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.

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!

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!

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!

Thrift Store Shopping -- Back In Style

The latest headlines from around the country are similar to this:

From the Santa Fe New Mexican: Boon for Thrift Stores
From CNN: Thrift Stores Seeing More Middle Class Shoppers
Jacksonsville News: Thrift Shops Thrive

Even without much money in our pockets, we still love to shop!

Here's some tips from WikiHow on how to make your thrift excursion a fabulous shopping trip:

Tailoring is generally less expensive than you would imagine.


Keep your personal style in mind. Thrift stores can be great for this because you are not limited to this year's colors and styles.

Be creative and open-minded. Go with what's available and think about how you can work it in or adapt it to your needs.

A quick way to size the waist of pants, skirts, etc. is to fasten the button or snap, then stretch the waistline between your belly button and your spine. If it reaches, it has a good chance of being large enough. You should still try the garment on for fit, if you can or want to, but this simple check will help you eliminate quickly those items that are certain to be much too tight or loose.

If you know some basic sewing, you can plan to mend small holes, reattach a lost button, or take up a hem, but be realistic about whether you have the time, energy, and know-how to tackle such a project. You can even buy something and edit it to make it totally your own.

Since they're plentiful and inexpensive, thrift store finds can also make great raw material for other projects, ranging from quilts to jeans you've torn yourself. If you're crafty and creative, the sky is the limit.

Be prepared to dig! Thrift shops are full of items and may are disorganized. Don't be discouraged by this, because if you dig, you can find some fabulous pieces.

Have fun!

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:

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.