Budget Fashion

Ee gads! I'm speechless. Renowned American designer Norma Kamali is bringing her expertise to Wallyworld. I didn't see this coming, although come to think of it, she already has a collection for Spiegel and the lower-priced Norma Kamali for Everlast collection. But still, it's like, Diane von Furstenberg for Target or something. Eerie, right?

Either way, we like the sound of this collaboration, and yes, Wal-Mart will have effectively seduced this frugal fashionista to cross that murky consumer threshold and shop their depressing big-box once the collection hits the racks.

From WWD.com: In a deal via Cherokee Inc., Kamali will create an exclusive collection that will include women's wear, children's clothing, accessories, footwear and home items.

"Through the Wal-Mart stores and Web site I can reach more people and affect more lives than in any other venue." —Norma Kamali

Image source: WWD.com

We're loving the boyfriend cardigan for casual weekends...or workdays...or anytime at all, really. They're soft, comfy and warm - and, with a crisp white shirt and the right accessories, you can give this old-school knit some modern, feminine flavor. Here's our budget break-down of Vanessa Minnillo's boyfriend-cardigan look:

[1] Boyfriend cardigan, UrbanOutfitters.com, $48
[2] Stretch cotton blouse, Gap.com, $39.50
[3] Glamour sunglasses, Target.com, $19.99
[4] Quilted Courtney handbag, Baghaus.com, $42
[5] Black boots with buckle detail, GoJane.com, $43.99
[6] Onyx slim jean, Forever21.com, $29.80

You've heard it all before: It flatters every figure. Never goes out of style. You can dress it up or down. Yes, we're talking about the shirtdress - and it's back in a big way for Spring. Donna Karan shows us how it's worn in the urban jungle. Salvatore Ferragamo gives us a glimpse of it's modern sex appeal. Behnaz Sarafpour reveals its timeless yet timely attitude. So what are you waiting for? Create your own shirtdress story this Spring. Scroll down for a few affordable shirtdress finds to get you started...


Above: Spring 2008 Ready-to-Wear looks from the runways of Behnaz Sarafpour, Donna Karan and Salvatore Ferragamo. Image source: Style.com



Left to right: Old navy safari shirtdress, $34.50; Spiegel's sash-tie shirtdress, Orig. $69 Now $31.99; Newport News cotton voile shirtdress, Orig. $39 Now $29.

Don't know much about geometry, but I do know a little something about what's hot for Spring - and geometric prints are definitely making the grade! Some have a global feel, others look artsy, and still others have a retro vibe a la Tory Burch. Any way you work it, these bold designs will take you to the head of the fashion class. Here, our stylish yet affordable geometric-print finds (no protractor necessary)...

Bahama Flap Bag at Forever 21, $23.80


Tempted Scoopneck Geometric-Print Top at Macys.com, Orig. $36.00 Now $10.80


Isaac Mizrahi for Target Printed Net Party Dress, $44.99


Banana Republic tall 3/4-sleeve geo-print ruffle-front blouse, On sale: $29.99


Geo Shape Necklace at Forever21.com, $6.80


Bisou Bisou Sequin Tank at JCPenney.com, available in six different colors/patterns. Orig. $30.00; Now $17.99

The original ain't that great to begin with, so why Forever 21 would knock-off Phillip Lim's granny-chic (if you can call it that) lattice neckline dress is beyond me. I'm sorry, but where I come from, this dress would cost a quarter at the church rummage sale. And another thing: Lim probably knocked this look from one of the ladies running Bingo night (no offense to plebeian fashion—or Lim—just pointing out that designers have been pilfering ideas from us "nobodies" for years.)

Left: Phillip Lim lattice neckline dress at Net-A-Porter.com, $575
Right: Chelsea Knit Tunic at Forever21.com, $32.80

Mandy Moore looks like a ray of sunshine in a cheery, yellow trench (below left) - and who couldn't use a little more sunshine this time of year? Cast away the snowy, rainy or otherwise gloomy, gray days of February with your own bold yellow coat, like this one from O Oscar by Oscar de la Renta (below right). On sale now at Macys.com for $140.06, it's a small price to pay to treat your SAD and put a smile on your face.


>> O Oscar Long-Sleeve Coat in Sunflower at Macys.com, Orig. $249.00 Now $140.06

Etro taps into some of Spring's hottest trends with its 2008 ready-to-wear collection. A no holds barred use of color, florals, stripes, ethnic-inspired motifs and retro 70s throwbacks makes us wonder: What trend don't they cover? And yet, somehow Veronica Etro makes it all work by paying close attention to silhouettes (balancing structured pieces with more feminine forms) and a constructive use of color that makes it something truly marvelous to behold.



One of Etro's standout pieces is this floral striped dress, which retails for $1,335. (Are you still with me?) Now, a few years back, it would have been next to impossible to find all that designer razzmatazz at reasonable prices, but today, we budget babes have options: Topshop, for example, lets you channel the Etro vibe with their floral striped dress for only £50.00 (98.27 U.S. dollars).

Chalk one up for the little guy...er, girl.

Left: A look from the Etro Spring 2008 Ready-to-Wear collection (Image source: Style.com); floral striped dress available at NeimanMarcus.com, $1,335.00

Right: Topshop Floral Striped Dress, £50.00 (98.27 U.S. dollars)