Come On, Gap Happy! Get 30% Off Now Till Sunday

You're invited ...

Give & Get starts today! Shop and enjoy 30% off during Gap's Friends & Family event!

When: 4 days only, Today through Sunday, August 2

Where: In-store: Gap, Gap Outlet, Banana Republic, Banana Republic Factory Stores and Old Navy

How: Present this coupon at the register. Use it as many times as you like.

In-store Barcode (For multiple uses)

Faith21: Plus-size Stylish Steals!

File this under refreshing: The fashion industry has finally realized that style isn't reserved for size-0 bobbleheads. Stores like Lane Bryant offer cute clothes, but if there are more than three plus-size women at one wedding, chances are at least two of them will be wearing the same dress.

Enter Faith21, Forever 21's new line for girls in sizes XL, 1X, and 2X.

Happily, there are no frumpy, slumpy mumus, though the leggings really could have been left on the cutting room floor. The collection is very spring/summer-y and the design aesthetic follows Forever 21’s trendy take on everything from runway knockoffs to jersey basics. Only the number printed on the label sets them apart from Forever21's regular line.

The looks tend to read a little young, as is to be expected, but there are a few pieces that can easily be incorporated into your wardrobe regardless of the taunting numbers on your birth certificate or the season.


The ruffle-front dress ($22.80), pinched trim dress ($22.80) and the front pocket pleat dress ($24.80) are fabulous shapes that will look good on just about anyone. Bonus: The neutral color palette means they can be accessorized to the hilt. You can get tons of mileage out of these pieces with a few pretty pieces, easily going from the glare of fluorescent office lights to blinking neon club signs. They're also totally wear-able for a weekend shopping trip or caz lunch with your gaggle of gal pals.


Work may be boring but who says you have to dress like it! For the 9am -5pm grind, throw on a blazer (#10, torrid.com, $19.99 and #15, oldnavy.com, $32.50) or cardigan and slip on a pair of heels, like the go-with-everything "Persia" peep-toe slings (#11, Forever21, $29.80).

The bold animal-print tote (#8, amazon.com, $23.95) is stylish and large enough to schlep work papers, your cellphone and the breakfast of champions, a bottle of diet Pepsi. Add gold accents like the dramatic oval stone ring (#4, ardenb.com, $18) and rope drop earrings (#19, charlotterusse.com, $6.50) for a bit of professional polish and you'll be climbing the corporate ladder in effortlessly chic style.

After hours ditch the cover-up, rock a side pony, put on some sexy, arch-reveling metallic heels (#1, bakersshoes.com, $29.99) and show your personality with fun and flirty details. Pile on an armful of pretty in pink bangles (#9, charlotterusse.com, $4) and show "girls just wanna have fun" with a tres fab flower ring, (#13, forever21.com, $3.80). Oh, and don't forget a pair of glittery earrings that sway to the thumping beat. Grab a cute clutch and dance the night away!

Leave the sweats at home for your weekend shopping trip. Put the white cardigan (#2, oldnavy.com, $32.50) on over the ruffle-front dress and the striped metallic belt over it (#17, charlotterusse.com, $10.99). Sling the bubblegum pink hobo bag over your arm (#14, charlotterusse.com, $19.99), add a pair of ballet flats or gladiator sandals and you're good to go!

When temps start to get a bit nippy, winterize your Faith21 looks with a crisp, white blouse underneath, add some texturized tights and swap your strappy heels for a pair of booties or tall boots.

Really, the looks you can create with just one of these dresses and a little tzujzing are endless. Not bad for less than $30.

Other items shown:

• #3 - Pleated metal purse, charlotterusse.com, $28.99
• #5 - Marbelized circle bracelet, charlotterusse.com, $4.00
• #6 - Teardrop earrings, aldo.com, $10.00
• #7 - Double-latch belt, forever21, $8.80
• #12 - Metal cuff, forever21.com, $6.80
• #15 - Turquoise stone necklace, charlotterusse.com $19.99
• #17 - Striped metallic belt, charlotterusse.com, $10.99
• #18 - Jersey cardigan, oldnavy.com, $12.99
• #20 - Croco faux tote, forever21.com, $34.80

Have you worn any of Faith21's fashions? What did you think?

Crazy For Cardigans!

"Victory is mine! Victory is mine. Great day in the morning, people, victory is mine.... I drink from the keg of glory ... "

I'm totally savoring my Josh Lyman-esque fashion moment because cardigans -- my long-standing wardrobe staple since about the eighth grade -- are suddenly haute.

Ha, take that Jenny Simmons!

Ok, fine, so Michelle Obama might have had a liiiittle something to do with bringing them in vogue but still.

I favor cardis partly because I'm always cold but also because they're a great alternative to the traditional blazer or jacket, which have always seemed too buttoned down and stuffy to me.

They're perfect to throw on over a summer dress or layer with contrasting tees. Add the right accessories, they can be dressed up or down and take you from the boardroom to the dining room at your favorite restaurant. They're like the sartorial equivalent of tofu! If you're packing for a weekend getaway, a cardi is a throw-in-the-bag must.

Cardigans usually seem to disappear from stores shelves in June - August, but thanks to the craptastic economy, stores are pimping them out at fabulous end-of-season sales so now is the time to buy. Old Navy and the Gap are always good bets for this versatile garment, but Banana Republic and J.Crew, two stores that I don't shop at until the red sale signs come out, have really marked down some super cute styles (I'm insane for the cascading petals cardi at J.Crew) that will take you through the warm weather months right into fall/winter, some as low as $30.00.

Not a Betty Draper fan? Play with proportions for a simple update on a classic silhouette--three-quarter length sleeve, oversized boyfriend cardigan, cropped, draped front, sleeveless . . . take your style pick.

For work, throw on a cardigan over a shirt with a slightly long hem that peeks out from the bottom, roll up the cuffs and slough the sleeves. And as the final finish, pop the collar. Preppy and professional. To give the look more polish, swap out the necklace for a warm, Frenchy-looking patterned scarf. So Naughty Nanette-like with a pencil skirt!



It's a cinch to give your cardi new life. Look sophisticated and not just-rolled-out-of-bed sloppy, by topping it with a belt---wide, skinny, leather, ribbon, whatev. Try two skinny belts for more visual interest. Besides looking oh-so cool in that MOD way, the cinched-in look has a sveltering effect. And you didn't even have to break a sweat!



Small details make a big statement so show some personality with a fun accessory. Remember the ginormous flower Carrie wore in the Sex and the City flick? So whimsical! Too much of a muchness? Try a blinged out broach or vintage pin. For really unusual flair, visit Etsy.com for one-of-a-kind creations.


How utterly j'adorable is this feather and rhinestone brooch?

Don't be afraid of color. Add a pop of color to a basic black wardrobe (guilty as charged) with cardis in rainbow hues and patterns. Mix-and-match stripes with florals, and plaid with stripes. As Stacey and Clinton remind us every week: Things don't have to match, they have to go. Choose a patterned cardigan (simple ones like florals, polka dots, or stripes all work well), and then opt for a contrasting pattern in the same color palette for the shirt underneath. Instant chic!



What do you think? Are you a cardi chick too? What's your favorite way to wear it? You know what to do, discuss in the comments!