Coco Chanel's beloved cuff, created specifically for Mademoiselle by Verdura who devised a clever use for all that jewelry her myriad lovers loved to bestow upon her that she just didn't like. (Be sure to check out our post about Verdura)

In The Little Black Book of Style, Nina Garcia shares one of the secrets of the truly stylish: once you've got the bones of your wardrobe covered (the topic of a recent in-depth post), it's time to buy with drama!

"Buy what is truly fantastic!" exhorts Garcia. "The leopard-print coat, the knock-'em-dead dress, the decadent piece of jewelry...You know one when you see one. You fall in love with it immediately. Yes, it may cost you a small fortune, but it is worth it. You know you look good in it, everyone else knows you look good in it, and it is going to make you feel amazing. So go a little crazy."

Since the truly dedicated fashionista needs no further encouragement to hunt out fashion perfection, here is Garcia's list of dramatic pieces no well-appointed wardrobe is without. Before you "invest" some serious dough, just remember her parting words of wisdom: "Buy timeless itmes. Don't just go crazy for the trends. Make sure you can see yourself wearing it a few seasons later."

 

Nina Garcia's wardrobe drama must-haves:

• a cuff Verdura Maltese Cross cuff - photo: Worth.com
• oversize cocktail ring Loree Rodkin Diamond Skull ring - Bluebee.com
• killer evening or cocktail dress vintage gown - Vintage Style Files
• some fur Finnish raccoon hat - NeimanMarcus.com
• exotic skin bag - Alina
• stand-out coat - Sonia Rykiel SoniaRykiel.com
• metallic strappy sandals - classic Jimmy Choo Juliet (available in gold or silver) JimmyChoo.com

 

- Lesley Scott

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  give boring boots the boot

Founded in 1947 by Bernard Rudofsky, Bernardo has a rich heritage, which is evident in their footwear. An architect by training, Austrian native Rudofsky worked in a number of European countries before settling in Brazil and designing several high profile residences in São Paolo.

A renaissance type, his interest in design included everything from "vernacular architecture to Japanese toilets and sandal design." During the 40s, 50s & 60s, he organized tongue-wagging exhibits at the MOMA including Now I Lay Me Down to Eat - which refers to the ancient custom of dining while reclining - and provided an enlightening tour of questionable design in the activities of everyday life such as eating, sleeping & bathing. "For instance, he asks why the standard American-style toilet is effectively a septic humidifier, and why American-style bathtubs are impossible for adults to lie down in and are as a matter of routine permanently fixed two or three feet away from a septic humidifier...By contrasting current western design solutions with earlier practices, he makes our current "solutions" look open to improvement, if not outright ridiculous and arbitrary."*

After giving a series of lectures at Black Mountain College in the early 40s on subjects like How Can People Expect to Have Good Architecture When They Wear Such Clothes? (here was a man obviously ahead of his time), he and wife Berta founded Bernardo Sandals in 1947. The classic Miami sandal became an instant hit with the jetset, remained a fave of the Lilly Pulitzer crowd in the 60s & 70s, and still looks good today.

  This Blondie boot combines the comfort of a ballet slipper in a chic urban boot, and is fully lined in chocolate shearling up through the shaft. The cuff is flexible, and can remain below the knee or unfurl completely. Available at BernardoFootwear.com.

- Lesley Scott

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(*Bernardo Rudofsky history via Wikipedia)

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As a designer (my line is RIVETED Clothing & Accessories) I've developed an eye for style over the years...and right along with it, a nose for a bargain. Half the fun of fashion is looking fabulous without needing to declare bankruptcy.

So now that it's mid-October, I do my annual closet-cleaning: getting rid of old stuff I no longer wear, packing away summer clothes for next year, and deciding which items I can still wear into the Fall and chillier months. This is also the perfect time to score some of those trendy items that have been calling your name since they first hit all the magazines.  The good new is, these trends are still going strong into Autumn, and now is the time to rotate them into your wardrobe before the next big thing comes along.   Plus, since you cleverly avoided jumping on the bandwagon at the first sign of popularity, trend pieces & foolproof lookalikes are now available at deeply-discounted prices.

