And the winner is... Susan #11, who says she's looking forward to Fall fashion for "warm sweaters, flats, and heels, and the cashmere...oh my!"

Congrats to Susan, and thanks to all 164 people who entered. If you didn't win this time, keep checking back for more great giveaways to come!




Please note: This contest is now closed, check back tomorrow for the winner!

Today's giveaway is MAJOR (as in, it'll give the winner a major head-start on her fall wardrobe!): We're giving away a $200 gift certificate to be spent at Regent's Secret, a private, members-only retailer that offers leading fashion brands to its members at discounts of up to 70% off retail prices! To enter, simply answer this question in the comment section below: What are you most looking forward to about fall fashion?

To join Regent's Secret, click here.

Be sure to use a valid email address and include info(at)thebudgetbabe.com in your address book so we can contact you if you're the winner. Comments must be posted by 12 noon ET on Tuesday August 26 to be eligible to win. One lucky winner will be chosen at random, and will be announced on Wednesday August 27. You must be a member of Regent's Secret in order to use your gift certificate (please use the link above to join.)

Featured above: Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent, on sale at Regent's Secret from 08/25/08 - 08/27/08. Special thanks to Jackie for making this giveaway possible. Good luck everyone!

Exclusively for Budget Babe readers: From August 21, 2008 to August 23, 2008, use coupon code laborbabe to save 25% on all ShopBarbara brand clothes in honor of Labor Day. Click here to shop. Read our review of Shop Barbara brand clothing here.

Tough economic times call for increased belt-tightening, preferably a studded leather Linea Pelle belt purchased on sale at Hautelook.com, but it's gotta be tightened nonetheless. Whether or not you feel we're in a recession (I prefer to remain in denial and think positive thoughts! Channel The Secret, everybody!), a lot of people are definitely feeling the pinch of those gas prices, sluggish markets and more. So what's a stylish gal to do? Read on for some tips that will help you shop smart during tough financial times.

Indulge in virtual shopping. I didn't say online shopping, I said virtual, as in, not real. What do I mean by this? Visit sites like Polyvore.com or ShopStyle.com where you can "shop" to your heart's content by browsing the web, saving your favorite items, creating crafty outfits and sharing thoughts and comments with fellow fashion lovers. Oftentimes, an hour of goofing around with Polyvore is totally enough for me to get that fashion fix. I can see how colors and silhouettes go together (or don't) without actually buying the items. Trust me, you don't really need to have those Louboutins or even that cute bag that's on sale at Target. Transcend, people, transcend!

Shop your closet. Honestly, you probably have gems hiding in there that you haven't seen in years, and they deserve to see the light of day. Pretend you're thrifting, or shopping a fabulous vintage trunk show. Pour yourself a glass of wine, play dress up, and think of creative ways to rework what you already own. You will be surprised by what you discover. Plus, just think of how green you're being!

Organize a clothing swap with friends. They don't all have to be your size, as you can swap things like accessories, too. Make them bring food, too, and you've got yourself a fashion potluck bonanza!

Go thrifting. If you've been put off by the funky smells or bizarro clothes you've seen at thrift stores in the past, give it another go. Nowadays you can find plenty of nearly new clothing and current styles since so many people have overflowing closets. Who knows, a recovering shopping addict may have just dropped off her 13th Chanel bag, and you can scoop it up for pennies!

Buy quality essentials. Now may be a good time to commit to buying just 2 or 3 great new items, and bypassing all the rest. That means no more Target or H&M. Instead, hit the sale racks at Saks or Neiman Marcus and get a sharp, designer blazer or quality Italian leather shoes in a neutral color that you can wear for years to come. It's not so boring as it sounds, it's quite noble in fact.

Have you had to cut back on your fashion spending? What are you doing to stretch your style dollars?

Wardrobe staples need not be boring. [luckymag.com]


I am 19-years-old [and] I want to know some essentials that I should have in my closet. When ever I google this question I get the "7 Essentials for Women" which normally include good jeans, a little black dress, and khaki slacks. I want more than that! So my questions are: Do these "basic essentials" apply to my age group? And if so, how can I spice them up? —Sammy

Pinning down seven wardrobe essentials for any age group is a tricky question as so much depends on your body type, fashion persona and lifestyle...but they can lay the foundation for a polished wardrobe AND help you stick to your budget. Here are some common must-haves that I think definitely work well for your age group...with my own little twist (khakis not included!):

A little while back, I featured a polka-dot shift dress from Target, styled in three different ways (click here to check it out). With fall quickly approaching (sad, I know), I decided to show how this same short-sleeved frock could be styled in three additional ways that are suitable for cooler weather. It's a good way to stretch a buck. Let me know what you think...

1. TOP Cowlneck shirt, Mossimo Target, $10. SHOES Brown leather riding boots, Aerosoles, $90-ish. BELT Brown faux-leather, Forever 21, $13.50. BRACELETS (featured in all three looks) Gilded rubber bangles, Urban Outfitters, $5. BLACK TIGHTS.


2. CARDIGAN, Dream Society via Regent's Secret, $25. SHOES Black leather peep-toe wedges, Aldo, $40. PURSE , Simply Vera Vera Wang, Oprah show freebie. NECKLACE Rhinestone drop pendant, Forever 21, $4.80.


3. BLAZER, United Colors of Benetton. SHOES Black leather peep-toe Mary Janes, Aerosoles, $19.99. SCARF H&M, $9.80. LEGGINGS Twelve by Twelve, $18.