'I've got cake!' The tenth Dr.

Hello, my dear readers! I am horribly behind on this blog and I apologize for it being a week late. I had a great response from the last post. You are some Who fans, my peeps. So, with no further flowery words that you do not want to read, I give you the Tenth Dr.

We're talking the middle look here. I'm going to throw out there that you try your local thrift stores, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Salvation Army and Buffalo Exchange. All great places for looks for less! That being said, I know a lot of us do not have the time to get to said stores during their hours due to our schedules. So, to the interwebs I go!

Let's start with that wicked blazer, yea?

Love this one: Bridgett Bailey for $74.99
Bridgett Bailey for $80.99
A little funky: Tommy Girl for $46.99

Again, skinny jeans ... salvation army, good will, TJ Maxx. Just look for dark wash and if they're too long any dry cleaner will take them up for $10. If they charge you more, they're robbing you blind.

That over coat is ... well ... reminds me of Dana Scully, but there are several ass-kicking female cops, FBI agents and the like on tv now-a-days that rock them. Provided you get one that fits you correctly and lacks shoulder pads, you wont be pulling the 'Dana Scully 90's line-backer' look. Here are some I found:

With a bit of feminine flare: Modcloth $179.99
Hilary Radley Studio for $79.99
Vince Camuto for $41.99

So, Chucks. The all-American shoe. They can be found absolutely everywhere including the Converse website.
Overstock.com
Zappos.com
6pm.com

Okay. Let's tackle those accessories! I, thankfully, do not need glasses, but I have long wanted a fashion pair. I happen to look good in glasses and frequently have been the big kid in the eye doctor's office trying on the frames they have on display. What can I say? I love eye wear.

Lots and lots of reading glasses on Overstock.com
Zappos.com
6pm.com

If you search 'fashion glasses' on google you get a ton of links. Choose whats right for you!

So, that necklace and that ring ... I could make that ring for 1/16th of the price of the one on that polyvore. Let's start with the necklace:

Turn Back Time Neckalce Modcloth $24.99
Double Time Necklace Modcloth $24.99
Old and New Pocket Watch Modcloth $27.99

If you want to go another way and use the rose as a necklace: Modcloth $11.99

And now the ring that I could make for about $6 ...
Black roses: Modcloth $12.99
Modcloth $14.99

A simple search on Etsy.com reveal several VERY affordable options for rose rings.In varying colors. Etsy.com

And there you have it! The Tenth Dr. I hope you enjoyed this! My dear EM is trying to throw together the 9th Dr. for NYCC next weekend. A part of me is debating going as a '20th Century Dana Scully', but I think I may wind up skipping the heels for my comfy sneakers and a funky geeky shirt. Cheers!

Dr. Who, I Presume?

A dear friend of mine sent me a picture the other day in a email that was titled 'I WANT THEM ALL!!!' If you don't know us, we're crazy, quirky, nutty, whatever version of 'insane' you want to use, that's us. So, seeing that email subject, it could have been anything. When I opened the email, this polyvore post is what was in there:

http://www.polyvore.com/doctors_10_11/set?.embedder=1106466&.svc=tumblr&id=40875194

This post is awesome in that the author not only put together those outfits, but they give you the link to where to buy the exact article of clothing. Awesome! If you're not on a budget or broke like we folks in the arts industries. EM and I both happen to work in the arts which means crap pay when you can get it and chunks of time when you are completely idle. Not good for the $870 leather jacket on that post. Enter me, the 'dress for less' guru. Lets break it down.

Look one, Dr. 9:

 
I am a sucker for a hot leather jacket which is probably why I own two. This black blazer-style one is awesome. I would love to own it. God love net-a-porter, but ... $870? Yikes. Even for a statement piece, no one but a well-to-do celebrity is buying that in this economy. Here are some better options:

If you still want the high end look, but a bit of a better price tag: Lucky Brand for $399
For the vegans: Sanctuary for $159
For a non-leather look: MICHAEL by Michael Kors for $195
IZOD for $129.99
A more blazer-like look: Grace for $39.99
For a bit of a military feel: Gabriella Rocha for $58
United Face for $150.99

On to that beautiful green sweater
Modcloth.com for $37.00
Modcloth.com for $32.99
Jones New York for $11.99
For a cardi kind of look: Modcloth.com for $39.99

If you all really need me to help you find a dark wash pair of skinny jeans, I will, but I recommend TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Salvation Army and any consignment store for cheap options. Ever pair of skinnies I own came from Salvation Army. The most expensive pair was $6.99 and I supported charity. Rock on.

