Belinda asks, "Hi Las F. Girls! I have a question. Can you do a feature on winter coats? What's in this year, both casual and more formal styles? I find if you don't get in early, the best styles usually disappear, especially as a plus-sized lady."

Boy, you got that right, Belinda! That's why we're answering your question in early fall, although we realize some of you are still enduring heat in the 90's and some of you already have snow!

The most popular style for fall this year is the military jacket, although what military they are referring to, we're not sure. The jackets and hats we've been seeing seem stuck in the Civil War era. (At least it's not camo, that's all I've got to say.)

This style is warm, and is usually available in a number of muted shades. Look for one that is gently nipped at the waist to give you some shape. With the shorter collar, you may want to invest in a bright scarf as well.


If you want to go classic, you can't go wrong with the peacoat, especially in a modern winter white, although black may weather better. Once again, look for one with seams at the waist or one that is gently nipped at the waist and slightly flares out to accentuate your feminine shape.




If you want to go for something a little funky, try a colorful take on the jean jacket with a lighter, bright courdoroy jacket for those in warmer temperatures, like this purple corderoy jacket.



Another slightly warmer corduroy jacket is this chocolatey brown one with safari styling (left).

Last but not least is the superwarm coat for a sporty fashionista: the not-your-boyfriend's-puffer jacket (below) with faux fur trim in a fun color (this style is also available in black) with a feminine slim-fit and fun pockets. Very cozy.

Have fun shopping!

All coats available at alloy.com.

Last time I checked, my name isn't Carrie Bradshaw and I certainly don't have an extra 500 bucks laying around for a pair of Manolos. So what's a girl to do when the budget is exceptionally tight, but she wants a new pair of quality shoes?

She heads to the discount, mass-market retailer, that's what. And she buys a pair of shoes that are not only affordably priced, but are high-quality.

Does it seem like inexpensive and strong workmanship are an oxymoron? Years ago, this was true. But mass-market retailers are now offering trendy styles in leather and natural materials, without the expense. Stores like Target and PayLess are now catering to the frugal, yet fastidious Fashionista.

Why not man-made materials? Man-made materials on shoes include vinyl, PVC and an array of cheap plastics. Because these materials are non-porous, your feet aren't allowed to breathe, causing that nasty foot sweat. Damp feet yield a plethora of unfavorable conditions like athletes' foot and blisters. Leathers and natural materials, however, do allow oxygen to flow to your toes, keeping your feet dry and pretty.

Man-made's also don't conform to your foot and breaking them in can take forever. Leathers not only conform to the shape of your foot, but when broken-in, they create an imprint that is individual of your foot alone. It's almost as if your shoe is made specifically for you.

In addition, man-made's aren't very durable. They can tear easily, especially those dainty straps, when under stresses such as walking. Leather construction will stand up to the test of time, and will stretch and exert itself with you.

Most of the time, you can tell when a shoe is made out of plastic. It feels kind of cheap. But in an effort to increase their bottom line by selling us poor-quality shoes, retailers are hiding their plastics better. To be sure, check the inside heel or inside tongue of the shoe, and read the fine print. Shoe manufacturers are required display the materials making up the shoe. If the shoe reads "man-made upper," put it down and walk away. Have higher standards for your feet.

All shoes pictured are leather, at an affordable price, and are linked to their online vendor.

First of all, your name is dumb. Meesha? Miska? Mscha? Messa Messaround Mischa. Whatever. This isn't about your name. It's about the things you wear. I won't call them clothes; that would be insulting to real clothing everywhere.
I really dislike your fashion sense. Actually, I hate it with the burning of a thousand fiery suns of wrath.

Behold, dear readers, the face of slobby fashion mediocrity. I blame this girl personally (along with Sienna Miller, may the nanny strike again twice as hard) for RUINING the face of fashion. Thanks to these 'trendsetters', we're forced to endure utter ugliness in the stores. Apparently designers think that if the trusting public sees some washed-up small screen star sporting clothes that look like they were dragged from a Goodwill dumpster, the little drones will want to wear them too. Dumpster is, like, so NOW. So is slouching and not brushing your hair too, apparently. What a charming example of ladylike behavior for all the kids watching at home.

Getting back to her name, I have to wonder if she's in any way related to the ever-classy Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross. Barton is quite the name to live up to. It conveys the sense of a public servant, one who puts the benefits of others before her own. At the rate Mischa's going she's going to have to adopt a whole country of diseased orphans in order to keep up with her ancestor/namesake. I'm sure Clara would not be pleased with her progress, not for a tiny second. Note to Ms. Barton the Younger: being a setter of disgusting trends does not equal public servitude.

The thing that galls me the most about this broad is that she only starred on the OC. For a few seasons. And then she got killed off. Has she been in ANY blockbusters before or since then? No. And don't tell me about all the Sundance movies she's done, I know how to check IMDB, I did check it, and she starred in virtually nothing of merit besides Notting Hill and the really laughable part is that I TOTALLY SAW NOTTING HILL and I can't even remember what she played in it.

