A Week of Style: Layering Edition

Fall is here and the time is perfect for layering.  It’s cool enough to allow you to layer without getting hot, but not cold enough where all the perfectly thought out pieces in your outfit have to be covered up by a bulky winter coat.  Layering allows you to look through your closet and start pairing complementary items together.  It also allows you to create outfits you never thought would look good, but end up fabulous with the right amount of prints and texture.  Breathe new life into your wardrobe, go for comfortable, chic or both, and remember to always have fun with fashion.

Monday- Cool Prep

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Layer a comfy v-neck sweater on top of a crisp oxford shirt, and complete the preppy look with a varsity jacket.  You can pair these pieces with skinny jeans and boots, or if you want to go full on prep then pair it with oxford shoes and a brown leather bag.  This look is the right amount of comfort and style.

Tuesday- Flannel and Stripes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For this look, wear a flannel jacket on top of your favorite graphic tee.  Layer a scarf over the jacket to tie together the patterns and to add an extra element of warmth.  Flannel is very big this season, and mixing patterns is always in style, so this outfit is sure to be a hit.

Wednesday- Playing with length

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This outfit combines different sleeve lengths to make one eclectic look.  Start by layering a brightly colored, short sleeve cardigan over a long sleeve stripped sweater.  Place a faux fur vest over the cardigan to add an unexpected element to the outfit, and revel in the creation.  This look is the perfect example of pieces which don’t seem to fit together, but result in a stylish ensemble.

Thursday- Hoodies and Belts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Who says a hoodie can’t be a dress? This outfit allows ladies to dip into the men’s section at department stores.  Grab yourself an over-sized hoodie that’s long enough to make a dress.  Wear a long sleeve blouse underneath, and hike up the sleeves of the hoodie a bit to show off the complementary colors.  To add shape to the outfit, tighten the waist area with a decorative brown belt.  Complete the ensemble by wearing matching high knee socks and riding boots.

Friday- Utility Jackets and Chambray

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By the end of the week comfort is calling to you.  Dress it down on Friday with a loose chambray blouse under an olive green utility jacket.  Wrap a thick, black scarf around your neck to keep you warm, throw your hair up into a messy bun and take on the day.  You’ll look cute, and the outfit is as relaxed as your mood.

 

Monica Maldonado is a journalism and fashion merchandising student at the University of North Texas, and a member of Phi Kappa Phi.  When she’s not running around campus trying to find her next story, you can find her attached to her laptop, feeding her addiction to pop culture and fashion.

Black Friday Deals: Clothing and Accessories

Thanks for joining me on this lovely Black Friday ride.  If you haven’t checked out the entertainment and electronics deals, be sure to do so!  This evening, we’re going to be taking a look at the clothing and accessories sales.

American Eagle

They haven’t officially released anything yet, but in the past they have given you a scratch off at check out for an additional % off!

Buckle

10% off regular priced accessories and sale denim

60% off hoodies and jeans

75% off outerwear, shirts and sweaters

Up to 75% off shoes and boots

Forever 21

Free tote to the first 100 customers

Gap

Buy one, get one free sweaters

Joann Fabrics

Blizzard Fleece Prints/Solids: $2.99/yard (perfect to make blankets as gifts!)

New York & Company

Antique-Button Flower Cardigan – XS to XL, 7 colors: $19.98 *Hint: Find out how to wear it in Shelly’s post*

Entire website 50% off and free shipping on orders over $100 starting now (50% off in stores on Black Friday)!

Hat, Gloves, & Scarf Gift Set – Stripe, 4 colors: $12.48

Nine West

Take up to 50% off!

Old Navy

$10 Off Coupon w/ $50 Purchase (Thursday Only)

5-Pocket Adults Jeans: $15.00

Activewear for Women: $10.00

All Adults Sweater: $15.00

All Outerwear for the Family: 50% off (remember, I hinted at this in my ‘Chic Coats for Every Occasion’ post) ☺

Long-Sleeved Adult Tees: $8.00

Thermals for the Family (Saturday Only): $5.00

Victoria’s Secret

Free Runway Bag with beauty favorites (valued at $75) with $60 purchase

More stores will generally have a lot of their items marked down-they just don’t release the ads.  If you don’t see something you want above, your best bet is to hit up your favorite stores or check them out online!

