90210 1.1 - Brenda Walsh she ain't

Annie Wilson (played by squeaky voiced Shanae Grimes) is supposed to be the most normal girl on the show. Her character might be my least favorite of the group, but I will giver her credit for having the sense to go with the pleated trapeze dress over the black sheath that made her look like an anorexic Robert Palmer girl when sneaking out of the house (against her parents' wishes) to crash Naomi's party.Jovovich Hawk, Alex Mini Pleated Dress, Revolve Clothing ON SALE for $209 (from $418). Unfortunately, it appears to only be available in canary yellow.
Alternatives

Moderate

Maggy London, Embellished Trapeze Dress, Nordstrom $148.Laundry by Design, Pleated Trapeze Dress, Bloomingdales ON SALE for $112.50 (from$225).

90210 1.1 - Sweet 16

For her "not-so-sweet" 16 Party, Naomi (right) wore a silver strapless dress reminiscent of Nicole Miller.Alternatives

Expensive

ADAM, Silver circle Jacquard Strapless Dress, Bluefly ON SALE for $269.99 (from $339).
Badgley Mischka, Taffetta Empire Prom Dress, Edressme.com $250.Inexpensive

De la Ru, Babydoll Dress, Nordstrom $78.

90210 1.1 - Silver

"Silver"? Really? Whatever. (I'm not even going to go into how she's Kelly's little sister. Seeing a 16 year old that I once saw as an infant is disturbing. Man, I feel old).

While her outfits are a little too punk for my personal tastes, I thought they at least showed creativity.

I loved the "Wow" necklace she was wearing when she first befriends Annie. It reminded me of a comic book sound bubble. Unfortunately, I could not find the exact piece, but found these cute silver alternatives:
Comic Book Necklace on 18-inch ball chain, I Make Cute Stuff $22.


The dress she wore to crash Naomi's birthday party was chic and simple.
Nylon Tricot Figure Skater, American Apparel $48.

For those of us who have more than -10% body fat, I found some more forgiving alternatives.

Inexpensive

Generra, Jersey Wrap Front Empire Dress, Bluefly ON SALE for $94.99 (from $105).

Fighting Eel, "Lea" Jersey Dress, Bluefly ON SALE for $79.99 (from$99).

Gap, Woven-trim Racerback Dress, Gap.com $44.99.

90210 1.1 - Introducing Naomi Clark

By far the best dressed person in the premiere episode was spoiled rich girl Naomi Clark (of course). Since most of us cannot afford Chanel, I thought I'd offer some alternatives to the clean, tailored, black and white day-at-the-races look she sports in this episode.

We'll start with her jacket/blazer (apparently blazers are still de rigeur dress for West Bev).
Expensive

Rag & Bone, Casino Tux Jacket, Tobi ON SALE for $242 (from $485)Moderate

Alice & Olivia, Annabelle Blazer, Bluefly ON SALE for $199.99 (from $240)
Express, Modern Stretch Jacket, Express $118.
Inexpensive

Lauren by Ralph Lauren, Elda Blazer, Lord & Taylor $84.48.
Skirt

Expensive

Nanette Lepore, Kit Kat Skirt, Saks 5th Avenue $230
Moderate

Reyes, Piped Pencil Skirt, Saks 5th Avenue ON SALE for $138.90 (from $348)
Ralph Lauren, Provins Linen Skirt, Ralph Lauren ON SALE for $159 (from $398)
Inexpensive

Banana Republic, Pleated Fill Skirt, Banana Republic $98Jewelry

Inexpensive

This beaded ombre necklace is a fun twist on a long strand of pearls, yet nicely complements the black and white theme.
Banana Republic, Ombre beaded necklace, BR $39.

The black flower on this multistrand beaded necklace is evocative of the Chanel camellia.
Merona, Multi-strand Flower Pendant Necklace, Target $17.99

And now for something completely different...

Fitting with our theme, I came across the following items that, while not integral parts of Naomi's outfit, oresent the same style elements in a different way.

Inexpensive

Banana Republic, Banded Collar Polo, Banana Republic $74.
Forever 21, Donna Cotton Dress, Forever 21 $22.80.

90210 Redux

As a child of the original series, of course I watched the premiere of the new one. I have to say I was disappointed. The CW is trying too hard to make 90210 like Gossip Girl (which, admittedly, I love) for the West Coast. 90210 isn't supposed to be Gossip Girl. It's a fish-out-of-water story, and while the Wilsons may be from Kansas, they clearly are not as thrown by their new surroundings as the Walshes were.

