• Priorities tartan blazer from bluefly for $84.15. I love it’s schoolboy blazer appeal and the fact that it’s green. What a breath of fresh air amongst a retail sea of black and grey.
• Laundry sateen military trench coat from bluefly for $117. 30. I have a black trench in this fabrication and it’s very versatile and appealing. Fabulous with jeans and converse sneakers, but just as great over a cocktail dress. The sheen, seam detailing and buttons add depth to an otherwise boring bit of black fabric. Attitude!
• Banana Republic ruched turtleneck for $34.99. This knit top is soft, fits well and is available in a variety of colours. It makes a good layering item if it’s too slinky to wear on its own.
• Ann Taylor pearl ribbon necklace for $29.99. Dress it up over a LBD, or dress it down over a T with a boyfriend blazer. With party season just round the corner, you might like to look at all of Ann Taylor’s spectacular baubles when you’re next in stores (you’ll get most of them for less with an online coupon).
• Nordstrom oxford brogue for $51.90. It’s casual, comfy, androgynous, and fab with a button-down shirt, pinstripe blazer, pretty scarf and lots of girly bling.

Happy shopping!

Here are the blogs of some of our forum members who post about their outfits each day. It’s super to read their descriptions and see their style.

• Kari from “In Kari’s Wardrobe”
• Sarah from “Let it Rain Again”
• Dawn from “A Dress and a Bike”
• Kristen from “Low Fat Dressing”
• Kendra from “Tomboy Fashion”
• Ana from “The Math Fashionista”
• Khris from “Chewy Spaghetti”

My favourite diary of daily outfits is by the fabulously colourful and theatrical Kasmira from “What I Wore Today“. Kasmira is in a league of her own, blogging solidly for more than three years about what she wears to work in down town Cincinnati, with the odd weekend occasion outfit thrown in just for fun. Her photographs and outfits have life, energy and soul. They are visually appealing, superbly taken and beautifully executed. I love Kasmira’s countless poses, fun facial expressions and dry sense of humour. The backdrops for the photos are just as gorgeous as the very lovely Kasmira herself. And if the blog isn’t impressive enough, Kasmira often takes her own pictures! I don’t know how she does it but I’m very impressed.

Do you read blogs about stylish gals that post what they wore each day? If so, which blogs do you read and why do you read them? If you’re a blogger who posts her daily ensembles, why do you love to post what you wore?

As a 44 year old mom of two teens, my biggest challenge is achieving that ambiguous state of style that we call “age appropriate.” I do not know which is worse: being the mom in the pickup lane who doesn’t try hard enough (showing up in sweats and her husband’s baggy tees), the one who tries too hard (squeezing into her daughter’s clothes), or the one who got stuck in the 80s and never left.

So when Angie first proposed wearing embellished T’s, Converse or boyfriend blazers, I dismissed each out of hand, thinking: “This is not for me. I am old enough to have teenagers who live in graphic tees and Converse and I already did the boyfriend blazer thing in my younger years!!!” But with lots of trepidation and some coaxing, I decided to give it a try. I learned how to pull off wearing all three, even all at once, and without looking like a teenager! You can, too.

Here is Angie’s formula:

Jeans + graphic / embellished T + boyfriend blazer + Converse sneakers

And here are my tips:

• Boyfriend Blazer: Because I’m only 5’0”, I was dubious about finding a boyfriend blazer that would not overwhelm me. But once you find one that’s scaled to your frame, structured on the shoulder, not too long, and with the stance in the right place, you’re good to go. Alternatively, this look will work with any structured blazer. The fact it is a blazer will automatically make the outfit “grown up.” Why? Very simple, because teens do not normally wear them! This is the item that pulls the outfit together and makes it look more sophisticated. Do experiment with your career clothing because I love the juxtaposition of a serious business suit jacket worn over a casual, whimsical tee. And what better way to make your wardrobe work double duty?
• Graphic T: Just because it’s an inexpensive T does not give an excuse to skimp on fit. While you’ll want to leave the cute sayings to the teens, it’s okay to express your interests and have fun. Do choose a flattering neckline and length. Alternatively, any nicer knit top or tunic will work. For a casual date-night look, try a dressier silk blouse and juxtapose feminine with masculine.
• Jeans: Try the look with dark wash or black boot cuts, straight legs, or skinny jeans. Ponte knit pants work too.
• Footwear: For a more “grown-up” look, stick with bootcuts or straight-legs when you wear Converse or fashion sneakers. When I wear my skinnies with a boyfriend blazer, I opt for ballet flats, but slouchy flat boots, loafers, brogues and booties will also work. I love the look with my metallic oxford booties. Yes, they are heels, but since I spend a lot of time schlepping teens around in the Toyota instead of my arms, I can get away with it. Not to mention, they and all their friends tower over me now, so I could use the extra inch or two of height to give me “mom” authority!
• Layering: Add a cami, cardigan, vest, scarf for extra warmth and interest. Think of your boyfriend blazer as you would any fall-weight jacket, but so much sharper than a Polar fleece or hoodie.
• Accessories: I like the look of a long necklace with the lean line of the boyfriend blazer. Or I skip it entirely and go with the ease of a simple pair of hoops. Add a watch if you wear one, and a cross-body bag, slouchy hobo, or tote in a fun color.

