i’ve been seeing a resurgence of loafers in my september mags this year, and it’s no surprise.  designers are returning to ladylike classics with menswear touches, and a loafer is the perfect way to add a dash of masculine energy to keep a girly look from going too far over the frilly fringe.

there are options out there at the highest of price points – i especially love the versions from elizabeth and james, and tods, but both are pretty cost-prohibitive.  but honestly, when a classic style like this comes back around, i think sometimes it pays to look back to the classic sources. and when it comes to a loafer, my first thought is still bass.

sure enough, they didn’t disappoint.  bass has updated their classic loafer with a shorter vamp (creating a more feminine shape), and a funky cumin color to give the right dose of edgy, but kept the price point downright cheap at $65.  i’d wear these with cuffed boyfriend jeans now, and a silk blouse (like, say, this one i picked up recently) with menswear trousers for fall…either way, they’re a great way to indulge in the men’s-inspired shoe trend without going the route of the overdone oxford.

i absolutely love the look of this dries van noten blazer from the august issue of vogue, but at $1,300, it’s unlikely i’ll ever even see it in person, let alone own it.  but ever since i spotted it, i can’t help wondering just how hard it would be to recreate on a budget.

image from vogue, august 2010

i’m envisioning a thrifted (or otherwise cheaply obtained) camel or tweed blazer (i found dozens on etsy), maybe a size or two larger than you’d normally wear.  take it to your trusty tailor, along with this photo, and just ask for three exaggerated accordion pleats on either side, right above the pockets, to create that sharp definition at the narrowest part of your waist (you’ll want a larger size jacket to allow for space to create those pleats).

you’ll also probably want the shoulders taken in just a bit, and maybe even need the sleeves narrowed a bit – since the rest of the jacket was purposely too large, you’ll want those sleeves trimmed up to fit you properly.  and, assuming it’s an old-style, two-button blazer, feel free to have her add a third button and buttonhole to make it a perfect three-button blazer.

it’s major reconstructive surgery, i’ll grant you, but i think you could get it done for $50-75 (much cheaper if you don’t need the shoulder/sleeve work done).  add on the $25 you spent for the blazer in the first place, and you have a serious style fix for under $100 (original will set you back nearly $1,300).  not bad when you consider the thousand ways you’ll find to wear your creation.

now to nab that slouchy grey sweater underneath…

one of my favorite finds so far this summer, this sheer jersey shirred skirt from american apparel is destined for “staple” status in my closet.  it’s the perfect knee length (or slightly above if you wear it high-waisted), and the full skirt is offset by a very lightweight jersey, so it’s not at all heavy, which eliminates my usual peeve with fuller skirts of having to tuck in my tops to avoid waist bulk.  i am a little concerned that the hem is unfinished, but at $28, i’ll do as tim gunn would advise, and “make it work.

by the way, can anyone explain the utterly bizarre styling on american apparel’s website?  these were literally the only two photos of it actually being worn as a skirt.  it’s like they can’t stand that this is actually a respectable length, and so are forced to style it as a dress.  baffling.  fortunately, i know you’re all far too fashion-savvy to try wearing this as a dress.

at any rate, i’ve already nabbed this in navy, and plan to scoop up at least three more colors asap.  summer, here i come!

i didn’t actually plan it this way, but i must be in an extreme sort of mood, because if there’s a common thread to this week’s friday finds, it’s some seriously over the top style.

for those that are a fan of todd selby’s photography and/or his blog, you’re going to be thrilled to know that his book launched this week.

the selby is in your place is packed with photos from the homes, studios and offices of some seriously cool people, including karl lagerfeld, simon doonan & jonathan adler, and erin wasson.  to be honest, selby’s style is a bit much for me sometimes…he seems to seek out the crazy, even slightly creepy, in everything he shoots (see his shoot of the explorers’ club for some seriously crazy photos of dead animals).  but he struck a nice balance with the book, adding in a few more mainstream images to make it appeal to a wider, less artsy group.  if nothing else, the new book is worth it for the shots of lagerfeld’s studio alone, which are completely fantastic.

