I was so excited to see all of your responses on my first study abroad post! The number of comments was so great that I decided to change up my approach a little bit for the rest of the articles. While I still want to do specific posts on exact locations, I figured I would take this time first to clear up some of the questions and comments from last week’s introductory article.

And be sure to read all the way to the end of this article for a chance to be featured in one of the future “What Do I Wear There? Study Abroad…” posts!

1. Personal Style Abroad

Reader Milana commented last week, asking:

“Why not bring your personal style abroad? Especially here in Europe we appreciate the fact that people are different. Be fabulous and be yourself anywhere you go. With the Internet it is not hard to figure out the temperature of the country you’re going to, so pack your style and have an awesome stay!”

And she is absolutely correct! I did not mean to give the impression that you should sacrifice your personal style when you go abroad. What I’m really aiming to do is give you some idea of what the current trends are in these different areas, as well as the expectations you can have for the climate there. As Debbie said,

“I’m all for taking your own style with you, but it can get a little uncomfortable sometimes if it doesn’t mesh with the country you’re living in!”

However, I want to thank Milana for pointing this out and reinforce that you should definitely bring your personal style with you wherever you go! Even if you don’t have a lot of space to pack all of your favorites, you can certainly express yourself through jewelry and accessories (which I will focus more on in following articles).

2. Respect the Culture

Lianne also made an important point in last week’s comments, saying:

“Although this is a very good idea for a series of posts, I do think the most important piece of advice anyone could take with them while traveling abroad is missing and that is to consider the cultural standards of the area. I love my summer skirts, but they’re not acceptable in a number of nations by cultural practice alone and it’s important to recognize and respect that.”

This is another great point. Since I had not yet pinpointed which locales I was covering, I had not yet mentioned this, but it is definitely important to heed the standards of appropriate dressing when you go abroad. As Lalalina suggested in the comments,

“For you girls going to Muslim countries, it is really important that you see if your program can provide you with a past participant to talk to, they will let you know if you need to wear a hijab or head scarf. Morocco is less conservative, but you SHOULD NOT wear any tank tops (without something on top) or cap sleeve shirts, and nothing low cut. You should stick with pants and longer skirts. And in terms of being stylish there, I looked a lot to the local girls, they knew how to cover up and be cute.”

The idea of talking to people who had already been there is great! You’ll hear about what they found to be appropriate and what their experience has taught them about the style there. It’s invaluable knowledge.

I also wanted to note that as Katharin said, even if you are going to a place like London or Paris that has less cultural restrictions on style, it is important to bring along some more conservative clothing if you plan on visiting any churches or going sightseeing in any other places of worship.

3. Check the Weather

CF reader Tamara pointed out how crazy it would be to try to literally pack for all weather, saying,

“About the post, I think it’s good, but I also feel no one should make a suitcase for “any” weather, that’s just impossible. You should check the weather on the internet before picking up your clothes: even if you’re staying away more than one season, I live in Argentina and I know our winters might feel like Canadian springs (for example), for example, so you wouldn’t need a super warm jacket or super warm boots.”

Now, I admit that I may be a little bit biased in what I suggested for basics (considering how excited I am for London!), as I know that I am going to have to deal with colder, rainier weather. However, it is super important that you check the weather for where you are going!

Try to see if you can find the average temperatures for the month you are arriving and the month you are departing so that you can figure out the range. Also, see if you can figure out how rainy/humid/dry it is, which is good to know not just for packing clothing but also for packing beauty supplies.

Remember: just because the season is still labeled “winter” does not mean it is the winter you are used to!

4. Study Abroad Inspiration

In my last post, I suggested looking for style blogs from locals in the area you are going to. However, I understand that finding a good blog for fashion inspiration can be tough to do! Therefore, I suggest going to Lookbook.nu.

Lookbook is an amazing style site in which members submit pictures of the creative outfits they donned that day. The best part is that LookBook members are literally from all over the world, so they are perfect examples of fashion from abroad! If you click the “search” button, a list will appear along the right side of the page with search criteria, including the option to sort by country.

Here are just some of the inspiring looks I found after doing a quick search!

(Clockwise from top left: Looks from Brussells, England, Netherlands, Spain, France, China)

Star style blogger Susie Bubble also has a list of blogs along the left-side column of her page organized by locales that are worth clicking through to see style from all over!

5. Expert Advice

Lalalina kindly requested in the comments that I get some expert opinions from seasoned study abroad-ers in these articles, noting,

“Colleen I mean you no disrespect, but all of you with specific location questions should really consult someone who has been where you are going. They can give you the best advice on the fashion in those places.”

