Jul 12, 2008 | Media
by Carly J. Cais, Fashion Designer & ChicSteals blog
As a designer – my line is RIVETED Clothing & Accessories – I’ve developed an eye for style over the years, and an appreciation for the fact that sometimes, designer pricetags can be downright scary. While life necessitates a splurge once in a while on that can’t-live-without-it fabulous item, much of the fun of fashion is mixing high with low to create outfits that are creative, and also budget-friendly.
Each week, I showcase five hot designer-style steals (each for $100 or, in most cases, for much, much less)…along with one must-splurge item. To celebrate the official start of summer here in the Northern hemisphere, we’re showcasing nature-inspired pieces that are seemingly straight out of the garden. So shed those layers, and infuse your wardrobe with flowery frocks, leafy jewelry, and sandals adorned with blooms. With these frugal, floral finds, everything will be coming up roses:
FLORAL SKIRT Oversized blooms in a smart minimalist print keep it chic rather than too flowery, while godets produce a universally figure-flattering fit-and-flare shape. Pair with ankle-wrap espadrilles and a black vest or a simple white tank and killer gold jewelry for carefree summer chic. At just under $20, you could splurge on both color options, pale blue/brown and shades of pink…spend $75 or more at Kohls.com and get free standard shipping! Apt 9 Floral Godet Skirt $17 at Kohls.com.
FLOWERED FROCK Bring on the verdant vibe in this unexpected and fresh shade of green. The red, yellow, and brown in the rose-print harkens back to Victorian floral designs, but the bubble hem and sexy halter neck create a more modern hourglass. Just add nude sandals and a little wicker clutch – and you’re set for the next beach party or Saturday shopping excursion…and not even the sweltering humidity city can bring you down. Jennifer Dress $40 at Delias.com.
BOTANICAL BLOUSE This super-cute screenprinted kimono top comes in a number of options – black, tan, gray, white, and royal blue – and would look equally fabulous with a skinny pant, legging, or short shorts. The generous sleeves balance the low-cut V-front, and the lightweight fabric makes this perfect for long nights of dancing, or as a cute bikini cover-up at the beach or pool. Jersey V-Neck Kimono Dress $33 at Fashionjunkee.com.
LEAFY EARRINGS Unlike just about every other flowery earring out there, these unique brass-and-verdigris leaf earrings from indie designer Jade Gideon’s We Dream in Colour line are sophisticated without being too girly, and would look just as good with a LBD as with an embroidered hippie tunic. Demeter Earrings, $28 at StarsAndInfiniteDarkness.com.
FLOWERY FOOTWEAR Marked down from $120 to $95, these are high enough at just under 4″ (3.75″/90mm) to lengthen legs, but still comfy enough to stand up to a stint on bridesmaid duty at a friend’s summer wedding. Whether you wear them with a white sundress or skimpy khaki shorts, don’t forget the leg bronzer! Hale Bob Rosette Sandals $95 (sale) at VictoriasSecret.com.
SPLURGE OF THE WEEK: TATTOO-INSPIRED TEE The tattoo-inspired, celebrity-fueled rock ‘n roll t-shirt is in high demand these days, so give the come-lately’s a miss in favor of the original designer, Christian Audigier. So much attention was paid to the exquisite detail of this rose-patterned tee – gold foiling, tattoo ink hues, a touch of bling – you only need to pair it with jeans and let it speak for itself. Perfect for days when you’re feeling less flowery and more about showing off some savvy streetstyle. Black Faded Floral Design Short Sleeve Tee $143 at ShopDivine.com.
If there are any high-priced pieces you’d like me to find similar, less costly versions of, please email me at carlyjcais AT fashiontribes DOT com. ‘Til next week, fellow bargain-hunters!
– Carly J. Cais
Jun 15, 2008 | Media
by Carly J. Cais, Fashion Designer & ChicSteals blogAs a designer – my line is
RIVETED Clothing & Accessories – I’ve developed an eye for style over the years, and an appreciation for the fact that sometimes, designer pricetags can be downright scary. While life necessitates a splurge once in a while on that
can’t-live-without-it fabulous item, much of the fun of fashion is mixing high with low to create outfits that are creative, and also budget-friendly. Each week, I showcase five hot designer-style steals (each for $100 or, in most cases, for much, much less)…along with one must-splurge item.
