by Ann Whitbeck on October 4, 2011
I’m going to let you all in on a secret moto that I have made for myself, mostly as a means to maintain a positive balance in my checking account…do not buy anything from the runway/magazines unless you have checked H&M and ASOS first!
This all came to me as I was drooling over Rachel Zoe’s (yes, you know we love her…can’t get enough) Fall 2011 line. And although the pieces are all totally major there is something very simple, practical, streamlined and timeless about them. Great for those of us trying to get a little RZ in our lives w/o the RZ budget!
Her collection is full of pussy bow blouses, chic blazers, black and white cardis, ponchos and flare legs jumpsuits- sophisticated 70’s dressing at its best. Think of her line as your Cliff’s Notes on what to buy this season…that will also last you a lifetime.
Rachel Zoe knows what women (ok, celebrities too) like to wear and look good in. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have the normal girl’s budget in mind when it comes to pricing, but that’s where ASOS and H&M come in.
Now of course these more budget pieces won’t have the exact Zoe detailing that we’ve all come to love, but you can get the same effect with some simple accessorizing and styling approaches that will help you nail Rachel’s classic Parisian girl- on- the- go.
For example, a deep burgundy nail color (loving Essie Carry On right now) and lips (NARS Cruella is a must) with oversized gold jewelry will go a long way. Oh, and how could I forget a fabulous pair of platform boots with some vintage detailing!
And another little secret…her Spring 2012 line is just as major but equally as accessible on a dime…stay tuned and in the meantime here are some of our favorite RZ inspired budget buys!
by cheapchica11 on September 26, 2011
Chances are that if you love fashion, you were watching the E!’s red carpet coverage of last weekends Emmy with the rest of us fashion obsessed .
For the most part I was disappointed with the lack of creativity on the carpet. The ones that that got it right were few and far between but boy were they AMAZE…and one week later we’re still obsessing about their choice of color! Red is hot hot hot for fall, one glance at Kate or Nina and you’ll see why. A glamorous mix of curve hugging fabulousness and class done oh so well.
Can’t afford these Ellie Saab or Donna Karan frocks? No worries dear, we’ve got you covered with the look for less. They might not get you interviewed by Guilianna or Ryan, but they will get you noticed. This we promise.
Red screams “look at me” so making sure your hair, makeup and nails are equally fabulous is a must. And a side note for you red heads (you can wear red!). Whether you go for a rent the runway selection perfect for a glam night our or a more day-appropriate dress, red is all the rage for fall. Go ahead and werk it.
BTW, There is no such thing as the 360 Glam Cam IRL… or we’d all be in trouble, even with our spanx. So rock the red with confidence.
For more from Jammie, be sure to visit her blog, faithfullyfabulous.tumblr.com!
by cheapchica11 on September 23, 2011
Maybe I’ve been overdosing on all things Rachel Zoe lately – I read her daily email (The Zoe Report), watch her reality show on Bravo and I recently stopped dead in my tracks at a certain expensive department store after spotting her classic cool fall collection. I also just saw the new looks from her spring 2012 collection, and I was totally impressed. Whew! That’s a lot of Rachel Zoe and a lot of $$$…but you can get Rachel Zoe’s look without spending a fortune!
The 70’s vibe left over from this spring is still going strong into fall and what better way to get Zoe’s California cool, 70’s-inspired look than with a faux fur vest.
Get the look for less with this trendy BB Dakota faux fur vest. At around $50, it’s affordable, and it will give your otherwise basic fall look a fresh update. This vest comes in a beautiful brown color, different than the cream vest that Rachel wears (in the photo above) – but it’s still a chic piece to wear as part of your sophisticated off-duty look.
There’s also this fabulous faux fur vest from Topshop that’s a bit pricier at $130, but the cream color of the vest looks absolutely gorgeous and it’s a dead ringer for Zoe’s!
There’s a million ways to style your vest in a casual way–but our favorite is with flare jeans, a solid long-sleeved tee, Bordeaux or black suede booties and a leather clutch…or for a dressier look, thrown your fur vest over a dress for a night out on the town!
