Posted 10 days ago by Amanda Raye

The Great Gasby premier is only three days away! It was an epic book and we have a feeling it’ll be an epic movie. The story takes place in the roaring 20′s, and so we’ve suddenly found ourselves wanting to experiment with the flapper-esque style in our own wardrobes.

Below are ways to add the roaring 20′s into your daily life — without looking like you’re about to go trick or treating.

1. Pearls

Pearls are timeless and have not once become out-dated. The next time you wear your LBD, just add a long faux pearl necklace!

Pearl Necklace & Earring Set: $12 Unique Vintage

2. A Detailed Dress

The 20′s was all about extravagance and detail. Dresses with beading, embellishments and fringe were extremely popular. Below are a few modern dresses with that 20′s flair.

Twirl a Tale Dress: $55 ModCloth

Beaded Dress: $32.80 Forever 21

Hazel Dress: $120.75 Darling

3. T-Strap Heels

Pair one of the dresses above (or one similar) with a pair of T-strap heels. They aren’t very high so they’re easy to walk in. You can also find T-strap flats at Urban Outfitters!

T-strap Heels: $48 Unique Vintage

4. Scarf Coats

I personally love these! They add some pizzazz to an overall blah outfit (aka: jeans and t-shirt) and they’re perfect for the unpredictable spring weather. Don’t be afraid to pair one with a simple dress or a maxi skirt as well!

Beaded Scarf Coat: $150 Unique Vintage

Tribal Shawl: $16 Heavenly Couture 

5. Wide Headbands

Add a wide headband to your hair. If you have a scarf laying around, that would work just fine too!

We really like this one.

Bracket Headband: $11.99 ModCloth

6. Accessorize Properly

Add a cocktail ring and a beaded evening bag the next time you go out. If you need glasses, Warby Parker just came out with a limited edition 20′s inspired collection!

If you love hats, keep your eye out for a 20′s inspired hat. They are unfortunately hard to find at modern day retailers, but easy to find at vintage/thrift stores and Etsy.

7. Change Your Makeup

The makeup look back in the 20′s was very dramatic: strong smokey eyes, dark lip, blush and a ton of contouring. To update it, wear a burgundy lipstick that’s glossy and give your eyes a subtle cat eye. Also, don’t add eyeliner or mascara to your bottom lash.

Are you excited for The Great Gatsby movie? Let us know in the comments below!

Posted 16 days ago by Amanda Raye

Feeling confident can sometimes be difficult, especially if you’re having a bad hair day, bad skin day, or just a bad day in general. Not to worry, as retail therapy might just be the answer to all of your self-esteem problems – sometimes a good old splurge on yourself is all you need for a little pick-me-up! Read on for a quick guide to the best feel-good items which will improve your mood within seconds of splashing that cash!

Pretty Lingerie

Treat yourself to a brand new set of lingerie and reap the benefits of an improved mood. A new bra or a pretty pair of briefs may not be obvious gifts for yourself, but they’ll make you feel feminine and confident again in no time. Whether you’re looking for petite or plus size lingerie, some gorgeous new undergarments are great for restoring confidence and comfort while going about your day.

Go for a cute floral under-wired bra, a girly body-shaper for optimum support, or try a black lacy lingerie set to feel chic and glamorous. Feel free to mix and match according to your mood and outfit, and remember that it’s important to feel happy with what you’re wearing under your outfit as well!

A Cocktail Dress

Nothing beats a brand new cocktail dress for a fabulous occasion. If you’re feeling down, or you’re not quite feeling yourself, then why not organize a ladies night where you can show off a gorgeous new dress?

Go for something daring and explore what’s hot this season, and you could end up feeling like a new woman! Try bold and bright colors such as an electric lime green or a vibrant orange and experiment with length: nothing says confidence like a bodycon mini dress. Whether you’re donning a beautiful skater dress or a sophisticated maxi number, make sure to dress to your shape and show off your curves!

A Pair of Platforms

A new pair of super-high platform heels can be the best pick-me-up present. Pair them with your brand new dress and go for a pair which screams chic and stylish. Whether you’re rocking some chunky wedged ankle boots or some elegant heels, you’ll look and feel amazing in your new shoes. Don’t be afraid to be daring with your choice – why not go for some color-block hot pink and purple platforms? A burst of color in your wardrobe might be just what the doctor ordered, so get browsing for your feel-good pair of shoes!

It’s as simple as that: three little feel-good treats for yourself which may just be the best remedy during an awful day and a horrendous mood!

