Garden Party

{On Karen} Top: Forever 21. Pants: Target (old, similar here). Shoes: Shoedazzle (old, similar here).  {On Ali} Dress: Urban Outfitters.  Necklace: J. Crew.  Belt: Forever 21 (similar here).  Shoes: Steven by Steve Madden (old, similar here).

Photo Credit: aMaes Photography

Spring is in the air, and we can't think of a better way to celebrate than by wearing one of our favorite prints... floral!  No matter if you like your botanical prints oversized (such as Karen's pants) or small (like in Ali's dress), we can't resist their feminine charm.  We love floral paired with nudes and neutrals, as well as pastel hues that pick up the floral color detail.  Dresses, pants, shoes, scarves-- we love floral in all forms.  Stop and smell the roses, and make a statement in this favorite print.

Blue Crush

{On Ali} Top: Aryn K (similar here).  Jeans: J Brand.  Heels: Jessica Simpson.  Purse: Hearts.  Jewelry: Forever 21.  {On Sakura} Jumpsuit: H&M (similar here) {On Karen} Blazer: Sears (similar here). Pants: Forever 21. Heels: Shoedazzle (old, similar here). Purse: Charming Charlie (old, similar here). Jewelry: Forever 21.

We've got the blues... for cobalt, that is.  Sometimes the simple primary colors really do the trick, and add some added punch to your wardrobe.  Paired with black or white, a vibrant blue hue stands out.  Here we show that blue can look great worn as a top or on the bottom-- add some accessories, and you've got one chic ensemble!  We're big advocates of adding color into your closet.  Cool tones such as blue are also a big hit for spring.  Blue, we've got a crush on you.

Looking for the perfect accessory to add to your colorful outfit?  We fell in love with Ali's purse from Hearts (um, how cute is that geometric pattern?!) and you can get it too with our secret steal.  Hearts was so kind to extend a 30% discount to our readers, using code TSS30 at checkout.  Another reason to fall in love with Hearts?  They are cruelty free, and promote sustainable fashion.  We're all for it!

{Hearts.com promo code valid until 5/31/13}

Graphic Tee

{On Ali} Tee: Urban Outfitters (similar here).  Shorts: Urban Outfitters.  Scarf: old, similar here.  Lipstick: Mac.  {On Sakura} Tee: H&M (similar here) {On Karen} Tee: Forever 21 (similar here). Jeans: J Brand (similar here).  Lipstick: Makeup Forever, Aqua Rouge.

We admit it-- if there's one item of clothing that we have loved since we were little, it would be the graphic tee.  Seriously, it doesn't go out of style!  And the vintage ones are even better.  Luckily, vintage-inspired graphic tees are everywhere now.  The soft and comfy tees are the best!  Our favorite places to get graphic tees are Urban Outfitters and Forever 21... they always have creative designs for a great price.

Dress it up, dress it down.  No matter what style you're craving, graphic tees seem to always be fitting.  They're here to stay!   The best part about graphic tees?  Making a statement & showing off what you love... a band, your sorority, your favorite cartoon character.  The possibilities are endless.

Do you have a favorite graphic tee that you adore?

Business Hour to Happy Hour

 Skirt: Forever 21. Suit Jacket: Calvin Klein (similar). Bolted Studded Clutch: Forever 21. Necklace: Forever 21 (similar).

Pumps: Shoedazzle.

It's 5PM and you're ready to head home from a long day of work (or your internship), when suddenly, your coworker invites you to Happy Hour. We've all experienced this, and well, Happy Hour isn't so happy when you're stuck in your business clothes. We have found that it is pretty simple to go from business attire to happy hour attire when you don't have much time to freshen up (believe us, we don't like missing Happy Hour prices either!). Going from Business Hour to Happy Hour can be as simple as trading your suit pants for a cute skirt, adding a trendy necklace to make your undershirt and business jacket pop, or switching your briefcase for a fun purse/clutch like Karen did. The ability to add and take away pieces can change up your whole outfit in a matter of seconds.

Tuxedo Casual

Top: Urban Outfitters.  Jeans: Express.  Accessories: Forever 21 (necklace here & similar bracelet here).  Shoes: Jessica Simpson.  Beanie: Urban Outfitters.  Nail Polish: Essie Mint Candy Apple.  Sunglasses: Ray Ban.

Throw on your fancy tuxedo pants!  We're seeing tuxedo pants everywhere now... and we're loving their casual denim reincarnation, as seen in these Express jeans.  Nope, this look isn't just for the boys, and not just for black tie affairs.  These jeans feature an ankle length, perfect for showing off some snazzy high heels.  Since blue denim pairs nicely with black & white, we loved adding this acid wash denim shirt from Urban Outfitters.  Accessorize with some chunky gold accents for polish.  Ali added a beanie to the look since, well, we love how a hat completes any look!

