Cold Weather Fashion on a Budget: Winter Blues under $125

I don't know about you, but I am absolutely sick of this snow.  The only solution out of these seasonal affectations is to shop for something new.  I understand that spending money on new winter goodies can be tough.  Luckily, I found a cure for the winter blues that fit nicely on a budget... Post-holiday sales are also in full effect before spring!

Delia's as a rich blue toggle coat for under $80.  It has an adorable floral lining and features Thinsulate to keep you warm.  Spring Shoes had a beautiful crochet ruffled scarf that I use as a shawl indoors or for pop color on a black jacket that was a wallet friendly $10.

My new favorite go-to label these days for cute outerwear for a price point is Latte by Coffeeshop.  They have trendy silhouettes, but remarkably, most of their prices are under $125.  The blue and grey plaid cropped jacket features an asymmetrical zipper and a dramatic collar on sale for $124.

American Eagle has a blue puffer vest on sale for only $20 right now.

If you want some retro-chic, Modcloth has some recently discounted jackets.  The navy jacket with antiqued buttons and red piping is now $119.  The red twisted scarf is from Luxury Divas for $19.

Wind and sleet got you down?  Heat things up with a new look!

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Boden Launches Johnnie B Back to School

I remember dreading the end of summer every year when I was in school.  The only redeeming part about looming September was the shopping.

Chic British collection Boden knows this.  They launched its Johnnie B. line this year.  The clothes were smart, with preppy details like printed woven tabs, funky printed linings inside classic outerwear pieces.  Dresses and skirts had some terrific retro-styled prints.  The ‘prom’ dress had neutral colors, but with a graphic, contrast zipper and contrast tulle petticoat underneath.  The graphic tees had artwork that looked like   hand-drawn images of 1980's cameras, shoes and wildlife.

Johnnie B. buyer Polly Dymond was on hand in the showroom to show me all of the offerings.  She was clearly passionate about the collection and looked adorable in the star-print dress.  Other staffers vamped around their favorite pieces from the line as well.

The showroom was dressed up in a tongue-in-cheek version of a classroom.  Alphabet cookies, lockers flowing with knitted accessories. A big chalkboard and notebook stamped like a library checkout for everyone who was ready to order their outfit.

The Johnnie B. collection offers a great alternative for students who are tired of the same big retail chains year after year.  These pieces are casual, easy, with a subtle European edge.  The clothes are available online at a recession-friendly price point. Tops average around $24-$50, dresses $44-$80 and outerwear tops out at $200 for the leather jacket.

Watch Polly's presentation exclusively on MsFAB:

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Red Carpet Recessionistas

Remember when gawking at stars on the red carpet was about drooling over unattainable couture gowns?  I don’t know if it is the recession, the Obama effect, or the general democratization of style, but celebrities are flaunting bargain finds in front of paparazzi.

The early pioneer of the high-low red carpet look was Sharon Stone.  In 1996, she was the star to dress for the Academy Awards.  She made the best fashion press of the night when she declared she grabbed a Gap turtleneck from her closet for the evening.  (She failed to mention the Valentino skirt it was paired with).  As a result Gap was elevated to a serious fashion brand and even sponsored this year’s Met Costume Gala.

FLOTUS Michelle Obama is often seen mixing young designers with mass apparel brands like Talbot’s and J. Crew.  Elisabeth Moss of Mad Men struck a glamorous pose in a very attainable Topshop dress.  

One answer to this phenomenon would be the high end designer collaborations with mass market brands.  Edgy label Rodarte and Zac Posen recently created fabulous dresses for mega-retailer Target.  Natalie Portman was seen in a $40 Rodarte, Claire Danes sported the Zac Posen on the red carpet.  Gap has hired many a young designer like Prabal Garung and Thakoon for special projects.  Isaac Mizrahi has a special collection for Liz Claiborne, sold at J.C. Penney.

With funds no longer a problem, the rest of us plebeians have no excuse not to be red carpet ready.

Photos by Jason Kempin/Filmmagic,Steve Eichner,Marc Stamas/Getty Images

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