I hope you all enjoyed my Black Friday posts and hopefully found them useful!  I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoys all of their shopping-I know I will!  Good luck and please let us know what kind of deals you find out there on Black Friday! We love sharing shopping stories

Kaitlyn Kline is an intern with College Lifestyles^TM.  She is an Edinboro University of PA and Alpha Sigma Tau alum.  She loves a good clothing sale and is really excited for $5 thermals!

It’s Thanksgiving.. But What Shall I Wear?

With Thanksgiving almost upon us, it’s time to plan our holiday look! At this point you may be thinking, “But what shall I wear?”

Thanksgiving is a time you share with your family, therefore your Thanksgiving outfit should be conservative, with subtle embellishes.

Here are a few of our favorite Thanksgiving Day looks from Forever 21:

How To Wear:

- Pair this embellished top with dark wash skinny jeans

- Throw on a thick brown wooden bracelet and gold stud earrings

-Put your hair in a sleek ponytail and wrap a thin section of strands to cover the rubberband

- Slip on gold gladiator sandals

How To Wear:

- Wear brown or gold flats

- Trace a side part in your hair and make “The “Lauren Conrad” braid on the other side

-Accessorize with teal colored scarf loosely wrapped around your neck

How To Wear:

-Pair this comfy cardigan with dark wash skinny jeans

- Part your hair on the right side and then straighten it

- Add a cute embellished barrette to hold up the right side of your hair

- Mix and match silver and emerald colored jewelry for a funky look

What fabulous outfit are you planning on wearing this Thanksgiving?

Shannon May is an intern with College Lifestyles (TM).  She is a Marketing Major at the University of Florida and a member of Alpha Kappa Psi. Her favorite part about Thanksgiving dinner is the delicious pumpkin pie.

How To: Avoid a College Fashion Slump

Why do you want to do this?

It’s three or four weeks into the semester… you’re starting to be up late studying and writing essays… you don’t have the energy to do laundry, and those sweatpants are looking very tempting as a wardrobe option for your 9 am class….

Stop. Put down the garment with the elastic waistband and back away!

(P.S. Keeping in mind the college financial slump that usually sets in around this time every semester- I’ve based many of the examples around an affordable favorite- Forever 21!)

Step 1

Just say no to hoodies! There are some wonderful comfrotable fashionable alternatives out there- keep it classy and wear them!

Step 2

Just say no to ugly sweats! To keep your lower half comfy and cozy- try yoga pants instead.

I just LOVE American Apparel yoga pants- plus, they’re made in the U.S.A.

If you’re willing to splurge… try lululemon athletica pants. They are so comfortable, and they make your behind look AH-mazing- check them out!

Step 3

Accesorize!

Adding a snazzy accessory piece to any outfit will make you feel (and look!) a lot more put together.

-A scarf-

-A pretty headband-

-A brightly colored bag-

Caroline Bright is an intern for College Lifestyles ™, and a Political Science major at Saint Michael’s College. She enjoys keeping it classy and learning new life skills.

Confessions of a Shopaholic: Life Lessons Part 1

I just finished watching Confessions of a Shopaholic for the second time. What girlie girl can resist a movie full of trendy outfits, luxurious shoes, and fabulous men with British accents? Not to mention it outlines your very thought process for shopping–that your new purchase will “define your psyche.”

I like to think of film as a great way to teach people things without beating them over the head with your message, but it is important to pick up the clues from Confessions, as unlike other movies, it can relate to everyone!

1. Define your psyche

Look around your room. What defines you? Is it the poster on your wall, the picture from your trip to Paris, or those shoes in the corner? Your personal living space can say a lot about you, but it is not you. That’s right–as easy as it is to fall into that trap, “stuff” is only stuff. My friends would have a hard time talking to my Oscar Wilde sticky notes on my desk,  or my zebra stripe flats even though they fall into the category of things that could “define” me.