Love tuxedo jeans?  Tell us what you think of this trend below!

Opposites Attract

Jacket: Urban Outfitters (similar here).  Shirt: Chloe K (similar here).  Jeans: H&M.  Lipgloss: Victoria's Secret.

Black & white is our go-to when we want to look polished.  It's chic, crisp, and looks great for any occasion.  Our TSS It Girl, Rachel, sure knows how to rock the look!  We love how she paired these basic staple pieces to create her ensemble.  The style is complete with hot pink lips (we love her Victoria's Secret lipgloss!) to add a dash of color.  When it comes to black & white, opposites sure do attract!

Pastel Palette

{Ali's Outfit} Dress: Victoria's Secret Catalog.  Vest: Urban Outfitters.  Shoes: Vince Camuto (old, similar here).  Earrings: Express.  Bangle: Express.  {Sakura's Outfit} Skirt: Splendid.  Necklace: Nordstrom.  {Karen's Outfit} Top: Forever 21.  Skirt: similar here.   Necklace: Forever 21 (similar here).  Photo Credit: aMaes Photography.

Maybe it's still a little chilly outside, but that doesn't stop us from craving a taste of spring's pastel confections!  This past weekend, we got together for a photo shoot, and braved the cold air for these springtime ensembles.  We can't wait to wear these pretty pastel & sorbet inspired colors all spring season long!  The maxi skirt length helps to carry you from the end of winter season, into springtime.  Which pastel hue are you most excited to wear this spring- mint, peach, lavender, or lime?

Statement Hairpieces

Sequin Top: Forever 21 (old, similar here). High-low Skirt: Forever 21. Earrings: BEBE (old, similar here). 

Booties: Trends Shoes (old, similar here) Silk Flower Headwrap: Forever 21 (old, similar here). 

Feather Hairpiece: Charming Charlie (old, similar here)

Sometimes you need to add a finishing touch to make your outfit feel complete. It could be an extra bangle that adds more bling to your wrist, a vibrant lip shade to make your ensemble stand out, or a trendy jacket to make for a polished look. For us, we have had an infatuation with tying our look together by dressing up our hair with statement hairpieces. Flowers, feathers, and jeweled hairpieces can be placed into your hair and tie into your outfit of the day or night. Since statement hairpieces are so bold, you don't need to add much else to your outfit to complete the look. Pair your statement hairpiece with simple earrings or a simple necklace and just see how many compliments you will get!

Spring Break Essentials

Camera. Sunglasses. Fedora. Shorts. Beach bag. Sandals. Sunscreen. Bathing suit.

We remember the good old days of planning spring break trips with our sisters. Wherever we decided to go, a sandy beach and heat were always a standard. No matter where you decide to have a little spring vacay, there are some key spring break essentials you will need to pack to be fully prepared. Below is our complete list of Top 10 Spring Break Essentials.

        

Super stylish bathing suit cover-up

This is a must have when you want to take a break from the beach but don't want to be in regular clothes. Our favorite cover-ups are the ones found at Victoria's Secret. 

Trendy sunglasses

You've got to protect your eyes from the sun and still look super cute while laying out, so be sure to pack some trendy sunglasses. Our personal favorite sunglasses are any Nordstrom brand ones, like Jimmy Choo or Tom Ford.

A couple of cute bathing suits

Nowadays, it's not about how cute your bathing suit looks in the water, it's about how cute it looks pool/beach side. We always pack several bathing suits so we have options. Target sells really cute and affordable bathing suits that we love.

Camera

You've got to capture all the memories so packing a camera is a must. Pack a small, sleek, camera that will be easy to carry around. Canon's are the best quality cameras and you can buy them at Target for a great price.

Beach bag

You definitely need a cute beach bag to tote around with all your essentials. J.Crew has the absolute cutest bags and our personal favorite is the Famers' Market Tote.

Fedora hat

Fedora hats are a fashion piece that never gets old on the beach. With your cute sunglasses, bathing suit, and fedora hat you will have the perfect beach outfit. We shop at DPC 1921 or Forever 21 whenever we want some trendy fedora hats.

Sunscreen

Since you are going to be in the sun, you can't forget to protect yourself. Packing sunscreen is probably one of the most important items you should bring on your spring break trip. Places like The Body Shop offer a plethora of different sunscreens to choose from. Their best seller is the Vitamin C Daily Moisturizer SPF 30.

Flip-flops/Sandals

Flip-flops and sandals will likely be your main footwear while on vacay so don't forget to pack them! There are plenty of places to get some basic flip-flops, but if you're looking for a stylish pair, check out these Basketweave sandals and many others at Forever 21.

