Top 5 websites for affordable online shopping

On one of my online discovery sprees, were a few websites I came across. I figured there's always room for online shopping- especially if its a lot more affordable than the brands, and just as crisp. Cheap, affordable fashion: and chicest of the lot! Here's a few websites I discovered: spend that pocket money wisely. Spend it with style, if you'll excuse the pun.


1. Go Jane:


Go Jane is just one of those reliable little websites that offers pretty clothes: a combination of style and petite dressing. It's affordable, that's plus points. It's one that ships, one with a Deal of the Week, and with themed clothing. The Deal of the Week, of course, is the highlight. the best way to shop!

Website: www.gojane.com



2. Free People: 

Free People, one of the better known websites for shopping, is a tad bit on the store-price side. If you don't mind paying a decent price for a first-love dress, this is your stop! It's a designer in itself, this store: with its collections, pre-collections and sales! What's better, is that they ship to India, and a series of other countries most stores don't. PayPals, also, are accepted.

Website: www.freepeople.com






3. Ruche: 


Explore Ruche, with all its various products sorted into neat departments. What I discovered different about this website, was the Plus Size section- missing in most other websites, even stores! It also has a back in stock section, for those orderes you placed and the dresses you loved. My personal favourite on the long shopping list, is the necklace collection. It's an array of all kinds of neclaces: from beads to chains, pendants to pearls. Splurge, ladies!

Website: www.shopruche.com






4. Global Girlfriend: 

A store for greater good, as they would like to call themselves, Global Girlfriend offers jewlry, handbags and other accessories, including organic apparel. Part of the funds collected from the sale of these fashion items are used in helping women the world over, to improve their lives. What's amazing about this website, is that they have scented, organic soaps and bodywashes: the kind we'd pay the world for, if bought from Body Shop- and very affordable. Go ahead, indulge.

Website: www.globalgirlfriend.com






5. Shoewawa: 

A site dedicated to shoes is any woman's paradise. Heels make the most delicious object for purchase- after the comfy satisfaction of flipflops. find whatever shoe you're looking for, and find it cheap. Dig into the website, find that one shoe, and pick it for yourself! If my next post is late: you know where I've been!


Website: www.shoewawa.com

Leather and Denim: This summer

 Leathers and Denims: both the clothing of a deep-set winter. Experimenting with these in the summer is an unlikely possibility. For the love of the evergreen: Denims and leather, here's how they're used best this summer!

1. Baggy boyfriend pants:

 Summer's next up, but we aren't done with our share of jeans yet. Baggy is the way to go, on a casual day with a couple of errands to run. They're light-denim capris, with a light blue top: feel cool, indeed. 

Capri-length and a thin material, for the hot summer day. Who wants a great fit without the hassle of the crazy heat? There are the pants for you. 

Couple it up with a simple tee or a tank top. Experiment at leisure with the shoes: they're all a safe bet, depending on your choice of tee. For the baggies cause no harm to fashion shoe police. 

Where: The Diesel online store, http://bit.ly/eeVRmL

2. Textured leather chest belt: 

Chest belts are a new fad we love. It's crisp, smart dressing. 

Be it formals, or a plain long tee: change the style, turn it dressy. You'd think with winter gone, the leathers are all packed and tucked away. Not this season, no. Diesel gives leather a new look- in fact, a new season. 

A tie-back chest belt, first of it's kind. Turn it gangster, match it with a pair of black leather boots. Or use it formally: accessorizing a dull white shirt. 

Where: The Diesel online store, http://bit.ly/h65i7r

3. Faded Denim Bermudas: 

Come summer and the first thing you'd want to do is run out in a pair of comfy shorts. But comfy goes stylish this summer with the faded, worn-out effect. Rips and threads make it to the leggings and jeans, but with shorts: faded is the way to go. The light-coloured denims gel right into the light colours of the 

season. A button and a stitch, and you're done for the season. Flaps and pockets add to the charm, a very old-school pair of shorts!

Where: Zara online store, http://bit.ly/gE552N



4. Leather wallet: 

Wallets are a mark of one's taste. And what better than to have rich tastes in leather? Cute and tiny, it's a square wallet in black, with a silver ring- a mark of Esprit.

