What You Need: Patterned Tights

The most exciting thing about fall, in our opinion, is the opportunity for tights (and boots). We pored over Marshalls and Filene's Basement this summer looking for bright colors and fun patterns to supplement our tights arsenal. The sad thing about stockings is that you cannot expect them to hold up for very long, even with careful wear and washing, so you always have to be on the prowl for more! (OK, so that's not the worst thing on Earth...)

Patterned tights are all over the magazines and runways. Some have the distinct magical properties of making legs appear longer and thinner (see fishnets!) and others just add fun or color to an outfit. We rounded up our favorites $25 and under (we don't particularly like to pay more than $5, but we'll make an exception occasionally-- perhaps for Betsey ;) )
Here's a set via Polyvore featuring chiefly Tilly's (right-click the pic to open in a new window for the links!)

Patterned Tights by ThriftyStylist featuring Betsey Johnson accessories

We don't normally go in for orange (or leggings!), but how fabulous are those zebra leggings? We had to include them. We love a little bit of animal print! (Or a lot, as the case may be).

If you're feeling a little bit more adventurous, or perhaps just a bit poorer, here are options from Yandy.com, via Polyvore, under $9. Technically these are costume accessories, but when you are a bit eccentric, that's a great place to seek out unusual things!

Funky Patterned Tights by ThriftyStylist on Polyvore.com

We're most enthused about the triple-diamond-patterned ones- they'd look divine on anyone, we think, and are ridiculously sexy but still professional enough to pull off for work! And the tattoo pattern ones are pretty freakin' awesome, too. Hoisery doesn't count for the shopping embargo, because it has to be replaced, right?? (Self-justification process commence!)

Happy tights shopping :D

InStyle's Key Pieces for Fall: Bright Trench Coat

Today we're looking for bright trenches that aren't astronomically expensive, like the Versace and other high-end designer coats in InStyle's fall "five key pieces" feature. A stunning, saturated coat is a wonderful alternative to the staid and traditional beige or black- and we don't advocate staying away from color completely underneath as InStyle does; have a little fun! Why not?

We're willing to extend our $30 price limit a bit for certain key pieces like a great coat or pair of boots... possibly even up to $100, but all of these pieces are half of that, or less!

Our Polyvore set includes both brights and an incredible zebra option (animal print is classically awesome no matter the season or style, but it is hot right now), $29-$50 (click the pic for links to purchase):

Fall Trenches for <$50 by ThriftyStylist featuring Nine West

These are from some unexpected sources (Nine West at Wilson's leather? Home Shopping Network? Patagonia?) but they're all lovely and quite affordable.

If you prefer to score something that no one else will have, try a vintage piece from Etsy. All of these stunners are under $50 as well: thrifty and environmentally conscious (bottom right, orange, is only $8!!

(Since the Etsy mini won't publish, go to our public favorites for individual listings!)

Are you going to buy a new trench for fall? Would you consider vintage? What colors do you like best? (We're dying over the purple one, of course!)

Happy Friday and happy shopping!

What We Wore: Casual Monday

We didn't have the energy to put together an interesting outfit today after two nights chatting with the crush until the wee hours (oops). It's probably far too hot for these jeans, but we didn't feel like hunting for a slip to wear with any of our breezy skirts... so this is what you get.


We're lucky enough to be able to get away with not only jeans and a t-shirt, but highly office-inappropriate footwear, sparkly turquoise flip-flops.

T-shirt: Mossimo, Target, $10
Jeans: Diva, Old Navy, $29.99
Zebra scarf: Came with black T from Marshall's, FREE!
Glitter Flip-flops: Xhiliration, Target, $15 (? Last year I think)
Cloth belt: Came with capris, from where I do not know, FREE!

Are you allowed to wear anything you want? Do you think that even in a highly casual office environment, T-shirts or flip-flops should be avoided? We've all heard the "dress for the job you want, not the job you have" adage- but what if you aren't entirely sure which job you want? :)

Also, seeking advice on how to get a boy out of your head when you don't really want him out but really oughtn't think so much about him?

What We're Wearing Today: Hippie... Zebra Chic?

Another long skirt. We're aware it's not the best length for petites and yet we love it so.

How do you like the uncropped mirror view for a change? (Still promising real photos in mere weeks...) You get a glimpse of the extra-purple condo and some of the power tools lying around during demo (cutting out walls to open up hallways to make the place a little bit more livable and that sort of thing).

Here's the zebra-striped scarf we got free with a black t-shirt at Marshall's recently, with a turquoise Mossimo tee and a linen skirt from TJ Maxx we've mentioned before, with a new slip (also from Marshall's) since it's a wee bit see-through.

We wore turquoise sparkly flip-flops (sorry, A, who hates them) for some super matchy-matchy (aaahhhh), until we got to the office, when we changed into these embellished silk with suede and wood heeled slides (OK, still matchy):


...except then we walked a block in them and they gave us the biggest blister we've ever had (seriously! Ever! One block!) so we went back to the flip-flops. Sadly, these ones are destined for the bin, however cute. We kind of despise both wood and kitten heels anyway, and can't exactly figure out why we would have purchased these in the first place (they've been under the desk for a long while now). Oh, right-- they have sequins. And they're teal! Case closed.

Accessories: earrings by us (silver/turquoise mini chandeliers in Swarovski and Czech glass) and a turquoise butterfly charm stretchy bracelet we probably got in an egg in some machine or something... Really :)

Thursday Splurge Vs. Steal: Get Drew's Look

We have loved Drew Barrymore for as long as we can remember... she is beautiful and elegant but always retains a playful personal style even when she glams way up... Here, we're imitating (yes, although we advocate finding your own look, sometimes we do encourage taking direct inspiration, if it's as hot as this!) this look from Drew's recent appearance on Regis. The dress is Narcisco Rodriguez, the bracelet Tom Binns (we looked him up. Expensive.) and the platform slingback peeptoes from Miu Miu. We, like Stacy and Clinton, love a red shoe.


Here are two interpretations, high-end and thrifty. We actually think the thrifty version is a little bit more fun! We took some liberties with the texture on the shoes and the drop earrings; Drew's are much more understated, but the little zebra hearts here picked up the dress's pattern so well that we couldn't resist!

Splurge vs. Steal: Get Drew's Look by ThriftyStylist featuring Miss Selfridge

Which outfit do you like better? Do you think the high-end version is worth $2800 more?