Costume Dept.’s Flashy Fashions Are At Karmaloop!

imageCostume Dept’s awesome new Fall collection is now available at Karmaloop.com! Famous for their killer leggings, the brand features a vast array of patterns, colors and designs. Flirting with the concept of illusion, the collection also displays signature tops, such as The Fringe Hoody and The Bustier Top. The brand’s leggings are all about glamour – night life, bohemian chic and show stopper all come to mind when you see these bottoms. In particular, The Millionaire Leggings salutes the fact that we are all in pursuit of the very thing ($$) that makes the world go round, and shoves it in your face without any remorse. Very Madonna’s Material Girl. For the full collection, check out Karmaloop.com.

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Whimsically Wearable ‘Handle and Spout’ Jewelry

imageRemember when you were a little girl and nothing made you happier than having a big bow in your hair? Handle & Spout jewelry is perfect for adding just a touch of whimsy to any outfit. Started by friends Corinne Gill and Blake Ramsey as a creative refuge from their day jobs, the duo hand-makes this festive line of accessories and jewelry. Inspired by ’30s and ’40s glamour, they make cute and ethereal chiffon flower hair pins and larger “disco Lilly” poofs that come as a headband or hair pin. They’re girly, fun, shimmery and, at under $35, they make perfect gifts for your girlfriend’s birthday, a beautifully unique accessory for bridesmaids, or maybe something a bride would want to wear for that special day (say hello to something blue!). Handle and Spout round out their collection with gold and silver leather chain necklaces and headbands, an unexpected twist on the heavy metal jewelry look that’s so in right now. Check out the slideshow or go to www.handlespout.com to see even more beautiful designs and purchasing details.

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Faking It: Vintage-Inspired Cameo Jewelry On The Cheap!

imageFun and retro, cameo jewelry is the perfect way to give your look a little vintage flava — without getting scabies from rooting through piles of secondhand threads at a thrift store.These carved pieces (traditionally seen displaying floral bouquets or a person’s bust) are popping up on everything from pins to bracelets to earrings. We can’t get enough of this pair by Del Gatto. Made from Caribbean seashell, they’ve got a charming, neo-classic feel. Unfortunately, the $376 price tag could set you back a bit. No worries, we found these gorgeous cheaper ones by Sardelli for 50 bucks. Almost identical to the pricier pair, our frugal find is sure to make more than a cameo appearance in your wardrobe. Be sure to click on over to our friends at Lemondrop for more.

Stylehive’s Stylescopes Warm Your Week With Chic Outerwear!

imageFall has arrived, but don’t let the colder weather and grey skies dampen your style! Some of your summer staples just need a little more coverage before they can become fall favorites, and while tights and a pair of hot boots help, sleek and chic outerwear is the key. Whether the stars this week have you running between work luncheons, meeting new friends after hours, or just strolling through town with your sweetie, they’ve found the perfect outer layer for you! Light jackets, classic cardigans, funky sweaters … whatever your style, the planets help locate the best piece for you to enhance your looks, and then sexily shrug off when you get to where you’re going. Is a cropped blazer what you’ve been missing from your fall wardrobe, Scorpio? Cancers, it might not be a bad idea to pick up one of those beautiful slouchy cardigans you’ve been eying; you’ll wear it over and over! Check out the slideshow to see how the astrological powers are helping you stay warm and fashion-forward!

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Karmaloop Takes Us Into Fall With WeSC’s Latest Collection

imageWeSC has taken over Karmaloop.com! While some good things must come to an end, the great thing about fashion is that the best trends are bound to come back again! This is the ethos behind the WeSC Fall/Winter 2009 collection. 70s-style allure blends seamlessly with WeSC’s exclusive street-fashion touch to result in a fun and funky collaboration of the decades. Featuring plaids, stripes, tweed and houndstooth on heavy wool and cotton blends, the collection is a culmination of conventional winter luxury, fashion-forward design, and sophisticated comfort. Complete your fall wardrobe with The Dagmar Light Padded Jacket, The Lyly Sweatshirt, and The Violetta Top. Check the slideshow for our top picks, then browse the rest of the loot at Karmaloop!

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Vintage Fashionistas Embrace “Mad Men” Style

imageOnce upon a time, women sat around on Sunday nights sipping cocktails and tuning in to their favorite fashion friends on Sex and the City. But whether you were more of a Samantha or a Carrie type doesn’t matter anymore because there’s a whole new gang of girls in town. The new fashionistas to watch are the girls of the hit series Mad Men. The buxom Joan Holloway, the poised Betty Draper, and the spunky Peggy Olsen don’t just entertain us but allow us to feast our eyes on the fabulous designs of yesteryear, coordinated by the show’s talented costume designer, Janie Bryant. Pair the dresses walking down the halls of Sterling Cooper with period pumps and handbags and you’ll look a bit dated, but it’s easy to glam them up 2009-style with tights, belted cardigans or ankle boots. Now just click the slideshow for some vintage delights for Mad Men fans.

