As most of you know, Old Navy's flip-flops are probably the most-affordable footwear around  when it gets to be that time of year. These Floral-Printed Flip-Flop Sandals are a mere $7.50, and they'll look cute with everything from a swimsuit to a casual sundress.[morelink]

While Hollister Co.'s clothing is usually geared towards teenagers who prefer to be scantily clad, these vintage Hawaiian Print Board Shorts are as classic as it gets. They're only $38, which is pretty reasonable for a swimsuit, and they come in five different colors.

Roxy can always be counted on for their laid-back, beachy take on fashion, and this Day Dreaming Dress is certainly no exception. The straps on this flirty frock are adjustable, which is always a plus in my book, and you can snag yours for $39.50 at Pac Sun.

Nautica's Ocean Hibiscus Silk Tie can be found on sale at Macy's for $29.99. While it might not be a great choice of neck-wear for extremely formal occasions, it's a great way for guys to bring a little bit of beach to the work week.

And if you're really nervous about trying out Hawaiian print when you're not actually digging your toes in the sand, try out one of these rings from  Laurie Solet in Clayton. Sure, it's literally only one Hawaiian-ish flower, but you have to start somewhere, right?

Brit indie label, Bolongaro Trevor, debuted their music inspired line
at St. Louis Fashion Week.

Fashion was in the air last week when some of the hottest independent, innovative and emerging names in the fashion industry were in the Gateway City to show their latest looks for fall and spring 2009. On Friday, March 29 the Emerge runway show at St. Louis Fashion Week marked the debut of the fall collections for ultra-hip brand Diesel, an emerging NYC underground label Love Brigade, the men's anti-label brand Wrath Arcane and it also marked the United States debut for music inspired Brit label Bolongaro Trevor.

[morelink]

From backstage...

... to runway with Love Brigade

With the exception of Diesel, these ready-to-wear lines aren't household names yet, but they are definitely on the short list of designers to watch. We headed down to fashion week to check out the fall collections as the made their way down the runway, chat with the designers and to take a peek back stage at St. Louis Fashion Week. You can check out what the designers had to say about why they decided to come to St. Louis and how the labels are responding to the economic downturn (and see what really goes on backstage at a fashion show) by clicking on [tab:trav_video].

Wrath Arcane's Sean Bilovecky explained that people still care about fashion even when the economy is down because it's an important form of self expression.

Men's label Wrath Arcane has been called the "anti-label" fashion label.

Sergio Rossi makes this killer pair of heels, which is sold at Neiman Marcus for a whopping $695 (you're paying for the expertise that comes with Italian-made shoewear). The criss-crossed elastic pays homage to another spring trend - bondage - and the zipper up the back of the heel is a subtle way for you to try out the trend.

Zippers get colorful with this bright blue tote ($64.99) from Pulse, a boutique in Chesterfield Oaks Shopping Center. It also comes in four other colors, and as long as you keep those zippers zipped, this purse has places to stick all your girly odds and ends.

You can find this Denim Pencil Skirt with Zipper Detail by Zinc at Macy's on sale for $31.50. Paired with a sweet little blouse, the skirt doesn't have to be too hardcore, but you can definitely wear it when you want to get in touch with your inner biker chic.

Marc Jacobs has taken spring's zipper trend to a whole different level. This MARC by Marc Jacobs Stainless Zipper Neck Watch, which obviously features the tab/pull part of the zipper as opposed to the rugged teeth, retails for $150. (Also at Neiman Marcus.)

This satin, three-quarter sleeved bomber jacket is a steal for $22.50 at Wet Seal. It's probably not the greatest quality, but for a trend that you don't plan on revisiting a couple of years from now, this is perfect.

"A friend of mine got one for a present and I immediately wanted one. We go out quite a bit and I always had to put my purse on the floor and who knows what kind of gross stuff is on the floor of a bar. So I found some at Hong's Trading Company in Chesterfield. As soon as I had one, everyone wanted one, so I went back several times to get more. I wanted to see what other kinds were out there so I went to ABC Trading Company and bought more. Every time I go out, someone comments on them and wants one."

My purse stayed out of the way, and best of all, I didn't go home with it covered in sticky remnants from my night out. Just call me a purse-hanger convert. Besides snagging one at either of those local accessory havens, there are some really cute "Sex and the City" inspired purse/bag hangers available here for $17.95.

Frankly, its scary and I'm glad I didn't go.  Watching the video that came from the adventure is enough for me...and probably for you...check it out below (or on [tab:video])

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In the down economy many cities have canceled their fashion weeks, and many of the runway staples (like Vera Wang and others) have decided not to show. St. Louis is one of only two cities on the country who has decided to stick to their fashionable guns. That means our city's top-notch, independent fashion showcase is getting a little more attention, and will probably be drawing a few more fashionistas than in seasons past.

