Foley + Corinna Mid City Tote - *Updated 2/28/10*

See bottom of post for update.

This tote by Foley + Corinna retails for $444 at stefaniBags.com.


If you want a similar bag for a lot less (or maybe you just want an animal friendly faux leather option), Forever21 has a great alternative for $27.80. Click the photo below to purchase. Please note: Color pictured is described as brown on the website although it appears black in the photo.


*Update - 2/28/10* - The Forever 21 version of this bag is sold out, as this post is originally from back in April of last year. Aldo has a similar version that is currently on sale for $29.98 and you can click on the photo below to purchase.

Valentino Maison Studded Bag - *Updated 2/28/10*

See bottom of post for update.

A reader recently requested that I find a similar bag to this Valentino Maison Studded Bag as seen on Taylor Momsen's Gossip Girl character Jenny Humphrey (during the first season). This handbag originally retailed for $2495 at Neiman Marcus, now sold out online. (Photo credit)


I had originally answered the reader with this option from Spiegel, but I just spotted this fantastic alternative from O'Neill and it's currently on sale for $39.99. Click on the photo below to purchase.


*Update - 2/28/10* - I also found this version from Asos which retails for $68.97 and is only available in black (picture of the black not available). Click on the photo below to purchase (use code asosinstyle for 20% off - expires today).

Alexander McQueen Paint Splash Denim

Thanks to reader Julie for emailing me the Alexander McQueen, Vince, and Current/Elliott versions of this denim!

Alexander McQueen's paint splattered skinny jeans retail for $870 at Net-A-Porter.


If you want to look as though you've been throwing paint on a canvas all day, you can do it for a lot less cash. Reader Julie and I found several options at different price points that will give you a very similar look for less than the original. Here are your options (click on any photo below to purchase):

Vince - $255

Current/Elliott - $236

J Brand - $194.99 (on sale)

Express - $79.50

Forever 21 - $29.80

BDG @ Urban Outfitters (thanks Alice!) - $29.99 (on sale)

Kain Label Pocket Tank

Kain's pocket tank retails for $79 at Piperlime, and comes in a few other colors.


I like that this New York & Company tank doesn't seem quite as sheer, but still has the draped pocket detailing. It retails for $34 and you can click on the photo below to purchase (only available in white).

Miu Miu Cabachon Slides

These jeweled slides by Miu Miu retailed for $750 at Bergdorf Goodman but are no longer available.


Although the colors are different, these Nine West slides are definitely a great alternative for those on a budget. They retail for $88.95 at Zappos but are currently on sale for $71.16. Click on the photo below if you're interested in purchasing.

Prada Studded Skimmer

Thank you to reader Julie for emailing me this great find!

Prada's studded flats originally retailed for $495 at Barneys, but are currently sold out online.


Missed out on the real thing (or maybe they were just out of your budget)? Julie sent me these great lookalikes by Franco Sarto which retail for $79 at Macy's. You can click here to purchase, or on the photo below (which will take you to Endless where they retail for $79.95 but they do price match and offer free overnight shipping).

Style Me Saturday - Military Skinnies

A reader recently commented on THIS post that she loved the cargo skinny pants, but wasn't sure how to style them. I came up with a couple ideas, so I thought I'd share them and help this reader (and hopefully others) out! Here is her comment:

"I am loving those Victoria Secret skinny cargo pants. I'm dying to have them, but how would you style them?"

I was inspired by this look on Shopbop, which is a more casual take on these skinny cargo pants. For the Victoria's Secret version I would probably go with the honey wheat color, which will give you a more similar color to the J Brand version shown in the Shopbop Lookbook, but it wouldn't let me change the color on the model's photo. Pair these skinnies with a striped top from Asos (see widget below for some more alternatives), some oxfords, and a crossbody bag and you've got a great casual way to wear these skinny cargo pants.

If you want to dress the pants up a little bit, I think they would look cute with a feminine ruffled top like this Frances cami from J Crew. Add some heels and jewelry & you'll be in business! (Click on any photo below to purchase/for more info...except the ring which you can click here to view.)

Style Me Saturday - Kentucky Derby

A reader recently submitted the following question...

"I am going to the Kentucky Derby on May 1. What do you suggest I wear? I need options because 1) it could be cold or not. 2) I NEED a hat, obviously! 3) it could be rainy/wet 4) it will be grassy, not pavement."

I came up with a few different options, depending on how dressed up you want to get. I added cardigans to most of the looks, which you could throw on to keep you warmer if it's chilly that day (hopefully by May 1st it will have warmed up!). To deal with the grassy situation, I felt wedge sandals would give you the most amount of support (no one wants to be sinking into the grass in their heels).

This first look is my personal favorite, and is pretty budget friendly. Spring + The Kentucky Derby always make me think of floral prints, so I included a sweet flowered dress (which ties in the back, adorable!!), some nude colored wedges, a cardigan, and of course a hat! The hat is pretty plain so I also threw in a chiffon flower pin that you could use to give your hat a little personality. Click on any photo for more information/to purchase.


The second look isn't quite as budget friendly (mainly due to the dress) but I LOVE this dress so much I wanted to include it in one of the looks. I didn't include a cardigan in this look, but you could do black, grey, or red if you wanted to add one to the outfit. Again, I would suggest adding a flower clip to the basic black hat to give it a little something extra. (Click on any photo to purchase.)


The final outfit is probably the dressiest, but is also budget friendly. I love polka dots and they are big for spring (see post here), so I when I saw this dress I thought it would be both fashionable and appropriate. I would pair it with a red patent belt, some black wedges, a cardigan, and of course you can't forget the hat! (You could also add a flower or a ribbon to the hat on this look, but I didn't include it in the widget below).

I also found some other dress/shoe options:

Inspired by...Tory Burch

Tory Burch's studded cuff sandal retailed for $225 (according to Harpers Bazaar) but are no longer available.


These American Eagle sandals immediately reminded me of the Tory Burch sandals, but they do have some differences so I made them an inspired by find. They retail for $29.50 and you can click on the photo below to purchase.

LAMB Jaco Sandal - *Updated 2/26/10*

See bottom of post for update.

LAMB's lace up Jaco sandal retails for $299 at Nordstrom.


If you love the shoes but don't have the cash to splurge, Bebe has a great alternative that is currently on sale for $69.99. Click on the photo below if you're interested in purchasing (also available in white).


*Update - 2/26/10* - Reader Kim just commented below that Bakers Shoes also has a version (the Bebe sandals are sold out) on sale for $49.99. Click here to purchase.

Celebrity Look 4 Less: Kristin Davis as Charlotte York Goldenblatt on Sex & The City

A reader recently wrote me an email asking me to do a look 4 less of one of Charlotte from Sex and The City's outfits. I chose this polished look from the Sex & The City movie because I feel it really shows off of Charlotte's classic style. (Photo credit)


If you, like the reader who wrote me, want to inject a little Charlotte into your wardrobe, here are some budget friendly elements you'll need to achieve this look. The first item I found is a similar white dress ($79), which is a little more flowy than Charlotte's version but I chose this one because it had a similar v-neckline. I've also included some alternative options at the bottom of the post.


You will also need some beige pumps ($54.95 on sale), a similar toned handbag ($39.99 on sale), a gold bracelet ($16.50), large sunglasses ($24.50), and a layered gold necklace ($19 - click here to purchase). Click on any of the photos below (except the necklace) if you're interested in purchasing!