Fashion Blog » 2009 » October

Why only play dress-up for Halloween? There are plenty of ways to change your costume everyday and be a little more glamorous, a little more edgy, a little more provocative–and it doesn’t take witchcraft or a bag full of candy to get it done! Take a look at some of these fine costume jewelry pieces I’ve been hunting down to go with my own costume this holiday weekend. They’re not ghoulish, but pleasing, their not sleazy but classy. Am I getting a little too into the holiday spirit? Maybe…but you can too with some of these inexpensive costume pieces! Everyday can be Halloween, if you want it to be.

Costume jewelry and accessories are fun because they impersonate the really fancy jewelry but cut the price! What’s not to love?

Here are some of the top costume accessories on the market:

Antique Goldtone / Topaz / Rhinestone / Lead&nickel Compliant Metal / Pendant / Angel / Necklace from BlueBellWholesale.com: price and sizing shown when you create a free account.

This website is a goldmine! Sign up for your account and find out how you can purchase beautiful items like this, and many others!

Black Flapper Headpiece from PartyCity.com: $4.99

Party like it’s 1925 with this stylish headpiece.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s look-alike glasses from ecrater.com: $14.95

Who doesn’t want to be Holly GoLightly with her gorgeous pearl necklaces, little black dresses, and beehive hairdo?

Shop for affordable costume jewelry at Smarter.com.

We all love the knee high boots from last year’s style, I personally still wear them to the bone. But what about the fashionable bootie that’s making a statement this fall, even without your help? Here’s how to get in on the best new fashion footwear, the ankle boot! There is a plethora of designs and colors and shapes and heel sizes for the ankle boot, but you want to make sure you get the boot that fits your lifestyle and your wardrobe. Here are some tips:

Ankle Boot Shopping List:

• Go for a heel that’s going to make the ankle boots as wearable as your knee high flat-heeled boots from last year. That means no stilettos, girls. Remember, boots are cold weather footwear, meaning you should at least be able to consider wearing them through a little residual rain and snow or ice. Make sure it’s a boot that can take it, even if you maybe don’t want to put it through the trauma.

• Go for a color or design that’s knockout! No plain Janes around here. Buckles, colors, cuts, you name it. Just make sure that the cutoff for the boot doesn’t make you look like you have a cankle. Some of the boots are just a little too wide at the top, and drift to the side of unattractive.

Some top boots to consider:

Bloomfield Booties from ModCloth.com: $42.99

The color and little ankle tie on this boot are so cute!

Mudslide Boots from ModCloth.com: $49.99

The suede is a bit of a risk, but look at that stylized heel! So chic.

Find discount ankle boots at Smarter.com.

Winter in the Midwest is no joke. If your feet get wet and stay cold, you can easily cause damage to your skin. Last year I tried to get away with not buying decent boots, but that was a huge mistake. This year, I’ve wised up and I am getting real winter boots. I could get some sweet moonboots ala Napoleon Dynamite….

But I think I like these instead:

Sporto Women’s Patch Winter Boots $88.95 Free Shipping!

This is a great price for nice winter boots! They would look really cute with skinny jeans.

Not only will the Patch go great with your favorite outfit, it will protect you from all the elements. It features a rounded toe design as well as a suede upper. This boot is waterproof and features Thermolite construction which provides warmth and comfort without weight, even when wet. It’s the lightweight fabric that provides heavy-duty performance because it’s fabric made with hollow-core fibers that trap air for greater insulation. It dries 20% faster than other insulating fabrics,and 50% faster than cotton.

Salomon Uma Softshell Winter Boot $129.95

These are great, they’re really unique but they’re totally functional. Nice!

Zip up the Salomon Women’s Uma Winter Boot after a day of skiing in Jackson and hit the town. The softshell upper on these boots retains the sleek look of leather while protecting your feet from rain, snow and mud. Try wearing your leather high-heel boots out into the snow and at best you’ll get ruined boots, at worst a twisted ankle and ruined vacation. A ribbed back panel stretches to fit around your calf so snow can’t sneak in, and the Uma W boot’s grippy Contragrip sole gives you traction on slippery sidewalks as you head to the bar. A fleece lining keeps your feet warm during the brutally cold nights.

