Fashion

By Eliza Appleton, 23, reporting from New York, NY, on dressing for the office in style.

On some mornings, thinking about what to wear to my very new corporate job can be more stressful than the actual job.

I’m the type of girl who loves bright colors and skinny jeans and a great pair of black booties with a heel. I’ve never spoken the word slacks out loud and believe there is nothing sexy in a knee-length skirt.

And there I was, working in finance, throwing on a “going out” sweater with dorky “dress pants” and calling it an outfit. Totally not my style.

I’d think back to this guy I once overhead in one of my classes say, “I love women’s corporate wear. It doesn’t show a lot of skin, but it’s the right skin.”

There was only so long I could pretend to agree with him, or fool myself into thinking I was dressing “pilgrim-chic.” In reality, my workday style fell somewhere between June Cleaver and Anne Romney. Trust me, it’s not a good look.

So just this week, I surrendered to the corporate takeover. I came to the gainfully employed person’s realization that sometimes you have to shop for professional pieces over party pieces. After all, this is what I wear for the majority of my waking hours now—might as well look and feel like myself.

I focused on basic colors (no colleague will notice black, grey, and navy in constant rotation) and classic cuts, like the perfect J.Crew boy shirt in French blue. Their featherweight cashmere sweaters get pricey, but if you can hold your breath and drop that first paycheck, they’ll keep you comfortable and chic through an entire career of over air-conditioned office environments.

In the more starter-salary bracket, Uniqlo offers dozens of smart, simple Wear-To-Work Dresses—shifts, shirtdresses, wraps, in solids and subtle patterns—for $39.99. Check out H&M “Office Wear,” where this Fine-Knit Top ($24.95) gives a pop of red or white under a black or dark blue Jersey Blazer ($34.95) that’s structured enough for work and slouchy enough to go off-duty with jeans.

Just make sure you toss in some stripes or dots, a scalloped edge, an occasional funky print or leather cuff bracelet to remind everyone in the office that you’re still young and fun and fashionable.

Everyone always tells you to dress not for the job you have but for the job you want to have. I want to dress like a future executive, as I’m already dreaming of being a CEO or CIO or CFO (LOTS of work to do and LOTS to learn before I get anywhere close to that). In the meantime, I’ll dress to impress, with my own little twist, and I’ll be plotting a campaign to abolish the corporate get-up for when I’m in charge.

By Zulay Regalado, 25, reporting from Miami, FL, on the coolest styles for the warmer climates.

For those of us who live in south Florida, with its round-the-calendar sunshine and quick drives to the beach, winter is pretty much a dream. The unforgiving tropical humidity may destroy my chances at frizz-free holiday hair, but hey, I can wear a sundress and lounge poolside New Year’s Eve. While my relatives in the Midwest are shoveling piles of snow off their driveways, I need only worry about vacuuming sand out of the trunk of my car.

I’ll stop now before someone from colder climes comes after me with mitten fists. My point is that here cold is a very relative—and very welcome—thing. I always look forward to our small taste of it in January, where temps drop to 50-60 degrees (silly for many, but rough for us warmer-blooded folk).

Best of all, the days open up a precious and fleeting fashion window. This is when I do some of my smartest shopping. Since I know my winter wardrobe will be shoved into the abyss of my closet due to most Miami weather, I try to stick with versatile styles that I can reuse whenever the next cool breeze happens to pass through.

Here are some of my top contenders for this year’s cool:

Melanie Metallic Detail Striped Sweater, Ruche, $29. This sweater is warm enough to withstand the SoBe winter chill and it looks great with a pair of shorts for a stroll down the beach. Too cold where you live? Layer with a collared blouse and warm leggings.

Floral Scarf, H&M, $10. Pair this colorful scarf with a light sweater (like the one pictured above) to stay cozy and chic. Who says flowers are for spring?

