College Fashion .Net

Coupons & Sales: Week of 7/18/08

Briana — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:07:39 -0500

Hey ladies! Here are the newest and best coupon codes and online sales - there are tons of opportunities this week to save some money!

Get a jump on back to school shopping, save on Marc Jacobs clothing, pick up a new bikini, and even score a free Jamba Juice with these coupons, sales, and codes.

Check them out and save some money on everything fabulous this weekend.

Pink Mascara is offering an additional 10% off all sale items in their online store! Use the code HOTSUMMER at checkout to get the savings.
If you want to add another bikini to your beach wardrobe, Victoria’s Secret is having a sale, with up to 60% off swimwear. There are lots of cute styles, so it’s definitely worth checking out.
Love Marc Jacobs like I do? Then you’ll be excited to know that eLuxury has marked down most of their Marc by Marc Jacobs clothing. While prices aren’t dirt cheap, they’re very inexpensive by Marc standards.
Martin + Osa is having a summer sale, with savings of up to 60% off! I love their classy and classic clothes, and am very psyched to see the prices drop. Not sure how long this will last, so check it out soon if you’re interested!
It’s time for Nordstrom’s anniversary sale, and everything from women’s clothes to shoes are currently marked down. Even better: they have lots of fall merchandise on sale, so this might be a great time to stock up for back-to-school.
More back-to-school savings is available at Arden B.’s fall fashion sale. Prices are 20% off until July 30th!
Wet Seal has thongs for $2 each with free shipping when you use the code 1107WLCE.
Okay, so this one isn’t a sale but it still rocks: Jamba Juice has a new coupon for a buy one, get one free juice. Not sure how long it will last, but it works as of today!
Bloomingdales.com is offering $20 off purchases of $100 or more. Use the code CITI at checkout before 7/21.

That’s all for this week. For more coupons and sales, check back here next Friday, July 25th. I’ll let you in on all the best money-saving options for next week.

Have an amazing, fabulous, and relaxing weekend & I’ll see you all on Monday!

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Sun Safety: 5 Essential Facts About Tanning

Briana — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:04:03 -0500

Photo by Patrick Powers.

There are at least three tanning salons within a two-mile radius of most colleges for a reason - it’s no secret to anyone that college girls love to be tan.

While most people look good with some color, getting that color from the sun or a tanning bed is more dangerous than most girls realize.

Be smart this summer and learn the facts about tanning to protect yourself for the future & keep your skin looking fabulous for years!

If you’re already a tanning addict, or are just thinking about getting some color this summer, keep reading to learn some important facts about your skin & sun damage, and what you can do to keep yourself safe in the sun this summer.

1. Sunscreen is the world’s best anti-aging product.

Forget about Creme De La Mer. Sunscreen is your best friend when it comes to fighting wrinkles. Sunscreen not only blocks out the sun’s damaging rays - it also blocks their aging effects.

If you wonder how Hollywood stars over 40 like Halle Berry and Nicole Kidman stay looking young, I’m willing to bet that they wear serious sunblock, and have done so for years. It’s really the best, cheapest, and most natural way to keep your face looking fabulous for years to come.

2. Sun damage happens now, but appears later.

You may think that just because you haven’t developed wrinkles or skin cancer yet, you’re fine. That couldn’t be more false. The more you tan and damage your skin at a young age, the worse you’re going to look when you’re older.

Picture yourself at 40 and 50. Would you like to have skin like Demi Moore’s, or would you rather resemble Demi Moore’s distressed leather purse? If your answer was the first option, tanning is not for you. While you might look tan now, your skin will suffer in the long run.

3. There is no such thing as a “safe” tan.

Yes, it’s true. Despite what tanning salons may claim, their beds can’t be safe, because tanning itself isn’t safe. Tanning is actually your skin’s reaction to damage already done, and a defensive attempt to protect itself from further harm. All those tanning beds that claim to be safe are lying.

Remember: the only safe tan comes from a bottle.

4. Dark skin is at risk too.

While it’s true that darker skin does have more natural protection from the sun than light, sun damage is still an issue. Darker skinned ladies still need to wear sunblock: at least an SPF 15 whenever you go out in the sun. This will help fight wrinkles, prevent cancer, and keep your skin looking beautiful.

5. SPF 15 is the minimum protection you need.

Don’t slather on an SPF 6 and think that you’re covered on a sunny day at the beach. While SPF 6 may be better than nothing, it’s the same thing as wearing nothing after a few hours in the sun. You’re also still inviting skin damage, wrinkles, and possibly cancer by not wearing enough SPF protection.