I completely agree! I was planning on asking some of my upperclassmen friends who traveled for advice, but then I saw all of the great comments from you guys who live outside of the United States and/or have previously studied abroad. So many of you were so helpful, detailed, and thorough that I thought I would first turn to you guys for advice!

So if you have studied abroad or are currently living outside the US and would like to share some fashion/packing tips with us, e-mail them to me at whatdoiwearthere AT gmail DOT com.

Tips about what is appropriate and/or trendy in the local you visited are definitely appreciated. If you would like to send some street style pictures, that would be great as well! Send over any info you think is important for a student planning on studying abroad to know. I will credit you in the post if the site you write to me about makes it onto CF!

What Do You Think?

Did this article help clear up any confusion from the last one? Is there anything still missing you would like to see?

Also, I will still be tallying comments to see which study abroad sites are most popular for the specialized posts for the next couple of days, so if you did not comment yet, go ahead and share your destination here!

Black Friday (and Cyber Monday) are just around the corner, and you know what that means – TONS of stores are competing for your retail dollars and slashing prices like crazy! We’ll be posting ALL the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals throughout next week, but for now, here are some stores that are getting in on the sale action early with some fabulous sales & promos!

Fashion Deals & Coupons

American Eagle is having a sale on all AE outerwear! Sale is good from now through 11/22!

Urban Outfitters has select tights 2 for $20 while supplies last!

Vera Bradley is offering an extra 10% off already-reduced sale items! Enter code 10offsale at checkout. Offer ends on 11/30!

Charlotte Russe will give you free shipping when you spend $35+ from now through 11/25.

ShopBop is having a huge sale, with up to 70% off everything from Marc by Marc to DVF! Don’t miss out – the good stuff always goes FAST!

Piperlime is offering an exciting assortment of boots under $100! Brands include Calvin Klein, Steve Madden, Unlisted by Kenneth Cole, Chinese Laundry, and more!

Free People has lots of new sale markdowns in preparation for Thanksgiving – check them out!

Gap.com will give you 25% off regularly priced merchandise with code GIFT123! Offer ends on 11/22! Also, take an extra 25% off sale items with code GAPSALE25 (ends 11/24).

Banana Republic is offering 30% off outerwear! Ends 11/22.

oldnavy.com is offering 15% off $75 or 25% off $100. Enter code ONSAVE15 at checkout! Offer ends on 11/24.

New York & Company’s Friends & Family event is going on now! Get 30% off for 3 days only! (Ends 11/23.)

Shoes.com is offering 25% off all sale items with promo code YAMS from 11/25 to 11/27! Excludes handbags. Also, purchase any UGG Australia footwear and receive a $20 gift code to redeem at Shoes.com! And don’t forget that you can save 15% on any shoes.com purchase for the rest of November with code FALL (valid through 11/30).

Pacsun.com is having a Buy 2 Get 1 Free sale on guys & girls flannels and denim! They have fabulous jeans so don’t miss out on this promo!

Steve Madden is putting their hottest selling shoes on sale! From suede over-the-knee boots to pretty flats and perfect platform pumps, they’ve got it all on sale. You need to check out their sale section ASAP before the good stuff (and your size) is sold out!

Macy’s is offering free shipping with any $99 purchase! Offer is valid now through tomorrow, 11/21.

Onlineshoes.com will give you $20 off orders over $125! Use code 9GOBBLE (expires 11/24).

Eddie Bauer will give you free shipping on all orders of $100+ with code EBHOLIDAY (expires 12/25).

Beauty Deals & Coupons

Sally Beauty Supply has a special Facebook/Friends and Family deal going right now! Save 15% on all online purchases with promo code 555944. Offer ends TONIGHT (11/20) at midnight EST, so use it ASAP!

Beauty.com is having a sale, with up to 50% off brands like DuWop, Too Faced, and more! Good while supplies last. Also, get $10 off any $60 purchase automatically – this offer ends on 12/31!

Sephora.com will give you free shipping on chic gift sets under $50 – use code HOLIDAYSHIP at checkout! Also, get a free Metallic Flower clutch filled with 8 samples with any $25 purchase! Use code CLUTCH4U.

Perfumania is having a buy one, get one 50% off sale on fragrances – plus free shipping on $65+ purchases. Offer is good through 1/4/10!

drugstore.com is having a buy one, get one 50% off sale on all Boots Cosmetics! Offer ends on 11/25. Also, if you love Boots beauty products, visit their website for a $1 off printable coupon to use in stores across the country!

ULTA Beauty will give you free shipping on orders of $25+. Use coupon code 33069 to take advantage! Also, you’ll get a FREE set of Hurricane Candle Holders with any fragrance purchase of $30+.

