by cheapchica11 on July 29, 2011
Something strange is happening in my closet…while skirts and dresses typically make up most of my wardrobe and most of what I end up wearing on a day to day basis lately I’ve been craving pants like no other. It started back in February when I bought these and it’s been a slippery slope since then.
I’ve purchased more pants in the last 5 months than I have in my whole life! I just can’t get enough of this look and thankfully, most stores and designers can’t either right now. There’s something super sophisticated about a pant-centric outfit that you just can’t get with a skirt and I’m so excited that for Fall everyone is showing them in ultra-bright colors and super tailored skinny styles…some are even ankle length (yay for short girls like me!) so I won’t end up throwing off the proportion when I chop inches off the hem at the tailor!
My latest pant purchase: these vibrant flame Minnie’s from J.Crew. I saw them in-store a few weeks ago and while they didn’t have my size in stock, I was able to order them through the store’s phone line (key for hard to find sizes like 00’s and petites) which got me free shipping and the promo price of $69.50.
Now I know seventy bucks is not cheap but I know I’ll be wearing these through the end of summer and well into the fall…they’re going to be my fall staple and we all know there’s nothing hotter than red for this upcoming season!
If you’re looking to make the change from skirts to pants, I can’t recommend a better style! The Minnie’s have some stretch to them, they’re low-waisted, fitted where they should be and I really can’t say enough about this flame color…just fabulous! Try them, you’ll love them…oh and they also come in black and khaki!
by cheapchica11 on July 27, 2011
So every season there’s a color that draws everyone in. Earlier this summer that color was coral but now that the summer is winding down (so scary!) we’re all ready for a new breath of fresh air when it comes to hot hues and could there be anything more fresh than cobalt blue.
If you follow color trends, you know that not too long ago this color was oh-so hot so if you have any pieces from back then, then you’re already ahead of the game. And in case you don’t, I have plenty of finds (under $100) that will help you add this to your wardrobe stat.
One of my favorite trends of the season is color-blocking so I love seeing it done with cobalt like this ASOS dress for only $48 bucks! And if you don’t love the turquoise and cobalt together, there are plenty of other colors you could mix in…hot pink, purple, yellow or go simple yet chic with white or cream.
Now when it comes to accessories, adding a cobalt belt or shoe can totally update an old outfit. My faves happen to be these from BCBGeneration…I love the thicker straps and with this color its go bold or go home so they’re cobalt perfection!
And check out all of these buys that will surely satisfy your craving for cobalt!
by cheapchica11 on July 26, 2011
If you’re a loyal reader of this blog you know that I like nothing more than shoes (ok, maybe Chanel bags but who can afford those?!) and lately I’ve been taking notice of all the fabulous shoes Michael Antonio has been adding to it’s collection.
I love how they’re able to capture the latest trends at such an affordable pricepoint and whenever I’m looking for a special show that can’t possibly existfor under $500, they surprise me!
Case in point, these gold linen pumps with a fabulous metallic platform…very Gucci like, no? I love neutral shoes but sometimes you want neutral with a punch so when I saw these for only $49 I had to have them!
And in case these aren’t what you’re looking for here’s a few of my favorite styles that won’t break the bank and you can see the full collection here!
by Ann Whitbeck on July 25, 2011
In the world of fashion, the Missoni family is the royal family…I used to visit their boutique inside Harvey Nichols weekly, coveting anything and everything that came out of their fashion house. They are masters at color, knit, and print. They put the
chique in boho, the glam in hippie. Yet I have never had an occasion that warranted dropping $800 plus on a dress. And it seems that every time I found a dress that almost, kind of compared , well it just looked cheap. And I mean cheap in the bad
way, not in the good way!
But a recent trip to Forever21 had me singing another tune about the almost-but-not-quite Missoni look-alikes. Buy these knitted tops now and pair them with your favorite jean shorts or maxi skirt. And in a couple of months, they are sure to be Fall staples. How cute is this one shouldered top?
Now for those of you with spending will power, consider this your Save the Date. Missoni is pairing with Target this Fall to do a 400 piece line of adult and children’s clothes, home décor…even a bike!!! Holy @#$%!!! Someone is going to have to keep me from buying every single item. Don’t laugh. I’m. Very. Serious. This is the Target event to top all Target events. I know, I say that every time but this time I mean it.
I will be camping out for days before the September 13th release. Again, I’m very serious. Last spring we had Wills and Kate’s Royal Wedding this Fall we have the divine marriage between Missoni and Target. Bring on the fanfare!!!
by cheapchica11 on July 24, 2011
There are no words for me to describe just how much I love this outfit on my new “it” girl…Emma Stone. She’s really hitting her fashion stride and at the Friends With Benefits premiere last week. She stole the red carpet from the gorgeous Mila Kunis in this amazing Giambattista Valli dress.
When I saw this dress on the runway I knew it was red carpet worthy and I’m just so excited that Ms.Stone was the lucky one to snag it. She’s breaking all sorts of fashion rules in this number and I love her for it!
by cheapchica11 on July 22, 2011
It’s been so hot lately that the only options I have in the AM are a dress or a skirt…so anytime I see a skirt that could go casual to dressy and look super cute at the same time I’m sold.
