Wedge!

Spring and summer marks an important transition. And I don't mean the sudden appearance of sunshine and constant sound of birds chirping. I'm referring to wedge wearing season. Wedges are my absolute favorite type of shoe and perhaps even my favorite item to wear all together. Whether they are cork heeled or have ribbons that tie up the ankle, they are ever-flattering and versatile. They pair well with everything from dresses and high-waisted skirts to shorts and capris. And no matter what you wear them with, they seem to immediately improve an outfit and make it increasingly stylish.

Here are some of my current favorite, inexpensive wedges....

 

SM brown wedge sandal:

$69.95

American Eagle wedge in navy and pink: $49.50

Forever 21 brown wedges: $25.80

Mix it Up

The days of perfect color coordination and design matching are in the past. An upcoming trend is pairing together seemingly unfit patterns. I really can't get enough of this summery and unique look! Though I haven't yet had the opportunity to try out this new take on mixing and matching, I'm looking forward to blending florals, stripes, polka dots and more once the warm weather arrives. At first glance, it may seem like this look is difficult to pull off, but all it takes is some creativity and a little confidence. Also, make sure  the style of the clothing you mix still go well together, even if the patterns don't seem to! 

Here are some affordable options for blending patterns (all items from Forever 21) 

Bottoms

Rose garden shorts (shown twice): $10.50

In-bloom knit skirt: $13.80

Tops

Dark striped top: $13.80

Faded stripes top: $15.80

Black Sequined sweater: $24.80

Polka dot top: $13.80

Sheer Fashion

Lately, I have been infatuated with sheer and lace tops that require something to be worn underneath them. I think that layering brightly colored bandeaus and tank tops with a see-through shirt is a great way to add a pop of color and uniqueness to an outfit. By switching up the color and style of a bandeau worn under the shirt, the top can completely transform into a new appearance. 

Here are some inexpensive and fashionable sheer tops.... 

click here to find affordable bandeaus (in a variety of colors) to wear underneath the tops!

1. Lulu's top: $28.00

2. LuLu's patterned top: $31.00

3. Urban Outfitter's black top: $29.00

4. Forever 21 white top: $17.80

Let Loose

The loose and off-the-shoulder look of the 80's is in full force this year. I'm loving the carefree, sultry vibe of these comfy shirts. Their versatility means that they look great with leggings, jeans, or mini-skirts, so they are perfect for casual day-time outings or dressy nights at the club. The loose fit is sure to flatter all body types, but you can choose the perfect sleeve and length for your personal preference. Here are some affordable off-the-shoulder shirts complements of Victoria's Secret. My advice? Find a style of these shirts that you like and stock up on them in multiple colors. You'll be surprised by how much use you can get out of them!

from left to right...

Cobblestone tunic $24.50

Cream drapery $6.99

Blue tunic $24.50

Grey Tunic $15.00

Are you down, down, down, down

Despite everyone's desire for the spring to come, the temperature seems to be dropping everyday and the snow keeps falling. At this point, getting dressed for the weather is becoming frustrating, and I'm almost scared to go outside. Even my warmest winter jacket doesn't seem to be doing the trick of protecting me from the whirling winds of Connecticut, and I can't help but envy the warm butts of those who have knee-length, down coats. My friend recently purchased one of the puffy, marshmallow-esque coats, and she very proudly boasts that it is one of the best things that has ever happened to her (seems like she might have a rough life if that is the best thing that's ever happened to her, but at least we know they are good coats.)

There are many different styles of these long down coats. Some cinch in at the waist to flatter your figure, others are decorated with fur hoods, and some flow longer than others. No matter which style you think will change your life, here are some affordable options to get you started...

