The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

LOFT Fall 2010 Holiday Preview


Last week I was invited to the LOFT Fall 2010 Holiday Preview event at a gorgeous design studio in NYC to see what's in store for the upcoming holiday season, a time for parties, gift-giving and fashion! LOFT's aim was to provide real women the types of stylish, versatile, wearable pieces they'll need to carry them through the season—for work and play—and I think they did a great job.

Once again, we'll be seeing lots of faux fur accents, military-inspired coats, knits and jackets, lots of stripes and lots of layering. Same goes for statement jewelry—big necklaces, bracelets, broaches—which are a fabulous affordable way to update your look on a budget. And much like last season, feminine flourishes will once again make their way onto pretty tops, skirts and dresses in the form of watercolor florals, ruffles, sequins and warm colors like pinks, corals and purples (with plenty of black, gray and white to keep things sophisticated and easy to mix-and-match).

Most pieces are priced under $100, and range from $9.50 for over-the-knee socks; to $98 for a floral jacquard dress; to $188 for a military melton coat. Nothing's over $200.

I'm glad these trends are coming back because it means you don't have to overhaul your entire wardrobe to look current. I'll probably hone in on a new pair of boots, military jacket and some fun baubles to update things I already own. Which pieces would you buy?

Click through to see 40+ more pics!

The Look for Less: Lanvin Chain Link Heels


Lanvin's chain link pumps originally sold for $1075 at Barneys (now sold out).




Hilary Duff wore hers with a body-conscious black dress for a shopping spree at Gucci…



Photo credit: www.lovemaegan.com


…while blogger …love Maegan worked some DIY magic and made her own inspired-by pair of ankle chain heels. Fabulous!



Photo credit: www.theglamourai.com


**UPDATE:** Thanks to a tweet from @notlostintrans, I discovered another blogger's amazing DIY version of the Lanvin: The Glamourai created detachable ankle jewelry that can be worn a dozen ways! Superchic.


The best knock-off I've found so far isn't cheap, but it's a lot less than the original. It's the 'Seeri' by Guess ($128) and you can wear the chains draped in back or wrapped around the ankle (says so in the product details.) Click the pic to learn more, Lanvin lovers!

American Living: Made For Shopping at the Farmer's Market + Enter to Win a $250 JCPenney Gift Card!

And the winner is… #100 saretta !! Congratulations to our winner and thanks to everyone who shared their favorite pieces and "Made for" moments! Loved reading them all :-)




Please note: This giveaway is now closed to further entries.

Earlier I posted behind-the-scenes photos and a teaser video from my American Living for JCPenney "Made For" Campaign by Style Coalition, and now I'm happy to share the final product!

For my "Made For" moment I chose shopping at the farmer's market, something I love to do on the weekends in the summer. I wore American Living for JCPenney linen cargos with a white tee, red espadrilles and straw fedora. Classic, comfortable and cute!

So what's your "Made For" moment of the day? Tell me in the comments and you could win a $250 gift card to JCPenney and be entered to win a Grand Prize of a $1,500 JCPenney gift card!

Here's how to enter:

  • Visit the American Living for JCPenney website, pick your favorite piece from the collection, then tell me how you'd wear it for your own "Made For" moment in the comments section below.

  • Read the Official Rules.

  • Post your entry by July 31st, 11:59 p.m. to be eligible to win.

  • Tell your friends and tweeps!


Good luck!!!

The video series are sponsored by JCPenney and produced by Style Coalition. Winner will be announced on or about August 2th, 2010. Watch more great "Made For" moments by your favorite fashion bloggers on the Style Coalition YouTube channel.

The Look for Less: Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony Western Buckle Wedge


These Western Buckle Wedges by Chloë Sevigny for Opening Ceremony originally sold for $780 at La Garconne. And sell they did…




Here we see Gossip Girl's Leighton Meester wearing her pair with a plaid romper, followed by Chloe Sevigny (the designer herself) wearing her wedges with a nude body-con dress, and finally model Chanel Iman rocking her shoes with skinny jeans and a blazer. Edgy and eye-catching yet surprisingly versatile, too.


Get the look for less courtesy of Dollhouse, whose multi buckle peep toe wedges are $49.95 at DSW.com. Click the image above for more info.

Would you wear these?