Delias
Save Up to 80% at dELiA*S End of Season Clearance
The Deal: Get up to 80% off at dELiA*s clearance PLUS: free Shipping on your dELiA*s order of $75 or more with code DXBAFF.
The Lowdown: One might think that, this time of year, clearance sections would include only winter-worthy sweaters and the like. But, being all cute and junior-focused, dELiA*s current clearance selections include tanks, tees, and spring hues. Go figure.
While some of us can’t get one well-endowed calf into a pair of dELiA*s denim, for those who can, we’d suggest you go ahead and pick up something spring appropriate, like this Carrie V-Neck Cami for $14.99 or this Alyssa Twist Cami
for $9.99, and wear them as shown (with a cardigan or jacket) for now, then shed the extra layer when the sun starts to thaw things out . . .
Shop: dELiA*s and don’t forget to take advantage of free shipping with code DXBAFF
15% Off New Arrivals at dELiA*s With Code
The Deal: 15% off dELiA*s entire new collection with code: NEWYR15. Ends Feb. 5, 2009.
b>The Lowdown: While the winter clearance sales are always our first stop, right now, with 15% off your total order, we’re thinking that dELiA*s devotees—you know who you are, and you know what size you need to be to shop there—should consider new arrivals for any spring events that might be filing up their social calendars. We’re suckers for a feminine party dress, and dELiA*s has a few we just might consider—feminine, spring-hued, and flattering shapes—were we not, oh, just a year or two past our prom/spring fling days. Right.
Our top three:
Michelle Dress, $54.50
Bridgette Dress, $44.50
Georgia Dress, $39.50
Shop: dELiA*s
Revisiting the Little Black Dress
“THESE PRODUCTS ARE NO LONGER BEING SOLD”
What: The classic Little Black Dress as your budget go-to piece for fall/winter 08.
Why: If you need your fashion dollars to stretch even further than usual right now, it’s time to revisit that old standby, the Little Black Dress (or LBD). If you don’t already have one (and instead give into temptation each season to purchase a new, trendy, here-now-gone-tomorrow dress) we have some advice for you—get one. It may not be the most exciting option, but it is the most versatile, and with the right accessories? It’ll take you from function to function through the holiday season, in great style and without breaking the bank. Fortunately, black is in this season, and you’ll find everything from a simple sheath to some edgier options, as well as pieces that can go from casual to dressy. And as every good budget fashionista knows, value and versatility are the keys to being truly well dressed.
We’ve picked a few options (for under $50 each) that should take you through the season; just add a big clutch, a pair of peep toe pumps, and a statement piece of jewelry (maybe a chunky necklace or a metallic cuff bracelet) and go.
Knee Length Basic Dress, $19.90, Forever21
Isaac Mizrahi for Target Embroidered Lace Dress, $39.99, Target.
Isaac Mizrahi for Target Envelope Back Dress, $49.99, Target.
Mock Neck Ponte Knit Dress, $39, Newport News
Plus size: Cachet Matte Jersey Dress, $49.90, Nordstrom
Women’s Plus Notch-Front Dress, $32.50, Old Navy
New York City Fashion Week Spring 2009: Richard Chai
What: Richard Chai Runway Show, New York City Fashion Week Spring 09
The Lowdown: We’re sort of on the fence with this collection from Richard Chai. What we liked: soft fabrics, neutral hues intermixed with just enough deep color to keep it interesting, and an emphasis on the hourglass female form. What we didn’t love so much: baggy rolled-to-the-knee semi-sheer pants, some sack-like dresses, and a couple of pajama-looking ensembles. Again, black made a strong appearance, and, in general, waistlines rule for Spring
Budget Solution: Honestly? There was no standout element here that we haven’t already covered in shows earlier this week. We do think, however, that this dress from Delia’s, the Mariella dress for $44.50, evokes this Richard Chai piece, for less.
image courtesy of Coutorture.com
Free Shipping at dELiA*s With Code: Daily Deal
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.
Fashion Trend: On the Fringe
What: The latest thing in fashion embellishment—fringes.
What We Say: We thought maybe it was just us, but we’ve definitely noticed a significant increase in fringing lately, on everything from shoes to handbags to dresses . . . and as long as they’re not on the sleeves of a cropped purple suede jacket with giant shoulder pads, we figure they might be okay to try out. With the Roaring 20s being touted as the next big decade for fashion inspiration (more on that later) we’re kind of partial to a fringy dress (and especially after seeing it on So You Think You Can Dance’s Cat Deeley on the show’s finale—so cute). As with all embellishment trends, moderation is key. If you love it, pick one piece to have fun with and stash the rest of your cash for a rainy day.
