Yeah, it might not look like much but this little guy will transform your wardrobe.

The quintessential waist belt was not created to hold anything up. It doesn’t fit into loops, it offers no form of support, it’s not durable and it doesn’t save the world from your plumber’s crack. So what does this basic wardrobe staple do for you?

It works harder for you that you did for your A in Intro to Painting; it creates the illusion of a smokin’ waist.

Your closet (aka the storage bin under your bed) and your body are incomplete without this wardrobe essential.  Nothing gives you that perfect hourglass shape quite like a cinch at the waist. No matter if you have curves or none to claim, a braided belt like this one from American Eagle will not only create them, but let your wallet keep a fat curve of it’s own.

This belt is what saved the shirt-dress trend by mercifully adding some shape to an otherwise baggy and unflattering outfit. There are so many shirts and dresses in my own wardrobe that I won’t dare to wear unless I can find a suitable waist belt or I’m left feeling boxy and paunchy. Even if you don’t have a lot of this type of shirt, this belt is so versatile when worn right.

I love this belt because the braided detailing makes it a lot more interesting than any other belt I’ve got. And if I’m going to invest in a nice leather belt, it’s going to be black, so I appreciate that this cheapie option allows for some new color to enter my wardrobe that I don’t have to make above a twenty dollar commitment to. Read More »

Getting dressed for a night out can be quite a conundrum. You don’t want to get all decked out in sequins only to spend your night at some dive bar with hay and peanuts on the floor. But you don’t want to throw on tattered jeans and a tee only to find out you are going to some swanky mcswankerson lounge.

And don’t even get me started on dates. We all know the fear of being too overdressed (heels or flats? jeans or a dress?) only to wear the wrong outfit and feel silly.

Well no more. Thanks to this kick ass belt (I am a firm believer that big belts make everything better) we now have two trusty ‘fits for those nights where anything goes. Both of these looks can be dressed up (with a quick swap of heels instead of those boots) and can be worn right into Spring. Because a stylista as budgety as yourself knows the importance of versatility! Read More »

Fashion Week, a sort-of welcome week for the rich and stylish, has come to an end. Come tomorrow, a construction crew will be taking the tents at Bryant Park down, models will hop on planes to London and editors will finally get more than three hours of sleep per night. This week’s had it all: appearances by D-List Celebrities (hello, Kelly Bensimon,) crazy parties (Alexander Wang rented out a gas station) and clothes, clothes, clothes. Ready to stock your closet for spring?

Here are the top trends for Spring 2010: Read More »

I freakin’ love fall. It is absolutely, 100% the best season for fashion. The knee-high boots? The patterned tights? The cardigans? The Pumpkin Spice Lattes that come out tomorrow? (Ok, so that’s not fashion but I’m counting down the minutes!!) I can barley contain myself as I drool through catalogs and wander through boutiques in a lust-induced haze.

Every year there’s that one item I MUST add to my closet (even if it means living on Ramen for the next month to afford it). Despite the fact that my shopping addiction has my closet filled to the brim, I always justify the need for a new piece by the “school shopping” tradition instilled in me since elementary school. You have to have some new stuff to start the school year, right? Read More »

While there is nothing better than hanging some brand new clothes into your over-stuffed closet, we’re in a recession– and spending your money on another pair of jeans is just a waste. You’ve got plenty to work with already, and we’re here to show you how to do so in a fun, new and fashionable way.

Last week we showed you how to re-think an oversized sweater and this week I’m going to show you just how perfect a cardigan can be for any girl and any occasion.

Even though the word “cardigan” conjures up images of grandmothers, the 1950s/1960s, librarians, and overly-preppy girls, this piece does not get enough credit for being able to completely change the vibe of your outfit, no matter your sense of style.

Since fall is just around the corner (I know–summer passes by faster every year, an unfortunate truth for my overly-pale skin), the weather will be cooler and the cardigan will be a great staple piece for any occasion. I have compiled six general ways in which you can totally rock that cardigan your mom bought you that has been hanging in the back of your closet so you look stylish and put-together for class, or even for a night out: Read More »

Adding a belt is one of the easiest ways to update an outfit. Instead of going out and spending your money on an entire new ensemble, pick up a fun, stylish belt that works with something you already own! In the warmer part of the year, a belt can give a new silhouette and add a splash of personal style to dresses. When it cools off, belts are great for emphasizing your curves which are hiding under all those warm layers.

Here are some belt trends to try for under $25: Read More »

2008 was an interesting year for fashion. Gone (thankfully) were the maternity tops of 2007, replaced by blasts from the past inspirations from the 20s through the days of our best pals on Beverly Hills 90210. We saw everything from the mom-jean to the 90s flannel button down. Some of it was fab, and some of it… not so much. So, let’s take a look at this year’s fashion highs and fashion oh-hell-no’s.

Because without the crap we can’t appreciate the couture. Read More »