The Budget Babe

Actress Lindsay Lohan (on the right, as if you didn't know) and DJ Samantha Ronson attended the Charlotte Ronson 2009 Spring Collection in Bryant Park during Fashion Week in New York on Saturday. Forgive me for kicking off Fashion Week coverage with la Lohan, but her outfit was really easy to duplicate on a dime (just being honest!). She paired a skin-tight denim dress with bright blue heels and a bold pearl bracelet. We found a similar frock at Arden B. (Forever 21, Wet Seal and Bebe have this style, too) and added some electric blue platforms from Forever 21. To finish the affordable look, a Dean Harris for Target pearl necklace gets wrapped around the wrist as a bracelet. We saw these in person and they look really good, at least in the well-lit case. For a more modest look (read: less hoochie) try adding a cute cropped cardigan or a tailored gray blazer.

Would you rock this look?

[1] Dean Harris for Target Pearl Necklace (wear as bracelet), Target.com, $39.99
[2] Denim Pencil Dress, ArdenB.com, $128.00
[3] Blue Suede Platform Heels, Forever21.com, $21.80

I could watch Who What Wear TV all day. Literally. It's so yummy. But since I have a day job, that's just not possible. However, I did manage to squeeze in some time today to watch two great clips about Fall fashion, and I took some notes to share with you all. Here we go:

Best Budget Basics for Fall (watch the clip)
Shopping for a new season can get expensive, so here are some trendy and thrifty items to update your wardrobe:


Flannel workshirt a la Lauren Conrad: Pair with skinny jeans. Or, for evening, wear with a contrasting, dressier black skirt. Finish the look with fierce pumps.


Gray blazer a la Kate Moss: Achieve another great look by pairing with a long sleeve tee, jeans in a relaxed fit, and lace up oxfords with ankle socks.

Tip: Visit your local thrift store (trends come and go in cycles). Make a list before you shop so you won't be overwhelmed or over-spend.

5 Key Accessories for Fall (watch the clip)

• Chains: Pile several chains on at once
  
• Wool beanies as seen on the Alexander Wang runway
  
• Long-strap handbags: Can be worn on one shoulder or across the body
  
• Motorcycle boots as seen on the Marc by Marc Jacobs runway
  
• Black lace tights

Tip: Invest in shoes and bags, which you wear on a daily basis

The flannel is calling to me, despite the fact that I wore this trend the first time around. Gulp. I don't yet have a blazer in gray, so that's another piece I look forward to adding to my wardrobe. I had a fab long-strap handbag from H&M but the strap broke, so I was planning on finding a replacement anyways. Good to know they're "in" I suppose! Black lace tights? On the fence. Maybe if I can find some that aren't scratchy.

Is anything speaking to you so far for fall?

We all know that there's fashion, and then there's style - and Keira Knightley seems to have the latter quality in spades. On the big screen and the red carpet, she's had the good fortune of donning some of the most fabulous costumes and couture gowns, but her casual sense of style is what I like most (because that's the part that doesn't depend on the size of your bank account.) The British actress is a classic beauty with perfect cheekbones, rosebud lips, and sultry eyes, yet she usually downplays her good looks with minimal makeup and neutral hues for everyday dressing. Her scruffy sense of glamor is hip, chic and, in many ways, easy to imitate. Here, her look relies heavily on a black, monochromatic ensemble which is strategically punctuated by a big, bold leopard print scarf. Simple, sophisticated and imitable on a budget.

What do you think of Keira's style?

[1] Blazer, Urbanoutfitters.com, Was $88 Now $49.99
[2] Ring, ASOS.com, $18.60
[3] GO International Dress, Target.com, $39.99
[4] Leopard pashmina scarf, ThePashminaStore.com, $69.99
[5] Zipper booties, CharlotteRusse.com, $26.99
[6] Tights, Forever21.com, $4.90

New York Mag has preview pics of the upcoming Jonathan Saunders collection for Target, which hits stores October 5. If you're in NYC, you can also score these items at any of Target's four Bullseye Bodega pop-up shops that will be opening around the city next week. Inspired by the works of artists as diverse as Gustav Klimt, Jackson Pollock, and Mark Rothko, pieces in the Jonathan Saunders collection range from $14.99 to $59.99 and will be in stores through November 1. Art prints are big for fall, and it looks like ombre is sticking around, too. I'm a huge sucker for Art with a capital "A" so naturally, Saunders has me swooning. Although I also think he could have pushed the envelope just a tad farther. What do you think so far?

We really want to like the alice + olivia for Payless collection, we really do, but so far this designer collaboration has had far more "misses" than "hits." Remember the goofy looking polka-dotted clown flats back in Spring '08? I rest my case. And so it was with some trepidation that I perused the Fall 2008 offerings, and what did my eyes behold? This red patent monstrosity (shown above) called the alice + olivia for Payless Rivington Ankle Boot, $48. The product description says it will "take your style to new heights" - but I'm afraid it will sink them to deep, dark lows. Part of me appreciates the space-age styling, zip front closure and funky little shield that snaps on one side, all of which make this ankle boot rather fierce. But another part of me fears the staggering 4.5" wedge heel with an additional 1" platform makes this shoe seriously tranny, or possibly just plain fug. And the provocative peep-toe (provocative in a bad way) certainly isn't helping, either.

Am I alone in thinking this ankle boot is a tranny "nay"? Help me out: Fierce or tranny?

Browse the entire alice + olivia for Payless Fall 08 collection here.

Peeptoe booties are all the rage, as they say, but they leave many fashionistas wondering: Is it a shoe or a boot? Won't your toes get wet when it rains? How do you keep your feet from sweating and your toes from freezing? Well, I don't have all the answers, but I have found a solution to at least one of the aforementioned conundrums: Slip your tootsies into some toeless socks before donning your trendy toeless shoes for comfort and style you can count on! The toeless socks above can be purchased at Nordstrom.com on sale now for just $4.90. One word of advice: Unless you're, say, under 18, do not wear your toeless socks with a skirt or dress - please wear them under a nice pair of wide-leg slacks or bootcut jeans. I realize the shoes shown above are more like peeptoe oxfords, but the socks work well with peeptoe ankle boots, too. Additionally, you can wear your peeptoes barefoot, or with seamless-toe tights. And now, I'm feeling pretty peep-toed out.

How do you wear yours? Are you a fan of the peeptoe?

Above: Nordstrom Lace Top Toeless Socks, $4.90

Blazers are perfect wardrobe staples year-round, but they're especially helpful for transitioning into fall. This contrast trim blazer by Sanctuary (left) - inspired no doubt by last season's Balenciaga runways - exudes style, yet it's basic enough to go with most anything in your closet. At $189, it's not entirely unreasonable for something you'll wear time and time again. The AE blazer on the right, however, costs a more manageable $59.50 and looks oh-so-similar. What's more, both options will be right in step with this Fall's "country life" trend, whether you hail from the hood or the highlands.

Left: Sanctuary Mademoiselle Blazer at RevolveClothing.com, $189
Right: Contrast Trim 2-Button Blazer at AE.com, $59.50