Fashion Blog » 2009 » November

I read a lot of blogs and I keep hearing about something called “Steampunk” and how cool “Steampunk” clothes and jewelry are. So, I set about to find out exactly what everybody is talking about. Steampunk is:

“a sub-genre of fantasy and speculative fiction that came into prominence in the 1980s and early 1990s. The term denotes works set in an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century, and often Victorian era England—but with prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy, such as fictional technological inventions like those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, or real technological developments like the computer occurring at an earlier date.”

So Steampunk fashion and accessories are a clever mix of Edwardian/Victorian but with a harder more industrial edge and some Gypsy and Goth styles added into the mix. Very unique, and very distinctive. Let’s see some of the stuff:

Steampunk Buckle Dress $99.95

Fashion with (bad!) attitude. Buckles, straps and grommets are the hardware on our Steampunk dress-snap-buttoned in back, with buckled straps in front, and a front-center panel of black velveteen. Buckle-adjustable shoulder straps. 100% cotton twill.

Steampunk Scissors Necklace $63

This whimsical Steampunk necklace is given some extra magic with an enameled scissors charm. A garden of enamel flowers in crimson, plum, and copper blooms above the scissors and radiates with vintage watch gears. Vintage watch plates from Hamilton and Elgin peer from the flowers with Steampunk curiosity. A shooting star shines from within the flower garden. The assemblage grows upon a vintage stamping which I have enameled in a brilliant shade of red with purple and blue accents. The necklace is completed with gold tone vintage chain.

Lip Service Black Steampunk Military Jacket $54.00

Be a dapper dandy in this Victorian-era steampunk military jacket that features tails along with accent buttons.

If you love finding designer clothing and accessories at discounted prices you need to sign up for HauteLook.com’s exclusive memebers only experience!  It takes literally a minute to sign up. Not only can you find designer clothing, but beauty products, jewelry, sunglasses and other hot items on sale for awesome prices. Once you sign up and log in, you will be linked to hot sales with items up to 75% off.

Check out this Laundry by Shelli Segel Strapless Mini Dress on sale for 66% off!

$295 For members: $99

Another example of what you might find:

Gold Hawk Silk Georgiette Tunic: $325 For members: $130

Go here to sign up and take advantage of special online sales and events!

Hey! Do you have $2,300 that you want to blow on a Bottega bag? No? Me either. I have a little thing called a “mortgage” to pay and my last name isn’t ‘Witherspoon’ or ‘Jolie’. I keep looking at this bag and wishing they’d have some kind of super sale and drop the price to say… $60 or so. In my dreams, right?!

Bottega Veneta Structured Woven Tote: $2,300

Luxe, woven leather design with two compartments and a tie closure across the opening.

So, since that bag will never be owned by me, I have found some alternatives at more reasonable prices and you know….they’re just as handsome!

SR SQUARED by Sondra Roberts Woven Tote $120.00

There’s no place you wouldn’t be proud to sport this classic-chic tote from SR Squared by Sondra Roberts. Its sleek lines, tasteful details, and woven body show just the right combination of sophistication and fashionable impact.

ECHO Woven Shopper $29.95

Headed for the beach or pool–or even out for a fun day of shopping? Make sure this tote from ECHO tags along. Thick, woven straw gives it breezy, casual style and the size is just right to carry all your good-time gear.

Find more affordable handbags at Smarter.com.

I know Thanksgiving hasn’t even passed yet, but let’s start thinking about what outfits we can put together for all the fun holiday parties we will be attending!

From Kohls.com, here’s a little black dress you can dress up or down depending on which fabulous holiday party you are attending.

LC Lauren Conrad Strapless Dress: $50 On sale for $34.99

Pick a few more items (which won’t be too difficult) and make sure your total is over $75 and you will get free shipping! Offer expires November 18th, 2009 so hurry!

Check out other deals and find Khol’s coupons at CouponMountain.com.

We all love a little of the D & G in our lives, so how to we make sure we’re getting the hottest styles at the best bargain price? Smarter.com’s comparison shopping is here to help. Other than shopping for keywords in the standard Smarter.com search toolbar, you can search by designer and brand on their lefthand navigation. Look for your favorite celebrity looks and styles, all at the best bargain prices brought to you by Smarter Fashion. I wouldn’t support it if it didn’t work.