Some Fringe Finds We Like:
~ Silence & Noise Lace Trim Tank Dress, $98, Urban Outfitters
~ Flapper Dress by eDressme new york, $72 (comes in a host of vibrant colors plus black)
~ Tasha Fringe Hobo, $34.50, Delia’s
~ Savannah Beaded Wristlet, $23.99, eBags
And For Something More Subtle:
~ Tiered Fringe Earrings, $9.99, Urban Outfitters
~ City Style Multi-Colored Scarf, $16.95, New York & Company
Summer Fashion: Colored Denim
“SOME PRODUCTS ARE NO LONGER BEING SOLD”
What: Colored denim is cycling back to the top of the trend heap.
What We Say: More than a year ago colored denim (a la 1985) started to make the fashion rounds. It’s popularity had been marginal on the whole (meaning it didn’t quite make any waves between the coasts) and we were pretty much ready to write it off completely, but a recent resurgence has us taking a second look. We’re seeing lots of teal blue, red, and yellow denim, and after all those primary colored dresses slipping into a pair of jeans is kind of a welcome change, if you ask us. The best news? If you picked up a pair last year and they’ve been sitting in your closet every since, all you have to do to be on trend is pull ‘em out and slip ‘em on. Priceless.
What? You don’t know what to slip ‘em on with? When in doubt, keep it simple—the color is statement enough. Think neutral tee or tank (or throw in a top with some horizontal stripes —like this henley—if you want to have a little more fun), with some wedge sandals or ballet flats, and maybe a chunky necklace if you want to dress things up a bit . . .
Some colored denim picks we’re digging, for less:
Straight Leg Jeans, on sale $19.99, LaRedoute
Style & Co. Petite Colored Five Pocket Jean, on sale $19.99, Macy’s
Morgan Low-Rise Skinny Jean, $48.50, Delia’s (buy one, get one half off)
Buy One, Get One: Delia’s.com
The Deal: Buy one pair of jeans or pants at Delia’s, and get the other half off!
What We Say: Don’t be afraid to take advantage of this sale just because Delia’s is conventionally a younger woman’s store. If you want stylish and affordable denim, head here. The shapes and sizes range from skinny jeans, wide-legs, to cropped pants and bright colors. Fall is approaching rapidly (unfortunately) and you’ll need to cover up.
Check out some of the choices:
The Morgan low-rise skinny grey jeans are a touch dressier than blue denim—they’re so versatile you’ll keep them around forever. Now $44.50.
If you don’t want something as curve-hugging as skinny jeans, check out the Reese low-rise skinny boot-cut jeans. They’re casual, leave more room for comfort, and come in four washes. Now $39.50.
Pictured: The Sophie ultra low-rise flares have a wider leg and a bigger flare than boot-cuts. Now $39.50.
Lauren Conrad: The Look For Less
“SOME PRODUCTS ARE NO LONGER BEING SOLD”
Like it or not, reality TV star Lauren Conrad (of The Hills fame) is a stylista to watch—and her look, we have to say, is usually spot on. It’s a youthful vibe, but with classic accents and without all that super-fad-conscious nonsense. As the weather warms up, we like this fuss-free look—a neutral sundress, white handbag, and very LA shades. Hard to go wrong with that; here’s how you can get it, for less:
Sunglasses: Wet Seal, $7.50
Handbag We removed this because the bag sucked (thanks Roxy for the heads up)
Get a Free Gift: $10 For Trying on Jeans at a dELiA*s Store
THIS COUPON IS EXPIRED. FOR CURRENT COUPONS AND DEALS, PLEASE VISIT TBF’S ONLINE COUPON PAGE.
Man . . . the retail world must be hurtin’. Yet another offer of a gift for just coming into a store..
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dELiA*s Coupon: 15% Off Online and In Store
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Save an additional 15% off in store and online at dELiAs*cOm!. Just print out the coupon and bring it in store or use coupon code 15OFF at checkout when shopping online.
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Great Online Discount Stores
figleaves.com
- One of the biggest online lingerie stores in the UK now has a US based site and if you have a hard to fit bra size, this is the place to buy your bra!. They have a huge selection of designer undergarments,
sleepwear, and swimwear from Dolce and Gabbana, La Perla, Chantelle, and more.
They also have great online coupons and a huge selection of bras from sizes AA
to JJ.
Alternative Outfitters. Prior to discovering Alternative Outfitters, when I of thought vegan clothing I thought of large, unstylish pleather shoes. This online store has cruelty-free versions of the latest trends that even self-centered fashionistas like myself would wear.
Angelamoore.com. The popular Angela Moore catalog comes to life on the site, with quick links to their handcrafted beaded bracelets and homeware items like vases.
Asos.com. A British based site that has affordable “designer inspired” clothing. The site is arranged according to the celebrities who wore the more expensive versions of the clothing.