Has she done anything to merit public attention besides dating a Crisco can and dressing like a total loser? No and NO. Oh, I forgot the part where she poses for Bebe, but she looks halfway decent in those pictures because she showed up to the photo shoot and someone ambushed her and MADE her wear clothes that were less than 20 years old.

So why do we keep getting her mousy hair and very vanilla mug (it IS vanilla; she manages to look different BECAUSE of the way she dresses, but trust me, she is two implants and a highlight job away from looking like EVERYONE ELSE down in LaLaLand) shoved in our faces all the freaking time? Why are we constantly being programmed (unsuccessfully, I might add) to believe that she is all that and a bag of chips and how original and what a funky offbeat style she has and don't YOU want to wear clothes that look like a homeless tramp left them at his last abandoned house?

No, Mischa, we don't want to look like you. We don't care what Vogue or Vanity Fair or any of those other haughty fashion house mags say about you; they're completely out of touch with the public anyway. In closing, please go away, or at least stop dressing like you can't afford anything more expensive than Big Lots, because you TOTALLY CAN.

PS-I was going to contrast this mess of a child with the ever-classy Kate Winslet, who always ALWAYS looks beautiful, but then I toddled over to GFY and what did I see today but a loving tribute to that excellent female? So rest your eyes, dear readers, and go read about a woman who has it going on.

PPSS. Before you all tell me how mean I am to snark Mischa, let me just say that this is totally not personal. This is about setting an example, people. I've seen her dress nicely...but this is not one of those times! She could be cute...if she'd stop dumpster diving.

The time women give to plucking and tweezing their brows, is similar to the attention men pay to grooming their facial hair. Many men view their facial hair as a trophy, one that expresses individual style and personality. For the handful of men who faithfully read this blog, and for the Fashionistas who support the stylish men in their life, I give you, the evolution of facial hair.

It all begins with the sexy and sophisticated, five o'clock shadow. Visible late in the day on a man who was clean-shaven in the morning, this form of facial hair is a pre-cursor to all forms of the mustache, the goatee and the beard. Mr. Clooney has become the poster-child for the five o'clock shadow, and I must say, he wears it well.

My earliest memory of the mustache was at the age of five, and was found on Tom Sellick as Magnum, P.I. The "stache" has come a long way in the meantime, and after a brief interlude in the nineties, is making its way back onto the faces of handsome men everywhere. Terrance Howard sports an updated version, carefully groomed and not overpowering.

The most versatile form of facial hair is the goatee. It's a bit more daring and edgy than the mustache, yet not as "Grizzly Adams" as the beard. It's various styles, shapes and lengths make it easy for any man to wear. The goatee can be found on the white-collar yuppie to the angst-ridden rocker. Orlando Bloom channels Renaissance-sexy with his variation of the goatee.

And then there's the beard. If you've never dated a man with a full-on beard, it can be a bit unnerving and intimidating at first. On one hand, when a beard goes awry, it's a total disaster. Rememer this? But when it's on, it's on. Nothing moreso than a beard can define a man's ruggedness. And who better to define it, than none other than Matthew McConoughey.

Maybe you're a purist and a clean-shaven man is what floats your boat. The great thing about facial hair is that your man can don a handsome beard one day and a sharp-shaven jawline the next. Joaquin Phoenix does babyface well, don't ya think?

What kind of facial hair do you prefer on a man?

Photos courtesy of SFF.

Attention all budding Fashionistas! Are you witty, creative and trend savvy? Do you enjoy writing and blogging? If the answer is yes, Las Fashionistas is looking for you!

As F. Cali, F. Jersey, F. Seattle and F. Nashville grow busier in their personal lives, the time to recruit a new Fashionista (or two) is at hand. We welcome and encourage all of our faithful readers to participate in "The Search for the Next Las Fashionista."

Here's the deal:

Send us TWO original posts, written as if you are the "Next Las F." Each post should include a title and must be 500 words or less. All posts must include photos/illustrations. Sources must be cited for all photos and illustrations.

In addition to the TWO posts, please include answers to the following questionnaire:

• Name:
• Email:
• Blog URL:
• Age:
• Location:
• In your own words, what makes a Fashionista?
• What's your favorite item of clothing, and why?
• Name one cosmetic or beauty product you can't live without and describe why.
• What about your geographic area inspires you to write for Las F?
• Why should we choose you to be "The Next Las Fashionista?"

Submit entries via email to lasfashionistas@yahoo.com, with the subject line, "I am the Next Las Fashionista."

Contest begins Monday, October 2 at 8 a.m. ET and ends Friday, October 20 at 5 p.m. PT. Results of "The Search for the Next Las Fashionista" will be announced Wednesday, November 1.

Disclaimer: We reserve the right to end or terminate the contest at our own discretion.

We look forward to hearing from you all! Good luck!