J. Crew wedding gowns

You'd never think of J. Crew for your bargain shopping -- even though I so love rummaging through their clearance rack -- but they actually have really affordable wedding gowns. Who knew?

J. Crew started it's "Weddings & Parties" collection a few years ago with a few select styles, but the line has really developed and now they have several elegant styles, many at less than $500. Plus, you know they come with J. Crew's quality craftsmanship and tailoring.

This dress is just one of the many styles they have, and it's priced at a ridiculous $395.







They're so simple and elegant and they're not all crazy bejeweled. Such a refreshing twist.

Now, their bridesmaid dresses are equally as adorable, but they're not as affordable as the wedding gowns -- many are more than $200 ... something I wouldn't really feel comfortable asking my 'maids to pay if I were getting married.

In any event, the wedding gowns at J. Crew are worth a serious look, especially if you want to up the elegance factor without plunking down too much dough for a dress.

(Images courtesy of J. Crew)

The British are coming ...

Now, I had first heard back in June via New York Magazine's Shopping Blog that British retailer TopShop was NYC-bound, and now there are actually rumors about dates of the opening.

Get on the mailing list ...

One of the best ways to save some moolah on the things you really want/need in life -- you know, makeup, clothes, accessories, shoes etc. -- is to sign up for their e-mail mailing lists. You really do get advanced notice of sales, special discounts, free shipping, and so on. Every little bit helps when there's an item you've been eyeing but don't want to plunk down full price for it. Many retail outfits also have birthday clubs.

Some of my faves:

NY and Company -- they routinely send you previews of new collections before the public sees it, coupons for $20 off a $60 purchase or $30 off a $75 purchase, which are great if you were planning to buy multiple items


Sephora -- their Beauty Insider club lets you accumulate points on the things you know you're going to buy (makeup, hair products, perfume) and gives you free items every time you reach 100 points ... something which is a little too easy to do in Sephora. They also give you a free gift every year on your birthday


Aveda -- they will frequently send you postcards in the mail for free products, and they have a great birthday club which lets you pick out a custom blended aromatherapy item of your choice. You even get to take a fun quiz and figure out which scents suit you best


J.Crew -- they send emails letting folks know when their final sale stuff is an additional 20% - 30% off of the sale price ... a great time to stock up on basics that you already know the size/fit, etc.

Madewell -- the new J.Crew spin-off I've previously blogged about invites the folks on their mailing list to a "Denim After Dark" event @ their SoHo store on the first Thurs. night of every month (I'm going to go see what it's all about tonight) where you get $25 off any pair of jeans, free custom hemming and/or embroidery, a fit consultation, and free mojitos.

It definitely pays off to do a little digging and figure out what the perks are for some of your favorite brands.

Cute and cheap accessories

Even though I definitely feel too old to be shopping at places like Delia's, Forever 21, American Eagle Outfitters and Alloy for clothing (shh ... even though I do shop there on occasion), they definitely have the market on cheap, cute, of-the-moment accessories... which is really the only thing that fits me at these stores. Look at what I just found in a quick scan for fall accessories:

This great bag from Delia's, which totally looks like a vintage camera bag, and is great to sling across your body. Very cute and under $40.

Then I found this lightweight scarf @ Alloy with a really great print, and it's only $16.50. I have been seeing printed scarves all over the fall fashion magazines so I have a feeling they're going to be everywhere.

This hat is also really cute -- I love the 30's meets hippie feeling of flowered beanies. And it's a steal at $10.

Lastly, how cute are these canvas and satin ballet flats? They would be perfect to thrown on with a dress, a cardigan, and leggings for a slightly more feminine alternative to boots -- before it gets too cold of course.

(Images courtesy of Delia's, Alloy, Forever 21, and American Eagle Outfitters, respectively)

Fashion Don'ts in Jackson Heights

This is precisely why I want to get out of Jackson Heights. This is Jackson Heights' idea of bargain shopping -- 1/8 of the fabric required for actual clothing.












I don't care if you've been forced to turn tricks ... you would have to be mental to ever be caught dead in any of these outfits. Just the thought of these materials touching my skin makes me want to hurl.

The Leggings are made to look like jeans. The dresses either have cut-outs or they look like bikinis. And the bikinis look like S&M clothes. It's like I step into a vortex of tacky, trampy crap every time I get off the subway.

If Stacy London and Clinton Kelly showed up here, they'd want to pour gasoline, light a match and run.