Recession? Reimagine! Budget Trends for Every Fashionista.

by Angelique

Pleat-Front Jersey Dress by Metro 7, $14.00 Wal-Mart.com

Ok, times are tough all over right now, that’s obvious. Soaring food and gas prices…blah, blah, blah. We hear it and live it every day. While there may not be much relief in sight, and our pocket books will likely continue to suffer, there’s no reason to throw in the fashion towel. You just have to change the rules, switch it up and open your mind to new fashion frontiers while tightening your belt at the same time. Here are some of my tried and true tips to finding budget trends that are easy on my wallet:

1) Get thrifty: For some reason, there are some people who are squeamish about thrift store shopping. I got over it really quickly when I found a brand new pair of pointy toe flats for $2.99 a couple of years back. The biggest problem is that there is usually so much to choose from, with poor organization. When I go, I have a specific list of things I want to buy in mind (based on current trends). This keeps me focused and stops me from buying that really cool 1980’s sequined dress.

Things to look for at thrift stores right now: menswear vests, vintage peep-toe shoes, drop-waist dresses, envelope clutches, long cardigans, belts, chunky necklaces and much more! Just open up a Vogue for inspiration and you’ll be surprised at what you can find.

2) Get thee to a Wal-Mart: …or Target, or K-Mart. You get the idea. While Target is a no-brainer, their “Go” line is kinda pricey. Hit the sales racks for the best deals. H

3) Shop in your own closet: I bet you have at least one item in there with the tag still on it. If you haven’t worn it already, return it if you can, or wear it! Again, look to magazines for inspiration to see how you can put outfits together in ways you may never have thought of. I like to look at “Lucky” to see how they put pieces together in different ways. Layer two dresses together, use a skirt as a top…the possibilitites are endless!

Whether you decide to shop for cheaper threads, or simply get creative with what you already have, don’t let a lagging economy keep you from your chic. With a little extra work, you’ll still look like a million bucks, even if your bank account is in the red.

Recession Fashion

BY Laura Palotie

The depressing economy may be prompting us to keep our wallets shut, but so far it's doing very little to curb our fashion obsession. Amidst widespread corporate layoffs, our nation elected a new president, and subsequent fashion coverage followed the historic event.

The depressing economy may be prompting us to keep our wallets shut, but so far it's doing very little to curb our fashion obsession. Amidst widespread corporate layoffs, our nation elected a new president, and the subsequent fashion coverage follows: This is how you can get Michelle Obama's look, and this is what you should purchase for your next job interview.

Not that there is anything wrong with it--I like admiring Mrs. Obama's nicely tailored wardrobe just as much as the next pop culture connoisseur, but there is something inadvertently amusing in The New York Times telling me that "a beautiful, chic tote" and a brand-new white shirt are requirements for a job interview. What if we don't have the cash to replace our frayed shoulder bags or our slightly yellowed button-ups during these economic times?

Assuming that the average American will never be able to forego shopping entirely--and that the economy is hungry for their contributions--most media outlets are focusing on affordability.

"You can look like you are wearing designer for not a lot of money,” designer Arthur S. Levine told The Times, and made reference to the less-than $200 suits of his that Sarah Palin wore during the campaign.

Affordability is, of course, relative. New York Magazine, for example, included a $145 J.Crew cashmere sweater under a headline that read: "Embrace Low Fashion."

Sameer Reddy of Newsweek, however, suggested a solution beyond just opting for cheaper fall looks; perhaps we should, in an effort to be truly conscious of the times, stick to our personal styles rather than rushing to buy the latest "must-haves."

"Get ready for a chirpy stream of annoying advice on "how to get 'The Look' for less" and tips about "fabulous finds for less than $50"," Reddy writes. "Given the shock we're about to go through on a global scale, it seems a little strange, if not downright delinquent, to continue doing things the same way as in the days of overtly conspicuous consumption."

"Perhaps a more appropriate philosophy for these soon-to-be-hardscrabble times is the uplifting mantra of personal style, which is based in confidence about who you are and what you find beautiful, as opposed to adopting an external prescription for fitting in," he continues.

Reddy continues by pointing out several fashionistas with famously eclectic styles (Vogue Italia contributing editor Anna Piaggi, for example), but the piece ultimately encourages us to wear what we always have and not let the whims of the fashion world dictate our self-worth.

Even more importantly, these tough times might give us the perfect opportunity to look inside our closets. Our wardrobes from last season may lack the peep-toe boots and mustard-colored cardigans of this fall's fashion pages, but they should do just fine.

Less with Family Business: Gui Gomez & Fong

Fixed with Ellen Allien @ Studio B

Cocoon with Tobi Neumann @ Cielo

Shlomi Aber @ Love

In the Island: Dr. Funk's Star Funk