Benefit Cosmetics will give you free shipping when you buy Glitz Glam & Gloss, a 6 lip gloss set that would be perfect for a gift! Enter code GLOSSKIT at checkout. Offer ends 11/24.

Sally Beauty Supply has tons of great deals on curling and flat irons right now – from Smart Heat irons that adjust to your hair type, to mini “go” irons that are battery powered, there are TONS of markdowns & great prices right now!

As always, post any other deals or coupons in the comments so we can all share the savings! Happy shopping and have a fabulous Thanksgiving vacay!

Thanksgiving vacay is so close – for those of you lucky enough to not have Friday classes, it might already have started! If not, start the fun early with our weekly list of good reads and fun distractions!

From Couture — to Conversation is a NY Times article on how blogs, Twitter, and other social networking platforms are affecting fashion brands. Totally interesting read!

All the blogs are abuzz about MyFDB, “the IMDB of the fashion industry”. While it does cost money to use MyFDB, WikiFashion is a good free alternative.

New York Magazine has a list of 100 holiday gifts under $100! They always have amazing picks & this list doesn’t disappoint.

A fashion vending machine – yum!

If you haven’t seen it yet, We Heart It is a must-bookmark source of inspiration. Caution: leads to intense homework procrastination.

Um, this is completely unfair. I want to live in NY!

The mega-store best known for industrial-size olive oil and lifetime supplies of batteries and toilet paper is selling serious luxury handbags at its new Manhattan location. Yeah, Louis Vuitton and Chanel bags. At Costco.

“The new location currently has Chanel Classic Flap handbags available for $1,999, though the salesperson, a man, was not sure what sizes were available (baby, small, medium, large or jumbo). These regularly sell anywhere from $1,795 to $2.495. However, he did say that earlier today they sold out of Louis Vuitton Speedy bags, regularly priced from $665 to more than $3,000, all three going for $589 a pop. But there are currently ‘a lot’ of Burberry and Coach bags.”

Too busy (or lazy) to hit the gym as often as you should? Calorie burning boots might be just the thing!

Marie Claire has a great article on how to protect yourself from an attacker. No matter how safe you think your campus/neighborhood is, this info is still really important to know.

Giving Back: Past & Present is a look at teen-started charities worth knowing about, via Teen Vogue.

As a fan of useless trivia, I’m currently obsessed with Learn Something New Every Day. It’s like Snapple’s bottle cap real facts, only cuter and much more colorful.

Lauren Conrad to Author a Style Book. As much as her book L.A. Candy didn’t interest us, this is one book we’re curious to check out! You can’t deny that the girl has style.

Lucky Magazine shows you how to pull off over-the-knee boots. Just in case you needed another reason to try them!

Louise Goldin’s shoe collection for Topshop looks amazing. If you like your footwear *fierce*, you’ll love it.

Psyched for New Moon? If so, show your appreciation with some vampire-themed jewelry.

Black Friday is a just over a week away! Get prepared with these tips on how to approach Black Friday:

Black Friday ads start showing up online as early a few weeks before the day even comes. A smart shopper should prepare by looking at these ads and finding the stores and the items that interest them. Newspapers the week of black Friday will be full of ads, coupons and door buster deals, especially the newspaper for Thanksgiving Day.

Gift ideas for fashionistas – while most of these are pretty basic, they’re definitely all good gifts.

Here’s yet another easy DIY using one surprising ingredient: How to Make Your Own Hand Sanitizer.

We recently showed you how to make an American Apparel style circle scarf. Here’s another DIY tutorial for a similar scarf that makes a slightly longer version.

SATC author Candace Bushnell is publishing a series of Carrie Bradshaw’s diaries from high school. Will you be reading these?

Alicia Keys Announces Plans to Develop a Jewelry Line. Would you buy her stuff?

You Look Fab has tips on how to fit a coat. The suggestions for what to wear underneath are great! I personally love to wear blazers under coats, too.

I like to layer the following items under a wool or puffer coat: camisole and/or thermal T, fine gauge knitwear, a lined tailored jacket like a blazer or biker jacket, and a bulky scarf. Yes! I layer a jacket underneath a coat. That way when I remove my coat indoors, I still look and feel chic.

5 Ways to Germ-Proof Your Dorm – useful if you’re swine flu paranoid!

The Perfect Staircase for Bookworms – I totally want one!

Sure, cell phone earpieces are kinda geeky, but they might save your life.