Carry it in your hand, or buckle a chain up to it for convenience and style: use it as a sling bag, or just a tiny trinklet box. It's just another wallet, with just another fab statement.

Where: Esprit e-online store, http://bit.ly/exemyJ

Zara: People Campaign

Zara: Think fashion and here's a name you can't skip. A leading fashion garments house, but what do we think of it's new PEOPLE! Campaign?

The campaign, as Zara would like to put it, is a means of "collaborating with people who are interested in fashion." As per the campaign, it's a must to create at least two looks from Zara's Spring Summer 2011 Collection. But here's the catch: You must upload picture of yourself in the outfits. Implying, you must buy these outfits.

Every week, a different selection of photographs are published on the web, with those selected, paid 300€.

To register/sign up: http://bit.ly/evdmtf Sign up to begin!

Zara, Marketing strategy- cheeky much? 

Honeysuckle: Trending 2011

Fashion Trends of 2011: Honeysuckle, the colour of 2011. And Gucci hasn't experimented with it yet? Apparently not. Here's to affordable honeysuckle-loved fashion: The colour of the year!

1. Honeysuckle Coloured Chino-Style Trousers: 

Coloured pants are on their way to style statement status. And what better colour than this year's favourite? Team it up with a long white formal shirt and gold colour accessories, and you're the bomb! Think affordable branded fashion, and you've got one already!

What: Honeysuckle Coloured Chino-Style Trousers

Where: Zara

Price: $39.90



2. Dip Dye Scarf:

Scarves we love. And tie-dyes aren't seasonal- the one kind that's always in! The shaded scarf is a great accessory, a bright one too! Dress smart: indulge in the colours!

What: Dip Dye Scarf

Where: Gap

Price: $29.50


3. Sweetheart Rosette Bubble Dress: 

It's a myth when you say Forever 21 has the best of dresses. It also has the best of style. A beautiful flowing short dress, complimenting the beauty of the pinkish-red colour in question, this is a gorgeous dress. It's one for a dream. Couple it up with pink-gold or grey/silver, and you're out to kill. There's nothing better than confidence in lovely wrapping!

What: Sweetheart Rosette Bubble Dress

Where: Forever 21

Price: $22.80


4. Honeysuckle Jean Joaillerie:

Jewelry is always the enhancing factor of a get-up. Joan Joaillerie, beautiful in its designs, has unique jewelry in honeysuckle colours. Light and gorgeous, they're the ideal cherry to your outfit. Couple them up with casual wear, or dressy outfits. A variety of deigns you could pick and a variety of colours, if honeysuckle isn't your deal.

What: Honeysuckle jewelry

Where: Jean Joaillerie, http://on.fb.me/ijhiIT


5. Beads of Light One-Shoulder Pink Dress: 

The reason dresses feature here a lot, is the craze we've developed for these. And why not? They flaunt us off just prefect. About this dress: It's soft, it's casual and it still manages to accomplish the mammoth status of an evening dress.

What: Beads of Light One-Shoulder Pink Dress

Where: Top Shop, http://bit.ly/fNbWsv

LV: Spring fashion

Lv: Louis Vuitton spring fashion can't do without a mention. Spring 2011, the peak of spring fashion- and LV makes it hotter. There isn't a collection with the exact colours and the best designes. Even before honeysuckle was declared the colour of the year, this collection had it part of it's floral patterns.

So what's the best of Louis Vuitton this season? Take a look: The best of Louis Vuitton Cruise Collection 2011!


1. Printed Silk and Linen Sleeveless Dress:

You've seen the outfit everywhere: Magazine covers, advertisements, all over the internet- For the collection is known by it! What's so great about the dress? It's got the perfect colours, the perfect florals and patterns, that collar and the belt: All that crisp dressing we follow!

This outfit is style in a million bucks: Wear it to the sunday brunch, the evening party and the gazebo, that very important meeting: or just out to a day of expensive shopping. It appeals for a million occasions!

What: Printed silk and linen sleeveless dress

Worn with: (Photo) Flower Field Pump in Printed Textile and Patent Calf Leather, Fingerless glover in lamskin

Where: Louis Vuitton


2. Silk Knit Dress: 

Dresses are the love for most all of us. What kind is the dress we dig? In simple words: it's this. This year's collection is far from typical evening dresses. It's one of formal style. The belts and the sleeveless cuts: the 70's are back it seems: and for good. Pink and white: A great combo, with lovable lady-like cuts and flowing knee-length folds.