This week, celebrate the start of summer in something inspired by the blue of the ocean (or the local pool, depending on where you live). From elegant azure to robin’s egg, these five breezy pieces will keep both you and your budget floating in an ocean of calm:
FLOWERED FROCK Florals are a huge trend for spring/summer, and this tunic is as chic solo, as over white capris, chocolate brown sandals, simple jewelry, and a killer (faux!) tan. Jarassic Floral Tunic, $88 at ArdenB.com.
SKY BLUE SKINNIES When it comes to luxe denim with high-street styling but low-budget friendliness, Cheap Monday is the way to go. This mid-rise skinny gets a sexy update in cheery aqua, while the tight, stretch silhouette would look fab with a loose vintage-print tee and sky-high round-toe pumps – perfect for heading straight from the street to a swanky club. Cheap Monday’s The Skyscraper in OD, $65 at Karmaloop.com.
SKINNY BELT It’s amazing how a thin pop of color at the waist can bring an otherwise drab outfit to life. This little belt – also small in price ($10!) – will pay big style dividends paired with everything from tunic dresses to trenchcoats to tight little tees. Xhilaration Skinny Patent Belt, $9.99 at Target.com.
PATENT PURSE The must-have of the moment is patently, well, patent. Pair this sweet satchel with other touches of patent (shoes, belt, headband), but balance all that shine with a matte outfit so as not to blind innocent bystanders. The interior pockets keep everything organized and neat…and the $30 price is equally neat. Bisou Bisou Patent Trimmed Printed Satchel, $29.99 (sale) at JCPenney.com.
OVERSIZE GLASS RING For a chunky, funky statement piece, try this eyecatching bauble by Orfeo Quagliata for Phuze Crystal. Handmade, no two are exactly alike, and because it’s crafted from glass, you can leave lovely rainbows in your wake when you gesticulate. Dop Ring $66 at Unicahome.com.
SPLURGE OF THE WEEK: CHIC WRAP DRESS Diane von Furstenberg rode to fashion fame (and fortune) on one simple principle: the wrap dress makes anyone, regardless of size or body type, instantly chic and fabulous. This cobalt version in a crinkly summer-weight fabric comes with a detachable slip lining to keep things cool when the mercury starts to rise. Pair with the season’s gladiator sandal and some glamorous oversize sunnies to look more DVF than the wrap dress queen herself. Solid Wrap Dress, $150 at BananaRepublic.com.
If there are any high-priced pieces you’d like me to find similar, less costly versions of, please email me at carlyjcais AT fashiontribes DOT com. ‘Til next week, fellow bargain-hunters!
– Carly J. Cais
May 22, 2008 | Media
As a designer – my line is
RIVETED Clothing & Accessories – I’ve developed an eye for style over the years, and an appreciation for the fact that sometimes, designer pricetags can be downright scary. While life necessitates a splurge once in a while on that
can’t-live-without-it fabulous item, much of the fun of fashion is mixing high with low to create outfits that are creative, and also budget-friendly.
Each week, I showcase five hot designer-style steals (each for $100 or, in most cases, for much, much less)…along with one must-splurge item. This week, stay cool and collected at the office in sophisticated monotone –
but not monotony! – with chic separates sassed up with a few well-placed splashes of gold. Here are five fabulous picks that will keep you looking polished and professional, but priced at under $50 each, they keep your hard-earned cash right where it belongs: in your wallet.
- CROPPED JACKET A cropped jacket is the perfect way to look retro, yet very 2008. The 3/4 sleeve and lightweight fabric help keep a working girl cool during the sweltering summer months, while the darts lend a sweetly feminine vibe. And since black goes with everything from jeans to a cocktail frock, this one is an absolute steal at just over $20! Laura Clement Retro Cropped Blazer on sale for $22 at Laredoute.com.