No one is certain what cell phones do to our brains when we endlessly rest them against our heads. At best, it’s nothing. At worst, it’s insidious damage that will translate into an enormous spike in brain cancers down the road. If these are our two choices—status quo versus debilitating and ultimately fatal disease—why are we even talking about this anymore? It’s time to move phones away from our heads.

Want to be able to see your college campus on Google Maps’ Street View? If you go to ASU, Michigan State, Princeton, Rochester Institute of Technology, or Stanford, vote for your campus to get its own Street View!

That’s all we’ve got this week! Leave any links you loved this week in the comments, and be sure to tell us what you think of these sites!

I’ve been dying to find the perfect printed cardigan lately. All of my cardigans are solid knits, and with the weather gradually becoming cooler, I need a way to spice up my autumn wardrobe!

I spotted Rachel wearing a very cute printed vintage-inspired cardigan with a great fall color underneath. I had to ask her about her style!

Who I Spotted:

Name: Rachel

Hometown: Tucson, Arizona

Age: 18

Year in College: Freshman

Major: Political Science

Hobbies/Interests: “[I like] reading, going to the movies, and dance, especially ballroom and tango.”

Describe your style: “eclectic, relaxed, effortless”

Who/what inspires your style? “weather dictates a lot of my outfits. Also, my mood and the colors of the season.”

Where do you like to shop/find clothes? “Urban Outfitters, Express, Forever 21, Target, and Savers.”

What I Like About Rachel’s Style:

I adore her cardigan and her ability to pair a print with a pop of color underneath. The texture in her ballet flats adds a little extra detailing and her dark wash jeans are a great investment because you can wear them with flats or boots!

Rachel’s look seems very effortless. This is a great look you can throw together on your way to take a midterm or on one of those mornings after long night in the library!

The core element of Rachel’s outfit is definitely the cardigan. If you look through your closet, you probably own a dark wash jean and a colored tank. Invest in a printed cardigan! I know I want to!

Time for Some Inspiration!

Here are some printed cardigans I really like. Depending on your budget, there are a variety of stores that are offering printed cardigans this season!

Product Information: Laced Roses Cardigan- Anthropologie, Knitted Print Cardigan- Top Shop, AE Leopard Cardigan- American Eagle

This is my interpretation of Rachel’s look! The AE boyfriend tanks come in a TON of colors, too! Snag a few colored tanks for layering this fall/winter!

Product Information: Knitted Print Cardigan- Top Shop, AE Boyfriend Tank- American Eagle, Degaine Midnight Blue Jean- Chickdowntown, Black Quilted Ballet Flat- Peacocks, Yahdira Utility Tote- Forever 21

Other ways to wear your printed cardigan:

Here are three other ways to use your printed cardigan using some of the same items featured in Rachel’s inspirational look! Hooray for versatility!

Option 1:
This outfit is great for a day at the office, or when you’re headed out on a date!

Product Information: Wool Blend Skirt- Forever 21, Knitted Print Cardigan- Top Shop, AE Boyfriend Tank- American Eagle, Patent Platform Pumps- Forever 21

Option 2:
This outfit is good for those days or nights that are on the chilly side. Throw on your cardigan and go grab some hot cocoa with a friend!

Product Information: Knitted Print Cardigan- Top Shop, Degaine Midnight Blue Jean- Chickdowntown, Yahdira Utility Tote- Forever 21, Cuffed Suedette Boots- Forever 21, Free People Zipper Thermal- Piperlime, Preston & York Cable Scarf- Dillard’s

Want to be featured in Looks on Campus?

We want YOU to be our inspiration! Here’s how you can be a part of Looks on Campus!

Use a timer or have a friend take photos of your outfit head to toe – don’t forget to include your shoes and bag!

Take a few detail shots of the pieces that make up your look – bag, shoes, accessories, etc. We want to see them up close!

Answer the interview questions listed above. Be sure to include where you go to school.

Send it all in an email to zephyr AT collegefashion DOT net with subject “Looks on Campus”.

We’ll pick our favorites to feature here in the Looks on Campus column. Please note that we can’t feature everyone who submits due to volume, but we’ll try to do as many as we can. Can’t wait to see your submissions!

Okay, so maybe literally borrowing your boyfriend’s clothes isn’t the best idea in the world, but one of my favorite trends lately has been the influx of menswear-inspired clothing. Also, why restrict yourself to the women’s section when you never know if you will find a great vintage tee or a rugby scarf in the men’s section?!

There are several boyfriend-inspired trends out there right now, but I am going to review the three that I feel have become the most prominent throughout the college fashion scene.

