Bomber jackets are all the rage and hitting their trendy peak.  If you are the girl that lives in your jean jacket throughout the summer or you just love Top Gun, then bomber jackets are your perfect winter “jean jacket”.

Bombers are the perfect topping to tunics, skinny jeans and tall boots.  If you’re looking for an affordable leather version, Danier Leather offers cheaper alternatives to designer price tags.

Personally, I wasn’t ready to invest $$$ in a leather bomber jacket until I found a $23 “leatherette” version at Forever 21–that’s right $23 and it didn’t even stink like pleather (yeah, I smelled it in the store!).

In fact, my new bomber jacket was such a good deal, I can’t even find a photo online to show you from their website!  And before you judge me too much, Forever 21 really is a great place to get trendy pieces at ah-mazing prices.  Thanks Forever 21 at Yonge and Dundas in TO.

Happy bomber hunting!

PS I should have saved this to be a Frugal Friday post, but I just couldn’t wait to share it with you all!

Hermès must have been really miffed at Lady Gaga for scribbling all over her white Birkin with a black marker, because they’ve launched a super sexy limited-edition collection of Kellys and Birkins in an all-black luminescence called – you guessed it – So Black.

All the exterior hardware has been blacked out with a glossed black finish. The So Black range is available in six models and in two leathers of box and mat crocodile.  Bonus?  The collection includes special packaging: a bag, box and bolduc – all in black.

Prices start at $5,200.  Wonder if Lady G is on the waitlist? Available at hermes.com.

Article Courtesy of Leah Rumack, Globe and Mail

1 The Trench Coat

Nothing says classic more than a Burberry trench.  The classic colour is tan (left), but black or navy might better suit those with a fair complexion.  One of the nice things about splurging on a Burberry trench is many come with a removable cashmere-wool lining so you can wear it practically year-round.

For those who can’t justify shelling out the cash, there are beautiful non-Burberry trenches out there.

To remain classic and contemporary, go for a simple trench in a classic colour (tan, navy, black).  Never choose one that has tacky embellishments adorning the lapels or pockets.  Keep the length around the knees — if you go too long you’ll look like a WWI British Army veteran.  The Classic by Tommy Hilfiger and the Nathalie by Club Monaco are two of my fave non-Burberry options.

Check out #2 The Perfect Jeans or #5 Classic Black Pumps

2 The Perfect Jeans

My perfect pair: 7 For All Mankind

Perhaps it’s an oxymoron to say “perfect jeans” in the same sentence, but it can be done.  Understanding that my perfect jeans aren’t your perfect jeans, here are a few guidelines you can follow to ensure success.

1. When shopping for jeans, go to a store you are comfortable in and where you know the salesgirls will help you—and not make you feel fat.  Grab as many pairs of jeans that you can and try them all on.  Experiment with different rises (high vs low), widths (skinny, wide leg) and lengths (30″, 32″, 34″ and, for those long legged ladies, 36″).

2. Avoid jeans with rips and too much distressing.  Those can defo be cute, but are too trendy for the classic pair of perfect jeans.

3. Stick with darker washes, which retain their classic status and are uber flattering.

4. Jeans with a slight boot cut (not flared) are also classic but more importantly hang nicely over your shoes.

5. Many women buy multiple pairs of jeans for differing heel heights (ie flats versus 2” and 4” heels).  A huge faux pas is wearing jeans that are too short for your heels.

One of my current classic style icons is Jennifer Aniston.  Nobody can deny she always looks fabulous in her perfect jeans, not to mention her perfect hair.

Stay tuned for #1 The Trench but don’t forget about #3 Classic White Shirt…

3 Classic White Shirt

This is an important closet staple that is both trendy (worn underneath your fave t-shirt) and classic (worn with a business suit). Head to stores like the Gap for high quality, basic cotton shirts well under $50.

Back in January, I wrote about caring for your classic, white shirt.

Check out #2 The Perfect Jeans or#4 The LBD…

Image courtesy of Gap.com

A classic LBD can take you from the office to a cocktail reception in a matter of hours.  SJP it up with a chunky necklace full of baubles and sparkles or Jackie-O it down with a basic cardi and single strand of pearls.

To keep your LBD classic, look for one with a higher neckline as neckline trends come and go.  Also, the hem should sit slightly above your knees when standing–keep that LBD classy rather than trashy.

It should be made of a sturdy but lightweight fabric like a cotton/rayon blend or thin wool.  Avoid heavy wool fabrics that counteract the slimming effects and limit wear during the warmer seasons.

DVF and Karen Millen (above) design gorgeous dresses, but so do J-Crew and Banana Republic (below).

