The Classy Co-Ed Turns Her Backpack Into a Fashionpack!

As all the classy co-eds are packing up and heading back to school, the number one to-buy item on my list is a bag that I can use to make a fashion statement around campus. While a North Face or Jansport backpack is a staple for high school, I think that an over-the-shoulder or messenger bag is a better choice for the fashion-savvy college student, as it allows her to show off a little bit of her style in an extension of her outfit.

I’ve outlined a few rules that I live by when I’m searching for my next fashionpack that I think would be helpful to all you classy co-eds as well!

1. Will It Hold?
This is the most important question you’re going to want to ask yourself while you’re shopping. Think of what you’re going to be carrying around in the bag (laptop, books, notebooks, pens/pencils, calculator, etc…) and how many times you’ll have a second to swing by the dorm to switch out your things so you don’t have to lug all of your textbooks around at once. You’ll want to get a bag with sturdy straps regardless of the weight you’re carrying, but if you’re hauling a computer and three biology texts and notebooks and your entire cosmetics bag then you’re going to want a bag made of heavy canvas or nylon, like this MARC BY MARC JACOBS Little Tate Heart-Print Nylon Tote for $117.60 on sale at bloomingdales.com.

2. Can I Use This For 2+ Years In a Row?
Also an important thing to consider: is this bag timeless? If you go trendy with your bag, you might only be able to use it for one school year (not very cash-savvy). Try to pick a bag that is a classic, will look good with every outfit, and that will endure into the next school year so you don’t have to buy a new bag every year.

3. Do I Love This Bag?
I lied…THIS is the most important question to ask yourself while you’re shopping. If there’s one thing I’ve learned in my experiences shopping, it’s that you should NEVER force anything. If you don’t love it the second you look at it, don’t spend your money on it. A classy co-ed will be drawn to things that will look good on her, and she should never try to make herself love something that she will later regret buying. I was drawn to this MARC BY MARC JACOBS tote (yes, I do have a slight obsession with Marc Jacobs), on sale at Bloomingdales, and decided to splurge because of the interesting and trendy-yet-classic zipper design with bright primary colors.

Megan is a proud sister of Delta Delta Delta and a junior at Miami University. She can’t wait to show off her new fashionpack around campus!

Five Movies Every Classy Co-Ed’s Dorm Room Cannot Be Without

1. The Devil Wears Prada
This one hardly needs explaining, as I’m sure all of you have already seen it…Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Adrian Grenier, and the most fabulous clothes you’ve ever seen. This movie had a clothing budget of $100,000, but ultimately $1 million was spent when all was said and done…and it shows. The clothing and the lifestyle portrayed in the film inspire me to be creative with my wardrobe and to be classy and fabulous. The drama and the dream job and the love stories combine to make this a movie that I could watch on repeat for days on end and never get bored of it.

2. Disturbia
This movie, very different from The Devil Wears Prada, is a remake of one of my other favorite movies, an Alfred Hitchcock film called Rear Window (I would definitely go rent this…it has the same effect as Disturbia but, in my opinion, is simpler and more elegant without the dramatic music and special effects). Disturbia, which stars Shia Laboeuf, follows Shia’s character as he suspects his neighbor of being a serial killer and his investigations (with his love interest, of course), to find the truth and save his neighborhood. It gives me the chills and puts me on the edge of my seat every time I watch it…plus Shia’s not bad to look at.

3. 27 Dresses
The ultimate chick flick. This movie follows Katherine Heigl’s character Jane as she tries to find her Prince Charming while all of her friends have already found theirs. While it is a predictable movie, I love having it on in the background while I’m doing homework because it’s light and not really a movie you have to pay attention to the whole way through in order to get the warm fuzzy chick flick feeling you deserve after a long day of classes.

4. The Harry Potter Movies
No explanation needed here. I know you love them, and you know why I love them. It’s Harry Potter!

5. Bride Wars
Funny and heart-warming, this movie in an all-time favorite of mine. My girlfriends and I watch this whenever we have a movie night because of its humor, cute men, Tiffany engagement rings, and the bond that women share throughout their lives. I also appreciate the amazing job that the costume directors did when styling Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson’s characters…Anne Hathaway with a sweet girl-next-door mix of cardigans and sundresses and Kate Hudson with a chic and city-girl vibe of high-waisted skirts, statement necklaces, and jewel-colored blouses.

Megan is a junior at Miami University and can’t wait for her first movie night back at school with her friends!

