Ready, Set, Shop: Zac Posen for Target Launches April 25th

Target is at it again with another amazing designer collaboration.  Drum roll please!!!  This time it's Zac Posen.  If you aren't already familiar with him as a designer, his dresses have been described as "sultry, body-hugging, thirties- and forties-inflected party frocks".  Lucky Magazine interviewed the designer about his collaboration for Target, and was asked if  there were going to be any revivals of his iconic pieces from his main line.  To the delight of all who love Zac Posen, he replied:

"We definitely looked to our archive for inspiration and did takes on two of my most iconic pieces: the snap dress and the trumpet dress. But this collection wasn't as much about reinventing the old as it was about exploring the new and uncharted."

The collection opens up to the general public nationwide at Target and Target.com on April 25th.

READER TIP:  Here's a little secret I have used over and over again for these designer collaborations.  This works best for those of us on the west coast- The items go on sale online around midnight EST.  I start stalking the target website about 9:00 PST to see when the merchandise becomes available.  It beats standing in line, but you don't get to try the items on first.  Another plus, you get to shop the collection before your friends who don't know this tip, so you get to choose from the best selection.

Image(s) courtesy of Lucky Magazine
Quote from http://www.style.com/fashionshows/designerdirectory/ZPOSEN/seasons/

Going Green: Designer Party Frocks and Their Wallet-Friendly Alternatives

Retail stores and fellow stylists alike are getting ready for the holiday season and all the fashionable events that come with it.  I don't know about your inbox, by mine is inundated with emails covering all the best party frocks in town.  If you don't feel like renting that designer special occasion dress, here are some designer suggestions and their wallet-friendly alternatives:

Kermit had it all wrong- it is easy being green!

1) WhoWhatWear suggested this Elizabeth and James Penelope Dress ($365) from Saks. The color is bright, fresh, and youthful.  The strapless dress is always a party pleaser.  The great part about this dress is the black tie waist, which will emphasize the waistline and give you more of an hourglass figure.  You could eat a steak in this dress and still feel comfortable!

2) For the frugalista, Bloomingdale's Aqua line has a strapless satin tube dress ($88) in a similar jade green color.  Stylist Tip: You can belt a shapeless dress to give you the same curves.  I prefer to use a stretch belt (as pictured) versus one with belt holes to adjust the size.

3) The Aqua silk taffeta bow dress from Bloomingdale's ($220) has a sweet ballet feel to it.  Stylist Tip: Want to take it up a notch?  Belt this one as well!  Just make sure you lay the belt across the already defined waist line (hide the seam).

4) One shoulder dresses are all the rage right now.  Try BCBG's one-shoulder cocktail dress ($148) from Saks with the drop wait.

5) If you want to go with something a little more funky this holiday season, the Phoebe Couture Strapless silk dress with zipper (ON SALE $246.50) is the way to go.

Trend Alert: Union Jack Handbags

In honor of my upcoming trip to London, here are some of my favorite tributes to the Union Jack:

LuLu Guinness Union Jack snakeskin lips clutch

Chanel Union Jack handbag

Alexander McQueen Union Jack clutch

Frugalista Find: Union Jack clutch from Monsoon UK $30 Euros

Fall Trend Watch: Chain Strap Bags

Channel CoCo Chanel when you think about this trend. Chains are all over, from handbags to, built-in necklaces on shirts. Urban Outfitters is giving the frugalista the chance to jump on this trend bandwagon for just $42.

Anna Sui for Target

Two days left until we get to shop the new Anna Sui line for Target. You can start purchasing online at midnight or be a little less of a fashion diva and make your purchase when the stores open at 8:00am :) I'll be in Daly City at 8am on Sunday waiting in line with the other San Francisco "frugalistas".

Target "targets" the Frugalista

Target just launched their new StyleBoutique (formerly Target Design for All). They've target-ed the rise of the Frugalista, "defined as “a person who lives a frugal lifestyle but stays fashionable and healthy by swapping clothes, buying secondhand, growing own produce, etc.” This could become the nom de guerre of the 'recession warrior'.1” Target knows that "Frugalistas know how to out-dress, not out-spend." And they plan to show you how to do it as well, simply by signing up for the email newsletter.


1 http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/23/magazine/23wwln-safire-t.html
Images courtesy of Target.com

Coming Soon.... March 2009