Here are my favorite pieces from the line:

From right to left, clockwise:

Strapless floral dress ; Blue floral skirt ; Orange & purple strapless tank ; Colorblock skirt ; Abstract brush graphic tunic ; Zigzag print dress

Some rules for curvier ladies to remember when picking out new clothing:

• Nothing baggy or the wrong size. Lots of women think they are a bigger size than they actually are. Get a measuring tape and measure in the comfort of your own bathroom, then look up a size chart at the store you plan to shop at. Keep in mind that the size that the chart says is fluid and not binding. Every designer and manufacturer is different. If you are a 12 at one store, you might be an 8 or a 14 at two others.
• Wear belts when possible.
• Don’t buy trapeze tops–they are rarely flattering on anyone.
• Don’t be afraid of skirts and dresses. Keep the length decent (i.e. no goodies showing), but show a little leg with a flouncy mini: the most flattering option.
• Lots of curvier women think that black is their most flattering color for clothing, but please! Try a print. See the zigzag dress above? A print distracts from trouble spots, whereas black can–and does–emphasize them on occasion.
• If you are a little shy about going sleeveless, a little cardigan or jacket would look great with any of the outfits/pieces above.

I’ve created an outfit that plays into a few of my current favorites:

1. Bold use of color
2. Whimsical, slightly vintage-looking touches
3. Birds!

Besides all this, the absolute best thing about this outfit is that every piece is available at Forever 21 online.

1. This whimsical blouse has a gorgeous colored print. The pairing of a flowy shirt with shorts gives a good proportion and silhouette.
2. The organic wood appearance of this bird necklace is perfect matched with vintage-looking attire.
3. I’m loving linen or cotton shorts for summer. The high temperatures this week will be in the upper 90’s, so you can see why shorts have become such an attractive option! This pair is classy, not trashy, and the fabric is versatile enough to be worn with many different tops.
4. Keeping with the bird theme, use this oversized tote to carry your books, magazines and other kitsch.
5. The color of these sandals is absolutely perfect: not too bright, not too dark. The eyelet detail is also timely, since I’ve been reading that eyelet is becoming more prominent again.

See you next time!

How do you find your own sweet deals and which online shopping destinations will give you the most bang for your buck?

Here are a few of my favorite sites and a few of the best items from them that I’ve added to my StyleFeed over time.

• Forever 21

Forever 21 has incredible selection and style and the prices are outrageous, especially if you do a bit of digging. I’ve unearthed fabulous dresses for less than $20 and great costume jewelry pieces for around $5. The shipping from the site is painless and quick and they have easy return policies should something not fit.

Here are my tips for shopping online at Forever 21:

Visit the store before you shop the website so you know what fits you and what you’re looking for. Often, the actual clothing looks different in person than it does on their website, especially in the dress length area. Some “dresses” Forever 21 sells are more tunic-lengthed, meaning you’d have to wear them as shirts or with leggings in order to make them street-appropriate.

Don’t expect pristine quality. Forever 21 keeps their prices low by mass-producing huge quantities of clothing that aren’t meticulously made. Don’t expect your clothing to hold up for years-or sometimes weeks-on end.

Beware of dresses or shirts you need to zip. Forever 21 has fairly cheap zippers that often break.

If in doubt, go up a size. Their clothing runs tiny–truly tiny. If you have a wide rib-cage, like I do, you may need to go up two sizes if something is really fitted around that area.

• Urban Outfitters

Urban Outfitters is a true fashionista’s paradise. Chock full of interesting bohemian pieces, you can find some great clothing for less than $50. Often Urban also carries more expensive lines (upwards of $200), so make sure you don’t fall in love with something before checking the price.

Some things to buy from Urban:

Accessories are always a great bet. They have tons of belts, handbags, scarves, etc. Their shoe selection is also enviable. Check out their flats and sandals, especially now. They have lots of cute new things.

When cold weather is once again upon us, Urban carries a wide-range of outerwear which is all pretty affordable and cute, without being cutesy.

Urban always carries Converse All-Star sneakers in hard-to-find colors and patterns. Check the men’s shoe section for more.

