Being in college makes it hard to stay in style. College makes girls want to put on their sweatpants, throw their hair up and forget about make up every day. Believe me, I’ve been there. College can really stress people out and girls probably find it difficult to keep up with the latest fashion trends. For those of you overwhelmed college females looking for some new fashion tips, here is what I have found to be cute and easy styles to pull off.

The infinity scarf
Scarves are cute and practical especially for places where it is cold in the winter. The new fashion trend that has taken off everywhere is the infinity scarf. It is just like what it sounds. This scarf has no beginning and no end. It is one continuous circle that you wrap around your neck a few times. They are very cute, comfy and affordable.

Elbow patch sweaters
You may have seen this style in the past on older men and grandpas. Big chunky sweaters with elbow patches are no longer things of the past. They are now considered in style and very fashionable for girls. I wouldn’t suggest going through your grandpa’s closet to find these types of sweaters, but places like Forever 21, H & M, and Charlotte Russe all sell this hot commodity.

Tights
Tights used to be itchy and uncomfortable when I had to wear them to church as a five year old. Tights are a new way to spice up an outfit. Wearing a dress and tights is easy and also comfortable at the same time. Instead of wearing sweats, throw on some tights! They are a lot cuter than those old baggy things that I know you’re thinking about putting on. Don’t do it! Slip on some cute tights that have a pattern to them with a solid dress. I guarantee you will get a lot of compliments.

Lace-up boots
Boots have been all the rage for a couple of years now. This season, they have changed up the typical boot though. The newest trend with boots is the lace up. These boots are easy to throw on over jeans, leggings or tights. They have a lot of different colors but the most popular ones are brown, black and tan. I have a pair of beige ones and I wear them with everything. They are very practical in winter and they can dress up any outfit in an instant.

Lacy tops
Another item that I have noticed that has become quite popular is the lacy top. Long sleeved or short sleeved, this shirt is a really high fashion item. These shirts are really lacy and girls can wear a cute, colored undershirt to make the lace stand out.

TOMS shoes
I’m sure you have all seen and heard about these shoes. Apparently, every time a pair of these shoes is bought, a pair goes to a poor child in Africa who does not have shoes. Although TOMS can be really expensive, they are for a good cause. They are also very light and comfortable shoes that are perfect for walking to and from campus. These popular shoes are perfect for girls to slip on when they need to go out and walk around.

About the Author: Meagan Hollman is a writer for MyCollegesandCareers.com. My Colleges and Careers is a great source to help people choose the right online courses.

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All women should have at least one little black dress that can be worn for any type of occasions. For many women, the little black dress also serves as an emergency outfit for any party or function. That is why it is essential that your dress fits and suits your body type perfectly.  It should flatter your figure and look classic and great overall.

Here is how to choose the perfect little black dress for yourself:

Window Shopping

Sometimes, women tend to buy anything that grabs their attention without taking time to try it on. This is a bad habit because; you might end up wasting your money because you can’t wear the dress that you bought. No matter how cheap or expensive your dress is, always make sure that it is worth your money. The first thing that you can do is to window shop to look for the best little black dress that you like. But don’t just grab the one that looks best on the rack. Try on your favorites to learn the fit of the dresses, and see if it looks good on you. Remember, when choosing a black dress, make sure you have ample of time to be able to decide which black dress you like.

If you purchase online, be sure that you can return items that don’t work for you. One trick is to purchase from department stores that are also near to you so that, if you do not care for your online purchase, you can return it to the local store to save on shipping.

Dress Size

Always keep in mind that there are a lot of sizes and brands, and sometimes the brands don’t have the same sizes for your body. You might be a size 6 for some brands, while you might be a size 5 for others. So try on different sizes. You can gather as many as you can in different sizes for dressing room comparison and feel free to ask sales associates to help you out. Always make sure to fully zip up the dress to make sure that it really fits you perfectly.

Comfort

Choose a little black dress that will make you comfortable, especially during the times when dancing is a must. If you are uncomfortable with your dress, you will end up unhappy with your choice or with a dress that won’t work for all occasions.

