"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!

Frugal Shopping Back in Vogue

Just because we're all shopping with a much smaller budget doesn't mean we have to forego the pleasures of the adventure. Even if your target purchase must come in under $20, there are bargains galore. Retailers have responded with price slashing, two-for-one deals, and other enticements to see that you part with your dollars.

The Newsweek article points out the advantages of these economic times for the hard core shoppers (doesn't that include all Divas?). Discount retailers will continue to dominate the market, as noted below, but even the traditional retailers will take cues and respond accordingly.

Among the few shops on High Street reporting increases: shoe menders, pawnbrokers and

down-market discounters like the Aldi no-frills supermarket chain.

"A make-do and mend mentality is taking hold." Andy Bond, CEO of Asda, another supermarket chain, has compared Britons' increasingly frugal habits to the post– World War II rationing era.

With spending unlikely to recover fully as Americans and Brits are forced to save again, discount companies like Asda, Wal-Mart, JetBlue and McDonald's look set to outperform their upmarket competitors for many years to come.

As an example of traditional bargains, I found these on-line this week. My $20 planned expenditure will be wisely spent, and here's some ideas for additions to my wardrobe:
This darling tee is $13.90 from Nordstrom. It can be matched with any of your existing jackets, worn over a camisole, or be used to sleep in. Delightful!

Can you believe this trendy trench coat is only $9.99. This Mossimo design is at Target.

Happy shopping, Depressionaire Divas!

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 Luxuries

Though our finances may be stretched, it doesn't mean we lose life's pleasures. Here are some simple but luxurious ways to enjoy the divine without breaking your budget.

1. Put on your most comfortable, soft, plush pajamas, make a cup of coffee or tea, and curl up with an author you've always loved but have neglected for too long. I have a stack of library books I'm just dying to cuddle with.

2. Take a long, hot and sudsy bath. To make it special, light a dozen candles, scent your water, play soothing music, and unplug the phone. Plan your exit fom the tub with a soft, warm bathrobe nearby, then head straight to bed for sweet dreams.

3. Eat well. Here's some great tips from The 20 Healthiest Foods for Under $1 on how to plan a meal that won't break your budget, but will add health. Tasty ingredients include oats, apples, garbanzo beans, nuts, eggs and potatoes. Yummy, I can alreay taste the frittata I'm going to make.

4. Longing to visit with friends, but worried about spending money? Have a tea party! Ask each of your friends to bring their favorite tea bag (or other delicious beverage), and have an array of fruits, nuts, cheese and crackers. Just plan to sit around and gab -- the point is to enjoy your friends, not consume expensive food.

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.

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.

Julianne's Plaid Coat

Wasn't diva Julianne Hough darling in her holiday, plaid coat? Keeping warm doesn't mean giving up style.

Would you want one of these trench coats in your closet? Here's one from Zappo for $139. It's longish sleeves and banded collar add flair, while the pattern speaks for itself.


If you need something easier on your budget, this is your answer from Fashion Bug, for $19.99.

Sweet Dreams, Sweet Diva

How can you not have sweet dreams in this lovely, 1930's Hollywood style nightie? I found a great site for Hollywood glamour negligees. Nice! The pricing of these gowns range from $85 to $175. Check out the Vintage Vixen sight for a shopping spree of similar luxurious, authentic sleepwear. Not so sleepy? Lounge to your heart's delight in front of a warm fire, reading your favorite book -- remember, it's not about spending money, it's about feeling feminine.

Fab Scarves -- Home Made?

Who would have thought that your old wool sweaters, socks or gloves could turn into something so chic?

I found these on Fashion Plate (check it out for diva ideas). Here's what the designer had in mind:

When Jenne Giles began making wearable art, she sought a medium that could combine her love for painterly color, sculptural form, folk art, craft, and electrifying costume. All of this she found in felting.

An ancient craft, felting uses hot water and soap to bind wool fibers together to form a durable fabric. For Jenne Giles, each piece is then worked by hand using rolling, scrubbing, pulling, and cutting to create the final sculptural scarf.

The natural ability of wool to felt can produce unexpected results. Jenne Giles uses the spontaneity of the medium to discover new forms and color effects. Her sophisticated designs are as functional as they are fabulous. The evocative artistry of each piece is matched by impeccable craft.

My favorites:

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:

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.

1930s Style and Silhouettes

Curious about how the Depression era styling may affect current fashion? No need to worry. The transition from 1920s, flapper look, characterized as boxy, androgynous-looking, gave way to a soft, feminine, modest but sultry look. Good news for us Divas!

A softer, more feminine style replaced the boyish, flapper look of the twenties. At the beginning of the decade, hemlines dropped dramatically to the ankle and remained there until the end of the thirties. Necklines were lowered while torsos were sensuously moulded beneath squared shoulders. Darts were replaced by soft gathers. Dress waists returned to the natural waistline. Moderately full skirts accentuated a small waist and minimized the hips. Dress bodices were designed with inset pieces and yokes. Necklines received dramatic attention, often with wide scallop-edged or ruffled collars.

Sounds lovely.

As for silhouettes, Fashion Template (fabulous site for inquiring designers), shares the following from Skaro.com:

Shopping Depressionaire Diva-Style

Not your mother's depression for you! When you shop in these economic times you do with the style of a 21st Century depressionaire diva.

From news in Manhattan:

You know the economy is ailing when a Manhattan fashion boutique starts offering free soup.

The temporary fashion boutique calling itself The 1929 is selling chic clothes and giving away soup and coffee. The store is located in one of the trendiest shopping districts in the city.

Manager and co-owner Aaron Genuth says the store in SoHo was inspired by the Great Depression. His partner Levi Okunov says they want people to go to the store, have a bowl of soup and try on some clothing.

Read more.

Style In My Closet

Ooooh, I love coming across something that I know I can have -- and it's fashionable!

Here's a look within my reach. I have black tights, black shrug boot, and a grey cowl neck sweater. How to get a plaid skirt? Well, I have a black one (who doesn't?) that I'll drape with a plaid shawl. Or, tie a black velvet ribbon around my hips. It might look funky, but it will be different!

Check it out:

Ahhhh! Dressing for the Holidays -- Creatively!

Today's Los Angeles Times is catching on to the spirit of holiday cheer a la depression-style. Their front page offers tips, to both men and women, on how to use what they may already have in their closets with cheap accessories for that perfect, spicy, and festive look.

The trick? Glitter, glamour, color, and fabric -- accessorize with pow!

Getting dressed for holiday parties this season doesn't have to cut into your gift-buying budget (or your food budget for that matter). The key to feeling and looking festive is adding one or two inexpensive pieces to items in your wardrobe, creating a holiday ensemble that will work for an office party or a quiet gathering at home.

Read more here.