While there are many ways to incorporate a boyfriend blazer into your wardrobe, this formula is ideal for the Moms and gals on the go because it is casual, comfortable, practical, and so easy. Above all, I love how the blazer gives me authority when dealing with teens that are taller than me. So over to you. Are you willing to give this formula a try? Let’s hear your opinions on formula #5.

I like to roll up the sleeves for attitude. The purple T advertises my favorite theater group’s recent production. It works when the blazer is added to give structure. Since my lifestyle involves lots of taxi-driving these days, I can also wear this formula with heels too.

As always the devil is in the details when it comes to finding a flattering silhouette. Here are some guidelines to help you find the right boyfriend blazer:

• Colour: Solid black or charcoal grey are the obvious choices, but pinstripes, false plains, or any neutral will work.
• Styling: Stick to single breasted styles because they’re flop proof. A long lean line is created in front of the body when a single breasted style is left un-buttoned, which is super slimming. Double breasted cuts are adorable and very ‘80’s, but harder to wear.
• Fit: For an authentic boyfriend blazer look, you’re after a bit of boxyness in the waist area. But slimmer cut styles are available if you’d prefer to define the waist. Either way, make sure that the fit is snug through the shoulders and that the garment drapes well. It’s important to keep a strong shoulder with this silhouette, especially if you’re going for the boxy look. This will give your outfit the necessary structure.
• Length: Lengths will vary from shrunken styles that graze the hip bone to longer lengths that cover the bottom. The taller you are, the longer you can go. If you’re extra petite, opt for a shorter length. Wearing heels with the look will also help to elongate the leg line.
• Button positioning: I see this style worn open unless it’s belted. For this reason the stance of the jacket (where the highest button on a jacket hits the chest) should be high in order to add structure to the shoulder line. Lower stances work on tall gals and larger bust lines. But if you’re after a flop proof look, opt for a jacket with a stance positioned just under the bust or a couple of inches below that.
• Sleeve detailing: Boyfriend jackets are all about scrunching, or rolling up sleeves to show lining detail. Contrast lining is fun but self colour lining works just as well. Both add an interesting textural dimension to the outfit.
• Fabrication: Woven wool blend suiting fabrics are great, but so are cotton blends, tweeds and herringbones. Knitted blazers are also available for as extra casual look.

I adore my woven single-breasted black boxy boyfriend blazer with self colour lining. I personally prefer the item with volume because it looks more androgynous. I opted for the self colour lining because its more versatile (can be dressed up or down). But if you’re after a more casual look, contrast lining is the way to go.

If you still can’t get your head around the boxy 80’s boyfriend blazer, there’s room to cheat. Sport a regular fitted suit blazer and roll up or scrunch up the sleeves. Bobs your uncle.

An assortment of boyfriend blazers, some are shorter and more tailored than others. The voluminous aspect of the boyfriend blazer is forgiving, relaxed and comfortable, yet you gain a bit of dressy structure because it’s a jacket. I have trendier Mums and gals on the go in this item and they’re happy as clams because it’s a nice change to the cardigan. Surprisingly, my older modern classic clients are loving the look too.

“Marianna embodies the Maxxinista persona with her creative, joyful sense of style and her proven ability to express her modern-classic style on a tight budget. I loved all her looks, so it was tough to narrow it down to just one, but I felt she took some risks with the winning look and that’s what made it my favorite.

Marianna’s mustard yellow sweater embodies the warm, rich hues of Fall and glows in contrast to her rich blue indigo jeans. Her cropped gray jacket fits beautifully and adds structure to the ensemble, while her gorgeous demi-wedge boots are both classic yet totally on-trend–and they look comfortable enough to stand in all day! Marianna’s flawless hair and makeup add the finishing touches to her polished look.

Runner up: Greenglove looks absolutely fierce in her leather jacket, colorful blouse and killer boots. Her tousled hair and bohemian jewelry add attitude and personalize the look. She looks fun, fearless, creative and artistic. In a nutshell, Greenglove’s outward appearance translates into making her someone you’d want to get to know!” — Dianna

Congratulations, Marianna! Happy shopping and keep sporting your fabulous Maxxinista style. Well done Greenglove for coming in as runner up! Your arty and eclectic way of dressing is always inspirational. A big thank you to the Budget Babe for taking the time to judge our competition. Dianna, you rock.