You can get more of Rebecca’s style tips on her blog young-sophisticates.com and don’t forget to look out for her monthly Look for Less column here on CheapChicas!
by cheapchica11 on September 19, 2011
September is the new January for the fashion forward set…it brings with it big, shiny new glossies, a new wardrobe and NYFW. The city transforms into a heavily caffeinated fashion force fueled by Starbucks and amazing ensembles. One of my favorites from the entire week had to be Miss Lea Michele at Jason Wu. She was dressed in a show-stopping midi skirt that was nothing short of perfection–the hair, the makeup, the clutch…all of it! This is a great example of how just two pops of color (red lip, green bag) can take an ordinary outfit to extraordinary! I mean who doesn’t have black pumps, a black tee and some red lipstick hidden away in their closet or make up drawer somewhere??
But in case you’re missing some of these key elements, no need to fear…we’ve got some fun and frugal finds that can give you a little Wu for less! I see this look taking you from the office to a dinner date or even a fancy Sunday brunch with the girls…where would you wear it?
For more from Jammie, be sure to visit her blog, faithfullyfabulous.tumblr.com!
by cheapchica11 on September 12, 2011
We have loved the leather trend for several seasons now (ps: we’re not talking biker babes, we’re talking fashion) but this season I’m crushing on pleats. Leather jackets, leggings and of course boots are always a part of our fall ensembles…they’re the go to items in our closet, no?
But this Fall/Winter is all about the leather skirt; a girly take on the otherwise edgy fabric. A super plus to this look? The A line shape sets us free of the need for spanx!
Pair the pleats with a blouse for a chic, fashion forward look–offsetting the edge with a blousy (and not fitted) top balances everything out.
Whitney Port styled the skirt with a graphic blouse, bare legs and flat shoes in LA. Kourtney Kardashian went totally NY with black tights, a button down and heels…but both girls are giving us great inspiration for our own styling!
Remember to look for quality when shopping for your own skirt. A good faux version can be hard to find, but this Free People vegan leather option is a fabulous find and since the trend is here to stay, the CPW (cost per wear) can definitely be within a Cheap Chica budget!
For more from Jammie, be sure to visit her blog, faithfullyfabulous.tumblr.com!
by cheapchica11 on August 22, 2011
You didn’t think we were going to kick of the week without a little Kardashian love did you? I mean it’s only one of the biggest weddings of the year!! A huge congrats to the Humphries and while I’m sure her dress was totally gorge, we’re more interested in Kim’s everyday style so here’s one of our favorite recent looks that anyone can wear…not just a million dollar, platinum bride!
Black, white and anything but boring. Kim K exudes glamour, class and style in this Givenchy dress for the Teen Choice Awards. She traded her signature wavy locks for a ballerina bun, went for pointy instead of platform and added edge with the studded clutch and black bangles. Tres’ chic… no?
Perfect for a night out without going straight for that LBD! Stay on point (literally) and under budget with this look for less a la’ Kardashian style. Some designers do the work for you with a black and white color blocked frock but you can also venture out and go for a black skirt and white halter to create your own ensemble.
To lower your CPW – cost per wear: just add a structured blazer and black tights; which are essentials bound to be hidden somewhere in one’s fall wardrobe.
Black and white never go out of style and adding just a touch of personal style with your accessories, you can always keep it on trend and under budget. You could also add a punch of red, falls hottest colors onto your pout for a really glammed up look!
For more from Jammie, be sure to visit her blog, faithfullyfabulous.tumblr.com!
by cheapchica11 on August 15, 2011
Equal parts ballerina and cool-girl, the chain strap ballet flat mixes sweet feminine sensibility with an edgy chain detail. Style icon/actress Diane Kruger, singer Jennifer Hudson, and movie star/model Rosie Huntington-Whitely have all worn these flats.
The fashion world has taken note of Rosie Huntington-Whitely’s casual chic outfits this summer. Her off-duty model looks are just the right mix of pretty and edgy. Rosie wore her ballet flats in the city with a belted midi-length skirt, sleeveless midriff baring top and a bright red handbag. She has also worn her chain strap ballet flats with rolled jeans, a grey t-shirt, and a black motorcycle jacket traveling in style through LAX!
These flats can also be styled with simple jeans and t-shirt, or skinny black cigarette pants, or even a fun and flirty playsuit.
