Though the weather is dreary (in New York anyway), it’s still high time to gear up for spring like weather with affordable accessories. Though we ran through tons of shoe options in this spring shopping post, today’s treat is for our budget fashionistas.
You ready?
Shoes:

Retailers like ASOS, Topshop, and Aldo, along with brands like Jessica Simpson and Simply Vera by Vera Wang have tons of options for ya.
A few Fashion Bomb approved picks include these $49 Qupid Katrina 28 high wedges:

These $28 Perennial Favorite Flats from Modcloth:

And these $45 Steve Madden turquoise/white beauts (they also come in yellow and black):

Get ’em, plus more here:

Note: Eva Marcille’s wedge sandals are not under $50, but are somewhat affordable at $100. Get them here.

Bags

From clutches to cross bodies to hobos, we uncovered plenty of low priced summer bag options. A few standouts include this $40 Natale bag from Aldo:

This $46 Koret Handbags Tri-tone Clutch with Detachable Shoulder Strap from Ebags:

And this $31 Neoprene Clutch from ASOS:

Get them, plus many more here:

See anything you like?
Smootches!

Today we have a Fashion Bomber! Take a look at Troy from Brooklyn:

He writes, “I am currently a junior at Syracuse University with a passion for fashion.”

“… I believe I have a knack for knowing what goes well together without having to see it on me first.”


” Most of my outfits don’t take much planning.”

“… If I were to describe my style I would say it is always evolving but always touches the masculine chic look.”

” I am the co-founder and designer for Collar Candy, an up and coming bow tie line.”

“… We were featured on Refinery29 and a few other blogs for our creative bowties. For more information on the line one could like the facebook page which is facebook.com/CollarCandy.”

” Updates on the status of the website will be posted there.”


” One could also see my many other looks and styles on my instagram which is @TrubeldBKKid.”


” Thank you for taking time out to read this.”

Alright! I’ll have to check out your bow tie line myself.
What do you think of Troy’s style?

Fashion Bomber of the Day is a feature showcasing the singular style of male Fashion Bomb Readers. Send your name, location, a description of your style, and 2-6 picture(s) to thefashionbomb@gmail.com. Images submitted may be featured on Facebook or Twitter. Comments can be harsh, so bring your A game!

Along with Selita, Adrienne Bailon was also in attendance at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America’s 19th Annual Women of Distinction Luncheon in New York City. She wore a black one-shoulder ruffle dress with a $59 RACHEL Rachel Roy Small Striped Clutch and Christian Louboutin Python Pumps:

Her clutch features colorblocked stripes and snakeskin print for a touch of the exotic.

Get the rest of Adrienne’s look with these pieces.

 
Definitely loving the accessories, though I feel Adrienne could have pared them down to let her dress play centerstage. A couple of things I had no problem with were her hair and makeup.

What do you think?

We know that Miss Universe is always beautiful and worldly, but having style is not always a given. Leila Lopes is the latest to wear the crown and at The Avengers Premiere at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival, she showed that she is definitely a fashionista. For the occasion, she wore what seems to be a cream colored long-sleeve wrap top with rolled trousers to match, though she could also be wearing a jumpsuit. Leila finished her look with $1,095 Christian Louboutin Exagona Sandals:

Leila accessorized with a gold spike necklace and a white and gold watch.

Her sandals feature a peep-toe silhouette, crisscross straps, covered platforms and sky-high 6.3″ heels.

You can recreate Leila’s look with the below pieces.

 
We’ve also seen Toni Braxton rock the Exagonas in black.

Ok, I officially need more Leila Lopes! First of all, she is absolutely gorgeous. Doesn’t she remind you of Arlenis Sosa? Leila is also working this look! Hopefully she’ll be out and about more often, though I know Miss Universe has rules.

What do you think?

• Liya Kebede‘s apparel line, Lemlem, is branching out into exorbitantly priced home wares. Prices will range from $125 for a pillow to $325 for a hand woven cotton blanket. (ELLE)

• Hermès was awarded $100 million in damages after winning their case against 34 impostor websites claiming to sell discount Birkin bags. The sites have all been shut down, and all the money in their respective PayPal accounts will go to paying off the hefty sum. (New York Post)

• Uggs also just won a nice chunk of money– $686 million to be exact–in a case against over 3,000 Chinese websites selling counterfeit shoes. Not only will money be seized from the site’s PayPal accounts, but if you’re looking to visit said offending sites, your browser will be redirected to Uggs’s official page. (Fashionista)

 

 

• Word is Azealia Banks lucked into her Met Ball gig after Nicki Minaj failed to sign a contract confirming her performance. Either way, it’s unsurprising that either rappers were invited, regardless of how some might feel about their respective personal styles. (NYPost)

• MAC cosmetics is releasing Fashion Sets, a new collection featuring all your favorite MAC makeup. Each of the seven sets consists of three pieces: a lipstick, nail lacquer, and lipglass. The limited edition collection will be available from May 3rd to June 28th. (Nitrolicious)

 

