"Dressing Up In Down Times"

The Wall Street Journal had the title of their article just right, so I used it in quotations. Couldn't have said it better. As our nation is captivated by the newly elected president and all the inauguration festivities, we wish to celebrate but do so in keeping with the times.

Michelle Obama has set a clear tone that her fashion sense will be moderated by these tough economic times. While she may be our new fashion barometer, so too will be her fondness for affordable style.

Dressing for the inaugural balls has long been complicated terrain for first ladies arriving during an economic downturn. Too much glamour and the incoming administration will be accused of excess, not enough glitz and the first lady may be branded dowdy.

Michelle Obama, who became a focus on the campaign trail for her style mix from J. Crew to Narciso Rodriguez, hasn't yet disclosed what she will wear to the 10 balls she and her husband plan to attend. Just days after Barack Obama delivered his acceptance speech, designers began submitting sketches to Mrs. Obama's team for potential inaugural gowns.

During the 1930's Depression, our nation welcomed another President who chose to skip the inaugural ball as a symbol of the era's new austerity:

In 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt skipped his inaugural ball due to the Great Depression. Eleanor Roosevelt attended alone wearing a simple lavender velvet dress with detachable sleeves. (The president didn't attend any inaugural balls during his four terms in office.)

Not all presidential parties were so in-synch with their economic times, while some were in keeping with the mood of the nation:

Calvin Coolidge insisted his wife not repeat outfits, says Ms. Caroli. And while he had a reputation for being stingy, he spent lavishly on his wife's clothing. In 1923 Grace Coolidge signaled a return to glitz in the White House with her bright red flapper-style inaugural gown, the height of roaring 20s style.

Too much glamour during tough economic times can spark criticism. In the midst of recession in 1981, Nancy Reagan wore a range of outfits worth more than $45,000 for inauguration festivities, by most estimates. The former Hollywood hostess chose a one-shouldered cream gown with a sheer beaded overdress designed by James Galanos and borrowed diamond drop earrings and a matching necklace valued at more than $100,000 from jeweler Harry Winston.

Depressionaire Divas, though, don't need to shape their fashion sense to such strict standards. A bit of moderation, toned-down glamour, and practical style are always in fashion. Taking our clues from Michelle Obama will make our fashion decisions so appropriate that we won't have to worry about too much glitz!

Depression Era Fashion Statements

It's all about the flair and the glamour. Consider what worked for Greta Garbo, film star from the 1930s in movies as classic as Mata Hari (1931), Anna Karenina (1935), and Conquest (1937):

The first and most important of MGM's remarkable pool of female stars during the classical era, Greta Garbo personified the studio's notion of glamour and style. A beautiful but large and ungainly woman, she was most often photographed either from a distance or in closeup—the better to display the elegance of her surroundings (she often appeared in costume dramas or in exotic locales) or, more importantly, to capture her exquisite face and ethereal personality.

The Garbo flair can be yours too. Here's how Epoch Times describes the key:

Perhaps the most commanding style advice we can glean from the exhibit is that whatever the garments, if they suit a woman’s personality, boost her confidence, and help her shine, then she will be surrounded by luxury. Look beautiful, be natural, and don’t be shy to gaze straight from the heart.

We all have something in our closet that makes us feel extra feminine, even sultry, don't we? For me, it's an angora, black scarf that I carelessly toss around my neck. To make the look more alluring I pair it with a low cut top. Works every time.

Here's some glamorous accessories that can fit in nicely, at a great price.





Mimsi-Bags has these plush, boa scarves starting at $20. They can even customize them in your favorite color.

The daring cap tilted to the side look? Not only is it affordable, but it can be done in cashmere. Bluefly has this chocolate brown cashmere knit cap on sale for only $18.95.

This beautiful, grey silk and cashmere scarf is going to feel soft and luxurious no matter what you wear with it. The Pashmina Store has it on sale for $29.99, too!

Shopping Tips for Depressionaire Diva's

Depressionaire Diva's are the more serious sisters to the Recessionistas ... and for good reason! Our approach to shopping incorporates economic decisions with style requirements and a flair for the dramatic!

But, like our sisters, we are always on the prowl for tips on how to shop for more with less. So in the spirit of sharing, here are some tips from Recessionista's Guide to Finding a Good Bargain:

1. SHOP AT OFF-PRICE STORES
Most of these stores can't advertise the brand name goods they sell which is how they are able to offer them at such bargain prices. Larger chains like TJ Maxx and Marshalls have more buying power so you'll find even better deals. You may have to dig deep, but you're bound to find something amazing.

• TIP: check back often, each store receives 3 to 4 truckloads of merchandise each week. Avoid Saturday - it is the most crowded day.

2. SHOP ONLINE
It's no secret that this is our favorite way to shop. Not only can you avoid crowds and shop in your pj's, but some of the best deals can be found online. Often this is because there's typically a lower overhead associated with online-only businesses.

Online outlets such as bluefly.com and yoox.com offer a selection of luxury brands with the same bargain prices you'll find at an off-price retailer. You can often find the same items in department stores, boutiques and within the pages of your favorite magazines at full price -- yet they offer it at much lower prices. For non-fashion items, check out overstock.com and smartbargains.com.

• TIP: If you find something you like, buy it quickly, inventory is typically limited so hot items move fast.
• TIP: Be sure to sign up for email newsletters to be the first to hear about new arrivals and sales.
• TIP: Search online for special offers and coupon codes before you shop (check out our coupon site, sweet-savings.com for some amazing deals at places you love to shop)

Read more great ideas here.

Fuzzy Chenille Scarf

Nothing is more glamorous than a chenille scarf around your neck. In this cold weather, nothing is also warmer.

Here's a must-have scarf, only $4.99, that comes in beautiful red, grey, brown, silver and many more colors. From GreatLookz.com:

If you're a crocheter (and we all should be!), try this beautiful chenille yarn, only $8.50 for the 98 yards (plenty for a plush scarf) from The Yarn Co. Looking for a pattern? My favorite site for plenty of ideas is Crochet Pattern Central. Now you can cozy up in front of the fireplace and create!

Accessories That Won't Stretch Your Budget

I love adding depth to my wardrobe. Stretching a small budget can feel like a big splurge with the right accessories.

Textured, velvety hats dramatically change an entire outfit and if you are lucky enough to live in New Zealand, you can "hire" a fabulous hat for one week from Margot Ardern's Fabulous Fascinator. For anywhere from $15 to $20 (NZ) a week, you can select from a beautiful selection of feminine, sultry and divine hats. Here's are a few of my favorites from their collection.
If only there were a designer doing the same thing in the United States -- hint, hint!

Diva Farmwomen

There's even a fashion statement for farmwomen a la depressionaire diva style.

Here's what I found on e-bay:

This farmer's feedsack cotton dress is vintage-depression era style. It is a tiny tulip print number with puff sleeves, sized perfectly for the petite, hardworking, fem-farmer. Bid starts at $35.95.