There’s no excuse for looking like something the cat dragged in.
Bargain stores such as Target, Marshalls, Kohl’s and now Wal-Mart have made it easy to afford trendy, runway-worthy looks. Upscale retailers such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom and local boutiques also have an assortment of trendsetting styles.
The difference in price is often about fabric: silk, cashmere and other luxurious materials cost more. But it’s how you put a look together, not how much you spend, that counts.
“You can create so many looks by taking 10 pieces and mixing them up to tell different stories,” said designer Mark Eisen, who recently launched his George ME collection at Wal-Mart. “Take a strong graphic print, the prettiness of tweed, the black-white-red look, and mix them. … Opposites working together.”
Tips for looking good
– Buy pieces with multiple uses that can transition easily from day to evening.
– Select a variety of neutral-colored bottoms and pair them with colored tops.
– Don’t be a gup. It’s a “Star Trek” term for someone who dresses too young for her age. Find a happy medium.
Pretty, pricey outfit
– M+J Savitt necklace, Saks Fifth Avenue, $300
– Earrings, Saks Fifth Avenue, $220
– Escada blouse, Saks Fifth Avenue, $1,190, Escada shell, Saks Fifth Avenue, $390
– Paige skinny jean, Saks Fifth Avenue, $179 (left)
– Chloe handbag, Joseph’s, $1,765
– Prada ankle boot, Joseph’s, $650
– Total: $4,694
Pretty, cheap outfit
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– Beaded chain, Wal-Mart, $7
– George ME earrings,Wal-Mart, $5
– George ME vest/blouse, Wal-Mart, $12 (above)
– Metro7 skinny jeans, Wal-Mart, $16 (right)
– BCBG Girls handbag, DSW, $89.90
– Nicole Miller ankle boot, DSW, $119.95
– Total: $249.85