Get the Look for MUCH Less: Chanel!

Do you love Chanel clothes but can't quite afford the price tag? Then you will LOVE this Get the Look for MUCH less post! For the Summer 2014 Act 2 collection, Karl Lagerfeld designed dresses, skirts and bags with painted stripes on them that are extremely covetable and really cool! I found a skirt on Pixiemarket.com with the EXACT same print for a fraction of the cost. Wear it with a cropped top to be bang on trend this season :) Enjoy! 

SPLURGE!! 

CHANEL Printed Summer Collection

(Images from www.chanel.com)

AED $$$$

SAVE!!

Painterly Print Skater Skirt (Link) 

AED 155

Happy Shopping Ladies! :)

Get the Look for MUCH Less - Leather Skirts!

Leather is a winter staple and now that the weather in the U.A.E has gotten cooler, it's time to start adding leather to our wardrobes :) Leather skirts in particular are very on trend this season and I'm especially loving all the embellishments like rhinestones, zippers and asymmetric cuts. Here is a skirt that I found at ZARA that is very similar to a Rag & Bone one at a FRACTION of the price! 

The only thing to look out for when buying fake leather is to make sure that it doesn't look too fake - shiny or plastic-y. I really liked this ZARA skirt and think it will pass the test :) Now let's hope the weather stays cool enough to wear leather!! 

SPLURGE!!!

RAG & BONE Leather Mini Skirt (Link)

Material: Lamb Leather

AED 3,712

SAVE!!!

ZARA Leather Skirt with Zip (Link)

Material: Faux leather

AED 175

Happy Leather Shopping Ladies! :)

Get the Look For MUCH Less: Louis Vuitton's Lingerie Dress

Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2013 collection of lingerie dresses

(www.vogue.co.uk)

Marc Jacobs collection for Louis Vuitton this season was a collection of barely there, lingerie-style dresses. The idea behind his collection was "All dressed up but nowhere to go." The dresses are quite skimpy with plunging necklines, thigh splits and low backs so he covered them with long coats.  While I personally find them very skimpy and risque (lingerie should only be worn at home!), the fashion world has gone crazy over them and celebrities have been snapped out and about in these dresses.

Victoria Beckham & Daisy Loewe in Louis Vuitton Lingerie Dresses

(nymag.com - www.mydaily.co.uk)

Luckily for us, ZARA has created its own versions of the lingerie-style dress at a FRACTION of the price

ZARA Lingerie-Style Dress (Link)

This dress is very on trend with its lace details and tartan print

AED 625

ZARA Studio Mesh Dress (Link)
AED 625

ZARA Lingerie-style Studio Dress (Link)
I love how they made this more wearable by teaming it with a light sweater
AED 575

How to wear this trend

To pull off a lingerie-style, lace covered dress to perfection, I think you need a killer bod and a TON of confidence! Otherwise, there are ways to make it more fashionable & less skimpy...

1. Cover with an eye-catching blazer or long sweater in the same color scheme as the dress so they look like a set
2. Dress down with chunky boots or dress up with stilettos
3. Wear statement earrings or a statement necklace to bring attention up to your face and not to the plunging necklines
4. As always, only wear this trend if you are truly comfortable in it and have fun :)

Will you be wearing the Lingerie trend this season?!

Get the Look for MUCH Less - Leather Ankle Boots!

Vogue Japan's Anna Dello Russo in Saint Laurent floral dress & ankle boots

(www.showbit.com)

Ankle boots are HUGE this season and especially the ones at Saint Laurent. They are black and adorned with tons of studs and buckles. Every celebrity and fashionista has been seen wearing these chunky leather boots and I am OBSESSED! To keep them from looking too bad-ass, wear yours with a floral printed dress (a la Anna Dello Russo above) or with a cute skirt and top. Contrast is key in perfecting this look. 

I found these really great ones at Mango that you can wear without feeling guilty if this trend disappears next season. Enjoy!

SPLURGE!!!

SAINT LAURENT RANGERS STUDDED ANKLE BOOTS (Link)

AED 5510

SAVE!!!

MANGO Leather Ankle Boots (Link)

AED 710 (£120)

Happy Shopping Ladies! 

Get the Look for MUCH Less!

