The Basement of the Bargains

I’ve been a fan of the incomparable Diane Von Furstenberg for a good many years. Her use of prints is legendary, her color choices impeccable, and her style eternal. It’s immediately recognizable, yet never entirely expected.

Take a look at this example:

This superfantastic silk/linen blend wrap is called ‘Fortuna’ and fortunate indeed is the woman who has it in her wardrobe. It comes in your choice of green (shown) or blue and measures a generous 28″ x 71″. It’s the perfect way to keep comfy on summer evenings, not to mention the perfect way to make a spectacular entrance!

Best of all, you can get that notice at a bargain basement price if you act now. The retail price is usually $200.00, but right now at Saks, it’s on sale for just $120.00!

All the pretty at just over half the price? Sign me up!

Ruffles are big news in fashion just now. So are exuberant prints. Each can be done well, but it takes something special to make them work together without looking a tidge unfortunate.

Well, Ralph Lauren has done it with his pure silk Rosette dress.

Yes, the print is large, but the subtle coloring on a deep aubergine purple background keeps it dignified. Yes, there are ruffles, but they aren’t allowed to overtake the entire look. Everything is kept in balance. This is a ruffled print dress for grown-ups. It even comes in petite and women’s sizes, too.

The really great news is that the price has been reduced to a child’s size. Originally $229.00, it’s now just $79.00! That’s a savings of $150.00!

Now that’s something to be exuberant about!

The current fashion story is all about colors, and I’m in full favor of that. Still, there’s nothing like a perfect white blouse for spring and summer. It’s elegant and classic, so it’s hard to go wrong. What’s harder is going absolutely right.

Enter the Meghan Wrap Blouse by Elie Tahari. The soft wrap styling is flattering to a wide variety of shapes, the ruffles are trend perfect, and the 100% silk fabric will keep you feeling absolutely feminine and comfortable. Layer it over a white or brightly colored camisole, slip on a pair of jeans or a pretty skirt, and you’re set for nearly any occasion.

Of course, the perfect white blouse is well worth spending some good money on, but it’s better when you can get it at a great deal. How does 70% off sound to you?

That’s right, 70% off! That is, if you buy it at Shopbop.com. This perfect blouse was originally priced at $348.00. Not too bad for a pure silk designer blouse. But at Shopbop right now, it can be yours for just $104.40.

Yeah. I thought you might like those savings. I know I do!

Ralph Lauren is having a huge sale on already discounted items. For a limited time, select sale items are a further 20% off the already low, low prices. Be still, my beating heart!

That means you can get some amazing deals on designer goodies for the man, woman, child, home, or dog in your life. Just peruse the pages of the website, and you’ll find something to tickle your fancy that won’t hurt your budget.

Twistie’s choice? Well, I’m a sucker both for a good pair of cufflinks and for things piratical, so hands down this is what gets my nod:

These fun and fabulous cufflinks feature the classic skull and crossbones design favored by pirates for years on a background of your choice of black, blue, or red enamel over sterling silver for a subtle touch of rapscallionish humor.

Of course, the joke once took a serious bite out of the budget at $325.00. Since then, though, they’ve been marked down to just $199.00. Now, and for a limited time, they’re a further 20% off, which means you’ll save something in the neighborhood of another forty bucks on the price.

For that deal, I may just need to see if I can smuggle a pair to Johnny Depp. Mmmm…Johnny Depp.

In a tough economy, finding ways to look prosperous and impressive are doubly important. To get a job or to keep a job you - or someone you love - may need some help looking like the right person to keep the company afloat. In a case like that, the importance of a really great tie cannot be overstated.

That’s where the Raffaello Network comes in with the huge sale they’re having on designer ties.

This pure silk tie by Mila Schon is a surefire winner. Classic, attractive, the man who wears this will look self-assured and in control. What’s more, he’ll be fiscally responsible. After all, the regular price may be $129.00, but he’s only going to pay $85.00 for it.

A well-turned-out man who knows how to save a buck? Honey, I’ve always got a job for a man like that!