- A SHAPELY SKIRT Do the typical knee-length black pencil one better with a slight tulip shape…gently pleated to enhance your curves. Pair with a trendy shrunken vest for some Oliver Twist gamine, or sex it up for a date under a breezy, lacy blouson. Pleated Front Skirt $20 at Forever21.com.
- CHUNKY CHAIN NECKLACE Who knew 36 little inches could yield such style dividends? Wear it long & opera-length, or wrap it twice around the neck for collarbone-grazing gleam. Feeling daring? Try it as a belt or even to bring an otherwise boring old LBD to life. Plus, it’s from Girlprops.com which means it arrives in that too-cute zebra print bag which begs to be repurposed as vase for faux flowers in a kitschy ode to Betsey Johnson. Gucci-licious Chain $40 from Girlprops.com.
- SEXY PUMP Take a walk on the wild side in gold zebra-print suede, or rock some 80s punk appeal in black patent. Either way, they’re only $40, and are guaranteed to put in the overtime when you slip out of your work trousers and into a pair of weekend leggings or bold graphic tunic. Low cut pump on sale for $39 at VictoriasSecret.com.
- TRENDPROOF TOTE To avoid falling prey to fashion victimhood, balance off the sexiness of the stilettos, bling necklace, and shape-silhouetting skirt with a more buttoned-up bag. Not only will this well-made bronze satchel with the pickpocket-proof zipper hold your Blackberry, appointment book, water bottle, iPod, makeup case and other life gadgets (though leave the legal briefs at your desk), but it epitomizes work chic, allowing your to show off your Almighty Good Fashion Sense (TM). Mossimo Four-Poster Bag $23 at Amazon.com.
- SPLURGE OF THE WEEK: A CHIC BUTTON-DOWN From gaposis to droopiness in all the wrong places, most “fitted” blouses are anything but. Rebecca & Drew have cleverly solved this problem with a line of buttondowns and dresses that are sized according to bra size, guaranteeing a perfect fit. Though pricey, they’re soft, long-wearing, easy to launder, and most important: keep you gap- and droop-free on those long work days. A fab investment in your work wardrobe that will climb the corporate ladder right along with with you year after year, promotion after promotion. TrioFit Slimfit Shirt $137 at RebeccaAndDrew.com.
If there are any high-priced pieces you’d like me to find similar, less costly versions of, please email me at carlyjcais AT fashiontribes DOT com. ‘Til next week, fellow bargain-hunters!
– Carly J. Cais
May 16, 2008 | Fashion, Media
by Carly J. Cais, Fashion Designer & ChicSteals blog
As a designer – my line is
RIVETED Clothing & Accessories – I’ve developed an eye for style over the years…and right along with it, a nose for a bargain. Half the fun of fashion is looking fabulous without needing to declare bankruptcy. Each week, I showcase hot designer-style steals (each for $100 or, in most cases, for much, much less)…along with one splurge-worthy item.
This summer, be the envy of the crowd in a cute suit. There are tons of pre-Summer sales to choose from, making this the time to snag some swimwear for a song. Here are five ways to stay cool by the pool or brave the waves in style this season:
- OMBRE EVERYWHERE Reminiscent of 60’s tie-dye, but updated for 2008, this alluring gradiant color-wash – seen on all the A-list spring runways – has found its way to swimwear. Fade from seaweed-green to sandy-gold in a hot-hot-hot little side-tie triangle…and for strutting down the beach at your most fabulous, pair with white accessories – especially bangles, sunglasses, and a caftan. Victoria’s Secret Very Sexy Ombre Sliding Triangle Top & String bottom – $38 (each).
- MOLTO MONOKINI – aka side cut-out suits – provide the stay-put-ness and tummy coverage of a one-piece, with a healthy dose of skin-baring sex appeal. Say ahoy in the nautical chic of a striped-top and anchor print bottom, which is also available in an extended-torso version for $40 from Delias…which means you can set sail looking fab, but with your swim budget still intact.
- SEXY HARDWARE Gold rings, silver brooches, jeweled dangles…metallic accents add a fabulously shiny touch to this year’s suits. Even modest swimwear gets glam with something hard thrown into the mix, however, for hardcore sex appeal, this down-to-there monokini with an enticing trail of O-rings provides just enough coverage to leave him breathless. For sunset cocktails, simply tie on a low-slung pareo and head for the cabana. 3-ring monokini – on sale for $35 (was $70) at Carabella.com.