Shorts

As much as it's so much easier to wear beach clothes all day long, it is important to pack some regular daytime clothes as well. Packing some casual shorts to pair with a simple top/tank is easy and makes for a cute outfit when away from the beach. J.Crew has some cute shorts; check out these Chino shorts.

NO WORRIES!

Without a doubt, having no worries is the most important spring break essential you should "pack".  Spring break is a time to let your hair loose, relax, and have fun!

Tangerine Dream

Dress: Urban Outfitters (similar here).  Jean Vest: J. Crew.  Shoes: Nine West (similar here).

Scarf: Forever 21 (similar here and here).  Watch: Michael Kors.

Our TSS It Girl, Rachel from Arizona State University, sure knows how to style an outfit.  She was even selected by the Phoenix New Times, to write an article about her fabulous sense of style!  Check out her feature below... we are so flattered that The Sorority Secrets inspires her as well!

Rachel's Article:
http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/jackalope/2013/02/rachel_barbos.php#more

So, what is a TSS It Girl you may ask?  Well, we have selected a few stylish collegiate women from across the country to represent The Sorority Secrets, to tell us what's trending on their campus.  We are SO excited to share their "secrets" with you!  Expect many more style posts from our It Girls, coming very soon!

BoyChic

Sweater: Similar Here. Pleather Leggings: Forever 21. Shoes: Converse. Lipstick: MAC.

There's just something ironically cute about dressing up like a boy.  Not only is it super comfy, but boys actually really love it when girls feel confident rocking a more laid-back look. We're not telling you to dress grungy and not care about how you look but mix it up; BoyChic!  

To complete the BoyChic look, Sakura also curled her hair and threw on some red lips.  

What other ideas do you girls have to make an outfit BoyChic? 

Studs & Spikes

Pictures 1&2: Be Kind to One Another Tank: Forever 21. Faux Leather Spiked Moto Vest: Forever 21. Shoes: Shoedazzle (old) Picture 3: Shawl Collar Georgette Top: Forever 21. Pointed Coin Cord Necklace: Forever 21. Picture 4: Bolt Studded Clutch: Forever 21. Picture 5: Studded Collar Button Up: Forever 21. Spiked Two Finger Ring: Forever 21. similar here

We have pretty sophisticated styles, but it's always nice every once in a while to add a little edginess to our wardrobe collection. Studs and spikes are the perfect embellishments to turn your fashion pieces into that edgy rockstar look that is trending this year. Whether it's a studded clutch, spiked moto jacket/vest, or a pair of killer spiked heels, you can't go wrong with this look! We like to pair studs and spikes with a feminine piece such as a simple dress, classic tee, or colored jeans to balance out the look.

Don't be afraid to be bold with your look!

Contrast

Blazer: Thml Clothing (sold out, similar here and here).  Tee: Splendid.  Jeans: J Brand.  Hat: New Era.  Sunglasses: Ray Ban.  Shoes: Forever 21 (old, similar here).  Belt: Nordstrom (similar here).  Lipstick: Revlon Really Red.

Spring 2013 is white hot!  One of our favorite trends for the season is the classic black & white combo.  It's effortlessly chic, and looks extra polished when worn in the form of a structured blazer.  Black denim is one of our top staple items, as we talked about in the boho leopard post.  Wearing black and white together is a bold contrast that makes a statement.  But, we wanted to make the look even more of a contrast.  We paired a grown-up piece (the blazer) with an unexpected piece (the hat).  With a personal touch, the outfit becomes your own!  What spring trend are you most excited to wear?

We also found a super cute white blazer from Boutique To You, which is perfect for this look!  Use our promo code SECRET15 for an extra 15% off of your purchase.

Boho Leopard

Top: Forever 21 (similar here).  Jeans: J Brand.  Necklace: Forever 21 (similar here).  Bracelet: Chanel.  Hat: Grace Hats.

Leopard is one of our favorite neutrals.  Sure, it's a fun pattern, but it actually goes with just about everything!  Styling it with a colorful accessory and black denim is a chic way to wear the print.  Ali loves the bohemian feel, and this floppy hat adds boho personality to the outfit.  We added gold link chains to glam up the look.  Plus, the shirt and the necklace were both found at Forever 21... score with some affordable finds to create this look yourself!  Mixing inexpensive items with nice staple pieces, such as the jeans, makes it easy to try out new looks.

Red & Black

Top: Sammy Dress.  Jeans: J Brand.  Necklace: J. Crew.  Shoes: Christian Louboutin.  Bangles: Forever 21.  Purse: Chanel.  Sunglasses: Nordstrom

Sometimes, you just have to go with the classics.  Red and black is an easy go-to, for feeling glamorous in an instant.  Any occassion, any season, it will never go out of style.  Add a red lip for an extra pop of color!