ASOS Pastel Bobble Beanie Hat, $15. Though temperatures in south Florida rarely reach beanie-as-necessity level, this chunky knit hat can be worn with a T-shirt for afternoon coffee (hot or iced) outside or a night at the drive-in theater (car heater on full blast, of course).

Buttoned-Up Knee-High Sock, UO, $14 (or 2 for $22). There are seven warm hues to choose from and, hello—socks with buttons? Definitely a winner.

By Maria Camila Henao, 23, reporting from NYC on a bright new website, Given Goods Co., where gifts go a very long, important way

I don’t want to sound too presumptuous here, but every time I ask a friend or family member what they want for Christmas or their birthday or graduation, they always say, “You have the best taste. Whatever you get me, you know I’ll love it,” or something of that ilk.

So I guess I’m a bit of a stylistic genius or something. (Bear with me, it’s for charity…)

That, combined with my recent move to New York after graduating from college in Maine, has turned me into a bargain-hunting shopping guru. Ballin’ on a budget, if you will. Though I’m all about thrifting these days, I feel a little weird giving someone a gently-used gift from a thrift shop or something. You never know who you might offend.

Anyhow, I stumbled upon this cool website that has great things that are inexpensive and cute and are not only totally giftable (is that even a word?), but charitable, too. It’s called Given Goods Co.. It even has a Gifts Under $30 section—perfect!

The cool way their business works is that every time someone purchases an item, part of the proceeds go to a charitable cause—supporting education, environmental preservation, sustaining job opportunities, etc., via partner organizations around the world. I don’t know about you, but I’m all about philanthropy, so that just makes me want to buy more from this site.

Since everyone seems to think I have such impeccable taste—again, people, charity!—I’ll bet you and your friends won’t go wrong with my $30-and-under recommendations.

Petite Statement Earrings $20

First of all, teal is the new black (although they come in many great colors). Second of all, I love how dainty these are. Totally chic, as is their cause. How many other people at the holiday party can say their earrings help to provide jobs, housing, health care and education for female refugees in the U.S.? Dress them up with a LBD or dress them down with skinny jeans and a T-shirt. They’re extremely versatile!

The Cocktail Board $30

I’m not even sure what a “cocktail board” is, but it looks like a cutting board to me, albeit an extremely high-style one. It’s simple and gorgeous. One corner is kind of lopped off, which only adds interest. I’m all about asymmetry because going with the grain is so boring. And when you’re cooking for yourself, like I am in my new NYC apartment, cutting boards are a MUST. This is certainly one I wouldn’t be ashamed to leave out on my counter or even hang up on the wall when I’m not using it. Plus, it benefits people living in poverty in LA.

Eat Well Napkins $29

First, a thought more cheerful, even, than the bright graphic design of these napkins: They help fund warm meal deliveries to senior citizens across America through Meals on Wheels. For your meals, they’re great for throwing dinner parties, and they’re cotton, so you’re not adding paper to the landfill; you can throw them in the washing machine and use them over and over. Hello helping the environment! Hello helping old people eat! These are imperatives.

Triple Wrap Leather Bracelet $16

Wrap bracelets have been in since I can remember, and they’re not going out of style anytime soon. It’s so hard to find inexpensive ones that don’t look cheap though, so better snatch this one up while you can. Half of the colors are already sold out! They’re made by and support artisans in Peru.

Brazilet Wish Pack Cost: $15

These are so indie-boho, and I love the bright colors. You can wear them as friendship bracelets (yes, I’m still a sleepaway camp girl at heart), or keep them all for yourself and coordinate them with your outfit for the day. So many colors and messages to choose from. They’re an absolute steal. And speaking of happy campers, they help fight deforestation of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest.

By Charlotte Steinway, 25, reporting from New York, NY, on the site that's made online shopping—50 percent off!—her friend.

