The Budget Fashionista

 

What: Erin Fetherston Runway Show, Promenade, New York City Fashion Week

The Lowdown: The collection in a word? Ethereal. Erin Fetherston drew inspiration from a favorite childhood storybook for a collection titled “East of the Sun and West of the Moon,” and filled the runway with a fantasy/dreamworld collection of pale hues, filmy fabrics, and lots and lots of, well, frothy puffs. Pastels reigned, with lots of pale pink, silvery blue, lavendar, cream, and white. The garments? Dresses, in lengths varying from super short to ground-sweeping, and in mostly body-hugging shapes (though the floaty sheer nightie-inspired A line did appear as well). The accessories? Er, non-existent—save a turban-style scarf headwrap here and there.

Budget Solution: We have to say, this is the kind of collection that fills little girls with dreamy joy and makes grown women feel like little girls. But on the wearability and translating-to-real-life front? Not so easy. It’s truly lovely (all except for that white ballerina style dress which reminds us of Lara Flynn Boyle’s unfortunate Oscar look a few years back), but will we have anywhere to wear a nearly see-through dress with a skirt created from large fabric puffs all around our hips? Probably not. Still, we love how the pastels and sheer fabrics are so evocative of spring, AND the cinch-waisted shape created by a satiny sash, so we’ll be looking to bring those easy elements (in the form of a sheer blouse, a pale-hued sheer scarf, a satin tie belt) into our rotation of spring basics.

image courtesy of Coutorture.com

 

What: Nicole Miller Runway Show, Salon, New York City Fashion Week Spring 09

The Lowdown: Citing voodoo as an influence for this Spring 09 collection, Nicole Miller brings a little island mystique and a lot of sophisticated sensibility to the runway this time around. Models were swathed in island-flavored fabrics in tastefully muted palettes (think plum, olive, teal, mustard, cream), featuring a mix of feminine and menswear elements, in the form of knee-length to floor-grazing dresses (the former) and vests, jackets, and hats (the latter). As a counterpoint, black and gray figured largely as well, in everything from the aforementioned vests, to tops, dresses, jackets, pants, you name it. Accessory highlights? Long bold beaded necklaces, lots and lots of fedora/pork pie-esque hats (worn quirkily angled), and softly-hued gladiator-inspired sandals . . .

Budget Solution: The subtle colors and emphasis on black are far cry from the eye-popping bright hues of last spring and summer, but bring an element of elegance and sophistication that’s equally refreshing, we think (though we’ll see how we feel after a winter of black and tweed . . .). We kind of love the idea of decking ourselves out in island-inspired dresses that make us look like we’re actually from there, not just tourists. Style notes for the budget fashionista? Pick up some pieces now—like the fedoras, black jackets and vests, gladiator sandals on end of the summer clearance (like this canvas fedora from Forever21 and this strappy platform sandal at Newport News), and think simple—this is a look in which the garment, and not a flurry of fussy accessories, is the focus.

image courtesy of Coutorture.com

 

You can feel the buzz, even if you’re nowhere near Bryant Park, or New York City for that matter—the NYC Fashion Week Spring 09 has begun. Fortunately, we’re in the trenches, covering it as only The Budget Fashionista can.

What: Rubin Singer Runway Show, The Promenade at Bryant Park

The Lowdown: Power to the modern woman – Rubin Singer showed a fiery collection that reminded us we can be fierce without giving up that delicate feminine

Continue reading "New York City Fashion Week Spring 09: Rubin Singer"...

 

You know we love us some Target, and this fall is no exception. From Richard Chai, the GO International line, to some new Isaac Mizrahi, to hot shoes and handbags, we’re feeling a shopping spree coming on. Within our budget, of course. Some Target picks for the season:

GO International School Boy Blazer, Red Plaid, $39.99

Mossimo Black Satin Trench, Berry, $39.99

Isaac Mizrahi for Target Mock Turtleneck Dress, $34.99

MB Drapery Cardigan,

Continue reading "What to Buy Fall 2008: Target"...

Image courtesy of Newsday.

Continue reading "How Would You Participate in Fashion Week: Daily Poll"...

 

The Deal: Shop the Nordstrom shoe clearance sale and save 40% or more.

The Lowdown: Designer and namebrand shoes for 40% off—or more—at Nordstrom is the only excuse we need to pick up a fab pair of shoes for fall. We’re sure we need something more practical, but we just can’t help ourselves with this Chinese Laundry Patent Pump, regularly $69.95 and on sale now for $39.90.

Shop: Nordstrom.

Continue reading "Fall Shoe Sale at Nordstrom: Daily Deal"...

 

Fashion is one thing, but budget fashion is another, which of course is the premise TBF is based on. Kathryn knows whereof she speaks, and has long (five years to be exact) doled out practical advice for shopping without breaking the bank. Her top five budget shopping tips:

1. Know what looks good on you. Just because it looks great in a magazine doesn’t mean it will look great on you. Be honest with yourself about your body. It will save

Continue reading "Top Five Budget Shopping Tips: The Budget Fashionista’s 5th Anniversary"...

 

Image courtesy of Style.com.

Continue reading "Graphic Sheath Dress: Daily Poll"...

 

What: Jonathan Saunders for Target, due to hit stores Oct. 5.

What We Say: Afraid fall/winter means dreary fashion? Not so, if you’re cruising the Jonathan Saunders offerings at Target, which include splashy prints and bold color—put together in an edgy, fashion forward, er, Jonathan Saunders kind of way. Prices will range from $14.99 to $59.99, and are inspired by artists from Jackson Pollock to Rothko to Klimt. These pieces may not be for

Continue reading "First Look: Jonathan Saunders for Target"...

 

The Deal: Free shipping on dELiA*s orders over $25: Use code DWLAFF.

The Lowdown: dELiA*s is a great source for both junior-oriented clothing and trendy shoes and accessories for the rest of us. Where to start? Well, with so many hot footwear trends this fall, we love the oxford heel, like this Bridget style, for $39.50.

Shop: dELiA*s and used this code: DWLAFF.

Continue reading "Free Shipping at dELiA*s With Code: Daily Deal"...