Fashion Radar

First, some bad news: Topshop, the popular British high street fashion chain, has delayed the opening of their New York City store until late November. Boo.

Now, the good news: Topshop.com has recently launched a dedicated US site, which means all prices will be in dollars and all measurements will be US-friendly. For a limited time, you can also bypass the ghastly $15 flat rate shipping fee and get free shipping with code USFREEPOSTAGETS01. Still not satisfied? They'll throw in a Kate Moss Charity tee free with your purchase. Plus, you can enter for your chance to win a $750 shopping spree.

All of this, at Topshop.com USA. The prices aren't cheap by any means but Topshop has cornered the cool corner of the market and you simply won't find the duds they've got anywhere else. Some good values we spotted: A pocket-cardi in purple for $30, a Burberry-esque belted funnel neck coat for $170, and these gray leather slouch boots for $145.

Click here to get shoppin' ... and if you do buy something, please share details in the comments (cuz I'm holding out for the NY store!)

New York Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2009 is winding down, but there's still plenty of time to take in the shows and enjoy the latest crop of fashions. Your front row seat awaits at Coutorture.com, which we think has the best coverage and photos anywhere on or off the web. Browse runway photos, creative photos, and watch exclusive video content you won't find anywhere else. Just a word of warning: It's highly addictive and may inspire bouts of wistful thinking, uncontrollable lusting and excessive daydreaming (so if you've got some place to be or something to do, slowly step away from your computer...) For everyone else, enjoy!

>> New York Fashion Week Coverage at Coutorture

The scene at The Budget Fashionista's 5th Anniversary party in NY: Kathryn poses with BB on the pink carpet; my fashion-savvy friend Stacy strikes a pose; How to Look Good Naked's Carson Kressley and BB; TBF's peeps worked the party wearing "Frugal is the new black" tees. Love it!

On Monday night, I had the honor of meeting my fashion blogging idol, Kathryn Finney aka The Budget Fashionista, who celebrated the 5th anniversary of her amazing blog with a bash at the Housing Works Thrift Store in Chelsea. It was what Oprah might call a "full circle" moment because I've read Kathryn's book, and have been reading her blog for YEARS, and have long admired her dedication, intelligence and well-deserved success. Needless to say, I was giddy when I spotted her, looking fabulous in a head-turning feathered hat and dramatic black jacket, but she instantly put me at ease with her genuine, gracious demeanor. I asked Kathryn about the key trends we budget babes should be looking out for this fall. Here, Kathryn shares 5 ways to update your wardrobe without spending a small fortune:

Plaid: This fall favorite is back in a big way, Kathryn says, which is great news for gals on a budget: Hit up your local thrift store where plaid is always in stock.
Gray: A great alternative to black, gray is a "kinder, gentler neutral," says Kathryn.
Purple: Perfect for just about any complexion, purple is a popular, wearable hue for fall.
Shoe boots: Shoeties, booties, whatever you want to call them - Kathryn says the "shoe boot" is the "it" shoe for fall. Find budget-friendly takes at Target and Payless.
Wide-leg pants: A pair of great fitting, full-leg trousers does wonders for the backside and helps lengthen the legs.

Congrats to The Budget Fashionista crew for five fabulous, frugal years...and here's to many, many more!

>> Read Kathryn's blog at www.thebudgetfashionista.com

New York Mag has preview pics of the upcoming Jonathan Saunders collection for Target, which hits stores October 5. If you're in NYC, you can also score these items at any of Target's four Bullseye Bodega pop-up shops that will be opening around the city next week. Inspired by the works of artists as diverse as Gustav Klimt, Jackson Pollock, and Mark Rothko, pieces in the Jonathan Saunders collection range from $14.99 to $59.99 and will be in stores through November 1. Art prints are big for fall, and it looks like ombre is sticking around, too. I'm a huge sucker for Art with a capital "A" so naturally, Saunders has me swooning. Although I also think he could have pushed the envelope just a tad farther. What do you think so far?

My glorious Fall issue of W magazine arrived this week, and as I hoisted up the hefty glossy and cradled it in my arms, I was reminded of exactly why this has remained my favorite fashion magazine since at least 1998. We're talking 556 oversized pages of the best in fashion, beauty and style. Sure, there are other fashion magazines that are more avant-garde or feature more budget-friendly finds (although I'm unable to name any offhand) but W continues to shine brighter than the rest for its photography, more photography, some writing and, well, the large format.

My only complaint is they seem to be featuring more and more actresses on the cover, rather than models, but at least they style them in fresh new ways. Kate Hudson looks great on the September 2008 cover in a remake of the September 1994 Harper's Bazaar cover of Nadja Auermann photographed by Patrick Demarchelier (click here to see the covers side by side). Some people are up-in-arms about the cover, calling it a blatant knockoff, but to them I say, take an art history class and get a life. And I'm not saying the Kate cover is a masterpiece but I see nothing wrong with reinterpretting a photograph with an entirely new person. The aim was to remove Kate's girl-next-door association, so they put her in Nadja's iconic fierce model pose. It's not groundbreaking, but it's also not a crime.

If you don't already subscribe, I highly recommend W as a supplement to your online fashion news...ya know, when you're not around a computer and can't access The Babe. Anywho, here are more reasons why I love W:

• W doesn't do weird for the sake of weird.
  
• Just enough mainstream material to keep you in the loop.
  
• There's none of the smut you find in other women's magazines, like, "101 Ways to Please Your Man."
  
• Very little celebrity talk, with a greater focus on designers, artists, fashion entrepreneurs, both up-and-coming and the well-established icon. Their homage to the late Yves Saint Laurent brought a tear to my eye.
  
• Gives its reader the illusion of exclusivity and elitism. As long as I realize it's an illusion, let me enjoy my fantasy.
  
• Columns by The Countess Louise J. Esterhazy, a royal snob. Literally.

What's your favorite fashion magazine?