Expense vs. Cheap: How To Shop Smarter for Spring

I am a stylist and I have to (yes, HAVE TO wink wink) buy what's "in" for each season. I am also self-employed and single (gasp). The two combined don't allow me to purchase my entire Wish List on my Net-a-porter account. Moment of silence if you will.

I found 3 things that I wanted to purchase for Spring. After about an hour of research, I found practically the same items on other sites for more than half the price. Style for cheaper at last!

Guiseppe Zanotti's leather platform sandal for $740 vs. Go Max Platform sandal with studded detail for $49 at Piperlime.com



Sexy slinky dress by Vivienne Westwood for $315 vs. Victoria Secret cowl back slink dress for $58




Strapless black Jumpsuit by Sonia by Sonia Rykiel for $600 vs detail pleated jumpsuit at Spiegel.com for $129

S/S:11 Trend #1 - Sweet Threads

I am bananas for this trend (had to)! With all of the fruit print fabrics that have collected dust over the years in the fabric stores, women might be fighting for all of the cherry and banana print cottons to create their own frock for cheap. (I'm looking recreate the citrus blouse from Stella). An apple a day keeps the fashion police away (Come on, too many play on words with this trend).

Mirror Mirror - Animal Print

Mirror Mirror -Sparkle.

SFN- Fall 2010

Pre-Mature Fall

Every month I read Vogue, Bazaar and Lucky followed by my daily dose of WWD. In fact, my coffee table has recently been replaced with a stack of slain trees for the sake of fashion. With every month getting closer to Fall (don't gasp, I know it's only May), I see why so many of my clients seem confused by trends. They are coming and going so fast that by the time most people get used to the idea of an off the wall trend, its already out of style. If you look in the back of Bazaar Magazine this month, it will tell you that Neon's are "out", but in March, they were "so in". Ahhhhhhhhh. Don't panic ladies, we are all in the same boat floating around in the fog of Trend Lake. What's the solution? I don't have one, i just encourage you not to load up on too many trends each season and keep up as best as you can. Think ahead. Pre-Fall is already in stores (shocking, but is always in stores by mid May), so start getting used to trends that your are not sure about NOW! Not to mention, you might be tired of the ones you thought you loved by the time its weather permitable to wear them.

Pre shop online, Prepare your budget, and Preserve novelty itms for seasons to come.

xoxo
Ali

Access-ability

Simon Fashion Now hit Houston, and not without accessories. This Spring, if you leave your house without your cell phone, just make sure you didn't forget your bracelets. They seem to be equally important to me, and backstage I took pictures to amuse, confuse, and abuse the rules.