During the second half of sorority recruitment this weekend, everything will get a little bit harder. The parties will get longer and longer, and your patience with stating your year, hometown, and major a thousand times may run out quickly. Don't let your fashion choices become another thing to bog you down. For preference night, the most formal night of recruitment, don't make the mistake of dressing too casual or deciding to re-wear your prom dress. Your best bet is taking a few tips from the experts an emulating a designer look that fits within your budget.
This Versace Fall 2008 Ready-To-Wear look is a perfect example of appropriate pref night attire. The dress is sleek, simple, and flattering and the bold shoes offset the plain dress with their chunkiness and coloring.

Because the dress is so simple, a cheaper version can be easily found by visiting the right stores or trolling the right websites. The Lux Silk Crossback dress in Iris ($29.99 at urbanoutfitters.com) has the same silhouette as the original, but can be purchased at a fraction of the cost.

The elaborate nature of the shoes displayed in the original look may prove them a bit harder to emulate. Your best bet is visiting or shopping online at a shoe factory store or designer outlet. The Miss Me Nubo 8 Suede Platform Mary Jane ($44.95 at dsw.com) are the perfect imitation of the runway style with the same color, shape, and platform height as the original.

Emulating designer for a big event, like formal recruitment, will ensure your outfits to always be fashionable. Don't be afraid to impress a sister on pref night by telling her that your outfit is an imitation of a runway look, and it cost you less than one hundred dollars.

-- Beth Ann Downey

Being in a sorority is not for everyone. However, if you believe that greek life is your destiny, don't let your fashion sense become your downfall during this recruitment season.
With sorority open houses being this weekend, the only code of dress extended for rushes is wearing a solid colored top. To be sure that your boring basics won't make you blend in with the rest of the recruit crowd, we've chosen a suitable designer outfit and recreated it for less.
This look from the BCBG Max Azria Fall 2008 Ready-to-Wear collection has the perfect pairing of basic pieces that make a statement. The simple black top has intricate gathering and a defined neckline, which make it special. The bubble skirt is subtly flashy and trendy without trying too hard. The tied belt pulls the whole look together and makes it more versatile for day or night.

Courtesy www.style.com

Emulating this designer style and looking great for the first weekend of recruitment does not require emptying your bank account. Here are pieces similar to the designer look that may even have more to offer.

The Rendez-Vous by Paul & Joe Sister Impetueux Top ($79.99 at urbanoutfitters.com) is an appropriate alteration to the original look but still displays the same basic styling concepts. The white fabric offers even more versatility for day to night transition and the bib-top neckline allows additional coverage for a more polished look.

Courtesy UrbanOutfitters.com

The Fab Basic Black Satin Skirt ($11.50 at forever21.com) is the perfect imitation of the BCBG skirt at an unbeatable price. With the perfect silhouette and sheen, wearing this little number will make you the hit of any rush party.

The Bow Front Waist Tie Belt ($7.50 at wetseal.com) is an accessory that ties the whole look together. It has the same coloring and shape as the original ensemble with a bow detail that makes it even more fun and fabulous.

Courtesy wetseal.com

The Women's Xhilaration Selena Ruffle Mary Jane Flats in Plum ($19.99 at target.com) are the perfect substitution for wearing heels on your walks up and down Bigler Rd. Because they are mary janes, they still offer the strappy detail of the designer look, but are in a funky color that is sure to generate compliments from multiple sisters.

Courtesy target.com

So now you have all of the fashion tools you need to make a great first impression on your future friends and sisters. Now practice smiling, shaking hands, and generating the stamina to talk for hours on end.

-- Beth Ann Downey

You may be so used to wearing your everyday class attire that you don't know what to wear to this week's Career Fair. You may have tried on everything in your closet, but you can't find that perfect outfit to help you make a lasting impression on future employers. Why not just buy a designer outfit? We all wish we could just splurge like that. For those who can't follow this guide to finding a fabulous look for less. We took a designer look from the Bill Blass Fall 2008 Ready to Wear Collection and found pieces online to emulate the style and sophistication of the brand.

The look is perfect for a job interview because it is refined and poised, but still carries enough fashion punch to make you stand out to any major company you've only ever dreamed of working for.

The high-waisted skirt and silk tie-front blouse are paired in a chic ensemble that would look good on any body type. The trench coat adds another layer of coverage, but adds that pop of one of the season's hottest colors.

Only four simple clicks of your mouse could have you wearing this beautiful designer outfit for a fraction of the cost.

The Ruffle Chiffon Blouse ( $19.99 at charlotterusse.com) has the same tie-front bow detailing as the Bill Blass look, along with a lace and silk finish. There is no chance of looking too sexy for the fair, you will only exude confidence in your style sophistication.

The Damsel Pencil Skirt with belt ($22.80 at forever21.com) is the same basic concept as the designer look, but with less detail. The loss of extraneous pockets on the skirt actually minimizes any unwanted bulk to the area.

The Haste Patent Oxford Pump ($24.99 at payless.com) is a better choice of footwear for the career than what was selected to be paired with the designer look. The pumps in the Bill Blass ensemble could be a little too strappy for a professional situation, but the oxfords are proficient and still very much in fashion.

The Maria Trench ($69.50 at delias.com) still adds that desired pop of color that the designer look has, but in a bright electric blue instead of plum. The jacket is still the perfect length and has a great silhouette and color detailing.

We've made it easy for you to emulate designer style. Now you will have the confidence to walk up to any table at the fair. If you don't have the right qualifications for your dream job, at least you'll have the qualifications for great style.

-- Beth Ann Downey

I wore a dress and rain boots yesterday. Some would consider this quite a fashion blunder. Dresses are considered the epitome of femininity, while rubber rain boots serve only for function, not fashion (although mine are pretty cute). I walked out the door and into the rain feeling somewhat courageous and original, but a little bit scared. Did my fashion dare actually render me looking like a fool?
I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown as I meandered down Pollock when a girl hurried by me wearing a dress and rain boots. I was overcome with relief.
Consider yourself lucky that you go to Penn State. If not for the amazing programs, the wealth of extracurricular activities, or abundance of alcohol, consider yourself lucky that you go to a school where you can wear anything to class and not look like an idiot.
All of the fashion tiers are represented here. There are hippies, jocks, punks, Goths, and preppies, just like high school (and the Breakfast Club). In college, however, the jocks and the cheerleaders don't have time to make fun of you for your Slipknot tee shirt and your friends don't have enough money to sneer at you when you carry your knock-off Coach purse. College is the time to experiment with your style before you are forced to conform to the "professionalism" of the real world. If you've worn polo sweaters all your life but have always yearned for a pair of checkered Vans, now is the time to go for it.
The most important aspect of Penn State fashion is that no matter who you are and what your style, you must have some Nittany Lion pride. Wearing your logo-emblazoned clothing instantly makes you in with the in-crowd. This does not mean that throwing on your Penn State sweatshirt after you roll out of bed makes you fashionable, but throwing on your sweatshirt instead of spending an hour picking an outfit doesn't automatically label you a frump.
At some schools (aka schools that aren't as awesome), the only people found wearing their school paraphernalia are the Club field hockey team that won the Division 3 title. At Penn State, especially on a game day, blue and white are the only colors you will see for miles.
Long story short, don't be afraid to wear a dress and rain boots (if it's raining). Don't be afraid to wear your fake Uggs you bought at Payless (if it's cold). Don't be afraid to wear a sundress that touches the ground (if it's hot). Don't be afraid to die your hair pink (even if you're a boy). Don't be afraid to be yourself here at Penn State and let us 42,000 other people out here know exactly who you are through your style.
-- Beth Ann Downey