The Budget Fashionista

Dear Budget Fashionista,

I'm the female dinner speaker for an evening black tie military event (I'm not military). The soldiers will be dressed in blues and I need to be comfortable. What do you suggest?

Answer: The key to situations like this, when you're speaking to a more conservative and traditional audience, is simple elegance. As the speaker, you want people to pay attention to what you say, rather than what you wear. However, as a....

Continue reading "Fashion Advice: How to Dress for a Conservative Evening Event and Still Have a Little Style"...

The economy is in the tubes. Few of us can go out and purchase a totally new wardrobe. Jerry Pozniak, of Jeeves New York, gives us experts tips on how to maintain what we got.

Plunging Necklines: Breastbone cleavage has made a lasting impression in the fashion world and according to Jerry double-sided tape is not the only thing one has to count on when it comes to keep your most private places covered. “The proportions of a dress....

Continue reading "Expert Tailoring Tips for Women"...

Think you can’t have a dream wedding dress on a budget? Think again. There are plenty of pretty and modern dress options for the bride with a firm bottom line. Check out these selections, all for under $100 each.

This strapless sheath is sleek and sophisticated, for just $89.99 by Isaac Mizrahi for Target. A note: the sash shown is sold separately, for about 40 bucks. You could pick it up and still come in at a nice price, or if you

....

Continue reading "Budget Wedding Dresses: Five Cheap Dresses Under $100"...

There’s no reason that you can’t get a perfectly lovely wedding dress that makes you feel fantastic, without breaking the bank at that haute bridal boutique. Here’s some tips on scoring a cheap wedding dress.

1. Hit the thrift stores. While the rest of what you find there might have been worn to death, most bridal dresses have, of course, been worn only once. Even if it doesn’t fit perfectly, the cash you save will

....

Continue reading "How to Get a Cheap Wedding Dress"...

Many of us make the mistake of completely neglecting what goes underneath. Not having the proper undergarments means that the clothes on top don’t look—or feel—as good as they should. Knowing this, The Budget Fashionista has complied this quick list of five things every women needs in her lingerie drawer:

1. A pair of Assets. Fact: Even the most slender of us women can benefit from a little “packaging� (ask

....

Continue reading "Best Bras on a Budget: Five Things Every Woman Should Have in Her Lingerie Drawer"...

Dear Budget Fashionista,
My Prom is right around the corner and I need help finding a prom dress on a budget. I have about $100 spend. Help!

Answer: You’re in luck, the best time to purchase your prom dress is right now. Most stores are having huge sales on their holiday formal wear and you can find a great, perhaps even designer, prom dress for less than $100. If you’re into

....

Continue reading "Prom Dresses on a Budget"...

What: Holiday shoppers are big on knits of all kinds this season

What the fashion heads say: This, from Women’s Wear Daily: “From dresses to leggings and, of course, sweaters, knits are big sellers this holiday. In a survey of better-priced vertical retailers, knit items — particularly in cashmere — consistently ranked as shopper favorites, both as gifts and self-indulgences.”

What we say: As you might have guessed from all

....

Continue reading "Holiday Trend Alert: Knits"...

The Budget Fashionista and Streetpeeper.com continue to bring you style notes from the fashion front lines

The Look: In London, a blue vintage chiffon top, green vintage coat, black wide-leg pants, blue headband and white accessories, including a very cool blue-and-white hexagon bracelet.

For the Style File: When black is so easy to fall back on, many of us are afraid (or claim we don’t like) to wear color. But it’s a look like this

....

Continue reading "Street Fashion 101: Color Palette"...

What: Save cash by skipping the new holiday clothes, and update last year’s stuff with the hottest accessories of the season (that’s why we keep a Little Black Dress, right?).

What the fashion heads say: Vogue.com says it’s all about “holiday ice”—the jeweled heel and semi-precious necklace. “There’s no better way to bring holiday cheer to the little black dress than a bejeweled sandal with a sexy, high heel,” and “Indulge in the ultimate

....

Continue reading "Holiday Accessories: The Easy Update"...

What: The latest hot skirt length—the midi.

What the fashion heads say: This, from Net-a-Porter: “Midi-length skirts . . . elongate your curves when worn with stilettos or towering platform pumps.�

What we say: ”Midi" technically means mid-calf, though right now it’s more between the middle of the calf and the knee—details, details. We’re kind of loving this length because it’s sexy without being overt, and it

....

Continue reading "Trend Alert: The Midi-Length Skirt"...