Day 4: Trendy (cheap) vs. Timeless (the real deal)

Have you all heard of GroopDealz?  Aside from the fact that I will get $5 in credit if you sign up and spend $20*, this website usually features at least one knockoff item from store favorites Anthropologie and J. Crew.  Occasionally there will be shoutouts to other stores, including Nordstrom.  Even I was tempted by the Stella & Dot Outlaw bracelet knockoff (under the boutique section) and the J. Crew enamel link bracelet knockoff (each for under $10!)

a closer shot - you can see where the finish is wearing off - but hey! they were less than $10 (and the finish on all jewelry wears off over time.......)

I have one rule of thumb for jewelry:

• Trendy = cheap

• Timeless = invest

There's not much worse than buying a cheap accessory you love to pieces (literally) and can't repair or replace!

*Groopdealz is not sponsoring this post.  Anyone who signs up with Groopdealz will be given a personalized "invite friends" link and receive the same $5 credits.

Day 2: Are Leggings Pants?

No.  They aren't.  See this post on meggings for a quick laugh (or at least a smile.)

My rule of thumb is this:  Proportion is everything.  Incorrect proportions can make you too tall, short, or wide, too thin or too fat, pear shaped and sometimes upside-down pear shape (is there a name for that shape?)  Also, your pants should never be see-through, even if you are wearing a thong; don't ever forget the LuluLemon fiasco.  

Let's use the lovely pants and leggings from J. Crew:

And this:

Back to proportion.  Straight lines cut you in half, and the visual effect is never appealing.  Our bodies have shapes and fluid (but not straight) lines.  You can't do harsh architectural lines unless you have a stiff garment that holds its' shape (away from the body.) 

Simply ways to avoid these unflattering lines?  Pair the straight hem of a t-shirt or sweater with the curved hem of a button down or tunic (see above.)  Tuck a little piece of the shirt into the waistband or belt of your pants to break up the line, or leave it un-tucked in the back.  Baggy tops are best proportioned with curve-hugging pants (or leggings when appropriate.)  Skin-tight tops look fine with bottoms that have some weight - like denim (even skinny jeans - but no one should own a pair of jeggings, I'm sorry.)  Flowy, full maxi-skirts look best paired with a fitted top.  Baggy tops, baggy bottoms - hard to pull off.  Skin-tight everything?  Only in ballet.

My favorite way to wear a knit pant?

and a legging:

The debate:

Should leggings (or knit pants resembling leggings) be worn as pants?

31 Days of Styling Tips

Day 1: Introduction

Day 2: Are Leggings Pants?

Ruffles, Rhinestones, J. Crew Tilda and Elle

What do those four things have in common?  A whole heckuva lot.  That's what.

I was shopping last month (sorry, I know - I'm only about 30 days behind schedule here,) when I happened upon this great find.  When I was working at J.Crew, customers loved the Tilda Rhinestone top - we could barely keep it in the store!

Elle has upped the ante (yay sleeves!) by providing its' consumers with an almost exact duplicate of the Tilda Rhinestone Top (yay price!)

or on a real live human being (me! and a darling Lauren Conrad polka dot dress for $12):

While the quality difference is there (but not by much,) the style is the same minus four things:

1. sleeves (I am a huge fan of sleeves, for modesty and because darnit, aging has not been kind to my upper arms!)

2. the rhinestones do not wrap completely around the collar.  If you wear your hair up, people may notice this.

3. I can easily fit into a size 4 at J.Crew, but I'm squeezing into a size 8 from Elle (but my pride can handle it for this price difference!)

4. It's less than 1/3rd the price!

Kohls also offers it in a classic oxford stripe (but I don't really like it.)

Polka Dots, Peplum and Hearts.

This week it's been pointed out on every blog (even the home decor blogs!) that Old Navy has an inexpensive version (Rip-off?  Knock-off?  Replica?  what is the politically correct term for this?) of this Alice + Olivia sweater:

Old Navy's less expensive (and non-sequin) version:

Forever21, not wanting to feel left out, also knocked-off last years' uber-popular - even I bought it - J. Crew original (available this fall in a lighter-weight Merino wool) :

Forever21's version:

Old Navy's version:

Now, polka dot sweaters?  Over-sized Graphics? I don't know that I feel like a designer or brand can really trademark that.......

Looking for a different version of polka dots?  I love this peplum polka-dot top (say that quickly, three times.)

What do you think of mass retailers' ripping-off/knocking-off/replicating designer's ideas?

Goodbye Winter.

I realize this post would have been slightly more appropriate on Tuesday (you know, the first day of Spring?) but I'm so behind I completely forgot that yesterday was my blog's one year anniversary!  What?!?

Earrings: H&M

Jacket: H&M

Top: H&M

Necklace & Bracelets: Target

Skirt: JCrew Outlet

Shoes: Walmart

Yes.  My shoes are from Wal-mart.