• Cutesygirl.com

Cutesygirl.com has shoes for unbelievable prices. Truly unbelievable. I tell people I got boots or heels for $12 and they don’t believe me until I show them the webpage.

The thing about Cutesygirl.com is that they mix some really awful, ugly shoes in with adorable and stylish ones. You’re going to have to be willing to put in some search time.

The quality is fairly good, about what you’d expect from Target or Payless shoes. Not great, but they’ll do. Some of the brands (like Steve Madden) that Cutesygirl.com has are obviously better quality than others. Just be choosy and you’ll be okay.

Watch for these styles from Cutesygirl.com:

Flats or pumps are always a good pick. Search by “Price- Low to High” to find the best deals. If you see something you like and they have your size, snatch it up quick. The cheaper shoes go fast, and they often run out of the most popular sizes quickly, leaving only 6’s to be had.

There are some great boot offerings from Cutesygirl.com, but once again, search carefully. Avoid stiletto, pointy-toed boots at all cost. You can get those almost anywhere now, but they really aren’t tremendously popular anyway. Don’t fall into the trap of buying something just because it’s cheap: there are lots of inexpensive shoes on Cutesygirl, but don’t sacrifice style just because something is $10.

Next time I’ll reveal even more of secret sources for great deals. Check back!

Yep, that’s me. The picture quality is not pristine because of my attempt at taking photos of myself with an iPhone and a mirror, but you get the general idea of what I’m wearing.

Sometimes I find it hard to locate a middle ground between my personal style at work and my personal style in my free time. Can there be a way to get across your personal style no matter what venue you are in?

I think that there is.

I’d describe my personal style as elegant, stylish and a little off-beat. That, however, is in a perfect world. All too often, I stand in my room, staring at my closet and thinking, “I have no idea what to wear!”

Sometimes I get it right, but I get it wrong just as often. But, developing your own personal style requires some trial and error every now and then.

Here’s what I’m wearing in the photo:

Work

• Proenza Schouler for Target skirt
• H&M belted buttondown (without the belt)
• Isaac Mizrahi for Target mary jane heels

Play

• Forever 21 silk strapless dress (bought for $5.99)
• Forever 21 belt
• Target flip flops
• Leather cuff bought in Mexico
• Earrings from Honduras (present from my father)

I’d estimate the total cost of the Work outfit to be about $35-40. The total cost of my Play outfit was probably around $25.

Want to score some similar items on the cheap? Read on!

Your Work

• Unfortunately, Target no longer sells the shoes I’m wearing in the photo in black. They do have them in brown, but I prefer these other Isaac Mizrahi mary janes. They’re on sale now for $14.99, so buy them quick, before your size runs out!
• I like the pleats in this skirt, and it looks pretty similar to mine, which I got from the Target Go International line.
• Weather dictates short sleeves whenever possible in the summer, and I like the ruffled pockets on this Forever 21 blouse.

Your Play

• If you don’t already own a pair of brown flip flops or sandals, try these faux suede ones from Target for $8.
• Replace the belt on the dress with this one from Forever 21.
• Unfortunately you can’t buy the dress I’m wearing in the photo anymore–I bought it on sale for less than $6–but Forever 21 still makes this version of it. Replace the belt that comes with the dress with the other one pictured above.

How would you describe your personal style?

Color, color, and more color! After the drab and dark days of winter, I am so happy to see bright, fun colors taking over my favorite shopping spots.

I wear a LOT of monochromatic colors like black, gray and white, with the occasional pop of navy or taupe, but I am determined to wear a lot of fun colors this spring and summer. And why not? Just looking at the page above from People Style Watch makes me feel better about my day. Imagine a double-page spread of black clothes? Not nearly as exciting.

Check out some of my favorite (and, as always, affordable) finds for spring.

Blue

My favorite spring shade is an eye-popping cobalt blue. Blue with black is no longer taboo, so feel free to match these separates with black accessories or other items at your heart’s content.

Jackie’s Favorite Blue Picks: These deep blue Forever21 slingback platforms are super-inexpensive and have a great glossy patent finish. These could be worn with jeans, pencil skirts, dresses…they’ve got a really versatile quality. I also love this cobalt blue peacoat. Since it’s still a little cold in DC, I’m still gravitating towards warmer clothing!