From left to right:
Bronze Ellen Tracy Quilted Down Walking Coat  on sale for $89.90 from $138.00
Black Aqua Pillow Collar Long Puffer Coat on sale for $99.00 from $198.00 
GAP long, belted, silver puffer coat (comes in two other colors) on sale for $49.99 from $128.00
Tommy Hilfiger long coat $100.00 

The Winter Sundress

My latest CollegeFashionista post (check it out and hit "like" through the site) was on what I like to call "the winter sundress." I've done a post on sweater dresses before, (here) but they remain my absolute favorite clothing of the winter, and I've recently discovered some new, affordable sweater dress options. As I said in my CollegeFashionista post, dresses are often essential to making a Fashionista feel feminine and youthful. It is somewhat tragic that the cold weather can make it hard able to wear them. A sweater dress is a great substitution and winter version of the ever popular sundress. Sweater dresses pair well with boots, tights, and leggings and can be dressed up or accessorized with scarves, long necklaces, and belts. And as is the case with any dress, they are often affordable if you consider the cost to be for an entire outfit instead of just one piece, since they can be worn alone or with common staples that most of us already have.

(from left to right)


Free People Striped Sweater Dress- $69.95-- available in other colors
Forever 21 Sweater Dress- $27.80
Urban Outfitters Scoop Back dress- $29.99
Victoria's Secret Three-quarter Sleeve Dress- $29.99-- available in other colors 
Charlotte Russe Cap Sleeved Sweater Dress- $34.50




-A.L.L

The Classics

The other day, I went shopping on a quest to spend a little of my holiday money on some back to school clothes. After raiding Forever 21 and H&M, (as usual) I discovered there was a clear theme among everything I purchased that I was completely oblivious to while shopping. Each sweater, bag, skirt, or tank top that I took home was either navy blue, cream, black, or a patterned combination of those colors. Either my sense of style is painfully dull, or a classic, maritime look is currently overwhelming stores. Taking the hopeful stance that it is the latter, here are some great, affordable options to channel the current marine-esque trend. 

Forever 21 striped top $13.80

Forever 21 scarf $11.80

Gap ruffle sleeved top $54 

Express military skirt $49.50

Charlotte Russe bow dress $26.50

Charlotte Russe connected skirt and top $26.50

Forever 21 striped cardigan $22.90

the little Gucci dress, the little Gucci dress, or the little Gucci dress!

Since this is an affordable fashion blog, it would be sensible that I would be writing an entry on Black Friday. Well, the reason I'm not is because I think it is a big hoax. In my experience, the sales are on items that nobody wants, and it's simply not worth it to fight through crowds to save 20 dollars. I usually opt to try shopping online on midnight of Black Friday. This year,when I made this attempt, there were hardly any sales, and in most stores, free shipping was only offered on minimum purchases of at least 50 dollars. Therefore, I've come to the conclusion that Black Friday is useless, but what isn't is the little black dress...

I was first introduced to the little black dress when I was seven and saw Spice World. Back then I didn't really understand the importance of the wisdom Victoria Beckham was spreading, but I certainly do now. A LBD is an important piece for every girl to own. It's essential to find one that fits you perfectly, will remain in style for many years, is the right length for both going out and more conservative occasions, and that you truly love. Then, the dress can be worn uncountable times and always appear different. Whether it's paired with tights, stilettos, boots, a blazer, a cardigan, costume jewelry, or simply worn alone, the LBD is an essential, versatile item.

Here are some affordable LBD's...(Some are slightly pricier than what I would normally suggest because a LBD is often an investment that can be worn for years.)

Forever 21, $19.80.

Free People, on sale for 43.20.

Velvet Torch, $54.00.

Swell, $118.00

Ella Moss, $67.20.

Dark and Sparkled

Now more than ever is the time to be noticed according to this year's fall and winter fashion. Almost every store is selling sequined and glittered goods. At first I was skeptical about these shiny ensembles, but now I see them as the ideal way to add some glam to the upcoming dreary months. Plus, it can't be denied that sequins are the quintessential holiday accessory, as they channel the bright spirit of the season.

All of these items below may seem better fit for the summer but are brought out with the cold for some logical reasons. The dark colors are much too dim for summer, yet perfect for going out and getting dressed up in the winter. Sequined shorts and skirts look great with a pair of black tights underneath, and the flats can jazz up jeans and a sweater.

Here are some inexpensive, sparkly items.