In all honestly, I’ve never been too into online shopping. But a couple years back, I started my first job—as an editorial assistant for a shopping blog—and I didn’t have much choice but to dive head first into the seemingly endless inventory of e-commerce. The problem is, I have and always have been a sucker for sales. Combine that obsession with professional immersion in the online shopping world, and there I was, playing victim to every coupon code, flashy newsletter, and free shipping offer. Worst of all, I’d usually end up hating most of my new merch upon arrival.

That was until I met Tobi.

Tobi’s cheeky, on-trend clothing is akin to what you’d find on a Nasty Gal or ASOS, but it comes with a game-changing catch: Your first order is 50 percent off if you “like” their Facebook page (plus another half-off code for next time if you “share” it).

I was skeptical at first, but once I narrowed down my cart of 24 items to a much more palatable eight and plugged in my code—$100 total!—I couldn’t have been more excited in the act of shopping. But the biggest surprise of came when my package finally arrived: My haul of $15 crop tops and $30 sundresses were all, gasp, not flimsy pieces of polyester but rather shockingly high-quality items made from lace, silk, and 100 percent cotton.

Four crop tops, three sundresses, and a pair of holographic aviators later, I’m officially obsessed with my new BFF Tobi. And just when I tried to convince my actual BFF to let me “buy in” to her first order, I opened my inbox to find another 50 percent off code of my own. This is a friendship I could get used to.

By Zoe Mendelson, reporting from New York, NY, on the magical healing powers of packing a stuffed animal

Packing always seems to come with the end of summer—off to college, back-to-school, last-gasp road trip. And it's always way more difficult than it should be. You look around your room, and you're so used to grazing over everything in its usual spot that you can't even see it to know to pack it. Packing for college is an extra challenge because you can't really know what you're going to want in your new room and need in your new life.

Besides the obvious, here are my top-three packing recommendations: 1. Shoes (I forgot to do this); 2. Hydrogen peroxide (I have found it's a miracle remover of most any stain); 3. Your favorite stuffed animal (I am not joking). In fact, item number-three is perhaps the most essential. Yes, it's a blatant symbol of childhood in a place where you want to seem grown up. But you know what? Nobody else knows whether to be cool or nice either—and being nice will get you a lot farther.

The beginning of college can be, not to scare you, but really, really lonely. And I think the loneliest moments are those spent awake in a strange new bed at night, especially when amplified by the awkward silence between you and your roommate. There is, I promise, no better remedy for that than a stuffed animal.

This is my stuffed animal. His name is Mooky and he is a pink walrus. He has a beany butt, he is a very good snuggler and neck pillow, and he is so cute it is truly ridiculous. (The patch on his tusk is a skin graft that my grampa sewed on him last week to mend a dog bite.) One look in his little black, eerily expressive eyes and even grown men are brought to baby talk. Mooky is not just a creature comfort but a soul healer and something of a celebrity for it. He may or may not have a Facebook. Just saying.

My best friend just went through a tough breakup and simultaneous solo move to a new city, so I lent her Mooky (hard to part with, but I knew she needed him). She was so sad to give him back that I decided to get her a Mooky of her own. When my other friends caught wind of this, well, let's just say I ended up buying five more Mookys…for girls who just graduated college, who are in law school, and who are, I promise, very very cool (and nice).

Anyway, if you too are very very cool and nice and don't have the right childhood beast of your own to pack, Mooky might be the greatest stuffed animal ever made. He is available on Amazon for $8-$15, plus shipping.

By Carey Dunne, 22, reporting from New York, NY, on the free jewels to be found on any beach this summer

If you’re at the beach, trying to distract yourself from this summer’s extreme heat, no need to go looking pirate-style for an X that marks the buried treasure spot. The real jewels are usually in plain sight.

People have been adorning their bodies with seashells for ages: In Hawai’i, wearing jewelry made from puka shells was thought to ensure a peaceful voyage for seafarers, and eastern Native American tribes traditionally carved symbolic designs into polished whelk, mussel, and conch shells to make gorgets, pieces of armor for the throat. Today, high-end designers like Mesi Jilly sell their shell-based jewelry at places like Bergdorf Goodman.

