Last Minute NYE

Still planning an outfit for your New Year's Eve plans tomorrow night? Well... same here. After trying to find some inspiration by creating a few polyvore sets, I think my head is now in the right mindset to hit the mall. With NYE being the designated night to wear an unnecessary amount of sequins, why not shine?! You can never go wrong with sequins, sparkle and leather, so staying true to my style (and school) I've put together some black and metallic looks to fit any event ranging from a cocktail party to a small apartment get together.

If you are one of the lucky few who happen to live near a Topshop store in the US or Europe, I picked out some of my favorite NYE inspired dresses that you can easily find at your local store for a dressier occasion.

While I go try to rummage through endless racks of clothing at the mall, I hope you guys are well ahead of me on figuring out what to wear for tomorrow night! Taking inspiration from these looks? Let me know below! Until next time.

Xo,
Raechel

Get The Look: Serena Van Der Woodsen

Hello my lovelies, as a surprise to my sister and I for Christmas we got the complete series of Gossip Girl and I was beyond excited for it. To those who don't know, I actually started watching Gossip Girl when it first came out on the CW and to be able to watch the first season after 7 years of not seeing it was definitely entertaining. By already watching the whole first season in a few days, I have been inspired by my number 1 girl Serena. Her whole look is very effortless and very easy going. It looks like she just threw on something and left. The look above is a very easy outfit to put together and it is also a great idea for New Years if you are not feeling like wearing a dress! The sequin blazer adds the perfect touch of pzazz and the shorts show off a little bit of skin. Pair it with black pumps or go out of your comfort zone and add a little color with a cobalt blue heel. Whatever you do make it your own! Hope everyone had a fabulous Christmas and until next time!
Xx, E.

Get The Look: Turtlenecks

If you were anything like myself as a child one thought remained true for most of your elementary school days: you hated turtlenecks. When you grew out of your adolescent stage and started dressing yourself, turtlenecks were a no-go. But, that was until everything changed in the year 2013. With celebrities and designers wearing countless styles of the classic look, there are many simple ways to adapt the look regardless of your climate (and budget)!

If the weather is still a bit warmer where you live, take a tip from Kylie Jenner and dress up a simple sleeveless and cropped black-on-black combo with colored peep toe heels. Since the cropped style hits at your natural waist it flatters all body types, especially shorter and curvier girls. If needed, throw on a blazer or a leather jacket while still looking chic for a night out.

For a more casual daily look, try a chunky cable knit turtleneck with dark wash jeans like Lily Aldridge. By pairing with black booties and sunglasses this look could be easily mimicked with my picks above.

For a dressier look, try an embellished long sleeve turtleneck and a patterned skirt. Pairing two of the seasons's biggest trends (turtlenecks and plaid) together keeps the outfit high-end, while not having to break the bank with budget-friendly pieces. Since this photo I found of Perrie didn't show what she shoes she was wearing, I added two heeled shoe options depending on your taste. To make the look more appropriate for colder weather, add some black tights to the outfit. 

Until next time, Happy Holidays babes!

Xo,

Rae

Dear Santa,

With Christmas only a week away, I decided to show you guys what's on my wish list for this year! Like my past years, almost all of my list is clothing items; minus the must-needed Starbucks gift cards. But, within this post I would also like to reiterate something that I believe in. The greatest thing about this season is not the new goodies we get, but the cheer and love that is (or should be) spread by everyone. When I was at Starbucks the other day, there was a man two spots ahead of me who's car was stuck on ice and was holding up the drive-thru line. The man behind him then got out of his car and helped him push it off of the ice patch. In return this man then paid for his drink and keeping with the spirit of giving, this man who received a free drink then paid for my drink with the message: "Merry Christmas". It's the simple things like this that make me truly love this season. When there can be so much bad in the world, there are little things that you can do that can brighten up someone's day. So please, go out and perform a little act of kindness for a stranger this year and hopefully you will inspire them to do the same. Make sure to keep a look out on our instagram this week to find out which "College Closets Acts of Kindness" I will be doing each day leading up to Christmas! Now on a fashion note, let me know what you guys have on your Christmas list this year! I love seeing what you guys have to say in the comments below. As promised on twitter, until tomorrow!

