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Dressing Down an Outfit

We definitely spend a lot of time imagining how we will dress up an outfit, but what about dressing things down? Sometimes you have a great piece that could really work on a night out, but it's just a touch too fancy. If you'd like some tips on taking a fancy dress and making it less dressy, then you've come to the right place, without a doubt.

Dress Down Tip 1: The overshirt, sweater, or wrap.
Take a jersey wrap dress or embellished frock and layer to take the design details down a notch or two. Instead of spangled fabric all over, you can wear a lightweight wool wrap or a silk shawl around your shoulders, and look dressed-down enough for a casual outing. Choose a structured, tailored blazer to wear over a fancy dress with a poofy skirt, and pair it with booties, or wear a low-cut cocktail dress with a large pashmina on top.

Dress Down Tip 2: Boots
Boots can add a casual air to the fanciest of cocktail-length dresses, and can give you that edge you crave. If you want to make things even more casual, why not grab a special bootie in suede fabric instead of shiny leather? That's far more casual... and it's super comfortable. If you want to go even further, there are plenty of boots available with studs and gems.

Dress Down Tip 3: Tights
Legwear can take center stage if you have a lot of fancier cocktail dresses in plain, solid colors. If you have a silk dress with a lot of interesting details on the skirt and bodice, try dressing it down with tights in a herringbone pattern, or simply an opaque style. Push yourself to try a new tights look, even if it's fairly simple. It will bring down the "dressiness" of your dress several notches at least.

Dress Down Tip 4: The vintage-inspired hat.
While a cloche is a sophisticated selection by itself, when you pair it with a fancier dress, it gets a little funkier and more daring. To make the most of this trend, select a sleek hat with a more casual design-- not just jamming on any old thing to make your frock look less fancy. Aim for wool, matte satin, or dupioni silk to start off with, and try to keep the brim manageable if you'll be headed out to socialize.

Fall Shopping for Budget Buffs

I'm desperate to shop for cool weather stuff, but fall shopping can be tough with a reduced budget. If you crave inexpensive and expensive pieces like overcoats, knee-high boots, and clutch purses, you should check out my list of quick buys.

Old Navy: Old Navy is my favorite place to shop for coats and overcoats, and that includes their overcoat sweaters. You can pick up a smart piece under $50 in a zesty pattern like stripes or geometrics, and their fleece jackets are just perfect for the gym, for hiking, and for weekend fun, too.

Spiegel: Spiegel is always really cutting-edge and contemporary, and you'll love what they offer. If trendy is what you're after for a price that's 50% lower than what you might expect at department stores and other stores with similar offerings. Their sales are great, too, so be sure to swing by at the end of the season.

Topshop: Topshop isn't the cheapest place to buy clothes, but it offers very high-quality items that can last for seasons. Slip into a mustard-yellow toggle coat that will never go out of style, a black funnel neck coat, or a woolen winter vest that works perfectly over those aforementioned Old Navy sweaters.

Chico's: Chico's is another smart place to shop when you're looking for more mature pieces, from blazers to jackets. If you're going to be headed off on a winter vacation, you'll love Chico's wrinkle-resistant collection that will ward off all those nasty crinkles you get when you are jet setting.

White House: White House offers some of the best mixed pieces for low prices, including marled wool and colorful knits to ward off the blustery weather that you might face when the winds blow. Pair them with knee-high boots or leather pumps, and don't forget a pair of thick tights, too.

Where are some of your favorite places to shop for winter?

Related Tags: Old Navy Coupon Codes, Spiegel Coupon Codes, Chicos Coupon Codes

Where to Buy Affordable Accessories

Do you like dressing up in lots of different accessories? After all, they are the budget-minded girl's best friend, and that means that you can spruce up all your outfits with simple stuff like headbands, jewelry, and plenty of cool additions like hats, spike heels and booties, and nice scarves and pocket squares. Here's where I buy some of my favorite pieces!

Spiegel: Spiegel's accessories are pretty high-fashion and always hit a great price point. Leopard print belts and cute berets make up a good deal of their fall looks, but they offer more than just that. If you need to dress up a special outfit, Spiegel is one of my favorite go-to accessory treasure troves. They also have good jackets, by the way, so you might want to try buying more than one outfit.

