remixing fashion and luxury for reality

Last weekend I met up with Grunchkin for some shop till we drop action in San Francisco (BTW Grunchkin = Grouchy Munchkin. We nearly did drop to our knees by the end of our round. I actually recorded a few videos that day which I’m still considering whether to post them or not

We started out at Wich’ Craft, the latest lunch spot next to Bloomies (opened by the Top Chef guy). It was mmmm mmm good. We then proceeded directly to the Forever21 on Market. This has got to be their Flahship store for Northen Cali if I’m not mistaken. It’s 3 floors! Tip: grab one of their shopping totes and cram everything you want to try on into the bag and head to the top floor — the lines are much shorter. Beware though, you end up picking up a lot more stuff!

I did some minor damage, spending about $250 there. For Forever21 that’s quite a load!

Here are a few of the things I got (found them on their site).

Striped Metallic Top — $15.80

Striped Tube Top — $18.00

Jersey Babydoll — $17.80

Stitched Jumper Tunic — $24.00

Cherry Blossom Tunic — $17.80

Plaid Linen Mini — $19.80

Luxe

Miss Dior Patent Peep Toe Pump at e-Luxury.com – $515

My precious… I’ve been eyeing these for at least 2 months now and I might jump off a balconey if they get sold out before I get the balls to buy them. I first found them on www.neimanmarcus.com and checked back almost daily. One day I clicked and got the "This item is no longer available" message and I freaked. Luckily, I found them again on e-Luxury in pretty much all sizes. I check back every day to make sure my size is still there. Yes, it’s a disease.

Luxe for Less

This looks like a serious candidate for a luxe for less alternate to the Miss Dior Patent Peep Toe Pump. I’d have to see them in person to give a true rating so maybe I’ll stop by Aldo this week. If they’re pretty good I may just consider them and save myself $400!

Slovakia Peep Toe Pump at AldoShoes.com — $100.00

If you can get beyond the cliche name this luxe for less accessories online boutique has some serious bargains. Not that I endorse knock-offs but this site has ‘em, or should I say designer "inspired".

Go to ShopSueyBoutique.com

My luxe picks for the day:

Gwen Sunglasses $14.00

US Mag has a deal on this pair. Spend $40 at shopsueyboutique and get this pair of shades FOR FREE. I like the unique gap between the lens and the curved angles of the frame. It makes the sunglasses sporty but ultra chic.

Lily Belt $12.00

I like these hardware details. I’ve been searching for a belt like this to cinch all the baby doll loose fit tunics I’ve OD’d on.

Bow Hat $20.00

Pauperish but cute.

Stripe Tote $50.00

Something about this bag just makes me want to buy it.

Navy Wrap Dress

Rachel One Shoulder Mini-Dress

Grant Dress

Dharma Tube Dress

Akakoni Leaopard Dress

Lycra Forest Dress

Braided Yellow Halter Dress from Wet Seal

  If you haven’t ventured over to Frugal-Fashionista… this blog is a must read for ballers-on-a-budget. She deconstructs celeb styles daily with affordable pieces from sites like Tar~get, Old Navy, Wet Seal, and Fashion Flairs.

It’s interesting to see how the rise of the celebrity has revolutionized the fashion scene. 10 years ago we used to look to the rather boring and characterless supermodels of the era and perhaps a handful of public icons like Princess Diana or Jackie O. Today, it’s celebrities who rule as the fashion icons like Sienna Miller and Jessica Alba. It makes perfect sense. As societal creatures we look to the people around us for acknowledgement, reasurrance, and acceptance. This goes for fashion too. That’s why we tend to be influenced by other’s people style and fashion sensibilities around us — and often packs of girls tend to dress/look alike. Celebrities are just another source of this extended community. The reason why Frugal Fashionista’s blog works so well is that is enables girls to emulate the style of celebrities on a budget. Way to go Frugal Fashionista!

Some celeb looks not to miss:
http://frugal-fashionista.blogspot.com/2007/03/reader-request-reese-witherspoon.html
http://frugal-fashionista.blogspot.com/2007/01/rachel-bilson.html
http://frugal-fashionista.blogspot.com/2006/12/nickys-street-style.html

Looking good doesn’t always mean you have to unload mega bucks on top of the line designer labels. You can find fashonable clothes for less if you hunt a bit (something I do much much too much). If you’ve got the funds than by all means go for it but for those of us who like to update their wardrobes more often without breaking the bank, here’s a few items for spring you can add to your closet for considerably less. 

Sorry the images aren’t clickable… still trying to figure out Image maps with Typepad. Use the links at the end of the post.

(+Click on image to enlarge)

Where to score:

Luxe:Diane vonFurstenberg Mini Dress

Luxe for Less:Disco Queen Dress

Luxe: Light Pink Joie Broken Wings Top
Luxe for Less: Pink Tully Top

Luxe: Charlotte Ronson Shorts with Tabs
Luxe for Less: Trendy Plaid Shorts List Price

Luxe: Adam + Eve Luxe Babydoll Dress
Luxe for Less: Avery Dress

Luxe: Vince Plaid Bermuda Shorts
Luxe for Less: Plaid Bermuda Shorts

Luxe: Alice + Olivia Cuffed Bermuda
Luxe for Less: Plaid Bermuda Shorts

Luxe: MARC by Marc Jacobs Silk Top
Luxe for Less: Tulip Top 

Luxe: Diane von Furstenberg Locke Top
Luxe for Less: Square Neck Printed Tunic

Luxe: Theory Malta Ashton Blouse
Luxe for Less: Keen & Bright White button-up

Luxe: Jefferson Trench Coat
Luxe for Less: Satin Twill Double Breasted Trench Jacket

Luxe: Rivamonti Khaki Nylon Jacket
Luxe for Less: Lux Cropped Khaki Trapeze Trench

Luxe: Christian Louboutin Round-Toe Pumps
Luxe for Less: Oh Deer! Rounded Toe Wood Platform

Luxe: Christian Louboutin Leopard Platform Mule
Luxe for Less: jayjay Leopard Heel

Luxe: Bottega Veneta Woven Leather Tote
Luxe for Less: Braided Strap Bucket Bag

Luxe: Charlotte Patent Flap Clutch
Luxe for Less: ENDERLIN Clutch

I thought I’d check out what Target sells online. Ever since Luella launched her "Design for All" line there, I’ve popped in the stores to check it out but have never found much more than a few leftover items amongt the desolate racks. I guess you gotta get there early. It doesn’t look like they are selling her stuff on the website but I still found a couple cute numbers from Mossimo and Mizrahi  — dirt cheap.

The following 5 items are all must-have-basics – perfect for layering.

"Mossimo Black" Tube Top in Ebony for $8.99

"Mossimo Black" Sheer-Puff Sleeve Top in Ebony for $9.99

"Mossimo Black" Sheer-Puff Sleeve Top in True White for $9.99

Mossimo Cami Top in Beach House Tan for $12.99

Mossimo Tube Top in Bramble Berry for $12.99

Mossimo Black Sleeveless Woven Dress with Knit Waistband in Bittersweet for $16.09

Throw on a braided belt, flats, some hoops, you’re ready to go.

Isaac Mizrahi Long Sleeve Sheer Pintuck Blouse in Ebony for $29.99

This would look great with black tights, and black or white skirt.