I have always been a sucker for sparkly jewellery and I am absolutely OBSESSED with Valentino's Fall/Winter 2013 collection of jewelled necklaces. The stones are set against silk so they don't catch onto any of your outfits and sit really well on your collarbone. Unfortunately, their price tag is quite high :( 

I found this amazing almost Valentino (but not!) necklace at TOPSHOP and couldn't wait to share it with you fashionistas. This shimmery necklace is PERFECT for outfits that need a little oomph and should be a wardrobe staple this season. Wear it over a plain t-shirt, with a shirt to work, or with a dress in the evening and get ready to receive tons of compliments! :)  

SPLURGE!!!

VALENTINO Flower Stones Necklace (Link) 

MATERIAL: Silk & Swarovski Crystals

AED 2,120 (£364)

SAVE!!!

TOPSHOP Rhinestone Flower Collar (Link) 

Material: Fabric & Rhinestones

AED 230 (£40)

Happy Shopping Ladies! 

Get the Look for MUCH less!

Ever since Carrie Bradshaw in Sex & The City introduced us to shoe obsessions, I don't know any woman who doesn't love strappy sandals! They make our legs look long and lean and  immediately help every outfit look better. A woman can NEVER have enough shoes!

I have long been a fan of Aquazzura heels as I find them very comfortable and they are very beautiful on the feet! Every time I wear them, I get tons of compliments! ZARA just released a very similar pair of heels to Aquazzura's famous strappy sandal. They are just as beautiful and ALOT cheaper! 

SPLURGE!!

Aquazzura Electric Blue Strappy Sandals (Link)

Material: Snakeskin & Leather

Available Colours: Electric Blue & Black (Link)

AED 3,260

SAVE!!

ZARA Leather Snake Heels (Link)

Material: Goat Leather & Polyester

Available Colours: Multicolor & Black

AED 442

Happy Shoe Shopping Ladies! :)

Get the Look for MUCH Less- LOVE!

Lanvin Fall/Winter 2013 Runway Show

(Source: www.style.com) 

Love is in the air this Autumn! Alber Elbaz sent his models down the runway at Lanvin wearing huge gold necklaces with statement words on them - Love, Cool, Happy and Help. My favourite? LOVE! I knew that they would immediately be a hit. Wearing words either pasted on the front of your tops or on your jewellery sends a strong message. Even to people walking by but don't know you. Why not send out the gift of love? I'm OBSESSED with these statement necklaces and will be wearing them from NOW - I can't wait for Fall! 

I think single word necklaces will look best against a plain background (black, navy, a block colour) and not a printed, busy one. You can wear them alone to make a statement or paired with many other necklaces, similar to the Lanvin runway show.

This trend will probably a passing one and will only be a hit for one season. There is no need to splurge on a designer necklace... even if it IS Lanvin! Here are a few economic alternatives to keep you ahead of the Fash Pack this upcoming season :)

SPLURGE!!

LANVIN Love necklace (Link) 

Material: Brass & Pewter

AED 3,650 ($990)

SAVE!! 

WINDSOR STORE Love Necklace (Link)

AED 47 ($12.90) 

SAVE EVEN MORE!!

CHARLOTTE RUSSE Love necklace (Link)

Material: Metal

AED 22 ($6)

A fun way to wear your LOVE:

ANGELOVE necklace (Link)

Material: Alloy

Available Colours: Fluorescent Orange/ Yellow/ Green 

AED 55 ($15)

Do you like the LOVE necklace trend?

Get the Look for MUCH Less - Floral Shades!

It's sunny almost everyday during the summer months so why restrict yourself to one pair of sunglasses? Have fun with them and incorporate them into your outfits - buy a pair for the beach, one in every color for your outfits, and one really nice pair for special occasions. Get them in different shapes and sizes. There is no need for your shades to be expensive - choose ones that are fun, affordable and colorful. I like TOPSHOP and H&M's selections best. 

Floral sunglasses were all over the catwalk this season, led by Dolce & Gabbana with the coolest pair. Here is a GREAT Get the Look for Less which will let you follow the trend without even denting your savings :)

SPLURGE!!

DOLCE & GABBANA Garden Flowers Sunglasses (Link) 

AED 1,900 

DOLCE & GABBANA Floral Sunglasses in Black (Link)

AED 2,300 

SAVE!!