While each night will boast the typical strut and pose runways, there will be a few events that will cater to those who enjoy fashion but are looking for low-key ways to shift through the best of what independent fashion has to offer for their fall lines and some summer swim wear, too (while it may be springtime in St. Louis, but it is already fall and summer in the fashion world).

Here is what is on tap for St. Louis' Spring 2009 Fashion Week:

• Wednesday, March 25 the runway is going to be ruled by local designers for the final round of the Project: Design! competition and fashion show. Six design savvy St. Louisans will be competing for the grand prize in a show that always proves to be among the most avant-garde and artistic of shows during the week.


• Thursday, March 26 you can check out a few past St. Louis Fashion Week favorites including Black Halo and Cloak and Dagger. You can also get in tropical vacation mode by checking out Beach Bunny swim wear, and just for the men-folk TRIM menswear will be on stage.


• Friday, March 27 marks the US runway premiere of the Victorian/goth meets high fashion line from Sweedish designers Bolongaro Trevor, and DIESEL's first Midwest show. Wrath Arcane and Love Brigade will also be returning to show what their high-end indie wears will offer this fall.


• Saturday, March 28 is the exciting debut of a new type of event for fashion week. Two daytime events will be held including Fashion Week Market for the frugal fashion lover. The marketplace will be open from 11am until 5pm and you can shop samples and trunk sales from designers featured during the week's shows, all in one spot. You don't have to spend a dime to shop around and meet the designers because admission for the marketplace event is free.
  
  If you are looking for the glitz of the runway without having to spend an evening out, and for a reasonable price there also be a lunch and runway show featuring St. Louis designers. You can get lunch, a swag bag and take in a fashion show for $35 starting at 11a,. but if you want to hit the show model-style (i.e. without the lunch) you can catch the 1pm runway show for only $15 ($10 less than individual fashion show tickets during the evenings).
  
  You could also make an evening of it by heading to the evening show which will feature Macy's I.N.C. fashions and St. Louis' own Lori Coulter swim wear.


• Sunday, March 29 Fashion Week wraps up with Wash U's junior and senior fashion design classes showing their collections, presented by Wash U's College of Art.

This season St. Louis Fashion Week is offering events tailored to all types of fashion forward ladies and gentlemen, and the opportunity to score some great bargains, too. Individual tickets for each evening fashion show will be $25 per event, with the exception of the Wash U show which costs $35. Evening shows will start at 7pm, and will all be held at HoteLumiere.

If you are planning to attend more than one event, you can save some cash by picking up a week-long pass for $45, or a V.I.P. pass that gets you into the receptions before the shows and the after-parties each evening at SLeeK Steakhouse and Ultra Lounge in HoteLumiere. You can get your tickets online, see videos about the designers on tap for this season and learn more about each evening's shows by visiting the St. Louis Fashion Week wesbite.

Leslie, Erin, Leah, Andrea and Erica at Ulta Beauty.

Leslie's favorite product - Smashbox sheer lip gloss in Illume.
Why she loves it: "I can use it every day, and it goes with everything."
Celeb she thinks makes-up her face right: Jennifer Aniston

Erin's favorite product - Smashbox double take lip gloss in Sugar and Spice
Why she loves it: "It's great for every skin tone, and I love that it's lipstick and liner all in one."
Celeb she thinks makes-up her face right: Salma Hayek

Leah's favorite product - Pur Minerals lipstick in Pink Isocite
Why she loves it: "It has shea butter, so it's always hydrating. And I love the color."
Celeb she thinks makes-up her face right: Charlize Theron

Andrea's favorite product - Bare Essentials buxom lip gloss in Trixie
Why she loves it: "It's sheer, but it gives enough color to make the rest of your makeup just pop."
Celeb she thinks makes-up her face right: Kim Kardashian

Erica's favorite product - Bare Essentials buxom lip gloss in Gabby
Why she loves it: "It looks good even when you don't have any other makeup on."
Celeb she thinks makes-up her face right: Eva Longoria Parker

Stephanie at Bella Gente Salon.

Stephanie's favorite product - Jane Iredale's Brush-Me Matte Skincare
Why she loves it: "I have extremely oily skin and this makes my skin matte and feel really nice. I like the overall look; it's natural, and my makeup doesn't look overdone by the end of the day."
Celeb she thinks makes-up her face right: Jennifer Aniston

Sarah was shopping in Chesterfield Valley.

Sarah's favorite product - MAC lipstick in Satin Twig
Why she loves it: "It just gives you that natural, childlike blush on your lips."
Celeb she thinks makes-up her face right: Kate Hudson

Jinye at Hong's Trading Co.

Jinye's favorite product - Revlon super lustrous lip gloss in Shine That Pink (060)
Why she loves it: "Without lipstick of some sort, I look sick. I really love this color."
Celeb she thinks makes-up her face right: Julia Roberts

What product could you not live without? Mine favorite is Cover Girl's TRUblend translucent pressed powder.