1. The Boyfriend Jean

Boyfriend jeans are available from so many different retailers and for such a wide a variety of prices that you have to ask yourself How do I choose the right boyfriend jean? After conducting some research, here are my “rules” for buying and wearing boyfriend jeans:

Go for a straight-leg version. Other styles don’t compliment the overall relaxed look of boyfriend jeans!

Make sure the bottom hem meets the ankle. Longer versions will give the jean a baggy grunge look, while anything shorter creates a “high water” look that should be avoided when wearing boyfriend jeans (unless you purposely roll up the hems to wear with heels).

Your boyfriend jeans should be the strongest masculine piece in your outfit. If you choose to wear masculine elements such as a leather jacket or vintage sports tee, make them form fitting! Otherwise, you risk looking like you literally got dressed in a boy’s closet.

Now that we’ve reviewed the rules, here are some examples of great boyfriend jeans!

Product Information: Deidre Boyfriend Jean- Abercrombie & Fitch, Crafted Boyfriend Pu Jean- Republic (UK), Citizens of Humanity Boyfriend Jean- Chickdowntown, Tall Indigo Cory Jean- TopShop

2. Men’s Vintage-Inspired Tees

I bought my first men’s tee from Urban Outfitters recently. I wanted a crew neck screen tee to throw on with my leather jacket, but I couldn’t find a screen print I liked in the women’s section. My curiosity took me to the men’s section where I found an amazing cotton tee that had a vintage advertisment of Madonna’s 1985 “Like a Virgin” tour. I purchased the tee in a small and have worn it so many times, it might be time to go hunting for another similar t-shirt.

Now, if you think that venturing into the men’s section isn’t quite your style, there are certainly options for you that are made for women. Here’s what to look for when hunting for a boyfriend-inspired t-shirt:

Look for straighter lines when you try them on. This shouldn’t be so striaght that it completely hides your figure, but the relaxed/semi-loose feel is what this trend is all about!

The sleeve should not be a cap sleeve, but rather a t-shirt sleeve!

Try on the next size up in women’s t-shirts. Especially because most screen print t-shirts are made of 100% cotton, if you want the loose/relaxed look, it’s best to at least try on one size up!

Men’s Tees I Love:

Product Information: Clint Eastwood Tee- Urban Outfitters, Bob Ross Tee- Urban Outfitters, Junk Food Men’s AC/DC 1973 T-Shirt- Palmer Cash, Men’s USA Peace T-Shirt- Palmer Cash

3. Menswear Button-Down Shirt

The menswear button-down shirt has been all over the runways, as well as in several stores lately. The idea of a boyfriend-inspired button-up is no longer a trademark of the “walk of shame,” but rather a piece to throw on effortlessly.

The two versions I’ve noticed are definitely the flannel/plaid/Lumberjack look, and the classic dress shirt. If you are especially keen on the flannel versions, check out Liza’s post on how to wear them! This quick photo tutorial from TLC is great for anyone who likes the dress shirt version!

Here are some examples of each, available right now for purchase:

Product Information: Vince Oversized Plaid Roll Sleeve Shirt- Piperlime, Crinkle Plaid Flannel Shirt- Forever 21, H81 Pintucked Woven Button Down- Forever 21, Striped 3/4 Shirt- Forever 21

What do YOU think?

Do you like this trend? Have you tried any boyfriend-inspired pieces? If so, tell us about the experience! How do you wear your boyfriend-inspired clothing items?

I have a confession to make: I have the shortest lashes known to mankind. Well, maybe not, but I’m the kind of girl that needs to wear mascara just for them to show up and I dream of Latisse on a daily basis. While I have neither the skill nor the patience to put fake eyelashes on every day, I did buy my first tube of mascara at the age of 12.

Over the past six years, I’ve amassed enough tips and tricks to make even the stubbiest lashes look luxuriously long. Read on to learn how to get super long lashes yourself.

Step 1: Curl Your Lashes

Curling your lashes is the one thing that can completely brighten up your face in five seconds. I’ve been using the Shu Uemera Eyelash Curler ($19) since I was 16 and I absolutely love it. It’s a bit pricey, but this $19 investment will last you years. Before I clamp it on my lashes, I warm it up using my blowdryer for about three seconds. Think about it: You wouldn’t curl your hair with a cold iron, would you? The heat might feel a little foreign on your sensitive eyelids, but trust me, this small step makes all the difference and your lashes will stay curled all day.

Note: Some girls SWEAR by applying a coat of primer and then curling your lashes. While I don’t particularly think think this makes a difference, it might just be the trick for you!

