best asset, don’t go for super skinny, super tight white pants. Stick to a boot cut, wide leg or flare. Also, pair it with a top that flows well with the bottom, A pattern is great because it brings the eye up. And don’t forget to keep the shoe neutral so that it blends and looks monochromatic. Black patent shoes paired with white jeans will only draw the eye down.

And lastly, please, for the love of g-d, don’t wear a thong if the fabric is thin. There is nothing worse than white pants accessorized with too much jiggle in your wiggle. It turns your cute little sashay down the street to anything butt (extra T intended).

So here is this week’s Celebrity Chic on the Cheap: Kate Bosworth Rocks The White:

White pants
These ankle jeans are perfect for summer and great to show off a cute flat. Or, the fuller leg of this second pair gives a more casual feel. You can wear them with flats or throw on a wedge. Great for us hippier girls as well.

Floral top
Here are two great options that just scream wear me while brunching outside with a mimosa. Okay twist my arm if you must…

Purse
Keep it neutral since the floral pattern on the shirt is busier

Shoes
A cream flat or a neutral (ADORB) sandal. Both cute. Both cheap. And both are white wardrobe essentials.

Sunglasses
These are just painfully chic.

Hot Arm Candy
You may just want to try this.

[Every week 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 are spending $5,000 on an ensemble, you don’t have to.

All you have to do is click on the goods and - boom - you can buy the entire ensemble. Yes, we know; there is a spot for her in heaven.]

With this Indian Summer we’ve got going on- it’s not warm enough to wear the sundresses or cute jean shorts, but it’s not cold enough to wear all those fabulous jackets and oversized sweaters – we are left with three options:

1) Giant armpit stains in our sweaters

2) 24/7 goose bumps in our tanks

3) Resort to a nice balance: the Boho Chic.

Obvi, number 3 is the way to go. Boho Chic is just perfection for those warm fall days that we all love so much. And the way Tween-Queen Miley is rocking it I just want to snag her style (even if she is, like, 12).

She looks cute and chic without being cheesey, and is one celebrity that actually know hows to dress. her. age.

So, here we go:

Celebrity Chic on the Chic: Miley Cyrus Sports the Boho Chic

Jeans

Miley’s are from the brand Rich and Skinny (of which I am neither), in the Belissma Style. They are SUPER cute and come in a bunch of colors…but they are also $154 dollars.

“I didn’t make millions starring on the Disney Channel, you idiot,” you say?

Well, that’s why I’ve provided a much more realistic and totally cute alternative. Let’s call them “Poor and Average Sized” jeans. Miley’s are a wide leg, but these skinnies are perfect to tuck in should you choose to rock this look with boots instead of sandals (I prefer it with the boots), because, let’s face it, it’s October and not everyone lives in Hollywood.

Boho-Inspired Top

There are tons of options for this top since its loose and flowy – Throw a tank underneath, or layer it with a long sleeve ribbed t-shirt once it gets colder. Or you could throw a long cardigan over it, or simply leave it by itself for a night out.

Shoes

I covet these boots. So cute. A GREAT fall staple, but also cute for this look.

But if you live in some climate where it is still warm enough for sandals (I hate you.), these platforms fit perfectly with this bohemian vibe.

Patent Leather Tote

Big enough to hold all your crap, but small enough to go out if you’re too lazy to switch it up. Miley has a black bag, but if I was Miley’s stylist, I would have told her to go for the honey brown. (So, Miley, if you are reading this…call me!)

[Do you ever feel like you can’t pull something off? Have trendy pieces in your closet that you would never have the courage to actually wear out? Well take those pieces out, shake off the dust, and continue reading!

In this series, I will choose a different piece that can be difficult to incorporate into an outfit and give you ideas on how to wear it. If there’s anything you would like to read about in the future, please leave a comment!]

Is anyone else getting tired of skinny jeans? I mean they look great on people like Kate Moss and Nicole Richie, but for those of us without personal trainers rocking skinny jeans can make one feel a little self-conscious. If you feel more comfortable with a wider pant (something a little more forgiving of that 3 a.m. Chinese food feast), then I suggest my current favorite style: wide leg jeans.

Wide leg jeans are just as trendy as skinny jeans right now, but they flatter a wider variety of body shapes. The difference between a wide leg pant and a pant that is wide at the bottom (i.e. flared denim), is that they fall from the hips instead of the knee break. To me, this makes them seem a bit more dressed up than other pant styles because most dress pants are constructed similarly. However, wide leg jeans are definitely still appropriate for class or a night out.

