Okay, fashion mavens. LC by Lauren Conrad has finally arrived at Kohl's. Are you as excited as Lauren? I like budget style as much as anyone, but I'm going to have to wait and see what the pieces look like in person. The clothes seem cute on the video, so I'm hoping that translates into real life. I took a gander online and saw a really cute Watercolor Dolman Top for $34 and a chic Brushstroke Sheath Dress for $50. I'll have to pay a visit to my local Kohl's this weekend to try them on before I make a purchase. Will keep you posted!

Have you checked it out yet? What'd you think? Tell us!

--Ysolt

Despite what Fashion Week attendees have showcased the last few days, money for fab clothes does not grow on trees (at least, for me, it doesn't). When new seasons start, stocking your closets with the season's must-haves can be a challenge. If you're not careful, you may end up spending thousands on a handful of pieces that will be in this season and out the next. Then, you would have wasted three digits (or more) on stuff you'll likely donate to the Salvation Army--yes, I'm guilty, and it's a horrible feeling.

So, I decided to strategize before I hit the stores this time around. I made a list of six items (excluding shoes, bags and accessories--we'll save that for another shopping trip) that will really give me some longevity fall (maybe even winter), but keep me as stylish and put-together as the big spenders.

I just bought the following fall essentials:

• Boyfriend Blazer ($64 at FredFlare.com)
• Solid Boyfriend Cardigan ($22.25 at Aeropostale.com)
• Petite Leather Biker Jacket ($260 at Topshop.com)
• Oxford Shirt ($24.50 at OldNavy.com)
• Zipper Front Fitted Dress ($24.80 at Forever21.com)
• Erin Wasson X RVCA Ez-E Tank ($38.50 at LaGarconne.com)

You can mix and match any of these with each other or rock 'em with what you already have (they're great for transitioning your spring and summer stuff to fall and winter), and that should cover you through the new year! And the best part is, the lot will only set you back $435. Hi, recessionista!

--Ysolt

Miley Cyrus and Max Azria just made some of fall's trends a lot more affordable: at Walmart, you can score one of their plaid tunics for $12 and a neon yellow tank for $7. You can also go there to pick up some staple basics like a cropped black vest for $12 and black stirrup leggings for $6.

Here's the tradeoff, though. Miley and Max have opted for cheap-chic affordability (the whole line is $20 and under) over originality and creativity. While Miley is entertaining, her line isn't exactly fashion-forward. It's not particularly interesting and doesn't make me excited, which is disappointing.

Although Miley told People that "anyone from age 8-80 can enjoy this line," I have a hard time imagining anyone's grandmother wearing ruffled tops and skinny jeans.

I think the best way to look at Miley's line is the same way to look at Miley's career--geared towards children. She is only 16, after all, and the kids love her. If I had a little daughter who (in all likelihood) adored Hannah Montana, she'd die for the chance to play dress up in a line designed by Miley.

Feel like some guilt-free shopping? Check out the line at Walmart.com.

--Venus

Celebrities from Lauren Conrad to Ashley Olsen count the Hollywood boutique Intuition as one of their go-to stores in Los Angeles, and now owner Jaye Hersh has given the rest of America a chance to shop Intuition with her new line, Hollywood Intuition for Target.

The collection, which offers accessories like handbags, scarves, and jewelry, carries great options to take you from summer to fall. With prices ranging from $2.99 for a headband to $29.99 for a handbag, the accessories are super adorable and super affordable.

Hersh told Women's Wear Daily, "We took the trends coming to the market and tried to make them accessible to the Target audience based on the celebrities that come into my shop."

She also said of herself, "I'm very approachable; I'm a working mom. That's the Target customer. I'm not a designer; I'm actually a shopkeeper."

Sounds exciting, doesn't it? Hurry and Shop Hollywood Intuition for Target before stock runs out!

Pictured: Large Satchel - Orange, $26.99 at Target.com

--Venus

I've never believed in the idea that every girl dreams of her perfect wedding and/or wedding dress. Sure, some do, but never me. My wedding wasn't a forefront concern; I always assumed I'd cross that bridge when I get there. Now, here's what I do believe in. Since I was 12, I've been dreaming of the day I'll be able to afford a Chanel 2.55 classic quilted bag.

