All I keep thinking as I read the bevy of New York Fashion Week reports on my favorite fashion blogs is, “I wish I was there!”

I think being at NYFW last fall spoiled me!

But that’s okay — I still get to peruse all the runway photos at my leisure, and even though I’m not loving the 70s vibe I’m getting from a lot of collections, I always love to see what’s new, what’s bizarre, what’s crazy cool.  And The Blonds — one of my absolute favorites — never disappoint!

I’ve been drooling over photos from their Fall 2011 Collection, and it’s the boldest, brightest, most amazing Asian-inspired compilation of gorgeous fringe-y dresses and over-the-top corsets. They’ve used some eastern-esque details in their designs in previous years, but they really went all-out with the Asian vibe this season — and I love it!

Bright, orange-y reds, wide obi belts, intricate, swirled cording, and tons of long tassels! In my mind, The Blonds are synonymous with spiked and sparkling corsets, donned by the likes of Rihanna, Katy Perry, Lady GaGa, Britney Spears and more (the list is long, just check out their celeb page). But The Blonds are also fabulous at blending the sharp, biker-ific studs, chains and charms with flowing, ethereal fabric to create a sort of fantasy costume that’s both distinctly femme and undeniably fatale.

I love The Blonds because they use bold colors, a ton of glitter and so much intricate detailing that it’s impossible not to vie for a closer look. I can only imagine how beautiful their designs are in person — and how heavy! They transform any gal into a fierce glamazon!
(Photos: Imaxtree)

-Keri

I’m not much of a hat person. Don’t get me wrong — I think hats look great on other people, but I’m convinced I look goofy in just about any style of hat on the planet. However, every once in a while, I find a chapeau that makes me want to give hats another shot.

This Springtime Basketweave Fedora from Forever21 is springy and fun — who doesn’t love that?! I can’t help but focus on the warm weather that’s still a couple months away by online window shopping for new spring trends and looks to try this year. I’m feeling adventurous because I’m so desperate for sun and warmth that the dreary weather lately has been making me crazy!

The straw fedora with floral trim is perfect to top off any casual sundress or a flowy blouse with short jean shorts. Because this hat makes me want to take a roadtrip to the beach (as if I didn’t already really want to take one), I’m definitely trying one on next time I’m in a Forever21 store!

If you try this one out too, it’s a no-fuss option for days you want to skip styling your tresses. Simply keep your hair down and let it dry naturally to create some textured waves. When the wind gets to be a little much, pull it into a low side-ponytail to tame the post-roadtrip tangles.

-Keri

For Halloween last year, I was determined to dress as a Greek goddess…because, well…it seemed like a cheap costume — buy a big white sheet and pin in strategic places, then belt with some silk cord. It seemed easy enough…

…until the sheet started to fray everywhere I cut it. And it was stiff and didn’t drape well. And I couldn’t find silk cord anywhere. (On a side note: I ended up shredding the sheet on purpose and I went as a mummy instead!)

Though I had bad luck recreating this sexy style as a costume, I should have cracked open the piggy bank and sprang for something like this amazing dress from Lulus.com. Not only would it have been perfect for Halloween, but I would get some serious wear out of this unique frock all year long! Priced at $47, this great neutral dress creates an excellent foil for a few splashy bangles and some long danglies for your ears. Think Cleopatra when accessorizing — pick one large statement piece to amp it up, then line your eyes in a bold, dark liner. The beautiful, dramatic draping will do the rest of the work for you — the silhouette is universally flattering, so don’t let it intimidate you. This is a dress I’m dying to get my hands on!

-Keri

I honestly really don’t like the term “boyfriend cardigan” because, well…my boyfriend wouldn’t be caught dead in a deep V-neck, button-up sweater with pockets. And I doubt your boyfriend would leave the house in a sweater like this either, unless your boyfriend is Mister Rodgers. (For the record–I loved that man, including his comfy sweaters and sneakers, when I was a kid!)

With that out of the way, I love wearing boyfriend cardigans because the deep V allows me to showcase tops with fancy, detailed necklines while adding another warm layer to my outfit–so it’s really more about what you wear underneath than the sweater itself. Plus, they allow me to extend my warm-weather wardrobe well into chillier temps, which I appreciate wholeheartedly on a limited budget! And I can’t deny how handy sweater pockets are!

I’m always on the lookout for new sweaters because layering is my forté (I’m currently wearing four layers) and this one from Ruche stopped me in my tracks…

And I guarantee absolutely no male would wear this one!

I’m not crazy about the mustard color, but the pleated shoulder detail makes branching out color-wise totally worth it. And the gentle ruching above the buttons is perfect! The slouchy pockets just send it over the edge to make it a must-have. This is definitely a sweater that will outshine whatever you wear under it!

Remember: If you want to accessorize any boyfriend cardigan, skinny-belt it, and you’ve accentuated your sexy hourglass shape in one simple step!

How do you feel about the term “boyfriend cardigan”? Would your man rock one?!

-Keri

We learned a long time ago that less is more. Coco Chanel said as much when she advised taking off one accessory before walking out the door- understated is ideal; subtle is sexy (someone tell Kim Kardashian, please!).

The cut-out necklines that Jessica Alba and Heather Morris from Glee wore in the past week are the perfect way to achieve this somewhat challenging paradox. The little stripof skin hints at a little somethin’-somethin’ underneath but doesn’t give it all away… it’s almost like a basic, high-necked dresses suffered a rip in exactly the right place to add seductive appeal without the sleaze.

The look definitely is an alluring one, so I’d hold off on it for daytime or a more conservative setting…but if you tend to get a little self-conscious flaunting what you’ve got, these necklines are a great way to show a little more skin without going all out.

(Click this CheapChica’s link for) some affordable options that will make the most of your best assets…in a subtle, sexy sort of way.

-Lilliana Vazquez
Lilliana is a nationally known style expert and television host.  You’ve seen her work on NBC, ABC, The Style Network, and We TV.  She is also the editor of The CheapChica’s Guide to Style, the go-to destination for fashionistas on a budget, and a contributor to Philadelphia Magazine.
(all photos courtesy of Lilliana and The CheapChica’s Guide to Style)

I go crazy in DSW, because, well… anywhere I can be surrounded by gorgeous shoes is one of my favorite places to be!

My shoe addiction is nuts at times, but I always manage to find great prices — or impatiently wait for my pricier picks to go on sale. (To this day, I’ve never spent more than $50 on a pair of great pumps!)

My newest obsession is this uber-cute pair of black wedges that I found at DSW during my latest trip to the King of Prussia Mall. Lately, I’ve been loving any type of lace-up shoe (I’ve bought three pairs in the past few months!) and now I can’t stop thinking about these comfy wedges! The cutout detail keeps them fresh and dressier than a mary-jane-type shoe, while the wedge heel makes them way more comfortable to wear than your stiletto heels. They’d be a great option for a more casual night out, or anytime you know you’ll be walking on some uneven surfaces!

I originally tried on a size 8 (my typical shoe size, which almost always fits perfectly) but I found that the 7½ fit much better — not too tight and not too loose — so I recommend taking this into account when ordering.

The price is pretty do-able at $49.95. I suggest signing up for their rewards program and you’ll get points toward savings on future shoe purchases! (I just got a $10 coupon in the mail!)

Happy Shoe Shopping!

-Keri