Oprah mentioned Spanx awhile back and the world turned upside down. Well--not really, but women everywhere started to claim that this undergarment is a godsend. Really, ladies? Don't crucify me for saying this, dolls (errr, Spanx supporters), but I don't get shapewear's appeal. (Sorry, Oprah!)

My Reasons

1. Wearing a minimizer is painful. Yeah, yeah, some might say those high heels are just as painful. My feet might ache in them, but I draw the line at suffocation. A girl's gotta breathe.
   
   
2. Shapewear gets rid of curves. And sorry, stick figures, I'm a huge fan of curves. Why minimize them when they should really be embraced? I say, shake what your momma gave yah and let it all hang out in its rounded goodness.
   
   
3. You'll be presenting a facade. On the one hand, onlookers will think you're super-tight and tone everywhere--because yes, shapewear can work wonders--but in reality, it's all a lie. You may be duping your date! It's false advertising if you think about it.
   
   
4. When your clothes come off, it's not a pretty sight. Remember that scene from St. Elmo's Fire when Rob Lowe's character reached into the skirt of that one nerdy-esque girl--sorry, kind of graphic here--and discovered shapewear? He tugged at its end and the unsightly undie recoiled and smacked the poor girl's leg? Can you say humiliating?!

So maybe it's not such a good idea to wear it on a first, second or third date. You never know how frisky you might get. And if one thing leads to another, you may end up embarrassing yourself. You can, however, excuse yourself and take off the minimizer while you're in the bathroom, but how will you dispose of it? Or, do you just walk out of the bathroom with it in your hand? Uhhh yeah, because that's not weird.

I wondered if I was alone on this matter, so I asked my gal pals on their Spanx stance. Here's what they had to say...

Where Does the Fat Go?
"I'm not sure how I feel about Spanx. I mean, sure, they make your mid-section and your upper legs appear thinner, but then where does it all go? In my case, I feel like it gives me a roll on my thighs where they end. I could just be imagining it, but I can't help but be self-conscious about 'thigh rolls.' However, if you like them, then I think you should feel free to wear them whenever you want." --Jill Sabato

Oh, Bridget Jones
"I just remember that part in Bridget Jones' Diary when she was about to do the 'deed' with Daniel... He saw that she had on what just appeared to be enormous underwear! LOL!" --Iris Asuncion

Beware of Muffin Tops
"For me, Spanx for a date? Not so much a fan of that. But, I am a fan of wearing them when it's a formal engagement with plenty of photo ops, like a wedding. LOL. I'm with Jill though--it has to go somewhere, right? You just have to be sure a muffin top isn't amplified!" --Claudine Principe

On the Fence
"I agree with the girls. I am back and forth on the Spanx subject. My fear would be if someone put their hand on my waist, they would feel the outline, and may mistake it for a--gasp!--girdle (which it sort of is)!" --May Walker

Confused
"What are Spanx? Are Spanx like spandex? --Hannah Halili

Formal Occasions Only
"I have personally never worn Spanx, but I don't think I would chance it for a date based on what May said. I might consider wearing Spanx to a formal occasion though." --Liz Caputo

Where do you stand on Spanx? Discuss shapewear on the iVillage message board!

--Ysolt

For a split second, fashionistas thought we were Croc-safe. The makers of the popular plastic clogs were on the rocks with financial trouble months ago. Even though the company sold over 100 million pairs of shoes in a matter of seven years, the company had lost $185.1 million last year, slashed roughly 2,000 jobs and scrambled to find money to pay down debt. We thought the ugh-ly footwear was on the outs. We predicted that Crocs would disappear within a handful of years with the halt of production and the already-bought pairs inside unfashionable people's shoe closets being forgotten or eventually disintegrating into thin air...

So close! Thanks to PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., Ysolt says sarcastically, the fashion-crime-of-a-shoe won't be as short-lived as some of us had hoped. A bail-out for the biggest fashion crime of the millenium? No, PNC, no!!!

Other style mavens are with me. Fashionista, Annie Lam, has some major beef with the unsightly footwear. Her rant: "I guess they're okay for downtime, but I'm not a huge fan whatsoever! It's like with Uggs--they are super-comfy, but they are LAZY shoes. Even my sister who is an RN at a teaching hospital wears Crocs--they're a hit there. I think they make one ugly, short, fat and lazy. And, they are EXPENSIVE! Dang pastel plastic--and give me a damn break on those Croc Candies (the accessory clips on the Croc holes). What a great marketing ploy! Moms and kids went crazy for them because 'they are cute.' Hello Kitty is cute. Not ugly plastic mules."

