Balmain isn't a designer I usually pay much attention to, but a recent post over at Who What Wear highlighted the designer's Fall 2008 collection in a way that got me excited to see more. Naturally, I wanted to see if I could find looks inspired by the glam/punk/rock'n'roll collection that were within my budget. With elements like plaid, zebra, metallics, fringe and lace aplenty, I discovered that injecting some of Balmain's edgy vibe into your own wardrobe is totally doable this season. Keep reading to see the goods!

"Electtra" Suede Booties in Blue with Black Belt $39.99
Available for October – December Issues
Here's a sampling of the upcoming Sigerson Morrison for Target footwear collection. I've never been blown away by Kari Sigerson and Miranda Morrison's expensive line, and I've got to say I'm not loving their cheap-chic collection, either. I get that the embellishments are meant to be festive for the holidays, but they look rather cheap. Instead of giving us plastic for $30, why can't Target give us leather for, say, $60? Is that impossible to produce? I'm afraid these styles will end up on the clearance racks instead of your closets, but I could be wrong - are you feeling these looks? Look for them at Target stores and Target.com on October 12 through December 26, 2008.


"Glitz" Suede Stud Flats in Black/Purple $29.99
Available for October – November Issues


"Fierce" Patent Zip Booties in Black $39.99
Available for October – November Issues


"Rocksie" Jeweled Flats in Purple $29.99
Available for November – December Issues


"Glam" Boots in Black/Silver $39.99 Target.com only
Available for October – December Issues


"Roxanne" Jeweled Pumps in Blue $36.99 Target.com only
Available for October – December Issues


"Lustra" Suede Pumps in Black/Pink $34.99
Available for October – November Issues

Colorblock Open Neck Tee, $16.99; Buckle Ponte Dress in Eternal Flame, $39.99; Colorblock Dress in Multicolor/ Ebony, $29.99

Jonathan Saunders for Target arrived in stores yesterday, and (surprise, surprise) I was there to check it out. Let me preface this review by saying that my favorite part about these GO International collections is that they enable me to try on styles and looks that I might otherwise never try on. It's like playing dress up. And at these low prices, you can actually buy what you like, make the look your own and incorporate it into your regular wardrobe. I didn't end up buying anything on this trip, but I had so much fun trying everything on and just sort of experiencing the garments, and appreciating the creative thought process behind them. Now, on to the clothes...



Screen Tee Ebony Kaleidescope, $17.99; Colorblock Dress White/Ebony, $29.99

Quality was comparable to past GO collections: Good but not stellar. A red jumper really stood out for its solid-feeling construction and vibrant hue, as did a banging black pencil skirt. I didn't bother trying on any of the button down blouses, though, because the cotton seemed super thin and they looked cheap on the hangers, which is unfortunate. A few of the more artsy dresses were amazing - in theory - but in real life, they proved to be unflattering and too flimsy to be dresses. They might work as tops with leggings or jeans at best.



Turtleneck Sweater Ebony, $29.99Ombre Prnt Skirt Blue Whale, $26.99; Self Belt Dress Ebony, $39.99
A black turtleneck sweater with a beatnik vibe was surprisingly chic, but sweaters are one area where I don't skimp. Cheap sweaters aren't warm and they tend to lose their shape overnight. An ombre skirt caught my eye with its rich sky blue coloration, and it looked classy (you can't tell from my pic, but trust me). Finally, I tried on a flirty little black dress that was perfection. It was modern, it fit well, and it had just the right amount of flare to make it interesting, without being fussy. I'm definitely considering going back for that dress as I think I could get a lot of wear out of it during the holiday season.

If nothing else, I will definitely keep Jonathan Saunders the designer on my radar. He was relatively unknown to me before this collaboration, and I'm eager to learn more about him and see much more of his work.

Have you shopped the collection yet? Thoughts?