The absolute minimum amount of SPF that you should be wearing is SPF 15. Anything lower, and you’re risking serious sun damage and all the other horrible effects that come along with it.

For more information on your skin, sun damage, and skin cancer, visit The American Academy of Dermatology website.

How To Get A Tan Without Skin Damage:

So what can you do if you want to be tan but don’t want wrinkles and cancer? Simple - invest in a great sunless tanner. The good ones won’t make you look orange or streaky, and are super-simple to put on.

If do-it-yourself isn’t your deal, consider getting spray tanned if you really feel the need to be dark. Sure, it might cost a little extra money, but you’re saving your skin and possibly your life in the long run, which are both more important.

Now that you know some facts about summer skincare, you’ll be better prepared to hit the beaches and keep yourself looking fabulous for years to come! At the end of the day, natural beauty is the best fashion statement of all.

Top 5 Hottest Sunglasses Trends of Summer 2008

Briana — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:07:49 -0500

Summer weather is finally here, and you know what that means -it’s time to slather on the SPF 30, pull on a hat, and invest in some trendy shades to shield your eyes from the sun.

Sunglasses are so much more than just sun-protection for your eyes - they make a fashion statement all on their own. From disguising tired eyes after a long night out to complimenting a fabulous outfit, sunglasses serve many purposes other than helping you see.

If you’re looking for a new pair of sunnies, or are just wondering what the hottest styles of the moment are, I’m going to break down the most popular sunglasses trends for summer 2008.

All five are super-hot, celebrity approved, and mostly inexpensive! For each trend, I’ve found expensive versions, and identical knockoffs for those of us on budgets. Cute sunglasses are just a click away, so keep reading to find your perfect pair!

1. Neon Wayfarer Sunglasses

The hottest trend in sunglasses right now is a throwback to Tom Cruise in the 1980’s. That’s right, the wayfarer is back. While basic black Risky Business sunglasses are really popular, brightly colored wayfarers are the hottest trend for summer.

Celebs such as Mary Kate Olsen, Amy Winehouse, and Sienna Miller started wearing their neon 80’s shades last year, but the trend has just caught on in the mainstream market. They’re such a fun addition to any basic outfit, and I own about 4 pairs of them myself.

While real Ray-Ban Wayfarer Sunglasses cost about $140, I’m loving GoJane’s $5.00 version in a big way! At that price, I recommend picking up a pair in every color, to go with any outfit. Leg warmers and srunchie not included.

2. Tom Ford “Whitney” Sunglasses

Tom Ford’s “Whitney” sunglasses have been spotted on practically everyone in Hollywood. Stars like Angelina Jolie and Christina Aguilera love the classy and cute shades, and now the trend has caught on here in the real world.

The original Tom Ford Whitney Sunglasses cost $340, but since this trend is so popular, there are tons of knockoffs out there for less than half price.

If you can’t afford the real deal, it’s GoJane to the rescue once again! These Open Temple Sunglasses ($4.99) are pretty much exact replicas of the Tom Fords, for less than 1/10th the price. I own a pair of the knockoffs myself, and they really do look fabulous, and can almost pass for the real thing.

3. Shutter Shades, or “Kanye Glasses”

Okay, I admit that Kanye Glasses aren’t exactly practical for everyday wear, but they are really fun to wear, and a huge trend for summer. Shutter shades are ridiculous in an awesome way, and they’re even better if you love Kanye West like I do.

I recommend picking up a pair of these for parties, 80’s nights, or just to get a few extra looks when you walk down the street. Don’t wear ‘em out in the bright sun, though, because they offer basically zero sun-protection.

Channel Kanye on any budget with another amazing GoJane find - Neon Shutter Shade Sunglasses for $5!

4. Lolita Sunglasses

Nicole Richie’s favorite sunglasses of the moment are heart-shaped “Lolita” sunglasses, and they’re one of the hottest trends for summer. This trend is bordering on the ridiculous, but with the right confidence and the right outfit, you can rock Lolita sunglasses and look completely fabulous!

In case you were wondering, Lolita shades are a throwback to the 1962 Stanley Kubrick film (based on the book by Vladimir Nabokov). They’re basically just heart-shaped sunglasses, and are usually red or pink.

If you want to pick up a pair of your own, these Heart Sunglasses from Fred Flare are only $10!

5. Aviator Sunglasses

Aviators are so classic, but they are also a red-hot trend in sunglasses. Investing in a great pair of aviators is a smart idea - they aren’t going anywere anytime soon!

Celebrities such as Victoria Beckham and Lindsay Lohan love aviators because they flatter almost every face shape, and look downright badass.

