As much as we love high-end fashion, sometimes (really most of the time) we just can't afford it. Lemme here a "hell yeah college loans!" We gals at Threads and Shreds know it's tough, and we also believe you don't always have to spend big bucks to looks like your chic-self. In fact affordability has always been something we keep in mind when we run our own shop! So here we are bringing you some awesome finds, all under $30. Keep checking back for different themes for less!

This week: Tights

Dress up and make funky the otherwise plain and boring with some cool printed tights. Show off those legs with the ever-trendy fall booties and rock a solid color blazer for a bit of badass prep!

1. The Escher Tights, $14.99 @ ModCloth
2. Tuscan Floral Tight, $14.00 @ Urban Outfitters
3. Sheer Opaque Diamond Fullfoot Tight, $14.00 @ Urban Outfitters
4. Indigo Peacock Feather Tights, $29.99 @ ModCloth

Did you finally break out your scarves and cardigans for the brisk kisses of autumn nips? All through last week, the midday mercury would betray our cold weather mindset. Enough of the mid-60s nonsense, let autumn be autumn! Wellllll, New York City weather finally dipped to 50°F today, so I got my wish and here are some weather-appropriate inspirations for you, from blazers to fun layering. (See our vintage blazer here.) I realize the jump photo isn't autumn-y BUT those are the super sold-out Acne wedges that convince me that $480 can buy happiness.

Featured Looks (Left to Right)
1. Autumn Reflections (from Wayne Tippetts, my fave street style blog right now)
2. A Look From Paris Fashion Week SS2010
3. Another Chic Look from Paris FW
4. Portland Place

Some mellow music for your end of the week: the much buzzed-about Girls, The XX, Pains of Being Pure At Heart (check out Peggy's interview with Interpol; she was the fashion correspondent for New York Noise, a show on municipal TV here), and an oldie (but goodie) Slowdive.

Being in a business school, I am accustomed to seeing people in suits every day. Talk about stuffy! Of course we all want to look organized, smart, and put together... but we want to dress to be comfortable and we want our clothes to reflect our (awesome) personalities. Three words: the boyfriend blazer. Loose enough to not feel restricted in it but not too baggy as to look like a bag lady. I am especially loving the Silence & Noise boyfriend blazer from Urban Outfitters (I have it in black) and the satin boyfriend blazer by Aqua. See? You can be srs biznezz and be stylish at the same time! Check out our vintage blazers here: 1 & 2.

(Warning: Do not actually wear your boyfriend's blazer. You will look like a fool/bag lady. Unless your boyfriend is only slightly bigger than you... then I say save yourself some cash and raid his closet!)

Featured looks:

1. The Boyfriend Blazer by Zoa

2. Silence & Noise Boyfriend Blazer

3. Satin Boyfriend Blazer by Aqua

4. Moltisanti Blazer

Clickity Click.

To say that Alexander McQueen rocks is a great understatement. How can I even begin to describe his latest masterpiece of a collection? Those shoes! That make-up! Those digital prints! This Spring/Summer 2010 collection has a lot to digest and a lot to draw inspiration from.

Anyway, I forgot to put up some songs for my last post, so I'll insert one here. I have just seen three of these bands (kind of) during the WFMU Fest in Brooklyn, which I was photographing for The Fader. Pissed Jeans, on the venerable label Sub Pop, is friggin amazing live. Talk Normal is a promising new local band. Lydia Lunch is still as badass as ever. I'm throwing in a track by Zola Jesus, a.k.a. Nika Roza Danilova, another prolific young musician who I want to be BFFs with.

Ba-da-da-da-daaaa, I'm lovin' it. Not so much the Big Macs, but the fierce heels and slouchy look. Comfort and style to make yourself look effortlessly chic. Try mixing in a slouchy top here or a slouchy dress there. Lazy? I beg to differ. Enjoy the weekend everyone!

Featured Looks (Left to Right)

Kristin Gallegos, NYC

Elizabeth Ammerman, NYC

Lisa Myers, Williamsburg Brooklyn

Amelia Dunbar, Outside Bedford Cheese

Today, I wore my black leather Phi chunky "low heels" (...still 3.5" high, the platform version must be 6"), complete with nail details and a metal bow. In the spirit of leather and metal accents, I present you a post highlighting this latest fall trend. There are leather alternative for the vegetarian-minded (um, I am a bad vegan) like the Forever 21 leather skort and the Urban Outfitters faux leather moto. For those with a hefty shoe budget, feast your eyes on the Phi creeper boots ($995) and the Sam Edelman "remake" of a Balenciaga '06 dream shoe ($345). Be creative, be edgy, be badass. See our take on leather with our Oh The Horror! Ankle Boots.