Wear with flats or just heels- they're sure to compliment the season any which way!

What: Silk Knit Dress, Louis Vuitton Cruise Collection 2011

Worn with: (photo) Monogram Sabbia tote, Flower Fields Ballerina

Where: Louis Vuitton, http://bit.ly/abrFke



3. New Denim Square Scarves: 

Taking complete advantage of the formals & the silks of the season, are these scarves. Available in five different colours, the baby pink is the best. Browns and blacks also make the colour-styles of this trend of scarves. They're all-rounders when it comes to day & evening wear.

What: New Denim Square Scarves, Louis Vuitton Cruise collection 2011

Where: Louis Vuitton, http://bit.ly/abrFke


4. Swimsuit, Cruise 2011: 

So this is the only swimsuit of the season. But what style. There's nothing it isn't! An epitome of style and much of class, a gorgeous mix of colours and a super chic fit: It's all you need? You know just what you want if you're going for designer swimwear.

What: Swimsuit, Cruise Collection 2011

Where: Louis Vuitton


5. Save it Bracelet:

The save- it bracelet, definitely something you're saving for! Toping all wish-lists this year, the bracelet is a charm. It spells smart like nothing else of it's style. It's up for grabs, pun intended!

What: Save it bracelet

Where: Louis Vuitton

Prints and Frills: This Summer/Spring

Prints and Frills: Louise Vuitton and Prada might be most fashion-forward. But are we all in the Gucci-affording category? Hell, no! So what's the alternative? All clothing isn't always branded to be chic! The big brands do, obviously, have their own charm. But here's how to make casual work for you: Use the 'in' design with your clothing. And 'in' this year are the frills and the prints.

Here's a few good ways you could make frills and prints work magic for you:

1. Frills: 

Frills are a trend of the year, on the designer front, as well as when it comes to formal clothing or hitting the bar. Frills are easy to achieve.

- A bright filled shirt (red, blue, green) especially satin, go well with a pair of blue jeans. What's a myth is that they look good with black. With pants they're okay- since we haven't much choice (with the wear-to-office trouble)! But black jeans don't go that great. Jeans are a contrast between casual and formal, and end up looking cool.

-Peep toes are a great choice with the jeans and your frilled top.

-Avoid neckpieces with frills. They already highlight your front, without further help from the accessories!

- Frilled shoulders: are almost power shoulders. They look great, and a heavy neckpiece might even enhance the style!

- Frilled dresses: While picking these, make sure the frills are well-placed. And light. Heavy frills are a definite NO. Also, the frills on the upper half of the dress are advisable. Those on the lower, aren't exactly ideal.

- Frilled Skirts? Just don't buy them.


2. Prints: 

Prints are a big craze. They've always been. But this season seems to have revived the old love for sprints. Think spring, and the first thing you buy is a floral printed top. Think formal, evening dress: the first thing you pick is a heavy, abstract-print dress. So what's the deal with these prints? Why are we all craving for 'em? It's because they describe our mood.

Here's a few ways to carry your prints off in style!

- Printed tee: Prints go with most things. A printed goes perfectly well with a pair of black/blue/grey jeans. Shorts are great for casual wear. Skirts, on the other hand, always only look good with something more intricate. A simple printed tee just won't do.

-Printed skirts: Printed skirts are complicated. While picking skirts, it's always a good thing to categorize them into two kinds: The knee-length flimsy ones, and the tight, mini skirts. With flimsy ones, you're always carrying off a very delicate look. Prints on such skirts are always preferred light and tiny. Large prints with dark colours that shout right at your face aren't good news. With the shorter ones, little dark prints in some negligible corner of the skirt are best.

- Printed dresses are always great: Whether they're light patterns or heavy colours.

- Avoid much accessories with prints. They're loud enough already. The occasional earrings are ideal.

-Bellies are the shoe with prints. Wedges go well, too. 

Fashion trends of 2011

Fashion Trends, 2011: Fashion, they say, is ever-changing. But what's also true is that whats out of fashion today is back in tomorrow.

Here's some trends that are back in this year!

