Bebe Furry Bomber Jacket Look for Less

Bebe Textured Fur Hoodie, $150, bebe.com

I spotted this Bebe hoodie in the New Arrivals section of their website and it reminded me of a similar jacket that I'd seen on ShopStyle. I looked it up and, sure enough, Charlotte Russe has a very similar bomber-style jacket, also black with grey fur, for about 1/3 the price. (The only major difference is that the Bebe one has a hood and the Charlotte Russe one has lapels.)

Charlotte Russe Ribbed Faux Fur Jacket, $43, charlotterusse.com

Both sweater-jackets are made of the same materials and faux fur, so it seems pretty ridiculous to pay over a hundred dollars for the Bebe one. I like the Charlotte Russe jacket better anyway because it's sleeker and has a more chic look, while the Bebe one has a sort of street-style  look because of the hood.

Are You Over- or Under-Accessorizing?

FAIL.

Yes, the hottest trends this fall and winter are meant to make bold statements… but not simultaneously. Someone needs to tell Myleene Klass (British TV and music star) about the “less is more” rule. She looks like Fall 2011 threw up on her!

The best way to make sure that you’re not over- or under-accessorizing is to take inventory of the details in your outfit before you leave the house. Add one point for each detail:

1. Add up each color in your outfit
2. Eyeglasses/sunglasses
3. Shoes (+1 pt for each extra detail)
4. Handbag (+1 pt for each extra detail)
5. Tights/socks (+1 pt for each detail and color, if visible)
6. Colored nail polish (no points for nude)
7. Contrasting buttons
8. Contrasting belt
9. Jewelry: watch, necklace, bracelet, ring, earrings, etc. (+1 pt for each)
10. Scarves, hat, bows, ruffles, monograms, labels, contrasting trim, etc. (+1 pt for each)

Add up your total points. If you’re under 8 points, you’re under-accessorized. If you’re over 18 points, you’re over-accessorized. The key, obviously, is to stay within the 8-18 range.

Also, please don’t wear several animal prints AND an oversized fur coat at the same time- if the fashion police don’t get you, PETA will.

Obsessed: Nicole Lee Boston Bags

Want a handbag that will get you noticed? Check out Nicole Lee‘s super-embellished creations. She makes cute totes, wallets, and more, but I die for her Boston bags, little duffel-type barrel satchels that are like a party in pleather (but in a classic “LV Speedy” shape). Some of her designs are pretty crazy but sometimes a girl needs a little ostentation in her life =) 

 

My favorites:

Nicole Lee’s bags can be hard to find in stores (I’ve only seen them in Marshall’s) but, since they’re all a bargain at under $70, it’s worth doing a quick Google search. I found a lot of them at b4bags.com, bagmadness.com, mypursehub.com, and buckle.com. You can also check her official website for new collections and updates.

What do you think of Nicole Lee's bags?

This Season's Trends Make Cold Weather Look Hot

Cold weather giving you a bad case of the "blahs"? Forget about ugly UGG boots and lumpy bubble jackets- counteract the drab and grey with the flashy and colorful. The most popular accessories this season are a culmination of all of the boldest, sexiest, most attention-grabbing trends from the past decade:

1. Purple, mustard, fuschia and other deep colors

Burberry Citrine Trench Coat

2. Leg warmers and thigh-high socks

Christian Dior ribbed thigh-high socks with ribbon and ruffle detail

3. Fur and shearling outerwear, bags, clutches, and boots

Olivia Harris Fur Satchel

4. Ethnic-looking embellishments and accessories (wooden beads and exotic colors are so hot right now)

Max and Chloe Alex and Ani Kamba expandable wire bracelet set

5. Animal prints like leopard, zebra, and python

Alexandre Birman gold python cut-out bootie

6. Platorm pumps, booties, and thigh high boots

Christian Louboutin Supra Thigh-High Boots

7. Leather handbags in classic (read: old school) designs with structure (not slouchy)

Mulberry "Bayswater" shoulder bag

8. Sequins on jackets, dresses, bags, shoes, etc.

Witchery gold sequin jacket

9. Velvet blazers, dresses, and skirts

Diane von Furstenberg Devore velvet dress

10. Touches of lace in unexpected places- on shoes, on the backs of tops, blazers, and dresses, on bags, etc.

Christian Louboutin Lace "Brigette" boots

These trends can be found anywhere and everywhere right now, so any "recessionistas" on a budget can definitely find these statement-making styles in their price range.