Where do you stand? Please tell me you're on our side?! You're not happy about the Crocs bail-out, are you?

--Ysolt

A recent study sponsored by the Institute for Aging Research and Hebrew SeniorLife in Boston, MA found that women wear shoes that cause pain. Okay, no surprise here. We've known for quite some time now that our heels are causing blisters, bunions and toe-crowding madness. (It's a small price to pay to be statuesque and fashionable.)

"The foot is the new face. Unfortunately, we need to understand that 5-inch heels are just not practical for day to day wear," says Dr. Suzanne Levine, a podiatric surgeon in New York City. "The aftermath of extended use is dramatic--many women suffer from heel shortening, nerve pain, hip and back problems and displacing nerve tissues. Plus, there is always the not-so-glamorous formation of blisters and bunions from short-term wear."

But in addition to pumps, this study also discovered that women who have worn or currently wear sandals and "slippers" (Do they mean ballet flats?) were in the pool of individuals who have a higher risk of chronic foot pain. More than 60 percent of the ladies surveyed were guilty! Odds are, so are you!

Dr. Lori Weisenfeld, a renowned New York City sports podiatrist, says your good ol' flip flops don't offer enough support for prolonged periods of walking. "For extended walking or standing, it's best to use a shoe with support or to add arch support inside a shoe that's too flat," Dr. Weisenfeld says.

Dr. Tracey Vlahovic, podiatrist at Temple University's Foot and Ankle Institute, says the same about the ballet flats you love. "[Flats] may look comfortable, but [they] can be painful to your feet. [Like heels, some] can cause severe heel pain, blisters and crowding toes, and worsen conditions like hammertoes and bunions."

What does this mean for us, fashion mavens? The research suggests that smart shoe choices are good for you in the long run. So, perhaps you should opt for shoes with good support and hard or rubber soles if you want to avoid pain in the hind of your foot, and around your ankle and Achilles' tendon? Hmmm... Now that leaves us with athletic shoes and sneakers. (Grrreat, Ysolt says sarcastically.)

Ugh. What's a girl to do? If you work in an office, you have no choice but to wear power pumps or dressy sandals and flats. I guess until your office dress code is altered to meet the needs of your delicate feet, your only choice is to wear the most comfortable pair of flats and/or heels you can find. It's not like Nikes go with pencil skirts and dress pants, you know?

--Ysolt

It's widely understood that Muslim women don't don the latest from the Victoria's Secret swimwear line. In fact, prior to the conception of the "burqini," which is described as a wetsuit with a hood, there were no water-apropo outfits for Muslim women at all. The burqini isn't even an Islam-approved outfit: it's just a way for Muslim women to feel comfortable enough to go swimming by preventing them from exposing their bodies. It seemed like a way to keep everyone happy.

Well, everyone but the French government.

A Muslim woman was denied entrance to a public pool in France because she was "too clothed." And I'm having a hard time understanding any of the logic behind that.

The burqini: a problem for the French public pool system because, according to every online news source ever, it's not hygienic. The reasons behind this are a bit scattered: Some say it's because the burqini has no specific component to cover the genital area, which does make sense, especially since it's assumed that the pools ban swimming shorts with the same excuse. Others say the burqini isn't hygienic because it can be used as an everyday outfit and be worn in public, which could carry bacteria into the pool. I have a hard time accepting that as a reason since my own 18-year-old sister has a habit of wandering into gas station convenience stores to pick up bottles of Gatorade prior to beach trips in nothing but her bikini and flip-flops. Either way, the implementation of this rule is standard at public pools in France, not just a one-time scenario.

But I'm still not buying it, because since when is it okay for the democratic government to dictate what kind of bathing suit I wear?

France has been anti-burqa for a while, wanting to free Muslim women from the cotton-poly-blend oppression of their religion. But all the country is really doing is putting apparel restrictions on Muslim women, forbidding them from wearing what is most comfortable. I just hope Carla Bruni, the wife of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, doesn't have a "fat" day anytime soon, because she'd be screwed.

What do you think: Is the burqini issue all about hygiene? Is it another act of religious discrimination? Or is it just another example of the fashionable French telling us how to dress? Let me know. For now, I'll be cooling off in my parents' backyard in my bikini. Feel free to join--we have no dress code here.

--Remy Braun

I like leggings. I like jeans. But jeans that are pretending to be leggings--or, is it leggings pretending to be jeans? I don't get it.