- BOLD GRAPHICS Prints are a major trend this season, especially over-sized, brightly colored and eyecatching. From floral to psychedlic, a fab one-stop shopping option is Venus Swimwear, which carries a staggering array of styles, colors, and sizes. The Mocha Java print two-piece is simultaneously sophisticated and mod…just add a breezy coverup and some glistening gold-flecked body oil. For just over $55 from Venus.com, the price is definitely right.
- RETRO GIRLIE GIRL Make a splash in a high-waisted pin-up number from MyBabyJo.com, one of the best online sources for retro chic. The halter-neck supports and accentuates your curves, and the boy-cut bottom conceals the tummy-control panel within…so all bystanders will see is you looking slim and trim. For added bonus points: coat your nails in lipstick-red polish. Two-piece cherry-print suit – $70 at MyBabyJo.com.
- SPLURGE OF THE WEEK: AN ICONIC DESIGNER For the perfect suit, sometimes it’s worth investing in a tried-and-true designer label. DVF does not disappoint with an itsy-bitsy bikini in an on-trend (but not overly trendy) safari’ish print. Diane Von Furstenberg Stone String Bikini – $175 at IntermixOnline.com.
If there are any high-priced pieces you’d like me to find similar, less costly versions of, please email me at carlyjcais AT Fashiontribes DOT com.
‘Til next week, fellow bargain-hunters!
– Carly J. Cais
May 9, 2008 | Media
by Carly J. Cais, Fashion Designer
As a designer – my line is
RIVETED Clothing & Accessories – I’ve developed an eye for style over the years…and right along with it, a nose for a bargain. Half the fun of fashion is looking fabulous without needing to declare bankruptcy. Each week, I showcase hot designer-style steals (each for $100 or, in most cases, for much, much less)…along with one splurge-worthy item.
Since beach season is almost upon us, now is a great time to drop some cash on cute workout threads that will motivate you to drop some poundage.
Looking cute will help your workout from becoming stale, and not only are these five fab finds functional, they’re as easy on the wallet:
CELLULITE-BUSTING BOTTOMSThese leg-bettering compression shorts will also give you a, well, leg up on regular spandex bicycle shorts! Wear them under your workout clothes, and while you’re logging miles on the stairmaster, their patented mesh wave boosts blood circulation, helping slim and tone your lower half. They’re also infused with antibacterial silver ions which not only aid in detoxifying the skin, but mean there’s no stinky sweat residue. And at $45, they won’t make a dent in your savings. Solidea Silver Wave Micro-Massaging Bottoms available at BlissWorld.com.
PERFORMANCE FLEECE Not all fleeces were created equal. This Lands’ End ThermaCheck 100 jacket is wind-resistant and fights static cling for as long as you have it. The variety of zip-pockets will help keep you organized while the princess seaming makes for a flattering, feminine fit. But wait, there’s more! They’ll not only send you free fleece swatches, but you can use the virtual model to “try” it on…all for $25 (not to mention the best customer service…ever). Available at LandsEnd.com.
CUTE SWEATS
Not runway ready…but cropped, cozy, and on sale for $10 at OldNavy.com.
GLAMOROUS EARBUDS Bring a much-needed dose of Beyonce to that rugged, steel-covered and polyurethane-padded place – aka the The Gym. Yes, you could spend around $50, but why, when there’s a perfectly good lookalike pair from JC Penney for $4.
WIRED WEAR While bling improves the fabulous quotient of your iPod, holding onto your player in a death-grip as you navigate the mean streets on your morning job…not so fabulous. This cool, iPod-friendly tee has a special sleeve-pocket for your gadget, as well as a headphone loop in back to stay tangle-free. An invisible front zipper lets you cool down when your workout heats up, and the fabric wicks away sweat, keeping your music where it’s supposed to be and you from missing a beat. Sugoi M-Wired T-Shirt $60 at Amazon.com
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SPLURGE OF THE WEEK: A McGUYVER WATCH It may look like a cute watch, but it counts your strength training sets, tracks your weights, stores your progress and calories burned over a series of workouts, provides aerobic fitness testing, has a built-in heart-rate monitor, recommends an optimum heartrate, and then times your relaxation session to help you chill post-workout. Oh, and it tells time, too. Polar F55 Heart Rate Monitor Workout Watch $220 from PolarDiscount.com.