Xo,
Raechel

Ballin' on a Budget

Ballin' on a budget might be my favorite phrase, so of course I had to put it as the header for my Christmas shopping on a budget post! Christmas shopping in general can be difficult at times but if you are anything like me, who is a broke college student, then it is even harder. So, here is the perfect list of Christmas gift ideas for your BFF that are all budget friendly. My personal favorites (*cough* *cough* Rae...) are definitely Alexa Chung's book "It" and the Animal Ears Beanie! First off, Alexa Chung is a style icon and incredibly fabulous. Plus, I have heard nothing but good things about this book! It is a def must buy item! Then the animal ears beanie is so adorable and I have an unhealthy obsession with beanies so it would fit perfectly in my collection. Let me know what you're getting for your BFF below! Until next time...
Xx, E

'Tis the Season...

… To buy sweaters. Fa la la la la, ha ha ha ha. While doing a mid-finals study break, I came across this adorable pic of LC doing Christmas inspiration the right way. With most of my time being consumed by stressing and studying, I've had almost barely any time to realize that Christmas is right around the corner. 13 days away?! I won't even be able to put a dent in my 25 days of Christmas DVR collection by then! But, when the clock strikes 11 tomorrow morning I will officially be on semester break and ready to soak up the festive cheer from my living room couch. Because I feel pretty dang prepared for my exam tomorrow, I have decided it's time to get in the mood by sharing my favorite -and easiest- way to get into the holiday spirit: Christmas-inspired sweaters.

When shopping for these sweaters, anything goes. The best part about the holiday season is that no one will judge you for wearing an "ugly Christmas sweater" because, trust me, you won't be the only one. Plus, there are easy tricks to make it look a bit more fab.  For the more busy sweaters, wear black or dark washed skinnies with combat or knee-high boots for a casual and cozy feel. To dress the simpler sweaters up, just look to LC for inspiration and pull out your leather legging, dark lip and pumps combo saved for a night out. If pumps are too much, pair your skinnies with heeled booties for a meet-in-the middle everyday look (my favorite of the moment: Shellys London). If you're loving this festive style, you can find LC's exact sweater here and see my above picks on our polyvore. From one tired, struggling girl to another, I hope and pray you all made it through this week alive. With break on my mind; Until next time!

Xo,

Rae

Update: I'm a Style Ajent!

Hi everyone! I have really exciting news! I recently got a job for a new and upcoming personal styling website Ajent as a personal stylist. Instead of being a styling website that has computers picking out your clothes for you, you are matched with your own Style Ajent who works with you over video chat on your own schedule. Not only do we discuss what you want to wear, we also can talk with you about how to wear the items you own now. We will usher you away from those on-the-whim purchases you don't need and put together outfits to fit any occasion. You are given your own virtual closet, which you will be able to access at any time. I am then able put pieces and outfits in your closet for you after our first session. You may purchase these items for yourself, or after reviewing I am allowed to purchase them for you.

I am certified to style for men and women of all ages, so no matter what occasion or budget I will scour the internet to find you exactly what you need. We will meet online for an hour-long session for the fraction of the price it would cost to have an in person stylist. The first session will consist of me getting to know you, as well as figuring out your personal style, knowing what you want to dress like, if any special occasion outfits are coming up, etc. There is also no pressure, so if you decide after your first session that Ajent is not for you, we completely understand.

The way booking me works is:
1. Become a member of www.ajent.com
2. Search through the many talented Style Ajents we have now and select "Book Now"
3. Book your session slot on the stylist's calendar and you're ready to go!

If you are interested, please contact me on thecollegeclosets@gmail.com! As a promotional deal all newcomers to Ajent are given a free first session, but if you contact me through our email letting me know you are booking me I will be giving a half-off special on our second session. My calendar currently consists of hour-long slots from 8 AM-2 PM on Monday through Saturday that I am charging $20 each. If you are interested and unable to make these times, contact me and I will be able to set up a time slot will you.

As a college student, making extra cash on the side while doing something I love is going to be very exciting for me. I have been going through training the past week weeks for this job, so I am more than thrilled to build my own personal clientele. I would also love if you could share this post, as well as let anyone know about me that could be interested. I hope the hear from you guys soon!