When skinny denim made its second coming in 2007, I have to admit, I was skeptical at first, too (as I have a booty). I gave them a shot and was pleasantly surprised. I even defended them when medical professionals revealed they were hurting you! They're not so bad. In fact, when worn correctly (i.e. with tunics and shirts that cover your bum), they can be flattering, not to mention sexy.

I didn't think they could get any skinnier. Apparently, they can. Exhibit A: Revolt Aged Knitted Skinny Jeans from Denimocracy ($78 at PlanetFunk.com, if you're interested). They're so tight, you can literally see folds below the rear and behind the knees! And, the trend doesn't end there--many designer denim lines are following suit.

The way I see it, if you must wear tight pants, go with leggings--black ones, at that. The fabric is more forgiving and it hugs in all the right places.

Who's with me? I needed to know I wasn't alone on this gripe, so I asked fellow beauty and style blogger, Aly Walansky, for her take on the new trend. Her initial response: "OMG. How hilarious is that! The jeans are named 'Revolt' ... as in revolting? I think basically you have to have no curves whatsoever to avoid looking like you have plumber butt in this. It's like a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen!"

What do you, girls, think?

--Ysolt

We first laid eyes on Crocs in 2002. And yes, fashionistas were mortified. We thought we were over the clogs of the late '90s (You know, the clunky canvas kind with wooden bottoms?). Then, these plastic-looking clogs with holes on them surfaced. Coming in various colors, like bright red, hot pink, lime green and black (just to name a few), were we supposed to swoon?

I recall the first time I ever stepped into a pair of the colorful foam footwear (just for kicks and giggles, of course). To my surprise, they did feel like heaven--light, supportive, comfortable. After a quick glance at the mirror, however, I shut my eyes as if I had seen a ghost and jumped out of 'em so fast out of fear someone might see me.

I may have squirmed, but others were all over 'em. The makers sold 100 million pairs in seven years, says the Washington Post, and wearers include former prez George W. Bush and Aerosmith's Steven Tyler. Even my four-year-old nephew is obsessed with them--he refuses to wear anything else! Last week, it was raining and we asked him to put on his boots instead ... He threw a temper tantrum on behalf of his Crocs. Guess what he ended up wearing?

To my four-year-old nephew's dismay, the Crocs empire is in trouble. "Last year, the company lost $185.1 million, slashed roughly 2,000 jobs and scrambled to find money to pay down millions in debt," according to a Washington Post article. What's the Croc-wearing-world to do? I'm not shakin' in my (fashionable) boots, that's for sure. But if you are a fan, you might want to stock up. These far-from-cute footwear might become obsolete soon enough. As for my nephew, he's just going to have to deal--I'll get him a pair of Vans or Converse when he outgrows his beloved Crocs.

--Ysolt

That's what our entertainment editor, Jacki Garfinkel, twittered when she saw President Barack Obama throw the first pitch at the All-Star Game. Another Twitter friend said, "The president needs new jeans. Those just won't do for the leader of the free world." The ball made it to home plate and into the catcher's glove--success! The only snag: We were not lovin' Obama's denim.

I suppose we're just super-spoiled by his dapper suits. Last night, he looked like a high school soccer coach. (Not that there's anything wrong with that--but Barack, after all, is our first-in-command for crying out loud.) It's like when you meet a guy during happy hour in his sexy office attire, then the first date happens and his casual clothes are a sloppy surprise. (Girls, take note!) So disappointing!

Don't get me wrong, I still love the prez's style--Armani suits, red ties and all--but next time he goes cas' I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a darker, slimmer-fit pair of Levi's.

Your thoughts?

--Ysolt

We're finding light at the end of the tunnel when we discover awesome new outlets for plus-size merchandise--Beth Ditto's line for Evans (pictured right), IGIGI's new affordable fast fashion, Faith21--but taking a moment to look back might reveal some new facts.

Even though there have been many angry accusations of "sizeism" over the recent cutbacks on plus-size offerings at stores like Liz Claiborne and Ann Taylor, Double X reports that the reason for the slashes on plus-size clothing has nothing to do with "fat phobia", but rather a drop in sales figures.

Citing reports that the recession has been especially hard on sales of plus-sizes with drops of 8 percent compared to regular sizes' 2 percent drop in the past year, the solution for many has been to cut larger sizes to save money.