If there are any high-priced pieces you’d like me to find similar, less costly versions of, please email me at carlyjcais AT riveted-clothing.com.
‘Til next week, fellow bargain-hunters!
– Carly J. Cais
(top image via somalifestyle.com)
May 9, 2008 | Media
by Carly J. Cais, Fashion Designer & ChicSteals blogAs a designer – my line is
RIVETED Clothing & Accessories – I’ve developed an eye for style over the years…and right along with it, a nose for a bargain. Half the fun of fashion is looking fabulous without needing to declare bankruptcy. Each week, I showcase hot designer-style steals (each for $100 or, in most cases, for much, much less)…along with one splurge-worthy item.
This Spring has seen the comeback of the breezy California Hippie chic from the 70’s with flirty, fun frocks that are feminine, relaxed, and comfortable. To take the look from sweltering city streets to the beach, simply switch out the accessories!
Here are some laid-back and lovely bohemian picks guaranteed to bring on the Flower Power:
- ANKLE-LENGTH SUNDRESS In the harsh, sundrenched deserts of the world, those in the know stay protected in long, loose garments; the ankle-length of this sweet cotton maxidress will not only keep you cool, it’s also quite forgiving. The contrast of the earthy brown Indian-inspired pattern along the hem makes this frock pair perfectly with neon bright accessories for days when you’re feeling flamboyant, or with wood or shell jewelry for a more natural look. Ward off an early morning chill with a cotton cardi or denim jacket until it’s high noon…when it’s all about skin and flowing locks. Moorea ankle-length sundress – $50 at Roxy.com.
- STRAPPY SANDALS Inspired by Kate Hudson’s breezy chic style, the strappy flat is a must. These vegan, metallic two-tone braided sandals easily dress up or down, and work with almost any color or print. They’re on sale for $13 at Payless.com (which is cheap in price but surprisingly not so on quality and wearability), so why not buy a backup pair?
- GINORMOUS BAG With all the stuff a gal-on-the-go needs to tote around these days, size matters. This fun turquoise print Mosaic Wood Bead tote from Alloy is roomy enough to accommodate all the additional warm weather acoutrements – oversized aviators, paraben-free sunscreen, flavored water, journal, solid perfume…and the $30 price is also nice.
- CHUNKY BANGLES This season, the larger your accessories, the better, and when it comes to bangles, pile ’em on with abandon (if you’re having trouble raising your arm, you’re in the right ballpark). Mix and match like a pro by pairing metals with naturals, patterns with solids, and thin with thick to create a pleasing group adorning your wrists. An affordable (between $16-$30 each) nature-inspired trio to try: wide wooden Copacabana bangles, thin gold Bamboo bangles; handpainted metallic bangle.
- STYLISH SCARF Lindsay & Jessica are almost never without a lightweight scarf looped around their necks, and with good reason: it’s a chic trend that lends itself perfectly to Cali cool. In juicy orange and priced at $10, this one from Forever 21 will spice up whatever you’ve got on without taking the oomph out of your bank account.
- SPLURGE OF THE WEEK: CHARMING, MULTI-CHAIN NECKLACE Whether the finishing touch to a gauzy v-neck cotton dress…or glimmering at the neck of a tailored white shirt at the office, NYC cult-fave Wendy Mink’s eye-catching array of gold pendants, 22k gold vermeil, and smoky quartz beautifully balances size, silhouette and a mix of materials. On sale at Bluefly for $250 (original price $417), it’s a stylish steal.
If there are any high-priced pieces you’d like me to find similar, less costly versions of, please email me at *carlyjcais AT riveted-clothing.com*. Til next week, fellow bargain-hunters!
– Carly J. Cais, Riveted Clothing & Accessories and the ChicSteals blog
As posted on FashionTribes.com