The Looks (clockwise from top-left):
1. Phi Creeper Boots
2. Phi Fall/Winter '09 Runway Look
3. Urban Outfitters Faux Leather Moto
4. Sam Edelman Zoe Boot
5. Forever 21 Leather Skort

Like they say, fashion is always ahead of its time. Here's Vivienne Tam's Spring 2010 collection that I've been greedily eyeing (gotta plan ahead even if spring is two seasons away). Loving the turquoise (surprise, surprise), sequins, and butterfly prints! What's more, these ladies are lookin' fierce with their netbook clutches! Seeing as I am updating from my very own brand new netbook at the moment (completely zoning out boring lecture class...), I very much approve. Check out some of our cute prints and vintage accessories (no netbooks unfortunately!) here:

1. Home Sweet Home Floral Embroidered Clutch/Purse

2. Sheer Rustic Countryside Blouse

3. I Heart Jumper

It's been a while, but we have a spanking new item in the store. Check it out!

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It's New York Fashion Week right now! ...Which means New York Fashion Week street styles! For some fall inspiration, here are some of my favorite looks snapped at label parties and Fashion's Night Out shindigs. I love the eye-popping orange tulip hem dress St. Vincent (a.k.a. Annie Clark) wore for her performance at the Rachel Comey presentation. Next, we have an attendee at Vena Cava's carnival-themed party at Bird last night. Love the leather mini! When you're feeling flirty, try a sexy sheer blouse with masculine cropped pants, as seen on a Rachel Comey attendee: second from right, sports a sexy sheer blouse with masculine pants. Finally, leave it to London fashion blogger Susie Bubble for bold statements. I said it before, and I'll say it again: for fall, try unexpected splashes of color!

Featured looks for this week (from left to right):
1. St. Vincent
2. Leather mini
3. Sheer and menswear
4. Susie Bubble

Some tracks for this week, not particularly related to Fashion Week, but just on my mind lately: Tanlines (Brooklyn, what what!), Glasser, HEALTH and vintage Death from Above 1979.

Bow, Menswear
Alice + Olivia
Forever in Love

Gotta love that sassy chic that is Alice + Olivia's fall collection. Over-sized knitwear, rocker bows, and androgynous goodness. I'm loving the grey/black tiered dress with the large bow (second from right) and using elements of the 80s in a fashion-forward way. Definitely going to have to save up and splurge on some of these items (because college loans can stretch just a liiiiiiiitle bit farther right? right?). If you're looking to get inspired, try mixing up some of these classic elements in your wardrobe, vintage style. Like this bow dress, or ruffled blouse.

Summer is saying farewell but that doesn't mean you have to wave bye-bye to your colorful wardrobe. This fall, forget the usual fall palettes (mustard yellows and browns) because it's all about turquoise! Brighten up any outfit with this color and remember that just because the weather is getting dreary doesn't mean your wardrobe has to, too! Here's a little inspiration with Threads & Shreds' turquoise jacket!

Now Playing: Turquoise reminds me of M.I.A. 'cos you know that girl can rock out in any crazy outfit... and look amazing while doing so. The first song I've heard done by M.I.A. was actually her cover of Kaiser Chiefs' "Every Day I Love You Less And Less." Have a listen!

HIT IT HERE!

This whole summer I've been channeling my inner girly girl (not that it needed much channeling) and have fallen completely head over heels in love with floral prints. The only piece I am missing from my floral collection is a pair of floral print shorts. Anyone wanna hook a girl up? I've recently gotten into polka dots. Not crazy neon 1980s polka dots, but soft, feminine, classy polka dots. Perhaps a new love? However, as we transition from summer to fall, I am reluctant to let go of my summer wardrobe (mainly consisting of dresses and rompers).... but wait a minute, all I have to do is throw on a snazzy cropped jacket over a summer dress and a pair of tights and voila! Perfect fall outfit. Plus, this means floral cardigans! I'm excited for the season to come and the outfits to be worn!

Featured looks for this week (from left to right):
1. I Eat Flowers For Tea Time

2. Julia Frakes, Paris Fashion Week

3. Hug Me, Til You Drug Me Honey. Kiss Me, Til I'm In A Coma.

4. Dots All Over

Music Playlist of the Week: Celebrate the girly girl within you with Kate Nash, The Plasticines, Emmy the Great, and Cyndi Lauper.

Happy September, everyone! Consider the ladylike prints and shapes of Marni as you're packing away your summertime clothes and bringing back your fall / winter gear into your wardrobe. While the Fall / Winter 2009 collection was a superb exercise in "rich, dark layering of texture and iridescence," I very much love Marni because of the lighter patterns. Believe me, I will be winterizing my purple Marni shift (...I went all out shopping in tax-free Hong Kong) well into the dreary, cold season with thick colored tights and heavy cardigans. But yeah, I always support injecting some color and prints into your fall / winter wardrobe because it is always so much sunnier that way! Anyway, check out Threads and Shreds for our own Marni look for a fraction of the Marni price.

Check It Out!

TGIF people, lets get the weekend started off right. This week I was really feeling the military look (not unlike the BB Dakota Battalion Jacket that keeps popping up), dark bold statements, and rosy-cheeked, floral/blazer combos. Pretty much culminates into The Libertines, KaiserCartel, Arctic Monkeys, Calvin Harris, and Lauryn Hill for me. Check out the tunes by clicking play below while laying into some end-of-the-week fashion eye candy.

Featured looks for this week (from left to right):
1. Orchestra With A Twist
2. Living Is Easy With Eyes Closed
3. Because I Was Bored In Class, Mr. Harvey!
4. Variations of Green

Ornate, draped numbers brought a breath of fresh air to some Fall/Winter 2009 collections. This fall, stand out among dark knits and the usual autumn garb with delicate, strategically ruched and draped patterned pieces. For the bolder lot, try shimmery dresses like the first and fourth look, both Balenciaga. To tone it down, you can test out a muted palate, like the gorgeous 3.1 Phillip Lim stunner (center left) or the whispery Isabel Marant look (center right). Channel the fancy dress look with our own Art Deco 80s Silk Gown at Threads and Shreds.

Oh, Chloe. The simplicity of these designs are what draws me to them. It's all about the fitted lady suits, shirt dresses, and bling bling pants. Harem pants always make me think of Princess Jasmine from Aladdin. It's out with the skinnies and in with the... big and poofy? You'd think shiny gold poofy pants would look gaudy, wouldn't you? Instead, this model from Chloe's Spring 2009 collection looks classy and sassy.

Feel like channeling the classy simplicity of Chloe and/or the badass-ery of Princess Jasmine? Today's your lucky day. Check out Threads & Shreds: 1 , 2

Ch-check It Out

Having been away most of the summer abroad, I just got back to New York City. While unpacking and settling down for the summer, it hit me -- summer is nearly over! Where did it go? My friends tell me that summer in the city didn't even feel like summer because of the unseasonable weather. Anyway, this inaugural Fashion Playlist is a celebration of the fabled summer romance. More specifically, the lack thereof. Maybe it's not such a bad thing, as Cold Cave, my fave band of the moment, would attest. According to Phoenix's jingle, "Love ain't nothing but a sore." Still, be a romantic with feminine silhouettes - try a light cardigan over a floral dress or a simple and chic pencil skirt. Remember to brace yourself for the impending cold though. Unless you're one of the lucky ones, summer lovings will end as fall winds roll in. The chilly soundscapes of Xeno & Oaklander and Fever Ray are my go-to tunes for the dwindling days of sun rays. Transition into fall by throwing eye-catching items - like a checked blazer or bold print sweater - over lighter pieces.

Featured looks for this week (from left to right):
1. 123, Chic Chic Chic
2. Sophie in London
3. Lissy Truille in Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony
4. Lefler Mill and Unsensible Shoes

Wear it as a top, wear it as a bottom, or wear it as a dress... the bottom line is: wear sequins! In the past, sequins were stitched on to clothing as a display of wealth. Nowadays, throw on a sequined top and you'll be the life of the party.

Now Playing: Really get your dance on in your sequined outfit with The Wombats, The Rakes, and Lady Gaga (w/e haterz).

From left to right:

1. Beth Ditto (of Gossip) jumps on the sequins bandwagon (and the "musicians who decide they can be clothing designers, too" bandwagon) by adding a purple sequined piece in her new clothing line for plus-sized ladies at Evans.
2. Spotted: B setting yet another trend by sporting a gold sequined cropped top and a green sequined pencil skirt. Looks like the rumors are true: sequins are most definitely a display of wealth. Cute. Can't say the same for that haircut, unfortunately. (I still love you, Leighton!)

3. Taylor Swift rocking out in sequins! Who needs a Jonas when you look that good?

Check out this fabulous sequined party top at Threads & Shreds!

Floral prints, zippers, plaid, blazers galore! Charlotte Ronson proves once again that designers can produce very, very wearable pieces. Gotta love the simple pieces with a little extra side of BAMF (that's Bad Ass Motha F*cker). I can see myself rocking that purple zippered shoulder cut-off dress to an after party, or taking the detailed jet black blazer out on the town. Lastly, if there is one moral to be had, it's that you can make your outfit pop without the nu rave colors or pants pre-ripped to within an inch of their life. Yeah, I went there. Here's some items for inspiration: Uno, Dos, Tres!