Turquoise

I must be honest: I’ve not always been a fan of turquoise. Because I’m drawn to “boring” colored clothing, turquoise was–and still is–a little bit “out there” for me. However, I’m going to try my very hardest to circulate a few of the jewel-colored items into my wardrobe.

Jackie’s Favorite Turquoise Picks: A tunic is an easy, casual way to mix in a bright color. Worn with jeans, neutral flats and a spring scarf, this Forever 21 turquoise version is surprisingly wearable. This Victoria’s Secret maxi dress is so stunningly pretty on the model (unsurprisingly) that I feel an urge to try out the style myself.

Red

Red is the color of passion, love, and apparently, springtime. Bright reds, dark reds, wines…every shade of red is in play for spring. Luckily, red is a great color on lots of women, regardless of race or skin tone. Dark skin tones should try a darker, merlot color, while women with a yellow-undertone in their skin should aim for jewel-toned shades. Pale women can wear lighter shades of red, as well as dark shades, but be aware that the brighter your clothing, the more pale you’ll look.

Jackie’s Favorite Red Picks: Forever 21 is really stealing the show where my favorites are concerned! This bright-red, embellished shirt is great. I love the price and the effortless style. This turtleneck dress from Nordstrom is another good piece. It’s a good style to wear year-round, and it has such a good, rich red color.

Pink & Yellow

Pink & yellow bring to mind a certain holiday, that of course, being Easter. But worn separately, each color brings an unexpected, cheery element to an outfit. I’m definitely feeling a mustard-y shade of yellow for spring. Plus, mustard really compliments gray…and I have a lot of gray clothing!

Jackie’s Favorite Pink & Yellow Picks: These mustard heels from CutesyShoes are a no-brainer. They’re inexpensive, patent and have a nifty retro appeal. Would you believe this yellow blouse is from Charlotte Russe? I fell in love with it when I saw it. It’s got a studious vibe going on, making it work-appropriate, but with the right jeans and heels, you could transform this into a pretty great going-out shirt.

Purple

I’ve fallen in love with the color purple. I used to loathe it–I refused to wear it, even try something on if it hinted at “indigo.” But, I’ve come around, and the virtues of purple are many. It’s flattering, easy to pull off and quite the versatile shade. Also, since I was engaged wearing a purple dress, there’s a bit of sentimental feeling left for all purple clothing as a result.

Jackie’s Favorite Purple Picks: BCBG is one of my favorite designers, as you’ll know if you read my Stylefeeder or Tastemaker posts regularly. These BCBGirl heels are a good example of why I dote so on their designs. It’s got a super-chunky heel–always a plus, as they’re easy to walk in. The buckle adds a professional touch, and the darker purple color makes them suitable for work without being loud. I’m also a sucker for anything romantic and ruffle-y, so this indigo dress really caught my eye.

Green & Orange

I’ve grouped these colors together because each one is difficult for a different reason. Orange is not flattering as a general rule. Pumpkin orange, that is. It can wash you out, clash with your coloring…orange is quite problematic. However, I’ve selected some orange items that tend to run more in the direction of coral-y orange, instead of Halloween-orange. Now, green is difficult, because it’s got a bit of a preppy vibe going on at times, and at other times, somewhat of a vintage air that you may not always want to give off. Hopefully I’ve selected enough different shades that you can make up your mind with ease!

Jackie’s Favorite Green & Orange Picks: Tunic shirts are so nice for summer: not too clingy, usually made of light fabrics and, as always, featuring a body-flattering cut. The orange-y/coral shade of this one from Forever 21 would be complimentary to brown leather sandals and skinny jeans. At first, I wasn’t too impressed with this bright green dress from Charlotte Russe, but once I enlarged the photo, I fell in love. It looks like a vintage find, and has a naughty-nurse styling that would look good paired against with demure flats, long, loose hair and minimal jewelry. Another favorite, which is more pricey, is this dress from J. Crew. It’s loose, breezy, wearable and easy to dress up or down.