Shop for more affordable women’s boots at Smarter.com.

At first glance, eShakti seems too good to be true. Fabulous clothes with unique boho flair, handmade, in sizes 0-26W…..and affordable….AND custom. That’s right, if you order something and want a sleeve shortened, the hem lengthened: they will do it for you with a minor fee.

So who is eShakti?

“eShakti makes distinctive designer clothes for women. We offer custom-size as well as standard-size. And our custom-styling option makes it truly unique - you can make a top/bottom shorter or longer, change the sleeve length or the neckline, the way you want it. We are based in Seattle, USA and Chennai, India.

Our design team creates magic. They work at the details; a lot of the designing is hand-crafted. In some, hand-working starts with the weaving. In others it is the fabric texture, detailing, hand-block printing, or embroidery. We like cotton, linen and silk, but also use some man-made fibers. Our clothes are comfortable to wear – customizing helps this further. ‘Comfort and workmanship’ is our design philosophy.” (read more)

I’ve read a lot of reviews online, and the majority is very positive. eShakti is very popular with plus sized women because they offer such wonderful customization and styles that aren’t always available in plus sizes.

I’m putting an order together for myself, check out the cute stuff that is about to find a home in my closet:

Smooth cotton satin top is designed with precise pin tucking along the front and back yoke that releases at the waist and finished with leafy print at the hem and cuffs.

Pintuck trapeze top $39.95

-Cloth covered button-and-loop front closure.
-Three-quarter length sleeves with banded cuffs.
-Mid-thigh length.
-Side slits at hem.
-Cotton satin; machine wash.

This would be so cute with jeans!

Pleat front kimono silk top $34.95

High-sheen, drapey silk shapes a gorgeously subdued top with an easy cut through the body. Pleated layers on the front offer a structured contrast, while curved side panels cleverly convert to floaty flutter sleeves.

-Center back zip.
-Curved hem.
-Hip length.
-Silk; dry clean.

This is a sexy top! $34.95 for 100% silk?! WOW!

Shop for affordable plus size clothing at Smarter.com.

Paul&Joe SISTER, the Parisian up-and-coming fashion and accessory line, started in 2006 and has grown in popularity do to it’s celebrity patronage and unique shoe and handbag designs. Paul&Joe SISTER combines chic French simplicity and iconic, well-built footwear and handbags to craft a unique look. Paul&Joe, an original very retro-chic fashion label, has been reinvented by it’s “sister” label for a more urban look.

Paul&Joe clothing is available at such sites as revolveclothing.com and net-a-porter.com. What does it mean to be a Paul&Joe SISTER kind of girl? You’re tied to your roots and the classic look, but you’re tough and ready to fend for yourself in the city, out on the town, or in the workplace. Paul&Joe SISTER designs are crisp enough to be worn in a business casual setting, but also sexy and well made enough to be worn to a nice dinner or family gathering.

Some of the must-haves from the Paul&Joe SISTER collection include:

Paul&Joe Sister Wool-Blend Mini Dress from Net-a-porter.com:$180.00

With a draped neckline and raised hem, this is a little black dress with a bit of pizazz. What can you do to make it special? Pair it with some iconic Paul&Joe SISTER heels or a leather handbag, favorites of celebrities such as Rachel Bilson.

Paul&Joe SISTER Mazed Fringe Handbag from Net-a-Porter.com: $162.40

And the best for last of Paul&Joe SISTER’s collection is the update on the classic ankle boot from last season: zip front, fine details, thicker body with smaller heel make this pump truly a work of art.

Paul&Joe SISTER Perine Zip Front Pumps from ShopBop.com: $504.00

Shop for women’s shoes and mini dresses at Smarter.com.

Making a big splash on the runways right now is the Balenciaga Leather Jacket with it’s asymmetrical zipper, fine details and warm brown leather design. The originals have been selling like Hot Pockets off the racks and online markets, but where can you find your own look for less? Here’s what Smarter.com can offer you in the way of fashionable leather jackets for the season:

Women’s AE Moto Leather Jacket: $250.00

Jou Jou Faux Leather Women’s Jacket: $49.9

Forzieri Brown Italian Leather Motorcycle-style Zippered Jacket: $648.00

Shop for more women’s leather jackets at Smarter.com.