speaking of completely fantastic, every time i think i’m finally over studs, something comes along to make me fall all over again.  and lately, whenever that “something” comes along, it’s from be & d.  like, for example, their memphis studded flat in this gorgeous citrus hue.

i love that, from the front, they’re as conservative as can be, but when you turn to walk away, that studded cuff on the back makes you an instant badass!  so perfect to add some edge to a skinny jean or legging, and i’d love to see them toughen up a pair of silk shorts when the weather gets warm.

and i know it’s a little random – i think jane and judy aldridge are rubbing off on me – but i’m finding myself jonesing for a completely over-the-top pendant necklace.  something like, say, a giant elk head.

laugh, but then think about it with a slouchy tank top (this one springs to mind), blazer, cutoff shorts and tights.  and maybe those be & d shoes.  i’m feeling it.  especially for $8, i think it’s worth a shot.

happy friday, everyone…have a great weekend!

i literally can. not. wait. for the liberty of london/target collaboration to hit stores this sunday (3/14).  as in, i start bouncing up and down in my chair if i think about it too much.  yep, my husband is about to be living in a sea of chic, kitschy floral…and you know, i have not a smidge of guilt!

for those that aren’t familiar, liberty of london is an amazing, iconic department store based in (surprise) london.  they’re best known for their stunning textiles, especially their signature bold florals.  for their collaboration with target, they’ve lent their signature patterns to everything from lingerie to teacups…and i’m thinking i’ll need (at least) one of nearly everything in the collection.

to tide me over until sunday, i thought i’d share a little sneak peek of my favorite pieces from the collection:

(all photos graciously provided by target corp)

yes, the shopping list is long, i realize…fortunately, nearly everything in the collection tops out at about $50, and most is much, much less than that.  so really, my hubs should be thrilled i’m saving him so much money.  right?

see you at target this sunday!

for those of you living near a nordstrom rack, i highly suggest a lunchtime or after-work visit…today, if possible.  i took a little time to check it out yesterday, and they have some pretty serious sales happening – a good chunk of the store is marked anywhere from 35-60% off the lowest marked price – i spotted nanette lepore, burberry, james perse, splendid…definitely above and beyond the usual suspects.

the rack is always my favorite super-secret source for designer denim (you do know about this, right?).  even the highest-end styles top out around $80 there, instead of the $150+ you’ll pay retail.  but yesterday, i may have nabbed my best deal ever:  a pair of paige denim’s “jimmy jimmy” boyfriend jeans marked down to $79, with an additional 60% off!!

yep, brand new paiges for $30…life is good.  i’m always the world’s biggest fan of paige denim (she and i just seem to have the same butt, what can i say?), but the cut on this jean is especially nice.  it’s a bit loose (try going down a size), but the backside is still super flattering and the rise isn’t too low.  plus, the distressing is subtle enough that even grown-up girls can wear them.  i’m especially loving this style because it’s not actually cropped, like so many of the boyfriend jeans.  it’s perfect rolled up, so you can have that ‘boyfriend jean’ look, but when it’s out of style, just unroll the cuffs, and they’ll be a great straight leg jean.

to nab this steal, just stroll on past the regular racks of denim and look for the clearance rack – there were a few rock & republic styles, and even a pair or two of joe’s jeans, all at some seriously amazing prices.

oh, and while you’re there…i spotted at least two pairs of jimmy choos (including these lovelies) for $229, plus an additional 35% off.  just sayin’.

it really doesn’t take much for me to feel like i’m being “edgy.”  a bit of oxidation on a silver ring, maybe tying a scarf in a new, hip way i’ve spied over at who what wear.  the reality is that, for as much as i appreciate the edge in others (and oh, i do!) i veer so much to the preppy most of the time, it can be annoyingly predictable.  so, today’s random friday finds are my way of adding just the tiniest dash of elizabeth and james to my normal j.crew routine.

