BETTER LATE THAN NEVER On the heels of sister brand Express, The Limited will be launching an online store in fall 2008. Be the first to know when their online store opens, plus get $15 off your $50 purchase, when you join their e-mail list at www.thelimited.com

My dependable albeit uncool Coach wallet.
So I may lose some friends today and make some serious enemies, but I'm going to go out on a limb here and speak my truth: Coach handbags are not cool. They've gone overboard with the "C"s, they've gone overboard with the rebranding, and in their efforts to become coveted by a younger generation, they have become (insult of insults): Common. I'm sorry, but when everyone and their mother and their grandmother and their kid sister is carrying one of these unimaginative quasi-status symbols, it's time to throw in the towel and say, "Enough."

Now for an ironic twist: I happen to own both a Coach handbag and a Coach wallet. They were gifted to me a couple years back (I think it's been nearly 5 years now), and at the time I thought it was an undeniably generous and thoughtful gift. And guess what? I still use the wallet because the quality is superb and it serves its function well. Some critics have charged that Coach's quality and craftsmanship has gone down (while prices remain high) ever since the American company quietly moved most of their production to China. I'm not sure where my wallet was made, but I abuse that thing daily and it's held up really well. Just look at the above photo, it still looks practically new!

So even though I don't think the wallet is "cool" per se, I'm going to continue to use it until it falls apart. Does that make me a hypocrite? I don't think so. Not everything I own is cool, nor should it be. My point is this: Coach is a "nay" in terms of being fashionable, a "nay" for being an overpriced affordable luxury (unless you shop the outlets), but a definite "yay" if you just want a well-made purse or wallet that will last for years.

Coach: Yea or Nay?

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!):

I think every girl is enchanted by the iridescent beauty of the proud peacock. Capture some of that exoticism and enhance your own good looks with a pair of peacock feather earrings. With simple makeup and free-flowing tresses, I'm thinking this could be a great boho-chic look for day or night. Here are three affordable pairs to choose from...


Peacock Earrings at CharlotteRusse.com, $4.00


Peacock Feather Earring at Forever21.com, $4.80


Peacock Lure Earrings at UrbanOutfitters.com, $24

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.