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CollegeCandy Wishlist: Adidas Ballerina Sneaker-Flats

imageI love flats. I practically wear them every day and to all occasions. I can’t even remember what I used to wear before I started slipping on those cute and comfy babies. Wait, yes I do. It was sneakers (love my Chucks), but I had to find something else after I realized that old school Nikes are not acceptable for all occasions. Like job interviews. And now Adidas has taken my two favorite forms of footwear and morphed them into one mega shoe: the Gazelle Ballerina. Not to quote Miley Cyrus or Hannah Montana or whoever she chooses to be today, but you do get the best of both worlds with these shoes. Revel in the cuteness and convenience of a flat and the stylishness and comfort of a sneaker with its rubber outsole for added support. So if, like the Spice Girls, you’ve got a little Posh and a little Sporty to ya, these shoes are your perfect match. And if you find yourself running from parties when campus security shows up, these are probably right for you too. It’s the girls in stilettos who always get caught. Hit up CollegeCandy for more cute footwear finds!

Ann Taylor’s New Look

imageAmidst all the new fall fashions this year, one store stands out among the rest of the its mall cohorts. Ann Taylor has debuted its newly redesigned collection and website. Still feminine and full of luscious fabrics and affordable, the new look has something for everyone. Need a dress that can go from the office to an nighttime event? The silk shirt dress is simply gorgeous. While still holding onto its classic style and using fall’s understated jewel tones like malachite, aubergine, cranberry and more the collection has traditional items like a white dress shirt, button down shirt with french cuffs and pieces sleeveless ruffled blouses that work perfectly with jeans or a pencil skirt. Many of the items can easily go from work wear to weekend wear. Ann Taylor’s newest pieces are incredibly versatile and striking. Using fabrics like silk, cashmere, Georgette and chiffon it offers impeccable lines and tailoring. Rounding out the line are leather handbags, a nice array of statement necklaces and other accessories as well as boots, pumps and other shoes that will help keep you in style through the fall and winter. The quality you have come to expect from the brand is still there too. The next time you find yourself strolling through the mall alone or even with a stroller in tow, take a look at what Ann Taylor has to offer. It will leave you surprised and inspired while still going easy on your fall clothing budget. Want to know more about Ann Taylor’s new look? Click on over to our friends at TheFind!

Coquette Goes To Fashion Week!

imageSince last Wednesday, I’ve gotten a little glimpse of life as a fashion editor in NY. Here’s me at the tents before my first in-person fashion show, Ports 1961. I’m wearing a fitted Max Studio black dress I got from Bloomingdale’s, black DKNY tights, Elizabeth and James pumps (wrote about those here), Marc Jacobs handbag, and a leather trench coat I got from The Limited 9 years ago. Before I dive in, a huge thank you to everyone at Coach for making the trip possible for me in the first place. It’s going to take me another day to get my photos organized and uploaded so here’s a few highlights of my trip. Click here to see more of Coquette’s fabulous fashion adventures in New York City!

Three Ways To Wear Ankle Boots This Fall

imageI’ve gotten a couple requests regarding how to wear ankle boots, which are boots that end at or just above the ankle. These boots are especially hot for Fall 2009, but here are some things to consider should you choose to wear them:

-If you’re tall, you’re in luck — for the most part: Ankle boots can make even the leggiest lass look stubby, so use a mirror. Dare to wear your ankle boots with bare legs and a mini dress.
-If you’re short: Pair your ankle boots with tights, leggings or pants that are the same color as the boot to create the longest line possible. Ankle boots have a tendency of visually chopping you off at the ankle, so be aware of this. Try topping your look with a fitted, cropped jacket to elongate your torso.
-If you’re plus size: Go for a monochromatic look on the bottom to slim and lengthen your silhouette. Pair with something like an a-line, 3/4-length-sleeve dress in a body skimming (not hugging) fabric that falls at or just above the knee.
-Everyone: I’m stating the obvious here, but the higher the heel, the more height you’ll get, hence the more likely you are to nail this look. But I love ankle boots with a low heel, too, since they’re more comfortable for daily wear. And anything over 4 inches can start to look vampy. Also, below-the-knee and long skirts don’t seem to work with ankle boots no matter what your body type. Looks frumpy.

Here are 3 ways to wear ankle boots:
Left: With dark tights. On top, you could really wear any number of dresses, but I’ve chosen a very of-the-moment girly floral dress and black leather jacket combo. Difficulty level: Easy as pie.
Center: With cropped pants. Notice how that little chunk of white flesh visually breaks up my leg line? Yeah, it’s not the most flattering thing in the world but it does have a fashion-y vibe that I like. You could wear dark tights under your pants to streamline the look (or add warmth when its cold). Try this look with harem pants if you’re uber brave; cigarette pants if you’re like me and slightly less of a risk-taker. Difficulty level: Hard.
Right: With leggings. This season, there are dozens of prints and fabrics to choose from for your leggings. The simplest solution is to pick black leggings with black ankle boots. Tuck in or scrunch over depending on the circumference of the boot shaft. Difficulty level: Intermediate.

Once you’ve mastered the ankle boot trend, don’t forget to head over to The Budget Babe for more style tips that will go easy on your wallet!