We will all look back years from now on this generation of high school/early undergraduate sorority sisters and think about how influential the television show Gossip Girl has been to the clothing style. Pearl earrings, ribbon headbands, heels to school and knee-high stockings to boot. Target.com is capitalizing on this influence by starring an elite collection from Anna Sui inspired from the Gossip Girl characters. Maybe a little deterring in it’s overt capitalization on the brand, but still–worth a look (I couldn’t resist).

Let’s see how Anna Sui has refashioned the fabulous looks of Gossip Girl’s main characters:

The Anna Sui for Target Feather Dress - Metallic Grey from Target.com: $69.99

Probably my favorite of the Serena looks, it’s short, glitzy, and has a bit of an ethnic vibe to it with the feathers at the top (though I don’t think feathers are exactly how Serena would go, except when she’s in the school play).

Anna Sui for Target Floral Metallic Jacquard Dress - Blue Print from Target.com: $44.99

Blair is by far the most iconic of the Gossip Girl characters, her style stretching from the severe button up high-necked Victorian dress to the ribbon headband + Audrey Hepburn black combination. She has the most recognizable, cohesive style, I would say, of all of the characters, and I think Anna Sui did a fine job of capturing the Blair Waldorf character.

Anna Sui for Target Silk Patterned Dress - Multi from Target.com: $59.99

I’d say Anna Sui fell a little off the style train when she designed the Jenny line, with the last two pieces of the set being almost complete train wrecks. I enjoy this first silk patterned dress though, and believe it looks like something Jenny would have designed on her own. Personally I would have played off the green silk dress Jenny designed that appeared in the finale of Eleanor Waldorf’s fashion show. I’m such a nerd.

Anna Sui for Target Silk Wrap Dress - Geo Floral from Target.com: $59.99

Ms. Sui did surprisingly well at designing for Vanessa Abrams, the bold Brooklynite attending NYC this season. I really enjoy this vibrant wrap dress, which actually is very updated and fresh for the Vanessa style.

Modcloth.com has just announced it’s fall season highlights, and I am absolutely in love with their wintery/autumnal mix of colors. Modcloth is affordable and exciting, and if I had the bank to pull it I would love to buy from Modcloth’s style book every day of the week. But Smarter.com has a few select items that can help recreate the Modcloth look without having to pay the bill. Here’s a few tips:

BB Dakota The Shearer Coat in Yellow,Winter Coats & Jackets for Women: $120.00

Women’s Striped Sweater-Knit Berets: $9.50

Harley Davidson “Payton” Women’s Brown Boots: $54.95

Find more women’s boots and women’s coats at Smarter.com.

If you feel your wardrobe is lacking a pair of basic black yet dressy enough for special occasions type boot, this pair is perfect.  They are made of leather and were originally priced like real leather boots.  They are on clearance right now for about $147 off! Now instead of buying just one awesome pair of boots to last you through the fall and winter seasons, you can take the extra money and buy another pair for about the same price!  Don’t forget that Endless.com offers FREE overnight shipping and return shipping.

Charles by Charles David Women’s Liberation Boot: $178.72 (Was: $324.72)

Find more women’s boots on sale at Smarter.com.

Alloy.com:� Free shipping over $25 - AKPAFF (Exp: 10/15/09)

Bluefly.com: $30 off $150 - CMOUNTAIN30 (Exp: 10/31/09)

CharlotteRusse.com: Take an additional 20% off all sale items - AFFSALE20 (Exp: 10/10/09)

Delias.com: Free Shipping over $25 - DXPAFF (Exp: 10/15/09)

eDressMe.com: Free shipping on orders of $150 or more - free150 (Exp: 10/17/09)

Nordstrom.com: Free shipping when you purchase any pair of shoes - SHOES (Exp: 10/26/09)

OldNavy.com: 15% off any order of $75 or more - ONPLUS15 (Exp: 10/08/09)

Shoes.com: Save 15% on your order - FALL (Exp: 10/31/09)

ShoeSteal.com: Save 15% on your purchase - FALLSTEAL09 (Exp: 10/31/09)