After seeing a cute bomber jacket in a couple magazine/TV ads for Target, I decided to track one down at my local store. The toffee-colored bomber by Xhiliration ($30) was admittedly the best of the bunch—I decided not to buy it, but I'd wear it. However, the Mossimo faux-leather moto jackets were all unintentionally creased and plastic-looking. Anyone care to disagree? Did the faux leather jackets look better at your store?










Elsewhere in the accessories department, I spotted an adorable saddle bag that looked convincingly vintage, the type of thing you dream of finding at your local thrift store but never do (at least I never have.)

I spotted these Tahari flyaway cardigans made of 100% cotton in purple, gray and black, still had the original price tag ($188), marked down to $39.99. A great layering piece for Fall.

Earlier this week I popped into TJ Maxx to check out their Fall sweaters, a must-have for New England's long, cold winters. While sifting through the racks I was pleased to find current styles by brands like Michael Michael Kors, Tahari, The Limited, Nine West, Design History, DKNY and more. Most were under $40 and were made with quality fabrics like cotton, wool, angora, even cashmere. When you consider the value of these items compared to the lightweight sweaters you find at many fast-fashion stores (lose their shape, aren't warm, don't wash well), it makes sense to put in the extra time to shop at an off-price retailers like TJ Maxx. OF COURSE I love my fast fashion, you know I'm not giving that up, but this season I plan on buying a lot of my clothing at TJ Maxx and Marshalls because cold weather clothing needs to be better quality than summer clothing.

Sifting through the racks at an off-price retailer can be a daunting task, so here are some tips to help you shop:

• Stick to one department at a time. It's nearly impossible to cover the entire store in one visit, so stick to one department—shoes, dresses, or handbags, for instance—which will help you narrow your focus and stay on track.
  
  
• Go in with a goal in mind. It's fun to browse, but it always helps to have a specific goal, for instance, "wrap sweater," "knee-high brown boots" or "trench coat." If you don't find what you're looking for, it's not the end of the world. Leave and try back later.
  
  
• Shop in the right foundational outfit. For example, if you'll be trying on tunics, dresses or skirt, wear leggings and flats to the store so you can easily slip things on and off and see how the items will work with what you already have. Looking for a bag to match a particular pair of shoes? Wear those shoes.
  
  
• Look beyond designer labels. If you're like me, you rapidly sift through those hangers and hone in on designer labels like a hawk. Stop! Consider items based on size, fit, and price. I need to remind myself this sometimes but it's better to buy a well-fitting stylish item by a no-name designer than something you don't really need, which costs more anyways, by a designer.

More photos after the jump...

This dolman sleeve sweater by Nine West was just $24.99 and so cozy!

Here's a Michael Michael Kors sweater I found marked down from $129.50 to just $39.99 that you could wear open or tied, as shown here. It was made from a luxe blend of angora, wool and something else, I forget...

This chunky knit sweater by Cambridge of London--made from a soft and warm blend of wool, acrylic and polyester--would look great with leggings and knee high boots. Makes you want to curl up next to the fire with a good book and cup of hot chocolate.

While I was underwhelmed when I first saw lookbook photos of the new Anna Sheffield for Target jewelry collection, I was all smiles when I finally saw the goods in person. Love when that happens! My store had a wide array of necklaces, earrings, rings and bracelets, marked by delicate chains and charms in mixed metals (aka gold and silver in the same piece, a hallmark of Sheffield). Prices ranged from $19.99 for a vintage-look bird ring to $79.99 for a 14K gold over silver "Beloved" bracelet. Nothing jaw-dropping, but certainly easy-to-wear, imaginative pieces whose good looks belie their cheap price. Have you seen the collection? What did you buy?

Fall fashion is all about the faux fur, from vests to coats to stoles. If you're looking for this trend on the cheap, head to H&M. The one I visited had an impressive assortment of faux fur, as well as other unique coats and outerwear options. Standouts included a long black jacket with modernist ruching; a taupe wool coat with stud detailing (both $99), as well as a vintage-look faux mink fur coat (available in either black or cream for $129) and a thick-yarn woven wrap coat (also $129). Mannequins in the window looked cozy and unbelievably chic in chunky sweaters, fur and scarves. Makes me excited for winter!

I had a ball trying on the latest designer collection for Target by the great Anna Sui, which launched in stores and online yesterday, perfectly timed with tonight's season premiere of Gossip Girl. The color palette reminded me of Halloween: Pumpkin orange, yellow ochre, lots of cat black, dark purple and splashes of blood red.




Fabrics ranged from flowy, chiffon-like polyester blends, some jacquard, some silk, even mohair for the wrap sweaters, cotton tees, to stiffer tweed and brocade-like fabrics with metallic threads running through two of the dresses. Lace trim, velvet ribbon, tassles, and beads added fun and unique embellishments. The theme running throughout the collection was inspired by the main characters in the popular teen drama Gossip Girl: Vanessa, Blair, Serena and Jenny. (But you don't have to be a fan of the show to fall in love with this collection!)




Styles ranged from a Downtown-cool puffer vest to a prim-and-proper Uptown dress with a high-collar, long cuffed sleeves and bow detail (my favorite piece in the collection!). I also loved this herringbone dress for its versatility, and this seersucker dress, an utterly unboring LBD that could pass for designer.




However, I was sorely disappointed by the price tags! There is no reason why the dresses in this collection should cost more than a typical GO collection, since by all measures, the quality was the same. As you've probably seen online, dresses range from approx. $44.99 to $69.99. Gulp! Despite my enthusiasm, I decided to wait a while before making any purchases.

Which pieces do you love? What did you buy?