Gap introduced a limited edition European Collection exclusively online. It's described as traditional Gap with an international flair, courtesy of European designers.

We see it as Gap's attempt to bring more fashion-forward items to it's customers, and maybe reel in a few fashionistas who wouldn't normally give a hoot about Gap clothing.

There are some yummy knits and flirty dresses, but The European Collection is not much different than regular Gap, except maybe the styling and photography. Prices range from $29.50 for a ruffled henley tee, to $350 for a leather bomber jacket.

What do you think? Love it or Leave it?

Featured above: Cotton cashmere wide-striped dress, $78.00

Chicagoans need not go nude anymore: Chicago-based t-shirt collective Threadless.com just opened their first brick-and-mortar store in the Windy City.

We can't wait to check it out since we've been big fans of their online store for years (Where else would we shop for our lovable 1337 bf?). Let's face it, we're a T-shirt generation living in a T-shirt world and we might as well wear the coolest ones we can find.

The best thing about Threadless is that the shirt designs come from the community—users can submit ideas and vote on their favorite designs. This results in an amazing amount of super-creative expressions with something for everyone—silly, saucy, sensitive, smartass, just plain nerdy—you name it.

The store is going to be busy teaching design classes, hosting galleries with Threadless artist's work, having real-world group critiques and other various events. Rock on, Threadless.

Get more info on Threadless Chicago. >>

Can you guess which of these dresses is from Nicole Miller's eponymous line, and which is from Nicole by Nicole Miller, her more affordable line for JCPenney? Scroll down for the answer...no peeking!

Tough call, right?

Here's a clue: The dress on the left is made from silk/spandex. The dress on the right is made from polyester/spandex.

Now do you know? Here's the answer:

The dress on the left is a flower swirl dress by Nicole Miller, $320.00 at Bloomingdale's. The dress on the right is a Nicole by Nicole Miller print sheath dress, $80.00 $59.99 at JCPenney.com.

Since it's easy to tire of bold prints fast, we'd opt for the dress on the right. How bout you?

Long before we had even heard of Forever 21, a 3-year-long legal battle had been waged between the trendy clothing retailer and several of the garment workers who sew their clothes. The workers were allegedly paid sub-minimum wages while enduring deplorable working conditions. The media followed this story until a settlement was reached between 33 factory workers and Forever 21 representatives in 2004.

We're ashamed (ok, embarrassed) to admit this, but we didn't know anything about Forever 21's use of sweatshop labor until just recently when a friend told us about Made in L.A., a new documentary film by Almudena Carracedo and Robert Bahar, which is bringing this long-forgotten story back into the public eye. The film, which premiered September 4th on PBS, follows the story of three Latina immigrants working in Los Angeles garment sweatshops as they embark on a three-year odyssey to win basic labor protections from Forever 21.

As a consumer—budget or otherwise—the ever-present specter of global sweatshop labor looms large. And yes, we are well-aware of unfair labor practices outside of the rag-trade in the United States (The meatpacking industry comes to mind). Yet we honestly thought that because most of Forever 21's production was based right here in the U.S.—right outside of Los Angeles, to be exact—that somehow, their workers were being treated fairly. We naively assumed they were at least being paid minimum wage. And so it was with some actual amount of pride that we supported them as a business.

Now, we're not sure what to think.

While Forever 21 settled with the workers, we have no way of knowing what their labor practices are really like today. Even "Made in L.A." can't provide definitive answers. We encourage everyone to watch it, because we've all become a little jaded—and could all use a little more education—on the fair labor front. We're not suggesting you should boycott any one store in particular (we're not, because we don't feel like we have enough information to do so).

But we do think U.S. shoppers care how their clothes are produced. We have to care. And we budget babes would gladly pay a few dollars more for a shirt IF that meant better working conditions for the people busting their behinds so that we can look good.

Learn more about "Made in L.A." here. >>
Check local PBS television listings here. >>

Photo credit: Madeinla.com

Yesterday we took our very first trip to our nearest Kohl's to check out the long-awaited Simply Vera by Vera Wang collection. (Score one point for Kohl's: They got us in the door!)

So here's the scoop: At first glance, the collection was rather anticlimactic. No cymbals clanging or trumpets blaring. Just simple, pretty, run-of-the-mill fashion.

But all that changed after we actually tried a couple of items on. We were surprised by how well they fit, and how... casually... elegant they truly were.

Casual elegance. That's not a phrase we normally use, but there's no other way to express how the clothes made us feel.

Now let's take a closer look...


The first item we tried on was this black coat on the right; had a quirky elastic band belt that was easy to fasten and actually cinched the fabric just right. Could easy be dressed up or down, roomy pockets, chic origami-structuring—but not sure how warm this would be past September (it's like 20% wool, 80% acrylic/poly), so probably not practical to pay $128 for it.

Next, we slipped on the little black dress on the left. Another perfect fit. Another pleasant surprise. Vera was smart to use lots of black in the collection (makes it harder to tell if something's cheap when it's black). Considering the versatility, it's pretty reasonably priced at $88, but we'd wait until it goes on sale.


Emboldened by our success, we thought, "What the heck" and tried on the purple ruffled blouse on the left. After disentangling the knotted ribbon tie, we noted the lovely satin rose. The top fit rather well; it was relaxed and feminine, without being too girly. But not something we'd wear very often, so not worth the $58 pricetag.

The brocade skirt on the right was also true to size. It's a fun look and we dug the funky stitching and gathering. We happened to be wearing a black tank on top, and thought it looked really good together. Made us realize how many ways each piece could be worn, and by women of all ages and sizes. But $98? Ouch. Wait for sale.


On the left: A cute black skirt with just the right amount of detail to make it "fashiony" without being so trendy that you can't wear it next season. Still not lovin' the price (it's $64) because after all, we're still talking Kohl's here.

Deep teal blouse on the right was so effortless and so gosh darn pretty. We can not stress enough how much better these items look when you're actually wearing them. They transform before your eyes from drab to fab. $48, not horrible.


After our success with the clothes, we walked back to the shoe section and decided to try some on. Most of the shoes are made with genuine leather uppers (thank goodness!). These black booties ($89.99) and "winter" sandals ($69.99) could easily carry you through fall and into winter. (Wear tights with the sandals as temps fall). Both pairs fit true to size and were comfortable and well-balanced. We want them. They will be ours.


There's also Simply Vera lingerie; prices range from $12-$38. No, it's not La Perla, but it sure beats the Daisy Fuentes stuff on the next rack over.


In the Simply Vera accessories department, we perused purses made from synthetic fabrics which range from $49-$79, as well as handbags made from real leather (like the two above), which range from $69-$159. (The little purse on the left is $49; $79 for the big one). We'd proudly tote the leather ones, but take a pass on the rest.

Cold weather accessories like hats, gloves and scarves were cute, but largely synthetic (mostly acrylic and polyester. Ick.) except from one scratchy hat that was like 20% wool. Prices range from $20-75.

On our way out, we noticed the Simply Vera jewelry collection; it was probably what impressed us the most. It's in a glass case, so you'll need to ask for help to see it. We waited for ages to be helped, but the saleswoman who finally assisted us was sweet, so we didn't mind. Prices range from $75 all the way to $675. Most items are made from sterling silver or sterling with 18k gold plating. We loved the stackable rings and cocktail rings, made from real gemstones like white sapphire and amethyst. We will drop hints to our sig-o

So there you have it. Simply Vera is a solid budget fashion collection that's worth investigating. Spend a little time getting to know which items you like, then sit back and wait for the sales. And of course, let us know what you think!