Archive for ‘Inspiration vs. Affordable’

Binge or Bargain: The Summer Espadrille

By Michelle, 3 May, 2010, No Comment

The summer espadrille is a staple in any lady’s closet for a few reasons. The classic wedge design and the neutral tones stand the test of time. Not to mention they give length to your legs but are comfortable becaase of the wide heel.

On a recent trip to Nordtrom to look for nude pumps, my sales person brought me a box of these Jimmy Choo Phoenix espadrilles to try on. It was not what I was looking for at the time but I have never tried a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes before and thought, well lets see what all the fuss is about. I really adored these espadrilles because of the addition of shimmer to the neutral fabric and they were pretty comfortable. As my sales person mentioned, these shoes were at a good price. When I asked how much they were, I didn’t understand why he thought they were a good price and he explained that Jimmy Choo shoes average for $695. But for the binge price (or bargain according to Nordstrom) of $395.00, I thought there must be a similar shoe out there that is more reasonable.

In my search for espadrilles, I found a ton of different styles with pricing ranging from as low at $35 to as high as $240. I found these Charles David Dizzy espadrilles at Zappos.com for a fraction of the Binge shoe price at $135. While they don’t have the shimmer, I think the crocheted heel more than makes up for it and the canvas upper is two toned to add dimension. I also like the tie wrap that allows you to change up the look by tying up higher on the ankle if you would like.

If you are looking for another alternative to the flip flop this summer, I would urge you to consider adding an espadrille to your closet. Not only are they comfortable, they pair well with both dresses and shorts.

Binge or Bargain: The Spring Trench Coat

By Michelle, 22 February, 2010, No Comment

A trench coat is a classic, staple in a woman’s wardrobe and while I personally do not own one, it is on my seemingly long “must get” list for Spring. The classic trench coat is another one of those items in which you have to ask yourself, “how much should you really spend on something that should stand the test of time and be part of your wardrobe for years to come?”

In my search of trench coats for this Spring, I found prices ranging from the obscene , with the classic Burberry Coat for $1000(pictured here) to the extremely affordable BCX Satin Jacket for $30 at Macy’s.

For the longevity of your budget, I would suggest looking for a more affordable coat similar in style to the Burberry Coat here. Here are a few of my findings that I thought fit the bill. This first coat is a Kenneth Cole Black Trench that I found at Nordstrom for $118. Again this coat is refined and classic for work wardrobe but can also work well with capri pants or jeans.

For a more modern but classic look, I really like the metallic bronze trench from Halogen at Nordstrom for $138. I like this Bronze metallic because it’s similar in color to the traditional Khaki trench but the metallic threading adds a polished sheen for a bit more pizzazz.

Lastly, for a pop of color in your Spring Trench, you might take a closer look at this Turquoise Trench from Nick and Mo, also found at Nordstrom for $78. This jacket is a breath of fresh air for Spring and again is something that can be paired with a simple tee and jeans or dressed up with your Easter dress.

Keep an eye out at some of your favorite department stores like Macy’s or Nordstrom and even online discount sites like SmartBargains or Ruelala and I am sure you will find similar styles within your budget.

Binge or Bargain: your perfect winter coat!

By kristen, 11 December, 2009, No Comment

Tis the season, isn’t it? Tis the season for holiday cheer, parties, ice skating, window shopping…but what about the COLD temperatures out there? A coat is the only solution, but it’s hard to be both warm and stylish at the same time!

Binge or Bargain: Black Tuxedo Jacket

By Michelle, 24 November, 2009, 22 Comments

Last year, I noticed many celebrities sporting the black Tuxedo Jacket with everything from jeans to a mini dress. Now the black jacket has become a “must-have” for our closets. If you can find a classic yet modern fit, it can be a ” go to” piece for many years to come.

Keep in mind…a proper fit is essential for this look to maintain a feminine sillouette and that extra touch to your outfit. Your jacket should fit fairly snug but should not pull or gap at the bust. If you are larger on top, fit the jacket to your bust and then have a tailor bring in the waist to maintain the snug fit and accentuate your waist.

So how much should a black tuxedo jacket cost you? This is all dependent on your budget, of course. I found 2 different jackets that I thought really captured the modern and feminine tuxedo look at 2 different price points.

I adore this Marc by Marc Jacobs Tuxedo Jacket featured on Piperlime. I think it defines a modern yet classic look. The darting around the middle instantly creates a small waistline, not matter what your size. This jacket is $388 on Piperlime. It is a classic piece that will last for seasons to come, but for some the initial investment might be a little more than what is comfortable. Which prompted me to find this next example from Kohl’s…

This AB Studio Notch Collar Jacket from Kohl’s has similar styling with darting and also the addition of buttons around the waist to create a slimming effect. I also think the notch-collar adds a little extra touch to the jacket, but would not be considered too trendy. This jacket is currently on sale at Kohl’s for $42.99. Quite a deal when you consider that this jacket from Kohl’s is a 89% savings over the Marc Jacobs jacket.

Both jackets really epitomize classic style that can work with many different pieces in your closet for years to come.

Binge or Bargain: Python Embossed Leather Hobo

By kristen, 20 November, 2009, No Comment

As you can see, handbags are definitely a weakness of ours at Cool Mama Style.com. We all love to rock a nice bag! Even if your outfit is so-so, a great bag gives you WOW factor.

While perusing through the latest Nordstrom mailer, we noticed this gorgeous Kooba python embossed leather hobo, which retails for $625. If you can afford it, this bag is to die for–we give it 2 thumbs up!

Although gorgeous, this bag is not necessarily affordable to most moms on a budget. This got us thinking of a new idea for our blog…Inspiration or Affordable! Why can’t we have the same look for less?

Well, guess what WE found! Keeping our inspiration bag in mind, check out this affordable look-alike we found on buy.com! This Jessica Simpson Rock n Roll Hobo is a $522 savings over the Inspiration bag!

Deal alert! Buy.com is currently offering a new customer discount–$5 off of $100. Plus, they are offering Free Shipping! This bag is a cool $103 after the discount, so don’t waste any time!

We recommend either bag for a classic, sophisticated addition to any outfit. Whatever your budget allows, you’ll be looking good!

Helpful hint: Don’t mix large prints with a snakeskin bag–too busy. Also, your bag does not have to match your shoes, so don’t stress about finding the perfect python shoes to match!

Kristen

Cool Mama Style