1/20 Sunday Showdown

STEVE MADDEN VS. TARGET
Wedge Sneakers

One of the newest trends in footwear on the market today is the street-chic wedge sneaker. While still exploring this new fad, I have noticed there is a lot of uniformity and very little poetic license within the fashion community. For example, take the wedge sneakers from Steve Madden's collection compared to the wedges on the racks at Target. The Steve Madden Hamlit Wedge Sneakers run for $110 and the women's Xhilaration Shayenne High Tops sell for $34.99 at Target, yet there is an indisputable similarity between the two.

The Steve Madden wedge sneakers are undeniably hot. I like the tone difference between the two shades of black. Just to be picky, I also like the square studs. What puts this wedge sneaker over the top, however, is the studded tongue on the shoe. I wouldn't be living like Lily if I wasn't all about the bling. As always, Steve Madden can do no wrong when it comes to women's footwear.

The Target version of these high top wedge sneakers are just as attractive. While more simpler, the studded strap is subtle and understated sexy. Even though these sneakers are from Target, the price difference between these and the Steve Maddens allow some remodeling to factor into your budget. Want more bling? Do it yourself and bedazzle these sneakers to your liking for about $5 dollars more at the craft store. I would rather save money and experiment with shoes from Target than potentially destroy a pair of Steve Maddens. The Xhilaration high tops allow you to interpret
 fashion and make it your own, rather than succumbing to designer labels.

The thing about Steve Madden shoes is there is there is usually an exact copy for a much cheaper price somewhere else in the world. I love Steve Madden shoes, but what usually keeps me from buying them are his more economical brothers. In this case, while I do prefer the Steve Madden's with the studed tongue, the Xhilaration sneakers are the economical brother seducing me in. The same style and look for two different prices, which would you rather pay?

1/18 Friday's Find

SILK CREPE DE CHINE JUMPSUIT
$498 at Ralph Lauren

Halfway through January, I'd say winter is almost over. In anticipation for the arrival of spring and warmer climates, I could think of no better spring must-have than this stylish silk jumpsuit. And what could be more perfect than to start spring off right with Ralph Lauren's silk Crepe de Chine jumpsuit?! The perfect combination of fabulous and casual, this outfit is going to cost you $498 dollars to be exact.

This jumpsuit presents the ultimate casual springtime look with the drawstring cinching above the hips. I really like the fun, lime green color, which is also fitting for spring. I absolutely love the tied ends at the ankles which would look great paired with platform sandals. Toss on some chandelier earrings and some colorful bangles to complete this outfit.

This jumpsuit is a great, easy, go-to outfit. While rompers were made for the summer months, the jumpsuit is a good transition for the spring. When I see it, I think of spring break, but this jumpsuit can be worn to far more places than just the tropical south. Backyard barbecues, lazy afternoons in the park, and street fairs are all appropriate places to sport this trendy look. Merely an elongated version of the romper, try something different this spring with this Ralph Lauren jumpsuit.

1/17 Thrifty Thursday

URBAN RENEWAL CUTOFF OVERALL DRESS
$49 at Urban Outfitters

Rather than waste away with winter blues, strap on some blue jeans and rekindle a summer romance. This Urban Renewal Cutoff Overall Dress is $49 dollars at Urban Outfitters and would make the perfect solution to curing seasonal depression...or at least an addiction to retail.

Not only will this be the perfect dress come summertime with outdoor country concerts and neighborhood barbecues, it is ready to wear now. As long as it's indoors, I would wear this dress to virtually any casual gathering. It only takes a few basic pieces to pull the outfit together. Like how the dress is styled above, all you need is a long sleeved solid colored shirt and some tights to pull this look into a wintertime favorite. Pair this dress with some cute flats in a fun pattern, like leopard, to add a touch of femininity.

As fashion trends of the decades in the 20th century are making their comebacks, this 90s inspired, denim overall dress would be right on point. I really like this modern twist on overalls, and the price is right too. Urban Outfitters has been known to produce quality denim products, and this dress is certainly no exception. With this kick-ass blue jean dress, those winter blues will be gone fast.

1/16 Whine Wednesday

BORING MODELS

Fashion is an art form. Art can move you, shake you, and drop you to your knees in awe. Art is a form of inspiration in which fashion is an expression of. With that being said, please tell me why a designer would choose stiff, boring, and lifeless models to represent their works of art?!