Step 2: Primer

I think that mascara primer is seriously underrated. Whether you buy it on its own or it comes as an attachment with your usual mascara, this step is KEY. My personal favorite is the primer that comes with Maybelline XXL Volume + Length (about $7.) After curling my lashes, I apply a thick coat of it. I like to let it dry while brushing my teeth/changing the song on my iPod/scrambling for my Comm notes. Don’t forget you have it on! I’ve made the unfortunate mistake of leaving my room for the day with white lashes. That is a beauty statement that I’m not prepared to make!

Step 3: Mascara

Once your primer is dry, it’s finally time for the main event: Mascara! If you used a primer + mascara combination, then I’d suggest using the mascara side for your first coat. If not, some of my favorite mascaras include DiorShow Black Out ($24,) Maybelline Define-A-Lash ($7.49) and L’Oreal Extra-Volume Collagen Mascara (about $15). Start by getting the wand as close to the base of your lash line, and then make a zig-zag motion with your hand as you move the mascara till the tips of your lashes. This allows all of the mascara on the wand to spread evenly and prevents clumps from forming. I also never put anything on my lower lashes because 1, it makes my eyes look smaller and 2, I inadvertently rub it off sometime during the day and end up looking like a raccoon. Also, some makeup artists recommend bending the brush 30 degrees in order to reach more lashes, but I’ve found that it doesn’t really make much of a difference for me.

Step 4: Separate ‘Em

For this step, I like using a wand from an old mascara that I’ve cleaned and washed. While lashes are still wet, I run this clean brush from base to tip (again, in a zig-zag fashion) in order to de-clump and separate lashes. This is especially great if you have an older mascara but don’t have the time or resources to go out and buy a new tube!

Once you’ve completed Steps 1-4, repeat steps 3 & 4 till you’re satisfied with your results. I like to layer different types of mascara for each coat to promise the longest/fullest/most voluminous lashes possible. Usually, two coats are enough for class, while I put on four or five before I go out at night. Whether I just want to look more put-together in class or more doe-eyed for a night out, longer lashes are always key when making me feel more confident.

What do you guys think?

Do you have any other tips for long lashes? Tell me in the comments!

Have you ever felt like you were in a style rut, just bored with your wardrobe? Made a big change where a wardrobe transition seemed necessary, but you didn’t know how or where to start? Or, just spent time admiring other people’s outfits and wanted to give yourself a makeover? This article will show you how to do just that!

If you’re dying for a new look but afraid of losing yourself in the process, these tips will help you make a successful transformation!

• Study different looks. If you know you need a change but are unsure of where to begin, fashion books, magazines, and websites are great start. Print out or rip out looks that inspire you – this will help you get a picture of the type of style you like most!
• Find a fashion muse. Whether you want to emulate a certain celebrity or a stylish friend, studying different looks for inspiration can be a huge help. If you aim to dress more like your best friend, raid her closet! If you’re into Rachel Zoe, read her book or watch her TV show. No matter whose looks you like, try to get a complete sense of their fashion persona and find ways to make it your own. The goal is to create a look that is influenced by your muse, but is also distinctly your own. Take what you learn, but stay true to yourself! Not sure who you want to emulate? Check out How to Find Your Celebrity Fashion Muse for some ideas!
• Make a list of defining pieces to purchase. There are always a few key articles that totally embody the look you’re going for, so take note! Whether it’s cowboy boots, scarves, or skinny jeans, write them down, pick your favorites and get shopping! This is also helpful if you’re thinking in terms of color. Does your new style include a pastel pink or a vampy red? If it epitomizes your style, write it down! You’ve got yourself a list of must-haves.

Example Essentials for Different Styles

Edgy

Product Information: Gold Studded Bangle Set, Dorothy Perkins. Leather Mix Biker Jacket, TopShop. Siwy Shredded Ankle Skinny Jeans, shopbop.com. FLoral Fishnet Tights, American Eagle.

Boho

Product Information: Tiered Chiffon Maxi Dress, Arden B. Minnetonka Moccasin Calf Hi 3-in-1 Boot, Piperlime. Bohemian Scarf, alloy.com. Coin Chandelier Earrings, Charlotte Russe. Turquoise Cluster Bracelet, fantasyjewelrybox.com.

Preppy

Product Information: City-Fit Surplus Chino, J.Crew. Kelly Street Cable Sweater, Vineyard Vines. Poplin Oxford Shirt, ae.com. Lauren by Ralph Lauren 8mm Pearl Earrings, Piperlime. Camila Thick Tortoise Headband, hairboutique.com. Prep School Stripe Ribbon Belt, fourpreppypaws.com.

Glamazon

Product Information: Diana Sequin Shift Dress, johnlewis.com. Miss KK Peacock Feather Necklace, moxsie.com. BCBG Girls Rimy Booty, Zappos. Boyfriend Blazer, fredflare.com.