Some of the top Dolce & Gabbana styles to check out this season:

Dolce & Gabbana Wallet Handbag: $469.00

Awe the crowd with this dandy little purse, sleek and elegant to pair with night or day looks!

Dolce & Gabbana Monokini: $207.00

Sweep the beach with this sassy style, brought to you in the best quality and cut from Dolce & Gabbana’s classic look.

Shop for more Dolce & Gabbana women’s clothing at Smarter.com.

Draped silhouettes are a classic trend that has transcended through time. The grecian inspired garment is a modernized remake of the toga. Draping is a great way to create illusion to a womans body to hide some unwanted imperfections. In the September Issue of Instyle Magazine, they gave some great examples to take the inspiration from runway to real life. Below are some great alternatives for less.

Ponte Wrap Skirt: $29.90

Knit Drape Skirt: $28.90

Delphine Strapless Dress: $24.80

Leiko Bow Skirt: $39.90

Photo Credit: Instyle Magazine/September

Shop for more draped dresses at Smarter.com.

It’s getting chilly outside, so what’s it time to do? Think about buying the staple, a classy coat that looks nice but doesn’t break the bank.

Here are the top 4 winter coats of the season, all under $50! Take a look at these fantastic finds:

Boston Harbour Women’s Faux Fur Sterling Jacket: $35.99

Macintosh Women’s Down Jacket with Pillow Collar from Overstock.com: $46.99

Shield Button Coat from Forever21.com: $42.80

Plain Fur Bubble Jacket from Rue21.com: $24.99

Shop through a variety of women’s jackets and coats at Smarter.com.

The Great Fellini 8 1/2 movie masterpiece is being re-imagined by the director who brought us Moulin Rouge. The black and white grit and ominous imagery of the 8 1/2 original is going to be bumped up with glitzy colors, show tune romps, and a lot of star quality. With a rock out cast that’s too powerful for words, this meta re-imagination of the movie industry is either going to be the greatest money blunder or the best film of the year. We don’t need another Chicago, but we’re always hungry for another Fellini–it’s whether or not it can be pulled off by a contemporary that’s the trick.

To get ready for your own movie premiere, here are some clothes to wear to the theatre in honor of the glitz and glamour that will glitter this screen:

Robert Rodriguez Glitter Strapless Dress: $594.00

Pleaser USA Thigh High Boots: $69.00

Shop for affordable women’s boots and women’s dresses.

Rise and shine!!! Metallics and mini dresses are back with a vengeance. The trend this season is sexy shine. As pictured Kim Kardashian and Elisa Dushku are showing us great examples of this trend done right. Forever 21 and American Apparel have some great alternatives we can all afford.

When choosing metallics there are a few things to consider:

1. The type of material of the garment:  Fabrics with shine if not chosen wisely can come across as low quality (cheap). To prevent this, try the item on first. Is there a stretch to the fabric or do you just look like roll of aluminum foil?

2. No Shine Overload:  I am all for glitz but sometimes there can be too much. If you are going to incorporate shine into your ensemble, please use discretion. Do not ever wear this fabric as a top and bottom. The fashion police will be called immediately. Choose one garment and stick to it.

3. Have Fun:  Metallics are all about fun and making statement. So OWN IT AND BE FIERCE.

Metallic Dusted Dress-Forever 21: $19.80

Foil Print Nylon Spandex-American Apparel: $48

Photo Credit: People.com

It’s becoming almost a necessity to have some sort of electronic Internet device on your body at all times. Usually that means something more compact, like the iPhone, BlackBerry, or a cell phone in general, but most people find that they need to do significant amounts of work on the go, and they need to bring their laptop with them. But you don’t need to carry your laptop around in the Plain Jane black cover you got to protect it from bumps and scratches! And it’s certainly hard to find the right size back to hold your laptop in, considering it’s long and thin shape. So here’s some sleek, fashionable bags designed just for laptop carrying. Brought to you at the best of prices from Smarter.com:

Bramble & Brown Cheltenham Ladies Laptop Case: $179.00

McKlein USA Limited Edition Glenview Leather Ladies’ Laptop Case: $128.00

Shop for affordable laptop bags at Smarter.com.