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.

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.

Here are some of our top choices:

Sequined Tank Top from Net-A-Porter.com: $390.00

This glittery masterpiece is perfect to pair with skinny jeans and a pair of black pumps.

Beaded Silk Blend Tunic Black Dress from Net-A-Porter.com: $485.00

This is a knockout dress that stands on its own. Pair with some glittery strand earrings and keep it simple and elegant.

Shop for more Alice and Olivia clothing at Smarter.com.

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.

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.

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.

Accessories are fabulous! They can really complete an entire look or outfit season after season. Being in Hollywood on a daily basis, it is a constant feast of the eyes for what people are wearing, if they are going with the trends, and of course I like to draw my own conclusions for the outfit choices they’re making. One thing I’ve definitely taken notice of is that the accessories are a little more edgy these days–everything from little lace socks, to faux reading glasses, to long black gloves. These are fun little novelty items, a bit risky, and something to start a little conversation with when you decide to step out for a night on the town…or just want some midweek excitement.

Below are my three of my favorite accessory looks for fall…

I am into these long black gloves! I was in San Francisco a few weeks ago at one of the newer stores in Union Square called Shotwell. Browsing around on the second level, I eyed a pair of long black gloves that were made by Cheap Monday–super cute…and they were about $24. Not too bad I suppose. These are a more inexpensive version, and just as good.

BDG Jersey Ruched Long Gloves $18, UrbanOutfitters.com

How to wear? Very easy. Dig through that closet of yours and find a cute little cropped jacket, by cropped I mean one with shorter sleeves. With shorter sleeves, you can show off those cool looking gloves! It’s a throwback to the dressy evening looks from the 1950’s.

Another trend over all that I’ve noticed is faux reading glasses. This has been going on for quite some time, and I get it…but not really sometimes. I don’t mind it though, but if you’re going to sport an accessory that everyone else is wearing, at least make sure the frames are unique. These Wendy Readers are slightly different than the very common looking Ray Ban frames with clear lenses.

Wendy Readers $18, Urbanoutfitters.com

I’ve been on a sock kick lately, and these little crochet socks are oh so pretty…

Crochet Ankle Socks $4.99, Urbanoutfitters.com

These would look fantastic with some cropped ankle boots and a little black dress. They are a nice variation from typical opaque tights or legwarmers. These would also look great with some black pumps, or some of those trendy lace up oxfords, and they’re such a great price.

Shop for more fashion accessories at Smarter.com.

Recently, the fashion consulting firm I work for has been peppered with requests from web journalists and clients alike regarding the so-called fashion rules. As we all ramp up for the fall fashion season and hopefully, a better economic forecast ahead, women are wondering: are there still fashion rules that I need to follow?

Think about it, in this day where the average person changes careers or companies maybe 7 to 10 times, women become moms well after 40 and you can instantly find out what your best friend in Iceland is up to in 140 characters or less (tweet!) are there really any rules left? Here is a small list we have shared for how to not follow the rules:

1. The old rules, i.e., no white after Labor Day, match your shoes and bags, no jeans at the office, no long hair after 45, designers will dictate the hemline of your skirt, are about as relevant as a typewriter.

2. Don’t wear one designer head to toe; it makes you look like an ad, not a person (unless of course you are getting paid to do so).

3. Mix high and low, this highlights your taste– not your bank account.

4. Dress for your body, lifestyle and taste; don’t just be ruled by your age.

5. Business casual at work gives you a lot of choice, however some suggestions might include: don’t show cleavage, don’t look sloppy, take as much care with your clothes as you do with your work.

6. Stylish women don’t dress for men or other women. They dress to please themselves.

7. Accessories are an instant update. For example, if you take your classic pencil skirt and pair it with tights and a pair of platforms, studded heels or booties for fall, you will look fresh and up to date.

8. Make the trends follow you instead of the other way around. Not sure this whole ’80’s revival is for you? Just take the bit that suits you best. Love strong colors? Use just a pop of neon with a belt, scarf or heel. Love a sharply cut suit? Choose one with strong but not exaggerated shoulders.

9. Put a little color in your life. Yes, black is safe, chic and slimming, but there is more to life. Any dark color can be used to create a long line, slimming line. Step out with deep purple, dusky blue or charcoal gray, always favorites for fall. If you must do black, vary your textures, mix cashmere with leather, lace with wool.

10. For heaven’s sake, have some fun. That is what fashion is for!

A leopard print pencil skirt combines a bit of retro with rockabilly, yet seems refined and modern because it’s a simple cut that can be made office appropriate very easily. If you want to get “Cry-Baby” and wear this skirt with red lipstick, pumps and a pompadour–go for it.

But I would suggest pairing it with black or gold toned ballet flats and a simple crew neck tee in a solid color, a cardigan would be cute, but a cropped blazer would be better. I would wear this skirt with open toe brown strappy sandals until the weather changes, a cropped blazer, and some long gold earrings. Maybe hair back in a bun and nude lips. The trick with animal print is not to go overboard, but to compliment it with neutral shades that keep you looking chic, not oversexed and flashy. Also, pay close attention to the fabrics being used with animal print, try to go with something durable that won’t fade if you put it into the dryer.

Image Source: thevine.com, tinypic.com

All right, some “rockstar” ruffles never hurt I guess, and plus I haven’t picked any Betsey Johnson goods in a while. I do love the color of this satchel…I’m always a sucker for olive green. The ruffles are fun, I just wish it were a different shape is all. I prefer over the shoulder bags always. I have a secret fear of leaving behind a bag I have to carry on my arm or with my hand. Shoulder is best, but this one’s still pretty cute.

The ruffles are snake embossed on this bag. This one should turn some heads!

Betsey Johnson ‘Rockstar Ruffle’ Satchel $179.90

Now this next bag is one I REALLY like. It’s not only a better price, but the design is obscure yet drawing.

I love this Marc by Marc tote bag. A multicolored backdrop with little white clouds here and there makes this tote funky yet almost a little classic looking. Not sure if I’d use this in the fall or winter…probably not, but it would be perfect to start using again come February and keep using through the end of September. $117.60 is a high price for cotton canvas, but just by taking one look at this bag you know you are paying a higher sale price for the design and label. How can you resist?

Marc by Marc Jacobs Women’s Locket Pocket Big Tote, $117.60

So, this last one doesn’t qualify as a “handbag” officially, seeing as how it’s a mini pouch! But, I couldn’t resist this one.

How cute is this little zipper pouch! It’s meant to strap onto a larger See by Chloe satchel bag, which is not under $200 so is not included in this post, BUT it is the best shade of mustard yellow I’ve ever seen and of course I fell in love with it because it says “Dance or Die.” PERFECT! This is my new theme in life. It even has a little record player at the very bottom that seems to be playing out the words. The small graphic design is brilliant, and I would splurge on this and use it as a going out, bar hopping ID and lipstick bag. It seems to be just the right size for this, and strapping around my wrist as I dance the night away…

See by Chloe Dance or Die Small Pouch $66.50

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more handbags.