I have a Nautical theme party coming up and i have no idea what to wear. —@Msaby via Twitter

I hardly know my port from my starboard but I still love all-things-nautical. Think sailor stripes, anchors, navy, red, white and gold, with some rope and boat shoes thrown in for good measure. For your party, have fun with these classic nautical motifs. It doesn't have to (and probably shouldn't) be too literal.

Here are some celebrity outfits to inspire you:



Left: Pippa Middleton's blue blazer and white jeans (seen here) looks like a yacht-worthy outfit to me. I wouldn't really know, but that's what I imagine a stylish sailor might don.

Middle: Eva Longoria's long sleeve stripe top and white shorts (seen here) are so nautical-glam. Her sexy heels make the look more fashionista, less fisherman.

Right: Rachel Bilson's bright red skirt, striped top and navy blazer (seen here) gives a nod to nautical style without treading into costume territory. Totally chic.

Here are 3 outfit ideas using affordable items that will help you get a nautical party look this summer (click on any item for details):

I've recently promised myself to start wearing heels more because I think it really balances out my frame, and, of course, I feel a little bit prettier. I've discovered that wedges are the most doable shoes for me, but I am a semi-vegan and won't wear leather, and finding wedges that look expensive and are well made that aren't leather has proven difficult. … Any suggestions? —Samantha K.

Most of the shoes you'll find at affordable retailers like Target and Payless are made from synthetic materials, good news for stylish vegans who don't wear leather! And you're right to seek out wedge styles - they'll give you a little lift without killing your feet. The increased surface area of a wedge heel (versus a stiletto's tiny point) means your weight is more evenly distributed - and that means less pain. Now that we've had our physics lesson of the day, here's a round-up of six great places to shop for affordable and fashionable vegan shoes.

1. Target is every fashionista's favorite for cheap-chic shoes. Just be sure to check the inside of the shoe to see what material it's made of, as Target does occasionally carry genuine leather styles. This wedge by Merona is a great option for a casual work environment and will look great with skirts or jeans. The peep-toe and cut-outs should help your foot breathe, too.

More Merona...

I am having a fashion emergency! I am a young professional and this is my first summer working in a business casual environment. Can you suggest some looks on a budget that will get me through the hot summer months at the office? —Paige

Between the sweltering heat outside and the frigid air-conditioned indoors, dressing stylishly for work can be a huge challenge - but it's not entirely impossible if you have a few key pieces in your closet. Here are 3 outfit ideas to help you achieve workplace chic this summer (click on any item for shopping details):

Summer staple: Cotton pants
How to wear them: Sleeveless top, lightweight blazer and fun pumps.
Some guidelines: I'm a big advocate of black twill pants because they're dressy, go with everything and totally comfortable. If you can find a pair with a bit of spandex, these will give you a bit of stretch and hold their shape better when you wash them.

Sleeveless Tops by Anthropologie
Pumps by JS by Jessica