Forever 21: Need that little something that seems to be expensive everywhere else? If you like bow hairbands, feather earrings, and chunky rings, this is the perfect place to go. Forever 21 is a mall staple, so many of us can stop by and pick up plenty of stuff, and they always offer plenty of different styles in varieties of colorways.

Urban Outfitters: Funky and daring, Urban Outfitters might have some expensive clothes, but they always offer surprise trinkets for less. Earrings and necklaces often go on sale for less, and don't look cheap at all! Look for pieces with feathers, rope, leather strands, and plastic links to pay less for high style.

Anthropologie: Anthropologie is an intelligent place to pick up slim belts and other accessories for just over $20. If you adore tiny belts to wear over frocks and t-shirt dresses, you might want to stop here and then J. Crew to compare looks and prices—and if you have a tight budget, you'll come trotting back to Anthropologie.

Michael Kors: With reversible belts in black and brown, these special little leather numbers are a lifesaver. Divide the price in half, because it'll match with twice as much, and don't forget to try it out and treat it well when you are dressed up in a coordinating number. All you need is a pair of black and brown woven leather sandals to watch with either.

Related Tags: Spiegel Promo Codes, Forever 21 Promo Codes, Urban Outfitters Promo Codes

Fashion Musings

Are you looking for the perfect way to get yourself out and about—and fashionable—this year? How about a trick or two by your favorite fashionistas, the girls who dare to wear the most stylish of looks? I've been soaking up some of the best stuff out there, including from Garance Dore and Susie Bubble. Since I've been checking out what they are loving this fall, I will be passing along some of my top choices now—feel free to shop around for the very best of fall looks, 2009-10.

Take a look at some of these must-buys:

*GAP Tees

Garance Dore's GAP collaboration is hip, inspiring, and super cool. Isn't that something you'd like to be a part of? Even though each of her shirts come in limited editions of 69, you can grab something a little more basic when you shop over there. Hunt down tangerine crew-necks and lemon yellow v-necks for a real “pop.”

*'70s Style Denim

High-waisted jeans, daring shorts, and all manner of vintage-y items are your friends this season. Slip into the retro-style stuff for some really fashionable stuff, and don't be afraid to tuck in your top as a nod to the cooler fashions of a bygone time. Darker denim, artfully shredded styles, and medium-weight cross-hatched weaves are all your friends!

*Studded Boots

Garance Dore's favorite boots are a studded affair, and if you pick yours up in dark brown or black, you're ensuring seasons of dependable wear. Forget all those tired styles you've been planning on picking up for a song—one investment piece like this will do you right, indeed! Wear these studded lovelies with jeans, jeggings, leggings, or tights + skirts.

*Inspired Bangles

Stack them on right! Your bangles of choice should include gold and silver, as well as enamel versions, for a real boost. Try yours in a larger style that can be layered over long-sleeved shirts and dresses, as well as stacked as high up your arm as they will go, comfortably. Whee! Play around with daring color combinations for the full effect.

*Tights

Patterned tights are totally in this year, so hang onto your hat! This time, we're getting a peek at fashionable styles decorated with polka dots, bits of metal and sparkles, and something more dramatic like woven-in details of threads and beads. Do you dare? It sounds like you're going to need to pull out that mini.

*Button-Placket Sweaters

Unbutton your long-sleeved shirts to show off some serious cleavage, so don't forget a lightweight lace bra underneath it all. With a few intelligent layers, you can even style your look up to be cute and stylish, without seeming too over-enthusiastically sexy. Easy does it, if you prefer!

Giddy-up, Girl! 6 Reasons to Try Out Equestrian Inspiration

I love a good equestrian-inspired piece, and this fall, it's looking better than ever! Take a good, hard glance at some of the more successful styles we've seen for fall, including stylish, high boots, neutral trousers, and tucked-in shirts with perfect plackets. Why stock up on these styles? Here are just a few reasons!

1. You'll love tighter clothes with a comfortable fit. Even though equestrian clothes are often close to the body, they employ a smart fit that means you can move comfortably. If you choose well-cut coats or trousers, you'll feel far more at-ease when you move around during the day in one of these outfits. Slim into something darling!