It would be like the hanging the Mona Lisa in a cold, damp basement. Or, framing the Girl with a Pearl Earring in a slab of unpolished wood. I understand that the reasoning behind this absurd concept of choosing blase models is to allow the clothing to stand out and speak for itself. I understand that the models simply act as the designers' blank canvas onto which they display their masterpieces. What I don't understand, however, is why models are paid to look like plastic mannequins and how this tactic helps sell the clothing.

I witnessed one of the best examples, and worst offenders, of employing boring models while I was casually browsing the Carlos Miele pre-fall 2013 collection. I was overcome with boredom from looking at his collection. It was then that I realized it wasn't the clothes that were boring, but the people inside of them. I would reckon about 75% of a garment's appeal has to do with the way the people inside of the clothes are wearing them. If they are just standing like stiff statues, it's not going to make me want to buy the clothes they are wearing. Even the mannequins in the store windows show more movement than these models! Presentation is everything.

Repeatedly looking at the same stance and facial expression over and over is boring and is going to make me skim over the entire collection rather than actually studying the pieces. Some designers really need to reevaluate their marketing strategies because, from what I've heard, the fashion industry is too cutthroat to merely be overlooked.

1/15 Terrible Tuesday

LESLIE MANN

Holy Cannoli! Leslie Mann practically made me sick when I saw her on the red carpet for the 2013 Critics Choice Awards. She wore a Giovanna Randall knee-length dress with pink Jimmy Choo 'Fitch' high heeled sandals an a pink Tiffany 'Morgan' clutch. Talk about overkill with the assortment of pink on pink on pink.

Looking like a bottle of Pepto Bismol, it is safe to say this was not the right dress for Leslie Mann. At her age, she is way too old for this dress. Besides, wasn't her movie called This Is 40, not This Is 14? Between the sheer lace top and full skirt, not to mention the bubblegum pink color, the dress is way too youthful. This dress would look cuter on Kylie Jenner.

With that being said, there is nothing wrong with the dress, the shoes, or the clutch individually. It's the combination of this triple threat that makes this outfit so dangerous. Pick one and carry on. After this pink explosion, I think Leslie needs to pick a new favorite color and not wear it out - literally!

1/15 Terrible Tuesday

FAMKE JANSSEN

Buried under a heap of sad, bedraggled chiffon is where you find might Famke Janssen. Wearing a teal blue John Galliano gown with emerald green bangles, Famke looked absolutely drab at the 2013 Critics Choice Awards.

First of all, there is too much going on with this dress. The mesh looks stupid, the ruffles look limp and dowdy, and the layers makes Famke look like a rag muffin. The ruffles down the front and the sparkly skirt looks especially ridiculous. I've seen better dresses sewn by the blind. I am hesitant to unleash all of my anger on the dress, though, because this gown looked fabulous on the runway. For the red carpet, however, this dress would look better if you cut the mesh out, left the ruffled neckline, and kept a plain blue skirt. You can't have it all, darling. It really is a shame that Famke couldn't pull this dress off, and she really shouldn't have insisted on trying. If you can't do the clothing justice, don't put it on your body.

In this case, it's good that Famke kept the jewelry to a minimum here. I'm not saying that because with the overpowering dress, heavy jewelry would have just been tawdry, which is true. The real reason is because of what little accessories Famke is wearing is already horrible enough. The emerald green bangles are so out in left field, it amazes me that they were paired with this gown. Honestly, from far away the bracelet looks like a hospital band. My guess is that it is from a mental hospital because she would have to be crazy to be stepping out on the red carpet wearing this outfit. With her recent severe loss of all taste in fashion, it's back to the doctor's office for you, Famke.

1/15 Terrible Tuesday

ELLE FANNING

An actress in distress! Elle Fanning wore a Chanel gown to the 2013 Critics Choice Awards, however, I think a shower curtain would be a more suitable word. Now  I know Elle could not have purposely chosen to wear such an awful gown to the awards show. Her real dress must have been stolen while she was in the shower and was left with nothing else to wear. She didn't even dress the shower curtain up with an jewelry. Perhaps the thieves stole those too!

For a Chanel dress, I really think this could have been better. It honestly looks like she has a shower curtain wrapped around her body. Another thing that bothers me about this outfit are the chunky shoes! Even if this dress was remotely cute, people need to learn that you do not pair chunky shoes with a longer gown. Young Elle Fanning is usually the picture of vogue, and I hope this dress was just a minor setback and not some whacky new image for the actress.

Although I do love her in a strapless, she did this all wrong. There is no body to the dress, and it really looks like she didn't even attempt to try to gain any style points. I've never been a fan of minimalist chic. Then again, I've never been a fan of wearing a shower curtain as a dress before either.