Even More Style-Changing Tips:

• Shop some new stores! Whether they’re vintage boutiques, thrift stores, or mall shops, try to branch out and shop at some new stores! Online shopping is a great way to do this because you can preview the merchandise of a certain store and see what you like before you go in and try things on. Try browsing online stores you’ve never been to, or discounted stores you usually pass by. You may be surprised with what you find!

• Start small! Try adding one or two new pieces in with the things you already wear. For example, if you’ve been a pretty conservative or traditional dresser and you’re going for a rocker vibe, try swapping your flared jeans for black skinnies, or topping your outfit with a leather jacket for some edge. This way, you’ll get a dose of edgy style, but still look and feel like yourself.

• Proceed with caution. There’s nothing wrong with slowly creating a new look! In fact, easing into a style change is one of the best ways to make your transformation genuine. The best style changes don’t happen overnight! Incorporate new pieces little by little, until they become second nature is a key part of developing your new personal style.

• Never stop expanding your collection! If you buy clothes that fit into a bunch of different categories, you’re always going to have something cool to wear on the days you feel sporty or the days you feel like a trend-setter. Go ahead and mix and match! Who says you have to have a fashion uniform 24/7? Try anything and everything out!

As you continue to make these subtle changes with your style, you’ll eventually evolve your style into something totally unique and YOU! Remember, a confident girl can get away with wearing almost anything, so if you’re ever feeling unsure about your outfit, tell yourself you look amazing and fake it until you feel it!

Sound off!

Have you ever totally changed your style? How has the way you dress changed from high school to college? Do you have tips of your own? I’m excited to hear your thoughts and read your comments!

“I can’t believe I spent more than you,” remarked my suitemate as we sat at the counter, eating Crumbs Bakery cupcakes and watching the passers-by ogle our giant cupcakes.

We had spent the entire day wandering SoHo and the West Village — two neighborhoods that are known for their designer boutiques and not for their college student budget-friendly shops. The two of us were determined to find suitable winter gear for the North East, as I am from California and she is from Texas. I was used to wearing sandals in December back at home, after all.

I introduced my suitemate to Uniqlo, a popular Japanese retail chain store that I have been obsessed with ever since I ventured into the SoHo store during the summer of 2008. Uniqlo sells high-quality basics and casual wear from Japan for a much more student budget-friendly price than American Apparel. Additionally, the retail chain has collaborated with a variety of contemporary fashion designers, such as Alexander Wang and Phillip Lim.

The store in SoHo is also their only store in North America. You can imagine how eager I’ve been to convince my fellow Columbia students to venture downtown for the sake of Uniqlo.

Photo Credit: 1

The moment we entered the store, I walked towards the shelves of denim. You see, I only have one pair of jeans in my wardrobe — the black Uniqlo skinny jeans that I bought two summers ago. Being so short, it’s difficult to find properly fitting jeans. After that fateful summer day when I discovered that Uniqlo sells size 0 jeans and tailors them for free, I didn’t bother wasting my time buying jeans elsewhere. If I’m going to buy jeans, I’m going to buy them at Uniqlo for less than $50 — why bother spending $200 on a pair?

I was in desperate need of pants for the winter. Skirts and dresses with stockings were perfect for the Mediterranean climate back home, but I was already shivering in October in New York City. So, I bought a pair of dark gray skinny jeans for $30, a pair of black “Satin Leggings” that look like high-quality pants but only cost $20, a pair of legwarmers for $10, and a woolen beret for $10. $70 for practical gear? Not bad.

I then ventured into Madewell, which is owned by J.Crew and is still only fractionally cheaper than its sister store. I bought a pair of black stirrup leggings for $32 — oops, I was not aware of the 15% student discount, which I discovered shortly after writing an article about student discounts for the Columbia Daily Spectator’s weekly features and arts magazine, The Eye. Ah, dear store associate, could you not tell that I was hesitant about spending $32 on a pair of fairly opaque leggings?

Photo Credit: 1

Still, $100 for three new pairs of bottoms and two winter accessories is not a bad deal, and my suitemate was equally satisfied with her new purchases — including a beautifully retro umbrella for only $8.

Of course, we wandered around the boutiques in SoHo and the West Village (I had to introduce my suitemate to an oversized Stella McCartney clutch I was eyeballing at Intermix, after all), but we decided to relegate our indulgence of the day to cupcakes at Crumbs Bakery. Only $3.75, and almost just as satisfying.

What is your favorite place to get basic pieces? Have you experienced the amazingness of Uniqlo yet? Do you have any favorite NYC shopping spots? Let us know with a comment!