Bare Necessities.com. Head to Barenecessites.com and view their bra and underwear guides for detailed information and tips on finding the perfect foundation. They also have a nice selection of bras for every size.
Beauty.com. This online store stocks the top beauty products from brands like Philosophy, Nars, and more. Plus, they almost always have online discount coupons.
Bluefly.com. This site has a large assortment of designer bags from Marc Jacobs, Anya Hindmarch, Fendi, Ferragamo, and more for up to 65% off. They usually don’t stock that many of these bags, so when you see one, you need to buy it ASAP.
Coco & Delilah. Ever hip, this store is great for casual wear from designers like Tocca, Nanette Lepore, and Lacoste for up to 60% off retail prices. I’m also a big fan of the Smashing Grandpa line of funky t-shirts.
dELiAs*cOm. Although this store is known mostly for its causal teen wear, dELiAs*cOm is the perfect source for trendy shoes for Budget Fashionistas of any age. Head to the site and find designer-inspired versions of the latest styles, in sizes up to 11, for up to 75% off the price of the designer versions.
ebay.com. eBay is a Budget Fashionista’s secret weapon. The online auction site is the best place to find designer goods at rock bottom prices. However, beware of auctions on high end items that sound too good to be true. Protect yourself by paying for your items with a credit card with buyer protection or through the eBay owned paypal system.
eluxury.com Owned by the parent company of Louis Vuitton, this online store houses the official Louis Vuitton online store as well as sells bags from designers like Celine, Marc Jacobs, and Christian Dior.
Forzieri.com. Based in Florence, Italy, this online shop has an impressive selection of leather goods, fine jewelry, and stylish apparel. Prices on the main site can be pretty steep, so click on the outlet section for exclusive deals on the best in Italian fashion .
Fred Flare. Great site for those who want a little more edge to their accessories. Hipsters head to Fred Flare to find everything from earrings shaped like guitars to the affordable bling of the Loop Bags.
Gap.com. I will always love the Gap, no matter how much they may stray from their denim roots. Its site is still one of the best places online to find jeans and t-shirts in normal people sizes (up to a XXL in tops and up to size 20 in pants online) and normal people price ranges. Plus they often offer free shipping for purchases over a certain dollar amount.
Ice.com. This site was created with the Budget Fashionista in mind. Quality diamond and gemstones in stylish settings and prices you can actually afford.
Jockey.com. Their incredibly comfortable line of cotton bras and underwear make Jockey an excellent stop for the anti-underwire crowd.
La Redoute.com. French women have been raving for years about La Redoute, and finally, American women can benefit from their amazing collection as well. The site has special lines from high-end French designers like Jean Paul Gaultier and Cacharel. This store is probably the only place to find a Jean Paul Gaultier bustier for $29.95.
LUSH. This international beauty phenomena has a wide range of great smelling, cruelty- free products. Their rock star soap goes well with my shower renditions of “Stairway to Heaven.”
Nordstrom.com. The online version of this higher-end department store has a large selection of
shoes and a pretty decent clearance section. The site is especially good for budget fashionistas with hard to find shoe sizes (below a size 6 and above a
10). Particularly impressive is their selection of petite and plus size fashions, which is much more diverse and stylish than their in-store offerings.
Oldnavy.com Trendy items in a wide range of sizes for prices you can afford. Old Navy has firmly cornered the flip-flop market. They actually made the plastic sandals you used to buy at Walgreen’s, stylish and affordable. All you need is $10 and you can buy an entire summer sandal wardrobe. Get an Oldnavy.com Coupon.
Overstock.com . This is the biggest outlet store on the web, which sells everything from scooters to scarves. It is the perfect one stop shop for busy moms who want to pick up something for the kids, but also want to score a little something for their closets as well. Overstock has their own line of clothing, called Prague, which produces “designer inspired” fashions.
SmartBargains.com Loehmann’s and the discount website Smart Bargains, joined to together to put Loehmann’s amazing selection of designer goods online at the joint venture. You’ll find a huge selection of designer bags from Gucci, Tods, Prada and more for up to 80% off retail prices.
Target.com. Target has the best, and one of the biggest, everyday underwear departments in the country. If only they had a fit specialist on hand. I also love their hip, affordable, sleepwear sets from Swell by Cynthia Rowley and Fred Said.
Victoria’s Secret. This lingerie store, with its popular catalog and online site, is a favorite of mall dwellers and teenage boys. Although I wouldn’t necessarily suggest this store for support bras, it’s a great place for sexy bras, trendy apparel, and jeans.
Wal-Mart. Believe or not, Wal-Mart has an excellent selection of designer-inspired pieces for ridiculously low prices. I found a sterling silver heart link bracelet, similar to a version sold at the high-end jewelry store, Tiffany’s, for less than $20 dollars. Only you and the cashier will know you bought it from Wal-Mart.