This Forever 21 top is 15.80.



These AE shorts are 49.50.



Not a fan of shorts? Try this AE skirt for an even better price of 34.50.



These AE flats are 29.50 and also come in black.

 

She Nailed It

Even though the beautiful and unseasonable weather we've been having makes it hard to focus on fall fashion, it's still the last official day of summer, and it is inevitable that the crisp autumn breeze will quickly approach. While this sounds like a negative outlook, it is certainly not meant to be, as I love the cool fall weather and all of the colors and clothing that comes along with it.

A couple of months ago, I wrote here about the bright, funky nail polish colors that were popular over the summer. While I still love this trend, it is important to adjust your nail color to fit the season. So, save those luminous shades for May through August because, along with the fall, comes a whole new pallet for stylish, but still funky, nails.

What I love about nail polish is that it's an affordable way to accessorize. It can supplement your outfit just as well as any piece of jewelry or scarf because it always ads POP, especially when the color matches what you're wearing. It's also an expression of your personality. There are definitely expensive brands of nail polish available, but it is really not necessary to waste away your savings on them. I have splurged on 10 dollar bottles of "ruby red" and "kiss me pink" before, and it simply wasn't worth it, as the quality does not tend to be any better. When I wrote about nail polish over the summer, I referenced my favorite, good quality, affordable brand: Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Color, which costs about 2.79-3 dollars a bottle, depending on where you get it (they're buy one, get one 50% off at Walgreens online). Well, luckily, the brand also carries dark, burnt shades that are perfect for the upcoming season!

Here are some of my favorite colors that remind me of autumn fashion...


"Plum Powder"
The subtle shimmer in this shade can dress up an outfit.

"Purple Pizzaz"
This color is a great way to incorporate the bright, funky style of summer nail shades into a darker, fall/winter shade.

"Celeb City"
This slate, shimmery shade is a great neutral tone that matches many outfits.

"Black Out"
Black nail polish has, of course, become popular recently, and fall and winter are the perfect times to rock
the shade. Try pairing it with a white ensemble to provide contrast.

"Red Carpet"
Dark red nail polish is a classic choice, especially
in the colder months.

"Emerald City"
I picture this shade with chunky sweaters and burnt orange and red shirts.

Blazin' Hot

When the weather starts changing from warm summer days to the briskness of autumn, it can take a fortune teller to know the perfect amount of layers to wear. It may be cold while walking to class and work in the morning, but by mid-day, the sun is often glowing, leaving anyone who dressed for a cool day feeling embarrassed and much too hot. Light coats, such as blazers, are a perfect way to keep warm during the Fall months, without sweltering in overly heavy winter gear. Plus, they are extremely chic. Depending on the exact style of the jacket, they add sophistication, spunk, and sometimes color to an outfit. They look great with dresses, jeans, boots, scarves, and even over light sweaters. One of the best parts about owning such a versatile piece is that they can be thrown on to spice up a plain outfit on a lazy day (they look great with jeans and a plain white tee shirt, for example.) And we all know lazy days are common, especially in college.

Any type of outwear is generally on the pricey side. Here are some coats I found (blazers and otherwise) that are light, stylish, and affordable.



This Old Navy blazer is 39.50 and comes in 4 colors.



This Old Navy jacket comes in two colors and is only 34.50.

 

                        This Urban Outfitters Vintage Wool Blazer (below) is only 48 dollars and comes in 3 other (neutral) colors.

This pink Forever 21 biker jacket is only 34.80.



Falling for Flannels

There's nothing better than a brisk, fall day in New England. Not just because of the weather and the beautiful foliage, but also because of the great clothes that accompany all of the fun fall activities like apple picking and...well, that's really all I can think of for fun fall activities...
But, anyway, one of my favorite shirts to wear in the cool, early autumn days is a cozy flannel. Whether it's a classic red, button up flannel, a black and white long flannel paired with a belt, or a funky, brightly colored flannel, there's nothing better to keep you warm and looking great in September and October. In fact, my roommate has been waiting for the cold to come just so that she can break out her favorite flannels. It's no surprise to me, since flannels go great with jeans, leggings, or tights and a pair of boots, if you're feeling extra confident.
Even though I could rave on and on about the comfort and nostalgia of wearing a cute flannel on a chilly day, I can certainly say the best part is that they are affordable.

