In the wake of crashing stocks and closing banks, fashion seems to have taken the back burner. But in a world of fast fashion and trendy cheap-chic there is no reason to ignore the clothes you put on your back simply because your wallet has cobwebs. I have always been a fan of mixing high fashion with vintage and inexpensive fast fashion. When it comes to shopping the cold racks and dirty aisles of some discount stores, I can understand the fear associated with entering these places. I don’t believe good style is being able to dress head to toe in Prada. I believe the ability to mix and match different pieces of clothing is the true definition of style. I love a person that is able to wear inexpensive $15 Bitten jeans with a Balenciaga tank top, a Kooba for Target bag and a $5,000 Cartier watch. The ability to mix and match these pieces can bring together a style worth imitating. I want men and women alike to be able to dress well and up to date without having to spend thousands of dollars on an outfit. I’m not going to bore you too much with exactly where to go to find inexpensive clothing that looks expensive. The stores I depend on to deliver fast-fashion with an edgy side are Target, Club Monaco, and the Gap. Understanding how to mix a Chanel blazer with a $10 Hanes t-shirt from Target can take some time, but when understood, can be the difference between a true Fashionista and a laymen.

Through recent years, Target and Club Monaco have risen out of the fashion ashes to showcase themselves as serious stores that can create clothing that any fashionable person would be lucky to wear. Target revolutionized the entry of high-fashion designers, such as Proenza Schouler, Richard Chai, Rogan Gregory, and now the upcoming Alexander McQueen into a mass-market. Understanding how to transition from the runways of New York to Target is not an easy thing and Target has pioneered this transition. Bringing high-fashion to a mass understanding is a great way to combine an aptitude for style with an awareness of budgeting. People in this country and around the world are experiencing the pressures of a growing population and a dwindling supply of resources. And when it comes to cutting back or tightening a budget, usually the first thing to be cut from the budget is clothing. I find it silly that someone said that the only way to look good is to spend lots of money. False. Looking good and stylish is about mixing different pieces together in a fun and stylish manner. On the other hand, Club Monaco, although definitely not couture, has aligned itself with trends in the fashion market to create clothing that not only has good quality, but is also trendy and of the moment. I believe it is very important to wear clothing that is not only inexpensive, but also has great quality. Demand quality for the money you spend. Never accept the fact that something has bad quality because you paid little for it. Demand that your 5 dollar t-shirt has good quality because 5 dollars can mean someone’s weekly salary in another country. Dress well, eat well, laugh hard, but just be aware of how other people live in other countries. Don’t get me wrong, high-fashion is an art and clothes from designers, such as Chanel, Lanvin, and Balenciaga excite me. But I believe there is an untapped market of inexpensive and of the moment clothes that get ignored.

MY FALL MUST HAVES

-The statement car coat

-Plaid

-Sublimely soft cashmere

-Chic fleece

-The flannel dress pant

MY FALL MUST HAVES FOR WOMEN

-Berry brights

-Pretty plaid

-Jewels

-Tuxedo jacket

The fact is, I could tell you where to get all these must-haves, but that would take all the fun out of shopping for clothes. Go out and find these styles and trends on your own. Trust me you will feel a sense of accomplishment on top of looking stylish. I will give you some hints of places to go find these clothes: try Target, Club Monaco, Marshalls, and Wal-Mart. Good luck and Godspeed my fashionistas with a flair for budgeting! With Christmas around the corner, I’m feeling generous so I will tell you where to get the statement of the season: brooches. I am so excited for brooches that can make even the most boring suit look fun. They look great on a suit, or even on a cardigan with jeans. Go to Club Monaco to get all kinds of different brooches, they have an awesome collection. Remember boys and girls, living within your means will always be fashionable.

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