Mail Bomb-aganza

Hey Guys!
It's a beautiful Friday in Gotham city! What better time for a mail bomb-aganza?!?

I promised you double the goodness, and with the help of my stellar interns, here it is. Let’s get to it!
First up, celeb queries.
Celina wrote in and said, "Recently I saw both Rihanna...

"...and Cassie..."

"... sporting these very beautiful stiletto pumps that I absolutely adore!!
If u would be sooo kind could you clue me in and help me find out the designer?? I would be so grateful!"
Hey Celina! Louboutin's are the hotness right now, and it seems both ladies are sporting these Louboutin Fishnet Pumps...

...available for $560 at www.barneys.com.
Reader Golden Honey wrote in weeks ago and proclaimed...
"Forget Solange's dress! I want to know if you can find me Beyonce's!"

"I love it! If not I'm getting it made."
So the 'terns and I searched and searched, but no dice! Intern Elita pointed out that bold patterns are all the rage for summer, which means there are lots of options out there.
She found a few substitutes like this McQ - Alexander McQueen Polka Dot Dress

...available for $500 at shopbop.com
Too much? We also stand by this less expensive Multi Color Dot Print Dress by S Sung...

...available for $248 at www.edressme.com.
Next up reader Janine says:
"I recently came across this beautiful yellow dress worn by Rosario Dawson while at Cannes."

"I love, LOVE this dress and I want it! Could you please help me find who makes it?? It's probably extremely expensive, so a cheaper alternative would be greatly appreciated!"
Hey Janine! You have amazing taste. I love yellow too!
The interns think the dress is Dolce & Gabbana. It might be, but I couldn't find any pictures of it from the runway. Searching, though I did find that this dress...

...from Tory Burch's Spring 2007 collection came close. If you want an option you can wear *now*, slap a belt around this $154 Diane Von Furstenberg 3/4 length dress...

...and you're good to go!
Next up Penne says, "This coat was mentioned by you in a previous blog but when I looked on www.shopbop.com I couldn’t find it."

"...Who made it? And do you know anywhere else I can purchase? I have to have it!!"
Hey Penne! The coat is Rachel Roy's Francesco Long Reversible Jacket. It used to be available on www.shopbop.com, but the season has passed. If you still want the same look, Elita suggests trying this Donna Karan Organza-Lined Trenchcoat...

...available for an exorbitant price at www.saks.com. Another option? Visit www.rachelroy.com for a store near you. Maybe she has a summer alternative!
Next up Jenny asks, "I sooo want a pair of pants with suspenders and I have no idea where to look. Please help!!!!!!"
Intern Elita also spearheaded this one and said, "Suspenders were a trend appearing in the Spring 06 collections of Marc Jacobs, Lacoste and Luella, but are a bit tougher to find now. Bluefly.com has these Marni cropped pants on sale for $300..."

These Robert Rodriguez pants would be great for work and are a steal at $75 but are only available in limited sizes...

..and shopbop has several styles to choose from:

Lauren Moffatt Suspender Shorts, $277

McQ - Alexander McQueen Suspender Engineer Stripe Shorts, $290
I also found these less expensive Dark State Raquel Suspender Shorts...

...for $69 at www.guess.com.
Lastly Candance says:
“Currently I'm looking for a job and would just like some style tips on what to wear to an interview. I want something more fashionable and
updated. PLEASE HELP!! ;)”
Hey Candace. Great question. I’m thinking that you’re interviewing for a position in a creative field. I’d say stick to traditional items with a twist. You can never go wrong with classic black and white, but in order to leave a good impression, spice it up a bit! Wear a button down shirt, but pop one on that has ruffles, a ribbon tie, or a cool collar. Wear a demure skirt, but make sure it has eye catching hem details like a fish tail, pleats or gathering. And sport accessories that pack a punch (i.e. instead of regular leather, wear something in a bright color or patent leather). These items should give you an idea of what to look for:

Top Row: L.A.M.B Devon Tote, $650, www.eluxury.com; Nexx Three Quarter Sleeve Pucker Shirt, $58, www.nordstrom.com; Tahari Tammy High Heel, $105, www.piperlime.com
Middle Row: Clean Bubble Skirt, $30, www.gap.com; Anna Corinna Glazed Leather City Tote, $468, shopbop.com
BCBGMAXAZRIA black bubble pleated pencil skirt, $78, www.bluefly.com
Bottom Row:
Veronica Shirt, $50, www.fcuk.com; Nine West Lucero Pumps, $39.50, www.ninewest.com; Nanette Lepore 'Rendezvous' Dot Ruffle Blouse, $250, www.nordstrom.com.
You're a shoe in!
Smootches!
PS If I haven't answered your mail bomb yet, that either means that I a.) am working on it or b.) have no bleepin idea! But keep writing and I'll do my best to find stuff for ya. You're the bomb guys!

Boutique Spotlight: Ina

Happy Thursday!
So I have one amazing coworker who always comes to the office fresh dressed with the best bags, jackets, and accessories. One day we were talking shop (as per usual) and I made a comment about her Hermes belt...she revealed that she purchased it (along with a lot of her other pieces) from a cool high fashion consignment store called Ina. She almost fell out of her cubicle when I told her I wasn't familiar...after collecting herself she urged me to check it out, so I did.

As soon as I walked in, I peeped many jackets, skirts, jeans, tanks, and accessories from brands like Christian Dior, Marc Jacobs, Marni, and Versace.

Of course the goods seemed impressive at first glance, but I had to look a little deeper. My first stop was the dress section.
I found lots of cute picks, though it seemed they skewed on the small and expensive side. For example:
This Diane Von Furstenberg summer frock was an affordable $155...

...but only available in a size 6.
This $695 Marc Jacobs ball worthy gown could be seen by some as a steal...

...but it was tiny! So was this Stella McCartney printed dress ...

...for $315.
Hmh. So the apparel didn't inspire, so I walked over to the shoe section...

..and frankly, it was off the chain gang. I found several pairs of Manolo Blahnik, Jimmy Choo, and Christian Dior sandals, pumps, and flats for 50-80% off retail!
Even more shocking: They had several pairs in my big foot size (9 1/2)! That's unheard of in vintage/consignment stores! It always seems whoever dropped 'em off was some old lady with a petite size 6 foot. Anyway, I thought the following made the trip worth it:
These Bally suede sandals were a size 9...

...and a reasonable $120.
These size 9 Jimmy Choo sparklers...

...were $140.
And this pair of size 11 Christian Louboutin cork wedges...

...were only $113!
Even this pair of size 6.5 Gucci Loafers didn't seem so bad...

...at $245.
And this pair of size 8.5 Christian Lacroix'

...were beautiful at $275. I was thrilled.
Of course, I couldn't forgot the purses!

The Louis Vuitton Speedy in the top left was in good condition and $435... the Chanel tweed in the back was $840 marked down from $1050. Certainly not a steal, but definitely less that you'd spend at Bergdorf or Barneys.
The cashier and I chatted, and she divulged that celebs like Chloe Sevigny and Sarah Jessica Parker come in frequently to sell their gently used wares. So at Ina you're buying star worthy pieces at a portion of the regular price!
If you want to visit, Ina has 5 locations (including one for men): 101 Thompson Street; 21 Prince Street; 208 East 73rd Street; 262 Mott Street; and 15 Bleecker Street. Take a look at their website, www.inanyc.com for more info. They accept American Express, Visa, Mastercard, and Cash, and are open 12-7 Sunday through Thursday and 12-8 Friday and Saturday.
You must check it out! You won't be disappointed!
Smootches!
PS Mark your calendars. It's that time again...

