Thrift Store Cowgirls - Buyin' Coats

Fabulous coats are one of the redeeming qualities of midwestern weather. Each season I lust after a new style but hold back based on budget. This fall I decided to enlist the help of my friend Krystle of Fly Vintage to satisfy my craving for a new coat under $50. Krystle is a vintage expert that buys and sells vintage pieces.

She took me straight to one of her favorite thrift stores (which I agreed to keep under wraps) to begin searching for options. I didn't really have an idea of what I wanted, which she said was a good thing. Krystle told me to be open minded and know what items you are looking for but be willing to experiment with new shapes and looks.

We dug into the coats and I pulled out a 70's era hooded trench. I loved it but it needed some work. Several of the buttons were missing and the pocket seams were split but I decided for $4.00, it was worth the attention.

Krystle found a stunning ivory wool coat with a real fur collar for only $6. With a good professional cleaning, it would look brand new. She plans to spend about $30-$40 on cleaning due to the fur collar.

I ended up investing about $40 into the coat in professional cleaning and tailoring plus the new buttons I purchased. Grand total: $44.00 for a one-of-a-kind feminine khaki trench. It just goes to show you should never discount the extreme discount stores!

Stay tuned for

more thrift store finds and check out Fly Vintage for more photos from our shoot and Krystle's take on our mission!

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Shop Forever 21 Like a Pro

I am obsessed with Forever 21. I'd be half as fauxshionable without it. However, I often get this response when I tell someone a portion of my outfit is from Forever 21:

"That place is so overwhelming! I can never find ANYTHING there."

Well yes, it can be overwhelming. There's more stock than your eyes can take in. With a little advice, though, you can conquer Forever.

Tips:

• Give yourself a good hour to 2 hours. Seriously! You want the best items? Be patient.
  
• The store is set up in sections. You'll see clusters of casual wear, night looks, tailored looks, etc throughout. If you know what you're looking for, gravitate towards the section that suits you.
• Once you get to the area you want to explore, don't be afraid to dig in. Pull out each piece so you don't miss anything cool tucked away in the vast clothing racks.
• Do not, I repeat, do not pick up any items that you can see through, feel crunchy, or are stretching on the hanger. The point is NOT to look cheap.
• Look for items that have interesting details. Check out the ornate buttons and trim on my jacket and the feminine embroidery on my dress. These details give a sense of quality to what's probably a $20 item.
• Try on everything before you buy. The return policy is exchange or store credit only. Also, a lot of the items that seem just OK on the hanger are amazing on -and vice versa. 
• DON'T SKIP THE JEWELRY SECTION!! Forever has some of the best costume jewelry for as low as $3.80! 

Now you have the tools to shop Forever 21. Just think how good you'll feel when you find a kick ass item for next to nothing!

 

Trend Item How To: Over the Knee Boots

Greetings my fauxshionable friends! Welcome to a new reoccurring post about how to work with new trends. I'll tell you how to wear them, how much you should spend on them, and what variations will work for you.

This time I'm covering the biggest look this fall -over the knee boots. Even I'll admit that the first time I saw them (Gossip Girl Season 1 - on Serena)I was intimidated. My mind flipped back to Pretty Woman...

However, after seeing them in person and on my favorite shoe shopping websites, I decided to try them. Here's what I recommend from my experience.

1.) Look for a pair in a neutral color that goes with many looks. Avoid anything too shiny or bright colored to avoid looking cheap.

2.) Pick a flat pair. The heeled versions are great but tend to be more expensive, harder to pull off, and more likely to be next season's fashion don't. A flat pair gives you more options for day or night and could be transitioned into your wardrobe for another year.

3.) Don't spend too much but spend enough to look good. The age old dilemma! Look for a pair with expensive looking materials, like suede or button details. I got the pair in my pictures from Piperlime for just under $100 with free shipping and a discount code. Try not to spend more than $150.

I paired my boots with a mini dress from Forever 21 and a sharkskin boyfriend blazer from The Limited. I completed the look with an over sized watch and a beaded belt from a thrift store. Sexy, but not giving too much away.

Oh and when you get your over the knee boots - prepare for a lot of second looks. ;)

Beauty Steals: Cover Girl Lash Blast Waterproof Mascara

So, you want a quality, affordable, waterproof mascara that won't flake off or run? I put Cover Girl's Lash Blast Waterproof Mascara to the ultimate test: I wore it during the Chicago Marathon.

(Insert bragging here)

The mascara stayed put for all 26.2 miles and tears at the finish line. And guess what?  It retails for about $7 for a tube. 

Double sized lashes? Check. Small price tag? Check. Waterproof to the extreme? Check and double check. 

P.S. Congrats to all the '09 finishers!

Ms Career Girl Wardrobe Challenge - Part II

I'm back with part two of the Ms Career Girl Wardrobe Challenge - proving that a new outfit is just a closet away:  YOUR closet!

We continue on with casual wear and a work look.

For a casual walk with her dog, I pulled a look that would easily go from the park to dinner. Boots with jeans (my fave), a nude tank, and a chunky knit black sweater topped with modern pearls complete a look that says "I'm not trying too hard, but I look damn good."

The working woman must make an impression on her peers and superiors alike.  We did it with a punchy red sweater dress toned down just a little with a structured gray swing jacket.  Go, girl!

A big thank you to Ms Career Girl for giving me VIP access to her closet and involving me in her awesome challenge!

Update - Nicole's Feather Dress is InStyle

Well, well.  It looks like InStyle magazine likes the feathered look of Nicole's dress in my previous post.  No, I'm not bragging, I'm just pointing this out:

The dress on the left is by Theory ($365) and appeared in the November 2009 issue of InStyle.  The dress on the right is what I photographed Nicole in and is from Forever 21 ($27.80).

For this trend - less is more.

Ms Career Girl Wardrobe Challenge - Part I

When Nicole of MsCareerGirl.com asked me to participate in her Don't Go Over in October Challenge, I was thrilled. When she told me my role would be to look through her wardrobe and pull some new fall looks, I was even MORE excited.

Nicole was looking for a way to feel like she had new outfits without actually buying anything. Enter: Fauxshionable. I decided I would put together 4 new outfits: work, a night out, a date look, and casual wear.

Nicole's closet is full of classic pieces with a touch of trendy.

I channelled my inner stylist and started digging, looking for items

that could mix well together and pairing them with the right accessories to make them "pop."

The first look I pulled could easily be worn on a date with her hottie boyfriend. It pairs fall's pension for animal prints with skinnies and slouchy boots. I found a black and gold charm bracelet and cinched the top with a wide belt to complete the look.

Now onto an outfit for a fun night out. I came across a black dress that looked very simple until I pulled it out of the closet. To my surprise and delight the bottom of the dress was covered in gorgeous feathers. To add some color, I found a bright gold fleur de lis and a black and red beaded necklace. We finished the look with red patent and satin shoes that Nicole said were one of her favorite pairs. Just look at how she's workin' this dress!

Want to see more? Part II with casual and work looks coming soon...

Do you want Fauxshionable to pull Fall looks for you? Email me at fauxshionable@gmail.com