If you are just purchasing your first pair of trouser or wide leg jeans, you are probably wondering what to wear with them. There are two keys to rocking wide leg denim:

1)Wear a fitted top. Too often I see people make the mistake of wearing a baby doll or other wide top with their wide leg denim and the result is: WIDE. This does not necessarily mean that you have to wear something skin tight, but you should put on a slimmer top to help balance out the wideness of your jeans. The tank on the left, from Abercrombie ,is an example of a shirt you should not wear with wide leg jeans, while the Arden B top on the right would be perfect.

2) Watch your hemlines. Perfect tailoring will make any pair of jeans look amazing, but it is especially important for wide leg pants. The hem of your jeans should just skim the floor to create a long and lean look. This means that you won’t be able to wear the same pair of wide leg jeans with your heels and ballet flats – you have to commit to one (PLEASE – no cuffing!).

My favorite brand for wide leg jeans is 7 For All Mankind. Both pairs are super comfortable and stretchy. For a high waist, try the Ginger style (left). If you prefer a lower waistline try the Dojo style (right). Both are available at Nordstrom.

This pair of jeans from American Eagle is also really cute (for only $50!). The best part is that it comes in Long, Regular, Short, and X-Long styles so you might be able to skip the tailor!

Want to know more? Get all your fashion-on-a-college-budget updates by joining CollegeCandy’s Facebook group. 

And suede boots with fringe.

Dude, WTF is up with footwear this year?! I am usually pretty good at keeping up with the trends, but this one totally surprised and baffled me. Fringe? On a suede boot?

I know that I swore I would never understand the whole Ugg phenomenon – and then went out and bought 2 pairs – but this is a look I really don’t get. What does one wear with a boot full of fringe? What kind of look is this? And don’t people get worried about getting caught in escalators?

Am I alone in this?

The Fringe Boot: Yay or Nay?

With classes starting, like, now (eek!), here are 5 foolproof items that will carry you throughout the year. Versatile, comfortable and reasonably priced, it’s a wonder you don’t already own them!

1. Short-Sleeve Cardigan

The collegiate look is in this year. It’s just a fact. And for those of you who aren’t exactly fond of the whole prep-school-blazer look, here is a much more subtle option. The short-sleeve cardi is super functional, being worn with a tank top or tee during the warm months, or a long-sleeve tee once it gets cold in your neck of the woods. Pick up one in a neutral color and see it become a wardrobe staple.

2. V-Neck Tees

Admit it – when you think of a v-neck tee, most of you recall images of either a) a hairy-chested mafiaoso or b) Lindsay Lohan wearing too-big shirts while frolicking around LA. So, needless to say, the v-neck has gotten an undeserving bad rap. But it is so much more than a uniform for the Godfather and drug addicts! V-neck is probably the MOST flattering cut of all. It skims over thin girls beautifully and if you’re bigger, it draws attention upwards, away from your tummy. Lots of stores, even Target, have caught on, so you really have no excuse not to pick one up.

3. Plaid

If just the word plaid brings to mind images of Paul Bunyan, it’s about time to get over it! Take one look at the fall runways and you will see plaid everywhere. And this trend couldn’t be easier to pull off. Add a bag or a pair of plaid flats to a neutral outfit for a bit of spice, or if you’re feeling adventurous, rock a plaid shirtdress. Even more functional, how about a bomber jacket, in the traditional lumberjack red check? The options for this one are endless.

4. Wide Leg Jeans

Although skinnys are certainly not gone (and I am so happy about that!), wide leg styles are making a HUGE comeback! Light washes give off a 70′s flair and are super cute paired with a tie blouse, while dark washes, a black top and a pashmina scarf simply scream chic. Check out your favorite jean store, such as American Eagle or Abercrombie for your own pair. The chain stores have already picked up on this one and so should you!

5. Fringe

Keeping with the 70′s theme, leather fringe has been all over the runways. The most popular ways to wear this are going to be with over-the-shoulder satchels and suede boots. If you’re a bit more out there, how about a fringed vest? Your local thrift store is sure to have a few options in stock. Top this one off with a headband across the forehead, like Nicole Richie or one of the Olsens, and you’ll rule the school.