Summer is just around the corner and NOW is the time to shake of that winter flab.
I've decided to give Meltz, and a few others, some credit. I'm dedicating this week to sportswear - getting the look for less.

Melting Meltz

I went to Meltz in search of Spring/Summer trends, and what a job that was. A few years back, Meltz entered the industry with a boom, becoming a threat to stores it once supplied. Nowadays, they're a bit slow fashion-wise (I saw pants there that I bought 3 YEARS ago).

It's the place to go for sportswear, and maybe belts, not trends.

Patent skinny belts, available in neon colours - R19.95

Loving these Leggings!

http://www.collegefashion.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/liquid-leggings.jpg

If you've got them sticks, wear them leggings!!

I'm not so sure about Edgars anymore but they've got these.

Black, plastic-like leggings - R99.95.

Jay Jays Got the Power

For rockin' colour, Jay Jays is the place to go.

Here are only a few of the many that I luuurved:

Check out these cute shorts; they're available in different colours.

Coloured shorts - R169.

Super skinny jeans, available in different colours including black and white (ripped, white skinny jeans are hard to find) - R249.

Denim high-waisted shorts - R189

Add a litlle rock n'roll with this one. Pleather/plastic waistcoat - R350.

T-shirt dress - R89.95.

Woollies on Sale!

Wooloworths is having the biggest sale in the world :-)

And, Woolworths on sale means affordable Twist clothing, so hurry on to your nearest store while stock lasts!

I've done some scouting, found a few diamonds, and hopefully saved you the time it would've taken you to pick it out yourself.

There's something just so satisfying and exciting about spending R200 less than someone else on the same item.

Basic Blacks

Black, pleated voile skirt - Twist.

Marked down from R299 to R175.

Perfect for summer.

Black and white, pleated, textured pencil skirt - Twist.

Marked down from R699 to R350 to R200.

Ideal for a corporate or cocktail look.

Black silk, pleated pencil skirt - Twist.

Marked down from R250 to R130.

Perfect for formal wear.

Black t-shirting, knee-high dress with smocking and elastic at waist.

Marked down from R250 to R140.
A basic, black dress, suits any figure and any wallet. Bargain!

The Elle Spell

The latest issue of Elle contains quite the same trends that I've listed yesterday, but they've added the jumpsuit which I'm not so sure of. If you want to know how to mix and match these trends I suggest you pick up your very own issue (September 2009) with the beautiful Drew Barrymore on the cover.

Without giving away too much, you need to know that they've shopped and brought us 40 of the Best Summer Dresses! As usual, most of them will set you back quite a bit, but it's definitely worth checking out. AND that's why I'm here, watch this space.

Zzzz

What's HOT this Summer

(polyvore.com)

I did some research and here's what the experts advise;

• Escape from the recession gloom and COLOUR up your wardrobe.


• Cover up your goodies - flaunting your figure with skimpy outfits is not hot.


• Show some skin by wearing elements of lace or sheer fabrics - in moderation!


• Summer = dresses dresses dresses!!


• One-shoulder tops and dresses-assymetry.


• Draping.


• Gladiator sandals and heels are still hot, only this year their added with embellishments like beads, studs, diamante or a fringe.


• NO more fake tan, or any tan!

I'm dedicating this week to finding these trends in stores.

The Hat is Back

(www.thevillagehatshop.com)

The hat - a historic symbol of power has dropped its status since the Renaissance, but its coolness remained. The invention of the automobile in the early 20th century impacted the popularity of top hats because there just weren't enough space for both. Nowadays, cars are bigger and hats are smaller so there is no excuse not to have your own version of one.

Here's my version; it's available at JayJays for only R89.99.

Making Charity Fun

The Levi's event at WITS University today was quite the social experience. 5fm's duo Grant and Anele made sure the party started early - giving a few jeans to charity is definitely worth celebrating.
The little Student Village Cafe where it all took place was crammed with students, all eager to get rid of the old and to get their hands on that vouchers which the Levi's team handed out with smiles on their faces, no questions asked. Generosity was in the air, so much so that one guy (that I know of) sponsored brand new jeans, with labels & all, and Levi's goodies were flying everywhere.
But here is the catch (I told you there would be); Levi's pretty much made sure one still spend R500 on a jean, and one voucher is only entitled to one jean. So, here I am with 7 vouchers, an empty closet and maybe enough $$ to afford one denim.

At least it was a successful effort - by 2pm, sponsored jeans totalled at 250. It was a fun day. I recommend attending the one at UCT Campus on Friday, 28 August if you can.

Wawawiewa Levi's!

Sponsor your old jeans to charity and get a Levi's voucher for up to R200 per jean (more like a R200 discount). Anyway, I admire their effort to help those in need, so much in fact that I consider forgiving them for never having my size, depending on how tomorrow goes and how big the catch is.

This is going down at WITS University, Friday, 14 August, from 12-3pm, for more info go to 5fm's website: www.5fm.co.za/events/levisae-get-rid-of-your-jeans-for-good-joburg

Very Nice Mr Price

Helloooo Summer and welcome cheap clothes!
Goodbye R1000 coats, bring on the R39.99 tops.

If you haven't been to Mr Price lately - GO! They are currently on top of their game. I never leave empty handed an there's always something new when I return for more.

Affordable, disposable fashion, what can be better? Who wants to wear the same top for years anyway?

Here are a few of my favourites. I took the photos from Mr Price's catalog and from Elle magazine, Aug. 2009 issue (see, someone agrees with me).

What a Useless IFS!

After 2 weeks of hard work and saving money (something that I'm not particularly good at), the International Fashion Sale at the Dome finally came and, OH, what a dissapointment.

In previous years, I bought ALDO shoes for a mere R100. This year, there was nothing I was interested in, again something that rarely happens. I even got a voucher at one stand that I didn't want to spend. Personally, the whole story didn't differ much from China Town.

It seemed like all of the big labels had pulled out, and those who were left (Guess and Soviet) sold stock that dated back to prehistoric times, it didn't really go at a good price either.

On the bright side, one stand (out of MANY) caught my attention - a lingerie stand called 'Luxy'. I was quite shy to enter at first but the staff immediately took me under their wings and made me forget about any insecurities.

They had a wide range of erotic, seductive and playful 'pakkies' like a Maid outfit or a Policewoman and then, on the other side, they had beautiful, classy lingerie as well, each to be paired with a great selection of stockings and suspenders.

They really have every size available, most of the garments are very stretchy that cover about 4 sizes.

Even if you have no one to show it off for, they say if you feel beautiful on the inside, you look beautiful on the outside, right? Goodbye gogo panties!

Go visit their website and have a look: www.Luxy.co.za