Look for Less: Amerie

Hey, Hey!
So Madame. "Insure my legs" Amerie looked smashing during a recent shopping trip in London...

Source: YBF
A few readers wrote in, needing to know how to get her look for less. Thankfully, I found the solution!
You can get her dress for $69.50 at none other than THE GAP.

Unfortch, it's not quite as easy to cop her uber-expensive $800 teal Balenciaga Le Dix Bag (similar to this one)...

...but you can give off the same effect with this $36 Shiraleah Candace Tote...

...from www.ebags.com.
Her nude pumps are tres hot, and if you're feeling ballerific, you can slip on these $690 Deccollette Zeppa Christian Louboutin pumps...

...or not. They're so hot, they're totally sold out at www.net-a-porter.com.
No matter. Just pop on these Nine West pumps...

...they're more affordable at $93 at zappos.com
And her cute specs? You can splurge with this $280 pair of Tom Ford Farrah Sunglasses...

...from shopbop.com
But if you MUST save, you can do so with this pair of aviators...

...only $12.50 at delia*s
Smootches!
PS I haven't been getting my mags on schedule (moving woes), but I was sincerely delighted when I flipped open my (late) July issue of Elle to find style tributes to two brown divas, Grace Jones...

...and Diana Ross!

Click images to see how to get their looks for an arm and a leg (save a few items).

Tight Up Short

"Hey you girl in a de tight up skirt/Ya make me head swell 'til me blood vessel burst/Hey you girl in a de tight up shorts/Ya speed up ten more beats to me heart."--Red Rat, "Tight Up Skirt."

Hey Y'all,
So summertime weather is in full effect, and what better way to keep cool that poppin on a pair of shorts? Worn properly, they epitomize sexy, and can make you look young and fresh.
Let's take a look at celebs to see how to rock 'em:
Keep it casual like Beyonce in a pair of loose white cotton shorts...

Or channel Nicole Richie's cool factor in a pair of button cuffs...

For nights out, dress 'em up with stilettos sandals a la Christina Milian...

Or pop on a pair of bold colored pumps a la Kelis...

Too shy for high hems? Take a cue from Amerie and wear a set of bermudas...

...but make it more summer appropriate with a pair of wedges.
For rules as to what NOT to do, one need look no further than songstress Mariah Carey.

Daisy Dukes are OUT...

...as are hoochie-fi-hoochie pum pum shorts.
Keep it respectable with the following:

Top Row: Linen Safari Short, $17.80, www.forever21.com; Tibi Jet Set Bermudas, $75, www.anthropologie.com.
Bottom Row: Sateen Shorts with Piping, $58, www.ardenb.com; Lux Bright Canvas Resort Short, $38.00, www.urbn.com.
Smootches!

Stylefile: Amerie

"I don't feel I need to exhibit myself like a piece of meat. I want to be sexy but in a Betty Grable 50s-pin-up rather than a raunchy centrefold kind of way. I wouldn't allow myself to be exploited in that way by anyone. I've got very strong ideas about the way I want to look and act."--Amerie

Hey Y'all,
So for this week's Style File, I decided to take a look at the singular swagger of R&B crooner...

Amerie!
She's a master at cherry picking sexy yet sophisticated outfits.
For casual outings she shows off her physique in anything from short shorts accented by heels...

...to skinny jeans and ruffled tops.

When she hits the town, she truly flaunts her $2 million legs in dresses characterized by saucy animal prints...

...demure yet cute gingham...

and modern silhouettes...

Fly.
Want her look? You can start by copping this $242 Alice & Olivia Deco Short Sleeve Knit Dress...

...currently available at shopbop.com
For everything else, try the following low priced substitutes:

Top Row: Ruffle Front Blouse, $20, www.anntaylorloft.com; Retro Gingham Plaid Peasant Dress, $58, www.shopplasticland.com.
Bottom Row: Pleated Short, $24, www.forever21.com; BCBG Exotic-Print Matte Jersey Halter Dress, $110, www.macys.com.
Smootches!
PS Since we're showing Amerie love, I thought it only fitting to include a few of her oldie but goodie hits.
First up, I absolutely love this song....

...it totally reminds me of summer in the city! And doesn't that park look like Fort Greene Park? Love it!
And an Amerie tribute would not be complete without this song...

