On the Runway: Karl Lagerfeld

NY Fashion Week just wrapped up recently, with the hottest models strutting the Fall 2010 collections down the runway.  So in honor of that, I backtracked a little to take a peek at some of the hottest trends for Spring.  One of my faves - Karl Lagerfeld's collection.  It's fairly simple with a lot of black and white, plus a pop of orange-red thrown in there. 

Okay, so I wouldn't exactly try to pull off those giant off-the-shoulder sleeves or what I believe is a basically a romper in the center - because, well, I'd look ridiculous.  So how do you to translate those styles to a real closet and a real budget?  Here's a few suggestions: 

 Top Left:  Short-Sleeve Tee with Cut-Out Sleeves in Black, $34.00

Bottom Left: Wide-Elastic Belt w/Metallic Buckle, $4.99

Right: (Deal of the Day) V-Neck Silk Tank Dress in Red, $22.10**

And a few more: 

 Left:  (Splurge) Button-Front Dress w/Elasticized Waistband and Keyhole Back, $79

Center:  Pleated-Stud Zipper Belt, $4.99

Right:  Button-Front Woven Collared-Dress in Gray, $37

Some cute looks and good deals!  But oh, the shoe addict in me couldn't ignore the heals that accompanied Mr. Lagerfeld's styles.  Have a closer look: 

The look for less:

 

 Left:  Peep-Toe, High-Heeled Gladiator Sandal in Black (also available in Taupe & White), $22.20**

Center:  Open-Toe, High-Heeled Studded Sandal in Black (also in Gray or Cream), $29.90**

Right:  Buckle-Trip Peep-Toe Bootie in White, $28.40

Hot!  I'm not the biggest fan of flat-sandals in general, but I can't walk around in platform heels all the time, either.  So here's your flats: 

  Black Vegan Leather Sandal, $15

I've also got a few Bonus Savers for you: 

**Get 20% off your order at UrbanOg.com with coupon code SPRING, or get free shipping with code FREESHIP

Free Shipping off any Go Jane Purchase over $50 -- GJSHIP50

Get $5 coupon code from Lulus.com when you sign up for their e-mail list.

What do you think of these Karl Lagerfeld-inspired looks?  Have you found any other runway-inspired looks for less?

<3 BF

Summer Lovin'

I don't know about you, but all this winter weather has made me long for some sandals and summer dress temperatures.   And luckily, TJ Maxx has some deals to start stocking up.

This is my favorite buy of the day.  It's a Calvin Klein dress for half price!  This is really one of those you have to try it on to love it dresses, but the bright strokes of blues and yellow instantly bring sunny summer days to mind.

Calvin Klein Strapless "Watercolor" Dress, Reg. at least $100/ TJ Maxx $49.95

Note to "Mad Men" lovers - TJ Maxx has several CK 60's-styled dresses that seem to have been pulled straight from the small screen - and all under $50!

Need a sexy LBD for those summer parties?  Here's a great deal I discovered in the clearance racks.  Check out the on-trend pearl/jeweled neckline!

Ribbon-tie, halter dress with pearl/jewel/sequin "necklace" neckline, TJ Maxx Clearance $15

You can't be beach ready without an amazing bathing suit coverup.  And this turquoise knit dress by Vertigo is the perfect choice.  It even has two little square pockets on the front that are perfect size to keep your i.d.s and cash in so you don't have to lug the beach bag everywhere. (Except of course for your sunscreen.  Sadly, there's no place for that in this dress).  Or put it over a simple short white cotton dress and be bohemian-chic for a cafe lunch.    Plus, the clearance price on this makes this the Deal of the Day.

Deal of the Day:  Vertigo Knit Dress in Turqoise. Suggested Retail Price $185/ TJ Maxx Clearance $23! 

And while you're preparing for those hot temperatures to come, you need some equally hot sandals.  Hello Nine West!

Splurge of the Day:  Nine West Bejeweled Sandals, Retail $75/ TJ Maxx $39.95

Summer, here I come!

(Note:  All of these deals were found in store at the TJ Maxx in Murfreesboro, TN.)

Last Minute Christmas Shopping Online

Hey fashionistas - it's Dec. 15, and that means Christmas is around the corner.  That also means that shipping rates for most places are going up in order to get your gifts there on time.  Ouch!  Don't worry, your BF is here to help, and give you a reason to feel good about yourself (see end of blog). 

Kohls.com is still guaranteeing shipping by Dec. 24th via Standard Ground on orders placed by Dec. 17.  (before 11pm EST / 10pm CST).  And I have another lovely surprise for you.  If you use your Kohl's card , enter the code CHRISTMAS30 at checkout, and you'll get an additional 30% off (plus I hear free shipping on orders over $50)!

Here's the deal I picked up for a gift -

Black Satin & White Ruffled Dress, Originally $68/ Sale $30.60

Price with Code $21.42

Another bonus - $10 is Kohl's Cash for every $50 you spend.  Still looking for some hot gift ideas?  Reach new heights with high-heel boots, or get comfy-cute with flats:

Left:  High-heel Suede Boots in Black, Originally $99.99/ Sale $49.99

Price with Code $34.99

Right:  Buckled Leather Flats in Black, Originally $64.99/ Sale $30.97

Price with Code $21.58

And here's a perfect steal for your mom, grandma, sister -- or any other classy lady in your life:

(Deal of the Day) Freshwater Pearl Bracelets with Gray/Black Accents or Brown Accents, Set of 3

Originally $70/ Sale $17.50/ Price with Code $12.25

Buy any of these items through the links I supplied, and you're also giving back.  Why?  Because each purchase made will donate some of that cash back to charity. 

