The Budget Babe | Affordable Fashion & Style Blog

Kmart LYS Plus-Size Collection Spring 2011 Lookbook




This season Kmart declares "Love Your Style, Love Your Size" with the launch of its LYS plus-size collection, made especially for women size 18 and over. Prices range from $29.99 for an olive green jacket to $21.99 for a feminine tunic, with basics like camis and leggings priced even lower. Fun splashes of color and bold prints lift the assortment, while fabrics ranging from satin to denim help create the versatile mood of the collection.

LYS Senior Designer, and plus-size woman, Nicole Magnani sees LYS as redefining the plus-size fashion landscape, bringing her personal eye for style and ease to the clothing. She says, "Kmart will be the destination where curvy women shop for clothes they feel great in, want to be seen in, and look amazing wearing!"

I love the sophisticated color palette and the delicate treatment of the military trend shown with pieces like the silk cargos, utility tunic dress or stud trim top.

Keep reading to see all the looks. Do you think Kmart nailed it with LYS?

Ask BB: Modest Floral Dresses on a Budget

I am looking for a knee length floral dress for spring. Any suggestions? Modesty is key. —@chloecolette





Natalie Portman wore a floral Rodarte dress to a Black Swan screening, while Rihanna donned a demure floral dress to a book signing.



Floral prints always feel right for spring. Here's are some of the best floral dresses I've seen under $100.

First, I am totally obsessed with the Kinder Aggugini collection for Macy's, which includes a number of high-fashion florals at unbelievable prices. This one's $69:



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More fabulous options by Kinder Aggugini...



Another great place to shop for floral dresses this spring is Kohl's, which has a couple cute options from LC Lauren Conrad, Simply Vera Vera Wang and ELLE:



More hand-picked options...



Finally, my favorite stand-by, Forever 21, has dozens of stylish floral options. Here's one where the flowers are done in delicate embroidery on a soft lilac background.



Forever 21 at ShopStyle



More options...



All the options I've shown can be worn with blazers or cardigans and tights for a more modest look. Hope this helps - and happy spring! —BB

Ask BB: Selena Gomez's Irina Shabayeva Dress for Less

My sister's prom is this year and we have been searching for a dress similar to the one Selena Gomez wore to the 2011 People's Choice Awards (shown below). The dress was designed by Irina Shabayeva, Project Runway's Season 6 winner. I can't seem to find anything close enough to it and I was hoping you would be able to help with the search. —Tina E





Selena looks so cute in that dress, I've been trying to find a similar hi-low gown for weeks! So far, this is the closest I've seen. But it's not cheap - it's $338 at eDressme.com:



La Femme at ShopStyle



Here's another option that might work for you. Although it's a solid color rather than a print, I think it's a gorgeous shade of blue and it will create the silhouette you're going for. It's $248 at Bloomingdale's:



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If anyone knows where Tina can find the dress she's looking for, please let us know in the comments!
BB

La Redoute Resurrected for U.S. Shoppers?


French fashion from La Redoute accessible to U.S.A. shoppers on Avenue.com

Good news for fans of La Redoute, the French fashion store that stopped shipping to the United States back in 2009: You can now shop a small selection of "La Redoute" labeled clothing on Avenue.com!

I stumbled upon this totally by accident.

Just enter the term "La Redoute" in Avenue.com's search box, and you'll see 38 products ranging from liquid leggings to soft leather jackets, all bearing the La Redoute name in the caption. Another clue? The catalog images totally look like old-school La Redoute.

I'm excited by this discovery since I only had the chance to place one order from La Redoute before they discontinued their U.S. website. I'm tempted to order the trench coat (shown above) immediately.

I've reached out to someone at Avenue.com for more info, so I'll keep you posted if I hear back.

UPDATE: I heard back from my contact at Avenue, here's what they had to say!

"Yes, this is the same French brand from a few years ago. ... I also wanted to mention that you can find La Redoute product at OneStopPlus.com as well."

Above: [1] Fashion Trench Coat, $59.99-$69.99 [2] Satin Blouse $39.99 [3] Sequin Tank Dress $59.99 [4] Floral Maxi Dress $59.99-$69.99

LPLP Linea Pelle Collection for Target


LPLP Linea Pelle handbags for Target

The LPLP Linea Pelle collection has quietly launched on Target.com, confirming rumors that the popular designer brand Linea Pelle was teaming up with the big box retailer. I spotted 13 different handbag styles, including a satchel, a stud embellished hobo, a zipper embellished hobo, a drawstring bucket bag, and two styles of crossbody bag. The bags are available in white, pink, blue, black and tan, and range in price from $19.99 to $34.99.

Linea Pelle is known for vintage-inspired casual designs—including belts, bracelets and bags—with luxe details like simple studs and gold hardware. Aside from the fact that LPLP is not genuine leather, I think they did a pretty good job of translating the designer look for less, especially when you look at things like the zipper pulls and the way the straps and pockets are attached to the bags. Love those exterior pockets for things like lip gloss and my cellphone. For the price, I might get the blue satchel and the pink hobo to brighten my wardrobe for spring.

Click through to see all the LPLP Linea Pelle bags currently available.