Those boots are pretty boss, so let's tackle them next, shall we?
I so dig these even though they are slightly different: Modcloth.com for $79.99
Also Modcloth.com for $49.99
Slightly taller: Modcloth.com for $89.99
Sam & Libby for $39.99
Beston for $42.99
Journee Collection for $41.99


Pretty interesting accessories there. Let's see what I can find.
Wolf necklace from Overstock: $43.99
 Wolf necklace from Etsy.com: $21.65

Both the necklace and the ring were really hard to find, so here are some alternatives to the gas mask ring:
Steam punk ring from Etsy.com:$40
Steam punk ring from Etsy.com: $65

And finally that red purse:
Girl With Curves Modcloth.com for $74.99
For something a little softer: Modcloth.com $79.99

Don't forget to haunt your local TJ Maxx, Marshalls, consignment stores and Salvation Army to find some of these pieces for even less!

After researching my tush off for the ninth Dr. I have decided to do these three outfits in a three part blog series. Check back next week for the tenth Dr.!

The Mentalist

Why hello, my 'Dress Up' friends! Ready for "episode 2" of 'Big Girls Still Play Dress Up'? Me too! A few days after my last post I got an email from a fan of the CBS police drama "The Mentalist". I love me a little Simon Baker, but this TV fashionista was looking for blouses similar to the button ups Teresa Lisbon wears on the show. Specifically these four:

(Thanks to the folks over at Robin's Green Shade for the images)

So, my hunt for these blouses was, in a word, lengthy. Thrilling, fun, eye opening and lengthy. There are so many tops out there in these styles that anyone who wants to have the Lisbon look will be thinking Simon Baker is just waiting to poke his head in with an annoying theory or a quip that is sure to piss off a suspect!

My findings:

From Modcoth.com
$37.99
$34.99
$34.99
$39.99 (my favorite)
$37.99
$34.99
$34.99 (another favorite)
$39.99 (a little off the beaten path ; ) )

From 6pm.com
Brigitte Bailey $38.99
Calvin Klein $39.99
Vans $19.20
C&C California a little extra flair $31.99

From Zappos.com
A bit pricy Elie Tahari $182.99
Alejandra Sky $58.99
Another pricy Elie Tahari $199.99
Patterson J Kincaid$75.99

From Overstock.com
Something with a pattern: T by Hailey Jeans Co. $19.99

I searched a few "The Mentalist" message boards to see if anyone had a clue what brands she wears (with Castle we are lucky have a costume designer on Twitter who tweets about the actual brands), but I came up empty handed. Did my best! Hope you Lisbon lovers enjoy!

Until next time!
xx

Always

Are we all ready for post #1? I sure am! I waited a few days to see if anyone would bite and throw me something they wanted me to hunt down and, you know what? No one did! So, you all will have to deal with me using an outfit from one of my favorite TV shows: Castle. On the eve of this year's finale Luke Reichle live tweeted and was rather forthcoming with what brands Miss Stana Katic was sporting as Detective Kate Beckett. That made my life infinitely easier when I had a moment of 'oh, hey, those boots are AWESOME, wonder where I can get them??' He kindly told us they were Merrell and it took me 5 minutes, Zappos.com and my credit card to have them on their way to my door step. They are awesome and I can tell you not only do I feel like a bad ass wearing them, they are exceptionally comfortable as I have worn them on set for 12 + hours. So, seeing as no one was willing to be the guinea pig I'm taking Kate Beckett's final outfit in 'Always' and taking the hunt to the interwebs. 