I absolutely *loved* her first CD, from start to finish.
If you did too, enjoy!
PSS From Nymag: Tomorrow through Friday: Tibi and Hollywould clothing as well as Hollywould shoes are 75 percent off. 336 W. 37th St., nr. Ninth Ave., penthouse fifteen; 5/16 (1–8); 5/17–5/18 (10–7).

Mail Bombs + Next Contest

Hey, hey, it's Friday! Do the weeks seem longer now that it's warm out???
Anyway, I've got some mail bombs...

...plus a contest for those queries I couldn't figure out.
Let's get to it:
Reader Tavoya says:
"I know you covered Halle's black peep-toe Mary Janes...

...but I'm in love with the green ones...

...My student budget is quite obviously not conducive to a $700 shoe purchase. Do you know of any other shoes that closely resemble them but are a more reasonable price?"
Doing a quick search, I found shoes that came close.
If you want to stick to the 'Green Mary Jane' rule, Charles David makes this pair...

...for $219 at zappos.com
If you're more enticed by the 'green patent' aspect of the shoe, these D&G Dolce & Gabbana Patent Leather Peep-Toe Pumps...

..are $395 at www.eluxury.com. Still out of your price range? These Lusta Cover Pumps...

are a more affordable $99.95 at www.stevemadden.com.
Good Luck!
Next up, reader Renee from North Carolina says:
I love the spring dresses that I'm seeing everywhere but I'm having a hard time finding some that don't look like a big sack on me. I'm petite (5'3'') and I'm slender but curvy with hips and thighs. The other problem is that I feel like some of the patterns on the dresses are a little overwhelming for me. Do you have any advice for us shorties that want to rock a cute patterned non-sacklike dress?

Renee, you can definitely rock the spring frocks with purpose if you dress to flatter your figure. If you're curvy, look for dresses that cinch in at the waist to show off your shape. Being on the petite side, you should stick to small patterns that won't overwhelm your frame. And the shorter your hem, the more leggy (read taller) you'll look. A few suggestions:

This $220 Alice & Olivia Polka Dot Poof Dress would work for you. The small pattern matches your stature, and the empire waist is great for hourglass figures. Plus it's a great length: wear it with heels and you'll look long and lean. Get it at shopbop.com
Next, this Alyssa Dress from Forever 21...

...would be a good choice. The belt will cinch in your waist and flaunt your curves. And what do you have to lose? It's only $19.80!
Lastly this $158 BCBG Printed Jersey Halter Dress from www.macys.com...

... shows the perfect amount of skin, and again, ties at the waist. Throw on some stilettos or wedges for a boost and you'll be spring ready.
Now for the contest.
A few reader questions have had me stumped for weeks, so I'm turning the power to you. And I've got some good prizes this time!
The Essence music festival is taking place in New Orleans from July 5th-7th...

...and in celebration, Essence wants to send The Fashion Bomb contest winners music from featured festival artists. Sound fun? Let's go:
Reader Linda says:
"I am searching for this fringe trimmed dress that the girl in Ne-yo's new video "Because of You" is wearing...

...You can't miss it. It is golden colored and the girl plays Ne-yo's girlfriend. I just watch the video for that dress! I would really appreciate your help in this search."
Can you help Linda? If you find the maker of the dress (or a close approximation), you'll receive Ne-yo's new CD...

"Because of You."
Next up reader Jawelle says:
"I would like to know if you can tell me where I can get the silver platform pumps that Solange wore in the Get Me Bodied Video...

...or a pair that is very close. Can you help?" Whoever cracks the case will get Beyonce's CD...

"B-Day."
And lastly, Aja from Chicago asks:
"Who are these sandals by?"

The winner of this one gets Ciara's new "Evolution" CD.

What can I say? Not quite Amerie but close (perhaps better?):)
Anyway e-mail me at thefashionbomb@gmail.com with your guesses. And don't worry about exact answers. If you get close, it's just as good.
Smootches!
PS Fashion blogger StyleChile had the wonderful opportunity to meet Barack Obama (and Gayle King, Phylicia Rashad, and Iman) at a recent event! I'm jealous! Anyway, check out her post here.
PSS Have wonderful weekends!