Accessories

When trying on the black dress, make sure that it will look good with your favorite accessories.  For example, if you normally wear silver, don’t buy a little black dress with gold details. Also consider the heel height you prefer to wear and its effect on the hemline.  You can bring accessories with you to test out with dresses when shopping.

Shop for Little Black Dresses at Nordstrom

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In true fashion style and excitement running through the streets of London, the London fashion week is back this year in February and is bound to pull out all of the stops for an incredible event. All the big names in fashion, fashion houses, brands, designers, models and the well-heeled fashionable elite are gearing up for a spectacularly fabulous, fashion infused week extravaganza. The London fashion week dates for this year have been provisionally booked from the 17th to the 22nd of February, just keep an ear open in the press for any changes. This year is set to be an incredible show with emphasis placed on the time old favorite designers, new up and coming talents and always in recent fashionable style imploring environmental standards that could possibly be communicated though the use of the new environmentally friendly cardboard hangers.

The London fashion week and all the London fashion week events will be held at the always uber-chic Somerset House in the centre of London with style and functionality taking centre stage. The London fashion week has firmly cemented itself among the other prominent fashion weeks across the globe from fashion week in Paris, New York and Milan. We have seen some interesting and innovative designers showcasing some fashion forward work on the catwalks of the fashion shows and London fashion week 2011 received rave reviews from all acclaimed fashionistas in the game of looking fashion ready.

The London fashion week designers on board this year are of the highest regard in the industry and have been eagerly preparing to deliver an amazing showcase of their talents. A new addition to the London fashion week schedule is the incorporation of the cinema program. The cinema program will be located in BFC show space in Somerset house with live streams and a dedicated film program being showcased. There will be an array of films being looped in between the live streams being broadcast just adding that more glam to the already glitzy London fashion week happenings.

The London fashion week designers will fall under catwalk designers showcasing their creations in all different categories for spectators to marvel in and there will be an array of exhibitors that will be exhibiting ready-to-wear creations as well as accessories. In London fashion week news, this year the fashion forward winners will showcase their unrivalled designs supported by the major of London. The fashion forward scheme was designed to enable talented emerging designers with the opportunity to showcase their work and break into the fashion industry.

With the new green stance the fashion industry has now started to follow the London fashion week together with British fashion council and Monsoon founded Estethica focused on ethical fashion practices and environmental sustainability. From hanger recycling to following ethical practices the show is still as fabulous as ever but in an environmentally conscious manner.

For the fashion inclined or even the few interested and intrigued followers, head to the London fashion week for your dose of fashion innovation and style.

About the author: Jemma Scott is an avid writer on exciting events from across the globe

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Are you ready for Jason Wu For Target? It hits the stores today! It might be crazy!

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Belgian born Diane von Furstenberg first embarked on a career in fashion in the late sixties after moving to the United States. Although she had no formal qualifications in fashion design, she quickly became a success with her range of dresses, a new style of women’s fashion designed to be elegant yet simple and accessible. Her manufacturing business quickly rose to prominence, and she expanded it over the years with accessory, jewelry and cosmetic fashion lines.

A Gap in the Market
At a time when more and more women were entering the workforce, she saw there was a growing need for women’s clothing that was both practical and professional as well as stylish and chic, and aimed to produce designs catering to this.

The Iconic Wrap Dress
In 1972, she pioneered the wrap dress, which would become her signature dress. Lauded as a chic and sexy, easy-to-wear style which flattered all body shapes, its success took off overnight and firmly established von Furstenberg as one of the top designers in the world of fashion. Her success was largely due to her talent for designing dresses which women of all shapes could look stylish and sexy in, yet were still practical to wear. Of the new, modern way of life for women she said: “You don’t sit around in little white gloves and big hats and try to look fashionable. You have a job, a husband or lover and children,” and the collections she has launched over the years reflect this.  Her fashion lines soon branched out into sportswear, beachwear, lingerie, and even house wear, all of which enjoy a high level of success.

