The Budget Babe

As in Spring seasons past, many designers such as Richard Chai sent loose-fitting, relaxed fit pants down the runways for 2009, and fashion chains everywhere are following this trend. As much as I love this look, especially with the rolled up cuffs and pale hues shown by Chai, I'm not sure I'm ready to shed my fitted jeans for fuller cuts. Voluminous pants...frighten me, as much as I adore the look on others and the smooth silky fabrics that lend themselves so well to this look. Reassure me that I have nothing to fear, and that you're ready to wear this style yourself—perhaps one of the four pairs above is calling your name?

While watching Entertainment Tonight the other day (I just wanted to see a segment about Michelle Obama's Tracy Reese dress, I swear!), they had designer Allen B. Schwartz talking about his latest Oscar gown knock-offs, and then they mentioned Schwartz has teamed up with JCPenney to create an affordable line of women's clothing. Who knew? The man already makes gorgeous designer-inspired gowns with his ABS by Allen Schwartz line, so I headed over to JCPenney.com to check out his latest venture, and a couple pieces really caught my eye. I'll definitely look for it next time I'm in the store (I still need to check out the new I Heart Ronson collection! I'm so behind.)

More from JCPenney's pressroom: "Launching this spring and created exclusively for JCPenney by 'master of trend' Allen B. Schwartz, ALLEN B. features a complete women’s fashion sportswear and dress collection for the trendy lifestyle customer. With its casual chic and cool California vibe, the vivid and colorful collection includes tees, knit tops, blouses, sweaters, pants, jeans and jackets, along with an array of dresses for day and night, delivering looks that are ageless, season-less and effortless. The new ALLEN B. collection offers sportswear items ranging from $30 for a tee to $72 for a jacket and dresses ranging from $70 to $80." Just watch out for the acid wash jeans!

Here are some of my favorite items (click on any of the images to shop):

On May 1, Forever 21 will launch a plus-size clothing line called Faith 21 in select stores and online, reports the Los Angeles Times. Faith 21 will offer tops, jeans, tanks, leggings and skirts in a junior plus size as well as XL, 1X and 2X.

I think this is exciting news considering the most common complaint I've heard about the fast-fashion chain (besides quality and blatant knockoffs) is the lack of adequate sizes. Just the other day, a reader made the following comment: "I love F21 just as much as the next budget conscious girl, but their sizes are so far from womanly it's ridiculous. I have a classic hourglass figure at a healthy weight for my height and their sizes barely even get over my head. What's a girl to do!?!?" —Katie


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