I’ve been scooping up skirts during the J.Crew sale but none have been as cute as this Forever 21 one. I love the texture, the length and to be perfectly honest, I plan on wearing it exactly how the model is…with a super light weight denim shirt. And while it may seem a little “western” with all of the Southwest style love we’re feeling around here, it may just be on of my go-to summer outfits for the rest of the season!
Oh and of course we left the best part last…it’s under $20!
by Kate Concannon on July 20, 2011
Well, we are officially tasting the summer heat and with every day getting more hot and more humid, the desire to wear less becomes greater and greater. Unfortunately, work dress codes can be a little restrictive and while in the throws of a heat wave, it calls for some wardrobe creativity.
Day in and day out, skirts and dresses offer an easy solution, but if you are looking for something a little different and edgy, welcome city shorts into your life. I’m sure the word “shorts” are underlined, bold and in capital letters under the “what not to wear,” section of your dress code, but I’m confident that you could walk into your workplace in these shorts and no one would blink twice.
This is a great look if you are trying to remain professional, but at the same time want a little variety while in sweltering conditions. These city shorts from ASOS for $43 hang beautifully on the hips and go down to at least your knee…so on one in HR will be calling you into their office! Throw on a chic button down with a great pair of nude heels, and you will have a corporate meets chic look that stands out from a sea of suits!
City shorts can be taken outside of your nine to five as well. They come in a lot of fun colors, and when paired with a bold top and wedges, like these River Island Belted City Shorts for $60.32, can be a great look for a hot and humid night out with the girls. Skinny belts are very big this season, so play around with different styles.
Hopefully these longer (but still totally cute) shorts will quench you thirst for new ways to cool off in style this summer!
…and for more of Kate’s fashionable point of view and advice, check out her blog LifeSucksInAStraplessBra.com!
by cheapchica11 on July 19, 2011
So it looks like Olivia Palermo may be taking some style cues from Kate Middleton…she looks amazing in this eye popping Victoria Beckham SS11 tangerine dress (which I haven’t seen before) but she went all Kate on us and repeated her Sondra Roberts clutch and those Charlotte Olympia leopard heels. Both items are clearly favorites of hers–evident by how many times she’s worn them both on the red carpet!
This outfit is the perfect case study for proving how simple, yet punchy accessories can really make the difference in expanding your wardrobe by adding versatility and style! And you don’t even have to splurge on them…leopard is one of the hottest prints for Fall and there’s already plenty of leopard pumps out there in the under $50 range! This pair from JCPenney is perfect (and they look comfortable too!) for this look and many more…trust me! Or what about this sexier pair from Wet Seal for only $14.99!
Now if you’re looking for Olivia’s exact bag, good news is you can actually afford it! It’s priced just under $100 but how much fun would it be to own a bag like this…it really will spice up even the most basic of outfits!
Here’s a few ways to get OP’s look for way less…
by Monica on July 18, 2011
The jury is out on fall’s top color…its all about red. The Fall 2011 runways were all featuring a pop of red in their mostly neutral color palettes, from Michael Kors (left), to Marc Jacobs, Prabal Gurung everyone was “seeing red.”
Its no surprise that designers would transition from the bright oranges, pinks, and yellows of summer into a less neon-type space, but one that’s still rich and bright like scarlet. The color screams sophistication and sex appeal, which is what this fall is all about, no? This color also works perfectly with all the camels, khakis, and neutrals we’ve been stockpiling for the last few seasons, making it a stylish and affordable fall update.
While I am in love with this red sheath dress from Ann Taylor’s red accented Fall 2011 lookbook, not everyone is as ready as I may be for this attention-getting color, so f you’re not ready to take on a total red look but still want to make a strong statement, try accenting your summer and fall looks with red pops…
J.Crew has some really inspiring red accents that have given me some great styling tips! Their red Edie bag has a classic shape and the right pop of color that can take any outfit to the next level. I am obsessed with the tote but might settle for the much less expensive pursette. But, J.Crew’s red accents don’t stop there, try their signature ballet flat, chic red scarf, or modern red belt.
For more red ideas, check out below to see what else we love!
by Ann Whitbeck on July 15, 2011
I grew up in the Southwest but I spent most of my childhood trying to look like I was from anywhere but there. Spending time around my Aunt Nancy, who never met a fringe, cowboy boot or blue eye shadow she didn’t like, cured me of any desire to cling to my Southwestern root, but now that I am older, and clearly much wiser, I see the value in the Southwest aesthetic. The vivid colors mixed with earth tones, all American jeans mixed with exotic beading, multiple textures…..the list goes on.
Seeing designers embrace Southwest style for their summer lines doesn’t hurt the appeal either. This picture from the Roberto Cavalli’s SS 2011 might be taking the trend a little too far for those of us that don’t walk catwalks on a regular basis, but but there are ways to work it into your every day style. I mean have you ever seen Ralph Lauren (or any member of his gorgeous family) look bad?!
Southwest style can mean embracing the feather trend with a hair extension, ramping up the silver jewelry , mixing leather and lace, rocking some fringe jean shorts or simply combining a vibrant print blouse with jeans and a fringed sandal. Once you adjust your eye, you will realize the Southwestern style is so easy to pull off with very little effort for a lot of style impact. The look is golden and screams summer in the coolest of ways!!! Even from your office cubicle!