2. High boots aren't just practical, they are sexy. You'll find that you can weather all sorts of usually uncomfortable situations when you're wearing high, tight leather boots, but you just might attract some male attention as well. Either way, you're a winner in our book, and one who deserves the perfect boots for fall.

3. Basic white long-sleeved shirts. Striking white shirts are as classic as they are perfect to match with jeans and even tan chinos, and you'll never run out of new things to match these particular looks with! Wear your white shirts in a rotation technique to keep the wear even, and don't forget to give them a treatment with a liberal splash of bleach or oxygen-infused laundry treatment.

4. Look for casual-colored pants that allow plenty of room in the hips. The plain-front pants styles can be chosen if you please, or you can also try for something that employs a touch of top-stitching in pale tan or brown. Be sure to get a pair that combine stretch and other comfort-boosting blends.

5. Accessorize your button-down shirts with scarves and lightweight jewelry, and don't be afraid to play smart games with colors of the season. Mix in fall coloring like you're never seen it before: think rich colors of squash, maroon, and forest green, and you'll have a winner. If you're into cameos and other old-fashioned jewelry, try mixing things up with that as well.

Old Navy Weekly Love

I am completely obsessed with Old Navy Weekly! Now that it's back-to-school time, and that means a lot of people are looking to save right now—especially since there are a lot more financial concerns this year, and things seem more expensive than usual. Time to combat this cost-of-living increase with a sweet coupon for up to $75 off of $100, which is a delicious way to get everything you need for fall, especially if you shop clearance.

What is Old Navy Weekly, you ask? It's a page introduced earlier this year which has a lot of different coupon codes and deals hidden on it—including in their videos! You've got to click around to find ones that work, but when you do. . . you'll hit paydirt.

What's the Catch?

From what I can see, what makes the Old Navy Weekly site more challenging to navigate is the tricky page of deals, with multiple steps required to redeem coupons. You sometimes just can't click on the page to complete the coupon request: you have to move the shirt onto a particular model, for example, and then there's a good chance you'll have to answer a challenge question before you can get the coupon. You'll get a question about the modelquins, like their name or age, and you'll have to type it in before you can get your coupon. It's not easy, but there are even Old Navy Weekly crib sheets available for you to use if you get stumped!

Where to Go for Tips

Plenty of forums and frugal mom blogs cover the Old Navy Weekly contest, such as A Full Cup or Mommy Savers. People will head over there and give hints about winning the bigger coupons, which can be really helpful.

Examples of Coupons from Old Navy Clicking

$50 off a $100 purchase

5% off (often unlimited)

10% off (often unlimited)

15% off

20% off

$10 off $100

$75 off $100

What I Want to Buy

Take a look at some of these Old Navy top picks to see what I like—and then shop for yourself.

*Women's Mandarin Collar Top: Just $14, this is the ultimate layer long-sleeve for the snappy dresser who likes something polished yet casual.

*Scoop-Neck Jersey Tanks: Affordable and cute, these tank have a very figure-flattering shape.

*Long Layering Tanks: You can't go wrong with a long layering tank top, especially when that long tank has a fresh color and shape.

*Sheer Roll-Up Shirts: Perfect for work, these tops will look nice under a blazer or jacket, and they come in a variety of multi patterns.

*Ruffled Batiste Tops: These airy tops are just too cute, and the navy floral one is definitely the best pattern available.

Related Tags: Old Navy Coupon Codes

Testing Out Some Victoria's Secret Picks

I love myself some Victoria's Secret, especially when it's new and online! I recently zipped over there, and I was really happy with what I found there: gorgeous, blousy tops, sweet skirts and dresses with details, and plenty more for the picking—and not just for the seaside! A lot of us forget that Victoria's Secret works nicely for clothes, as opposed to a nonstop stream of lingerie.

Blousy Tops

Slipping into a top with loose, comfortable sleeves is the perfect solution to a comfort issue, and one that many of us take quite well. Choose the right selections to make it work—probably slim jeans or trousers work best—but never forget that your blouse will speak for itself anyone. Push away the details and just let your top speak for itself. . . the perfect weekend selection.

