Jan 21, 2008 | Fashion, 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 five hot designer-style steals (each for $100 or, in most cases, for much, much less)…along with one splurge-worthy item.
However, with my recent birthday followed almost immediately by Christmas, I decided to draw up
a fantasy a-girl-can-dream wish list of five fashionable trinkets that up the chill factor for maximum iced-out fabulousness:
SILVER SKULL CLUTCH The icicle-like swirly depth and stone-gray hue of this hard-sided clutch are reminiscent of winter, but the showstopping Swarovski crystal-studded skull adds a fabulous Goth touch. A steal at $1010. Alexander McQueen Skull Clasp Clutch – Net-a-Porter.com
SEXY TURTLENECK SWEATER Silk, milk, and cashmere (!) are the main ingredients in this eco-chic concoction from uber-eco designer Linda Loudermilk. This perfect shade of Polar Bear (winter white) would go fabulously under any dark, wide-necked dress you own, and unlike the rest of the crowd in their basic boring standard turtlenecks, the hot cut-out neckline will make you really stand apart. Linda Loudermilk Icy Sweater $433 – Zappos.com
SATIN PRINCESS PUMP How do I worship this shoe? Let me count the ways: fierce pointed studs that temper a sweet, frayed satin bow; a fabulously rounded toe; the steel gray color that is so now; the cushioned sole that keeps a girl party-hopping in comfort; the sexy slink of leg (& the bow again!) that will turn heads as you hop into a cab/limo/pumpkin at the end of the evening. Report Signature Bette princess pump $175 – Shoes.com
PEARL CLUSTER EARRINGS When it comes to metal manipulation and jewelry that looks equally eyecatching on the red carpet or with a plain white tee from Old Navy, Philip Crangi is genius. The rows of black pearls drip like twinkling grape clusters, studded with tiny diamonds in their centers for a breathtaking effect. And priced at $3425, think of them as your own little investment account the way Carrie Bradshaw liked her money: hanging right where you can see it. Philip Crangi Black Pearl with Diamond Earrings – Bluebee.com
STRUCTURED WOOL COATThis wool/cashmere blend stunner has a high foldover collar (which can be worn down for a touch less drama in the daytime), exquisite detailing on the back, and puffed Bishop sleeves that slim out the arms gorgeously. The flared skirt and hidden belt nip in the waist and lend a flattering Victorian feel, whether you’re wearing it with jeans, to a holiday party, out on the town…oh, the options are endless. Mackage Principessa Coat $748 – LeTrainBleu.com
STEAL OF THE WEEK: TEXTURED CARDIGAN Sweet & snuggly, this affordable cardie has a wonderfully nubby texture and the 3/4-length sleeves that are so hot right now. Perfect for lounging around, its swingy shape can easily top off any pencil skirt or bubble-hem dress you pair with it. To really play up the contrast in textures, try it over something silky. Honeycombed Wool Cardigan $35 (sale), LaRedoute.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 (when this article is back to its usual format), fellow bargain-hunters!
– Carly J. Cais
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Jan 21, 2008 | Fashion, Media
As a former designer (my line was 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.
So now that it’s mid-October, I do my annual closet-cleaning: getting rid of old stuff I no longer wear, packing away summer clothes for next year, and deciding which items I can still wear into the Fall and chillier months. This is also the perfect time to score some of those trendy items that have been calling your name since they first hit all the magazines. The good new is, these trends are still going strong into Autumn, and now is the time to rotate them into your wardrobe before the next big thing comes along. Plus, since you cleverly avoided jumping on the bandwagon at the first sign of popularity, trend pieces & foolproof lookalikes are now available at deeply-discounted prices.
