Flat Brooke

Velvety Vixen

No longer just for horny robed men with pipes, velvet is back and better than ever! Modern cuts mean that velvet dresses are wonderfully wearable, (and just in time for the upcoming wintry weather)!

Infallible Forever21 has some great affordable apparel, as usual:

(I love how the floral pattern of the first and the sheer sections of the last two prevent the frocks from appearing too youthful!  ”Velvet Flowers” dress and “Textured Velvet” dress  priced at $27.80; the second option, dubbed the “Fitted Velvet” dress is available for $24.80.  Prices and images from forever21.com.)

Lulu’s has a stunning, (and stunningly affordable), option in gorgeous golden shade:

( Want to smolder at your next holiday party?  Look no farther than this molten masterpiece, aptly-named “Hot of Gold!”  DO. WANT.  And for forty dollars?  CAN. HAVE. Image and price from lulus.com.)

For those who may not want to commit to being fully-clad in the majestic material, consider accenting your wardrobe with these items from Modcloth:

(Modcloth never fails to present stylish and sophisticated options to its buyers!  In order:  ”I’m Pumped Heel” available for $34.99; “Glamorous Gait,” also known as Brooke’s next purchase, available for $34.99;”Tranquil Nights” available for $39.99.  Images and prices from modcloth.com.)

To feel good fabrics and prices,

Brooke

Bustier Your Spirits

Feeling like a walk, (or saunter), on the sexy side of life?  Slip into one of fall’s hottest pieces:  the beautifully bold bustier.  

It was difficult to locate items that didn’t look like they belonged to one of tomorrow night’s festive frolickers, but a few stores managed to exude the essence of chic, not cheap.

Forever21 brings the rocker edge:

(Sequins and leather and sex appeal, oh my!  First item available for $19.80; second piece available for $24.80.  Images and prices from Forever21.com.)

From JCPenny’s Olsenboye collection, a clearance item with a more girly take on the trend:

(Down from $50.00 dollars to $24.00!  Pair with a cozy sweater to bring this sweet and summery item into fall.  Image and price from JCPenny.com.)

Lulus has the last budget option with a little basic black bustier:

(Flirty for $30.00!  Sweeten with a full skirt and jacket or spice up with skinny jeans and heels.  Photo and price from lulus.com.)

For a bit more you can channel your inner Sophia Loren with this Modcloth morsel:

(Inspire amore in this little number for $64.99!  Price and photo from modcloth.com.)

To channeling your inner siren without splurging,

Brooke

Crossing Over

Fashion has taken a cue from beleaguered students everywhere and fallen for cross body bags this fall.  What I love about these purses is their versatility; they can be used to carry fairly large loads easily or simply serve as just an academically-inspired accent to your outfit.

(Kirsten Dunst looking fly even in casual wear thanks to her Ralph Lauren Covered Lock Cartridge bag….did I mention it costs $2895 dollars?!  Image and item name from coolspotters.com/price from ralphlauren.com.)

For those of us not up to spending a couple thou on…anything, really, other options are available. Forever21 has this bag for only $22.80:

(Cutout Floral bag from Forever21. The cutouts add a girly touch that livens up the handbag, IMHO.  Price and image from forever21.com.)

Modcloth, however, earns the title of captain of cross body bags; the prices are almost triple those of Forever21’s bags, but so are the options.  Two of my favorites are:

(The Persimmon Poise Satchel, available for $64.99.  I hate actual persimmons, but love this color more than is healthy.  It’s roomy, cute, and makes a statement appropriate for work or play. Image and price from modcloth.com.)

(First Internship Satchel available for $59.99.  Isn’t this very Rory Gilmore? I feel more competent/caffeinated already just looking at it! The item is out of stock at the moment, but Modcloth is usually great about restocking requested items.  So request, people! Image and price from modcloth.com.)

To crossing the line with budget cross body bags,

Brooke

The Price is Tight

In my last post I mentioned how tights can transition a summery piece like shorts into a fall-appropriate item; this ability makes them a must-have item for ladies in chilly weather who don’t necessarily want to toss out their favorite pieces and wear long pants all winter.

(The Pretty Little Liars in Pretty Little Tights…I love Aria’s lacey ones! Image from xoxomegzi.blogspot.com.)

(Great budget basics…the first and third options are $7.80 apiece and the second one is available for only $6.80!  Image from forever21.com.)

More daring styles require a more lenient budget; Modcloth has options more in line with their retro-chic aesthetic:

(1. Creme Fraiche Tights are usually $14.99; they’re sold out now, but notify modcloth.com and they are usually able to reorder them.  2.  You Seam Different Tights available for $17.99.  I love these…much more retro-sexy than chic. 3.  Laugh On Tights for 29.99.  This pair caught my eye immediately for the sunny color and gorgeous pattern. Images from Modcloth.com.)

My last find is from Etsy, with prices only slightly higher than Modcloth’s.  The shop is called “tattoo socks;” from the images below, you’ll see why:

(1.  Fabulous Forest Symphony Tights for 21.00. 2.  Follow Me Tights for 23.00. 3. Sexy Peacock Feather Tattoo Tights for 18.00.  Both less painful/expensive than a real tattoo and a surefire way to turn heads even if the remaining bits of your body are warmly covered up in your favorite winter coat.  Images from etsy.com.  Shipping not included in listed prices.)

To getting a leg up in style,

Brooke

Inexpensive Emma Watson

Living in the South means you have three choices when the weather’s hot and humid, (which it usually is):  bum it in your athletic shorts, give Daisy Duke a run for her money,  or find some smart-looking shorts in a quality material.  Given the choices, I would take a style cue from film actress and fashion darling Emma Watson and opt for the third selection.  (If it’s cooling down where you live, this post still applies; just add tights for a fall weather-appropriate take).

(Emma looking amazing in lace shorts.  Image from socialitelife.com)

She looks fantastic, but I’m going to take a wild guess and say that this outfit is probably affordable only to an actress as successful as Watson.  Luckily, Modcloth and Forever21  have a budget friendly take on two key pieces of this outfit:  the lace shorts and the blush blazer.  Several sites offer good deals on the nude pumps.

After seeing the shorts selection, I would turn to Modcloth in a time of style need.  Every other store, including my beloved Forever21, has options that are either more casual than upscale, or more dowdy than stylish.  Need proof?  Look no farther than these “Take the Cake Tea Shorts.”

(A bargain for the quality at $44.99.  Image from modcloth.com)

You’ve seen the blush blazer before, as worn by the gorgeous Blake Lively two posts ago.  Here it is again, from Forever21:

($29.80 from forever21.com.  It’s turning out to be quite the versatile blazer: useful for creating looks both uptown and quirky chic!)

Finally, the nude pumps.  Sometimes timeless transcends trends; a nude heel will never not be in vogue, (as an added bonus, they make your legs look crazy long). 

I found two options for the heels, courtesy of amiclubwear.com and payless.com:

(First pair from amiclubwear.com for $18.99, second from payless.com for $34.99.  Whether the nude veers towards pink or beige, each pair of pumps is a deal!)

To the inexpensive emulation of an icon,

Brooke