Literary Success
Von Furstenberg has had two successful books published, in 1976, “Book of Beauty,” which detailed her approach to fashion and design and in 1998 her autobiography, “Diane: A Signature Life.” She has also appeared as a judge on several episodes of “Project Runway.”

Industry Recognition
In 2005 she received a lifetime achievement award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America, and is currently serving as its president.

Charity Work
She has also contributed a lot to charity and serves as a director of the Diller – von Furstenberg Family Foundation, which donates to non-profit organizations, she created the DVF Awards, which awards $50,000 to four women annually who display leadership in women’s causes, and she is on the board of Vital Voices, which provides support to entrepreneurial women around the world.

Currently, her Spring/Summer 2012 collection “Beginnings” has been launched and features a variety of off beat colors, floral prints, and kimono style dresses.

Find a selection of Diane Von Furstenberg clothing including the iconic DVF dresses at Boutique 1

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As we approach the month of February, it is time to figure out what is in style for the coming spring.  Shops nationwide are preparing for the influx of spring inventory to satisfy fashionable appetites with the latest trends this season.  Let’s take a look at what kind of prints will be gracing the racks next month and when things begin to defrost in the spring.

Animal Prints

Animal prints go in and out of vogue every few years.  Best to just go ahead and add a few pieces to your collection that can be rotated from the front to the back of your closet based on the current trend. Roberto Cavalli’s leopard print accessories collection is a testament that this is one of the years certain animal prints will be in.  If you’re not sure how you feel about a full leopard print dress, stick to leopard print accessories and add them to more solid colored outfits.

Retro Prints

Diane Von Furstenberg’s spring 2012 runway collection combines large, bright, retro prints offset with loose cuts – purple and red, green and indigo, gold and blue combinations set in floral design or repeat pattern reminiscent of early 1960’s fare.  These are beautiful options for blouses and skirts.  We wear solids so much of the time; it’s nice to see large boisterous prints coming into the forefront to balance things out a bit.

Gingham

Gingham and check print fabric seem to have inspired design legend Marc Jacobs this spring.  Taking a page from the 1940’s down home print and updating it with sheer, silky or shiny fabric choices and contrasting complimentary solid pieces.

Don’t shy away from these retro prints this season.  Choose options that are quality, and you’ll get plenty of wear out of them this year and then be able to recycle them in a few years again, as retro prints clearly never completely go away.

About the Author: Clari Farkash is the designer of the Clarisse line of prom dresses, cocktail dresses and homecoming dresses for promgirl.net. Clarisse dresses have been worn by such celebrities as Miss Galaxy International and Miss Teen Galaxy UK. Promgirl.net has been selling prom dresses and formal gowns from America’s top designers for over 25 years.

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A friend of mine recently purchased a gorgeous knee-length white down designer jacket. When she brought it over to my apartment to show it off, I was so jealous as the coat hung on its hanger wrapped in its plastic. It was beautiful. And then she put it on. The only image I got in my head was that of the Snow Puft Marshmallow Man. I didn’t want to say anything because the jacket really was so nice and I could see the excitement in her eyes over it, but I just couldn’t let her go out in public looking like that!

Her problem was that her jacket was all wrong for her body type. She’s on the shorter side, and just a tad bit heavy-set. Something about the long jacket and the puffiness of the down just looked all wrong. So here’s some research I did on my good friend’s behalf on finding (and totally rocking!) the right winter jacket for your body type – because not only do you want to stay warm this winter, but you want to look cute doing it, too, right?

The Petite Little Thing

First thing’s first, petite ladies – height is not exactly a trait you possess. Therefore, your best bet when buying a coat is to avoid long-length jackets, like trench coats and ankle-length coats. A good compromise is a simple pea coat. The length should hit just below your hips, to make your body appear longer without making it look like your coat is too big for you.

The other way to go is the total opposite direction – a cropped jacket. Wearing something that hits right around your waist, or even higher, naturally makes your legs look longer. And hey, if you can’t physically make them longer, might as well make them look it, anyway!