We understand that a bad economy might force some companies to take drastic measures, but maybe instead of immediately cutting sizes, how about reconsideration and rethinking of strategy? If the average American woman is a size 16, then why did Ann Taylor just cut size 16? If it's not that there's a lack of interest, then maybe it's the clothing that should be rethought.

--Venus

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The most powerful woman in fashion and editor-in-chief of Vogue, Anna Wintour, was recently profiled on 60 Minutes. If you're into fashion at all, you're already familiar with her--sunglasses, haute couture, power and all! The segment kind of told me what I already know. It's no surprise that some have referred to her as "Darth Vader in a frock," that Conde Nast picks up the bill for her hair and makeup everyday of the week, plust the rumored $200,000-per-year clothing allowance, and that yes, she can be a bit of a b#%&$.

But, what I hadn't realized before is that there is a part of her that's very much like any woman (nevermind age, finances and lifestyle). Yes, ladies, despite what you think, y'all can relate. Wintour is ambitious, driven, needy and a perfectionist. I think that's practically in all of us. Most of us strive for something amazing, at times we can be attention-hungry, and we find pleasure in everything being in its right place. Not to mention, she says what she thinks. I know that's something I tend to do (whether people like it or not). And you?

Just like you, she says, she likes "looking at my clothes rack in the morning and deciding what to pick out."

She describes Vogue as "a glamorous girlfriend." And really, that is who Wintour is to many of us who read the book on a monthly basis. Yes, we love the fashions beyond our budgets (and some of us might even break the bank to get it). It's like we're competing with that b#%&$ of a rich girl in our social circle. We hate her, but want to be her. If you didn't have fashion in common, you'd likely be sworn enemies.

--Ysolt

* The little black dress is not always foolproof. Some can be total messes if made all wrong (not to mention, wacky)! Why would one ever line the back with bobby pins, I ask you? And hair?! Holy mother!

* Every fashionista should have one must-have garment that can be worn with a bunch of stuff in one's wardrobe. Not sure what mine would be... Maybe my black leggings or black pencil skirt--they go with everything and I can wear them every day if I needed to.

* Navy = Uniforms

* Harem pants can be cute?

* Harem pants can be horrendous!

* Putting a girl in a halter and a super-tight skirt is so slut-central, it's not even funny.

* I'm likin' the modest James Paul. Really great dress with the must-have bolero! Who knew that navy blue and black would look chic together?! Congratulations on the win.

* Merlin is out of control.

* I hate to say it, but I miss Tim and Heidi.

Did you watch the first episode of Bravo's The Fashion Show? What'd you think?

--Ysolt

... It would be a whole lot of fun!

If you haven't caught the clip of her on Britain's Got Talent, you must! I watched it and cried like a baby--it was truly uplifting and inspiring. Who knew that beautiful voice would come out of such a modest woman? Even the judges and audience were floored.

Now that Susan Boyle's got this newfound fame, I'd like to propose a little style revival. As much as I love-love-love Susan and all that her beautiful voice has to offer, let's face it, the entertainment industry can be super-critical (and superficial, for that matter). If you're not "with it," even the biggest talents won't go very far.

So, I asked style experts how they would Hollywood-proof Susan's look, and here's what they had to say:

No Matronly Clothes + Good Bras
"She is dressing too matronly. We would like to help her in this area--life is too short to be frumpy," say Deborah Boland and JoJami Tyler, Glam Gals image experts. "We would give her an outfit that is age-appropriate, elegant and stylish. She has a cute figure that we could show off better--[let's] get those breasts into a good bra."

Bold Brows + A Monochromatic Look
"I would recommend a consultation with a great aesthetician to give those bold brows some definition and shape," says Gretta Monahan, the new co-host of Bravo's Tim Gunn's Guide to Style and frequent style guru on The Rachael Ray Show. "While contrasting color pumps and tights [which Susan wore on the show] are a big trend right now, Susan may want to try a more monochromatic look next time she hits the stage."

Lighten the Hair + Add Extensions
"I would lighten her hair and add extensions that drop the length below her jaw," says Paul Labrecque, a prominent hair stylist who's styled Renee Zellweger, Heidi Klum and Felicity Huffman. "I would also soften the curl in her hair."

A Touch of Makeup + More Color
"I love the homespun appeal of her style! With a bit of makeup, a new hair style, a splash of color to her wardrobe and that amazing personality, Susan Boyle will be more than red carpet ready," says Steve Kemble, fashion expert and contributor to US Weekly's Fashion Police.

Now it's your turn to weigh in! Would you give Susan Boyle a makeover?

