The Frugal Fashionista's August 'Steal'

Starting this month, I will be blogging once monthly about a fashion bargain I have found. I may not have necessarily bought it, but I am passing my knowledge onto you so you can save big and look great.
This month, I hunted down a great sale: the All Aero Sale. Camis and tanks are bogo (buy one get one free), sleepwear is $7, graphic tees are $10 and jeans are $20, in addition to Aeropostale's usual great prices.
With all these great deals, you're sure to get tons of new threads...without making your wallet threadbare!

It's Epic, Dude!

With Hollister already stealing customers from its "older sister" Abercrombie & Fitch, it could only be a matter of time before they started moving in on the East Coast, where customers typically prefer runway fashion or A&F's higher-priced brands, such as Ruehl No. 925.
And it looks like the impossible has been done. Hollister Co. opened one of its first stores on the East Coast, located in SoHo, on July 16.
But this isn't just any Hollister store. It's Epic, and I mean that literally. It is five levels of SoCal style, featuring live video feeds of Huntington Beach Pier. The store even has a separate website (hcoridethewave.com), with an Epic Story, screensavers, postcards and more. Sounds to me like Cali in the middle of NYC. Not a bad concept, Abercrombie.
But...will Epic live up to its--erm--Epic hype?

My Cute Pick Of The Month: August

With fall just around the corner (yes, it's sad, I know), I decided to put together an outfit that is a preview of things to come, with a little blast of summer mixed in.On top is a burgundy sweater I bought last fall from Hollister. This is a great pick, because it is in an autumn-like color and style (3/4-length sleeves and not too heavy). Also, with the economy in the shape that it is, you may not be able to afford all the latest styles so "shopping" through your closet may be your best bet for some staple items.
Underneath that, I layered a dark grey lace-trimmed cami, which ties in the sweater with the skirt. It is cute, cheap (around $10 for 3--what a steal!) and another basic, which you can wear with almost anything.
I paired those with an adorable floral skirt from Hollister. Besides the shoes and necklace, this was the only piece I bought this year. Be smart and stock up on cheap essentials, and only splurge on a great statement piece. Don't be afraid to bargain-hunt either--I found this skirt in the clearance section for only $19.90!
Finally, the accessories. I decided to go with a cute pair of brown heels from Famous Footwear (that I can pair with nearly everything), a multi-chain necklace from American Eagle and my signature stack of bracelets from American Eagle and Aeropostale.
With all these money-and-style-saavy tips in mind, go out there and shop, shop, shop!

Shop 'Til You Drop

Just yesterday, I went on a shopping spree of sorts to a large, upscale mall about 45 minutes from where I live. Because it's not super-close, I go there maybe two or three times per year, but I always enjoy myself (partly because I love to shop but also because I know that I won't get to go there again for several months). This particular mall is much larger than either of the two malls in the city I live in, and has much more expensive clothing. However, the only store this mall has that the other malls don't is Abercrombie & Fitch. So every time I go, I always check out A&F, mostly focusing on the items in the very back of the store (aka clearance items), because most of their clothing is so expensive!
But yesterday, I just couldn't pass up one particular piece that was full price ($40), even though it was located in the back. It's a brown babydoll-style top with a white floral pattern, sweetheart neckline and tiered ruffle hem. I knew right away that this was the perfect top for me. My mom even commented "That just screams you!" So even though I have complained about the outrageous prices at A&F (see "Dishin' On A&F), I had to buy that tank top.
Not only that, but I also splurged on an orange babydoll top (Westwood, $24.50, Hollister), an abstract floral-patterned skirt (Little Harbor, $19.90, Hollister) and a multi-metal-and-pearl necklace from American Eagle ($15.50). Yes, it was a productive day in the shopping world!

My Cute Pick Of The Month: July

Though July is nearly over, I wanted to show you my cute pick of the month. Because it is such a hot month, I decided to go with an adorable, yet sensible outfit that will keep you cool, even when the thermometer soars.
I started off with a plain brown babydoll-style top from Hollister, adorned with a ruffle and a matching ribbon at the bust line. Underneath that is a plain white camisole from Aeropostale and cuffed denim Bermuda shorts from Abercrombie & Fitch.
In keeping with the simple yet elegant theme of the outfit, I chose my newest shoes, from an earlier blog post. They feature a floral brown-and-white pattern and four-inch heels. Also, I incorporated my signature statement (countless bracelets) into my July pick. Don't be afraid of matching patterns with solids, as long as they have a color in common.

Back to School Shopping (And No, I Don't Mean Glue Sticks and Notebooks)

So summer is beginning to wind down, and what better time to think about school? Actually, most of us would rather not think about school, but what about back-to-school clothes shopping? Now that's a subject I'll talk about any day! Many retailers, such as Hollister, are starting their summer clearance sales, which can be a great place to get started. Begin with a basic lacy tank (Marina Park, $14.90) and pair with a newly-arrived plaid button down (Northside, $39.50) and chic crops (Swami's Beach, $49.50). Or, to save more money, make a complete outfit from clearanced items. Combine a super-cute skirt (Boneyard Beach, $19.90) with a laid-back tee (Picnic Beach, $16.90). With all these adorable and affordable clothes for sale at a store near you, you'll be wishing for days filled with algebra problems and gym uniforms.

Are You A Recessionista?

With the economy in such a downturn, many fashion-forward teen girls feel they are forced to compromise on their clothing--they may not be able to afford things from their favorite stores anymore. This can cause them to feel as if they cannot be stylish as long as money is tight. In my opinion, this is totally not true.
I was just flying back to Colorado from Wisconsin today after a nearly two-week-long trip and I happened to pick up the latest issue of Teen Vogue at the airport so I would have something to read. I was flipping through it and (sorta) drooling over some designer pieces I won't be able to afford for quite some time when I came to an article on recession-proof fashion tips. I devoured that article and picked up some helpful advice from it.
First, you can host a 'swap' party with your friends where you all bring no-longer-worn clothes to exchange for "new" ones.
Also, don't forget to hit up consignment shops, where you may find great deals on brand name gear. Even stores like TJ Maxx and Marshall's can have steals on designer handbags and shoes. And, if all else fails, shop around your own house. Borrow your mom's cool jeans from high school and pair them with a modern top and bold jewelry.
With all these budget-conscious tips, I know you'll be a recessionista in no time!