Graduation Outfits: How to be Affordably Stunning on Your Day

 Above are three dresses from Lauren Conrad’s collection for Kohl’s. With the dresses running from $40-$60 each, they are afforadble, gorgous and look extremely flattering on all body types! Now, onto shoes!

If you’re going with a neutral dress, the pop of bright color is a must for shoes. Whether you like high heels like the pink Candie’s above (top left, $19.99) or flat sandals like Jennifer Lopez’ sandals (bottom right, $44.99), bright colors will add so much– especially when you can’t see your dress & just see that potato-sack gown!

If your dress has its own pop of color and you want to go subdtle with accessories, you can go with nude or black! A great pair of nude wedges are Simply Vera by Vera Wang (top right, $39.97). If nude isn’t for you, a classy pair of black high heels always looks great, like the LC Lauren Conrad heels (bottom left, $39.99).

With these great deals from Kohl’s, it’s simple to create a GREAT outfit for your important day (and still have money to go out for drinks with your family after)!

 

 

This post was written by Emily Longeretta, a senior editorial intern for CollegeLifestyles (TM). She is graduating from SUNY Oswego May 12 and is heading to New York City to pursue a career in journalism and public relations. With passion for sports, entertainment and ofcourse great fashion, she hopes to be extermely successful and thanks everyone who helped her get here.

Goodwill Hunting: How To Shop At Second-Hand Stores

Skillfully scouring through heaps of belts, piles of heels, and shelves of knickknacks from decades past is as easy as it sounds. It may appear intimidating–platforms from the 70s tend to do that to people–but see the racks of endless treasures as items in a vast and vibrant playing field. Looking to channel Brigitte Bardot á la the 1960s or in need of a funky costume? Head to a local shop full of hand-me-downs needing revival and keep these tips in mind.

Let the Clothes Speak

Go shopping with less of a plan. Wait and see what the store has to offer! If your eyes are set on finding a sheer, ruffled top, you might miss the vintage medallion that would work perfectly with those studded heels you recently bought! And don’t let shiny paillettes on a nearby cocktail dress blindside you–walk toward the sparkle. Let magic happen. Or, at least be open to letting magic happen–you won’t be disappointed.

Embrace the History

Get completely wrapped up in what makes a beaten-up fringe boot or a metal charm bracelet what it is. Consider these questions: Who brought this here? Where did this come from? Who wore it first? Think through your prospective purchase and the object will become that much cooler. Your next vintage-buy could’ve came straight from an “Old Hollywood” stars’ dressing room!

Look Ridiculous

Every era brings along trends which should never resurface again. As tragic as these said fashion-embarrassments are, delve into the entire experience by traveling back in time and trying on something crazy. Take pictures with your girlfriends at your discretion (remember, once photos go viral, good luck convincing your friend to take it down).

There’s Beauty in Imperfection

Embrace a missing rhinestone or two from a belt or a scuff mark on a leather jacket. It adds personality and age to a classic piece. Besides, anything can be altered and updated once it’s in your hands. If you can’t bare the scratch on the brim of your vintage Ray Ban’s, see if an eyeglass store can clean it up or fit you for a new frame. Problem solved!

Tiana Blue is a Senior Writer for College Lifestyles™. This fourth semester sophomore at Penn State is a print journalism major with a penchant for food, stilettos, and the city that never sleeps.

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The 5 Best Shorts for Summer 2012

By:  Katie O’Brien

Undoubtedly, one of the best parts of the summer is breaking out the much-anticipated warm weather clothing. After spending the excruciatingly cold months (especially as a student in Michigan!) covered in huge sweaters and puffy coats, it is finally time to wear dresses, skirts, and, my personal favorite, shorts. Shorts are arguably the most versatile article of summer clothing. Paired with the correct top and accessories, one pair of shorts can function as both casual and dressy. Admittedly, however, it is difficult to find a good pair of shorts for a reasonable price. To help classy co-eds find the perfect pair of shorts that fit into a college student’s budget, CL has searched for the perfect options. Below are five inexpensive, but extremely stylish, pairs of shorts.