A pair of authentic Ray-Ban Aviators will run you $129, but if you don’t want to pay that much, or can’t be trusted not to break them, there are cheap aviator sunglasses everywhere! I love these aviator sunglasses, $5.80 from Forever 21.

Your Thoughts?

What do you think of the sunglasses I talked about here? Are you in love with the 80’s throwbacks like I am, or are you waiting for the next big trend in eyewear? Let me know which styles are your favorites, or which ones you’d rather not wear by leaving a comment!

Coupons & Sales: Week of 7/12/08

Briana — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 12:19:26 -0500

Hi everyone! Here is a fresh batch of the latest coupons and sales for the week of July 12th, 2008.

If you’re looking for discounts on bath & body products, big savings on cute shoes, or even free mascara, you definitely need to keep reading. There are lots of great deals here, and plenty of chances to save on some great stuff, so don’t miss out. Many of these deals expire soon!

Bluefly is offering free shipping on any order $100 or more. If you’re planning to spend some money there, use the code AFFSHIP at checkout to get the discount.
Alloy.com is offering 15% off your entire order when you use the code AFF15 at checkout! It’s only good until 7/16 so use the discount fast.
Here’s a new deal from The Body Shop: right now, all body butters & scrubs are buy one, get one half off!
Clinique is offering free shipping and a free trial-size mascara with any $45 purchase. Just use the code: CLJULY when you order.
Kohl’s has a new coupon code good for 30% off! Use the code SAVE30JULY at checkout before 7/22 to get your savings!
If you want some new casual shoes, Onlineshoes.com has a new coupon good for 15% off regular-priced casual shoes. The deal is applied automatically at checkout when you use the link above, and it ends on 7/14 (that’s Monday!)
In other shoes news, Payless is offering $5 off orders of $60 or more. Just enter the code PSS5OFF60 at checkout before 8/18.

As always, happy shopping and have a fabulous weekend! I will see you all on Monday with some new articles - I’m going to be showing you some of the hottest eyewear trends for summer, talking about fashion in sororities, and much more! Don’t miss the new articles.

Also, be sure to leave a comment if you get anything fabulous with these coupons, or if you know of any other hot deals I missed! See you on Monday!

Summer Fashion Trend: Short Skirts & Mini Dresses

Briana — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 10:58:35 -0500

Sasha Pivarova in a D&G mini dress.

If you’ve been keeping up with the posts here on CF, you might think that I have a serious case of memory loss after reading this one. That’s because I just talked about the long dress trend a few weeks ago, and now I’m going to talk about another equally hot summer trend - super-short skirts and minidresses.

This isn’t a case of forgetfulness on my part - it’s just a taste of the fashion industry’s sense of humor. Yes, it’s true: two completely contradictory looks can both be “in style” at the same time.

While the above might be a little frustrating, here’s the good news: you don’t have to pick a side on the hem-length debate. To me it’s like choosing between chocolate and vanilla ice cream - you don’t have to pick when you can just get twist!

Hem lengths are a perfect example of fashion indecision that’s fun to play with. This summer, whether mini is your thing, or you’d rather wear a long dress, fashion is offering you options. I recommend taking advantage of them all!

Short Skirts & Mini Dresses

You’ve already heard all about long dresses for summer if you read CF on a regular basis, but now it’s time to learn why short skirts and dresses are just as fabulous, if you aren’t already loving them.

Short dresses and mini skirts are the perfect clothing for summer. You can throw a mini dress on over a bikini with flip flops for day, or wear one with layers of necklaces and heels for night. Short skirts are great too - you can wear them with longer sleeved tops to cover up your shoulders without feeling too hot, or rock them with a simple tank and jewelry for an effortlessly cute outfit.

My favorite part: leg-baring styles allow you to show off your great (hopefully faux) summer tan!

Runway Inspiration

While bare legs are always a mainstay of summer fashion, they’re especially fashionable this year. That’s because they were all over the Spring 2008 Ready-To-Wear runways. Here are a few examples of the designer looks (photos courtesy of Style.com):

Roberto Cavalli:

Givenchy:

Luella:

Marc Jacobs:

Proenza Schouler:

How To Wear Short Skirts & Minidresses

While this trend is super-hot, it also has the potential to look super-slutty and super-unflattering if worn wrong, which is never cute or fashionable. Keep your look high-fashion and classy with these easy tips:

Know your body type. The mini skirt’s greatest strength and weakness is that it shows off your legs. If you have great stems, I say flaunt ‘em. If that’s one body part you’d rather not bare all the way, wear a skirt or mini dress with tights or decide not to wear them at all. It’s better to feel confident in your clothes than wear something you know doesn’t flatter you.
Apply self-tanner. Even ladies with legs that resemble Heidi Klum’s can still benefit from this step. Tanned legs automatically look slimmer and more toned, which is essential if you’re wearing a mini dress or short skirt. My favorite self-tanner is Tan Towel brand.
Balance the skirt out. Wear something baggy up top if your skirt is tight. This is a fashion proportion basic, and a good way to safeguard against looking slutty as opposed to fashion forward. If the skirt is tiny and tight, wear something loose that covers you up a little more on top. I like loose racerback tanks from American Apparel for this purpose, but any loose top will do.
Get high - with your footwear. Wear some type of heel or open sandal, not a sneaker or ballet flat. A flat shoe with a short skirt makes your legs look shorter and wider than they normally would, which is not what most girls want to do to themselves. Heels lengthen your legs and make you look skinnier and more modelesque. For a really trendy look, rock a short skirt with a gladiator heel.

Trendy Mini Skirts and Dresses Under $50

If you’re loving this summer trend, here are some cute mini dresses and short skirts to fit a college student budget. Yes, that’s right - all are under fifty dollars. Who says fashion can’t be affordable?

Mini Dresses Under Fifty Dollars

From Left: Tweed Tube Dress - $26.99 at Charlotte Russe, Single Shoulder Minidress - $24.80 at Forever 21, Mesh High-Neck Dress - $32.50 at Wet Seal, Elena Floral Dress - $22.80 at Forever 21, Chiffon Tier Dress - $27.80 at Forever 21

Short Skirts Under Fifty Dollars

From Left: Floral Mini Swing Skirt - 19.80 at Forever 21, Plaid Mini Skirt - $16.99 at Charlotte Russe, Animal Print Miniskirt - $17.50 at Wet Seal, Ditsy Tiered Skirt - $22.99 at Charlotte Russe

What Do You Think?

Whether you love ‘em or hate ‘em, tiny skirts and mini dresses are definitely here to stay in fashion.

Are you liking these super-short pieces, or would you rather not show so much leg this summer? Do you think long dresses or short dresses look better?

Let me know your thoughts by taking the poll below or, as always, discussing in the comments.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll.

Fashion Inspiration: How To Find Your Celebrity Fashion Muse

Briana — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 13:08:23 -0500

Today I want to talk about fashion inspiration. Sometimes it can be difficult to come up with new outfits, and I often get asked about how I keep up with it all. In an industry where everything changes every other day, how do you stay inspired without buying a whole new wardrobe weekly?

There’s a lot of creativity involved in fashion - even if it’s just in choosing how you wear the few basic pieces you have. Just like artists and writers look for inspiration to keep their creativity flowing, fashionistas need inspiration too!

There are many ways to find fashion inspiration (which I’ll be talking more about later), but one way is to have a celebrity fashion muse.

A celebrity fashion muse is someone you look to for fashion inspiration. You can check out what this celebrity wears, take notes on how they wear different items, what colors look good on them, etc. It’s a way to keep your style current, while you learn about fashion.

Taking fashion notes from a celebrity is also a good way to get a feel for how your body type may look in different types of clothing. Want to try a pair of high-waisted pants, but aren’t sure if they’ll look right? Let your celebrity fashion muse do it first, and observe their results before you buy a pair yourself.

Why celebrities? These days, they have really amazing stylists, and are basically walking fashion editorials going to Starbucks. And because these famous people pay a professional to dress them, and have access to all the latest designer clothes, observing them is a great way to find out about the newest trends & pieces before they hit stores.

How To Pick A Celebrity Fashion Muse

So how do you go about choosing a celeb to be your fashion inspiration of the moment? Here are some points to consider when you go about finding the perfect one.

Look for someone who looks like you. In terms of hair color, height, etc., look for someone that you think you resemble. Don’t expect to find a perfect clone of yourself in Hollywood, but find someone that you identify with.
Find a celeb with a similar body type. This isn’t a must, but really helps when it comes to figuring out what types of clothes will look best on you.
Look for a similar sense of personal style. Another bonus. If you can find a celeb who’s personal style resembles your own, that’s another great way to get inspiration and exposure to new pieces that you may like.

Popular Celebrity Fashion Muses

Here are some example celebrity fashion muses to get you started. These are just some examples of celebrities with large followings - if you hate them all, feel free to find your own!

Lauren Conrad

Lauren Conrad is really popular with college girls. Her style is very cute and mainstream. She sticks to a lot of basics, but always looks clean and put-together. Since she’s started her own fashion line, Lauren’s style has become a bit more experimental, and lately she’s been rocking lame’ leggings and ultra-high heels everywhere. You can bet that she’ll always be wearing the latest trends.

