I have an extremely surprising and shocking announcement for all of you: I hate UGGs.

Now that I’ve got that off my chest, I’ve decided to counter these hideous slippers (yea guys, they’re slippers not boots) with 10 boots for under $200. Today’s retail price of a pair of UGGs is between $150-$180 (for the traditional UGG Australia brand UGGs), so it’s not like I’m asking you to hand over a ton more cash than you already would have.

Below are ten cankle-free, stylish alternatives to the UGG! Read More »

[The following is a guest post from our gal pals at CollegeFashion.net. They're like the college Rachel Zoe (sans baby bump). Have you checked them out yet?!]

For girls who live or go to school in snowy states, winter provides some unique fashion challenges. One of the biggest dilemmas we face has got to be finding fashionable footwear that keeps us toasty, dry, and slip-free.

Leather and suede styles require some extra TLC for winter conditions and aren’t as durable or practical as other styles. Rain boots and wellingtons are adorable and help to keep you from falling, but generally aren’t particularly warm, even with a thick sock. And, while the fashion-vs-function debate on Ugg boots rages on, even Ugg lovers have to admit that few things are worse than dealing with soggy sheepskin lining on an especially snowy or slushy day. Read More »

Whether you’re buying yourself a post-exam present or looking to put something on your list for Santa (with exact color, size and style….you don’t want him to get it wrong, do you?) boots should be high on your list. Temperatures are dropping, the snow is starting to fall and your toes are starting to get cold. Really, boots are a present for your feet, and after a semester of torturing them in communal showers and dancing the night away in high heels, it’s really the least you can do.

If you don’t already have a pair of boots – or yours are long overdue for a replacement – you should look at investing in a pair this season. And yes, I said investing. These babies aren’t always cheap, but can you really put a price on having 10 fully functional toes? Well, as functional as toes really are….

There are boots for all purposes and whether you’re trekking through snow to get to class, looking for something a little warmer than flats for a night out, or some combination of the two, there’s a pair out there for you. They’re great to slip on with a pair of jeans for class (duh), they’re great with a pair of leg warmers for a little extra toastiness on a busy day, and they look HOT with everything from the skinniest jeans to the miniest of skirts (yes, even rain boots!).

Here are 15 pairs I’m totally digging right now to get you started on your shopping. Read More »

I’ll never forget the year that Uggs first became popular, also known as the year that everyone on campus started to look like the science school had cloned humans. Maybe you remember the trend from bottom to top: It started with the tan (salt-stained) Uggs, and the black leggings, and the oversized shirt-dress. Just thinking about it makes me shudder. After spending many winters with snow stuffed sneakers resisting the Ugg-ly movement, it’s time to praise a boot that dared to be different.

This must be the first winter boot I’ve seen that doesn’t look like the offspring of the Ugg, not even it’s second cousin twice removed. The Women’s Bayshore Tall Boot from Sperry Top-Sider is from another family entirely.  (Yup! Sperry’s aren’t just for East Coast LAX boys anymore!) If you don’t want to keep confusing your boots with your roommate’s on the way out the door, you definitely need these.

The genius behind these boots is that THEY LACE UP. Who would have thought that not every person’s calf is one-size fits all when it comes to boots? Well Sperry Top-Sider thought of it. Nothing is worse then buying a pair of boots just to realize you have to buy a bunch of new skinny-leg jeans just to fit them in your boots, and the only thing worse than that is soaking-wet jeans because your campus refuses to shovel properly. And when you see that set of stairs that’s still caked with snow 3 days after a snowstorm, you can skip down them confidently with the awesome tracking on these bad boys. These will save you a lot of butt-bruises, broken laptops and humiliation- trust me.

The black is definitely my favorite, and the trimming of fur on the top is a nice touch instead of knowing you have a bunch hidden inside your boot that no one can actually see. And no worries, animal lovers – the genuine shearling is made from pelt, which means the fur is simply shaved from the sheep. No harm done! Read More »

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Those of us east coasters lugging our duffels and a month’s worth of mom’s cooking back to school have the added joy of doing it in below freezing temperatures. I’ve feared losing some toes to frostbite one too many times in the past couple of weeks and it has left me scolding my Uggs for not being able to keep out the frigid air.

When I underestimated the size of a puddle and then spent the rest of the afternoon squishing through my errands last week, I reached my breaking point.