But you can avoid Bergdorf prices and seaside town gift shops by making shell jewelry yourself, for free. Last weekend, I took my first trip to the beach this summer and collected a bunch of gold- and copper-colored shells. It took less than an hour to make them into a necklace.

I used shiny, thin iridescent Anomiidae, also known as jingle shells or mermaid's toenails. It's easy to poke holes in them with a safety pin. (For thicker shells, you might need a drill.) Your jewels may come in an ocean of options; the world is your oyster. In fact, even oyster shells can be turned into charms, as seen on Lillydallie's Etsy shop.

Or, for one-stop beachcombing, you can find a single large shell you like, then dip it in bright paint and/or draw on designs and put it on a chain. Black suede string or leather cord works, too. Etsy shop Seashore Love cites "Saved by the Bell awesomeness" as inspiration for this stripey creation.

Another idea: Add beads or objects to your necklace. I strung spare metal watch parts onto mine. At the shop Evolution in NYC's Soho, I found a small blue boar's tusk for $1 and wrapped it in copper wire. To make the necklace in this photo, I poked holes in the shells with a safety pin and made a symmetrical-ish pattern. Then I strung the shells and watch parts on a black silk string; I fixed them in place by dripping hot candle wax around each.

Jingle shell earrings, like these from Maidstone Jewelry on Etsy, can be made simply by buying earring hooks and a piece of wire. Add a small bead or a pearl and fasten the shell.

Now just try to stop saying "She sells seashells" as you browse Etsy or by the seashore.

By Charlotte Steinway, 24, reporting from New York, NY, on can't-kick classic kicks

By no means do I consider myself "a sneaker person." Granted, I occasionally wear the New Yorker's rotation of Vans, Keds, and Nike Dunks (namely on the weekends when I intend to either cross the Williamsburg Bridge or venture above 14th Street by foot). In the summer, my footwear of choice is sandals; in the winter, it's a go-to pair of combat boots. Through all seasons, however, classic Chuck Taylors have always held a special spot in my heart—and my Polly Pocket-size closet.

I first got to know Mr. Taylor in third grade: It was Twin Day, and my veritably fashionable eight-year-old peers said I could only be a part of their precocious hipster tribe if too I bought a pair of black Converse low-tops. I complied. And in the 15 years since, I can definitively say that footwear purchase was my most timeless. That's not to say I didn't fumble a bit along the way, though. I also owned a pair of orange-striped Adidas Shell Toes, denim Pumas, and best (or worst, you decide) of all, a rainbow-tinged pair of sneaks eerily similar to this pair of Jeffrey Campbells ($124.99), which, mind you, are currently on the market.

But amid other rough sneaker territory—involving platforms, curly shoelaces, and that terrifying "stuffing" trend—my trusty Converse never failed me. And while I've wavered between colors (black and white) and styles (low- and hi-tops), the chicness of basic white low-tops ($44.95) was underscored during a semester spent in Paris, when I actually convinced my mother to ship me my pair from home so I could "assimilate with French culture."

Just last month, I decided to replace the pair of black hi-tops ($45) I've owned since my feet stopped growing at the age of 14. And even though I'm a financially independent (family cell phone plans don't count, right? right?!) 24-year-old living 3,000 miles away from home, I somehow couldn't bring myself to buy them without my mom. So when she came to visit, we took a trip to the SoHo Converse store—and each got ourselves a pair.

Get the full set of RED Hearts posts-in Fashion, Beauty, Entertainment, and News.

By Cammi Henao, 18, reporting from Chicago on a brand that delivers the always-stylish, never-boring basics

Throughout high school, I loved the inexpensive clothes that changed to match the trends and accordingly had a lifespan of about six months. Half my closet was from Forever21. It worked for me. I could always incorporate something new into my look with little investment.