But, InStyle has some great online features, like the Hollywood Hair Makeover (so much fun) and Hot Finds.

My favorite feature is Look of the Day. Readers can vote for their favorite of 5 different looks, while seeing what InStyle has chosen as their pick. This section is updated daily, with five new looks to view, and their archive features thousands more.

Although InStyle offers places where you can find and purchase items from the Look of the Day, I find their suggestions a little pricey. So, I’ve taken some recent “Looks” and found inexpensive ways to make it your own.

Natalie Portman in Derek Lam. I think Natalie looks adorable in this outfit: it’s age-appropriate AND weather-appropriate, with the tights and long-sleeves.

If you can afford something a little pricey (upwards of $200), the Betsey Johnson dress from Urban Outfitters is perfect. If you want something a bit more budget-friendly, Urban Outfitter’s also sells a great shirt dress by Lux for $48. ASOS has a pair of platform pumps similar to Natalie’s that come in red and hot pink and are only about $50 U.S. If you live in Great Britain, then they are quite a steal at 25 pounds.

Don’t forget to add a pair of black opaque tights!

Rachel Weisz in Alexander McQueen. I like the play on colors and neutrals that Rachel wore here, and the belt really accentuates her waist. Corset belts are probably on their way out, especially after seeing the light and airy fabrics for Fall 2008, but have no fear: if Rachel can wear it and get Look of the Day, so can you.

This Forever21 metallic dress has great pleats on the front, which will really flatter most body types. Everyone can use a little extra flattering in the midsection: even Rachel Weisz. The wide red belt from ASOS would look good worn a little bit high on the Forever21 dress. Make sure you cover the waist seam, whether it’s at the natural waist, above, or below, with the belt. Add a pair of hot red shoes, like these from Michael Antonio at CutesyShoes. Or for a brighter red, these Nina shoes (reminiscent of Reese Witherspoon’s infamous yellow dress at last year’s Golden Globes) should do the job nicely, and for under $100, reasonably.

Anne Hathaway looks so pretty in a tough-and-sweet combination. I like the contrast of the frilly, almost ballerina-like skirt with the tough biker jacket.

Copy Anne’s style with a voluminous skirt like one of these from Victoria’s Secret, Delias or American Apparel. My personal favorite is the American Apparel skirt, simply because there it’s available in a plethora of colors and is easy to dress up or down. Try the bomber jacket below from TopShop. I liked that it had a vintage, worn-in look. Pair these things with Madden Girl’s $40 t-strap pumps from ShoeMall, and last, but not least, a sculptural clutch from Target.

Charlize Theron in Thomas Wylde. Charlize looks comfortable AND chic in this photo. I love how her outfit blends a bit of high-fashion style and low-maintenance ease. This is something every woman could wear and look equally good in, and luckily the pieces she’s wearing are fairly basic (i.e. easy to find at a cheaper price).

If you don’t already have one–and you probably do–get a shrunken jacket or blazer. The Gap is a great source for these. For a trendy, comfy blouse like Charlize is wearing, Forever21 is an invaluable source for cheap and straight-off-the-runway styles like the white shirt below. The Delias skinny jeans I recommend come in multiple inseams, including 36” for all you fellow tall women, and a 32” for all you midgetors—I mean petite women. Add a knit cap, like this one, from Forever21 and some black flats, and you have an outfit that can take you almost anywhere.

Rachel Bilson in Jenni Kayne. Can Rachel Bilson ever look bad? I really don’t think it’s possible. I keep waiting for some sign that she (or her stylist) is slipping, but she continually wears outfits that I want to wear, dammit! But, since I can’t afford Jenni Kayne, I’ll have to improvise and do a bit of hunting.

This Lux tulip skirt from Urban Outfitters is the closest thing I could find to Rachel’s Jenni Kayne version without spending over $100 or sacrificing good taste for Vegas-showgirl-style metallics. Pair it with this buttondown oxford from Forever21 (less than $20, too) and a classic pair of black pumps by Kenneth Cole Unlisted for $40 and you have a Rachel-worthy outfit, in my opinion.

Which look is your favorite? Any suggestions on where to find pieces similar to what these ladies are wearing?