Xo,
Rae

Style Steal: Kourtney Kardashian

When Kourtney Kardashian recently stepped out for a lunch date in NYC with her boyfriend Scott Disick, I wish I was there to give her major props for her outfit. Kourtney nailed this season's grunge look in a way that could easily be copied into everyday outfits. Her plaid shirt and leather jacket combo (fav!) was casually vibed-out with sleek disco pants, which then sent all the attention to her feet. When searching for the exact pair she owned, I wasn't surprised to find out the price tag was (so very sadly) in the 4 figures category. If you have been following us since the beginning, you know I have been craving a pair of studded black boots. So after seeing this picture, I finally decided it was time to go on a hunt. For the first steal, I found a black and silver studded pair from Steve Madden, which for my closet will be a perfect investment to use my Christmas money towards! If $169 is still a bit too steep or if the gold studs were not what you were looking for, this second pair from Urban Outfitters features more silver studded straps which are more identical to Kourtney's. Sadly we all aren't Kardashians, so $2,000 boots will have to wait.

Xo,
Rae

Navy + Black

When I was a middle school darling, one of the most frequently heard sayings around was: "DO NOT WEAR NAVY WITH BLACK." Why I was trusting my Hollister-wearing friends with clothing advice is beyond me; yet they did have a point. In fashion, it once became a (very) spoken rule to steer clear from pairing the colors together. But, this season I am all about breaking that and owning the contrast. Pairing these colors together has been one of my favorite looks this winter, but it can also turn into a train wreck when not thought through.

An easy way to pair navy and black together is by adding day-time and night-time pieces together for a casually-chic look. The cozy vibe of leggings and a sweater can be played up by adding black booties and a statement necklace. The navy color of the leggings with contrast against the solid black of the booties, while the gold zippers on the hips match the necklace. This season is all about incorporating non-traditional trends and breaking the rules, so why not start yourself off with an easy one? Until next time!

Xo,

Rae

P.S. These ZARA leggings are one of my latest obsessions, as well as being high up on my Christmas list this year! Hmm... future blog post perhaps?!

The Floppy Hat

On my recent trip to New York City, in the sea of some of the best dressed people in the world, I saw a trend that seemed to be loved by many: the floppy hat. Wide-brim, 70's inspired hats are here to stay in 2013, with celebrities leading the way with in showing how they incorporate the look into their own personal styles. From black and navy to burgundy and taupe, there's no color that won't suit your own taste. Figuring out how to work this bigger accessory into daily outfits can be daunting, but that is why I am here to help!

Thanks to Victoria Beckham, black has gone from being associated with "goth" to "posh" in the past few decades. When trying to figure out how to style the black floppy hat with an everyday outfit, you can stay even more on trend by working it into an all-black ensemble. For some the all-black could seem like a drag, but by adding the edge of a leather peplum and a studded crop blazer it creates a high-fashion, rocker feel. Finish up with a satchel and black booties and you're an automatic 10!

And now to my favorite color of the bunch: burgundy! Since burgundy is a classic fall color, I decided to balance it out by incorporating some fun fall trends into the outfit. Instead of opting for typical black skinnies, add a high-waisted grey pair with black and gold combat boots for a more casual feel. Then, add in my favorite combination of the moment: a faux fur vest over a cropped sweater. The black and gold accessories with a side braid pull the look together to create the perfect balance of casual and quirky.

With a taupe hat, sticking with more neutral, warm colors in the outfit will fit the hat the best. Sticking with my faux fur obsession, adding a jacket to a boots and jeans look will give it a less casual vibe. If wanted to go more for a boho look you could switch the jacket for a kimono! Then add gold accessories to compliment the neutrals and a blush colored purse for a slight pop of color.

Xo,

Rae

Un-Inspired

You know when you get into a "funk"? One of those weird, emotional, stressed out, not-feeling-like-yourself moods? Well for about the past month, school has taken me way past my limit of "normal" on my mood scale. Adjusting to college life hasn't been the easiest, and learning to prioritize and time manage has been more of a challenge than my Poli Sci 1100 class. Being a freshman in college, I knew the moment where I would be stretched past my limit would arrive sometime in my first semester. Long story short: I went through my first college freakout. The past 3 weeks, I have been absolutely slammed with papers, exams, and sorority events, but being on Thanksgiving break for the past week has helped me re-center.  With a little help from my calming source (a.k.a my personal therapist who goes by "Mom") and some time being at home, I have finally felt more like myself and come to learn that getting a C in a class will not be the end of the world. Ridding myself of the negative and stressful energy, I am back with more inspiration than before and will be posting regularly again, and that is promise I do not intend on breaking.