• Jean Paul Gaultier told Grazia that he respectfully disagrees with Mitch Winehouse‘s assessment of his couture collection tribute to his late daughter Amy. While Mr. Winehouse thought the show was “in bad taste,” Gaultier maintains that the collection was meant to be an “homage to her talent…. Since her death the media has focused too much on her problems. My show was intended as a celebration of her.” What do you think? (Daily Mail)

• Willow Smith is as precocious as usual in her new music video for Do it Like Me (Rockstar). I’m still in awe that an 11-year-old  could have more stage presence than a certain veteran 24-year old performer. (Daily Mail)

 

~ Jihan

Selita Ebanks was spotted at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America’s 19th Annual Women of Distinction Luncheon in New York City. For the occasion, she wore a turquoise knee-length gown with $1,219 Alexander McQueen Leather Multi Strand Heels:

She accessorized with minimal jewelry and for beauty, she rocked a fresh face and sleek, straight hair. Flawless!

Her hazelnut brown sandals feature leather strands, central knotted panels, and 5.5″ faux horn heels with a slight curve.

Hot! The heels seem a bit out of place with the look as her dress is so ladylike, but they are fabulous in their own right.

What do you think? Hot! or Hmm…?

Jenn writes, “I saw this picture of Rihanna spotted in NYC today and instantly fell in love with how she paired her Spring shorts with the sheers and kicks. How do I get this look for less? LOVE IT!”

No need for a look for less! Rihanna made a colorful turn from her neutral Ksubi tee and denim and opted for a coral sweater, tights, high-top Adidas, and $68 Topshop MOTO Floral Printed Hotpants.
Her shorts feature a bold floral print and high-waist silhouette.

At first, I thought Rih Rih’s tights were ripped but they feature holes on both sides so I’ll have to investigate the designer (I’m guessing they were created that way). It’s a pretty warm day here in NYC so I’m not sure why she wore them, but you know she loves shorts and tights! Hotpants aren’t for everyone, but Rihanna has the legs for them.

You can get her hotpants for a steal at www.topshop.com.

What do you think? Get Rihanna’s look here :

 

Cici writes, “I have the pink Christian Louboutin Bollywoody Peep Toe Pumps and want to wear them to my nephew’s high school graduation. Can you suggest something I can rock with them? Obviously I want to look fabulous. 🙂 Thanks!!!”
Well, if you want to look fab, we’ll surely oblige!
If you want to play it safe, the obvious choice is to wear a solid colored dress, so that the pumps pop on their own. Of course cream or black would work, but you can add a little extra pizzazz with a dress that picks up on the color of your stilettos:

Since Bollywoody pumps are a super splurge at $2,795, I decided to offset the overall cost of your outfit with a $92 Drape Front dress from Topshop. Complete the look with subdued accessories, like a cream metal bar envelope clutch from ASOS. Have a little fun with your eye makeup:

The second look is a little bit more adventurous. I’m not sure how this would work in real life, but I know I love D&G’s printed foulard silk skirt:

The print picks up on the color of the shoes, and has a similar fun and festive design. Keep the color going with an orange top, then tone it all down with a white blazer:

Lastly, go for truly bold in a patterned dress that picks up on Bollywoody’s pink and blue tones:

Complete with simple accessories, like a vintage Chanel bag and sweet pearl studs:

What do you think? Which look would you rock?
Before I inevitably receive a deluge of “What to Wear” requests for every ‘statement’ shoe in your closets, follow the following tips for wildcard heels:
1. Use the heels as an exclamation point to a neutral outfit. For flawless execution, make sure the dress or top and pant combo either complements or features one of the colors of the shoe.

2. If wearing your shoes with a printed top or bottom, make sure one of the prints picks up on the colors in your heels.

3. The same rule applies for dresses. You can indeed pair statement heels with a statement dress, as long as both pieces share complimentary colors or patterns:

Do you have anything to add?

You know the Kardashians run E! and thus they were the big stars at the network’s 2012 Upfront in New York City. For the occasion, Kim rocked her beloved Jimmy Choo Imogen Caged Sandals with a $3,177 Azzedine Alaia Half Moon Dress:

Her sleeveless dress features an all-over half moon pattern, zip-front, fitted waistline to accentuate her curves, and a balloon skirt.

She wore her $1,295 Jimmy Choo Imogen Caged Sandals just two days ago.

You guys had a lot to say about the above look and the fact that it was too mundane, but Kimmy definitely got it right with this dress! When Alaia is worn properly, it’s always a win in the style department.

If you’re up for the splurge, you can get her dress at www.colette.fr.

What do you think? Are you feeling Kim’s look this time around?

Crystal says, “ I saw this picture of Monica and I fell in love with her jacket!”

“I know the picture is a little old, but can you help me find it?”
Monica sang the National Anthem Singer at the Kentucky Wildcats vs Cardinals National Semifinals game in New Orleans rocking a $425 Cynthia Rowley Liquefied Bouquet tuxedo blazer:

She completed the look with turquoise skinnies and Christian Louboutin Bourriche Studded Ankle Boots:

I dunno, I think I kinda like this look!

The jacket, at least, is a win win.
What do you think? If you like, get Monica’s look here: