Belle Noire

Before reading my post on Belle Noire, please take the time to vote for your favorite designer.  Next month, I will publish a post on where to find great deals on clothes by the winning designer, so keep a look out for that!

Black is a pretty complex color, it can evoke the feel of the roaring twenties and vintage glamour, or the feel of a cutthroat, modern, businesswoman. An obvious upside is that black really is instantly slimming (not myth, I swear) and it is pretty versatile.  A downside is that it can sometimes send a message you don't want to, like looking accidentally gothic when you were going for sophisticated.  Here are some cute and chic ways to wear black, without going too far.

The Ruffle Jacket:

This Green Dragon cropped jacket is totally adorable.  It creates an abstractly military feel with the button placement, but the ruffles keep it feminine and fun. It is only $39.99 marked down from $105.00 at beyondtherack.com, so check it out, and you can look covered up and cute all at once.  

The Bag:

I am in love with this Sonia Rykiel embellished suede shoulder bag - like true love kind of in love.  It gives off an edgy-glamorous feel with the bows and crystal-embellished bird, but it is still casual enough to take to class without feeling overdressed.  It is big enough to hold all of your necessities, but not big enough to make you feel like walking down the street is a resistance workout.  In short, this bag is little less than perfection.  Of course, in my opinion, the thing that makes it the most perfect is that it is 70% off at the Outnet, so definitely look for it there first.  

The Accessory:

You have to be careful with black jewelry, because there is a very fine line between dark and sexy, and just plain creepy.  These black rose hair clips by Olini Floral take you up to the line without going over.  They are elegant and formal, with a vintage feel, and just a little bit off-beat.  They would be perfect for helping a cute dress "grow up" for a semi-formal, or for adding a dramatic flair to an outfit for school.  They are only $35.70 on Etsy at http://www.etsy.com/listing/78298410/15-off-ends-at-midnight-set-of-2-black?ref=sr_b1d4533cbf2a0192f3472b6a85b0ec2b0047a6d4ac168f0909dfe62ebae8ed36_1320591097_14099232_black_flower, plus you would be supporting an artisan accessory designer.  

Happy Shopping :) 

Cold Weather Clothing

It is no secret that I have a hard life. One of the most difficult things for me right now is living in the south of France for a semester; while my friends from home were able to start wearing sweaters back in September, and I have been forced to wear sundresses, little tank tops, and bathing suits all fall.  However, all summers eventually come to an end - even on the Mediterranean - and now I am exploring fall fashion in a serious way.  And because I am still a broke college student, and living in a country that uses the Euro (which has a deadly exchange rate against the U.S. dollar), I am turning to the discount American web sites we all know and love to stock my cold weather wardrobe.  Read on for my selection of affordable autumn clothing.

The Sweater:

Okay, I think that we have all bought something from the Victoria's Secret catalogue because it looked so pretty on the model, and then found that it was completely unwearable in real life.  This blue sweater with leather buckles is not one of those items; it covers enough to be warm and classy, it is long enough to prevent tragic gapping that can sometimes occur, and the leather on the bottom is totally adorable.  It also happens to be 49% off the the Victoria's Secret web site, so it is a good investment for winter.

The Coat: 

This is a Lafayette 148 New York wool short sleeved coat.  I became a fan of Lafayette 148 New York because of designs like this; it is chic and easy to wear at the same time.  Depending on wear you live, the short sleeves may or may not be a huge problem, but for a coat like this, I think it is worth shivering a little at the bus stop, because you will look fabulous.  This piece is 48% off at the saksfifthavenue web site, but unfortunately even with that discount it is still $470.99: so sad. 

The Boots:

Boots are a necessary item for winter because they keep the foot warm and dry from snow.  More importantly, these Mina high heeled boots by SM will make you taller, and give you a snow-bunny meets New York kind of feel that does not come along very often.  For the PETA fashionistas, please note that these boots were made with faux fur (real leather, but then you can't have everything) so no real snow bunnies were harmed to make you look great.  They are 41% off at DSW, so look for them there, and take on the snow with style.  

Enjoy the cold weather, everybody, and

Happy Shopping :) 

Have a Chic Thanksgiving

It is easy to be chic for just about every holiday with the exception of Thanksgiving.  For Christmas you can wear jewel tones and adorable winter hats, for the 4th of July you really only need a patriotic bikini and to starve yourself for a week, and Halloween offers no end to fashion-forward dress-up ideas if you are so inclined.  Unfortunately for us all, however, Thanksgiving is not exactly a vogue holiday.  The images that come to mind when one thinks of Thanksgiving are pilgrims...and turkeys. Hot. To make matters worse, it is a holiday that you celebrate by eating as much wholesome (fattening) food as your stomach can possibly hold.  Again, not something one would normally associate with fashion.  However, for those of us truly dedicated to fashion, it is possible to look good this Thanksgiving, with a few key elements.

The Dress: 

This babydoll sweater dress by French Connection serves two very important functions in Thanksgiving fashion: hide and distract.  The mercifully loose fit around the stomach hides any signs of gluttony, and will remain comfortable even after your second slice of apple pie (I am, of course, assuming that everybody eats as much as me every Thanksgiving). And of course, black is instantly slimming, and will forgive one night of indulgence.  Second, the dress is short enough to divert the eye straight to those legs - they won't be suffering from the consequences of turkey at least.  Get it at bluefly for 30% off, and feel as close to sexy as possible on a holiday of eating.  

The Tights:

If you follow my advice, you will be wearing a minidress in late November. Be reasonable: protect your legs from dry skin, and overall death with cute tights like this Anne Klein pair, $8.99 at kgstores.com  

The Scarf: 

It is time to break the homely color-scheme of Thanksgiving brown and burnt orange.  This hand-painted Moon Waves silk scarf by SilkScarvesColorado will add excitement to a black outfit, and will keep you from looking like a pilgrim - trust me, there are no fashionable pilgrims.  It's not a sale item, but Thanksgiving is a holiday of indulgence, right? And it is only $52.00 on Etsy, so this statement piece won't break your budget.  

The Shoes: 

One of the best parts about Thanksgiving is that it is a time to sit down and count your blessings, and sitting down means that you can wear completely unpractical shoes without killing your feet. These stiletto booties by Rosegold are so beautifully unpractical that it is like they were made specifically for Thanksgiving.  Plus, don't forget one key element of this outfit is distracting the eye from your stomach to your amazing legs.  For us mortals without natural born amazing legs, these boots will work wonder.  For the near future, they are 46% off at gilt.com.  

I know Thanksgiving is a couple of weeks away, but start shopping early to have your perfect holiday outfit prepared, and as always,

Happy Shopping :) 

Elegant Earth-Tones

Many of us associate earth-tones with boring, wall-flower clothing. Oatmeal, taupe, beige and wheat hardly evoke the same excitement as shades like sapphire, jade, crimson, or midnight.  However, if you do it right, you can stand out as an example of elegance and sexy sophistication with these gorgeous picks, say no to oatmeal and yes to champagne, gold dust, and shimmering lambskin taupe..  Gorgeous earth-tones can scream anything from "Old Money" to "Career Girl" all while quietly whispering that you are an amazingly gorgeous fashionista (if you can't hear your clothes speak to you, then you are not shopping properly).

The Showstopper:

I think that this gold dust Tadashi Shoji one sleeved gown singlehandedly refutes every person who has ever said that earth-tones are "boring".  This draped silk gown says drama and glamour better than any brighter color ever could.  It is the height of refinement, and is perfect for a black-tie event.  It happens to be on sale on the Saks Fifth Avenue web site for $256.99; 30% off the original price tag.  If you're looking early for a sorority formal or prom dress that is not tacky, or if you need to look great for an evening work event, this dress is perfect for making you look like money, without breaking the bank.  

The Killer Bag

I absolutely adore this Nanette Lepore lambskin satchel.  It is a perfect casual bag for taking to class, the office, or (my favorite) shopping for other amazing items.  If you pair it with brown leather boots, dark jeans, and a graphic tee, you have an envy-worthy outfit for back to school.  This bag is 40% off at nanettelepore.com in their sale section.  If you want to reward yourself, I can't imagine a better way of doing it than getting this bag.  

The Classy Top:

Dolce and Gabbana are my go-to dream brand for classy cute clothing.  This champagne colored silk bubble sleeve top is a perfect choice if you're dressing for a conservative occasion like an internship, or a college interview.  This top proves that you can dress for your career without sacrificing your awesome fashion sense.  This top happens to be 70% off at bluefly.com. That's right, 70% off.  Nothing smarter than investing in a piece like this to complete your wardrobe.

Happy Shopping, Fashionistas :)

Leighton Meester's Look for Under $100!

As far as fashion icons go, there are few who beat Leighton Meester in consistently putting together to-die-for fashionable outfits either to grab coffee, or go to a red carpet event.  After all, who can beat a Gossip Girl at style?  Unfortunately, Leighton Meester and Blaire Waldorf both have expensive taste...unattainably expensive taste.  Example: the Marchesa gown that Blaire Waldorf wore to Prom on Gossip Girl was one of a kind, and literally priceless.  It takes a lot of research and a little bit of luck to put together a Leighton Meester outfit without having to sell your car, but I believe that I have done it successfully.  Read on to find out how to get "the look" for less.

Leighton's Look

This is Leighton looking undeniably fab at a party for Kira Plastinina, wearing Kira Plastinina.  Her black and white look is timeless, and chic; she looks hip in menswear but also manages to look delicate and feminine.  This is definitely a fashion win for Leighton.

The Vest:

It's a little less shiny, and a lot less expensive.  This black scoop-neck New York and Company vest fits the silhouette of the Kira Plastinina vest that Leighton is wearing, without the astronomic prices that the Russian designer demands for her clothing.  It is a cute take on business casual clothing, and will add a certain hip feel to your wardrobe.  It also happens to be 50% off at newyorkandcompany.com where you will be able to find it for just $24.99.  Great deal? I think so, too.  

