High vs. Low - Dresses

Often I am asked where ladies can go to purchase lower priced items that resemble their designer counterparts.  I am thrilled to have this question asked because there are so many clothing shops that have items which mimic the runways, so you really don't have to go far and search high and low for these items.  In some cases, the "knock-offs" look almost identical, if not better than their haute couture cousins.  I'll be taking a look at the high's versus the low's in the world of fashion starting with dresses.  I've selected a few dresses in various categories to show you how easily you can achieve that high-fashion look for less. I've decided to opt for the mid-range versus low-range prices because not everyone has a caviar budget.  You will find in some cases the dresses are almost identical, others are a spin-off, some are fancy and others casual, but all-in-all the look you want to emulate can be achieved, even if you use a bit of your own imagination.  

Here are the high's and low's for dresses:

As you can see from the dress options above, some of the lower priced options look just as good (if not better) than their higher priced doubles.  Now I'm not saying that one should avoid shopping for high end merchandise, but if you can avoid it why not ;)

P.S. BCBG and Anthropologie are listed in US funds.

Happy Shopping!

Courtesy of:
Anthropologie
BCBG
Banana Republic
The Gap
Old Navy
Forever 21
H&M

Mint Julep

One colour that has made a triumphant comeback is Mint.  In my opinion, this colour is the quintessential spring/summer colour and can be paired with pretty much anything!  The refreshing light green looks equally fantastic with colours in the same hue (mainly pastels) such as yellow, blue, pink, purple, coral, white, and even other shades of green.  But if you want to play it safe, black will also work effectively.  If you're hesitant about wearing this colour in terms of clothing options, why not try it out in your accessories such as, earrings, a necklace, shoes, or even a bag.  If you're daring, go full on ice cream shop with mint, pink and yellow.  If you want a touch, try out a mint coloured pencil skirt and a white flowy top.  Here are some minty items that I selected for you:

How yummy are those!  Makes me want to run out and buy up everything in this colour.  You can see that there are loads of options, from casual with the runners, tees, and pullovers; to dressy with peplum skirts, blousy shirts and sexy dresses; and I even threw in a swimsuit option.  You can easily add a hit of mint or go all out, but whatever you decide to do, add this colour to your wardrobe and get minty fresh.

Happy Shopping!

Courtesy of:
Banana Republic
Old Navy
The Gap
Anthropologie
Express
Forever 21
J Crew
H&M
Le Chateau

Lace-y without Cagney

Not to worry, there will not be any cheezy references to the famed 80s detective show in this post.  I will be discussing the always romantic, slightly bare, and extremely sexy; lace.  I have personally thought of lace as a article to be worn on special occasions, to formal events, or underneath your clothing; but recently I have been drawn to the potential for exposed and daytime ware.  Lace can be found in a variety of colours, styles and types of clothing and is easily converted to be worn at work, on the weekends and yes, even still for those special evening events.

Lace, in order to be worn during the daytime and at work, should be done in modest form.  Head-to-toe lace is too formal for the workplace, so choose either the top or bottom to be your lace piece and depending on your workplace environment, you can go casual or slightly more refined to complement.  For example, if you decide on a lace skirt, select a blousy top in a solid colour and tuck into your skirt for a more refined look.  If you decide on a lace-front pullover, go with a pair of skinny pants in a contrasting or complementing colour to complete your ensemble for a more relaxed look.  If you decide on a lace dress, wear a solid cardigan or even a jacket/blazer to complete the look.

Here are some lace options for you:

As you can see from the lace options above that it can really run the gamut from relaxed to super sexy; bold colour to standard black & white.  There are faux options, where the lace effect is printed directly onto the fabric, as well as lace overlay that gives the appearance of skin directly underneath.  You can also find lace fronts or backs to help break-up the full-on lace effect.  You really can't go wrong these days with a lace look, whether it be top to bottom, or just a touch.

Happy Shopping!

Courtesy of:
Anthropologie
Banana Republic
Forever 21
H&M
Aritzia