Brother and sister team Kyrle and Joni Boldt opened the store way back in 1985 when Kyrle was only 17 and Joni was 26. What started as a shop specifically for beachwear and brightly colored swimsuits has evolved into three fashionable staples for St. Louisans to shop at. The original location still sticks mainly to swimwear, but the Chesterfield Mall and Galleria Mall locations have both broadened their swank horizons.

Guys will have to shop at the Splash at the Galleria because the Chesterfield store is mainly for the ladies, but both stores specialize in a sort of beachy preppiness that is hard to explain unless you've browsed the racks yourself. The first thing that I usually gravitate to is their massive collection of high-end jeans. If you're looking for 7 For All Mankind, True Religion, Chip and Pepper, Hudson, Twenty8Twelve, Paige Premium Denim, Rock and Republic, Joe's Jeans, Citizens of Humanity, Current Elliot, Rich & Skinny, Black Orchid or J Brand Jeans, you're in luck. St. Louis' denim lovers should appreciate the fact that the unique boutique carries all of the above.

You can still find the plethora of colorful swimsuits that got Splash its start, plus clothing and accessories from upscale and trendy brands like the Lauren Conrad Collection, Free People, ROXY and Juicy Couture. For more of Splash's awesome apparel, check out [tab:gallery]. Prices range from $20 to $200. Happy Shopping!

Because when you're pregnant, we'd rather see you look more like Gwen Stefani than MIA.

Not that I need to take note for personal reasons, but I've been impressed with how many stores are carrying fashionable clothes for moms-to-be lately. St. Louis is seemingly chock-full of cute places to shop for stylish ways to dress your baby bump - all we ask is that you take more inspiration from Gwen than from M.I.A. when you're browsing through the maternity section.


Snag this ruffled black tank from Target - it will flatter your expanding belly, and at the same time, it's comfy enough to throw on even when you're not feeling so hot. This saucy little number is only $19.99, and is just one of the many stylish maternity styles that Liz Lange's collection at Target offers.

This smocked green dress from Old Navy looks springy and fresh, and most importantly, it's easy to wear. Pair it with a comfy pair of flats, and even Gwen would be proud of you. The cotton dress is only $19.99, and also comes in "dark sea blue" and "cyclamen."

Just because they button up a little differently doesn't mean that you can't find trendy boot-cut jeans to rock when you're with child. A Pea in the Pod (formerly Mimi Maternity) is well-worn by Hollywood, but you can find the store at West County Mall or the St. Louis Galleria. The five-pocket "It Jeans" ($118) feature a secret fit belly, too.

This Olian Maternity Voile Peasant Top ($84) from Nodstrom is available in this ravishing orange color, as well as plain white. The stretchy smocking a the bottom and sleeves makes for an easy fit, but make sure you throw on a tank underneath - it's sheer.

Now that your cute little baby bump is dressed to the nines, accessorize with a sterling silver or gold necklace with your soon-to-be-newborn's name on it. Babymoon Boutique in St. Charles sells the disk necklace starting at $75. While you're there, be sure to check out the store's vast collection of baby gear.

Obviously, William, 43, of St. Peters, is displeased with Fantastic Sams, a national chain of hair care salons. He is upset about what he says a stylist at the O'Fallon store did to his hair, and scalp, Feb. 27. He says he went in for a haircut and highlights and fled 2 to 2½ hours later with orange hair and a burning scalp.

According to most hair care professionals they are not miracle workers, and no matter how hard you try it truly does take more than a few artificial highlights to look like a fruity 90's pop-star. As you can tell from the photo on the right that was taken by the Suburban Journals, William was this close though.

Pictured Left: Sugar Ray; Pictured Right: William Heald...
I know it took me a minute, too.

I'm always on the lookout for a bargain, so an article of clothing that can be used more than 12 different ways is right up my ally. American Apparel's $28 Circle Scarf is the epitome of versatility. The scarf is made to be unisex, comes in a long list of colors and is accompanied by a video on how to style your own circle scarf once you get it home. The seamless, tubular design of the 50-inch fabric enables the scarf to go from dress to necklace, but be careful - some styles are definitely more fashionable than others.

Unless you would like to make a road trip to Kansas City or Chicago, you'll have to buy your super circular scarf online, which brings up a whole different delima all together; when is our fair city going to score one of these stores?

When I spotted Jessie at Marshall's, she was shopping for a preppy green button-up shirt to wear for St. Patrick's Day. I thought she'd be great for this week's Style on the Street because not only was she hitting up one of my favorite bargain stores in St. Louis, but she was doing it while rockin' a seasonally stylish outfit. It's still "winter," but since the temperature keeps on climbing, it's sometimes hard to dress appropriately. Jessie bridges that seasonal gap perfectly.