--Ysolt

In a recent WWD article, Oscar de la Renta dissed Michelle Obama's style. He was not a fan of her meet-the-queen outfit, which consisted of a sweater over an Isabel Toledo silk crepe dress. "You don't go to Buckingham Palace in a sweater," he said--but his gripe seems to go even deeper than knit wear.

In the article, he explains, "American fashion right now is struggling. I think I understand what [Obama and her advisers] are doing, but I don't think that is the right message at this particular point... I don't object to the fact that Mrs. Obama is wearing J.Crew to whatever because the diversity of America is what makes this country great. But there are a lot of great designers out there. I think it's wrong to go in one direction only."

Let me have a moment to process my thoughts...

Yes, there are a lot of great American designers out there. And yes, Mrs. O really does wear a lot of J.Crew. And, yes, she has worn Thakoon, Isabel Toledo and Jason Wu--non-American designers... (Wait, isn't Oscar de la Renta Dominican?)

But, at the end of the day, it's still her choice, isn't it? She wears what she wants. Clothes, after all, are about self-expression. Women all over the globe make fashion choices day in and day out without force. With all do respect, Oscar de la Renta (and other designers who might agree with you), Mrs. O has but one body to dress and only so many days to wear clothes. Sit tight--maybe she'll get to you when she's making her rounds.

Tommy Hilfiger, on the other hand, applauds Michelle's fashion sense. He likes that she's not just focusing on high end, and wearing young designers who are not necessarily American. This "puts her in touch with real people," he says. I agree.

--Ysolt

My co-worker, Valerie, brought this horrible thing to my attention today: Size 5s (in shoes) are a dying breed, reports The Huffington Post. Apparently, more and more shoe manufacturers are starting their lines at ... (gulp) size 6. Now that's just plain mean--not only because I am a size 5 (5 1/2 with socks), but also because there are plenty of us, "little feets," around.

It's not like we're a dying breed--our small feet are not obsolete! So, why kill the shoe size? Now, I know what a size 4 feels like!

I'm sure this is a business decision--size 5s aren't selling much, so why make 'em? But, on the other hand, a part of me wonders, are these shoe decision-makers just jealous? It's not our fault you don't have dainty, cute feet!

As outraged as I am about the random act of rudeness, I'm hopeful that some shoe manufacturers will keep making size 5s. As I uncover the brands that adhere to this size discrimination, I'll keep you posted (you know, so you can stock up before they're all gone or boycott them altogether out of anger). Stay tuned.

For some reason completely beyond me, the hair on the New York Fashion Week runway shows is even harder to identify with than the clothing. Someone please explain to me why stylists feel the need to create looks that are frightening rather than fabulous? I understand the thought process: The fashions are bigger than life, the hair and makeup should agree. Wearable fashions are toned down versions of the fantastic ones we see on the runway.

Still, shouldn't "fantastic" equal a style that is not identical to my own hair after getting caught in the rain? I'd hope so.

This trend is pretty frustrating, considering that some of the biggest names in the biz - capable of changing lives with a snip of their scissor - are behind the scenes at these runways. Seriously. If i want this much shock and awe, I'll look at the stock market.

-- 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

Although I typically consider myself to be a word wizard when it comes to fashion faux pas, when I saw M.I.A.'s belly-and-boobs cutouts, I was completely speechless. Mamas and mamas-to-be, would you ever wear anything like this?

--Ysolt

P.S.

Henry Holland is responsible for the "Face Dress" on M.I.A.

Is it just me or did (from left) Bai Ling, Paris Hilton and Katy Perry look like ladies who were trying waaay too hard? There's too much color, too many embellishments and not enough class in these Grammys ensembles. I'm not a fan. What do you think?

--Ysolt

Who knew a chili cook off would cause such a stir. Okay, so it wasn't the beef and beans people are yapping about at this year's 99.9 Kiss Country 24th Annual Chili Cook Off at the CB Smith Park. The buzz is all on Jessica Simpson and her supposed "rolls."

Here's where I get feisty...

Rolls? Fat? Ummm--no. If you ask me, I think JS is looking quite healthy. This is what a woman should look like (ahem, Kiera, Mischa and the new cast of 90210). I'm irked that the "thin" standard for women has boiled down to looking emaciated and scarily skinny. Sigh.

What I will say to Jessica, however, is that she should probably go a size larger when it comes to buying clothes. I think the tightness of her pants and top, plus the high-waist cinching may have created the illusion that she's bigger than she is, which caused the stupid media uproar.

So ladies, take note--wear the right size. Regardless of shape, curves or style, it really boils down to how you wear your clothes.

--Ysolt

Do you agree or disagree with my take on Jessica Simpson?

I still remember it like it was yesterday--prom night '98. I was a senior in high school and I thought, tonight is my night. I have the perfect dress, the coolest date (or so I thought), and nothing could stop me. Well nothing until I stepped into the ballroom and spotted this girl from my art class (who I was not remotely fond of) wearing the same exact dress. Ugh.

It was the worst that could have happened. No one likes a dress-twin. It's a special night, after all. You want to feel unique and special, goodness gracious. When your doppelganger steps into the room, all those "prettified" efforts go to waste.

To avoid moments like this, DressRegistry.com will allow you to register your ensembles before special events. That way, you can find out who's wearing what and make your outfit decisions accordingly.

 

--Ysolt

 

Have you been the victim of a dress doppelganger?

Although almost every episode proves to be anti-climactic, I couldn't help but tune into The Hills season finale. And like tradition, MTV threw a huge shindig for the Tinsel Town girls and boys in an effort to sell more ... ad spots. (I'm a sucker, what can I say?)

So what did I notice next to all of the usual drama? Some style blunders, as you can imagine:

For starters, Heidi Montag looks nothing like her former self. From the platinum-blonde action to the endowments that seem to get larger by the episode, I can honestly say I'm no longer a fan of hers. It makes me sad because she really is a naturally beautiful woman.

And don't even get me started on her horrendous other half. Granted, SpencerPratt did redeem himself last night by agreeing to throw her the wedding of her dreams, one has to wonder if it's part of a bigger plot? (I smell an "I Do" spinoff, don't you?) But more annoying than his attitutde is his flesh-colored beard.

I'm not a huge Justin Bobby fan, but I can't deny his hotness. Shady men really do do it for me ... sadly. However, as cute as he is, even he couldn't make this Waldo cap look good. I would've much rather see his great hair.

 

Oh, Whit ... I love Whitney Port and am sooo looking forward to the start of The City. After all, her neighborhood is only minutes away from mine. I was mortified when I saw this flower-power of a headband above her pretty face. I'm not sure what look she was going for here--maybe it was hippie inspired--but her ensemble could've (and would've) survived without it.

 

One of the more positive things I can say is about Lauren "Lo" Bosworth. I loved her entire ensemble! Not only is she spunky on the show, she's also spunky in style.

 

--Ysolt

 

Did you catch The Hills "season finale" (which apparently is not the season finale at all because there are more episodes)? What'd you think?

As much as I love the greats--Balenciaga, Zac Posen, Marc Jacobs--who are we kidding? I don't have the budget for their stuff. The only time I can indulge in high fashion is when I hit the occassional sample sale, spot it on SmartBargains.com and BlueFly.com, or get it as a gift (either from a generous boyfriend or publicist).

Even still, I subscribe to Vogue to see what I'm missing, what I can turn into a look for less, or just for fashion-porn purposes. I am a style voyeur, after all. I even love the smell of the pages of things I can't afford. But wait, could I be wrong? My January issue arrived today...

Do you see what I see? Look--towards the bottom, left-hand corner, above the bar code: DRESS CHEAP?! No way.

I flipped through the 160+ pages. Hmmm, not one thing in my price range. Let me look again, I said. I looked at the Table of Contents, nestled in between ads for Valentino, Cartier and Prada (just to name a few). It promised, if I turn to page 156, I'd find, "Out with the old, in with the new: We've got ten inspired ideas to make the transition ever more stylish, all in tune with environment- and recession-minded resolutions."

Hmmm--recession-minded ... That's me!

I quickly rummaged through pages, ignoring looks from Rodarte, Phillip Lim and Bottega Veneta. I even passed over a gorgeous feature on Barack and Michelle (which, of course, I'll read later in its entirety without interruption). I finally get to page 156, and what do I see? A Kotur clutch for $795, a Smythson sewing kit for $975, a hybrid motorbike for $4,800, and a Chanel leather tote for $1,525.

Cheap? I think not.

The only "recession-proof" item on their Fresh Start index was number 10--make do and mend, encouraging fashionistas to repair wobbly heels and worn soles to extend their shoes' shelf life, which (I suppose) means you don't have to buy new shoes?? LOL.

 

--Ysolt

 

Have you seen the latest issue of Vogue? Do you feel duped?