Well, that day isn't here yet, but until then I've found a decent alternative.

The Silhouettes Swim Solutions collection launched a few weeks ago--and we just found out that some of the suits are on sale, and everything's under $79!

Silhouettes, a plus-size company that serves women from sizes 12W-36W, recently announced their new swim solutions. It focuses on creating swimsuits to flatter every body type, so that you can flaunt your curves and love your body no matter what size you are.

With swimsuits featuring ruched sides, skirts, and sweetheart necklines, ladies can get all the support that they need and still be super comfortable, so your beach day can be all the more fulfilling.

Hurry over and check out the suits at Silhouettes.com!

--Venus

In season three of "The Secret Life of the American Teenager," Shailene Woodley's character Amy has had her baby, shifting the show's focus from pregnancy towards young motherhood. But while Shailene supports awareness and encourages conversation about handling teen pregnancy, she isn't planning on starting a family herself in the near future.

To promote the new season of the show, she looked bright and youthful as she donned a pair of Keds Classic Champions and smiled for pictures.

The Keds, a budget-friendly and casual-chic option, are favored among celebrities and only cost $35!

We'll wear them to pieces, and they'll only look better and better as they get broken in.

--Venus

Anna Sui is the latest designer to jump on the big-box-collaboration-train with a Gossip Girl inspired line for Target, set to debut in mid-September. Since we all love GG and presumably each have a favorite character (I ♥ Queen B), we're looking forward to playing dress up in that character's wardrobe. 

The lookbook features outfits for Blair (lookbook pictured above), Serena, Jenny and Vanessa, to fulfill our desires whether they are preppy, punky, or bohemian chic. Just one question: What about GG herself? We wonder what the queen of gossip wears when airing out the dirty laundry... XOXO!

--Venus

Even though the weather has been pretty gloomy lately, the rain has got to stop sometime, and when that day comes, we need to be ready to throw on our suits, pack our totes with our beach essentials, and run out the house for some quality time in the sun!

But, with so many other things to worry about (the weather, the recession, and so on), panicking about what we'll wear is the last thing we want to add to the list. That's why we're thrilled to discover that legendary fashion designer Norma Kamali, who began designing her collection for Walmart in 2008, has created a fabulous selection of swimwear for us this summer!

All of the pieces are sophisticated, timelessly simple, and seriously affordable.

Bikini separates to mix and match (like this cute polka-dot top) are each $15, and the one-pieces are $20.

We honestly can't remember the last time we were this excited for the sun, talk about $20 well-spent!
--Venus

These days, Reese Witherspoon has been looking happier and healthier than ever! But, with beautiful children, an adorable boyfriend (Jake Gylenhaal), and lots of movies to film, I'd probably be just as gorgeous. (Right?)

Here she is in early June, strolling in Los Angeles, CA.  Reese balances out a cute, printed sun dress with black accessories like a pair of black flats and a stylish black fedora.  And this is our take on getting Reese's style for less!

• Printed sun dress ($14.99 from Forever21.com)

• Black ballet flats ($14.99 at OldNavy.com)

• Black clutch, ($20 from UrbanOutfitters.com)

• Black fedora ($24 from ArdenB.com)

• Black sunglasses ($5.80 from Forever21.com)

• Gold heart necklace ($3.80 from Forever21.com)

Having already established her status as America's favorite housewife, Bethenny Frankel is confident enough to prove that high fashion doesn't have to mean high price.

On the Today Show on June 16, Bethenny showed off her lithe figure and great gams...in a pair of Mandee heels!

We always knew we liked her--she's letting us know that it doesn't matter what you wear as long as you can make it look good!

--Venus

As a leading London personal stylist, I spend many hours reviewing wardrobes. Given the fact that we only wear a shocking 20 percent of what we buy, frankly most of my clients waste money. I always ask my clients what would you like to look like? The most common response is "more stylish".

If you continually buy fashion only the buzz of buying translates into the unworn, there is nothing remotely glamorous about this. Learn the difference between style and fashion and wear most of your wardrobe until it wears out. Then when things are in the shops that you love, that make your heart sing, that really really suit you, buy them. These will form a great wardrobe for many seasons to come. Aim to be beautiful and fabulous and you will be!   