There were literally no full body shots of Beckett from this episode in this outfit, so I have found the best I can, used my memory and ran with it. Here are some images of the bad ass outfit she wore before she decided to take a walk and get soaked in the rain:

(Special thanks to the chicks over at Adoring Stana for screen capping the crap out of this episode)

Ok, so I'm going to start with what I know: the boots. In this instance you can find the exact boots on zappos.com for $170. They are currently sold out of the black, but Cherry Brown is available:
Zappos.com

Me thinks some Castle fans found them and cleaned them out (me included). There are other styles from Merrell that would be comparable:

For $120: Merrell from Zappos.com
For $180 with a bit of a heel: Merrell from Zappos.com

Merrell rocks for their waterproof factor in these boots. I wore them to the barn one day when I was out and had no time for a shoe/outfit change. They literally hosed cleaned. Fabulous. Add in the Merrell sole and the polartech ability of these boots and they are literally all weather. Game on. Think of them as an investment if you are going for the real thing.

Some cheaper options that wont break the bank:

These boots by Rieker still have the style of the Merrell's, but without the price tag: $90.99 Reiker from Zappos.com
For those of us who are anti leather try Naturalizer: $77.99 Naturalizer from Zappos.com
I have two pair of Naturalizers and they are wonderful boots for the winter and for the rain. Toasty and keep the feet warm!

That is one rockin' leather jacket she has there isn't it? I'm guesstimating the price tag at around $700 to $1000 or more for that one. I hear tale that Beckett has 17 leather jackets in her closet ... must be nice. I have two and one was on the high end of my budget, let me tell you. I am unsure what brand this specific jacket was, but being the high end leather Beckett rocks on a normal basis, it hits the 'well out of budget' range. Here are some other options:

Cropped Vegan from Free People for $149.99: Free People
United Face Bomber for $127.99: United Face
For the non-leather lovers and for those of us looking for a pretty awesome spring jacket Modcloth offers a cotton blended moto jackets that I love and must have for $89.99: Modcloth
My Beckett-esque moto jacket I found at TJ Maxx for $150 which was a steal considering it is Laundry and normally $300. Rock on.

Now, who can't find black jeans and a black turtle neck? Honestly, finding a turtle neck is beyond hard these days in your average department store. Ordering them online seems to be the only way. My favorite brand for a long tee that fits amazingly is Elie Tahari. I tend to find it in Marshalls and TJ Maxx for about $25-$40. Great fit on most any shoulder and they are super soft and comfortable.

Here is a great one by Adidas that isn't too high of a collar for those who don't like to be choked: $36.99 Adidas
For those who would rather go with Kate's Henley style 3/4 sleeve button front this may work: $35.99 Hurley

Even more perfect for the buttoned look is this top by Splendid: $47.99 Splendid
RSVP has, by far, the favorite one that I have found: $47.99 RSVP


Now for some black jeans:

Jag Jeans makes a pair that look pretty similar to the ones Beckett wore: $51.99 Jag Jeans
DKNY for $36.99 DKNY
Levi's also makes a great pair of black skinnies: $39.99 Levi's
On the higher end 7 For All Mankind: $169 7 For All Mankind


And there you have it! I hope you all can find that one piece of Beckett that makes you feel like a badass! If you find yourself watching an episode of TV and thinking 'That piece is awesome I wonder where I could get it?' send me a screen cap and I will do what I can to find it (or something comparable) for less! Have a great weekend, all!

My go-to sites in this post:
Modcloth.com
Zappos.com
6pm.com
Overstock.com

Welcome!

A thought popped into my head the other day and it said 'Self,I have an idea. You should write a blog about finding the look for less. Yea, I know it's been done already, but this will be different. YOU, self, you will take outfits that are on characters on TV and find them ... for less! How cool, right? You're not an artist in limbo, you're a chick with a good idea. Now go do!' After I talked myself into this I realized that, yea, it's an awesome idea. How many times have you been watching an episode of your favorite show and been like, 'those boots are hot! I want them! I wonder where they got them ... crap they're like $500! Ugh, never mind!' Now, wouldn't it be awesome if you could find those awesome $500 boots for say $200 or less? Exactly! I can't guarantee that it will be exactly those boots, but you get the idea. It really all started when I was watching an episode of my favorite show, saw some rocking boots I wanted and found them for half the original price. Who doesn't want to play dress-up and feel like our favorite characters? Why leave playing dress-up to the little ones or for comic con? We big girls can feel like the bad-ass detectives, chic housewives and Vampire loving teenagers we love to watch on TV, every day! Send me your pictures and let's get cracking!

E-mail pictures and what pieces you would like me to find to: BigGirlsDressUp@gmail.com