Inauguration Style for Depressionaire Divas

Celebrate! It's time to get dressed up and party for all those inauguration balls. Looking glamorous doesn't mean you have to spend a lot.

Blogger Kate Michael was put to the task and came up with an inaugural-ball-worthy outfit that she herself would consider sporting to an upcoming event, all for less than $200.

Here’s what she found:

Black-and-gold strapless Jessica McClintock dress: $99.

Black splatter hoop earrings from Forever 21: $3.80.

Textured gold bangle set from Forever 21: $5.80.

Retro black-and-gold necklace from Pilgrim: $46.50.

Evita black satin clutch from Forever 21: $15.80.

Total: $170.90. ** Our first frugal fashionista to come in under budget! has done all the shopping for you if you're in Washington, DC.

Red Carpet Hairstyles and Makeup Reflect Economy

Style and beauty for this year's Academy Awards red carpet will likely reflect the somber economy, so says the New York Times:

As the economy has taken a turn, so too has the public’s tolerance for extravagant display. And this year stylists expect celebrities to take their cues from stars popular during the golden age of Hollywood, edging toward classic looks and away from any trend that smacks of ostentatious consumerism.

What might red carpet hairstyles look like?

Stylists agreed that curls will frame necklines, replacing jewel-crusted chandelier earrings, as the newest fashion accessory. Kohl-ringed eyes, like those peering beneath the Bond girl Eva Green’s bouffant at the 2007 Academy Awards, will be replaced by softer, smoky colors.

Here's Depressionaire Diva's favorite look for the times, Jean Harlow's glowing curls:

For divas who love hats, you're in luck. These hairstyles lend themselves to fabulous hats:

Of course, women wore hats in the 1930s and ’40s, which is why hair was shaped to their heads. Actresses, too, sought to evoke a sultry innocence, something that is absent in this era when cover photos of pouty-lipped, nearly naked actresses populate magazine racks.

Even make-up is going to be more subdued in this economic period:

For the face, understated but tasteful is key. “You don’t have to wear sackcloth and ashes,” Ms. Tollman added. “You don’t have to stop enjoying yourself.” What that means is matte lips, perhaps red — shiny glosses will be tucked away in the makeup drawer this year — and skin that is nude, softened with pink blush on the cheeks. For those actresses, though, who are looking for a more dramatic look, stylists are recommending smoky eye shadows and liners — gray, purple and brown, but no black. The mink eyelashes won’t fly, either.

All in all, despite the economic turbulence, it's a great time to be a fashionable, sultry, diva.

Depression Fashion Is In!

So says the LA Times, with a recent article pointing to the new trend in fashion and design focused on Cheap Chic and on-line discount shopping. But we depressionaire divas are way ahead of the crowd, aren't we?

Here are some great tips offered in the article:

Gilt, Hautelook, Ideeli and TopSecret.com -- new online sample-sale sites are cropping up at lightning speed, promising "insider only" bargains on items such as Judith Ripka fine jewelry and Habitual jeans.

These sales are anonymous, meaning that shoppers don't have to feel guilty about spending. And they also offer good prices and value, says Marshal Cohen, chief industry analyst for market research firm NPD Group.

The on-line shopping opportunities keep getting better:

Before cheap chic was, well, chic, Topshop brought inexpensive, up-to-the-minute trendy clothing and accessories to the masses. Topshop also recently launched a U.S. website, www.topshopus.com, that makes it much easier to order products on the Web. Quirky fashion darling Zooey Deschanel already has her favorite picks up on the U.S. site.

The new mantra for depressionaire divas for 2009?

"Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without," was the mantra of the post-Depression set, and a modern-day version is likely to be the 2009 rallying cry -- what "eco-friendly" was for 2008 -- even after the economy comes back to life. If there's a "dollar-saved" equivalent to the carbon-offset credit, expect that to be the next metric by which we'll all be judged. Conspicuous consumption in the form of wearing a status watch or carrying a luxe handbag will be as gauche as driving a Cadillac Escalade in a gas crisis.

Diva Hair Styles for New Year's Eve Parties

Depression got you gloomy for New Year's Eve? Cheer up! You can still go out and celebrate, depressionaire diva style, with all the glamour and sultriness of the 1930s goddesses with these retro hair accessories.

All these were found at Elegant Hair for less than $10 each.

Curl, crimp, gel -- see you at the party ... Ta ta!

Glamorous Nails for New Year's Eve Parties

If you are pondering what to wear for your New Year's Eve bash, don't forget that you can get a lot of bang for your buck with some daring nail polish. The colors available for the season are scrumptuous and enticing. The best part of spluring on nail polish is that it fits into the tiniest of budgets.

OPI is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and the stage they set is full of imagery of bold, feminine statements:

A fresh, effortless glamour rules the runways. In addition to fitted, feminine suits and new takes on the 'little black dress", we'll see romantic full skits, ruffles and dresses that accentuate a woman's curves. Little jackets with slim skirts or skinny trousers are big, as are sweater coats and blouson jackets. Cardigans combine with ball gowns to offer a perfect example of this new look at glamour.

Plaid is everywhere, including worn with houndstooth-print jackets. Luxe embroidery, beading and fur make an appearance, as well as utterly feminine layers of lace. Cocktail dresses are fabulous now, especially with coordinating coats. Menswear influence is seen in neckties and military details.

In counterpoint, look for dark colors and sleek, spare lines -- a primal urban look that is glamorous in its lack of embellishment and elegant in its toughness.

For fashion as for make-up, deep, dark, sophisticated colors are the choice of the season, including rich browns, cinnamons, cognacs and brown-reds, black, shades of wine and deep greens.

Here's my favorite color from their new collection, and it's perfect for upcoming New Year's Eve parties, a satiny silver for $8.50.

The color below is going to be one of my new favorites. It's a shimmery gold piled on with deep burgundy reds. It's bound to add drama to any of your outfits, even after the parties are over, and with a name like Divine Sin, who can resist this $5.50 indulgence?

Finally, Sequin Sash, a soft, muted champagne color to match the bubbly. This from Essie for $8.00.

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!

Depression Era Divas

From Style.com comes a reminder that depression economics is not pretty, but the divas of the 1930s depression were beautiful nonetheless.

Jean Harlow, Greta Garbo, Josephine Baker, Myrna Loy -- stylish depressionaire divas. Read more here.

More photos here.

Baby Doll Dress

Don't you love how those baby doll dresses feel? So free and soft. These short versions with long sleeves are that much sexier! The rich colors make you feel scrumptious. The look? Try aiming for this cashmere version from Neiman Marcus, on sale for $164 (originally $298):
A thrifty version of the above? Done! Try this look from Target, only $24.99:
Even plus-sized divas (goddesses) have a chance for this look. Also from Target, for only $34.99:

With some sexy high, heeled, boots and matching tights, we can all be Depressionaire Divas in style.

Window Shopping Is Back

Why give up on one of your favorite past times just because your bank account is out of range?

Window shop! Join your fellow Depressionaire Divas and indulge to your heart's delight, plus get the exercise you know you need.

Feeling the pinch this holiday season? The truth is we all are.

When you can't buy, charge, or spend as much as you would like, the next best thing is looking around.

Holiday cheer comes in all forms, and peering into shopping mall and department store windows never goes out of style, especially when the displays look like the photo above (a Macy's display in Chicago). Check out our gallery of gorgeous window displays from around the nation.

Thanks, LA Times, for the tip!

Our favorite: