Tag: bargains

Steal vs. Splurge – Hermès Belt!

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Reach for your wallets!!  This is a good one. 😉

Many of you may recognize this highly coveted belt by Hermès:

Chic in Academia, http://chicinacademia.com

Often ranging between $700-$1000 – and also usually available for purchase only in person at Hermès stores – this belt and its buckle is a ‘must have’ in most fashionista’s closets.  It has been seen on many a celebrity…

Chic in Academia, http://chicinacademia.com

but now can be seen on you as well!!  How you ask??  Keep reading.

You all know that I love me some fashion, and…I also love me some luxury!  That said, I ain’t no fool!!  There is no way I am dishing out nearly $1000 for a belt.  Perhaps a good, authentic used one on eBay might be an option; though the thought of paying nearly $400 for a used belt makes me cringe.  Unless…[cue drum roll please], there happened to be an amazingly similar one for a fraction of the price!

So, being the great researcher I am (wink, wink!), I searched high and low, far and wide, for something that would meet the strict requirements of my fashionably savvy, yet budget-conscious readers.  I present you with, the C. Wonder Reversible Leather Letter Belt:

Chic in Academia, http://chicinacademia.com

At $28 for the letter buckle and $48 for the reversible leather belt (plus a 10% in-store discount with a student ID), you too can have an Hermès-like belt in your real closet, and not just in your Pinterest closet!!  Compare the two belt buckles below:

Chic in Academia, http://chicinacademia.com

Pretty similar, right??  You’re welcome, again. 😉

Now, some of you may say, “Well, I feel like I’ll be buying replica”.  That’s fine!  Don’t stress.  C. Wonder carries belt buckles in every single letter of the alphabet!  In my case, it just so happens that ‘H’ stands for ‘Hidalgo’ or ‘Hungry’.  Usually the latter.

So, my chic friends, there you have it.  In my opinion, fashion should be fun and not involve a trip to bankruptcy court.  That said, I’ll also say: Let your pocketbook guide you with regard to which option suits you best!

Until next time!

-Stay ‘Chic’!

P.S. – Follow me on Instagram to see how I styled the C. Wonder version for a work-appropriate look this week!

Dorothy Perkins Sale Alert!

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As you know, the main premise of this blog is to provide you with information to help you stay ‘Chic in Academia’, or in any workplace for that matter (for you non-academics). 😉  So, what kind of blogger friend would I be if I failed to share with you amazing deals for workplace appropriate clothing??

Today, I came across this sale at Dorothy Perkins, with some very affordable dresses!  What’s affordable you say??  Less than $30 for each of my picks below!

Here are a few of my faves:

1.  Dogtooth pencil dress, $29.00

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2.  Camel and ivory sculpted dress, $27.00

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3.  Black neopreen pencil dress, $17.00

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4.  Navy and cobalt pencil dress, $29.00

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I love that all four dresses have sculptured silhouettes, and that the black paneling on the sides adds a very slimming effect.  Options 1 and 4 are great for those of us who are a little more self-conscious about our non-yoga toned arms!  Lastly, I love the length on all four dresses…definitely a very flattering fit for all shapes and sizes.

To add to the good news, Dorothy Perkins is offering free shipping to all orders over $50 with promo code DPSHIP50, AND I found an additional discount online (15%, promo code INTDP15) by just Google searching “Dorothy Perkins Promo Code”!  You’re welcome. 😉

Good luck shopping and definitely keep me posted with whatever exciting purchases you make!

Stay Chic!

Steal vs. Splurge!

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Those of us watching Scandal know that Olivia Pope rocks some amazing threads on the show.  Are you all coveting her wardrobe as much as I am??

In searching for an Olivia Pope-esque coat this weekend, I happened to come across this, and knew I HAD to share it with you all!  I first came across the Splurge version, but upon performing an extensive search for similar coats sold on other websites, came across this less expensive version, the Steal:

Steal:  Yellow Bowknot Front H-line Simple Wool Blend Coat, $34.10

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Splurge:  OUTERWEAR BY ME Mustard Yellow Ribbon Longline Coat, $218.00

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Do you feel like you are seeing double??  That’s what I thought!  The description for both coats appears to describe two VERY similar coats (e.g. wool blend, exact same measurements and sizes).  $218 vs $34??  I’d be crazy not to consider the less expensive version!!  Unless…the quality was, of course, atrocious.  However, based on the descriptions, they appear to be similar – if not the same – in quality.

Still have some reservations?  Sure, not everyone is a fan of bright colors. Consider breaking out of your comfort zone with a color like mustard.  It pairs well with black, so it is definitely an easy piece to incorporate into your current wardrobe, color scheme.

Not a fan of the bow?  The placement on the coat makes me suspect that it is easily removable for a more sophisticated look (if indeed you feel the bow is in any way, girlish). Any tailor would be able to make that alteration.  Even more reason to buy the less expensive version of the coat, right?

Fear not, I did purchase the Steal version of the coat, so I will be able to provide an accurate review of the less expensive version soon!  In the meantime, I will keep an eye out for additional steals that may suit your wardrobe needs.

NOTE (November 9, 2013):  I am in the process of writing the review for this coat.  I strongly suggest you do not purchase the STEAL version of this coat until you read my review.  The quality was honestly, incredibly disappointing.