by Monica on January 7, 2011
Hi Cheapchicas! I have a problem: I am a college student in New York and it’s so COLD out. I’m having trouble trying to layer my clothes appropriately for the weather while still looking chic. After a few sweaters I always end up looking ridiculously bulky/boxy so I almost always give up and throw on a hoody…blah! I already have a cute pea coat but I was wondering if you had any advice for what outfits work best underneath the coat? What pieces are essential for layering in this cold, cold weather? Thank you!
To stay this warm this winter, I love layering cozy, soft knits. In my opinion, the key to layering without the bulk is to pick lightweight fabrics (like cashmere) that are super warm and insulating and then wear those under a heavier sweater or wool blazer. For example, a cashmere/ cashmere blend sweater would look great under a big chunky sweater like this one (that has room under it)…and you get twice the warmth! People also forget how important it is to layer under your sweaters…a tank top just isn’t enough! Instead, try a long sleeve tissue tee for those really brisk days!
Now if you still feel bulky when you have those three layers on, try belting the sweater if it’s more of a cardigan style or you can even belt your coat for a slimmer look like Cameron Diaz in the picture above.
On the bottom, get yourself a pair of fleece lined leggings ASAP or a great pair of skinny cords! Jeans will leave you freezing when the temperatures drop! And don’t underestimate the power of a flat riding boot! They are my winter go-to and both leggings and skinny cords look great tucked into them.
You can even add a little extra pop of color to your outfit by adding a pair of thick knee high wool socks that peek out at the top of the boot to add some fun to your outfit!
And just because its cold out don’t count out skirts–on days when the temps get above freezing! One of my favorite looks for the Winter is wearing long maxi skirts (turban optional!) like the one pictured here with super cozy/chunky cropped sweaters. You can even pull off a mini wool skirt if it’s paired with extra warm cable knit tights like these from American Eagle for $12.50. Just add boots and you will look fashionably put together!
And don’t forget the hat and gloves! When its cold and windy you will need them…and the hat will prevent your hair from blowing everywhere and it can also hide a bad winter hair day! Check out Alloy for a trendy beret and practical but stylish convertible mittens…both under $20!
Lastly, my favorite place to look for inspiration, ELLE Street Chic! They have everyday New Yorkers rocking layers in ways I could never dream of!
by cheapchica11 on October 10, 2010
No matter which look you are going for 20’s flapper or 90’s grunge, there is a Hat out there for everyone. The key is to find the right one for your head, hair, and style. Hats do more than just cover up a bad hair day, they can set off a certain kind of confidence in a person.
There are so many inexpensive choices out there that will enhance your wardrobe. The best part is they can go with multiple outfits, which means you get your moneys worth. A hat can transform a good outfit into a great all around eye catching look. My favorite hats of the moment are anything Fur of course, and the cloche. With the roaring twenties coming back in full swing there is nothing more Gatsby that a Cloche Hat.
If you are a dedicated hat person it might be worth putting the money towards having a milliner make you a hat, but if you’re a girl who loves to follow the hat trends but doesn’t have a ton of money stick with ASOS, Urban Outfitters, and Forever 21 for now. Try out all the choices from Classic to Comfy: felt cloche, snap-brim fedora, slouchy felt gaucho, Panaima, aviator/hunter cap, turban, fur, beret, and knits in all shapes and sizes. Be Bold and try one on!
by cheapchica11 on October 8, 2010
No two names could make me happier, and when you put them together I just get giddy!
Jessica Stam is my favorite model, one of the reasons being she’s not just in the pages of Vogue, she is also in campaigns for Aldo and H&M.
Rachel Roy is one of my favorite designers. She really understands how real women want to dress: fashionably but realistic. I’m already so grateful to Rachel for collaborating with Macy’s to create the reasonably priced and extremely beautiful line Rachel Rachel Roy, but adding Jessica Stam to the bill has made me ecstatic!!
Jessica Stam and Rachel Roy have collaborated on a small 4 piece collection for the Rachel Rachel Roy collection available at Macy’s. This is a limited time collection so you must act fast!
The official launch is later this month, but if you go to the Rachel Roy website you can pre-order the pieces now.