The Tall Drink of Water

You’re the exact opposite of all of your petite and short friends, and you probably feel like a giant when you’re around them! But that height of yours is something you want to flaunt, certainly not hide. Try a longer length jacket, one that hits around your knees or even your ankles. A long coat will help accentuate your height, while also providing the added benefit of extra warmth for the tops of your long legs!

If you want to show off the length of your legs a bit more, just like your petite friends, you could try a cropped jacket. Wearing something that covers the upper half of your body will help draw attention to the seemingly endless length of your much coveted long legs.

The Athletic Powerhouse

You’re not a gym rat for nothing! You work hard for your body, so you’re going to want a coat that accentuates what you’ve accomplished. First off, avoid coats that have too much going on in the shoulder and neck area. If there is a large cuff or ruffle at the shoulders, it will make your shoulders look what will probably be a little too broad for your tastes. On the contrary, things like buttons and snaps down the center will be very flattering to your body type.

You also probably have a small waist that you’d like to show off. Pick a coat that features a belt or some sort of cinching at the waist to show off your shape. Athletic jackets, like some of those made by The North Face, will also look great on you. You are an athlete, so look the part!

The Partridge in a Pear Tree

You’re going to want the opposite of your athletic-type friends. A coat with an extended collar or embellished neckline will help broaden the appearance of your shoulders to even you out. Things like furs and extra buttons and snaps toward the top of the jacket will draw the eye upwards.

Coats and jackets that stop at your hip will only emphasize your widest point, which you’ll likely want to avoid doing. Look for lengths that will just touch where your hip bone is – by not completely covering your hips, you’ll avoid that wide look.

The Apple Orchard

You are even more opposite of your pear-shaped friend who’s opposite of your athletically built friend. Your shoulders may be slightly too broad for your liking, and you’ll want to draw the eye downward instead of upward. Try to find something that’s feminine and fitted to accentuate your small waist instead of your shoulders.

Vertical lines and prints on jackets will help make your body appear longer and help slim down your torso, thereby counteracting the width of your chest and shoulders. Big embellishments all the way down the front of the jacket, like large, decorative buttons, will draw attention away from your tummy and more to the beauty of the coat itself.

The Beyonce Bombshell

Well, aren’t you the lucky one! You’ve got the curves that most women would die for, so you need to show them off! Jackets with a cinched waist or belt feature can be pulled extra taught to make your waist look even smaller to flaunt your hourglass shape.

Necklines outlined in fur can be very flattering for those of you with a bigger bust. Try to find a coat that creates the illusion of a V-Neck (steer clear of actual v-neck jackets, as that pretty much destroys the functionality of the winter coat) with a fur outline or other embellishment. Coats that flare a touch at the waist will put even more emphasis on that hourglass figure.

The Bargain Shopper

OK, so this one isn’t exactly by body type, but a lot of these jackets will look great on you no matter your body type as long as you pick the right size and color. You can find functional winter jackets for under $75 in some stores. So if your wallet is what you’re trying to emphasize, find a store with a great sale, shop around, or wait for after-season sales!

One of the most important aspects of choosing the right winter coat is picking one that is great on the rack and on your body. I can’t even tell you how much I wish I could have been there with my friend while she was shopping for her white beauty to help guide her in a better direction. I am happy to report, though, that after enough (slightly) negative feedback on her coat from friends and family, she has since returned it and found one that’s just as gorgeous on the hanger but that also looks great on her. No more Snow Puft Marshmallow man!

Allison Waters is a freelance fashion columnist who specializes in outerwear. She resides in New England with her family, and if any of her readers ever need advice on choosing the right jacket or getting a quote on a MA home heating oil price, she’s your go-to girl!

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Clothing is obviously a necessary expense for every household, but the amount you spend monthly can vary widely based on where and when you shop. Being intentional is the key – you’ll find that your clothing budget will be quite manageable, if you:

• stick to a clothing budget,
• choose affordable stores,
• use cash for purchases, and
• only buy what you really need.