1. High-Waisted Pants: The high-waisted pants, once a die-worthy fad, slowly slipped out of style. For they were, of course, replaced by quite the opposite: Low waists. Low waists were in wherever you went. Especially with jeans. But high waisted pants have made their way right back into style! 

Wear: With tucked-in formal shirts. Make sure a good style and some large buttons highlight their presence. Frills do the trick. Accessories in large chunks are great. Peep-toes are the best heels with these pants! 

Want a pair? Here's a few good ones!

-Trousers W-L Main:

They're a good colour. Brown goes with a lot of things. They're flared at the bottom with wide pockets. Ideal for the pub, as well as the meeting! It's definitely well-budgeted, too!

What: Trousers W-L Main

Where: Mango, online store: http://bit.ly/hMuqkV

Price: $28.99

- Zara:

Nude is a great colour. It's the colour we dig this season. Especially in the formals arena. It's got a slight belt to tie along the side, with it. And it's definitely a chic buy. 

What: High waisted trousers. Ref Number: 2205/635

Where: Zara, http://bit.ly/eLZikv

Price: $69.90

2. Sequins: 

According to event planner and designer Tamika Brown, sequins have well made their way back into style. 'Especially with tops and dresses,' she says. And true, that is. Sequins are widely used by most designers. Recent spring collections of 2011, saw a lot of sequins. Famous designers like Donna Karan, to slightly younger brands like Forever 21: Everywhere, the sequins are an abundant dig.

Wear: As suggested, with tops and dresses.






- Sequin Shoulder LS Top: 




Sequins add an element to tops that are otherwise dull. It's the party element. One a top has some sequins, it's automatically in the 'going out' category. Couple it up with the most casual of jeans, and it still looks great- Even if it's just a hint of sequin!

What: Sequin Shoulder LS Top

Where: Forever 21, http://bit.ly/gi1Ov0







- Slip Dress with Sequined skirt


This one is for the nights of long-lasting glamour! Among the partying and the dancing, is the bling. C'est extraordinaire! Jazz yourself up a bit: After all, no amount of glamour is ever less!

What: Slip Dress with Sequined Skirt

Where: DKNY, http://bit.ly/a65dGe

Price: $97.99



- Short Sleeve Sequined Tee:

This, is by far the hottest, yet the plainest sequined tee I've come across! It's got that element of glamour, and it's super-gorgeous. You can't do without this one! It's available in white, black, dark blue, silver and nude!

What: Short Sleeve Sequined Tee

Where: DKNY, http://bit.ly/dYYjPI

Price: $89.00

3. Layers: 

Layers are big this season. Not just in the designers' arena, but also when it comes to street style and party dressing. Starting as a matter of convenience, layers are now a style statement. In the winters, of course. But layers we love. Not so surprisingly, layers were a big concern for fashion magazines as well. Articles on carrying those layers off with style were quite in abundance.

Wear: Long-sleeved tees, thin pullovers, sleeveless jackets, mufflers- all make for great layers.


-GAP, has a section dedicated entirely to layered clothing! If you love layers, this is the place for you: http://gap.us/fxTLjQ


- Cardigan with cloth pockets:

It's smart- to say the very least. Long sleeves and an open-front buttoned cardigan. That's the first thing in layers. Being a neutral colour, it goes with most everything.

What: Cardigan with cloth pockets

Where: Zara, http://bit.ly/g7i9MM




4. Power Shoulders:

This being the era of the confident, bold woman, the power shoulders had to be back. Not everybody can carry these off well. It's for the independent woman with that strong personality. Walk into meetings with that confidence and the power in your shoulders: There's nothing you can't achieve. And that's the reason they're so dearly loved. We like the bold. And when it's a woman who's going out to get the world: all the better!

Wear: Accessories are the biggie with power shoulders. Use statement necklaces, chunk jewelry and large accessories! High waists look super with power shoulders!


-Vintage Evening Elegant Dress:

A dress with a highlighted, puffed shoulder area? There's nothing more chic when it comes to power shoulders! The golden emphasizes the big shoulders, giving it an air of power. This dress wins all hearts!

What: Vintage Evening Elegant Dress

Where: Modcloth, http://bit.ly/ep9Bcb

Price: $49.99