These are Marianna’s other top Maxxinista looks. No prizes for guessing that I have a soft spot for the frock, pearls and leather jacket ensemble, but it’s the outfit above with the mustard yellow sweater that won the competition. Well done.

I don’t know whether items with built-in chains will actually make it through the laundry process, as few of the embellishments are detachable. l guess there’s only one way to find out. Mixing and matching separate necklaces with separate tops seems more laundry friendly and versatile. But there is something to be said for having it ALL on a platter. Do you like the look? Do you think this item will survive its first wash if you can’t remove the chain?

• Fabulous wool blend wing collar coat available in regular, petite and plus For $149.90 to $169.90
• Double breasted military jacket available in black and olive for $59.90
• Adorable Olian mesh maternity top For $57.90
• Joe’s Jeans ”The Muse” high waist bootcut for $99.90
• David Kahn bootcut jeans for $98.90
• Jolt denim leggings for $20.90

Around the web, The Budget Fashionista has an interesting post on “Luxury Shame” that was inspired by a recent article in the Wall Street Journal. Well worth a read and definitely inspiration to seek out those bargains.

Happy shopping!

Booties are an excellent alternative to ankle boots, loafers and oxfords. They’re warmer than pumps and ballet flats because you can wear them with cozy socks, but cooler than mid-calf or knee-high boots because there is less coverage. Perfect for warm Winter and cool Spring weather.

These booties are available in three colours (grey, red and black). They’re soft, cushioning and roomy in the toe box, meaning that the bootie might work for a slightly broader foot too. The two inch heel is ideal and the vintage ruching detail is charming. Suede is not a good idea in wet weather but the flat leather styles can be sufficiently waterproofed with waterproofing spray. I went up half a size to accommodate my long toes, an insole and thicker sock, but you might be fine ordering your regular footwear size. I hope they work out as well for you as they did for me.

When I close my eyes and daydream about my fantasy wardrobe, I envision a closet full of trendy, arty, and urban looks that capture my style persona and suit my lifestyle. It is no secret that this fantasy was greatly shaped by my fabulous Korean and Chinese roommates whose killer sense of style immediately appealed to me, and with good reason: Asian street style is playful, trendy, and edgy with a good dose of practicality. For years, I have been trying to make this style my own with varying levels of success. While some American retailers come close, I maintain that the best way to get the look is to shop locally. Unfortunately, I won’t be going to Seoul or Hong Kong any time soon, but thanks to Angie’s fairy-godmotherlike ability to make dreams come true, I came pretty close. With a wave of her magic wand, Angie introduced me to Stefan Janssens, Internet Marketing Manager for YesStyle.com, who provided me with the opportunity to road test a few popular Korean apparel brands.

I took no time getting to work and selecting my goods, and as I clicked through the website, a few things quickly became apparent:

• You’ll need to be small: Many of the clothes I saw were one size fits all and cut for a straight and petite frame. Based on my experience, the Asian “one size fits all” spectrum can potentially encompass US sizes 0-6, depending upon how generously cut the garment is. At a curvy size 4, I had to be discriminating about the cut and style of my final selections. Happily, YesStyle has the garment measurements listed for each item, so there was no guess work required. In the end, I stuck to tunics, tops, and dresses and had no issues with fit.
• You’ll need to be daring: YesStyle is not for the faint of fashion heart. As someone who is always looking past the style horizon, this is a bonus to me, but if your style is classic and flop-proof, you might feel out of your element. The 80’s and 90’s revivals were in full swing with plaid, leggings, distressed jeans, legwarmers, oversized tunics, and shoulder pads. Fabulous!
• You’ll need to be young: The clothes on YesStyle are, for the most part, casual and trendy. Having youth on your side will open up a lot more options, but as always, style is in the wearer as long as you remain selective.
• You’ll need to act fast: Items on YesStyle sell out quickly, so it is best not to wait on making a purchase. If you order directly from the Hong Kong warehouse, your order will ship more quickly. Items which are not in stock at the warehouse can add up to 7 days to the shipping process. You can filter the items that are readily available by checking off the “in stock” box.

What you make of the quality will depend on what you are used to and what your lifestyle demands. As a budget-restrained 25 year old with a casual lifestyle, I do not require (or even desire) luxurious fabrics and a polished look, so most of the clothes I received from YesStyle passed my filter without a hitch. If you like shopping at H&M and Forever 21, you will probably like YesStyle as well. As always, there will be some variation between brands and even individual garments in terms of quality and fit, but among the brands I tried, I was very pleased. The service I received was excellent and I will surely be shopping with YesStyle in the future!

The tops and dresses in these outfits are the YesStyle items I put to the test, while the camisoles, bottoms, footwear and accessories are my own. They mixed in perfectly with my wardrobe!