Here are this week’s six stylish, budget-friendly fashion & accessory must-haves:
CONVERTIBLE JERSEY DRESS
Since I design clothing that offers different styling options, I am completely taken with other designer pieces that are multi-functional. In particular, I’m obsessed with Normal Kamali. She designs an exclusive collection for Spiegel, with dresses, skirts, and tops in a slinky-soft jersey spandex, many of which can be styled in different ways. A batwing long-sleeved dress converts to a fitted halter-neck dress, for example, and at long last – it’s on sale! It’s lightweight, so it would go wonderfully with leggings or cardigans during the colder months – and can stand on its own for an elegant evening out. Good luck choosing between the six different colors. (Normal Kamali Timeless All-in-One Short Dress $63 (sale) – available at Spiegel.com)
PYRAMID STUDS
Necklaces, earrings, detailing on bags, accessories…the pyramid stud has been a hot it item this year. But it’s also commanded a commensurately it price until now. (I know because I’ve been fighting the temptation to shell out more than $180 for a sterling-silver hand-forged designer ring adorned with an oversized pyramid stud.) I had been holding off & waiting for the right time, so I felt super-smug when I snagged a silvertone lookalike from Macy’s for $8 earlier this week (not on their website; you’ll have to visit the store itself). But smugness has a price…I just located an even more spendthrift-y version on sale at Urban Outfitters for just $4.99. $4.99??! at UrbanOutfitters.com…plus, they also carry a cute pair of matching pyramid stud earrings for $12. Lovely!
BLACK PLATFORM PEEP-TOE SNAKESKIN SLINGBACKS
If you’re like me and totally addicted to The Fashionista Diaries on the SOAP Channel, and you probably also feel head over, er, heels for the gorgeous black Report Signature Gala Snakeskin pumps that Bridget was wearing on the first episode with her totally cute Sretsis dress. Talk about perfect: a sexy platform in black snake with a hot gold lining…I just had to have them! But with a $179 price tag at Amazon or Zappos.com (which now only has the white version in size 9) I lost hope.
I even scoured eBay in vain, and then happened to stumble into Walmart.com’s shoe section where I almost fainted! There were my lovelies! And with the gorgeous gold lining too. I headed to my local Walmart (because yes, I am even a cheapskate when it comes to paying shipping fees), slipped on a pair in a size 8, and was further amazed not only that they fit, but that they’re unbelievably comfortable, and priced at $17. Perfect with breezy summer dresses, sexy pencil skirts, fabulous with jeans and still g
orgeous with brightly-colored tights for Fall…but act fast, ladies, these are going fast! Metro7 Tiffany Peep-Toe –
Walmart.com
BIB NECKLACE
S o retro, so Disco-era fabulous when paired with a drapey jersey dress – I’ve been coveting a golden bib-style necklace. Lucky Magazine featured a stunning copper version from Lazuli Jewelry earlier in the year, but at $70? We can definitely do better than than. For $15, this Crescent Moon necklace from Urban Outfitters is perfect. (Is it obvious I’m totally obsessed with this store??)
RUCHED BOOTIE
It first made an appearance at Calvin Klein (if I remember accurately), and then at NineWest. Now, I’m happy to report, it’s finally affordable in a chic metallic pewter at Newport News. The ruched bootie is simply so 80’s – and so perfect with leggings and an oversized sweater. Soft Leather Ankle Boot $50 (sale) at Newport-News.com.
SPLURGE OF THE WEEK
I just have to wear gray in the Fall. Gray sweaters, gray booties, gray tights…gray is my color this year, which I why I have totally fallen😉 for this lovely gray Josh Jakus felted handbag, handcrafted by the designer in the San Francisco Bay Area. Not only is it the perfect size, but in a sublime melding of form & function, it unzips completely flat for storage…plus it’s crafted from recycled factory felt remnants. A feel-good, utterly chic purchase! $95 at BeeHiveCo-op.com.
If there are any high-priced pieces you’d like me to find similar, less-pricey versions of, please don’t hesitate to email me at carlyjcais AT riveted-chis-steals.com. ‘Til next week, fellow bargain-hunters!
– Carly Cais
As posted on FashionTribes.com, 10/27/2007
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