But now that I'm going off to college (next year), I decided I'd like some clothes that will survive to come with me. My mom suggested I start buying basic, rather than trendy, pieces. Plus, the weather this winter's been weird. Living in Chicago calls for the art of layering—and the art of layering calls for the classics.

Walking through the mall, I skipped Forever 21 and H&M this time and discovered Madewell. I admit that right off the bat, the name caught my attention because, well…I was looking for clothes that were, you know. I stepped inside and instantly fell in love. Their style is a mix of classic and basic with a bit of an urban edge.

Some of my forever on-trend favorites?

V-Neck Pocket Tee. I'm ashamed to say I own about six different colors in this style. (And oh, what colors!) You can put it under a cardigan, or just wear it by itself with a pair of jeans. The oldest one I own is about six months old, and it looks exactly the same as the day I bought it. This speaks a lot for its quality, $19.50 well spent, considering I wear it at least once every week or two.

Striped V-Neck Pocket Tee. Surprise, surprise…I managed to find the same shirt in stripes! For $10 more than the solid, you get the same effortlessly cool top with a whole new look. I only own one of these, but it's definitely a staple. I love wearing it with jeggings and a long white cardigan.

Transmission Tee. The best I can figure about the name is that it's transmitting this message: sleeves are useful! Some days I'll step out of the house and it'll feel like it's in the low 50s, and then by the end of the day we're below freezing. This just-slouchy-enough long-sleever is lightweight enough that it layers beautifully for both extremes: under a cardigan to keep warm, or over a tank on nicer days.

Turns out I'm a basics sort of girl, so I love this store. Definitely check out their sale section, too (I always find something). These clothes are keepers.

By Cammi Henao, 17, reporting from Chicago, on her favorite flights of fashion

Living in Chicago, being exposed to different styles and new fashions is a given. Lately, feathers have been very much "in," and necklaces, bracelets, headbands, keychains, even hair extensions, have really taken off. Personally, I dig the trend.

I'm also a devoted fan of Ke$ha, who happens to be a fellow friend of the feather. So which accessories have made my favorites list? If all goes well, I plan on layering and wearing all of the following to the Ke$ha concert here next week.

Seriously, I just bought this headband on Saturday, and it's super cute. The peacock feathers are layered with some other teal/turquoise ones, and it creates a really cool effect when the feathers peek out from the bottom and sides of your hair.

I bought both of these earrings and mix and match them all the time, which really grabs people's attention! Urban Outfitters has a ton of different designs, and they're made really well, too. Pair a long feather with a short stud, or wear two different-colored feathers. Go wild!

This is my fave necklace for the way its feathers, as well as the charms, vary in color. It hangs really nicely and adds a kind of tribal touch to any outfit.

Now, what I consider the most exciting feather accessory and you may too: feather hair extensions!

I haven't heard many people even talking about these, but my friend and I are incredibly excited to place our order. And here's a video showing you how to put them in your hair, and take them out:

Now, to see what flies with Ke$ha…

By Charlotte Steinway, 22, reporting from NYC on Soviet style to win the cold war

Although I've been feeling particularly inspired by the arctic chill that has graced the eastern US, it wasn't until a birthday party last Friday night that I discovered an actual antidote to sub-zero temperatures: dressing Russian. And I'm not talking about Thousand Island's condiment cousin.

When my friend sent out the invitation, I'd expected the evening to follow the implicit NYC birthday recipe: dinner with close friends, followed by a larger gathering with the dinner guests + extraneous Facebook friends. However, I was thrilled to find out she was hosting a highly original themed party—a Russian birthday celebration to take place in Brighton Beach, the part of Coney Island largely populated by immigrants from the former Soviet Union.

And, while I did have a stomach full of pierogis and Russian vodka quelling my chill, I do believe it was my clothing choice that kept me lively on that fated nine-degree night. From there on, I've pledged to combat the cold by mimicking Moscow.

