This Fabulous Look – for Less!

The 2014 Resort collections are all out and ready to go for millionaires with yachts and vacation getaways in the (sorta) near future. Lucky for us more frugal fashionistas, where there’s a will there’s a way when it comes to getting a great look at an even better price.

Carolina Herrera, Resort 2014. Taken from Vogue.com.

Carolina Herrera’s collection is simply divine (as usual) and has a very simple theme, according to the designer. It’s just prints – that, and clothes that can be worn year-round, for maximum sensibility. The idea is genius and – who are we kidding? – we don’t really need an excuse to want to look like we’re wearing Carolina Herrera, anyways. To get the impeccably chic look for less try these clean, simple pieces, which will (thankfully) be in style forever:

Styled with Polyvore.

The first step is simple: white button-down. If you can find one in your price range with a little twist like the high-end version, all the power to ya. I’m content with the $50 J. Crew version, which is named the “perfect stretch-cotton shirt.” Jackpot.

Next, a colorful and ladylike printed skirt. Longer lengths are in, which is both good for your dignity and good for your wallet – throw on a sweater and heeled boots, it works in the fall. Sweater, coat, tights, and boots, and it works in the winter! (You can layer those sweaters over the white shirt for a more professional look, too. Noticing the endless possibilities these pieces bring?) The skirt with the super girly, pink and red flower print is only $31 here. The blue skirt, which to me perfectly encapsulates how Herrera does chic floral prints (but at just the right price point), is only $40 here.

My favorite part: the shoes. There are just so many great strappy sandal options out there right now. Go sexy with neon yellow from Express for $48, modern chic with a red straps from Zara ($50) or Mango ($20), or add a little glitz with this pair for $50.

Finally, top it all off with a statement necklace (if you like – I know Herrera’s presentation didn’t include one, but I think this outfit is just screaming for one). Try something different from Guess – wood and metal bars put together to add a chic accent that’ll be a great conversation starter. Then it’s just some nude nail polish, red lips, and a ’50s cat eye to finish off the perfectly ladylike, forever-chic look – in the perfect price range, too!

Golden Globes: Best Dressed

Last night was full of surprises, disappoints, and ‘wow’ moments. People either loved or were thoroughly confused by Jodie Foster’s speech, Tarantino swore, and there were many, many awkward moments. Thankfully, though, there were some many stunning fashion moments, that really just made me even more excited for the Oscars. Here are my top ten picks from last night:

10. Nicole Richie

In Naeem Khan, Spring 2013.

I love this. The color, the detailing, the freshness of it – and I love how put together and elegant Nicole Richie looks. No one can hate a good come back, and I give her props for cleaning up and finally getting a classy style that works.

9. Salma Hayek

In Gucci.

This dress was dazzling. And look at her waist! Her curves look perfect in this. I love the little accent of color in her earrings, too. This look was a home run from head to toe.

8. Zooey Deschanel

In Oscar de la Renta.

I love how fun this ballgown dress is. Zooey manages to make it look both glamorous and quirky, encapsulating her own personal style fabulously. The pearls are great and her make up’s flawless. And did you see her cute nails on her instagram? Love!

7. Jennifer Lopez

In Zuhair Murad.

The reviews on this were very polarized: some loved the sheer and the lace and the sex appeal, and others thought it wasn’t classy or cute. Personally, I think that J. Lo has got it – so she should flaunt it! This dress technically covers all of her, and the her make up and hair are so old Hollywood glamour. It’s nude, it’s sheer, it’s whatever – she looks great and I think it’s fabulous!

6. Kate Hudson

In Alexander McQueen.

She looks fabulous in this dress (obviously, she’s Kate Hudson – she’d look fabulous in a paper bag). And I love McQueen above all others, so it is a favorite of mine. But one thing bothers me – she should have worn her hair up, or at least pulled back. The neckline on this dress is gorgeous, and while her blow out is gorgeous too, I wish she had showed off the dress some more. That being said, she rocked this look!

5. Julianne Hough

In Monique Lhuillier.

Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. I love this dress and would wear it in a heartbeat. I love how Hough didn’t choose just a slinky, sexy gown like most of young Hollywood. Instead she chose to play with fashion in a huge, beaded gown and rocker hair and make up. She pulls it off with flying colors, despite how, on paper, the make up should have been all wrong (White, pretty dress and blonde hair? Too dark!). Definitely a jaw-dropping moment of the night.

4. Michelle Dockery.

In Alexandre Vauthier.

Stunning. Elegant. Gorgeous. Just a few words that come to mind when you see this picture. Dockery looked like a classy goddess last night in this gorgeous white gown with the gold lace detailing. I love all of her accessories (Emerald cocktail ring? Perfect choice!) except for the one bracelet on her arm – I find it a bit random and too clunky for the daintiness of the dress and the star. All in all though, a big hit.

3. Nicole Kidman

In Alexander McQueen.

Daring and beautiful, risqué yet classic, Kidman arrived in a major update on the classic black gown. This McQueen beauty is elegantly chic: the high neck and modest slit balance out the daring mesh midriff, the gold embellishment amps up the glamour, and the polka dots keep it fun.This McQueen gown manages, as always with McQueen, to be all of the things that make fashion so wonderful – daring, charm, and class.

2. Lucy Liu

In Carolina Herrera.

This dress was shocking, to say the least. And really, you either loved it or you hated it. Personally, I loved it. Herrera has a great Spring collection that is just plain fun mixed with elegant beauty. Fashion is about taking changes, expressing yourself, and no one wants to be boring all the time. Props to Lucy for making such a bold choices and working it so well. I thought she was a stunner last night.

1. Jennifer Lawrence

In Dior Haute Couture.

When Jennifer first arrived in this dress, my twitter feed was suddenly flooded with “What the hell is up with that bust?” comments. To all of those, I say: It’s Dior HAUTE COUTURE. One of the things I love most about high fashion, and about couture, is that it’s risky. It’s off the beaten path, it’s imaginative, it’s creative. It’s an art form, in my opinion. This is not just a prom dress bought at a store – it is a creation for a specific woman based on a specific inspiration that the designer had. I thought Jennifer’s hair, make up, and earrings were all styled well, and I love the gleaming belt that shows off her waist. The shape is a little different, as is the bust, but I think it all works for her. She owned this dress, and red is going to be all the rage this season because of this moment.

Remember, fashion is supposed to be about pushing our imaginations and creativity. It’s about pushing the limits, thinking outside the box, and making magic with cloth. Whenever I see someone trying to pull a daring trend or outfit off, I try to stop myself from instantly critiquing it. We all have our own style, and we all like things that no one else might. So I commend anyone brave enough to wear a cooky accessory or try a crazy hairstyle – without something different to look at, life would be very boring indeed.