This classic Forever 21 flannel is a steal at 12.50

This Forever 21 flannel is 19.80 and also comes in blue and green.

This American Eagle plaid boyfriend shirt also comes in purple.

It's slightly more expensive than Forever 21's flannels at 39.50, but the thicker fabric makes the quality a little better and will keep you extra warm.

American Eagle, 39.50. Also comes in green and red.

The Fashion for Less

It's Fashion Week in NYC, and even though nothing there is affordable, that doesn't change the fact that we're still on college budgets. I checked out some of the pictures from the weekend shows and found myself pleasantly surprised. Normally, when I see runway shows on TV or runway pictures in magazines, I don't like any of the clothes. They are always way too out of the ordinary, expensive, and not reflective of what most people would actually wear. This time, though, I came across pictures of Peter Som's collection. I had never heard of him before, but I loved what I found. It was the first runway pictures I have ever seen that actually featured clothes that the everyday person could wear. Plus, I love how he uses bright colors and patterns, yet juxtaposes them with black to offset the spunk of the outfits.

Here are two of my favorite outfits from the collection:

Since these outfits are obviously too expensive, here are some similar, more affordable versions!

This Express skirt is only 34.50.

This pink Forever 21 dress is only 19.80

and reminds me of the Peter Som's print.

This dress also reminds me of the Peter Som dress. It is 128 dollars from Express.
Though this is more than what I would normally consider affordable, it is less expensive than
Peter Som's collection and a good alternative.

 

These Jessica Simpson heels are about 80 dollars and are just as bold as Peter Som's shoes.

Lace Yourself

Lately, my online shopping habits have drawn me towards lace shirts, dresses, and scarves. I've noticed lace decorated items on nearly every store's website in a variety of colors. I love the feminine, delicate look lace clothing conveys. They give tops a dressy vibe, but of course, they still can be worn with jeans or shorts for a casual appearance. A lace scarf adds elegance and decoration to a plain shirt, and a lace dress is simply adorable. As of now, I only own two lace tops, and they're, of course, both from Forever 21 and were both under 25 dollars. The ruffles on these shirts mixed with the lace gives them a romantic feel, but the dark coloring on the first top, and the tight fit of both, show some spunk as well.

Photos taken by professional Wynne Hamerman

            Below: Forever 21 top, H&M skirt, New York and Company Wedges, Forever 21 gold hoops

                           Below: Forever 21 top, New York and Company Jeggings, Forever 21 belt, Macy's heels

Here are some lace items I found online that can be worn for a similar look:

This Charlotte Russe top is 15 dollars, or two for 20 dollars. There are 5 colors.

Forever 21 dress, $22.80

Black Beauty

Black is one of my favorite "colors" to wear. I am not sure why, but I simply gravitate towards it. When I'm given a variety of color options for an article of clothing at a store, I almost always choose black. Black is a great color to have an abundance of in your wardrobe because it's always fashionable, it is easily dressed up for formal events, can be casual if necessary, it's sophisticated, and goes well juxtaposed with other colors. Whether it's through shirts, sweaters, leggings, purses, or boots, black is an essential color to incorporate into different outfits. If you feel gothic or dreary in black, mix it with colors, such as plum, white, light pink, tan, grey, green, etc. to lighten the vibe of your look. Kourtney Kardashian is someone who has a great sense of style and rocks a plethora of black attire. Here are some black finds that are just a bit less expensive than what Kourtney wears, but equally as cute.

Black Forever 21 scarf: 6.50

This Charlotte Russe racerback vest is only 22 dollars, and is currently buy one, get one free.

This Old Navy dress looks great on its own or could be jazzed up with a cardigan or accessories. Price: 29.50

This Urban Outfitters bag is only 49 dollars, a great price for a large, good quality purse.