As much as I love my cozy Uggs during the cold winter months, the truth is, they just aren’t doing the trick during this extremely harsh visit from Mother Nature. That being said, I have added a new item to my wish list (and I am kicking myself over the fact that I couldn’t have come to this realization a month ago when I could have added it to my Christmas list instead).

I’ve seen a ton of people wearing them around campus and I too need to get myself a pair of Sorel Caribous boots.

They are warm, they are comfortable, and best of all they are waterproof, AKA no more freakin’ puddles and mounds of slush leaving me soaked down to my socks. Read More »

About mid-July, after a month and a half of sweating my makeup off and having my thighs chafe in my shorts, I am begging Mother Nature to let winter come. I want to be able to not start dripping the second I step outdoors, I’m bored of all my summer clothes and overall just over the season in general.

When winter finally arrives, I’m happy as a clam. I’m looking forward to a solid three months of bundling up, celebrating holidays and the crisp winter air that comes with the drop in temperature.

But when we actually find ourselves knee deep in freezing temperatures (aka now), I find myself less than enthused at certain things that the season brings with it.

Don’t get me wrong – winter is still one of my favorite seasons and I’m enjoying everything it has to offer, but I always seem to forget the little annoyances that come along with the great stuff. While I love it more than anything, there are some things I’d be crazy to not be hatin’ right about now.

Love: Being able to wear my adorable plaid pea coat and leather motorcycle gloves.

Hate: Wearing said coat to run errands and coming back with huge pit stains from sweating my ass off in every store I enter.

Love: All the cute winter activities: ice skating, drinking hot chocolate, holiday themed shows, window shopping the Christmas displays…I can go on and on.

Hate: That I can’t get from activity to activity without my nose turning bright red and my entire face going numb so that I can’t feel the snot dripping down my cheek. Read More »

One of the must-have items this fall (and the fashion item that has taken the lead role in my dreams) is a pair of boots. Not only are they super functional, but boots are also one of the easiest, most-stylish ways to pull together an outfit.

There are many styles of boots in fashion this season, from shooties (shoe booties) all the way on up to the hottest style of ’09, the over-the-knee boot. It’s super sexy and a great way to add some va-va-va voom to your basic jeans and t-shirt combo. Yes, without looking trashy.

Boots aren’t cheap, but they’re a versatile addition to any college girl’s wardrobe. The perfect riding boot can be worn with jeans tucked in, or even with leggings or a dress – meaning they can dress up or dress down any outfit.

Boots are so popular right now that even the ugly Sorels of our childhood days are getting in on the action.  These super-functional boots have gotten a makeover so they will not only keep your feet dry in snowbanks, but they’ll look pretty damn adorable in the process.

You want to be warm, dry and totally hot? It’s time to get thee some boots. Tall, short, ankle or knee-high – there is literally something for everyone. Here are a few to drool over inspire you. Read More »

Let’s face it: Those UGGs aren’t earning you any style points, but you wear them anyway because they are comfy and they match everything. There are other footwear choices out there that are wearable, warm, and WAY cuter.

Before temperatures get too low, wear a cute pair of flats with jeans or a skirt to school. If your flats give you blisters on the back of your heel, try inserting Foot Petals Heavenly Heelz, which keep your feet from slipping in and out of shoes. A single pack costs $6.95. Here are some fashionable flats that will get you out of that UGG rut this school year:

Read More »

[Life isn't black and white. As much as we wish we simply loved or hated things, there is often that whole annoying gray area in the middle. Like, we hate how Walmart treats its employees...but we love the low prices! Or, we love how that boy makes us laugh....but we hate that he has no motivation in life. Damn you, gray area; you make decision-making that much more complicated!

There are so many difficult choices in life (do we love or hate tequila??), so we thought we'd sort through 'em right here. Every week we will discuss another issue we are torn up about. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!]

You’ve heard it all before…

“Uggs are so cute and comfy!” Girl with Uggs on.

“Uggs put the ‘ug’ in ugly.” Guy giving the girl a strange look.

I can see both sides and I’m completely torn:

Love Em:

Uggs are definitely one of the most comfortable types of shoes out there. And unlike the apparantly comfy-but-ugly Crocs (gag!), they actually match your outfit, and can be a cute addition to your winter wardrobe. Uggs come in lots of different colors and patterns, and although they’re a little on the expensive side, they last FOR.E.VER. (OK, maybe not forever, but I’ve had mine for 3 years and they’re as ridiculously soft as ever.) Read More »