Steal Versus Splurge~ Booties

My lust for booties has been hot and heavy since this time last year when they first burst onto the fashion forefront. I have to be honest, at first I was fairly appalled by them. I always hated the idea of ankle boots, whether with skirts or tucked under pants.... so what was the difference with booties? Yet as I saw them photographed more and more and then saw them in person in the stores my tide turned. I became a little bit obsessed! These are cousins of the ankle boot but a more chic incarnation~ and they look far more refined with skirts and dresses than the lengthier variety. 

Booties are hugely trendy right now and I'm normally hesitant to drop significant cash on something I may not feel like wearing in a few months. I mean, if I had a huge bank balance I would definitely splurge on this platform pair (above) by Louboutin that I mentioned in my last post. However, this is more of a "save" time for me so instead I opted for something a little more affordable. Or a lot more. These faux suede, peep toe cuties (below) are from Forever 21 and set me back a whopping $31. Not an ouch to be heard. I decided to cut off the little side bows to make them more streamlined and now they are perfect and set to wear. The best thing? They are actually comfortable! 

This was one smart steal! 

Steal Versus Splurge~ Bandage Dresses

 

While it's fun to drool over beautiful, fashion forward pieces with ka-ching price tags, my budget these days is far more Prosecco than Champagne. Who am I kidding? I hate worshipping over something I can't have, which is why I never window shop. If I find something I love, I usually have to have it. So when the cost is too high I often search for comparable but more wallet friendly alternatives. 

Bandage dresses are incredibly hot right now and I want in on the action. Brought back to the forefront when BCBG designer Max Azria revitalized the defunct Herve Leger line (popular on supermodels in the 80's and 90's), bandage dresses can now be seen on starlets everywhere, such as Rachel Bilson (here), Kristin Bell (here) and even Oscar winner Kate Winslet (here). 

While I adore the look of these super sexy dresses, they start at $2000 (Canadian dollars) and climb from there. Um, not really (or even remotely) in my price range (though I love to admire them in person at the BCBG store on Robson Street). The black Leger dress pictured below~ a cool $1450US.  An alternative? At one tenth the cost I've been lusting for this royal blue number (bottom picture) from French Connection ($148 Canadian). 

Same sex goddess style, but a smart steal instead of silly splurge.