Vests

I know we’re in the middle of summer with most of us dressing in airy summer dresses, tank tops, denim cut-offs & flip flops. Or bikinis. So it naturally takes a lot to make me crave anything that’s non-sleeveless. But as soon as I laid my eyes on these items from BB Dakota‘s upcoming fall collection I was madly in love. Not only because these are all absolutely stylish pieces, but also because almost all of them are under $100 except for the leather jacket which is admittedly a little steep at $300. I’m not ready to part with my sundresses just yet, but I know I’ll be just as happy when fall rolls around.

BB Dakota Fall 2010 Collection

Go Shopping:

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Real vs. Steal – Balmain Studded Vest

by Irina on January 9, 2010

I noticed I haven’t featured anything Balmain for quite some time. The Balmain craze has calmed down a bit by now though I’m sure there’ll be plenty of knockoffs filling the racks of fast-fashion retailers just in time for spring again. I’m usually not a big fan of vests simply because I don’t think they are overly flattering on a woman’s body. I can’t remember if I have ever bought or even worn a vest in my life yet. The studded vest below however could very well change my attitude towards vests altogether.

Balmain Studded Vest in white

Balmain Studded Vest
($6.064, SOLD OUT)

Beyoncé Knowles Loves Balmain

Beyoncé Knowles wearing a white Balmain Studded Vest

Madison Marcus Endeavor Vest

If you’re a fan of Balmain or studded vests in general, but don’t have $6.000 cash to spare, you might want to give this studded alternative by Madison Marcus a try. While the color is grey and the stud pattern differs slightly, the Balmain inspiration is still pretty evident in this vest. The price of $285 isn’t exactly budget-friendly either, but compared to the real deal a total bargain.

Madison Marcus Endeavor Vest in grey (Balmain knockoff)

Madison Marcus Endeavor Vestcj
($285, Shopbop)

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I noticed I haven’t featured anything else than shoes on Real vs. Steal lately, so today I break the pattern and feature a dress again. The Alexander Wang vest dress below might be already a couple of seasons old (Fall 2008 to be exact), but it’s a great dress nonetheless and would make a great office dress with a turtleneck underneath, don’t you agree?

Alexander Wang Fall 2008 Vest Dress

Alexander Wang Vest Dress
($695, SOLD OUT)

Celebrities Love Alexander Wang

Becki Newton and Paris Hilton wearing a grey and black Alexander Wang Fall 2008 vest dress

Who wore Alexander Wang better?

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BB Dakota Luncheon Dress

Looking at the Alexander Wang frock above and this vest dress by BB Dakota is like playing “Spot the difference!“. Both dresses look almost like twins except that one costs $700 and the other just $76. Awesome find, right?

BB Dakota Luncheon Dress (Alexander Wang Fall 2008 vest dress knockoff)

BB Dakota Luncheon Dress
($76, Lulu*s)

P.S.: Also available at Karmaloopls.

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Rihanna has worn a multitude of fabulous things last week and I wanted to give you all a small update on her latest fab acquisitions. I loved her black Alexander McQueen killer zip up booties which she wore to Fred Segal on June 02, 2009. A few days before, Rihanna looked incredibly sexy in a one shouldered Alexander Wang LBD. On that same day Rihanna also sported a casual outfit by pairing a white Brian Reyes vest together with a blue MiH Jeans skinny jeans. Keep on going, RiRi!

Rihanna wearing Alexander McQueen zipper booties, Alexander Wang Goddess LBD, Brian Reyes bolero and MiH skinny jeans

Our Rating: ★★★★☆

Who?Rihanna
Where?At Fred Segal, Santa Monica / Studio Valbonne Club, London / Movida Nightclub’s Sports Bar, London
When?June 02, 2009 / May 30, 2009 / May 30, 2009
What?Alexander McQueen zipper booties, Alexander Wang Goddess LBD, Brian Reyes bolero and MiH skinny jeans

Alexander McQueen Pelle Leather Sandal

Alexander McQueen Pelle Black Leather Zipper Ankle Booties

Alexander McQueen Pelle Leather Sandal
($1.159, Zappos)

Alexander McQueen Pelle ankle booties are also available at NET-A-PORTER.