The four pieces come together to create the perfect outfit, all worthy of Jessica Stam! The first piece is my favorite The Stam Cardi, at $99 it’s not cheap but it’s totally worth it because you can wear it with everything dressed up or down.
Next is The Stam Pant $89, black super stretch skinny jean that are super edgy and sleek all at the same time. Then of course we need accessories to finish every look, The Stam Belt $49 and The Stam Bucket Bag $199, which I am completely in love with! The bucket bag is definitely going to be the new must have bag of the season.
The idea behind only having these four pieces is to buy them all which I think is a great idea if you have the money, but who does these days?! For those of us who don’t have the money I say invest in one item that really speaks to you…all of these are pieces you won’t regret having in your closet.
And since the collection is being sold at Macy’s, wait for one of their amazing sales to double up on those promos making this collection even more affordable. Thank you ladies for your collaboration, I couldn’t be more pleased!
by cheapchica11 on October 6, 2010
Everyone in Hollywood seems to being doing….baring it all! But this may be the first time this kind of trend could be considered chic instead of cheap.
Sheer Knit Tops are comfortable, casual and normally something you would wear to bed or around the house, but things are changing. First Sweat, pants now this!?
Stars like the lovely Jessica Alba and Heidi Klum are showing off their bras in these see-through tops, but somehow they’re not revealing too much.
The question now becomes, is this a look that can transfer to your life? It sure doesn’t look cheap on these women, but it’s safe to say that this look is definitely not for everyone.
I think the key is to cover up a little….wear the top with jeans, heels and a blazer. Or try a top that’s not too sheer so that it doesn’t look like you were purposely trying to show off you bra!
This might just be a sexy, yet understated look if you style it just right!
by cheapchica11 on September 22, 2010
Lux, Lux, Lux….Faux, Faux, Faux!!! Some people might think that these two words don’t belong in the same sentence, but I say bring on the Luxurious Faux Fur!
Thanks to stores like H&M and Forever 21, fashion has become more accessible to anyone who wants it so those of us without celebrity paychecks or six figure salaries can still dress in the top trends of the season without maxing out out credit cards!
Considering that I fall into the less than loaded category of consumer, you can imagine my pure joy last Fall when H&M came out with their affordable Faux Furs. At the time, I wanted it all but I wasn’t sure if I was ready to go all out in fur, so I stuck with a few small accessory pieces.
But after seeing Karl Lagerfeld cover the Chanel models in head to toe faux fur I think I’m ready for more and the fur vest is the perfect addition to anyone’s wardrobe!
Thankfully, a faux fur vest is not as intense as a full fur coat so you’ll be able to wear the fur trend without feeling like you’re overdoing it. Try the vest with a floral print blouse and a pair of wide legged jeans for a 70’s inspired vibe or you can go glam and pair your vest with a mini dress and heels for a night out…and if you’re worried about getting lost under your new furry friend, you can also throw a belt around the vest to give it a little shape!
by cheapchica11 on August 27, 2010
One of my favorite things about clothing is that each piece of clothing we wear creates a feeling. That feeling comes mainly from our previous experiences, so whether it feels like a good or bad piece of clothing is a reaction from the inside.
Romance is the feeling of excitement and mystery associated with love. And as far as clothing is concerned, there is nothing as romantic as a feminine blouse. Just like the peasant blouse Olivia Palmero is wearing.
The whole outfit just shouts Fall. Peasant blouses are romantic instead of sexy. They have that barley sheer allure to them that shares just enough without giving away anything. There is a sophistication that is coming back to clothing this Fall. And one of the number one items on the forefront of the movement is the Romantic Blouse.
Match a blouse with a pair of trousers or a pencil skirt for work. For a more casual approach match a blouse with a pair of cut off jean shorts. There are many variations of blouses depending on the collars and the sleeves. Pick which style best suites you!
by cheapchica11 on July 28, 2010
“The New Look” has a new age. In 1947 after the war, Dior made its name by giving women what they wanted, clothes that made them feel like women again! Because fabric no longer had to be rationed for the war the skirts got bigger and the waists got tinnier. This style of dress was dubbed “The New Look” by Harper’s Bazaar.
From the looks of the runways and the red carpets I’d say that good times are ahead! Full skirts and small waists are the way to show off your figure without striping down.