How To Be Thrifty and Trendy

There are lots of money saving ideas for clothes shopping. Here are a few more tips for keeping clothing costs down:

1. Buy During Off Seasons

Though it might seem backward, you’ll find the best deals if you buy winter clothing in the summer and summer clothing in the winter. If you get into a regular routine of buying during these off seasons, not only will you save money, but you’ll also be well prepared a few months down the line when you have several new outfits for the change of season.

2. Hit Up Second Hand Stores

You can often find hidden clothing treasures in thrift stores, consignment shops, garage sales, and second hand stores if you take the time to diligently dig through the racks. Second hand shops located in upscale neighbourhoods can be particularly useful, especially if you’re looking to buy name brand clothing. While you’re there, bring along a bag or two of your old clothing to donate so others can benefit from your used goods, too.

3. Learn to Sew

This is clearly a pretty involved suggestion if you have no previous sewing experience, but the key is to smart small and work your way up. Begin by learning how to sew a button or a hem and perhaps you’ll develop a passion for sewing that will lead to making basic clothing items. You can save substantial money in the long run if you can dedicate the time to this endeavour. Even being able to make small clothing alterations and repairs will save you throwing things out or paying to have them mended.

4. Take Care of Your Clothes

While it may sound obvious, you’ll save on clothing expenses if you can get as much wear as possible out of what’s already hanging in your closet. Here are some basics:

• Rinse stains immediately. Letting a stain soak deep into a clothing item can leave a permanent mark and potentially ruin the garment. Be diligent about rinsing stains as soon as possible, especially on your children’s clothing.
• Change clothes at home. There is no point in wearing your nicest, most expensive clothes while lounging around at home. When you get home from work or errands during the day, change into comfortable clothing as soon as you can.
• Pay attention to clothing care labels. Whether you’re diligent about reading tags or not, they will offer the best advice about how to take the best care of your clothing. Washing or drying clothes with the wrong settings can damage, shrink, or wear out clothing quickly.

5. Have a Clothing Swap

If you have a couple of friends who wear your size, arrange a clothing swap where you all bring some old items and switch them out. While you won’t be receiving new clothing, you’ll at least welcome some fresh wardrobe items that will temper your desire to go buy expensive, store-bought items. In addition to a clothing swap, take advantage of hand-me-downs from friends who have children slightly older than yours.

6. Get Clothes Coupons by Email

If you have a couple of favourite clothing shops, sign up for their mailing lists to receive exclusive coupons and discount offers. None of us like our email inboxes being filled up with spam, so you might consider creating a separate email address strictly for these types of coupons. That way they’ll always be in one place and you can check the account periodically, especially when you are planning to do some shopping.

With some basic planning and proactive steps toward thrifty thinking, you’ll find that shopping for clothes isn’t as financially draining as you might expect. So this month, consider skipping out on the designer boutiques and pricy brand names in favour of some of these suggestions, and see how much you can save.

This article is by Kelsey, a frugal living blogger with lots of money management tips to share. She loves to shop, especially for clothes, but always shops frugally to get the most for her money.

Image credit

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Staying warm in winter requires bulky clothes that focus more on functionality than fashion. The importance of staying warm should outweigh the need to look great. Or at least that’s what you’ve always been told! Nowadays, there is no need to look ugly while staying warm. Fashion oriented winter clothing has become big business. These clothes are designed to help keep you warm while also letting you look great. There are various brands and styles of fashionable winter clothing that you can integrate into your daily life. Pick the brands and styles that go best with your own unique style.

Five Pieces of Winter Clothing that are Fashionable but Functional

Scarf

Scarves are fashionable and functional: They look great with a variety of styles but they also keep your neck warm. Start by picking a scarf that you think is longer than necessary. A scarf that is too short will be hard to style. It will also leave areas of your neck exposed to the cold. Avoid picking scarves with intricate patterns or designs. These can sometime appear tacky and are often hard to integrate into your style. Instead, get several different one color scarves. Pick colors that go well with your wardrobe. Wear different scarves based on your style for the day. This will help you look good while keeping your neck warm.