What she's wearing:

Dress: Target
Shirt: Splash
Purse: ALDO - borrowed from her mom
Boots: Guess
Earrings: Target

What she's dressed for - I figured this was work appropriate, and I like to get a bit creative.

Jessie on her own style - I end up wearing whatever works in the morning. I try to keep it fun and kind-of different without being over-the-top. I do my own thing, and I usually stay away from anything uber trendy.

Who she's inspired by - Blake Lively...she's cool. She just throws on a bunch of stuff and it looks good. It's effortless. I also get ideas from E! News; I watch it every night.

On bridging the gap between winter and spring - I brought in some lighter browns, and since it's getting so nice out, I didn't wear tights. This dress is light and not too bulky, but at the same time, it's still a sweater.

Jessie's warm-weather staple - I really love wedges and super high heels, even though I'm already 5-9.

This fly-away cardigan from Express ($49.50) is great for that iffy weather that April's showers are sure to bring. Sure, the theory behind the sweater is old school, but it's stylish enough to become a staple.

American Rag's tie-dye t-shirt is subtle enough for you gents to try out, and it comes in "dusty sage" and "black sea." Macy's says that the vintage shirt is great for unleashing your inner hippie, and it's only $19.50.

These sassy shoes from Nordstrom will give anything you wear them with an instant springy feel. The tie-dye straps are suede, and the cutout in the wedge won't stop it from giving you a lift. Miss Sixty makes the wooden sandals, which retail for 169.95. They're also available in blue.

This tie-dye scarf from Target ($16.99) is simple and affordable. The flirty fringe is a nice touch, and it's something you can start incorporating into your outfits right away.

You can snag this colorful maxi dress for $24.80 from Forever 21. It's a great way to try an iffy trend without making an investment out of it, and this "twist-tie" pattern is a new take on the old '60s staple.

If you're interested in tie-dye but want a chance to browse a larger selection, head to Laurie Solet in Clayton. The store gets in new merchandise frequently, and this casual spaghetti-strap dress by Young Fabulous & Broke is fun and easy-to wear.

What spring DOES NOT mean for your wardrobe:

1. White leggings as pants are always a BAD idea. Especially while in dark undies. Just say no ladies.

2. Extensive back hair requires a shirt...or five hours of back waxing. Just because your 'covered' does not mean we wanna see how much.

3. Open-back tops are not meant to show off the back of your bra.
That's not what they are made for...

4. Low cut jeans and shorts are a bad match for thongs. Oh, and no one wants to see your butt crack, either.

5. Wearing a bathing suit around town is obscene, even if your sporting a wrap. Why people? Why?

6. High socks don't belong with shorts and tennis shoes unless you are hiking. Try crew cut socks...you will look smarter.

7. Spandex is never a good thing...it adds more pounds to your look no matter how you see it. The 80's are coming back, but let's not try this trend again.

8. Sandals are not made to wear with socks. Sweaty socks and leather? Ew.

9. Pajamas are not street clothes, even for high school or college peoples.

10. A sports bra should never be worn as a top. It's just to close to wearing nothing at all. Don't do it. Ever. Ever!

Obviously, this is just to name a few of the tragedies we are bound to see this spring. Amidst the fresh styles hitting the streets, try to hold your lunch when you encounter a disaster dresser and point them here. We might one day save the world. Did I miss anything?

Coach rolled out their Parker collection, the accessories giant's latest line of purses, satchels and clutches, last week.

A few of the bags in this collection are less costly than their previous lines, but why pay anything for them? We Covet is giving away the Parker Satchel in the color sand (pictured top left in pink) on their site to one lucky commenter. Just say something, anything, in the comments and you are entered in the contest, which lasts until Monday, March 16.

The ultimate classic bag that never goes out of style is the quilted, Chanel 2.55 classic flap bag.

This bag has been named on just about every list of things you have to have in your closet and has earned the moniker of most classic bag repeatedly. The bag hasn't gone out of style since it was introduced but you still won't see me shelling out big bucks to get one any time soon. Although having one given to me suits me just fine, and between now and April 3, the website Bag Snob is going to be giving away one of these coveted leather treats on their site.

If you are interested in some charitable savings and have the time to head to a store to do your shopping, Ann Taylor Loft has an in store special going on that benefits a good cause. If you bring in a pair of old pants to donate you get $15 off the price of a new pair of jeans.

There are hundreds of giveaways and discounts for online shoppers and readers on blogs and websites. Entering the contests or soaking up the online savings is as easy as a click here and singing up for an email list there.

One last fashionable money savings tip is to check out RetailMeNot.com before buying anything online. All you have to do is enter in the site's web address and they will pull up a list of all current coupons that other users have submitted. I have saved literally hundreds of dollars by checking them before submitting my orders.