Budget Fashion

You gotta love a girl with a name like Gwyneth. It begs to be alliterated with noble words like goddess and gorgeous and gladiator. As in, "Goddess Gwyneth looks gorgeous in her gold Giuseppe Zanotti gladiator flats."

Lately, she's looked lovely in everything she's been wearing while making the publicity rounds for her new film Ironman (usually a mini and five-inch heels). Here, the pièce de résistance is most definitely those gleaming metallic sandals. The yummy mummy, as she's known in London where she lives most of the time, keeps the rest of her outfit simple, chic and pared-down.

If the look makes you giddy, gleeful and glad, here's how to get it for less...

[1] Pink Metallic Frayed Tee at Heritage1981.com, $14.90
[2] Women's Cropped One-Button Blazer at OldNavy.com, $39.50 $18.99
[3] Limited Edition Large Tote Bag at Target.com, $39.99
[4] N.Y.L.A. Gold Hassan Sandal at Endless.com, $59.95
[5] Low Skinny 531 Black Jeans at LeviStore.com, $58.00

The first thing I buy when I'm updating my wardrobe for a new season is my outerwear, and this Spring I was jonesing for, of all things, an updated anorak. I am eternally amused when designers take a boring, bastardly or otherwise maligned piece of clothing and resurrect it as something covetable and cool, which is precisely what Stella McCartney did months ago on the SSO8 runways with the anorak, and well, here we are today, seeing dozens of anorak offerings at every price point, in every store.

After this grand introduction, you'll probably find it amusing to see the jacket I actually purchased - it's the humble gray number on the right in the photo above. But God is in the details (trust me!) and this jacket, which I scored for $20 at H&M, has everything I could ever ask for and then some. Big pockets are perfect for stashing keys, doggie treats and plastic bags for my many daily walks with my Boxer pup. Or ya know, just for looking cool.

There's a hood, too, which is helpful considering I live in a part of the country that definitely sees plenty of Spring showers. To the untrained eye, it would appear my "revolutionary" new anorak is merely about function, but believe me when I say it has much more finesse. It's hard to explain. But I love this coat.

The closest thing I could find to it online is this Free People Nylon Hooded Jacket (above left) available at UrbanOutfitters.com for $168.00. Yeah, kinda steep. Urban has a bunch of similar styles coats, though, so definitely check them out if you love this trend as much as I do.

But wait, there's more...


Here are a few more budget-friendly anorak finds for your viewing pleasure. Try a bright color if you wear mostly neutral shades, and vice versa. I won't lie and say you'll look automagically chic, because wearing the unstructured anorak will require its wearer to do more careful styling in order to look put together and up-to-date. If you're having doubts, stick with a classic trench. But if you're ready to try something new to transition you into Spring, give the beloved anorak a go.

[1] Beige anorak at MangoShop.com (search for ref. 63015408) Orig. $99 Now $68.99
[2] Go International Twill Anorak at Target.com, $49.99
[3] Kenneth Cole Reaction City Anorak at Nordstrom.com, $98.00
[4] Bubble Sleeve Parka at ASOS.com, $121.06 NOW $61.63
[5] INC International Concepts Pullover Bubble-Sleeve Jacket at Macys.com, Orig. $69.00 Now $44.99

Diane Kruger is rocking the romantic ruffle trend just right by pairing a girly pink frock with edgy black tights, studded heels and a funky scarf. It's a guilt-free way to indulge your inner princess and still maintain your too-cool (frugal) fashionista exterior.

>> Silk chiffon ruffle hem dress at ASOS.com, $88.04

In February JCPenney launched its new American Living label, a collection of Americana-infused women's, men's, and children's apparel and housewares masterminded by Ralph Lauren and his Global Concepts division.

I love the music they use in the The American Living commercials directed by Bruce Weber, who has worked on other campaigns for Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Abercrombie & Fitch. (FYI, the music is by Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, case you're curious.)

But aside from that, I am not loving much else about this collection. The styles look outdated rather than classic, and everything is too expensive (which must explain the recent price cuts I've been noticing).

In fact, According to The New York Times, the American Living collection costs about 15 percent more than the highest-priced private labels now sold by Penney under brands like Concepts by Claiborne, Joneswear and Liz & Co.

For example, a woman’s seersucker skirt costs $70; a distressed jean jacket costs $100; and a large leather hobo costs $115.

I'm also not too keen on the brand's rustic bald-eagle-and-flag logo. A bit contrived, don't you think?

So my gut tells me this collection will be a major flop with shoppers. But if it lasts, at least American Living will provide a nice...er...counterpoint to Penney's upcoming Fabulosity clothing line.

Next month, actress and model Elizabeth Hurley will be launching Elizabeth Hurley for Mango, a limited edition swimwear line full of brightly colored bikinis, kaftans, and one-pieces.

Miss Hurley, 42, and a mother of one, looks gorgeous as usual in her photo shoot for the ultra-sexy collection, which will also feature some accessories, including sunglasses, shoes, and jewelry.

If you want to channel Hurley's vixen vibe, expect to spend $40-$70 for a bikini, $140 for a kaftan, and $44 for a beachy bag.

>> See more pics here

Into optical illusions? These unique frocks have stripes that give the illusion of a tonal gradient when viewed from a distance. Pony up $168.00 for French Connection's version (center), or simply give the illusion that you paid a lot for your duds with either of the dresses on the sides from (who else) Forever 21.

>> Left: Diamond Knit Dress at Forever21.com (also available in red), $22.80
>> Center: Sunrise Tellin Dress at Fcuk.com, $168
>> Right: Sleeveless Diamond Knit Dress at Forever 21.com, $24.80

Anything that helps us get dressed quickly and look effortlessly put-together is a big winner in our book, which is why we're loving the idea of beaded collars. Forget the struggle of finding the right accessories: With an embellished neckline, there's no need for a necklace, earrings become optional, and at the very most, all you need to dress your wrists is a bangle or two. (Hey, that's less money spent on baubles, too, right?)

Tunics, tanks and dresses all benefit from beaded collars. Tribal-inspired wooden beads look casually chic for day; dainty pearl embellishments add the perfect touch for a night out. As far as we're concerned, it's full bead ahead with this very wearable trend. Click the pics for product details...