A Fashionable Co-Ed Couch Potato

When I’m hanging around the house, the hardest thing for this classy co-ed to do is to find just the right balance between super cute and super comfy. Lots of the lounge fashion on the market may look adorable and couch-worthy, but they turn out to be too constricting and not breathable, and the most important thing when I’m being a couch potato is that I’m comfortable and not self-conscious. While baggy boy sweats and my Minnesota Twins t-shirts have been my go-to lounge attire, I’ve found a few more fashionable pieces that make me look forward to my downtime just a little more…because now the classy co-ed can look cute and be relaxed at the same time, and I can’t wait to share my finds with you!

Keep Me
This new line of casual wear is my new obsession. It’s super-comfy and you will feel so chic wearing their clothes. The line carries staples of tees and leggings as well as bralets and boyshorts and even a few rompers, so you can wear the clothes whether you’re going to yoga, watching TV at home, or running out for a coffee. I’m all about functionality and love being able to mix and match my uses for clothes, and Keep Me really lets me be versatile with their clothing. Here are a few of my favorites!

Another more expensive splurge that I just had to have (and wanted to share with you because it’s made of the most comfortable material) comes from James Perse, also a casual designer who specializes in basic tees, tanks (their Ribbed Daily Tank will change your life), and jackets.

Some cheaper alternatives (definitely a must after spending hundreds of dollars on textbooks in the fall) come from the college girl’s staple store: Forever21.

I hope these casual clothes give you some new ideas for looking chic and comfy when hanging around the dorm at school…happy lounging!

Megan can’t wait to start her junior year at Miami University and to move into her apartment and try out her new casual-chic style!

The Classy Co-Ed Goes For an Eco-Friendly Workout

Savvy co-eds know that it’s the best thing for the earth to start using eco-friendly products and wear eco-friendly clothes, but companies that provide them are hard to find.
Workout clothes are harder still, as there aren’t many green companies producing athletic clothes or products.
However, as summer draws to a close and you’re getting in shape for your first appearance on campus or stocking up your workout selection for the rec center at school, I found some easily-accessible companies and products that pride themselves on creating green products for the athletically-savvy co-ed.

1. alo Sportwear

I’ve used alo clothing in a few of my other posts, and I think that I’m justified in using it again because of the cute clothes they create with a completely green message in mind. All of their clothes are made with recycled fabrics and other materials that have a low impact on Mother Earth. Their signature Bamboo Jersey fabric does the same thing that high-tech Nike or Adidas sportswear does (wicks away sweat, provides maximum maneuverability, etc…), but is entirely eco-friendly. The alo mission is based on creating an eco-friendly line without sacrificing our right as classy co-eds to look cute in what we’re wearing, and I love it!
Here are a couple examples of the clothing that the alo website carries…I haven’t had a chance to try the Bamboo Palazzo Loose Fit Pant ($69) yet, but they look like the most comfortable things that anyone could ever wear.

2. Gaiam

If you’re a yoga-goer like I am, then you will love Gaiam yoga mats and gym bags. This company has an entire line of eco-chic mats and bags. The bags are made of recycled materials and the mats are PVC free. I just got the Peace on Earth eco yoga mat, and I absolutely love it.

3. greatgreenshoes.com

If you’re looking to go a step further in your workout routine, you should check out this website. It gives different options for cute eco-friendly shoes, including these Saucony running shoes for $54.95.

4. naturesorganicmarket.com

Now for the best part of the workout…the shower when you’re done. I love Alba’s Coconut Milk Cream Body Wash. It re-hydrates my skin after I swim and smells like the beach. You can get it for $8.55 at naturesorganicmarket.com, and I would definitely take a peek around this website because it offers a ton of eco-friendly body products with even more discounts.

Now that you’re eco-armed for your gym sessions at school, break a sweat you classy co-ed gym rats!

Megan is a sophomore at Miami University and can’t wait to get her hands on the alo Bamboo Loose Fit Pant!

Make A Statement With Your Nails…The Classy Co-Ed Way!

As much as some of us might like to deny it, it’s time to start gathering our back-to-school wardrobe. For any classy-co-ed, including me, this includes nail polish! Nail color can add a pop to a winter wardrobe as well as finish an outfit in a subtle, glamorous way. Here are my picks for my back-to-school polishes, plus a couple of colors that look good on almost every skin tone!

I’m Not Really a Waitress
This red polish is a must-have for every girl’s collection. It’s a traditional dark-red, and is OPI Nail Color’s number one bestseller. With a hint of raspberry, it looks good on everyone, whether you’re still rocking your summer tan or if you need a pop of color in the winter!
Nail Tip: Studies have shown that shorter, rounder nails that just barely skim the fingertip are the most attractive to both males and females. Plus, it doesn’t get in the way of texting!