"Fashion" is next season's shoulder pads jacket. The "boyfriend" jacket now on trend will suit you if you are 5'8" or more, if you are under 5'4" and petite, it will swamp you. So don't buy it! If you do wear with skinny jeans and the highest heels you can bear or a mini skirt.

The jacket to die for is the Balmain Military jacket, sold out in London within a month at $3,750. Combine with an orange red silk top, the Balmain split jeans at $1,870 and you will look fantastic but be flat broke. What Rebecca did not learn was how to get the look she wanted cheaper. The military jacket will date very quickly so is it worth the money? Zara, Asos and Topshop all have copies of this look at a fraction of the price so if you must have a fashion hit buy from there. 

"Fashion" is also the here today, gone tomorrow looks that reinvigorate your wardrobe. Shoes are a fantastic "fashion" statement and so are bags. Fashion should be fun! Costume jewellery will add drama and class to an ordinary dress. For Spring Summer 09 orange is in, but less than 3 percent of the population can wear orange. If it does not suit you, then don't buy it.

Find your signature style. Spend your budget on items that you love deeply that you will wear forever. Jackets, jewellery, coats, cashmere should not be dull but beautiful in rich colours. Fit is everything, buy for how you are now, not for when you lose weight, for example, as this does not work. In short, learn what suits your body, learn what style you are and buy clothes that fit you.

--Gabrielle Teare, the world's leading fashion scientist, personal stylist and personal shopper based in the heart of Chelsea, London

 

I don't know about you, fashionistas, but all of this shopping talk has just reminded me to pick up the Confessions of a Shopaholic DVD (in stores June 23)!

Do you remember when a wide-eyed and frizzy-haired tween, Hermione, taught Harry Potter how to correctly say, "winGARdium leviOsa"?

I do. And, I will also admit that I eagerly await the final two movies of the Harry Potter series (when I can imagine that I might someday learn to "apparate" and have my own Gringotts vault).

In the meantime, Emma Watson (who plays the young wizard) decided to lose the big hair and the magenta robes for one hot minute in favor of something decidedly cooler: a modeling campaign as the new face of Burberry.

Always one to watch, Watson has drawn attention from a world outside of HP fanatics, and it is well-deserved.  The fashion-forward 19-year-old Brit hangs out with Karl Lagerfeld--that's all I need to say.

At the Tale of Despereaux premiere in Los Angeles, CA, Watson wore a stunning blue dress from William Tempest's Spring 2009 collection. The mesh sleeves and sweetheart neckline were delish!

Like the look? These might also strike your fancy:

  Lady Print Mesh Dress ($131 at PixieMarket.com)

 

Sleeveless Mesh Sweetheart Dress ($46 at AmericanApparel.com)

--Venus

We are in a recession, so I'm not surprised.

Only a month after Hills star Lauren Conrad announced that she was taking a "hiatus" from her upscale clothing line, we hear that she's launching a brand new one for the value/bargain-focused Kohl's. Take that, Vera and Avril!

The 23-year-old designer told UsMagazine.com that the collection will be "California chic." Launching with just apparel (for starters), the line will expand to include shoes, jewelry, handbags, intimates and sleepwear. (I know I'm stoked!)

So be on the lookout come October '09 for Lauren Conrad fashions, which will only set you back between $20 and $60 per item. California chic for fall? Hmmm ... That could work.

--Ysolt

No doubt about it - the economy is in a pretty dire place currently.

What we may not all be fully appreciating is that there is a delicious flip side to this problem.

All the time, I will get calls from friends, hearing about sudden crazy sales at our very stores. Why is this? A less-than-stellar holiday shopping season paired with the recession has people hesitant to shop - meaning it's the best time ever to! (Think back to those economics classes in high school. It's all an issue of supply and demand.)

For instance, yesterday I read about a "wardrobe bailout" sale going on at Mandee. This is a store that has been a staple since I was a kid and needed that quick date-night accessory. They are offering you a 20% discount with promo code BAILOUT throughout their site.

Clearly, buying a hot new belt will not fix the economy. But it will go a long way toward making us feel good despite what is going on.