Here are this week's six stylish, budget-friendly fashion & accessory must-haves:

CONVERTIBLE JERSEY DRESS
Since I design clothing that offers different styling options, I am completely taken with other designer pieces that are multi-functional.  In particular, I'm obsessed with Normal Kamali.  She designs an exclusive collection for Spiegel, with dresses, skirts, and tops in a slinky-soft jersey spandex, many of which can be styled in different ways. A batwing long-sleeved dress converts to a fitted halter-neck dress, for example, and at long last - it's on sale! It's lightweight, so it would go wonderfully with leggings or cardigans during the colder months - and can stand on its own for an elegant evening out. Good luck choosing between the six different colors. Normal Kamali Timeless All-in-One Short Dress $63 (sale) - available at Spiegel.com

PYRAMID STUDS
Necklaces, earrings, detailing on bags, accessories...the pyramid stud has been a hot it item this year. But it's also commanded a commensurately it price until now. (I know because I've been fighting the temptation to shell out more than $180 for a sterling-silver hand-forged designer ring adorned with an oversized pyramid stud.) I had been holding off & waiting for the right time, so I felt super-smug when I snagged a silvertone lookalike from Macy's for $8 earlier this week (not on their website; you'll have to visit the store itself). But smugness has a price...I just located an even more spendthrift-y version on sale at Urban Outfitters for just $4.99.  $4.99??! at UrbanOutfitters.com...plus, they also carry a cute pair of matching pyramid stud earrings for $12. Lovely!

BLACK PLATFORM PEEP-TOE SNAKESKIN SLINGBACKS

If you're like me and totally addicted to The Fashionista Diaries on the SOAP Channel, and you probably also feel head over, er, heels for the gorgeous black Report Signature Gala Snakeskin pumps that Bridget was wearing on the first episode with her totally cute Sretsis dress.  Talk about perfect: a sexy platform in black snake with a hot gold lining...I just had to have them!  But with a $179 price tag at Amazon or Zappos.com (which now only has the white version in size 9) I lost hope.

I even scoured eBay in vain, and then happened to stumble into Walmart.com's shoe section where I almost fainted! There were my lovelies!  And with the gorgeous gold lining too.  I headed to my local Walmart (because yes, I am even a cheapskate when it comes to paying shipping fees), slipped on a pair in a size 8, and was further amazed not only that they fit, but that they're unbelievably comfortable, and priced at $17.  Perfect with breezy summer dresses, sexy pencil skirts, fabulous with jeans and still gorgeous with brightly-colored tights for Fall...but act fast, ladies, these are going fast! Metro7 Tiffany Peep-Toe - Walmart.com.

BIB NECKLACE
So retro, so Disco-era fabulous when paired with a drapey jersey dress - I've been coveting a golden bib-style necklace.  Lucky Magazine featured a stunning copper version from Lazuli Jewelry earlier in the year, but at $70? We can definitely do better than than. For $15, this Crescent Moon necklace from Urban Outfitters is perfect. (Is it obvious I'm totally obsessed with this store??)

RUCHED BOOTIE

It first made an appearance at Calvin Klein (if I remember accurately), and then at NineWest.  Now, I'm happy to report, it's finally affordable in a chic metallic pewter at Newport News.  The ruched bootie is simply so 80's - and so perfect with leggings and an oversized sweater. Soft Leather Ankle Boot $50 (sale) at Newport-News.com.

SPLURGE OF THE WEEK
I just have to wear gray in the fall. Gray sweaters, gray booties, gray tights...gray is my color this year, which I why I have totally fallen for this lovely gray Josh Jakus felted handbag, handcrafted by the designer in the San Francisco Bay Area. Not only is it the perfect size, but in a sublime melding of form & function, it unzips completely flat for storage...plus it's crafted from recycled factory felt remnants. A feel-good, utterly chic purchase! $95 at BeeHiveCo-op.com.

If there are any high-priced pieces you'd like me to find similar, less-pricey versions of, please don't hesitate to email me at carlyjcais AT riveted-clothing.com.  'Til next week, fellow bargain-hunters!

- Carly Cais

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Valentino...or Valentino-like?

The fabulous Valentino Lacca Bow Shopper is beautiful with stunning leather & delish bows. However, the $1,195 pricetag...not so delicious. The new Treesje Duchess boasts the same qualities, but is priced at just under $700.

 

• Valentino available at Saks.com
• Treesje purchasing info at Treesje.com

- Lesley Scott

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pin one on for doing a good deed

Charles & Colvard created Moissanite and Boscov's, the country's largest family-owned department store, recently teame up to use the power of bling in the fight against breast cancer.  During the month of October, 5%  of all moissanite jewelry sold will go to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the special moissanite ribbon pendant created by jewelry manufacturer Samuel Aaron International which is normally priced at $829 goes for $300.

Also during Breast Cancer Awareness month, every moissanite jewelry purchase comes with a free moissanite ribbon pin for showing that you know:

- breast cancer is the #2 cause of cancer-related deaths
- 178,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed this year in the US
- one woman dies from it every 13 minutes in this country alone
- if diagnosed at an early stage, 97% survive more than five years

...so continued awareness, education & research are the key to saving lives.

Moissanite jewelry is available at Boscovs.com.

- Lesley Scott

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