How-To Get the Look For Less: Accessories

****Guest post written by Maria Davis (mariaeadavis@gmail.com)

If you’ve had to reduce your spending while the economy went a little crazy, one of the first places you probably cut back was your wardrobe, especially accessories. Clothes are necessary, but a new watch? A trendy necklace? A designer handbag? They’re nice to have, but not necessities by any means. But that doesn’t mean you have to give them up completely. If you know where and how to shop, you can still accessorize, look fabulous, and save money all at the same time. Here’s how.

Shop The Clearance Racks

Well, of course if you’re trying to save money, you’re going to check out the clearance racks, right? Any smart shopper knows to do that. The thing is, it’s not always so easy. Stores don’t always prominently display their clearance items, especially clothing and accessories. They want you to pay full price for their products, so when you walk into any department store, big box store, or even small boutique, the first things you’re going to see are all the gorgeous new items in stock. The idea—and the hope—is that you’ll become distracted by the new, shiny items, and forget where you were going—to the back of the store where they keep the deals. You may have to do some walking and searching to find the best deals. Just remember you’re there to save money, and don’t fall for the new item sales tactics.

Shop The Thrift Stores

Maybe the thought of wearing clothes someone else has worn before you gives you the willies. If that’s the case, stick to buying unworn items on clearance. But if it doesn’t bother you, thrift stores, resale stores and consignment shops are great places to find deals. The key is to seek out the thrift stores close to upscale neighborhoods. When people clean out their closets, they’re not going to drive across town to give them up. They’ll look for the thrift and consignment shops closest to them. The more expensive the neighborhood, the more likely you’ll be to find designer and high-end accessories. In fact, you may even find things that still have the tags on them. It’s not unheard of for people to buy things, never use them, and then give them away later. Give a thrift store a chance. You never know what kind of treasure you may find there.

Shop Auction Sites

 
(You might not buy this, but don’t underestimate the kind of things you can find on eBay!)

Sites like eBay give you the best of both worlds. You’ll find a lot of accessories that are brand new, never used or worn, with the tags still on them, in addition to gently worn items. And eBay keeps things honest with their ratings system. It’s in the best interest for sellers to accurately disclose the condition of the things they sell. Otherwise, they may get negative ratings, which only hurts their ability to sell on the site. And searching the site for specific items is a lot easier than sifting through racks and bins at a thrift store. eBay is fantastic for finding designer sunglasses, watches, handbags, and shoes. You’ll also find a lot of vintage accessories, which are always in style. Before you go shopping, look for eBay coupon codes to save even more on designer accessories.
Wherever you decide to look for deals on designer accessories, just remember to look for things that will work with the clothes you already have. There’s no sense in buying shoes that don’t match anything in your closet. Be sensible as well as frugal, and you’ll be able to accessorize your wardrobe at a fraction of the retail cost.

Making Waves in Hollywood: Colored Denim

*****This guest post is written by Alessia from Luello

There are a number of ways to insert a pop of color to your daily wardrobe. None, however, is as effective or all-encompassing as this season’s latest emerging trend- brightly-colored denim.

Celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Hayden Panettiere, Rachel Bilson, Nicky Hilton, Cameron Diaz and Sarah Jessica Parker, to name only a few, have jumped on the bold-colors bandwagon. Some of them are seen here wearing colored denim by J Brand.

A celebrity embracing a trend does not necessarily mean that it will translate to the real world. However, when it comes to bold denim, the insurgence of color in your wardrobe is effortless and effectual.

Wear colored denim, but avoid getting too match-y with your accessories and tops. Your jeans should be the dominant color in your outfit, so keep the rest of the items you’re sporting basic. Stick to neutral colors, as our celebrity friends did in the above pictures, and let your statement-jeans get noticed!

Livening up your denim with bold colors brings a touch of whimsy to your wardrobe. Keep your accessories and accompanying clothes casual, and let your bright denim speak volumes.

Shop Luello.com for denim by J Brand and for other summer style ideas!

West coast meets East coast (Christen Mitchell Styling)

I have the pleasure to have such an amazing guest post on here! She is not only beautiful, but quite intelligent, fashionable and I would be delighted to go in and borrow steal her closet =) Fashion stylist Christen Mitchell is sharing some alternate ways to enjoy Boston weather with a mix of LA style!

Continue reading for some fabulous photos and tips!