-- Aly

Happy Valentine's Day weekend! My name is Aly Walansky - I write the iVillage Steals & Deals blog. My good friend Ysolt is away this week, and has asked me to step in during her absence.

I'm super excited - what better week to pen Fashionator than Fashion Week?

I'm actually a bit uncomfortable in the Bryant Park tents - while there's gorgeous fashions, to be sure, not a whole lot of them are all that wearable. I myself enter shows more for the faux pas than the finds. (That would be be both on stage, and off.)

Check out, for instance, the adorable Amanda Bynes at the Heart Truth's Red Dress Collection show Friday morning. Is this a dress that 98% of the universe could carry off? Amanda was a good sport, but take it from someone who was about 15 feet away from her - there was major cheek peekage going on. That's not wearable in anyone's world!

I love the concept of celebrating fashion, but wouldn't it be more fun to have a show based on clothes average women can wear and afford? This is especially true during a time that many of us have no business splurging.

If this week's festivities have you itching for some new duds though, check this out: In tribute to the holiday weekend (that would be celebrating presidents, not Bryant Park tents) Lands' End is having a special 20 percent off promotion tomorrow and Monday. Just enter the promo code and pin number below at checkout and you will get 20 percent off your entire order. Promo code is AMERICA Pin number is 6289 (Starts 12:01 am Sunday, Feb 15th - Ends 11:59 pm Monday, Feb 16th)

- Aly

How you doin,' SmartBargains.com?? Forget cute boys. Boyfriends schmoyfriends ... I think you are my new love. You're no cheap date, that's for sure. Plus, you're as effortless as they come. Thanks for my new Matty M Knit Dress with Silk Charmeuse. How'd you figure I prefer garments over flowers? You know me so well!

So on the real, let's do the math--you must understand why the online store is the new love of my life. The fab goodies it harbors really are total steals.

• It used to be $120.
• It's 58 percent off.
• I am saving $70.01.
• It is costing me $49.99.
• And shipping, if you become a "SmartShopper" (which costs $9.95 for the whole year, but entitles you to an amazing shipping and handling charge for every single purchase) is $2.95.

Calculate those numbers and what we have is a fabulous holiday-to-spring ensemble for about $53. Pair it with some gray tights that should already be in your wardrobe (duh, they're the "It" accessory of the year) and peep-toe booties. Voila, gorgeous!

--Ysolt

What's your favorite online shopping source when it comes to designer style for less?

Hello, world! Sorry I've been blog-dry for the last (errr) six months. Forgive me for being M.I.A. No excuses ... Okay, maybe just one -- you know how you sometimes just don't feel like making a fashion effort? You just throw on whatever's clean and leave the house? Well, that's how I've been for the last few months. My creative juices just weren't flowing when I would pay visits to my closet, the mall, beloved online stores. Well, to hell with that -- I've looked dowdy for far too long.

Now, I'm back to my old style-creative self. I'm going to revive my sexy ... starting today. Thus, ladies, I'm ready to give you the ins, outs and helpful hints on style in the process.

My first order of business: Looking fabulous while sticking to the appropriate budget. The recession is upon us, so we should really watch what we spend, yes? One would think pinching pennies would affect the "sexy revival" I'm striving for, but it hasn't.

To help you with your shopping needs during this recession, I rounded up a list of stores I just know you'll love as much as I do:

• AgaciStore.com: This outfit (right), for instance, is from A'gaci. They have everything from day and evening dresses to shoes and denim. Some tops are even as low as $5.50. Dresses run around $10-$35 if you're looking for something fabulous to wear to work.
• TwelveByTwelve.com: If you're not the biggest Forever 21 fan and are hunting for "couture-ish" for less, Twelve By Twelve is the next best thing. After browsing through the store's stock, I've come to the conclusion that the buyers really have the fashionista in mind. My favorite find on the site: an adorable belted tulip dress for $36!
• Kohls.com: More specifically, Vera Wang's stuff at Kohls -- her affordable line is to die for! I recently spotted her Simply Vera Wide-Collar Jacket -- very Vera Wang indeed, and without the usual Vera Wang price tag. It's got the right kind of texture fall is calling for.

—Ysolt

Now tell me about your affordable shopping experiences! We all can benefit, I'm sure.