Last year was mayhem, but I walked out with two dresses and a shirt for like $200! Sick, I know. Get there early!
PSS Don't forget Pieces' sidewalk sale!
PSSS Eve is bringing back her Fetish line the next holiday season. According to WWD, the line won’t be logo driven and will offer a range of items, “from premium jeans ranging from $98 to $198 retail to leather jackets that retail up to $1,500.” Guess she's recovered from that DUI debacle.

It's Friday! Time for more Mail Bombs

"Please Mister Postman, look and see (Oh yeah)/ If there's a letter in your bag for me/(Please, Please Mister Postman)/Why's it takin' such a long time (Oh yeah)/For me to hear from that boy of mine."--The Marvelettes, 'Mr. Postman'

Hey Guys,
It's Friday, which means that it's time for more mail bombs!!

They're really rolling in! Let's get to it:
Tamika from Chi Town asks:
"Is it possible to find out about Halle Berry’s outfit and shoes from this pic?"

Well, Tamika, she’s wearing a sheer Dolce & Gabbana Dress with this $596 pair...

..of Christian Louboutin Mary Jane Pumps.
Next, Fashion Bomber Cynthia wrote me in distress saying:
"Help me please. I have an issue with the color of a shoe to go with this Victoria's Secret suit....

...I don't want to do a Navy shoe cause I thought that would be too much, and I would be stuck with a pair of shoes that I can only wear with one outfit."
Great question. You definitely can't wear your go-to black shoes with this suit, but that doesn't mean that navy shoes are your only option! Neutral colors like light brown, khaki, and beige work well with navy, and are still versatile enough to match most items in your wardrobe. If you're feeling saucier, an animal print or metallic shoe could work as well. Try these:

Top Row: Enzo Angiolini 'Maylie' Pump, $89, www.nordstrom.com; Lucero Pumps, $79, www.ninewest.com.
Bottom Row: Mia Venice Shoes, $66 and Dolce Vita Putty Patent Pumps, $125, zappos.com
Good Luck!
Next up reader Lamiachulita asks:
"I have two college graduations coming up. the first at the end of May, and the other (Grad school) in June. Any ideas on what to wear? "
I'd say go for a nice yet casual look. Stick with solid colors in flattering, simple cuts. As it's a family event, I'd err on the conservative side...but if you decide to go strapless or wear spaghetti straps, definitely have a cardigan or jacket handy to cover your shoulders. I think the following dresses, paired with a cardigan, would look perfectly pretty for a spring or summer graduation:

Top Row: Donna Morgan Empire Waist Sundress, $98, www.nordstrom.com; Wai Ching Soleil Dress, $200, www.starsandinfinitedarkness.com.
Bottom Row: Cotton Embroidered Dress, $148, www.bananarepublic.com; Seven Hills Dress, $98, www.anthropologie.com.
Next up, reader Joy asks:
"I know I dress fly, but usually from the ankle up. I'm a sista who has a different foot problem than yours: I have humongous feet. I wear a size 11(maybe 11 1/2?), and I wanted to know if you knew of any stores or designers that cater to women of fashion with my condition."
Well, Joy, I think your best bet for size 11 shoes would be to look online. Stores like Zappos and Steve Madden carry size 11 shoes in very fashionable styles. A few of my Fashion Bomb certified finds:

Top Row: Lusta Natural Shoes, $100, www.stevemadden.com; Charles by Charles David Minx Pumps, $112, zappos.com
Bottom Row: Bunni Peep Toe Wedges, $70, www.stevemadden.com; Oh!Deer Bette Pumps, $111, zappos.com
And lastly, reader Loran would like to know:
"I wanted to know if you had any info on the dress worn by the young lady in the Louboutin post...