Jennifer Hudson

J-Hud is naturally gorgeous, dresses her body type so well, and obviously has a great eye for fashion. Did you see her in the SATC movie? Fabulous. Jennifer Hudson is a great example of a woman who makes fashion work for her - she’s not a slave to trends that won’t work on her body, and always dresses her curvy figure right.

Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria Parker is a great choice for a fashion muse if you’re petite, tan, and have a classy but sexy sense of style. Eva is always wearing cute dresses, tall high heels, designer sunglasses, and carrying an expensive bag. While you may not be able to buy her 300-dollar Gucci sunglasses, you can check out her style for ideas and buy a similar pair!

M.I.A.

High-fashion and experimental, M.I.A.’s sense of personal style can only be described as fantastic. I love her look and give props to anyone who can pull her style off in real life. If you pick her as a fashion inspiration, expect her to always keep you guessing - who knows what this girl will be wearing tomorrow?

Jessica Simpson

Spunky & trendy with a hint of cowgirl: that’s Jessica Simpson’s style. Jess loves flared jeans with cowboy boots, high heels (she’s only 5′2″), and loves trendy pieces as well. If you are always wearing your denim and describe your style as casual but sexy, Jessica might be your perfect fashion icon.

Victoria Beckham

Victoria Beckham’s style is very trendy but also classic at the same time. You can always catch her wearing a designer label, and probably carrying a Birkin bag! Some of her outfits are a little questionable, and can lean toward tacky, but you have to hand it to her for always being willing to take a fashion risk!

Rachel Bilson

Rachel has such a cute style and always seems to look great and effortless. She’s also a bit of a style chameleon - dressing boho fabulous one day and effortlessly glamorous the next. Of course, most effortless looks in real life take many hours to put together… Either way, Rachel is an adorable choice for a fashion muse.

Nicole Richie

Boho fabulous with a high-fashion twist: that’s Ms. Richie in a nutshell. Nicole is usually wearing the latest runway trends, but she mixes them with vintage pieces to create a whole new look. I personally love Nicole’s style and count her as one of my biggest fashion inspirations.

Kate Moss

What fashion icon list would be complete without the ultimate style queen? If Kate wears it, you can bet that you’ll see it everywhere next week. I think that Kate Moss is probably even a style icon to the rich and famous! Nobody puts outfits together the way she does - her looks are always unique and fabulous.

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

MK & A are also classic fashion muses for our generation. Fashionistas have been idolizing these tiny ladies for years now, and I’m sure that won’t change any time soon. It seems kind of cliche’ to talk about the Olsen’s fashion icon status, but if you love their style, they might be the perfect muses for you.

One Reminder:

A quick note of caution on this: When you look for inspiration in celebrity outfits, always add your own individual twist to their look. It’s no fun to copy someone’s outfit piece for piece: it’s like fashion plagiarism! Let celebrity outfits and styles inspire you, but don’t rip the picture out of the magazine and buy every single piece. Have the confidence to wear your own version of their look, and change it to suit you.

What do you think?

Now that you know all about celebrity fashion inspiration, I want to know: who is your celebrity fashion muse? Are there any famous girls whose styles inspire you? Let me know what you think by leaving a comment! Also, tell me if you think there’s anyone I forgot here.

Check back again soon for more sources of fashion inspiration - I’m going to be talking more about this in the weeks to come.

College Fashion .Net

Coupons & Sales: Week of 7/18/08

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Sun Safety: 5 Essential Facts About Tanning

1. Sunscreen is the world’s best anti-aging product.

2. Sun damage happens now, but appears later.

3. There is no such thing as a “safe” tan.

4. Dark skin is at risk too.

5. SPF 15 is the minimum protection you need.

How To Get A Tan Without Skin Damage:

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Top 5 Hottest Sunglasses Trends of Summer 2008

1. Neon Wayfarer Sunglasses

2. Tom Ford “Whitney” Sunglasses

3. Shutter Shades, or “Kanye Glasses”

4. Lolita Sunglasses

5. Aviator Sunglasses

Your Thoughts?

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Coupons & Sales: Week of 7/12/08

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Summer Fashion Trend: Short Skirts & Mini Dresses

Short Skirts & Mini Dresses

Runway Inspiration

How To Wear Short Skirts & Minidresses

Trendy Mini Skirts and Dresses Under $50

What Do You Think?

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Fashion Inspiration: How To Find Your Celebrity Fashion Muse

How To Pick A Celebrity Fashion Muse

Popular Celebrity Fashion Muses

One Reminder:

What do you think?

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