Banana Republic, Black Wool Sheath Dress, $150

Check out #3 The Classic Shirt or #5 Classic Black Pumps…

A classic woman always has classic items in her wardrobe that keep her stylish in a given year, decade or lifetime for that matter.  There are 5 classic pieces that I can’t live without and neither should you.  If you spend the money to invest in well made versions of each item, they truly will last a lifetime.

5 Classic Black Pumps

Whether Nine West or Manolo Blahnik, a pair of tall, pointy, black leather pumps is the only shoe you will ever need.  Although its unlikely you’ll ever only one want one pair of shoes!

Style tip: To keep it professional, limit those stilettos to heights under 2.5”.  For every other occasion — the sky is literally the limit!

Check out #4 – The LBD…

There are few things in life that I love more than my dog, Scout.  My find last month in Chicago definitely made me forget about my dog for an entire afternoon: DVF, Bloomingdales, and a massive end-of summer sale!

I couldn’t believe my dumbluck when I beheld a black silk, DVF dress in my size, for $90 reduced from $365 at Bloomingdales.  I was nervous the shopgirl was going to tell me it was a mistake when I went to pay.

Diane von Furstenberg without a doubt designs the most flattering dresses for women.  Oh and she’s also a Princess, but hey who isn’t?

When DVF married Prince Egon of Fürstenberg in 1969, she decided to make a name for herself by developing her career as a designer.  In the early 70′s, she designed the iconic knitted wrap dress which has been a staple in women’s closets ever since.  Based on her success in the 70′s, DVF moved into all facets of fashion designing everything from sunglasses to handbags to couture ball gowns.

As you can probably tell, finding a DVF dress for under $100 in your size at Bloomingdales is like when Planet Earth captured the elusive snow leopard in Pakistan on film…you can spend 6 weeks looking, but sometimes dumbluck is all you need!

DVF at home in Conneticut

Images Courtesy of Bloomingdales and Town and Country

Different Versions of the Classic Shirt

Aside from the Chanel 2.55, you should invest in a crisp, white shirt.  A classic white shirt can be worn tucked in, cinched at the waist, or loose and fancy free.  It can be accessorized with a black belt, a tie or, my favourite,  a long necklace.  Pair it with a skirt, trousers, leggings, cardigans, vests…the lists go on and on.

Nordstrom offers some good value, quality white shirts that range from the classic cut to the trendy boyfriend style.

Care of your shirt

Because I am warm pretty much all of the time, my shirts tend to turn an undesirable shade of yellow in places like the underarm region.  To solve this problem, I used to invest in a white shirt every season.  That was until I discovered Oxiclean.  I love this product because it has saved my shirts and the expense of a new shirt each year.

After trying everything from bleach to vinegar to the power of the sun, I was skeptical that Oxiclean would work.  After testing both the liquid and powder, I found the powder to be most effective when dissolved in hot water creating a paste.  Rub this paste under the arm of the shirt (obviously take the shirt off first!) and let it soak in a sink full of Oxiclean overnight.

In the morning, toss the pre-soaked shirt in the laundry with your regular detergent and wait.  You will be so excited when you pull your shirts out of the machine looking brand new.  You can even use Oxiclean on colours…I know, it’s the cleaning product that keeps on giving.

Oxiclean is the best thing you can do to prolong the life of your new investment–the classic, white shirt.

Halston Heritage Collection Dress

Like any dutiful fashion slave, I have watched and re-watched the SATC movie trailer memorizing every outfit paraded by our favourite fab foursome. How about that black, cut-out mini-dress Samantha was wearing as she ran across the street to meet the other girls? Her figure and that dress are beyond amazing.

The dress I drooled over the most has to be the white Halston Carrie sported as the doors to her building parted open like the Red Sea did for Moses. It should come as no surprise that Neiman Marcus is exclusively featuring the gorgeous Halston Heritage Collection, including that very dress (for $325 it could be yours too).

Roy Halston Frowick is an American icon. If you watch Mad Men (I watched all 3 seasons over the Holidays and am currently suffering from Draper Withdrawal), no doubt you have noticed the Jackie-O inspired pill box hats. These hats, designed by Halston, are one of his most iconic contributions to 1960′s American fashion.

“You’re only as good as the people you dress”

In the 1970′s, Halston was renowned for the draped dresses (highlighted in the current Halston Heritage Collection) adorned by celebs like Lauren Bacal, Bianca Jagger and Liza Minnelli at the infamous Studio 54 nightclub in New York City. As a result of his celeb following, Halston was famously quoted to say: “You’re only as good as the people you dress.”

If the SATC girls are sporting his dresses in 2010, we can all agree that Halston’s legacy continues to be as good as the people he dressed.

Halston Metallic-Stripe Dress

Halston V-Neck Jersey Dress