The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Rogan for Target Review




The Rogan for Target GO International collection hit stores yesterday, and yours truly was there to check it out. First, the bad news: I'm feeling a little under the weather, so that may account for the fact that nothing really impressed me, and nothing really looked flattering on me, hence I'm only posting the two outfits above. The selection at my nearest Target was also super slim, so I'll probably go back in a week or so when they get more stuff.

Now for the good news: Rogan's collection is sure to please cool chicks looking for a piece of green fashion action at dirt cheap prices. There are lightweight tees, tanks and tops; swimsuits and cover-ups; plus casual dresses, skirts and jumpsuits (didn't have my size...boo). The color palette is pleasingly neutral, punched up with a few brights. I gravitated towards the teal relaxed-fit linen and cotton blend tee (above left, $19.99), and a few understated animal prints, like the zebra print skirt (above left, $34.99) and leopard print racerback tank (above right, $16.99).

Now back to the bad news (sorry!): The tee was a bit scratchy. The zebra print skirt was a tad too short. And nothing else fit me properly, namely, the denim pencil skirt (above right, $34.99), a one-piece zebra print bathing suit (cute, but too short in the torso) and a skimpy cotton halter dress (if you order one online, size up).

The mood of the collection was somewhat cold and joyless. The stark styles seemed to be a reprimand for society's excessive consumerism, rather than a celebration of the green movement. I'm not sure this was Gregory's intent. He's probably just trying to delineate the new wave of eco-friendly fashion from the old, treehugging hippie garb by stressing cool silhouettes and edgy, urban details...but what do I know. OK, I'll get off my soap box now.

What does everyone think of the Rogan for Target collection so far? Thoughts, please!


Spring Trends: Hot Pink




Pink is hot, but hot pink is even hotter. Just take a look at Burberry Prorsum's Spring 2008 runway - the three looks above elevate Barbie's favorite color to dramatic new heights. Now wipe the drool from your chin, and keep scrolling for some budget friendly ways to add this irresistible hue to your wardrobe...

alice + olivia for Payless Platform Missy Sandal at Payless.com, $35.00


Isaac Mizrahi for Target Bollywood Summer Dress at Target.com, $44.99


Nine West Fold Over Clutch at WilsonsLeather.com, Orig. $59.00 Now $44.25

Look for Less: Trina Turk Navy Shorts




I feel like Spring's nautical trend has been eclipsed by all the rest (global, urban safari, bright colors, artsy prints, etc.) - but it's out there, and it's one of the easiest to wear. Take, for instance, these Trina Turk "Pim" shorts (left): A sailor-style button front secures cuffed twill shorts, flatteringly fitted with a V-shaped inset waist. You could wear them with a striped bandeau top to continue the seafarer theme, or mix trends and pair it with a bold print halter top (shown here: Trina Turk 'Astrid' Blouse, but budget versions abound, too.) In short, both land and sea offer limitless inspiration for our Spring wardrobes.

>> Left: Trina Turk 'Pim' Shorts at Nordstrom.com, $178.00
>> Right: Double Button Cuff Short at Forever21.com, $17.80

Spring Fashion Trends: Butterflies




SPREAD YOUR WINGS Take a cue from Alexander McQueen (who took his cue from Mother Nature) and transform your Spring wardrobe with some unexpectedly stylish butterflies.

Clockwise from top left: Butterfly Print Dress at Topshop.com, £40.00; Metallic Butterfly Tunic at Forever21.com, $22.80; Gold Butterfly T-shirt at Forever21.com, $15.80; Embroidered Butterfly Satin Top at Forever21.com, $24.80; In Background: Butterfly Cotton Scarf at Forever21.com, $5.80; Butterflies Necklace at Topshop.com, Now £12.50.

First Look: Rogan Gregory for Target




American designer Rogan Gregory is next in line for Target's GO International. Gregory is a former Gap designer and 2008 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award winner with three of his own socially-conscious labels: his eponymous Rogan collection, ethical T-shirt label EDUN, and Loomstate, featuring all-organic tees and jeans.

What's unique about Rogan for Target is that all the cotton used is 100% certified organic. So while the styles themselves aren't exactly jaw-dropping, it's affordable, eco-friendly stuff we could easily wear every day. I'm dying to get my hands on an organic bamboo and hemp hoodie, and can't wait to see if the jeans will have that trademark fit which Gregory's pricey line is so well-known for. Plus, we're just happy that fast fashion is going green(ish).

The collection launches on Target.com/go and at most Target stores nationwide on May 18, 2008, and will be available through June 28. Scroll down for more pics...and tell us what you think in the comments.