Get the look for less with these Yosi Samra chain strap ballet flats for only $66. The flats come in an ultra-feminine blush color and the detachable ankle-chain gives the flats a more downtown vibe, making this pair of shoes the perfect find for a budget fashionista.
You can get more of Rebecca’s style tips on her blog young-sophisticates.com and don’t forget to look out for her monthly Look for Less column here on CheapChicas!
by cheapchica11 on August 11, 2011
Color blocking has been a trend we’ve seen over the last year, done in so many ways by so many designers. But for some reason this DKNY frock stuck out like no other. Maybe it’s Olivia’s personal style (or that TDF hair) or maybe it’s just that DKNY got it oh-so right–either way, we need this look for less STAT!
A dress like this one does all the work for you…it takes the guessing game out of looking put together and chic…and that’s something I love about this look. Anyone can do it! By adding something as simple as a neon clutch you can change up the entire look with minimal effort but maximum style. I also love that she added an off-color pair of sandals in deep burgundy that end up working like a neutral…but you could just as easily go nude here to keep things simple.
Olivia chose simple bangles and layered necklaces to finish off her look and wow, does she look good! When you don’t have to put so much focus on the main piece(s)-a dress in this case- you can add a little more umph with your accessories!
We review a lot of looks here at CheapChicas but this may just have to be one of our favorites for summer night out. Oh, and this look also happens to be superbly transitional…come fall you can pair with peep-toe booties and a blazer when the air is a bit chillier.
by cheapchica11 on August 8, 2011
InStyle.com recently featured Rachel Bilson and her exceptional style sense as their “Look of the Day” and rightfully so! She’s easily one of our favorite (petite) fashionistas and I’ve loved her style since her O.C. days!
In an Erdum floral button-down blouse, bright red pants, and beautiful leopard Christian Louboutin heels–Rachel was rockin’ the cameras in a very tailored, classy look! The mismatched combination of prints and colors, set the chic factor through the roof with this ensemble! So let me get to the good part..
if you want something similar it’s easier and cheaper than you may think! Like all of you, I absolutely love this outfit but the Louboutins alone would set me back a month’s rent, so I’ve compiled several affordable similar pieces from one of my favorite stores–Zara.com, that look just as fab!
These skinny red trousers featured on Zara’s website are almost identical to the slacks Rachel Bilson is wearing. They sell for $59.90!
This floral top from Zara is lightweight with a fun, simple pattern. It will tuck in nicely to the red skinny trousers and create a very clean, classic look.
This leopard peeptoe happens to be one of my favorite pairs of shoes lately. They are on sale at Zara stores for $29.99! You can’t beat that price! What I love about this show is that it looks way more expensive than it really is and will look stunning with the skinny red trousers!
So see…you can look like a celebrity and still be on a budget…Enjoy!
For more from our newest contributor Vickie, please visit her blog www.fashionswalkin.com!
by cheapchica11 on August 4, 2011
They may just be the “it” boot of the fall and I for one am a huge fan! While I love my high heels (boots included) they are not so fun to walk in and after a summer of teetering around in super high sandals I’m so looking forward to a boot that’s not only stylish but practical too!
The “Dicker” boot by Isabel Marant is a celeb favorite- stars like Kate Bosworth, Nicole Richie and the stunning Rosie Huntington Whiteley (pictured here) have all been spotted in theirs…the only thing is these boots also come with an A-list price tag. $800 bucks to be exact and even at that price, they’re still sold out everywhere! Who knew so many people could afford to buy eight hundred dollar boots!? Regardless of the price tag, these boots are haunting me and they seem to be following me everywhere I go…meaning: I need them stat!
I was on a shoot for New York LIVE a few weeks ago and the stylist on set used a similar pair on a model that she swore were from the GAP…so I’ve been stalking their site since then but nothing yet. Luckily I kept my eyes open and found a very similar style at Zara on sale for $35…but I also found this pair from Steve Madden on Piperlime.
They’re almost identical and for $129 they’re not a bad deal when you think of how much the originals are. If you want this look, I think these are your best bet! SteveMadden.com also carries them in black and cognac (the color Rosie’s wearing in the pic) but if they’re still too pricey you may want to wait for one of those in-store sales or email coupon codes to try and save 20-30% off!
Either way, I’m getting them in two colors and I know they’ll be my go to come Fall!