Posted 18 days ago by Amanda Raye

It’s officially graduation season! For all you almost grads, congratulations, it’s a big accomplishment. But what are you going to wear? If you’re about to graduate from college, your big day is literally right around the corner. If you’re about to graduate from high school, you still have a solid month and half to think about it.

Traditionally, graduation dresses are short, casual and light in color. That way it won’t be exposed under your cap and gown. Below are our top picks for your special day.

White Peplum Dress: $29.99 Necessary Clothing

Peter Pan Dress: $40 Boohoo

 Lace Dress: $178 Elle Lauri

White and Gold Dress: $55 Alyssa London 

Addison Dress: $104.65 Darling

Black and White Dress: $16 Heavenly Couture

Megan Dress: $120.75 Darling

White Dress: $49 Prom Girl

Pleated Dress: $29.80 Forever 21

White Dress: $24.95 h&m

Skirt Dress: $88 London Times

What are you going to wear to your graduation? Let us know in the comments below!

Posted 22 days ago by Alexandra Jacobs

Most people believe that jumpers and knitwear sit alongside winter essentials such as heavy coats and wooly hats. Once the sun begins to shine and the evenings become longer and brighter, jumpers usually go back into your wardrobe and only come back out when the rain and snow appears once again. Yet, more and more fashion bloggers and celebrities are teaming thin jumpers with their favorite spring outfits to create a complex new look.

As British weather is not completely reliable, most women struggle to know what to wear in order to still look fashionable in spring. The latest S/S collections became the answer to the dilemma of what to wear when the weather is simply ‘mild’. These collections consisted of cropped jumpers, light knitwear and cardigans, all of which are perfect additions to be worn with floaty dresses and sandals.

Cropped jumpers are an ideal solution for those days when the weather is slightly cool but you want to wear a dress. A cropped jumper fits perfectly over colorful dresses as you can wear bare legs and still keep warm. The dress is still on show, your figure will not be swamped by a large jumper and you will not get chilly as the evening becomes cooler. If it does get warmer throughout the day, you can easily take off the jumper and show off your dress.

An alternative to the cropped jumper is an oversized thin jumper. If you are unsure whether the sun will come out that day, layering an oversized thin jumper over a crisp white shirt is the perfect alternative to wearing your winter coat. Wear the two with a pair of skinny jeans or leggings for a polished look. If the weather becomes warmer during the day or you want to change into an ‘evening look’, simply remove the jumper. Accessorize by adding an oversized necklace around the collar of the shirt.

Cardigans are another spring knitwear essential. Cardigans can be worn with a variety of outfits such as with day dresses, evening dresses and jeans and a t-shirt. Light cardigans can cover exposed shoulders which may catch a chill in unpredictable British weather, or simply add a different texture to an outfit. The contrast in textures will make the outfit really interesting.

Summer knitwear styling tips

♥ Do not wear jumpers which are too chunky over dresses. These will not flatter your figure and you will become too warm if the weather heats up.

♥ Look for cropped jumpers in pastel colors. Pastel colors look set to stay on the fashion radar for at least the next few months.

♥ Accessorize your look with oversized necklaces and rings. Look out for necklaces with large jewels and neon hues to really keep ahead of the fashion crowd.

♥ If you are wearing a woolen dress, do not add a woolen cardigan over the top. Mix textures!

What do you think of cropped jumpers over dresses? Let us know in the comments below!

Posted 27 days ago by Amanda Raye

We’re huge fans of Mandee here at Broke & Chic — it was actually the Mandee store in Philadelphia that helped inspire the idea for this site; one of our very first articles was about the Mandee location in Manhattan. As you can see, we go way back.

Below is Mandee’s spring lookbook. Take a look and tell us what you think!

Black & White

Living in New York, it’s very easy to get in the habit of always wearing black. Spice up your dark look by adding splashes of white and red!

White

If you’re daring, try out an all white look!

Pretty Pastels & Floral

Nothing screams spring more than pretty feminine colors and flowers!

Thoughts? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to follow Mandee on Twitter and Facebook!

Posted 29 days ago by Amanda Raye

Personally, I enjoy the fashion at Coachella even more than the “Holy Grail” of fashion industry events…Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. But why is Coachella so special? The price of your outfit is irrelevant.

At Fashion Week it’s all about what designer you’re wearing, how high your heels are and the number on the scale. At Coachella, it’s all about flowy skirts, floral headbands, bold sunglasses and good music…enough said.

We’re currently coveting the patriotic look that Ireland Baldwin rocked the other day. Instead of going with the traditional “flower power” look, she went all red, white and blue. Get the look for less below!

What do you think of Ireland’s outfit? Let us know in the comments below.