The Budget Babe

Having lived through countless icy-cold Chicago winters, we're big fans of wearing warm, snuggly coats when the weather calls for it (which easily feels like 9 months out of the year in parts of the Midwest). The question is: Can you stave off the cold and still maintain some semblance of style?

With unflinching optimism, we say YES, and offer this Goose Down Chalet Coat from Lands' End as an example. Sure, it looks like a sleeping bag in the product shot on the left, but the same coat shines when worn by the model on the right thanks to some creative, colorful styling.

As long as you pair a high-volume puffy coat with slim-silhouette bottoms and sizzling boots, we think it's a smashing way to be fashionably frost-proof throughout winter.

What do you think? Love it or leave it?

Photo credit: UK Telegraph

As if we needed another reason to shop at Forever 21: Our favorite purveyor of perfectly-priced fashion has a new section on their website called Brilliant Buys, which features over a dozen hot items under $20. Check back often, as this section is updated frequently with super deals.

While we're on the subject of Forever 21, here are some tips for the wear 'n' care of their apparel, which we think has an undeserved reputation for shoddy workmanship (you gotta shop smart, no matter what the price point!):

Pick items that look good on the rack. If it's wrinkled or covered with lint on the hanger, it ain't gonna get any better when you take it home.

When shopping online, use the "Search" feature to find items made with higher-quality fibers. For example, a search for "cashmere AND cotton" returns 8 items, including a 92% cotton, 8% cashmere scarf and sweater. It's not a lot of cashmere, but it's just enough to make these items soft and warm, and c'mon, we're talkin' Forever 21 here, not Saks.

Go for dark and/or neutral shades. On the one hand, Forever 21's prices are so low that you can afford to take risks with bright colors and quirky styles which were hitherto impossible for frugal fashionistas. On the other hand, sticking to dark, neutral shades (including red) ensures minor flaws in the stitching or fabric go unnoticed.

Always layer a cotton tee beneath any blouse or sweater to prevent perspiration from touching the outer garment, thereby buying you additional time between washes.

Drape garments over an armchair and let them air-out overnight. Don't stuff them back into your closet or into a dresser drawer as this can trap moisture and odors.

Machine wash (or better yet, hand-wash) clothes inside-out in cold water using baby shampoo or a mild detergent like Woolite, or eco-friendly laundry soaps from Seventh Generation or Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day.

Lay garments flat to dry (or hang items such as jeans or cords to air-dry). This will not only increase their lifespan, it will also save energy and money.