(more…)

Spring/Summer 2011 Beauty Tips

This lovely guest post is written by Alexis Posharo (freelance writer and model)

Style Inspiration: Scandinavia

An open letter to the young and fashionable

I am feel extremely privileged today to have such a great personality, writer and blogger write
a guest post on my little blog. Petra Bellejambes is the distinguished (and fabulous) blogger
of Voyages en Rose..I came across this blog a few months ago, and the beautiful words (and outfit pictures)
of Petra changed the way I viewed blogs…

Welcome Petra!!!

(I suggest you fully read every word written by the great Petra..For every fashionable woman, mother
daughter…It put me in tears)

An Open Letter to the Young and Fashionable
by Petra Bellejambes

Just last weekend I was very cozily seated between two very good friends, the three of us pinched practically knee to knee on a smallish couch. My friends are a little older than I, but not much. I must use the F word to describe their age: Fifties.

Their kids are either grown and long gone or close to it. The mortgages are small and the careers are big. They are smart, happy, fit and beautiful. One of them recently traded her old husband in for really handsome dog and the luxury of a tidy bathroom. She is cautiously dating now, and she said something that practically broke my heart:

“Men in my age bracket seem to look right through me. Can you explain that?”

I did not have a great answer at that moment, and was saved from improvising one when somebody blundered into our conversational triangle and started to talk politics. The question stays with me still though, and I thought to share it you, dear friends of Miss Neira. I have a job for you, no really, a mission, a nearly religious calling that I want you to take up. If you do, when you are in your Fifties, you might thank me.

It is time to go shopping with Mom. Yes, your Mom.

Not just yet though. First things first. Dress smartly for gods sake, put on some makeup and accessorize with things that are needlessly expensive, attract attention and make you feel bulletproof. You must wear heels and you must talk her out of her loafers, If she pushes back, promise that you will turn off your phone if she wears the nice sandals. That should work.

She has a nice bag somewhere in the house. Grab it, put her pocketbook and some nice lip gloss in it and leave all the other crap that slows her down spilled out on a coffee table. No fleece tops or elastic waistbands for either of you.

You have a treat for her before you hit the shops. The treat is either a nice lunch with a mandatory glass of wine, or a pit stop at the nail salon. If you are able to do both, you stand a good chance of squeezing your brother out of the will, but that is not the objective here. More important things are ahead.

By now, you will have had a giggle or two, and Mom is relaxing a bit. You will probably enter the mall through the department store she feels comfortable in. Watch out! She is turning left towards the racks with the endless horizon of Hillary pant-suits and the matronly twin-sets. Hold her elbow gently and steer her away to where you love to shop. There is a more contemporary section there in Macy’s or Nordstrom’s or even Penney’s for crying out loud. Go there now. You are leading the dance.

You will have to encourage her, and it won’t be false flattery. She still has the legs for a 19” skirt. No A-lines please, something that has a little cling and color. She will say “no, I cannot wear that …”. She is half right. She cannot do it alone. What she means to say is “I want to believe I can wear this, but I do not believe it anymore”.

Your mantra must be Yes. You. Can. Grab something for yourself too and hit the fitting rooms together. You may never have done that with Mom, and if not, now is a good time. Bonus points if you are able to get a laugh out of her. She still has a wine buzz going.

You will want to be careful about that look on your face. Mom knows you like nobody else ever will, and she will be watching you for signals. Be prepared to run back out to the racks to grab a smaller size. Be sure that your face says that she can wear that, it’s not too young for her, she can flaunt it. She looks great. You are proud of her. Much of what makes you beautiful came from her. She still has it, and you know that, don’t you?

Keep at it until find something that she would never have picked up for herself. Keep going as long as her feet can stand it. And then proudly swipe your plastic (unless you managed to pay for lunch, then you are off the hook). The magic may not happen on your first attempt my dear, but you have the stamina to try again though don’t you? Make a promise, pick a date, maybe a month off in the future, and repeat until you both get it right.

Twenty years down the road there is a possibility that you will feel like a foreigner in places that are home to you today. Twenty years from now you may feel the doors of age bias too heavy to push open. Twenty years from now you may shop like your Mom. And then you may find yourself wondering why men seem to just look through you.

You deserve better than that. Like most things in your life, Mom will provide the best example you could hope for. So go help her set an example. And then walk as long as you can in her path. You both have many beautiful years ahead of you. Perhaps then men in my age bracket will smarten up a little and stop looking through the genuine beauty that is all around them. The right ones will in any event. Keep those ones close.

Visit Petra..

@Voyages en Rose blog

Guest post at Confessions of a Lingerie Addict!

Bardot Illustration/The Budget Babe guest post!