Jessica Alba has been spotted wearing this ultra-femme trend from Paris to Berlin. She looks gorgeous in this Hugo Boss sleeveless checkered dress. By belting this full skirt dress with a gold belt she has taken this dress a notch higher for night.
I found a similar dress from Forever 21 for $24.80. Instead of a checkered pattern this dress has an owl print. It’s not as full as the Hugo Boss version but it will do the trick.
While many of us can not afford Hugo Boss we need other options to keep up with this trend. Check out you local vintage boutiques and try something on with this shape, you might be surprised with what you find. For those who would like something a little fresher, Mod Cloth constantly has this classic look popping up.
Have fun accessorizing these dresses by adding belts and funky shoes to keep it young. In your new throw back outfit you will feel sexy without having to bare it all.
by cheapchica11 on March 25, 2010
Well she did it again! Lauren Conrad’s line for Kohls is back and better then ever. Her take on California’s laid back style is seen throughout her entire collection. From lightweight jumpsuits to airy and ruffled camisoles are just a few pieces of LC’s fab line.
Though the California bomb-shell made her debut on MTV’s hit T.V show Laguna Beach she proved to all of us she’s one fashion icon and designer that is here to stay!
Though her pieces for this spring are really cute they’re not that original but hey…. who cares right? Lucky for us these LC garments will range anywhere from $20 to $60. 
After looking at LC’s collection for Kohls there were countless items I would deffinetly purchase including this “LBlueD”, which retails for $39.99. I really love the color and find it super cute for any summer function, not to mention it totally reminds me of 3.1 Phillip Lim’s yellow mini dress LC wore back in ‘09.
And while you fill your online shopping cart with a few of LC’s Spring pieces don’t forget that Kohls is offering Free Shipping on all orders of $75 or more!
by cheapchica11 on March 4, 2010
Dear Cheap Chica,
I just received my BCBG Bandage Skirt in royal blue and I don’t know what to wear it! Please help me style an outfit for this awesome skirt!!
Thanks!
Tiffany
Dear Tiffany,
I have to say that your choice in skirts is fabulous and I’m so happy to hear that you chose it in royal blue! The bandage skirt is one of the hottest trends we are seeing this season!
If you’re willing to go bold, my advice is to hit up a primary color and find a unique silhouette like this top from Forever 21. This one is a little on the longer side, but you’ll be tucking it in and I like the contrast of a voluminous top with such a tight fitting skirt.
A top in a bright, attention getting color like yellow combined with your royal blue skirt will make your outfit look new and seriously updated.
Now if you’re looking for something a little safer, choosing a simple black tank can complete your look as well. Celebrities such as Lauren Conrad and Rhianna and have both been spotted in this sleek and sexy look.
In this look here Conrad chooses to accessorize her blue bandage skirt by keeping everything else black…and this definitely allows her skirt to be her main attraction!
When it come to shoes opt for a high pump in any neutral tone for the bright outfit and a black shoe for the simpler look.
The great thing about the bandage skirt is that it’s totally versatile…you can wear this with anything from tanks and tees during the Spring/Summer and with cute leather jackets and your your favorite blazer all year long!
Here are some of my favorite picks for styling your newest purchase…
by cheapchica11 on November 30, 2009
If you’re like me and you chose to sleep in on Black Friday then I’m sure you’re gearing up for Cyber Monday!
For those of you that don’t know, Cyber Monday is the online equivalent of BF but you can shop from the comfort of your own home (of office cube!) and you don’t have to deal with lines, 
crowds or overly aggressive paretns hoping to score a set of Zhu Zhu pets for their kids!
There’s a lot of great deals to be found and if you ask me, my greatest resource for finding those deals is you…my savvy shopping readers!
So today, I’m asking you to share your best finds/online discount with everyone and leave a comment on this post with a link to what you think is a great and un-missable online sale.
On Tuesday, as a reward for your generous tip, I will pick one commenter at random and the chosen one will receive a FREE $25 Visa check card!
So to kick things off here are three great sales happening right now:
Charlotte Russe: BOGO 50% Off site-wide
New York & Company: 50% entire site
JCrew.com: Get an additional 20% off holiday sale items with code EXTRA20, plus free shipping on purchases of $150 or more.
