Combat Clothing

One trend that continues to be popular through this fall and upcoming winter season is that of the military jacket. Whether they be short, long, embellished or colorful, these garments never fail at transforming any outfit into a fashionable masterpiece!

Military jackets have previously been showcased on the runway by designers such as Dior, Chanel, Burberry and Dolce and Gabbana, to name a few. Nowadays, this traditional soldier style has become a must-have addition to any fashionista's closet.



Many of our favorite celebrities have also been seen strutting around town in these jackets, either in a more casual way or by adding their own personal flare. (Such as Jessica Simpson, Taylor Swift, Heidi Klum and Rihanna shown here.)

With variety for miles, military jackets are a great wardrobe accessory for women (and men!) that can be found virtually anywhere these days. These Burberry and Nanette Lupore military jackets run for $548 and $1,195 at Nordstrom.

There is hope for the rest of us, however, to find similar looking designer style jackets at that "beer budget" cost we are all familiar with. These colored versions below can be found on Overstock.com for $65.49, and to their right are styles by H&M and Forever 21 that are between $24.90 and $34.99.

Want to save even more money? Get creative and add your own buttons, threading, fabric and other embellishments to any plain jacket, instantly creating that bold military look. Wear them with jeans, leggings, shorts, any blouse or cami and especially some of those favorite lace-up boots to complete your outfit that will be sure and turn some heads!

 Author: Sydnee

Sassy Sweaters

We've officially entered fall! Starbucks is selling their Pumpkin Spice Lattes, the levees are beginning to turn, and it's time to start bundling up to go outside! Sweaters are a great way to stay warm, comfortable, and stylish. My personal favorite sweater style for this season could be described as, "the boyfriend style". They pull over the head, are a but baggy, and very versatile. They look great with skinny jeans, leggings, loose boyfriend jeans, and even shorts on the days when the sun comes out. They look great with a variety of accessories such as scarves and long necklaces too!

Celebrities can be spotted running errands around town in their comfy/cozy sweaters!

These celebrity styles are not too far out of our "beer" budgets. They can be found at nearly every store at the mall or even in your boyfriends closet! 

Express has been featuring their sweater styles for months now! 

These sweater styles range in price from $40 to $60, but with their promotions and coupons you'll almost never pay full price! 

To find styles for under $30, take a look at forever 21, Old Navy, and even Nordstrom on Sale! 

Here are some styles these stores are featuring! 

Author: Courtney 

Laced Up From the Floor Up

Get a leg (and heel) up on this season by scoring on a pair of lace-up booties. Lace-up boots are a huge trend for fall. Whether tall or short, I love the fact that they are wearable with everything from dresses, to skirts, to skinny jeans, and leggings.

Top left - Free People; Bottom left – Asos; Middle - Forever 21; Top right - College Fashion Blog; Bottom right - ModCloth


No matter your style, whether girly, classic, eclectic, or laid-back, there’s a lace-up for you.  These boots are offered open-toed or closed-toed, with buckles and embellished studs, heeled or flat, furry or shiny, in suede, leather, or canvas, and the list goes on and on! Dress ‘em up, dress ‘em down – Wear them with a floral dress to get one last use out of your summer sundress, then pair them with skinnys and a trench coat (read the previous blog)  when the fall weather really starts coming out.

Of course celebs have picked up this trend and can be seen marching around town in their lace-ups. 

 

(Pictured above from left to right: Cheryl Cole in Elizabeth and James Moxy booties, Rachel Bilson in suede Zara boots, and Jennifer Lopez in Elizabeth and James Valley Soft Cuff booties)

Whatever type of lace-up boot strikes your fancy, you are sure to find an option that fits your desired look AND price point.

(Pictured above from left to right: bankfashion.co.uk for $29; Charlotte Russe for $40; Charlotte Russe on SALE for $35)

(Pictured above from left to right: Target for $29.99 in Natural, Green, and Brown; Madden Girl at Zappos on SALE for $47.96; Target for $29.99)

Side Note: While shopping in Marshall’s over the weekend, I noticed there were TONS of lace-up boots in the shoe department.  They came in prices suitable for several different budgets, including those of us who can only afford to spare around $30 for our pair!

Being the ultimate shoe staple for colder months, boots are a great base to a stylish look.  Add fun and flirty to your look with a feminine winter coat, a satchel handbag, and oversized jewelry pieces.  Show off a more relaxed look with leggings, an oversized knit sweater, and a scarf.  Look for a pair of lace-up ankle boots with textured designs, studs, creative embellishments, or bold stitching – There’s just the right pair for you out there!

Author: Kaitie

Gettin' Down with the 'Trenches'

I have to admit I was a little surprised to see so many Trench Coats recently on the runways of New York Fashion Week, worn by celebrities out on the streets, and the highlights of fashion blogs and news. When I think of trench coats I think of Inspector Gadget, Harriet the Spy, and Dancing in the Rain, my roommate on the other hand immediately thought of war trenches (hence the title she came up with)!?

Trench Coats have been around forever but they have gotten much more stylish over the years. In my opinion, the Trench Coat has become a staple in ones wardrobe. It is a multi-functional piece that isn't quite as heavy as a peacoat but protects from the elements on those gloomy days that come in the winter and the fall. These days though you don't have to look like you're about to go out and solve a mystery or crack a case, you can simply look stylish and cute as you strut your stuff down the street. In fact, these coats have much more detail in their construction that can make them quite pricey. For example, this trench coat at J Crew is priced at over $1,000! Here is the description as to why ...

Designers such as Dior, Donna Karan, Fendi, Burberry, and many others recently sent their versions of the Trench Coat down the runways....

Here are some ways that celebrities have taken these runway styles and applied them to their everyday looks...

But no worries, you don't have to spend thousands of dollars to avoid looking like Inspector Gadget. I have found some pretty cute styles that fit into our college lifestyles and leave you with some extra cash for the weekends...

If you're looking for a quality coat that you plan on keeping in your wardrobe, then I would suggest splurging just a bit, this J.Crew trench coat costs $298, but keep good care of if and you'll have it for life! And hey, only 83 days until Christmas, maybe these coats should be on your wish list?

Modcloth.com has this adorable pleated trench (to the left) priced at $180. (This is my personal favorite!)



New York & Co has this fun cape sleeved trench coat for $90! The cape sleeve is another popular trend to look out for!






If these prices are still too steep, Target has a wide range of coats from $30 to $60. They also have some great patterns such as this plaid coat below.

Another great place to look for reasonably priced coats is H&M. You may not be able to shop online, but look up their nearest location, make a shopping trip out of it, and you won't be disappointed with their merchandise!

While I was catching up on my style news I also stumbled upon something kind of fun for us all! The New York Times was featuring Trench Coats in their Street Style section where readers could submit their version of the popular coat. So be sure to upload a picture of your trendy self once you're gettin' down with the trenches!







Author: Courtney