To top it all off, I was disappointed with the clothes. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that they didn't pull of the spandex, mom jeans, blazers and flowered frocks of Shannen and Co, but it's like the new class at West Beverly is completely limited in their fashion sense. Either they shop at Chanel or they wear what every other high school student in America does - jeans. I guess I should find this refreshing, but I was really looking forward to some West Coast style (believe me, it IS different than the East Coast) to compare to GG.

I'll give the show another shot and hope that it lives up to my expectations, but in the meantime, let's focus on what really matters - the clothes.

Gossip Girl 2.1 - White Party, Tinsley Mortimer

I have to admit that I love the Tinz...even though I did not love her outfit on the season premiere of Gossip Girl. That being said, for those of you who did, her dress was by Thread Social.


Alternatives

Moderate:

Max & Cleo, Floating Layers Trapeze Dress, Macy's ON SALE for $123.75 (from $165)

I don't want to get down on Thread Social, however, because they generally have some beautiful items. Like this sweater dress that I MUST HAVE for fall. Maybe we'll see it on an episode of GG soon.

Thread Social, Wool Boucle Sweater dress, Net-a-porter.com $450.

Gossip Girl 2.1 - White Party, Blair

Blair's dress is Marc by Marc Jacobs and is currently SOLD OUT at most retailers.

Alternatives

Expensive:

Zimmerman, Revelation Strapless Lace Dress, ShopBop.com $390.Moderate:

Milly, Scallop Strapless Dress, ShopBop.com ON SALE for $187 (from $374)Ella Moss, Layered Tiered Dress, ShopBop.com $155.

Gossip Girl 2.1 - White Party, Serena

Let's ignore for a moment that about 50% of the people at the, alleged, "White" Party were wearing ivory or bone, the Gossip Girl cast (minus Nate, who looked like he was wearing the latest from Mugatu's Derelicte line. He needs to take a lesson from Chuck Bass on appropriate "outside" dress. LOVED the white tux with black edging!) looked like their fabulous young, rich, beautiful selves. For example:

Serena looks like she stepped down from Mount Olympus to grace these simple mortals with her presence. Her gown is Oscar de la Renta.

Alternatives

Moderate:

Suzi Chin, Maggy Boutique Ruched Jersey Dress, Nordstrom $128.
Calvin Klein, Pleated Matte Jersey Gown, Nordstrom $178.

Inexpensive:

Trixxi, Illusion Halter Dress, Macy's ON SALE for $54.60 (from $78).

Gossip Girl 2.1 - Serena and Blair

Serena's dress is Vena Cava at Neiman Marcus ON SALE for $198.90 (from $499). Her bag is Chanel. Blair's dress is Alice & Olivia.

Serena Alternatives

Moderate:

Free People, Bird of Paradise Dress, shopbop.com for $138

Inexpensive:
Victoria's Secret, V-neck t-shirt dress, Victoria's Secret for $29 (more colors available).

Blair Alternatives

ExpensiveKate Spade bag, Little Compton Sossity, Kate Spade ON SALE for $198 (from $395).
Gucci flats, Gucci Bamboo Fuschia Floral Canvas Flats, Overstock.com $299.99.

Moderate:

Shoshanna, 70s Floral Belted Dress, RevolveClothing.com ON SALE for $176 (from $352).

Adrianna Papell, Printed Halter Dress, Nordstrom $158.

Inexpensive:Sam & Libby flats, Blondiey Botanical Print, Zappos.com $56.

Project Runway 4.7 - Heidi

Heidi Klum is the type of person who could pull off wearing a garbage bag that still had trash in it and look amazing. That being said, she generally dresses pretty well. as we can see from this week's PR:

The Challenge - Heidi's Ref Dress



The dress looks a lot like Tory Burch, but I couldn't find it among her collection, but I did find some reasonably priced substitutes. Not crazy about the stripes, I focused on the sleeves and ruffled collar aspects.







Ralph Lauren, Romy Pintuck Shirtdress, at Ralph Lauren for $158 (ON SALE for $109.99) (L)

To the Max, Pleated Shirtdress, at Nordstrom for $118 (R)

The Elimination - Strapless Sweetheart

There are dresses out there that have more of a pattern to them, but I thought for value and quality the non-patterned looked sharper and more in line with the actual dress worn.


Luxury

Tibi, Strapless Silk Dress, at Saks 5th Avenue for $340.00 (L)

Laundry by Design, Strapless Jersey Dress, at Saks 5th Avenue for $215 (R)

Dallin Chase, Lou Convertible Dress, at Neiman Marcus for $250 (ON SALE for $175) (L)













Bargain

Forever 21, Strapless Satin Dress, at Forever 21 for $22.80