 

1.  These KNT by Kova & T Leather Varsity shorts are sold at Urban Outiffers. Admittedly, leather shorts do sound complicated. However, the deep red leather is not too over the top—they can be worn to class or dressed up for going out. These shorts, definitely a must have, are only $39.99!

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp?id=21364096

2. These Ecote Silky Printed Shorts can also be found on Urban Outfitters. The pattern is perfectly understated and the colors in the shorts make them easy to pair with many different colored tops. They are only $29.99!

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/category.jsp?id=SALE_W&categories=catalog01_sale_sale_w_sale_w_bottoms

3. These Pieced Lace Shorts can be found at Free People. The delicate lace makes them extremely girly and unique. Paired with a black tank top or a jean jacket, these shorts are perfect for a summer night out. And, perhaps best of all, they are on sale for only $49.95!

http://www.freepeople.com/sale-sale-bottoms/pieced-lace-skort/

4. Their name describes them perfectly. These Season Staple Shorts from anthrpologie are a must have. They can be worn all throughout the summer and even the fall. They are simple enough to go with almost anything and are only $58. 

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/clothes-pants/23876253.jsp

5. We have saved the best for last. These 4” chino shorts come in all different bright colors and can be dressed up or dressed down. They are definitely a summer staple and are just $45. http://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/shorts.jsp

 

 

Classy Co-ed On Campus: Bithiah Lee

 The University of Michigan is a different campus this March with the sunshine gleaming down like the spotlight on a dark stage. The campus is a runway for fashionistas, but senior, Bithiah Lee is one of the few classy co-eds that steals the spotlight. Not only is she super friendly and has a unique, fashion-forward style, she also is a triple major in English, Political Science, and Global Media Studies. Get to know this friendly face a little more and steal some of her fabulous style advice!

 

CL: What’s a quote or motto that you live by?
Bithiah: Matthew 22:37-39

CL: A lady deserves to indulge from time to time. What are your favorite guilty pleasures?
Bithiah: One of my secret guilty pleasures is watching “nobody’s” sing famous songs on youtube (covers!). When they sing poorly, I think it’s okay to laugh at them, but when they sing well, I’m jealous.

CL: CLassy co-ed dilemma: lacking motivation. How do you motivate yourself when you need a little push?
Bithiah: I listen to a pump-up song and if circumstances are dire, I may even shut the blinds, crank up the volume, and do a little dance.

CL: What is your go-to accessory?
Bithiah: My braided leather belt

CL: You gleam classy. Fill CL in on how you do it.
Bithiah: I honestly believe it’s less about what you wear than it is about how you wear it. I don’t  try to follow what other people wear, what brands are popular, etc. I wear what I like, what I am comfortable in, and I try to be creative with what I can afford (I am a fan of thrifting!). Whenever people ask me if something looks good, I always tell them, “Don’t ask me if it looks good. Wear it, rock it, and tell me that it looks good!”

CL: What are your “must-have” beauty items?
Bithiah: Specs: large, thick-framed glasses/sunglasses, my leather TIMEX watch, multiple rings, and a hair tie for bad hair days.

CL: If you could only eat 3 foods the rest of your life, what would they be?
Bithiah: Pizza, watermelon, mandarin oranges

CL: What is your dream job?
Bithiah: Anything related to entertainment or fashion media.

CL: What 3 words would you use to describe yourself?
Bithiah: Creative, down-to-earth, active

CL: What does being “classy” mean to you?
Bithiah: Having swag, and wearing what you wear/doing what you do/saying what you say with confidence

CL: How would you describe your style?
Bithiah: Relaxed, genuine, & innovative.

If you know a classy co-ed that should be featured in College Lifestyles, reach out to us in our comments section, through our Facebook page, our Twitter, or our Tumblr!

XO Sunny

 

Sana Ashraf is a fashion writer and fashion show intern and is a junior at the University of Michigan. Sana loves reading fashion magazines, shopping sprees, city lights, color coordinated closets, and all four seasons.

INTERN CLOSET: Sundays at the Park

At a young age, I became addicted to fashion. While many seven year old girls were playing Game Boys and Barbies,  I would tear out everything from my closet, lay it on my bed and plan outfits for the school week. Looking back, there may have been a few too many rhinestones and hair bows, but it never stopped me from creating the perfect outfits for Monday through Friday.