I am a strong believer in the power of meditation and centering, and doing so while being at home has given me even more feelings of dedication and ownership to this blog. Erin and I are even more excited that in 2 weeks we will be done with exams and first semester, which means that we have a long semester break to bring you even closer into our fashion and personal world. With trips and special events planned, we will bringing you our fashion favorites, steals, and how-to's, as well as more OOTD's. On a different note, can you believe today is the last day of November?! It's crazy how fast this semester is going by! I'll finish up my post with some of my musical favorites that have been getting me through my "first semester crisis", as well as bringing back my inspiration. Until next post, lovelies!

                          

                            1. Midnight Memories - One Direction                 2. Salute - Little Mix

    

                                 3. Warning Signs EP - Timeflies            4. Homecoming EP - Sammy Adams

                                                     

                                                      And because the Holiday Season is finally here…

                                                                 5. Last Christmas - Ariana Grande

xo,
Raechel

P.S. Sorry it's so long and not a fashion post… It's been a while!

Sneakers for Days

Sneakers for Days by thecollegeclosets featuring slip on shoes

My absolute favorite shoe trend right now is the slip on sneaker. They are being seen everywhere from other fashion bloggers to models to celebrities. It mixes sporty with a kind of casually cool vibe perfectly. You can wear in a variety of different ways and they go effortlessly from day to night. The pair that I absolutely need in my closet is the Vince Blair Slip On Sneaker, maybe for Christmas?

Xx,
E.

Bomber + Brogues

Bomber Topshop (sold out) | Top Zara (sold out) similar | Jeans American Apparel | Brogues  ASOS

The one thing that I always do when I come home for the weekend is shop of course. I went to the mall with one of my best friends (while wearing my favorite bomber jacket) and got a graphic tee from Urban Outfitters that you guys will definitely see in a later post. And tonight, I am going to the Timeflies/Sammy Adams concert and I could not be anymore excited! Have a good weekend!

Xx, E.

Casually Cool

Sweater-Urban Outfitters | Jacket- J.Crew Similar |  Converse  | Leggings-Target  | 

Scarf-Nordstrom (last season)

Wake up everybody, it is officially feeling like winter in Missouri. Now my dilemma is trying to dress warm for the coldness outside while still trying to keep it stylish. So today, I decided to go for a casual look mixing a sweater, cargo jacket and converse. 

Xx, E.

"I'm a Cat, Duh!"

Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend and here is the post that we have been making you guys wait for...our Halloween ootd's. I was the ice cream cone that I showed you guys how to D.I.Y in a previous post and Raechel was the ever so classic cat. To my surprise, there were a lot more ice cream cones than I expected. Halloween was a crazy night and I am already looking forward to next years! 

Xx, E. 

P.s. Sorry for not posting a lot this week, it has been a crazy week and we will get back to routine this week!

November Wishlist

November Wishlist by thecollegeclosets featuring a black leather handbag

Well, clearly my obsession with shoes isn't letting up anytime soon... Here I have for you guys the clothes, accessories and shoes that I am still dying to have in my closet. The Zara Metal Block Wedge's are insane and I have to have them. The Rebecca Minkoff Mini MAC Bag  is the perfect little black bag to add to any outfit. There will be a Halloween outfit post later on in the week... Until then.
Xx, E.

Last Minute Looks: Halloween

While Erin is hot glue gunning and crafting her life away in our room, I'm "that girl" who's rummaging through my (and my floormate's) closet searching for pieces to incorporate into my Halloween costumes for the weekend. I really have no better word to label my costume creativity other than "lazy". While I brainstorm costumes for myself, I thought I would put together some simple Halloween costumes that can be easily made with clothing pieces that already own.

For an easy superhero outfit, look hard in the back of your closet for those old cat ears and shiny black leggings. Anything tight, black, and leather-like will do for a Catwoman outfit and by adding red lipstick and a mask you won't have to answer the question of: "What are you?"

If you have been a reader of some of older posts, you should know that anything 90's style is an absolute favorite of mine. You can easily channel Cher and Dionne by pairing a matching plaid-on-plaid skirt and blazer with a sheer button down. For the 90's makeup look, keep it simple by swiping on some neutral-pink lipgloss and topping straightened hair with a black beret. If you're wanting to make the outfit look more modern, you can buy a pair of  affordable Mary Jane pumps to compliment your knee highs. And for the finishing touch, perfect your SoCal accent and make your response to those creepy guys: "As If!"