NASTY GAL Lotus Bomb Shades (Link)

AED 75

Be one step AHEAD of the Fash Pack and store them in a cute floral case:

TOPSHOP Floral Sunnies Case (Link)

AED 45

Will you be wearing floral shades this summer?

Get the Look for MUCH Less!

Duffle Bags are a very popular bag trend for Fall/Winter 2013. Saint Laurent, Marc Jacobs, Victoria Beckham, Furla, and Louis Vuitton have all sent models down their runways carrying duffles. 

I found this amazing duffle at ZARA at a fraction of the cost and is a great alternative to the expensive brands. It is available in a stunning blue, black or beige/black combo, and will make a great day bag this summer and fall :)

SPLURGE!!

SAINT LAURENT Classic Duffle Bag (Link)

Material: Leather, lined in suede

Available Colors: Red & Grey

AED 3,800 (Small) - AED 7,800 (Large)

SAVE!!

ZARA Structured Bowling Bag (Link)

Material: Leather

Available Colors: Blue, Black, Beige/Black

AED 295 (Small) - AED 350 (Large)

Happy Shopping Ladies! :)

Get the Look for MUCH Less!

It's been a while since I wrote a 'Get the Look for Less' Post so I made sure that my comeback would be worth your while! One of my favourite things for summer is white lace- it has a fresh, light, airy feel to it and it goes so well against the backdrop of sun, sand, deep blue skies and a tan. You can wear it any way you like and will still look amazing.

I originally fell in LOVE with this Zimmerman Lace Playsuit and was super excited to find it in the Net-A-Porter Sale. THEN, while browsing through TOPSHOP's swimwear section on their website, I found an even nicer one at a fraction of the cost! Both will look stunning this summer vacation, and it's your choice to SPLURGE or to SAVE! 

SPLURGE!! 

ZIMMERMANN Broderie Anglaise Playsuit (Link) 

Material: Broderie Anglaise Cotton and Silk Blend

Colour: Cream and White

£177.63/ AED 1,022

SAVE!!

TOPSHOP Lace Playsuit Coverup (Link)

Material: Cotton, Nylon, Viscose

Colour: Cream

£30 / AED 173

HAPPY SHOPPING LADIES! :) 

Get the Look for MUCH Less!

I was browsing in ZARA yesterday and they have a completely new collection of amazing stuff on display. Of course, a trip to ZARA wouldn't be possible without a couple of 'Get the Look for Much Less' posts! They always manage to have incredible clothes, shoes, and bags that look as amazing as designer pieces but at a FRACTION of the price!

Celebrities and designers this season have gone mad for checks, stripes, and geometric prints. The winner was Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton who created an irresistible collection of yellow and black checks. A Louis Vuitton dress can be quite pricey, especially for the chequered runway pieces, but I found this FABULOUS dress, blazer and coat at ZARA that look very similar! Now you can wear your geometric prints and still have money left over for accessories! :)

SPLURGE!!

(Source: www.hellomagazine.com)

LOUIS VUITTON CHECKERED COLLECTION SPRING 2013

PRICE: $$$

SAVE!!!

ZARA CHECKERED DRESS (LINK)

(It even has cute yellow pockets)

AED 195

ZARA CHECKERED JACQUARD BLAZER (Link)

AED 425

ZARA SHORT CHECKERED COAT (Link)

AED 425

Enjoy your checks Ladies! :)

Get the Look for MUCH Less!

Footwear with contrasting colours is a BIG trend this season. I fell in love with these SERGIO ROSSI heels and was happy to find a similar pair at ZARA for a fraction of the price. While the materials of both shoes are different, the idea of a gold heel, a contrasting color of shoe, and an ankle strap is quite similar. 

SPLURGE!!

SERGIO ROSSI HEELS (Link)

Material: Leather with metallic heel

Available Colours: Pink, Turquoise

AED 3,600

SAVE!!

ZARA COMBINATION HEELS (Link)

Material: Polyester, Polyurethane, Rubber

Available Colours: Blue, Black, Coral

AED 195

Happy Shopping Ladies! :)

Get the Look for MUCH Less!