Although now I only dream of having the time to plan anything in my life, let alone outfits, I haven’t lost my love for fashion.

From my favorite headbands down to my worn-out Converse shoes, I will give you a glimpse into some of my daily outfits. I can’t classify how I would describe my wardrobe in one category because it’s all across the board. Some hangers hold the girliest of dresses while my closet’s top shelf is covered with t-shirts and jeans. My outfit for the day usually just depends on how I am feeling and what I am doing that day.

For a recent Sunday afternoon at the park, this is what I went with:

Sweater: I found this gem at the Salvation Army. Fifty cents later I found myself wearing this guy everywhere. Although I’m sure it was made for a man, probably one named Bill Cosby, it is just too cozy to pass up.

From Winter Wear To Spring Flare: 5 Fresh Ways to Wear Your Scarves in Spring

Scarves are the perfect accessory. They revamp your look and add flare without you having to work too hard. With spring just around the corner, you may be thinking it’s time to pack away your winter scarves. But not so fast! There are plenty of ways to turn your winter wear into spring flare! Watch this tutorial to check out five fresh new ways to transition those winter scarves to mod spring-time wear.

Did the vlog tutorial help? Make sure to check out other CL tutorials, like how to get the perfect smokey eye in less than 5 minutes. Send us your thoughts and any suggestions for future beauty or fashion tutorials!

XO Sunny

Sana Ashraf is a fashion writer and fashion show intern for College Lifestyles. She is a junior at the University of Michigan. Sana loves reading fashion magazines, shopping sprees, city lights, color coordinated closets, and all four seasons.

Valentine’s Day Fashion: CLassy vs. CLiche

Valentine’s Day can be fun for everyone, whether you have a special someone or a few—your girlfriends! A private dinner doesn’t always have to be for two, so if you and a couple good friends want to celebrate but don’t have a beau to celebrate with, look up one of the classiest restaurants on campus and make reservations for the group. After all, everyone needs an excuse for a classy night out with the ones you love most! Now that the “What should I do on Valentine’s Day” question is out of the way, let’s focus on the best part…what to wear!

Everyone’s first instinct is to raid their closet (or quickly sift through their ROYGBIV organized closet) and head for the reds and pinks. STOP right there. Do not do this. As hard as it is, resist the temptation to go with the CLiche colors, and instead be CL CLassy. If volunteering at a children’s Valentine’s Day party or celebrating at a friend’s Valentine’s Day themed party, dressing up in the traditional red and pink may be a fun choice; but for a classy private dinner, drop the candy cane dress or the pink Forever21 shirt that’s raining hearts and instead go with a sophisticated, elegant color.

Stand-out colors for a fabulous Valentine’s Day date are deeper shades like navy, burgundy, emerald, or the classic LBD. If you want to add a touch of color, throw on a vibrant pair of heels—mustard or peach for example. To achieve the poised princess look, check out my example below. I am wearing a navy dress from TopShop that has a graceful look, but has a fresh fun twist to it with the rhinestone embellishments and poncho-style sleeves. If you don’t want to shop through your closet, check out TopShop, Forever21, Urban Outfitters, American Apparel, or H&M for some great last minute deals. And remember, the best thing a classy co-ed can wear is her confidence!

Happy Valentine’s Day sweethearts! Xoxo — Sunny

Have the perfect outfit, but need help with your makeup? Check out CL’s first beauty tutorial on how to get the smokey eye in 5 minutes and 9 easy steps!

Sana Ashraf is a fashion writer and fashion show intern and is a junior at the University of Michigan. Sana loves reading fashion magazines, shopping sprees, city lights, color coordinated closets, and all four seasons.

Are You A Stylish Co-Ed? Enter our ‘Green with Envy’ Style Competition

Consider yourself a stylish co-ed?  Constantly told, ‘Love your outfit.’  Asked by friends, ‘Can you help me pick out something to wear?’