You Don’t Know Jacques!
This is my absolute favorite nail color by OPI. It may look a little dull at first, but don’t let it fool you! It looks amazing on pale skin, and gives you a little bit of the rocker vibe without going with a complete black polish. I paint my nails this color almost every other time I give myself my home manicure (I follow Molly Ward’s rules for the perfect home manicure).
Nail Tip: Use a Base Coat and a Top Coat…The base coat will prevent the darker nail colors from staining your nails and the top coat will prevent your color from chipping!

Brisbane Bronze
Brizbane Bronze is my go-to neutral. For the two months during the summer when I’m a little less pale than normal, it looks great on my toes and nails and sets off my tan perfectly. It also works really well for darker skin types.

La Paz-itively Hot
My signature summer color! It looks beautiful on every skin tone and goes perfectly with your bright summer wardrobe. It definitely makes a statement if your nails are hot pink on the first day of classes!

What’s With the Cattitude?
This blue lacquer is a very fun color to have in your polish wardrobe. I wouldn’t make it one of your go-to, regular colors…but I love wearing it when I’m feeling a little mod!
Nail Tip: OPI’s website has an amazing (and addictive) feature where you can try on the colors on your nails before you buy it. It lets you adjust the hand to your skin tone and even adjust your nail length!

OPI Nail Color can be purchased at almost every nail salon for about $8 a bottle.

Megan is almost a junior at Miami University (where did the time go?), and she can’t wait to get back to school with her newly-replenished nail polish wardrobe!

The Hottest Shoes of the Season (At All Prices!)

It’s no secret that nude-colored pumps are the choice of celebrities and savvy co-eds alike this summer. They work with almost every outfit because of their neutral color and they make your legs look longer…and who doesn’t want a shoe that works overtime?

The problem with any kind of high heel is that you’re risking foot deformity and discomfort if you buy the wrong pair. I’ve tried on pairs of these nude pumps at almost every price point to find the right pair for myself, and now I’m showing you my 3 steps so you can find the right pair of classy pumps for YOU!

Step 1: Pick your style.
This really only applies to the detailing of the shoe. With nude pumps, there’s only so much liberty that a designer can take before they are no longer the classic nude pump that everyone is searching for. My biggest dilemma came in the form of a peep-toe or closed-toed shoe. Ultimately, I chose the peep-toe because I wanted to be able to show off my pedicure.

Step 2: Pick your comfort.
The number one thing that I had to keep reminding myself was that just because a shoe is more expensive doesn’t mean that it will: a. last longer, or b. be more comfortable. While shopping, keep in mind what you’re going to be wearing the shoe to…if it’s for an event and you will only be wearing them for a couple of hours (plus kicking them off under the table once you’re seated), then maybe you can go with a little more of an uncomfortable shoe. But if you’re looking for everyday wear, it’s pretty common sense that you’re going to want a shoe with a lot more cushion and a lot more comfort. The most comfortable pair of nude pumps that I found were by BCBGMAXAZRIA, one of my all-time favorite designers. For $250, they’re a little pricey, but very sophisticated and classic with a mix of ballerina, which means you won’t have any trouble wearing them everywhere for every occasion. They were not, however, the most expensive pair of pumps that I found, which shows that just because the shoe is the most expensive doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily the best choice for you (although, in many cases, a higher price means that you can be sure that the product will last a long time).

Step 3: Pick your price.
As I said above, the price does not always guarantee the quality or comfort of the shoe. I found four price points for nude pumps; they are all relatively the same shoe, just different designers and prices. Like I said, the BCBGMAXAZRIA shoe was the best choice for me, but every girl bonds with a different shoe in a different way.

These Casadei satin pumps were my absolute favorite. Normally $650, I found them on endless.com for $357.50. While they were 45% off, they were still a little too expensive for this co-ed ☹.

So, armed with the three steps of savvy sophisticate shoe-shoppers, go out and find your pair of the perfect summer pumps…good luck, CL Girls!

Megan is enjoying her summer months off from Miami University…but can’t wait to show off her nude peep-toes in the fall!

A Classy Co-Ed’s Fashionable Yoga Practice

After being inspired by Jenny Demartini’s post on what to wear to the gym (go read it!), I decided to do my own little spin-off focusing on my newfound love of yoga.
Yoga can be a tricky thing for a savvy co-ed to dress for because all of the different poses open up different ways for your wardrobe to malfunction during a yoga session. The trick is to wear tighter-fitting clothes that were specifically made for yoga, or clothes that mimic ones made by yoga clothing manufacturers (this can often be the cheaper way to go). The only place where you can go a little baggy is the pants…a loose t-shirt could tangle you up in the fabric and you may not be able to move as freely or quickly into the next pose.
I’m going to give you my suggestions for your yoga-going wardrobe, as well as options for clothes that you might already have in your closet.

