Style Steals

Light on the wallet but heavy on chic, a world of must-have bargains is just a click away.

E-Mail Print Feeds Share
Results in Essentials See all blog posts >

Fall essential, sure to sell out.

11:28 AM, August 21 2009 by Elise Loehnen
image.jpgIt may be the hottest, sweatiest, and nastiest day of summer in New York yet, but it's not stopping me from thinking about all the things I want for fall. And one such thing is a fur vest. Maybe I'm still fixated on all the cute French girls wearing them on the streets when I was there in November, working on the Paris shopping trip (to watch a hilarious—and random!—behind the scenes video that the photographer, David Land assembled, click here. We filmed it entirely on our HD Flip cameras.). Anyway, not only were the girls-in-vests so chic, but it was freezing, and I desperately wanted an extra layer. I'm jumping on the bandwagon this year, and I think it will be by way of this B.B. Dakota option at Fred Flare. In fact, I may head out to Greenpoint to their newish boutique to try it on in person. Fake fur, $60, and pretty adorable—it definitely seems like the sort of thing that will be blasting out of stores, so I'm inclined to pull the trigger now.
Filed Under
Keywords

Fancy Car=Fancy Shoes

4:15 PM, August 20 2009 by Elise Loehnen
erez.jpgSo for some reason, completely unbeknownst to me, a friend is letting me borrow her brand-new Audi Q5 SUV this weekend (I only know exactly what it is because I love their Identity Theft ad series, complete with cute kids in Converse). Living in New York City, I rarely find myself behind the wheel, much less behind a fancy wheel, and so I'm a little bit flummoxed by the fact that she's so trusting. Also, I'm taking said car to the Elephant Trunk Flea Market (an amazing cache of awesome steals, every Sunday, in a field in New Milford, CT), so I plan on filling its trunk with all sorts of random scuff-creating treasure—last time I was there, I bought a gigantic Marie Antoinette-style painting, some African trading beads, 15 silk scarves, and a chair.


Read More
Filed Under
Keywords

Madewell at Shopbop

10:53 AM, August 06 2009 by Elise Loehnen
Picture 26.jpegWhile there's been a considerable amount of consternation here at Lucky that Madewell—J. Crew's sister store—is not yet e-commerce, it is a small consolation that Shopbop is carrying more and more of the line. Most notably (beyond the jeans that Madewell is known for), they have a handful of the always-excellent scarves. They may be a bit price-y ($50), but these pieces are pretty spot-on amazing: I find that I wear mine enough to justify the pricetag (i.e., all the time). I'm loving this cheesecloth-like version in pale blue. (For tips on how to wear them, click here.)
Filed Under
Keywords

Shopping the look: Subway crush edition

2:58 PM, August 04 2009 by Elise Loehnen
64647457-04.jpgAs much as I love to read, it's rare that I have a book in my bagPicture 35.jpeg that's captivating enough to distract me from checking everyone out on the subway. In fact, I've sort of mastered the glazed over "I'm staring at you, but it looks like I'm just spacing out" look. Tricky, right? The other day, I spotted a girl who looked perfect in a very real, attainable way as I was getting out at my stop and I'm pretty eager to copy her entire outfit. She had a totally normal body—I live in a neighborhood that's primarily inhabited by models, which means I see lots of great things on the street, just things that wouldn't necessarily look so great on me!—but the pieces had all the right, flattering proportions. The main item was a tribal-patterned skirt, much like this ikat-print version from Forever 21 ($10.50!!!). When a skirt is full, it necessarily makes your legs look thinner by comparison—and this particular one hit her right at the knee (this is generally a flattering length, but if you hate your knees, feel feel to cover them, too). Next, she had tucked in a slightly-slouchy chambray button-down that looked like it 65960161-01.jpghad been washed a hundred times—I think this version from the boys uniform section at Old Navy might work if the sleeves were cuffed ($14.50). I also love this option from Martin + Osa (it's for guys, so select the size accordingly), it's just a bit more expensive ($64.50). And finally, she finished the look with some big necklaces, a bit like this Egyptian-esque piece ($14.80).
Filed Under
Keywords

I think I need this Mink Pink biker jacket: Worth $100?

5:15 PM, July 31 2009 by Elise Loehnen
denim1.jpgThere is much to love about a fitted cropped jacket, whether it's a blazer, or made from leather, or cut from denim. It's such a perfect addition to a summer-y dress, or even just a loose-fitting t-shirt or blouse, because it makes the whole outfit look put-together, but relaxed and cool, too. I own a classic Levi's version that I love, but I'm coveting this motorcycle style in a light peroxide wash. What do you guys think? Is it worth $98? Meanwhile, check out Need Supply's gigantic sale selection—they just marked much of it down another 25%.


