The Economy May Suck, But Your Style Doesn't Have To

I just found out about two great sites for finding bargains on the Web. First is HauteLook.com -- "a club which organizes exclusive 12-48 hour on-line private sales of premium fashion and luxury lifestyle brands." Kind of like an online sample sale! Once you sign-up (membership is free), you'll get an e-mail invitation before each sale begins. Discounts are as much as 75% off! Plus, they have a special referral incentive that allows you to invite your friends to sign-up, and if they do and purchase something, you'll get a $10 credit to use for a future hautelook.com purchase.

The second site is RetailMeNot.com -- an emporium of online coupon codes and discounts at major online shopping sites. You can search by store or by keyword. You can also create a profile and communicate with other members about new deals and discounts available online. A great forum for all of us bargain shoppers out there.

In these times of economic woes, it is great to know that there are still ways to pinch your pennies without having to skimp on style!

A New Look for a New Season

Fall is here, and with it comes the beginning of a whole new season of looks and attitudes. So, I thought it would be apropos to roll-out a new design for Bargain Chic. I hope ya'll enjoy the cute new layout, logo & header. It's stylish & whimsical -- a new attitude I'm trying out for the seasons to come.

And, speaking of stylish & whimsical, here are two looks that fit that bill -- beautifully layered & textured outfits that epitomizes the essence of Fall. Whether you opt for the opulent designer look or the more economical one, people will fall all over your chicness.

Photo credit: Marie Clarie, October 2008, V. 15, Issue 10, Page 139

Designer Look

Jacket, $290, Lauren by Ralph Lauren; top, $49.50, Ann Taylor LOFT; pants, $365, Rebecca & Drew; $1,395, Dolce & Gabbana; hat, price upon request, Caroline Herrera.

Bargain Look

Edinburgh Blazer, $158, Free People Clothing; Sweater, $15, Old Navy


Houndstooth Cropped Pants, $24.99, Gap; Boots, $99.95, Vertan Sammy


Wool Felt Fedora, $45, Goorin Pokey

Everyone Wants to Wear Them

Pants. Trousers. Slacks. Chinos. Wherever your from, and however you say it, pants are the great equalizer. Over the last century, they've been instrumental in getting women out of their uncomfortable, fru-fru-y yards of fabric into the free-wheeling comfortable design of movable and durable fabric. And, oh boy, have we come along way!

Gone are the days of the ill-fitting, paper-bag cinched, scratchy fabric pants. Now pants have style. Have panache. Have sophistication. Designers have melded functionality with wit; comfort with sass; and, masculinity with femininity.

Here are just a few examples of how the Fall season looks are taking this transformation full-circle with retro-inspired looks with a touch of modernity.

Emeraldine Trousers, $228; Herringbone Trousers, $98, both Anthropologie


High-waist Trouser, Victoria's Secret, $88. Croco Tweed Cuffed Pant, Bebe, $139


High Waist Sailor Trouser, Arden B, $98. High Waisted Trouser in Sand Plaid, Raven (shoptwigs.com), $78

The Great Wall of Frames

My home decorating has been an ongoing process, as it is for most people. And there is one area in my house that I've struggled with since I bought my place two years ago -- my stairway. It is an enclosed stairway, with two huge canvases of white stucco walls, and I had no idea what to do with them, until I came across this idea from a Pottery Barn catalog:

Visually, it is beautiful, and design-wise it gives people an opportunity to showcase their cherished photos. Unfortunately, if you have a LOT of wall real estate, like me, you'll need a LOT of photos & a LOT of frames. And frames with mats can cost a pretty penny.

If you are so inclined to copy this great design idea, here are a few inexpensive and chic frames that you can use to adorn any great wall of your choosing.

Gallery Frames, West Elm, $12-$44

Thin Metal Frame, Target, $16.99. Wood Frame, Target

Fjallsta Frame, IKEA, $24.99. Ribba Frame, IKEA, $12.99


Black Frames Set of 4, Bed Bath & Beyond, $29.99