Traditional Russian costume is comprised of decadent fabrics—think embroidery, velvet, and fur (go faux to save you from debt and PETA altercations)—and large doses of rich, tsar-ish hues like purple and red. Headgear is a must, and topping my mid-winter most-wanted list is a faux fur halo like this and Pokemon-esque ear accessories. Either or both would pair nicely with the $7 floor-length burgundy velour dress I found at my neighborhood Goodwill. Add a pair of chunky booties like these and I'll be set, chicly swaddled and oligargh-awesome. Now all I need is a first-edition Tolstoy, a jar of caviar and a set of nesting dolls to get me through February.

By Maya Popa, 21, reporting from New York City during Fashion Week on her favorite fall legwear

Tights. They make us giddy when worn by men. (Robin Hood would be a shadow of himself without them). They spare us from having to dig for matching socks.

While putting them on may have been my least favorite part of ballet lessons growing up, they saved my poor legs—probably those of every student in my all-girls school—from permanent numbness through long New York winters of short pleated uniform skirts.

Every back-to-school season, my go-to brand for tights is HUE, whose new collaboration with Milly walks a perfect line (and runway) between practical and luxurious, durable and unmistakably fashion-forward. Favorites include the classic black with tiny gunmetal studs—for just the right suggestion of biker-chic this fall—striped silk sheers and the cozy staple thick, cable-knit gray tights for when things get cooler.

And, of course, solid opaque black tights make any dress of dangerous length a little less risque.

By Dani Cox, 16, reporting from Pleasanton, CA, on being her own favorite fashion designer

The world of fashion can be a beautiful place—a sort of dreamland for those who appreciate what a piece of fabric can accomplish in life. Yet for a struggling student with very limited income, the price of designer clothes can be a bit drastic. Solution? Make it yourself!

Armed with this brilliant plan, you can go to Jo-Ann's online shop or a store near you and start hunting for your favorite fabrics and everything else to do Project Runway your way. Pattern for sweet soaring-temperature sundress: $3.99. Watermelon print fabric: $7.49. Pink fabric: $7.49. Pink polka-dot buttons: $3.99. Quarter-inch-wide elastic band: $1.29 (or Zipper: $1.79). Total: under $25. Plus you know the only sweatshop labor that went into the manufacture is your own.

OK, so labor. This dressmaking business does require a little sewing skill. But you'll pick it up quickly (I did), and many of the stores offer classes, often free, on how to connect with your inner fashionista.

Think of it: You can say goodbye to sleeves that are slightly too long or too short, that extra fabric bunch around your hips or awkward bumps at estimated shoulders that just aren't yours. You can even skip the shopping trip and the dressing room! So before spending those crisp bills on a wannabe designer outfit, consider investing in your own creations. Start with a simple sundress, and by back-to-school time you'll be modeling a whole wardrobe of walking pieces of art, all made in the name (without the cost) of fashion!

And if that doesn't move you, you can probably catch The Notebook on some channel tonight.

By Lisa Chau, 21, reporting from Ann Arbor, Michigan, on her all-time favorite sneakers

I'm a sucker for shoes. You can find me every other week sprawled in the aisle of DSW, surrounded by boxes and boxes of size sixes with a pained, indecisive look on my face. Oh, the choices!

I love all types of shoes — flats, sandals, flip-flops, wedges, boots, and of course, sneakers. But if it was a matter of life and death and I was absolutely forced to choose one pair of shoes to wear for the rest of my life, it would be my flashy gray, yellow and gold Nike Dunk Lows (with pink laces!).

One cool part is that you can customize your own Dunk Lows in any colors you want at www.NikeID.com. But if you're like me and can't afford to spend $120 on sneakers, you can easily find them in crazy yet pleasant ready-made color combinations in a store like Journeys for half the price.

Sometimes I just rock my comfy Dunk Lows out with a pair of baggy jeans and a worn-out sweatshirt. But usually I pair the shoes with leggings, some oversize sunglasses and my Lady Gaga tee. Best of all, my sweet kicks just so happen to match my sunglasses and over-the-ear headphones. Baller.