Filed Under
Keywords

A classic raincoat=$60

10:25 PM, July 27 2009 by Elise Loehnen
223148_467_41.jpgI've spent the last few days up in Maine, where it has more or less rained incessantly. Like waterproof boots, a sturdy raincoat is something I just haven't pulled the trigger on, despite the fact that I've needed one for years. This is because I don't want a version from a fashion-y brand, yet so many Gore-tex options are just plain ugly. Fortunately, I'm near Portland, and thus near Freeport—home to L.L. Bean, which is sort of the perfect rainy day destination. I'm not sure how many of you have visited this flagship, but I wasn't exactly expecting to encounter a store the size of a small village. Despite its intimidating depth, it's really fun inside, complete with taxidermy, boxes of saltwater taffy, and all the outerwear and camping gear you could ever want. I ultimately settled on this bright yellow rain jacket from the men's department (the women's coats were a little too short in the sleeves and boxy in the body) in a size small. It seemed appropriately Paddington Bear-ish. Everything at "Bean" has a lifetime guarantee, too, which means that this is the only rain jacket I plan on ever buying. If any of you guys are heading up to the outlets at Freeport, make sure to check-out the brand new outpost for Seabags—the full range seemed to be represented inside (it opened so recently that they're still installing the fixtures).
Filed Under
Keywords

Where do you inadvertently splurge?

11:45 AM, July 23 2009 by Elise Loehnen
18562.jpgFor me, it's H&M (I always stop by for some layering t-shirts and StockholmPaperDrawersAll_l.jpgwalk out with multiple bags of things that don't fit in my already-packed closet). And also, maybe surprisingly, The Container Store. I cannot wind my way through its maze of aisles without buying at least four storage solutions—not only am I convinced that by maximizing my closets I can add hundreds of square feet to my apartment, but I just love canvas bins, and paper drawers with all my heart. Organizing to me, is what packing is to Shop Girl, Emily Hsieh. Fortunately, The Container Store is having a huge sale, which extends to the brilliantly space-saving, Lucky-favorite, huggable hangers.
Filed Under
Keywords

What's your wardrobe Achilles' heel?

10:59 AM, July 21 2009 by Elise Loehnen
15228497_20_b.jpgFor me, it's that I don't own rain boots. Every time it pours, as it is this morning here in New York, I sure do wish I owned a pair, but when I encounter them in stores (Which is with alarming frequency:  Hunter Wellies are now showing up at cash wraps at the rate of the ever-ubiquitous Hanky Panky thong!), I can never motivate to buy a pair, even though I know I'll use them all the time. What sort of mental block is this? Why am I so lazy about something that is a total necessity (and cute, to boot!)? What's your major shopping stumbling block? On a related note, I love these nicely priced ($48) equestrian-style rain boots from Urban Outfitters. Perhaps they'll inspire me to finally pull the trigger.
Filed Under
Keywords

Crisp white tunic: Under $30

3:29 PM, July 10 2009 by Elise Loehnen
166602_whit_main.jpgI've made no secret of my fondness for long shirts (fussing about exposing the skin on my back is about as appealing as walking through both Herald Square and Times Square in flip-flops), so it's no surprise that I want this crisp piece from Alloy. I like a blouse-y top over a skinny pair of jeans, particularly if the volume up top can be mitigated by a fitted jacket or cardigan. The fabric here seems thin enough that it could easily be tucked into a pencil skirt, too. Plus, the shirt is affordable enough that I can wear it to death this summer with impunity, including to the beach.
Filed Under
Keywords

Are flip flops in the city in the summer a no-no—or not?

4:12 PM, July 08 2009 by Elise Loehnen
TIRCH2_7185.jpgI love flip-flops as much, if not more, than the average person (I have 18 pairs, at last count), but I still feel like a dirty person when I wear them around the city (unless I'm going to get a pedicure, for which they are definitely required). I mean, New York City streets are filthy, and there's nothing more unsavory than that line of dirty sweat that forms along the edge of the rubber. Even though I always, always wash my feet before bed every night (my one OCD habit) it's not enough to counter-act what I've just put my toes through. But, I have my Working Girl tendencies, too, and nothing beats something that you can slip on and off as readily as Havianas. This is why I'm always on the hunt for simple, lightweight, easy-to-stow shoes that I can swap for heels when I get to work—and these espadrilles from Talbots, which just got reduced by 40%, definitely fit the bill (DISCLAIMER: these are a Lucky-wide obsession, as documented in this month's Style Spy). I think I might spring for them in Navy. Better for braving the subway than flip-flops, right?
Filed Under
Keywords
Subscribe to Lucky
Conde Nast Store
Gift the gift of Lucky
Subscribe to Lucky