YOOX.COM.
This European online store is chock full of the best designers from Gaultier to Galliano. It’s sort of like your cool, techno-pop cousin from Italy. You can see what the clothing looks like on the mannequin that strangely floats in the middle of the screen. Selections moves fast, so be prepared to purchase what you like because it might not be there once you come back.
Zappos.com. If you have feet, you can find a pair of shoes at this amazing online shoe store. Zappos lives up to its name as the biggest shoe store on the web, carrying designer shoes and accessories from Vera Wang, Casadei, Judith Leiber, Roberto Cavalli, and more. They have a huge selection and carry tons of sizes. Plus, they always have free shipping.Searching through the site can be a bit daunting, but their huge selection of women’s, men’s, and children’s shoes from Emilio Pucci to Keds, guarantees you will find something to fit your budget. Plus, someone was smart enough to offer both free shipping and free returns.
Answers to Common Swimwear Questions: The Budget Fashionista’s Guide to Swimwear Part 5:
In part 5 of our swimwear guide, we answer your questions ranging from “do dark suits help you tan” to “the difference between lycra, spandex, etc.” Have a swimwear question? Contact me.
Answers to Common Swimwear Questions
Question 1: Lycra, Spandex, nylon, Supplex – what’s the difference and why should I care?
Here’s why: each offers a unique fit and function. First, decide if you are wearing a suit to sunbathe or swim. If it’s the former, choose a soft, lightweight fabric like cotton or Supplex. If it’s the latter, choose a suit with higher Lycra (spandex) content.Still confused? Below is a mini glossary of common swimwear fabrics:
Nylon: Nylon was developed in 1938 by DuPont as the first completely synthetic fiber. The material offer resilience, abrasion resistance and high flexibility. It’s often added to natural fibers to boost a garment’s durability.
Cotton: Cotton suits are softer and comfier than nylon but rarely form fitting. They lose shape, shrink and bleed and fade colors.
Supplex: Supplex is another DuPont invention which offers the plush touch of cotton with the strength, durability and performance of nylon – but softer. Plus, it won’t wrinkle, shrink or fade.
Lycra/Spandex: Lycra/spandex won’t ride up or slip off while you swim or ride the waves. A bonus: The higher the spandex content, the greater the slimming ability. But, keep in mind spandex fibers break down easily with exposure to chemicals in swimming pools, hot tubs and even sunscreen. You’re not alone and miracle products do exist. Take for example, Panache’s molded gel underwire bikini tops (available at figleaves.com). They not only resist water and maintain shape in and out of water, but they present a pretty convincing breast-lift. You may also want to try other tricks like front-tie halters to define cleavage and boost your bust. Finally, there’s always regular underwire for lifting and sculpting any chest size. If the thought of waiting in line to try on a handful of suits in a teeny tiny fitting room with unflattering florescent lighting doesn’t appeal to you, then online shopping is a great option. It’s worth noting that most e-commerce sites – including figleaves.com, Bluefly.com
Tricot: Tricot (nylon-spandex) is generally constructed from four-way stretch fabric, meaning your suit moves with you.
Question 2: I’m small-chested but every time I wear padded tops in the water the inserts get soaked and lose their shape. How can I avoid this problem?
, victoriassecret.com, dELiAs.com
and Target
—offer comprehensive size listings and charts and hassle-free return policies (so you can try suits on at own home and then send them back if you change your mind). Also worth noting, a few sites, including Lands’ End, now offer high-tech display software like My Virtual Model, so you have the option to “virtually” try on your swimsuit before you buy.
Question 4: Are there any suits that will get rid of my cellulite?
Clothing does not remove cellulite; the easiest way to disguise it is by sporting cute boy shorts or sarongs. A nice tan can also reduce visible the dimples and cottage-cheese- like texture of cellulite.
Question 5: Will dark suits help me tan?
A dark suit will not increase the intensity of sun exposure to your skin. However, there are some new suit manufacturers that claim their swimwear actually helps you tan. One company, Cooltan, uses a unique patent-pending fabric knit with millions of tiny pores. The pores provide as much coverage as a medium-level sunscreen, so results will not be drastic; your suit-covered skin will receive as much sun exposure as the rest of your sunblock-slathered body.
The Budget Fashionista’s Guide to Swimwear
The Budget Fashionista’s Guide to Swimwear Part 1: The Do’s and Don’t
The Budget Fashionista’s Guide to Swimwear Part 2: What’s Hot and What’s Shot
The Budget Fashionista’s Guide to Swimwear Part 3: The Best Swimsuit for Your Skin Color
The Budget Fashionista’s Guide to Swimwear Part 4: What’s Hot and What’s Shot
The Budget Fashionista’s Guide to Swimwear Part 5: Answers to Common Swimwear Questions
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