Gloves or Mittens

Ski gloves and insulated work gloves are very warm. However, they’re a complete fashion faux pas. You don’t have to wear these bulky, ugly gloves to keep your hands warm. Buy a pair of top brand leather gloves. These gloves are designed for warmth and style. Try them on before purchasing to find which brand you like best. Wear leather gloves to create a no-nonsense, business oriented look. Thread or felt based mittens also work well with a style that integrates a lot of fur or felt. Buy multiple pairs of mittens to help coordinate individual pairs with different sets of clothing in your wardrobe. Mittens are great for a more “fun loving” look.

Felt Hat and Earmuffs

A single color felt hat is a fashionable way to keep your head warm. Single color hats make it easier to integrate the hats into your style and wardrobe selection. Avoid buying hats with logos, intricate patterns or God help us, pom-poms. These types of hats are great…for little kids. You’re an adult now: dress like one.  On that note, don’t be ashamed to wear earmuffs! They may look “kiddy” but they are actually a very functional way to keep your wears warm. Again, focus on simple, single color earmuffs. These are much easier to integrate into your rapidly growing winter wardrobe.

Boots

Don’t forget to buy a great set of boots this winter! You may resist buying boots: rubber boots may keep your feet dry and warm but they can look so ungainly and ugly. Don’t suffer in inappropriate shoes for the sake of fashion! Instead, go to a great shoe store and look through the boots. There are plenty of fashionable boots available that will still keep your feet warm. Be a bit more “extravagant” with your boot style. Few people will really take the time to notice your boots unless they clash with your wardrobe or compliment it perfectly.

Coat

A great winter coat should be the central focus of a functional but fashionable winter wardrobe. Avoid oversized, bulky coats. Instead, use coats like a fitted pea coat. A fitted pea coat is designed specifically for you. It is designed for comfort, warmth and style. Fur coats and double breasted coats are also comfortable, warm and fashionable.

Shop for Winter Fashions at Nordstrom

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There are so many moments in life when you get stuck trying to figure out how to accessorize your outfit, especially when going out for drinks with friends or on a date. (For me, this seems to happen weekly!) Not only do you want to look cute and sexy, you also want to look well-dressed. Sometimes it’s the issue of what kind of jewelry to wear, sometimes the problem is deciding which shoes look best with the jeans you’re wearing, and sometimes it’s just a matter of whether you should wear your hair up or down! Whatever the case may be, here are seven tips of how to dress up your outfit for a night out.

1. Hats

Hats are a great way to accessorize your look. They are not only cute, but they hide any imperfections you may have encountered throughout the day. Cadet hats are just one way to complete your outfit.

2. Scarves

Scarves are a great accessory to dress up your outfit, especially when going out during the winter months. By wearing a scarf, you add the perfect hint of color to your outfit, as well as a level of sophistication.

3. Hair Clips

If you don’t feel like wearing a hat while out and about, try a hair clip! Whether it’s a dramatic, feather hair clip or a feminine, flower barrette, clips are the perfect way to dress up your hair and your overall appearance.

4. Fashionable Jewelry

Jewelry is always an easy way to dress up any outfit, whether it’s a long beaded necklace, bracelets or dangling earrings. Drop earrings or a three strand necklace are simple ways to dress up your casual outfit.

5. Sexy Pumps

Heels are a very easy way to add sexiness to an outfit. Besides making your legs look amazing, heels are great to wear with anything, whether it’s a mini skirt, jeans, or dress. Check out any department store in the mall for a variety of pumps.

6. Makeup

A great way to get ready for your night out is to create a smokey eye look. Visit a local drug store to find some smoky eye shadow color palettes; there are usually many choices so you can find one that works for your eye color. Deep red lipstick with a touch of shimmer is also a classic way to complete your look.

7. Handbags

One final tip for dressing up your outfit for a night out (or an exciting date!) is to choose your bag wisely. When going out, it’s best to either carry a clutch with a wristband or wear a cross body bag. This not only allows you to keep all your essentials organized and in one place (no more searching around in your monster of a bag!), but you also can keep your hands available for that martini. Cheers!

This post is by Kelsey Schultz, who writes for a company that sells Halloween costumes, as well as accessories that are perfect for any outfit!

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