snake rings, spike rings, skull rings…i just refuse to even try to pull off the punk thing.  but this alligator is another matter entirely.  i love this alligator!  so tongue-in-cheek, with maybe the tiniest dash of edge.  perfect for a hopeless preppy like me!  by gara danielle for $126.

here’s a sweet little bargain for you – one of my favorite graphic printers, lotta jansdotter, has marked down darn near everything on her beautiful site, including this cute (ahem, edgy) little bag, which you can score for just $12.  use it as a clutch all summer, and when winter comes, it’s the perfect thing to organize all the bits and bobs that wind up rolling around in the bottom of your bag.  (note: it also comes in pink floral, but by choosing the abstract grey pattern, i think i’ve chosen the edgier option here.)

don’t hit me when we talk about hoop earrings again next week (you’re going to die over how fabulous they are!)…but in the meantime, the lovely oh joy introduced me to these brass pyramid hoops from urban outfitters.  for $7, how can i be expected to resist at least sharing them with you?  and again, just a dash of edge…but not too much.  i think i could even rock these with a cardigan!

happy friday, everyone!

i admit to a bit of skepticism about these lovelies these because of the brand, which i associate more with beachy foot attire than thai silk pumps.  but that skepticism aside, these are one of the cutest “cheap thrill” shoes i’ve seen in a while.

i love the raw/duponi texturing on the silk, and that pleated knot on the vamp is a great way to embrace one of fall’s hot trends, not to mention embracing a very “sexy secretary” sort of look.  plus, i’m a sucker for a purple shoe…it’s this oddly unexpected neutral when it comes to footwear, and seems to match nearly everything.  if you’re looking for an inexpensive shoe, i cannot overstate my preference for purchasing them in a material other than leather.  it will either be gross, or it will be faux…and with very few exceptions, neither is good.

i especially love that they are $59.  if you can handle the 4″ heel height (i, much to my recurring chagrin, cannot), i’d call these perfect, and click “buy now“!

if you’ve been dying for a little jewelry indulgence but just can’t justify spending these days, i have some excellent news.  prismera design (one of my favorite indy lines) is doing a week-long sample sale of some of her gorgeous (and often one-of-a-kind) pieces.  prices start at $8, and most are under $35.  how can you possibly skip a sale that good?

my faves (from left): those fun, chain-accented clare earrings ($15), the beautiful druzy agate on the lilah necklace ($62), and the chunky copper accents on the leah necklace ($25!).

forgive the fuzzy pics (something tells me these were photographed hot off design table) and get shopping…the prettiest pieces will be gone in a flash!

first things first, we have a new winner for that gorgeous necklace from two sisters jewelry!  entry number 5, “a” is our new lucky lady, and she won with her bonus entry for posting the contest on facebook!  a, you have until the end of the day to email me – or we’ll have to let some other lucky reader nab the prize!

next up, since i had to hold off on last week’s random friday finds post, i thought we’d just bump it to monday – i’ve had so many lovely random discoveries lately, i just can’t resist sharing.

on paper, these aren’t my style in the least, but i’ve been inexplicably fascinated by this croc-stamped t-strap sandal ever since it launched in the barneys co-op spring collection.  now that it’s marked down by 60% ($440 to $173), it’s hard to resist buying them for the fun factor alone.  that almost tie-dye pattern on the croc-print leather, the chunky, bohemian leather straps and chunky wood heel…sigh.  these are such a great wardrobe-update piece, because they’ll work with so many things, and will make just about any look fresh and edgy.  perfection!

how’s this for a cheap thrill?  if you’re in the market for a thrifty fashion fix, i’m a big fan of this floral halter tank from american eagle – especially for $20.  proof you actually can find some sweet style at the teeny-bopper shops.  pair it with a leather jacket and jeans, or keep it simple and casual with a cut-off short.

and this is neither here nor there, but i spied these on my latest anthropologie run, and i think i’m just going to have to buy them.  stacking matryoshka dolls that double as measuring cups.  how cute would they be on your kitchen counter?  you’ll have to check out the zoom photos if you’re tempted…it’ll be love at first sight!