Sweater Dresses

Why sweat the small stuff? A sweater dress is slinky, sexy, and gorgeous, and Victoria's Secret offers them in a muted, mottled design for those of us who aren't afraid to play around with textures. Need I remind you just how good this looks with boots? Try it with opaque hose and a cameo necklace come fall, and you'll be in business for real.

Comfortable T-Shirts

Never underestimate the power of a t-shirt, especially one with a soft hand, great drape, and plenty of different colors and designs for the taking. Jeans are a no-brainer, but you can always pair your new slouchy tee with leggings or a loose skirt for home, and just cuddle up. I also wouldn't mind seeing one of these matched up with a hooded sweatshirt or a cropped sweater, possibly with some fur-trimmed boots.

Men Fit Low-Waist Trousers

Sling 'em on, partner! Who doesn't want to wear a pair of pants that fit comfortably around the waist, hug the legs gently, and don't bag or gape? These pants are based on men's trouser shapes, but have a little more engineering to accommodate a woman's hips and waist. With a clingy sweater or t-shirt up top, you'll be in business in no time. For an extra devastating look, try these trousers with heels.

Yoga Leggings

You might be torn on whether or not you should be wearing leggings while you're out and about, but yoga leggings have a certain something that makes them really special. Don't deny yourself the comfort if that's what you are craving: an easy sweater and socks makes this a home-ready outfit in no time flat, and you can probably take it out hiking, too!

Things That You Should Wear to Work

We recently visited a list of things you should never wear to work, and now we're looking at the same thing, but backwards-style! This special list covers all the things you should wear to work, instead of all the things that fall into the "wildly inappropriate category. Are you dressing well for your job?

1. Fitted Jackets: Fitted jackets are always a smart buy, whether they are menswear-inspired, shapely and cute, or a little on the boxier side, and inspired by special little touches here and there. It's not hard to imagine pairing these jackets with trousers, skirts, and capris--as well as bold jewelry--so why not give it a shot and see how things turn out?

2. Coordinated Sets: Notice I didn't say "matching"! There's no reason to coordinate too closely, but building up a set of trousers and skirts that match with your jackets isn't too hard to do at all. Look for neutrals like grey, tan, and pearl to blend together and create different looks for your personal taste. Hunt down jewelry and even a hat or two to try when you're chasing down a story or heading out into less-than-nice lunch hour weather.

3. Comfortable but Sophisticated Shoes: It used to be easier to make excuses that your feet weren't too comfortable, and that your shoes needed to be on the uglier side. That being said, with cloud-like insoles and plenty of wide-foot friendly heels, you'll be (literally) walking on air while you work. Try a stable, medium-high heel.

4. Delicately Detailed Blouses: Bow necks, chiffon tops, and shaped shirts are just what you need when it comes to cute clothes, so why not look for shirts that are quickly and easily flattered by menswear-inspired jackets and blazers? Add a pair of chandelier earrings if your office is more casual, or go for pearl earrings instead if you need to dress up a little more.

5. Figure-Flattering Skirts: Pencil skirts, tulip skirts, and squared-off menswear-matching skirts all all great choices, and for a variety of different body types, too. Slip into a stress-free skirt to kick off your work week, play with a variety of ensembles and textures, and don't forget about the details, please!

What do you love about work gear?

Top Fashion Tips and Quotes

Are you in the mood for some fresh fashion inspiration? These quotes should get you in the mood for styling up your best fashions in a flash!

First of all, why not kick things off with a bit of fun? It definitely sheds light on a serious issue, but the quote itself is clever and cutting:

Steve Barry:

“The leading cause of death among fashion models is falling through street grates.”

Well, well, this quote is a tiny taste of what designers think of their creations. Pierre Cardin got deathly serious when he discussed the special aspects of his designs and how they work.

Pierre Cardin:

“The dress is a vase which the body follows. My clothes are like modules in which bodies move.”

If you're looking for a reason to shop, this might be exactly what you were looking for. . . enjoy this fun little quote before you hit the shops!

Mary Kay Ashe:

“While clothes may not make the woman, they certainly have a strong effect on her self-confidence - which, I believe, does make the woman.”

This may not be the case for all of us, but plenty of us mold our lives around fashion, whether or not we mean to. It's a part of our work, our lives, and—quite often—our relationships with others. How else will you show people how cool you are?