...I am looking for something like it to wear to a wedding for a fashionable yet comfortable look! I would appreciate it if you could find out the designer or where it came from. Im in Atlanta and absolutely love the look--its getting warm here already."
Kela responded, "I got it from my favorite store, Zara.... but I bought it during their twice annual sale season back in January... but I'm sure they'll have something else up her alley and right now they have a lot of different shift dresses similar to the one I was wearing."
There ya go!
Well, that does it for mail bombs today. If I didn't answer your question this time, don't despair. Trust, I'm working on it for ya!
Have great weekends!
Smootches!

Mail Bombs

"I GOT MAIL! I GOT MAIL! YAY!!!!"--Special Ed, Crank Yankers.

TGIF!!!
So I'm getting a good amount of reader mail aka 'mail bombs' these days...

...and today, I'm finally going to address a few of your queries!
Let's get to it.
First up is reader Reiko, who wrote me the following request:
"I am in love with the purse that Eva Mendes carried at the Grindhouse premiere..."

"Any clue as to who the designer is and where I can get it?"
Well, Reiko, you have impeccable taste! After a short search, I found that Mendes' clutch was none other than this Foldover Calfskin Clutch...

...by Jimmy Choo. Only $1,250 at www.saks.com.
Start your Choo fund!
Next up is reader Penne, who proclaimed:
"I LOVE these glasses..."

"...I don't know who makes them though. Can you help?"
Well after an exhaustic search, I found this pair of UrbanSpecs Vintage Glasses...

...which are a close match and only $10 at www.eyesave.com.
If you want a better known brand, these Emmylou Sunglasses could work.

They're $60, and available at www.fossil.com.
Update: I found the sunglasses in question in the April issue of Harper’s Bazaar (pg. 87). They’re Chloe sunglasses, $275, at Saks stores. Couldn’t find ‘em online!
Lastly, reader Lamiachulita asked:
"Do you know of a good maker of skinny jeans for size 14 women? Help me
please!"
I referenced my Voluptuous Vixens post, and hit up the plus sized site www.torrid.com for inspiration. I found many skinny jeans options, but thought that these Z. Cavaricci Black Skinny Jeans were a good choice...

...because of their slimming and flattering dark wash. Bonus? They're only $48.
That does it for mail bombs today.
Before I sign out, I must give a shout out to fabulous reader Kela who, after reading The Fashion Bomb's Cop Her Style Post about Beyonce......

...and discovering that Bey was wearing these $710 Christian Louboutin Fox Trot Platform Slingbacks...

...went out and bought herself a pair!

Well alright now! Notice how FLY Ms. Kela is in her shift dress and chunky bracelets! The Fashion Bomb readers are truly fabulous.
Well keep writing ladies, and I'll do my best to respond! E-mail me at thefashionbomb@gmail.com.
Have great weekends:)
Smootches!
PS Did you hear? The New York Post reported yesterday that Diane Von Furstenberg filed a lawsuit against Forever 21...

...for selling an almost identical copy of her her $325 “Cerisier” dress for $32! Yes those are two different dresses in the picture above!
While I totally respect intellectual property, why is Diane selling her dress for a 1000% markup???
Why so expensive Diane?
If it's unattainable, people are bound to copy. Have y'all seen these $80 Steve Madden Talli flats...

...that are almost blatant rip offs of $200 Tory Burch Reva Flats?

People want the look, but they don't want to spend $200 for some flats (I heard Tory Burch was suing stores like Strawberry's for copying)!
And if you do shell out the money, what are you paying for? My coworker who recently bought some T. Burch's wrote:

"So, before you buy those Tory Burch flats, know that they are crap. I believe they are plain leather flats made in India somewhere with babies sewing on those gold emblems.
I would expect that after dropping $200 in the seasons most talked about flats, I’d get a pair of GREAT shoes that I could walk around in all day. My flats lasted 2 DAYS before the leather started separating from the sole?? Saks took them back and said that they’d had a bunch of calls about that.
WTF Tory?? QUALITY control.
Sorry, I’m pissed because they were a huge splurge and I’ve wanted them for about a year now. HUGE disappointment."

Really?? So we're not even paying for quality?
What do y'all think?