Alexander Wang Goddess One Shoulder Dress

Alexander Wang One Shouldered Goddess Little Black Dress (LBD)

Alexander Wang Goddess One Shoulder Dressls
($595, NET-A-PORTER)

The same Alexander Wang dress is also available at Brownsls.

Brian Reyes Gaucho Jacket

Brian Reyes Gaucho jacket vest bolero in off white

Brian Reyes Gaucho Jacketcj
($605.50, Shopbop)

MiH Jeans The Oslo Slim in Deep Sea

MiH Jeans The Oslo Slim in Deep Sea blue skinny jeans

MiH Jeans The Oslo Slim in Deep Seacj
($165, REVOLVEClothing)

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Alexander Wang is some sort of fashion genius. He’s young (25), but incredibly talented (Wang scored the CFDA 200k Fashion Fund last year) and I adore his talent to mix simple silhouettes with edgy details.

This grey semi-sheer knit vest is one of his many amazing pieces which has a deep v-neck, black buttons, front pockets and twisted racerback. If you’re smitten with the vest as much as I am, you can get the real deal at 50% off at ShopJake.

Alexander Wang sleeveless grey knit vest with twisted back


($160, size M only, ShopJake.com)

If the vest should be sold out by the time you get to read this, take a look at:

Kim Kardashian in Alexander Wang

Kim Kardashian seems to have jumped on the fashionista bandwagon. I think she really tries to get rid off her Paris Hilton-esque socialite status image. Which sounds good to me. Good luck on that.

Below you can see Kim’s attempt at going the edgy chic route. She did quite well for the first time, but there’s still too much LA showing through her whole getup. Her look is too polished. When you go for Alexander Wang, it’s all about the “I barely care how I look because I’m way too cool for vanity“-attitude. That’s what makes his clothes so appealing.

Kim Kardashian wearing Alexander Wang Knit Vest at PETA Billboard Unveiling

Our Rating: ★★★☆☆

Who?Kim Kardashian
Where?Khloe Kardashian Unveiled New Peta Billboard, LA
When?December 10th, 2008
What?Alexander Wang Knit Vest (see links above)

Alexander Wang Knit Vest 4 Less

Spending $300 on a simple grey vest sounds like a lot of money for most of us and it certainly is. But fortunately there are a few good alternatives out there that will give you the same look without breaking the bank. I’d loooove to own the original Alexander Wang vest though, it’s so simple, but oh so chic! If only I had a few hundred dollars laying around here.

Forever 21 Chantelle Knit Cardigan

This grey knit vest from Forever 21 is probably one of the closest matches when you’re trying to get Alexander Wang 4 Less. The details setting designer fashion and copycats apart are lacking of course (black buttons and no twisted racerback), but the overall look and feel is quite the same, so if you want to make a deal, get this vest for only $24.80.

Forever 21 Grey Chantelle Knit Cardigan Vest


($24.80, Forever21.com)

Splendid Sleeveless Buttoned Cardigan

Another great match is this sleeveless grey buttoned cardigan vest from Splendid. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have the same plunge neckline as the Alexander Wang one and the buttons are too small and there are too many of them for my liking, but I do love the cute pockets, so I guess it’s a tie. As with the Forever 21 vest, this one doesn’t have the racerback as well which is too bad because it looks so sexy. The vest is a bit on the expensive side with $70 and comes also in black.

Splendid Sleeveless Grey Buttoned Cardigan Vest

Splendid Sleeveless Buttoned Cardigan
($70, Splendid.com)

Free People Grey Sleeveless Slouchy Vest

This slouchy knit vest doesn’t have the black big buttons, BUT it does have a racerback like the Alexander Wang version. The vest originally retailed for $88, but has been reduced to affordable $29.95 and is also available in eggplant purple.

Free People Grey Sleeveless Slouchy Knit Vest

Free People Grey Sleeveless Slouchy Vest
($29.95, FreePeople.com)

Express Knit Cardigan Vest

This cardigan vest from Express is darker than the other alternatives, but it’s basically the same style (deep v-neck, pockets & big buttons) without the edgy details of the Alexander Wang version (no racerback, no black buttons). The vest comes also in black and is reasonably priced at $29.50.

If you want a looser fit just like the Alexander Wang knit vest, buy the cardigan vest one or two sizes bigger than normal. This will have the same effect.

Express Gray Sleeveless Knit Cardigan Vest

Express Knit Cardigan Vest
($29.50, Express.com)

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