The Tank Top:

It is not that hard to find a white tank top for not a lot of money, but what is definitely more of a challenge is finding one that flatters your body and makes "the ladies" look nice without taking that fatal, yet so common turn to being trashy.  This Victoria's Secret bra cami top will keep you feeling sexy without going slutty, and the added length on bottom makes it perfect for layering under a shorter vest.  It's only $14.50 at victoriassecret.com, so you can look sexy without breaking budget.

The Jeans:

I did include a pair of skinny jeans, because Leighton is wearing some, but I do so with the warning label: wear with caution. We do not all have the bodies of Leighton Meester (sadly).  For those of us such as myself who will not be flattered by skinny jeans, let us choose a fit that flatter our own bodies, rather than our idols. For those who can pull off the look, however, these Dollhouse sequined skinny jeans glam up denim, and look adorable. I love the subtle sequins on the waist.  They won't make you look too hipster, but they still give off a modern, funky vibe.  Get them on sale for just $19.99 at http://shop.dollhouse.com/.  

The Shoes:

Are you too proud to buy a cute pair of shoes from Payless as long as nobody finds out where you got them? I, for one, am not.  These Christian Siriano pumps are similar to the round-toe black heels that Leighton wears, and they are so cute, I want to run out and buy them in three different colors.  They can make the transition from campus to internship effortlessly by switching the skinny jeans for a pencil skirt, and they will make your legs look fantastic.  They also happen to be just $34.99 at payless.com making them a great, and affordable fashion must-have.  

This outfit costs a total of $94.50, and the best part is that you will have four adorable articles that you can pair with other outfits to create new looks that are completely your own.  

Happy Shopping :)

Fantasy, Feasible, and Frugal Dresses

There are some special moments when you meet that dress that you love, and you can't get it out of your head.  Like true love, you just cannot get over that dress. However, there are times when you fall in love with someone unattainable, like Matt Damon, or a $1,880 Fendi dress.  Although  people tell me it is "unhealthy" to shop for guys to find a Matt Damon replacement, shopping for affordable dresses based on characteristics of your fantasy dress is perfectly normal.  Find your fantasy while still being frugal by reading on :)

The Fantasy:

Fashionistas worship Fendi for being irresistibly chic, trendy, and sophisticated.  This one-shoulder blue Fendi dress could just as easily be worn to a club as to a cocktail party, or a chance encounter in a store where your ex happens to work.  Unfortunately, this dress is only attainable for those of us willing to sell a kidney on the black market to afford it...and that leaves back scars.  If you can spend $1,880 on one dress without crying, buy this from Barney's New York without regret.  For the rest of us...try some of these lower budget alternatives.  

Feasible:

This Badgley Mischka Platinum Label blue asymmetric dress is absolutely adorable.  It will make you feel like a lady (keeping things classy) but it will also make the men want you.  The shine keeps things formal, so keep it to the evening, but pair it with a matte hue clutch and wear with pride.  Buy it at Bluefly where it's $244.99 marked down from $430.  

Frugal:

If you love the one-shoulder look but can't afford the top two, this David's Bridal blue dress is a great alternative.  Although technically a bridesmaid dress, this dress is versatile enough to wear in a variety of settings.  Wear your hair down and pair with heavy baubles before hitting clubs, or a party.  It's only $79.99, marked down from $120.00.  

Happy Shopping :)

Violent Violet

Everybody knows the class-based history of purple; it was one of the rarest colors to dye clothing, and therefore was reserved for the highest classes.  In Rome, it was the color of senators, and in medieval Europe, it was only worn by royalty.  This is a color that is very easy to wear because there is a shade for almost every skin tone and style.  Here are some of my favorite picks.

The Tote:

If you have never heard of Malaysian bag designer Ryoushop, then you are missing out.  Their take on violet is this oversized Mira canvas tote bag that adds spice to an everyday outfit, and is big enough to carry books to class.  Pair it with skinny jeans and a neutral tone top, and let this fantastic bag be the focal point of the outfit.  Look for it on Etsy where it's only $48.00. Plus free shipping. 

The Skirt:

This See by Chloe cotton skirt is a perfect piece to wear back to campus with a funky pair of boots, or to an internship with flats and a gray sweater.  It's a fun and playful color, but i's modest length makes it versatile enough to wear anywhere.  If you're looking for an investment piece to wear several ways, this is it.  Look for it at the Outnet where you can get it 65% off.  

The Dress:

Want to be a classy bombshell? Buy this ruffle camisole mini dress by Parker as soon as possible.  It's a statement piece that needs little accessorizing to create a finished look. Are you the kind of fashionista who loves a little comfort?  Parker silk dresses are soft and smooth like butter, and the loose fit will make even body conscious women feel comfortable in their own skin.  It's on sale at Saks right now for $129.99

Purple Done Wrong

I love Gucci. If I could afford it I would be a Gucci girl for life.  However, this purple fox fur collar with tassel is not Gucci's finest hour.  It's out of proportion and an unfortunate shade of purple. The real tragedy is that a fox had to die to make such a hideous statement piece.  It's selling on Saks for $2,990.  Advice to my fashionistas: spend all that money on better things.  

Happy Shopping :)