Look for Less: Steve Madden Fringe Booties

I'm totally excited to share today's post with you guys because I haven't done a "Look for Less" in AGES.  For those of you who have been following along, you all know that I'm utterly obsessed with my Shoetopia fringe boots - I styled them HERE not too long ago.  How is this relevant, you ask?  Well, I went window-shopping recently, and I saw these Steve Madden booties at the mall.  I couldn't help but notice how similar they were so here we are!

The SM booties (pictured above) are currently selling for $99.99, while my shoes only cost $36.99 + free US shipping.  Since I've worn both pairs, I can give you guys an accurate breakdown.  The differences between the two are small, but let's discuss them anyhow.  Let's start with color! They're both taupe, but as you can see, the SM version is darker.  Obviously that boils down to personal preference, but in my humble opinion, the lighter color's easier to style.  Moving onto heel height, SM's version is 3" high, while Shoetopia's is 3.25" high.  I go with the latter again - since they're equally comfy, I prefer to have the extra quarter inch.  Note: both have side zips.

The main difference lies in the fringe detailing - which you can see clearly in the shot above and below - and material.  The SM version is made of part-suede (the top segment), while Shoetopia's is faux-suede.  Some may actually prefer the latter since it's animal/vegan friendly, and as a plus, there's fur inside for max comfort and warmth.  All in all, I'd go with the "steal."  The design's equally cute and comfy so I can't really justify spending the extra $63.  That's up to you guys though!  Clicky HERE if you'd like the purchase the "splurge" and HERE to cop the "steal."

The Cashmere Scarf

Oh how I love Workwear Wednesdays.  I centered today's outfit around my new dress from TJ Maxx.  It's Betsey Johnson, and I got it on sale for $39.99.  I don't usually wear her designs, but I instantly fell in love with this dress because it's simple, classy, and comfortable.  The color's extremely chic, and as a plus, the piece feels like a sweatshirt.  This will definitely be a cold weather staple because it'll keep me nice and warm, while still making a stylish statement.  I accessorized with ivory pieces to match - I've been loving neutral tones as of late.  My necklace is an oldie but a goodie.  I got it at Lemon Drop Boutique HERE a while back, and it's still one of my favorites.  They take the classic pearl necklace and give it a trendy twist with layers and extra bling.

Moving on, let's take a closer look at my new Chicory scarf.  This piece oozes luxury, but then again, cashmere always does.  For those of you unfamiliar with the brand, they're based in San Francisco, and they're all about high quality accessories.  They carry three different kinds of scarves:  cashmere knit, cashmere woven, and silk twill.  My scarf is 100% cashmere, and it's hand made in Italy.  Yeah, it doesn't really get much better than that... until you see that there's a mini-bow on it.  Isn't it super cute?  I feel like this is something Blair Waldorf would totally wear.  I may or may not have a TV crush on her, ha.  

Dress:  Betsey Johnson || Scarf:  c/o Chicory || Necklace:  Lemon Drop Boutique || Shoes:  Qupid

Never Tear Us Apart

It's safe to say that BCBGMaxAzria is one of my favorite stores!  I've always been a huge fan of their designs - I'm like a kid in a candy store every time I go - but they're usually way out of my budget.  Luckily, they have factory outlets for bargainistas like myself.  I get my items at affordable prices because I shop blowout sales at outlet malls.  From my experience, after-Christmas and end-of-season sales are the best.  They (in this case, BCBG) usually give customers an extra 30% off of everything.  Personally, I go straight to the clearance racks in the back because I want the best deal possible - I don't even look at anything "full-price."

I picked this skirt up at the BCBG factory outlet last week for $20.  It was originally $200 or so - sorry, I can't remember the exact price off the top of my head. I figured it'd be good time to go shopping because back-to-school sales usually rock.  I totally lucked out because they were giving customers a huge discount.  When I saw this skirt hanging in the clearance section, it was love at first sight.  This flouncy bandage skirt is perfect for work AND play.  It's high-waisted so it highlights the small of your waist, creating a flattering hourglass figure.  Pair it with a sexy crop for a fun night out on the town or throw on a blazer, classic button-front, and tights to ooze business casual.  Unfortunately, I don't have a skirt link for you guys, but as a consolation, I'll share other cute options below.

Different skirts for your viewing pleasure (different price points):

I styled my skirt with a casual yet girly top.  I picked it up at Forever 21 way back in the day because I really liked the crochet detailing!  I finished the look off with statement pearls.  Since I kept everything else fairly simple, I wanted to elevate my outfit with a gorg piece of jewelry.

Here are some other fun necklace options for you guys:

Skirt:  BCBGMaxAzria || Top:  Forever 21 || Necklace:  Armed & Readi || Bag:  Deb || Shoes:  Candie's