For the last (and easiest) outfit, you probably won't have to go out and buy anything new. You only need jeans, boots, and an army jacket to pull this look off! If you want to go the extra mile you can add some aviators and a dog tag to the outfit for a more distinguishable look. With this outfit being so simple, I think I may take my own advice here!

xo,

Raechel

D.I.Y.: Halloween

Original Picture: Pinterest

Hands down, Halloween has to be one of my favorite holidays. Thinking of new costume ideas and searching for that perfect outfit has always been a favorite of mine (of course, the candy as well). But sadly, the prices for Halloween costumes have been so ridiculously expensive, that this year I am getting crafty and making my own costume. I was searching through Pinterest looking for creative costume ideas when I stumbled upon an original idea: an ice cream cone. I bought a nude skirt and crop top from American Apparel to symbolize the actual ice cream cone and the strawberry flavored ice cream. Next, I bought different colors of felt that I am hot-gluing onto the top of the shirt to symbolize sprinkles. I'm then pairing nude wedges to match the nude color of the ice cream cone as well. And lastly, the red ribbon for your hair is just like the cherry on top. There will pictures up later this week of the finished outfit! Until then, have a great Halloween!
Xx,
E.

Inspired By: Halloween

There's just something about the Fall season that's so magical. The Autumn leaves changing signifies my favorite time of the year, as well as my favorite holiday: Halloween. If you are a die-hard fan of the holiday like myself, Halloween eventually turns into Halloweek, and with today being Day 1 leading up to the holiday, I thought I would do a Halloween inspired post. A way to get into the spirit of Halloween by not feeling like you're wearing a costume is easier than it seems. Try adding a Halloween tank or sweater under a leather jacket, or go for a more subtle look by pairing Vampy pieces with dark lips. Check out my exact picks below, and make sure to look for costume posts coming soon. Happy Halloweek!



xo,
Raechel

I Love You, NY

After a crazy, whirlwind weekend I am finally back in my own (dorm) bed attempting to get back in the swing of things!  This past weekend, I was chosen to attend Teen Vogue's Fashion University in New York City and with this also being my first time to the city, I was more than excited when Thursday morning came and I hopped on a plane. For those of you who are clueless as to what I'm talking about, Fashion University is a Teen Vogue sponsored event with classes being held by designers, models and editors aiming at the likes of anyone interested in a fashion career. After my amazing weekend, I strongly encourage any of you guys to apply for Fashion U next year! After my first day and a half of shopping in Soho and a meeting, the kick-off Fashion U event was hosted on Friday night at Express. With discounts, drinks, and more than enough fashion obsessing, it was the perfect start to meeting the other talented girls that would be attending classes the next day. On Saturday, I had a full day of seminars ranging from hearing about Coco Rocha's journey as a model to learning about how Express became a full-blown successful empire (and a conplimentary sweater!). Ending the day with a Topshop shopping event, I was luckily able enough to still fit in some sight seeing in Central Park, 5th Ave and my favorite pick of the trip: the top of the Empire State Building!

Sadly, the weekend events came to an end with a "graduation" on Sunday morning and then I was headed back to Columbia sooner than I thought. Later this week, I will be posting more about the street style from the other Fashion U students, as well as some outfits that I wore. I'll leave you all with some pictures of my weekend below!

Fashion U kick-off event at Express

 Fellow blogger love at Express

 View from the top of the Empire State

Times Square 

xo,

Raechel

Bleed That Black and Gold

Featuring: Our close friends Marta and Chloe

M-I-Z  Z-O-U! Game-day outfit post Round 2, baby. Shop the outfit below:

Cardigan: Urban Outfitters (Sold Out)
Top: Topshop (Sold Out in Black)
Jeans: American Apparel
 Boots: Target (Sold Out)
 Beanie: American Apparel (Sold Out)

Xx, E.

What A Steal

Everyone is always on the look out for a good deal because who honestly wants to pay massive amounts of money on a single item?! (Not me!) I am not one to pay ridiculous amounts of money on clothing because I am the typical "broke college student". I spend all my money on food...sorry not sorry. So below I have decided to give you guys a couple of different basic items that you can get for much cheaper than the major brand name item. 

Xx,

E.

Black, White & Gold All Over

Before the sun went down last night I thought I would snap a few pictures of my OOTD yesterday! Since it's still a bit warm here in the Midwest, I'm luckily still able to pair my dungarees with ankle boots and feel perfectly fine. Shop the look below! 

Dungarees: ASOS

Boots: New Look

Shirt: Forever 21 (Sold Out)

Watch: Fossil

Ring: Nordstrom's (Sold Out) 

xo,

Raechel