The Pants

This area is a good place to put your leggings to use during the summer. Leggings allow for good fluid movement and they stretch, which is very important. They are also fitted tightly to the body, which allows you to critique your form in the mirrors to make sure that you are doing the poses correctly. If you don’t already have them, most leggings are very inexpensive to buy, like these from Forever21.

I would definitely steer away from gym shorts when you head to yoga…the loose fabric could end up giving the person behind you a view that they didn’t want to see. Another option for your yoga pants could be a looser-fit pant, made of the same material that leggings are made of, but definitely cuter. I absolutely love lululemon athletica’s Groove Pant. They hug your butt and hips and then flare out at the bottom, and are so comfortable and super cute. They are a little pricey at $98, but work out in them and I swear you’ll never work out in anything else again (they also come in regular and tall, which is perfect if you have longer legs, like me).
If you want a cheaper option, alo sport’s Blocked Waist Pants get the job done just as well, and cost $59.

The Top

This is where you get to be a little creative with your yoga wardrobe. There are so many fun and soothing prints in tanks and tighter-fitting tees that it was hard for me to pick which ones were my favorites to show you! But, I had to make a decision, and these were the ones that I might end up buying myself to wear to my next yoga class.

These are all pretty generic (and fabulous) items, and you’re bound to have something similar to these in your closet…so you won’t have to buy anything to be looking fabulous at your next yoga session!
Good luck, classy co-eds! Remember, your yoga mat can also show off your sense of style and personality.
Megan is a sophomore at Miami University, and is saving up for her second pair of lululemon athletica Groove Pants!

How The Classy Co-Ed Dresses For a Summer Job Interview

Summer is here! Which means that, if you aren’t one of the lucky classy co-eds who have their summer jobs all lined up, you will be on the hunt for a way to spend your summer days making money. There are so many different jobs for college students home from the summer, but the flip side is that there are just as many, if not more, students looking for the same jobs you are. With the right clothes, however, anything is possible, including finding a summer job!

When you’re looking for a summer job, you’re probably not going to be going into an office in a business suit or competing for a corporate job. You’re more likely to be going into a restaurant to apply for a position as a hostess or server, or into a clothing store to snag a job as a sales associate. Jobs like these, which are usually paid by the hour, are far more casual and laid-back because you will only work “seasonally”, when you’re home for the summer or for a couple weeks over break. This means that your attire for any interviews, or even just turning in an application, should match the job you are applying for.

While it is true that it’s always better to overdress than under dress when it comes to job interviews, it’s even better to dress with the appropriate casualness for the position. So, if you are applying for a corporate summer job, by all means go out and buy a pantsuit and a bright-colored blouse, but if you’re like most savvy co-eds home for the summer, read on for the cutest summer fashions that will help you land your summer job.

A savvy co-ed can never go wrong with a great sundress. It looks polished and pretty, but at the same time casual and like you didn’t over think your appearance…most restaurants and stores want a laid-back and fun worker. Dresses also capture the spirit of summer, and are flattering on all body types. Target has an amazing collection of sundresses that are definitely appropriate for an informal interview. These were my favorites, as they are super cute and still casually classy, and the interesting patterns can really showcase your personality without being flashy.

These dresses are all cute ways to stand out!

Things to avoid when picking out a sundress for an interview include dresses that are too short, show lots of cleavage, or are made out of clingy fabrics. When deciding how long to buy your dress, I would use the old rule of if the hem is shorter than your fingers when your arms are at your sides, it’s probably too short for a job interview, even an informal one.

Cleavage is also something to avoid. While it’s definitely OK to show a little cleavage most of the time (but nothing a classy co-ed would be ashamed of), excessive cleavage showing during an interview could give off the vibe that you are unprofessional and could give off a vibe that the owner doesn’t want in his restaurant.

As for clingy fabrics, it all comes down to whether or not you want your potential boss to see you pulling your static-filled dress away from in between your legs (or even worse…pulling out a dress wedgie) when you stand up. So be sure to pick a fabric that is light and flowy.