If yes, then showcase your talents in our ‘Green with Envy’ Style Competition.  With the approach of Spring and St. Patrick’s Day, we are tying in a ‘green theme’ to the competition.  Simply take a picture (of you or a friend you styled) OR design a Polyvore based around one green clothing item or accessory.  Email the picture to info@collegelifestyles.org with your name, university, year in studies, and blog url (if you have one) by March 1st.

Our 3 favorite entries will be featured in a blog post on March 17th, and all entries will be featured in our Virtual Fashion Show via our You Tube Channel (TheCollegeLifestyles) on March 17th.

WHAT:  College Lifestyles ‘Green With Style Competition’

WHO:  Stylish Co-Eds

TO DO: Style an outfit or Polyvore with at least one GREEN clothing/accessory item. Submit the photo or Polyvore image to info@collegelifestyles.org by March

When submitting the picture be sure to:

• Include your name, university, year in studies, and your blog url (if you have one).

As we receive images, we will randomly post photos to our Facebook page and Twitter.

Good luck!

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Get The Smokey Eye in 5 Minutes and 9 Easy Steps!

The “Smokey Eye” is the classic night-time eye shadow look that works on everyone! Whether your eyes are large or small, almond or round, or anything in between the look is a staple that every girl should add to her make-up how-to. A lot of people have trouble with this look or just think that it takes forever, but I’ll show you how to do it in 9 simple steps and the best part is–it only takes 5 minutes! Go from a plain jane to simply stunning with a few simple steps! Follow along with me below and check out College Lifestyle’s YouTube channel!

Did the vlog tutorial help? Send CL your thoughts and any suggestions for future beauty tutorials!

xo Sunny

Sana Ashraf is a fashion writer and fashion show intern and is a junior at the University of Michigan. Sana loves reading fashion magazines, shopping sprees, city lights, color coordinated closets, and all four seasons.

Classic RockStar: Winter Date Look for Under $100!

Winter is a time to love to fall in love. Everyone wants to spend the holidays with that special someone. Once the holiday’s pass that feeling doesn’t go away it lasts all winter

The look I put together is just under $100 for the whole ensemble! That’s less than one pair of designer jeans. All of the pieces are classics so you won’t have to worry about them going out of style.  

When I was looking for inspiration for the date night look I thought well about how you want to present yourself. On a date you want to show you have a sweet side, but also have a little edge. I picked colors that would portray just that. I picked nude/tan color for the soft neutral and the obvious staple and edgy color, black.

The main purpose of this article for me is to show you don’t have to spend a million dollars to look like a million bucks. I set the budget under $100, and though it came close at $97.76 I can assure you for the classic pieces you’re getting would be a steal. The key is to not get the exact pieces it’s to take the ideas I’ve styled and make them your own. Individuality is important for a classy co-ed.

For my look I selected all my pieces from two stores, H&M and Forever 21. These two stores as most money-saving fashion-lovers know are the best for getting designer inspired looks for much less.

First, I started with the tank from H&M, it flows and in the tan/nude color I chose. I also love the saying I think it shows you have a fun side with cute sayings on a shirt, and best of all, it’s $13 for H&M!

Second, I found the perfect skirt to match with the edgy thick stripes. The skirt is $5.26 from H&M as well. I found leggings to go underneath for $6.50 from Forever 21, a little less than the H&M price of $13 dollars.

Next I added a faux-leather jacket because it’s leather and I think it gives the outfit a little less soft and prevents it from being too girly.

To me a date night essential is accessories. Heels are always a nice touch for a date; the elongate your legs and make you stand straighter with more confidence. If heels aren’t your style, nude flats or booties work well for winter too. My must have accessory for this winter is a scarf I found this great nude-toned knit scarf for $8 from Forever 21. Scarves are great investment pieces, especially if you live in a cold climate, they are a must. My last essential for a date is a clutch. The one I chose is nude and black with a flower detail. It is also important to bring a clutch as you’re emergency kit with all your must have items. Also, Just because it’s winter that doesn’t mean you can’t still embrace floral prints and details.

Have fun in the winter season. Let yourself not be afraid to try new things and look great in the process.

Alex Lomicka is a freshman at Kent State University with a double major in Magazine Journalism and Fashion Merchandising. She loves putting together looks, and has always loved fashion.

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