If you are limited as to funds and want to invest in some classy designer evening wear, it’s a good idea to go for something that isn’t too, too trendy. After all, you’ll want to be able to wear it again and you don’t want to have a neon sign across you blaring ‘2009′ to the crowd when you wear it in 2015.

All the same, you want some interest to the gown that will look spectacular. What’s the point in getting just another very ordinary dress if you’re spending big bucks on it?

And this lovely Nicole Miller ombre dyed gown is where I find the perfect balance point.

The lines are simple, classic, and elegant, but the olive to teal ombre dyed silk fabric (okay, there’s 8% spandex for shaping, but the other 92% is silk) is dramatic enough to make a real entrance for years to come.

And years to come is how long you’ll smile to yourself about the price, too! The suggested retail price may be $530.00, but it’s on sale at eDress Me for a mere $372.00!

Since it’s still so darn cold, I thought I’d continue showing warm things. And in scanning the net for pretty, warm things, I found this delightful Sonia Rykiel Scarf:

Sonia by Sonia Rykiel Fox intarsia scarf It’s made of 100% Merino wool to keep you toasty warm. Oh, and that purple figure intarsia woven on the grey background? Is a fox. Yes, it’s a cruelty-free fox neckpiece!

In the normal course of things, you’d expect to pay about $320.00 for this fabulous designer scarf. The good news is this isn’t the normal course of things. This is the Basement of the Bargains, where we know how to find a good deal. That’s why I’m going to point you at Net-a-Porter, where you can get it for just $160.00 or half off the regular price.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m just going to throw on my lovely new scarf and go guard a henhouse or two.

Ask anyone and you’ll learn anew that Audrey Hepburn is one of the great style icons of the twentieth - or indeed any - century. Every once in a blue moon, I come across something that just makes me sit up and say ‘that’s Audrey!’ and it makes me happy. Well, this morning I was taking a quick glance at Ralph Lauren.com and what should I find but this:

It couldn’t be more Audrey if it had been designed by Hubert de Givenchy himself!

The proportions are elegant, the houndstooth check utterly classic, and the entire feel is one of effortless class. It’s even got one spectacular slightly Bohemian touch in that fabulous collar that can be worn up or down, depending on how incognito you wish to be. It even comes in petite and plus sizes, too!

Oh, and did I mention the sale? Yes, all three size ranges are on sale. The original prices ranged from $409.00 to $399.00, but you can get it now from $279.99 to $229.99. But wait! There’s more! For a limited time, you can get an extra 30% off any of those prices! Plus there’s free shipping on orders over $175.00.

Go on. Audrey would want you to have it.

One day only! Everything at Bluefly is 15% off their already slashed prices!

Take a look at this deal:

These gorgeous double-buckled leather gloves by Portolano are lined in knitted Merino wool. Both buckles are adjustable for a nearly custom fit. What’s more, the look is stylish in the extreme now, but won’t look silly in a few months or a year. You’ll be able to wear them for years to come.

The original price was $165.00, which is not at all a bad deal for such a perfect investment. Still, Bluefly has been selling them for $99.00, which is much better. But just for today, you can get them for just $84.15! That’s nearly half off the original price!

Not in need of gloves? Not to worry! Everything else is on sale, too. You’ll find gorgeous goodies by Marc by Marc Jacobs, Furla, Tory Burch, Kenneth Jay Lane, and dozens of other top designers.

But hurry! Tomorrow the sale goes away.

A warm scarf or muffler is always useful. Unfortunately, all to many of them are less than superfantastic. The trick is to find one that is both warm and pretty. The good news is that I’ve found a deal that is far from a trick.

The Cyber Print Silk Muffler by Emilio Pucci is just the thing to keep your throat warm and your style cool at the same time. It’s pure silk and measures 12.5″ x 60″. The black scarf is printed with bright motifs in hot pink, blue, yellow, white, and more. The colors pop cheerfully, so everyone who sees your new scarf will smile.

Of course you’ll have a smile, too. Not only will you be getting looks of both delight and envy from the crowd, you’ll also have the pleasure of knowing just how little you paid for this gorgeous designer scarf.

The retail price for this much beautiful is $170.00, but not at eLuxury. There, you’ll pay just $99.00 to make a splash.