Seneca:

“We live not according to reason, but according to fashion.”

Tee hee. It would take someone like Emerson to make fashion seem witty, but he does it so well. What does pure genius look like, I wonder?

Ralph Waldo Emerson:

“Common sense is genius dressed in its working clothes.”

If you've ever seen someone stuffed into a dress, this quote makes so much sense! Plus, it makes me think of Marilyn Monroe in her White House-crooning years.

Hubert de Givenchy:

“The dress must follow the body of a woman, not the body following the shape of the dress.”

Karl's genius is too fun to read about—his quotes are positively off-the-wall a good percentage of the time, but this one is just 100% on the ball.

Karl Lagerfeld:

“Chanel is composed of only a few elements, white camellias, quilted bags and Austrian doorman's jackets, pearls, chains, shoes with black toes. I use these elements like notes to play with.”

Are you the type to stick to t-shirts and jeans? Gilda Radner expresses a common sentiment when she highlights her lack of zest for fashion, but you can find more fashionable items with the same aesthetic quite easily.

Gilda Radner:

“I base my fashion sense on what doesn't itch.”

This quote, plain and simply, scares the living daylights out of me. Imagine if it were true. . . shudder. There would be some serious problems.

Lord Chesterfield:

“When a person is in fashion, all they do is right.”

There are so many fashion errors out there that this quote really does ring true. Head to a thrift store, find some amazing picks, and then giggle at all the rest and think of Oscar Wilde.

Oscar Wilde:

“Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.”

If you take anything away from one of these quotes, I think it should be from this one.

Gail Rubin Bereny:

”Above all, remember that the most important thing you can take anywhere is not a Gucci bag or French-cut jeans; it's an open mind.”

Which one is your favorite quote?

Getting to Know PZI Jeans

Get a good look at PZI Jeans and learn why this curvy jean brand is the right one for any serious shopper. . . especially one who has a “streamlined” waist, but a curvier body down below.

Take a look at this exclusive interview with PZI Jeans' co-founder Claire Jason just for Coupon Winner's shopping blog!

What are PZI jeans?

Many women with hourglass shapes have a smaller upper body and larger lower proportions and we recognize that she has a difficult time finding jeans without that unsightly gape in the waist area.  The majority of denim in the market are for young thin females and feature a very low rise, many women cannot even pull low rise denim over their hips.

PZI Jeans realized that the everyday woman represents a huge market that is being neglected henceforth we decided to study our curvy woman’s body and design jeans for her which embrace her beauty and fit her right off the rack! No more expensive alterations! That may not be a big deal for some women, but if you have fuller hips and rear, it is a big deal.

Why do PZI Jeans fit so well?

We get it and we strive to provide her with jeans that compliment the beauty of her curves. We even went a step further to add short, regular, long and extra-long inseams to really cater to our curvy woman, whether she is short or tall. Any curvy woman who wears a size 4 through 16, is five to six feet tall (or taller) finally has a jean designed just for her. If a customer goes to our website atwww.pzijeans.com and goes to our size chart, they can determine their size and order on-line or locate a store near them that carries PZI Jeans.

Quote of the Day:

“Not being able to feel good in your jeans can be upsetting. PZI Jeans stands out, because our customer can try on our jeans and walk out feeling excited that she finally found a pair of jeans that fit.”

Some of our favorite PZI styles include: 

1. Michelle Skirt: This new addition to the collection at PZI gives curves just where they are needed, but isn't overbearing. We love that navy-inspired button placket!

2. Jet Skinny Jean: Nothing like a good pair of black jeans to zest things up a little! If you like dark jeans for clubbing or just plain ol' going out, you'll love this selection.

3. Curve Skinny Jean: Dark indigo jeans at their finest, in sizes up to 16. A definite basic, but one with style and class. 

4. Pewter Skinny Jean: Grey jeans are a little more unusual, but they are certainly welcome here. Sling on a pair of skinnied and go!

5. Classic Dark Wash: The classic PZI jean is one that can't be missed, because it's not just what built the brand, but what customers have come to love.

When I typed my information in, I saw that my price for a pair of size 14 jeans in a dark wash (32") came up to $69! Not bad for a pair of specialty designer jeans, huh?