Trends from the 80’s have been making their way into our wardrobes for the past few seasons, but today’s trend is pure 90’s grunge. Plaid itself is a huge fall trend, and the oversized flannel button-down is the hottest way to wear it.

Fashionistas have been borrowing from their boyfriends’ closets for a while now, and this trend is another example of the “boyfriend” phenomenon. Celebs like Mary-Kate Olsen, Kirsten Dunst, Jessica Biel and Ashley Tisdale love their plaid button-downs, as they are laid back pieces that can still look effortlessly chic.

So does this mean that the oversize flannel is only for girls who can work the chic messy look? I’m not sure.

I was talking to my friend about who can and cannot pull off the flannel trend (I’m convinced I can’t) and she said something that stuck with me: it all depends on how you wear it. I was so absorbed with the distressed denim and messy hair that I failed to take into account how put-together Jessica Biel is, in her tunic version with a polished leather jacket and leggings.

Outfit Inspiration

I’ve created two outfits this week, one with a more messy and unkempt appearance in mind and one with a more structured overall feel, using the same oversize flannel button down by American Eagle (which you can find here).

Grunge it up

Product Information: 1. Chanel Nail Color,  2. Wet Seal Leggings, 3. AE Denim Cutoffs, 4. Charlotte Russe Boots, 5. Ray-Ban Wayfarers

Pull It Together

Product Information: 1. AE Leather Stud Belt, 2. H81 Boyfriend Jeans, 3. Modcloth Oxfords, 4. Melie Bianco Hobo, 5. AE Classic Cardigan

What do you think?

Now I want to get your take! Would you wear a flannel button-down, and if so, how would you wear it–would you grunge it up or pull it together? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section!

(500) Days of Summer is a great love story with a twist. Our muse for fashion inspiration is Summer Finn (played by Zooey Deschanel). Men flock to Summer, whose mysterious ways and apathy towards relationships and love takes viewers (and her suitors) on an offbeat ride. The best part about Summer is that her style is very relatable and down-to-earth.

With so many cute outfits in this movie, I have decided to focus on two major fashion motifs in this film: the little blue dress and vintage-inspired separates.

Summer’s LBD: The Little Blue Dress

I love the motif of the little blue dress in this movie because it is totally a reflection of Summer’s eccentric character. The little blue dress is a great alternative to the classic black version, and if you’re really keen on Summer’s interpretation, I would recommend vintage-inspired versions that feature feminine details, such as lace, bows, or a whimsical print.

Here are my favorite little blue dresses that are all available for purchase right now! (With the exception of the Arden B dress – sadly, it just sold out.)

Product Information: Kimchi Blue Taffeta Ruffle Dress- Urban Outfitters, Lianna Shirtdress- Delia*s, Satin Babydoll Dress- Arden B, Signature Solid Dress- Tommy Hilfiger (available at Zappos), AE Bustier Dress- American Eagle, Tara Halter Dress- Delia*s

Separates with a Touch of Vintage

Separates are always great for college students because mixing and matching is key to getting the most bank for your buck. I am especially biased towards the high waisted navy blue shorts because earlier in the semester I bought a pair from a local Savers for $3! Thrift stores can be a great place to find vintage pieces and if you’re feeling a little lost, be sure to check out Michelle’s regular posts on vintage-inspired items!

For my inspirational outfits I really had a lot of fun playing online dress up! I hope you like my picks and can see the versatility in these items!

Oufit 1: Vintage Blouse + High Waist Shorts

Product Information: Grapes Floral Blouse- Top Shop, High Waist Sailor Short- Arden B, Crinkled Leatherette Flat- Go Jane, Stud Handle Shoulder Bag- Forever 21, Medium Barrettes- Kohl’s

Outfit 2: Vintage Blouse + A-Line Skirt

Product Information: Grapes Floral Blouse- Top Shop, Stud Handle Shoulder Bag- Forever 21, Tullia High Waist Skirt- K Karl Lagerfeld (through theOutnet), Crinkled Leatherette Flat- GoJane, White Key Charm Bracelet- Max & Chloe

Outfit 3: Vintage Blouse + Feminine Oxfords

Product Information: Suedette Pump- Forever 21, Grapes Floral Blouse- Top Shop, Stud Handle Shoulder Bag- Forever 21, Five Pocket Skinny Jean-Arden B

**All photos from www.imdb.com**

Are You Inspired?

Are you a fan of Summer’s style? Would you try a little blue dress? How about vintage-inspired separates? How do you mix-and-match vintage pieces? Also, where do you find your vintage pieces?! Leave us a comment! We’d love to hear from you!