Defining, huh? Do you really want to be defined by something that costs $49.99 with free shipping that everyone else can own? No! Define your life by what you do, those you love, and realize that your grandma was right–the best things in life are free!

2. “It will make your haircut look more expensive…”

Buying something to make another thing you have or own look more expensive seems…silly. If you want your pants to look more expensive, why not spend more on your pants and make them work for you? Validating a purchase for the simple fact that it would make your other things look better to the outside world sounds like a weightless plan. Shouldn’t it look and feel good on you?

I have a pair of shoes that get compliments on the regular, but the funny thing is I found them on sale (yes!) for 80% off, at $7. I will admit, they were meant for me, but they don’t define my psyche or make my haircut look more expensive. Regular trimmings and heat protection will make my hair look “more expensive” but who is going to see my hair if they are looking at my shoes?

3. “You want your scarf, I want my hot dog. Cost and worth are two different things”

When Rebecca Bloomwood doesn’t have enough cash for her beloved green scarf to wear to her interview  after maxing out all her credit cards, (because she is out of money and out of a job) she offers to buy a hot dog vendor’s entire inventory to get cash back. Interrupting the line of hungry patrons, Luke Brandon, editor of Successful Savings magazine hands her a twenty. Not understanding his generosity, Rebecca tells him he just paid $23 for a hot dog! He smiles and says “you want your scarf, I want my hot dog. Cost and worth are two different things.”

Lets talk about cotton tees for a minute. Cotton tees are all over the place. You can find them

nearly anywhere, and have price tags all over the place too. Cost versus worth, ladies.  Think about your shopping habits for a minute. Where do you go for basics? How much is a cotton shirt really worth to you? Can you realistically validate paying 20, 30, or more dollars on it than picking up a basic tee shirt that would look the same at Forever 21, or Target?

Here are some things to consider when talking about cost versus worth:

-How much is it? How many hours would I have to work to pay for it?

-Would I work that many hours for that?

-How many times will I wear it? Divide the total cost by the number of anticipated wears and see how that number pans out.

-What else do I have that will go with it?

-Do I already own something similar?

-Do I need this?

Shout out to label junkies: most likely no one will know where your basics have come from. Why spend more when everyone else is getting a great deal and can spend the extra cash somewhere else? Try mixing inexpensive quality items and your luxury labels for killer outfits with money saving prices. It is a great day when you go home from shopping and still have a little left.

4. “They said I was a valued customer, now they send me hate mail!”

Grab your wallet for a minute. How many credit cards are in there? How many are store cards (like Victoria Secret, American Eagle, Macy’s, etc.)? Oh, store cards! Rebecca Bloomwood was on the money about money when she said they praised her value and sent her hate mail. Have you given in and signed up for the card for the 15% discount and email alerts?

Some skinny on Store Cards:

-Store cards promote label loyalty. They want you to sign up so you will shop there, there, there

-Email alerts? Please. Any store that has a marketing department worth its chicken nuggets will want to get the word out any way possible to alert potential buyers when sales are around the corner. Most companies have sales plastered all over ads, mail fliers, websites, store windows…you will find out if you watch for it. What if you aren’t watching? Then maybe you didn’t need it after all!

-The 15% off you get the first thirty days is a slick trick to get you coming back for unnecessary items. I admit, I have a Kohl’s charge card, and that was the selling point. Oooh! Save, save save! But wait–if I go there when I don’t need things, isn’t that like taking my 15% back, and then more? Store cards promote loyalty and additional purchases beyond your needs, and if you can’t say no then you may end up over your head.

-If you do have store cards, or any credit cards for that matter pay them off in FULL–every month!!!

Do you really want to pay someone else to take your money from you? If you can’t afford to pay the full amount, why did you buy it to begin with? Paying in cash is an easy way to solve over spending, and letting a friend in on your financial goals can help you by having a person to tell you when to put the shirt back on the rack and head for the exit. Your credit rating affects many things, so why trash it now?