See-through and transparent box clutches are HUGE this season with many fashion houses producing their own version in every single colour. I was SO happy when I found this clutch at ZARA today for a fraction of the price of a designer one. I wasn't sure about which colour I liked best but it is so affordable that you can buy as many different colours as you like! You can carry it as a clutch or on your shoulder with its long chain. Enjoy :)

SPLURGE!!

CHARLOTTE OLYMPIA Pandora Box Clutch (link)

Material: Perspex with metal clasp

Available Colours: Green, Red, Yellow

AED 3,225

SAVE!!

ZARA Neon Box Clutch (link)

Material: Methacrylate (I think that means acrylic!)

Available Colours: Orange, Lime Green, Coral, Black & White stripes

AED 145

Will YOU be carrying a transparent box clutch this season??

Get the Look for MUCH less!

Sports-Luxe is one of the key trends this season and high-top wedge trainers, in particular, are having their moment. They are at the top of every fashionista's wardrobe wish-list and are selling out FAST! Wear them to dress up your casual outfits and look chic no matter what the occasion! I would even buy them in different colours depending on your outfits. I scoured the stores looking for the perfect pair according to any budget. 

SPLURGE! 

ISABEL MARANT high-top wedge sneaker

Material: Suede and leather

Available colours: Beige & Black

AED 2,150

SAVE!

ASH wedge trainers

Material: Suede and leather 

Available Colours: Neutral, Caramel & Black

AED 925

SAVE EVEN MORE!

ZARA studded sneaker

Material: Polyester & cow leather

Available colours: White, Brown & Black

AED 425

AND SLIGHTLY EVEN MORE! 

(I'm telling you- they are EVERYWHERE this season!)

ALDO Chism wedge trainers

Available Colours: White, Camel, Red Suede, Black Suede

AED 410

Happy Shopping Ladies! :)

Get the Look for MUCH less!

I've given up on the weather in the U.A.E- its getting HOTTER instead of colder and I couldn't buy any of the great sweaters and dresses on sale because we barely had a winter this year :( There are also a few dresses I bought this summer from France from the Fall/Winter 2012 Collection that I never wore yet, thanks to the lack of cold! I guess we need to embrace the Spring/Summer 2013 collections early this year...

I was browsing in the mall and noticed that monochrome (black &white) stripes are really IN for the new season. What makes them different from any other season is that the stripes are wide and each section of the clothing items have a different stripe pattern. Here are a few GREAT looks which will get you ready for Spring in no time!

Click on the names of the dresses under the pics to be directed to their websites where they can be better viewed: 

SPLURGE! 

LANVIN striped dress 

Material: cotton

AED 13,000

SAVE!

MARC BY MARC JACOBS striped dress

Material: Polyester

AED 1,900 

SAVE EVEN MORE!

H&M striped dress 

Material: Jersey

AED 110

Enjoy wearing your stripes!! :)

Get the Look for MUCH less!

I am in love with headbands and find that they really add oomph to every outfit - whether its casual or dressy. I wear them with all my outfits, leaving the simple ones for day and the more elaborate for night.

I found this headband at Accessorize in Marina Mall. I couldn't believe how similar it looks to  the original Valentino one and it's a fraction of the price! 

SPLURGE

VALENTINO rockstud leather headband
Color: black with gold spikes

AED 740

SAVE

Spike headband at ACCESSORIZE
Color: Beige with gold spikes

AED 26

Get it for MUCH LESS!

I love gold jewellery and especially piling on really great bracelets together for a 'OMG I love your bracelets!' response. I always feel like one small bracelet isn't enough on its own- unless it is chunky or has big stones or something on it.

Eddie Borgo bracelets are stunning but they are really expensive if you want to pile them on. Here is a great alternative that was inspired by the original Eddie Borgo cone bracelet.

SPLURGE!!

EDDIE BORGO Cone Bracelet

Material: gold plated brass

The cone bracelet has a clasp and wraps around the wrist

(You can also find a crystal version here) 

AED 2,840

SAVE!!

TOPSHOP single spike stretch bracelet

Material: metal

This bracelet has no clasp and simply slips on

AED 50

You can also buy a set that is sold in a pack:

TOPSHOP premium spike stone bracelets

AED 266