When it comes to accessories, avoid anything flashy or bulky. A statement necklace is an amazing piece to have in your accessories wardrobe, but it would probably be a better idea to save your conversation pieces for an outfit you wear once you have the job (if you don’t have a set work uniform). A statement necklace could take the focus off of you and your shining personality, and that is the most important thing you can show off during a job interview! I would recommend a simply chain necklace with a small pretty pendant, or some cool earrings, like these from Urban Outfitters.

If your job hunt becomes stressful, or if you just need a break, check out Michelle Martinez’s new post on how the classy co-ed keeps her Om!

Megan is going to be a junior at Miami University of Ohio, and can’t wait to have more money to buy more dresses this summer!

The Savvy Co-Ed Goes To the Beach

Finally, the weather is taking a turn for the better! Which means that swimsuit and beach season is just a few days away, and it’s time for CL girls to pick out their summer pool-and-lake-and-ocean-side staples. From skin protection (yes—you have to use it) to swimsuits and cover-ups to accessories, this CL intern has everything you need to get your summer beach-laying days off to a great start.

Before we focus on beach fashion, let’s make sure we protect our most important fashion accessory: your skin! Skin care and protection, especially for all you fair-skinned girls like me, is of the utmost importance as the days get hotter. I even had to wear a light sunscreen when I was walking in between classes because I was getting burned, so as a girl who has been wearing sunscreen for 90% of her life, I’m begging you to USE SUNSCREEN! There are so many options now that won’t leave your skin with a sticky, shiny sheen that there really is no reason to not use at least a little bit of SPF. However, there are different types of screen that you can use on your body than you can use on your face. For your body, I would suggest Neutrogena Fresh Cooling Body Mist Sunblock. It feels awesome and cool when you spray it on, which is a nice relief from a hot summer day. I use SPF 70, but it comes in SPF 30 and 45 as well. It’s waterproof and sweatproof and only costs $9.99 at Target.

For your face, I recommend another Neutrogena product, Ultrasheer Dry-Touch Sunblock with Helioplex. It also comes in SPFs 30, 45, and 70 and is non-comedogenic, which means that it won’t clog your pores. It feels like lotion when you put it on your face and doesn’t have the sunscreeny smell. Plus it comes in a cute little bottle that fits perfectly in your beach bag, and also costs $9.99 at Target. Check out Samantha Crotty’s post on Summer Fun in the Sun for more sun protection products!

If you’re looking for even more protection (like I have to), I swear by Lancôme’s Bienfait Multi-Vital Teinté, a tinted moisturizer that has SPF 30. I wear it every day because it works just like a foundation, but provides your skin with hydration and UV-ray protection. It’s a little pricier at $45.00, but it really is worth every penny.

Onto the main event: the swimsuit! Every girl knows how important it is to find a swimsuit that flatters her figure, and I think that the big it-piece that will flatter every girl’s figure this season is the one-piece. A good solid-colored one-piece is going to be your best friend this season—be careful with a busy or horizontal pattern, unless you have Gisele Bündchen’s bod, it could overwhelm you and people will pay more attention to the pattern on the suit than they will to you, which is never a good thing. There are so many styles to choose from that are very slimming.
This monokini has a very flattering neckline (I love the 1950s neckline on almost anything), elongates your torso, and the keyholes near the chest are subtly sexy. It’s $29.99 from Target, and the black fabric will, as every girl knows, further slim your look.

My next pick is another monokini, also from Target ($29.99), but has a little bit more pop. It has a little bit more coverage as well as a flattering Grecian neckline and puckering around the chest—perfect for you small-chested girls like me. The asymmetrical strips of fabric across the front provide a little coverage as well as an interesting factor to the suit, and the color (it also comes in purple and cherry red) really makes it pop.

The most important thing for a girl to be when she’s in a swimsuit is comfortable. If you aren’t comfortable, it will show, so above all, find a style that works for you that you feel beautiful in, and your attitude will rub off on the people around you!

As far as accessories go, I think that the only beach accessory that is necessary is a bracelet or two. The huge chain necklaces that celebrities are photographed wearing are completely unnecessary, will give you weird tanlines, will probably snag your suit fabric, and who wants to clean the sunscreen off of the necklace anyway? A few bangles with a great suit add a little extra sex appeal, and they don’t get in the way when you’re trying to tan. I love Forever 21’s Floral Etched Bangle Set in gold ($6.80). The color will make your skin look tan and the engravings add a little interest to an otherwise everyday bangle. I promise, bangles add a little extra sex appeal, and you will still look like you belong at the beach.

Now that you’re armed for your summer days, I hope you found my advice helpful! Good luck all you classy co-eds, and happy sunning!

Megan

Megan is a junior at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and can’t wait to get her tan on!