Merry Christmas Shopping, Fashionistas!

-BF

Steal her Style: Olivia Wilde

Olivia Wilde showed up to The Late Show with David Letterman in a perfect combination of sophistication and spunk.  The gray sheath dress and platform pumps are a pretty enough combination, but the leather jacket over it adds a fun touch of character.

Olivia is sporting a Helmut Lang Sheath Dress in Gray ($485), a Draped Leather Jacket by Vince ($995), and Nude Platform Pumps by Brian Atwood ($520.00).  Final price tag:  $2,000.

Or you can get the entire look for less than $90.00 - shoes and all!

Newport News Metallic Sheath Dress with Drapeneck, $14.99

Newport News Platform Pump in Rich Almond, $39.00

Ruffle Motorcycle Jacket by Charlotte Russe, $34.99

Do you think Wilde's style is worth stealing?

Is there a celeb style you want to steal?  Leave me a link in the comments or drop me a line via email or twitter @bargainfashion

Mad Men

This time,I hit the store to find some great buys instead of digging online. And right now is a great time to do so. Kohl's has several racks full of clearance clothes, including a lot of dresses for Under10. But first --

Favorite Find:  This mock-layered dress is too cute. It's belted with a short turtleneck. The a-line cut is flattering to pretty much anyone, and the whole thing reminds me a little of the fashion in "Mad Men." I paired it with this layered necklace by Candie's.  This dress, normally $58, is on sale for $37.70.  The necklace was about $12.00.  (Note:  I can't find either of these online.  If you can, please link me.)

If you're willing to spend a little more, pick up these black, oxford-style heels by UnionBay.  They're only $24.99 right now, and they go great with a lot of fall/winter styles.

 

Keep warm this fall/winter with this cable-knit sweater dress.  It comes in six colors, but my eye was on the teal.  I layered it over a long-sleeve gray shirt (check the Back to the Basics sale for a good deal on those).  I also added a white belt Simply Vera by Vera Wang.  It was less than $10 on clearance.  The dress is $27.99, but if you order it online right now, enter the code HOMECOMING at checkout and you'll save an extra %20!  Works well over a pair of tights or leggings, too. 

Want to accessorize?  This white, beaded cuff bracelet and matching necklace contrast great against the teal, and match the belt.  Best of all, they're less than $5.00 each!  That's your dress, belt and jewelry for less than $50 (cheaper if you order the dress online).

Best buy of the day:  This empire-waist dress was $8.90!  Hold onto it for your New Year's parties.  Like the other clearance items, you'll have to hit the stores for this one.  The layered-necklace is also available for less than $10.00 I believe.

Three great deals today.  I'll keep an eye out on the "Mad Men" dress for any more price reductions.  If you like the last one, I recommend going to your nearest Kohl's as soon as possible.  Note: all of these styles were found in the Murfreesboro, TN, Kohl's.

And now I leave you with this (I think I'm in love)--

Splurge of the Day: 

Gray faux-suede, calf-high boots with a bow accent.  $49.99 online (down from $79.99) Also available in black or brown.

Back to the Basics

Tons of great deals right now via good ol' Target.  I love Target for clothes now.  In the past few years, they've really amped up their designs by bringing in big names designers to do real-budget clothes.  And if you're willing to dig through the sales racks at the end of a season, you can find some great buys.

Today however, you don't have to do any digging.  Target has their "Back to the Basics" sale going on -- and you can find it online!  And with the temperatures dropping, their sales items are perfect for layering.
Deal of the day: I love the boyfriend cardigan in violet/ivory for $15.00.   I’d recommend an ivory scoopneck shirt (tee, tank top, or long-sleeves.)  However, you can pick up this black-lace trimmed one for less than $4!  Add the dark denim, low-rise bootcut jeans for under $10 (limited sizes available) and you have an entire outfit for less than $30.00!  You can bet that outfit is already in the Bargain Fashionista’s shopping cart. 

Here’s a great deal on a wardrobe staple – the basic black dress -- and this figure-flattering, sleeveless wrap-dress by Merona is on clearance for $14.98.   All sizes from small to xx-large are in stock, but I doubt for long.

While you're there, stock up on long-sleeve crewneck tees for only $6.00.  I especially love the berry for a winter-friendly pop of color, plus they’re great for putting under sweaters of all kinds when it starts getting really chilly outside.  Or for an easy weekend look, just throw on the shirt with a long necklace and jeans and you’re ready in no time.  This is a basic must-have.

Find it here

Today's final find: a sky blue tunic with slit-sleeves and a keyhole back has been marked down to $10.48.  Throw it over some skinny jeans and a pair of black boots.  Add a long necklace (noticing a theme yet?) and you’re good to go.  Kohl's has a lot of fashion jewelry on sale right now, but you’re better off heading to the store for that one.

Bonus Buys: 

+Gray/black canvas tote with zippers – was $44.99, now only $15.74.

+If you spend $50.00 or more at target.com, you get free shipping.