General Fashion


Military Coats for fall 2014

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Pictured: Earrings: Bauble Bar / Lipstick: c/o Dolce Gabbana “Petal” / Dress: DVF  (last year, also love this one) / Coat: Guess (on sale!) / Handbag: Chanel (similar) / Nail Polish: Essie Jiggle Hi Jiggle Low / Shoes: Valentino

The weather is starting to cool down, which means, we get to wear our coats! Yes! I needed a new black coat this season since my old coat was starting to look worn, so I was thrilled when I found this Military style coat on sale. I love the buttons and the way the warm, thick fabric drapes around the neck when it is buttoned up. I also love the off-center buttons on the back of the coat. My apologies for not showing a photo of the back, the pictures did not turn out very clear. We took these pictures quickly before I left for San Francisco last Saturday for the Parisian Haute Couture Fashion Show. This is the outfit I wore to the show.

Military coats happen to be a big trend for the fall 2014 and winter 2015 seasons. Although we usually see this style in traditional Military Green every autumn, this year designers have extended the style into shades of brown, black, blue and more! I love the structure afforded by the Military silhouette since it offers more design than a simple lady coat, single breasted coat, robe coat or double breasted coat. There is something regal about the buttons on top of the shoulders on Military coats. Love that!

I love this coat by Guess I found on sale. It offers Military styling with a twist. The coat has an asymmetrical front with minimal buttons, yet offers a recognizable Military vibe. The coat is also comfortable, doesn’t catch lint (this is huge!), and I like how it looks! This is also the first coat I have purchased in several years, so I am a little bit giddy 🙂 

What do you think of Military coats for fall 2014 and winter 2015? Is this a trend you will be wearing?


The First Parisian Haute Couture Show in San Francisco

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On October 25, 2014, at 7:30pm, just steps away from San Francisco’s iconic Tonga Room, another iconic event took place; The First Parisian Haute Couture Fashion Show in San Francisco. The Grand Ballroom of San Francisco’s Fairmont Hotel played host to haute couture designers on aura tout vu (Paris) and Mimi Tran (Paris and San Francisco), as well as Los Angeles shoe designer Konstantina Tzovolou. 

In between runway segments, the crowd was dazzled by Parisian pop singer “French” who preformed for the first time in the United States! Oh la la! His music was amazing, his voice fabulous, and he was definitely eye candy. The crowd went wild!

Photo 1: Konstantina Tzovolou

Photos 2-4: on aura tout vu

Photo 5: Maclaren

Photo 6: on aura tout vu

Photos 7-11: Mimi Tran

Photos 12-14: on aura tout vu

The premiere haute couture show was generously sponsored by Replete Skincare, Maclaren and FSHN Magazine. A portion of ticket sales helped raise much-needed funds for local non-profit “Reason to Party.”

Photos: Cathy/Cheap Luxury Handbags Store 2014©


Painted handbags and shoes for fall 2014

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Pictured: Satchel / Bootie / High Heel / Shoulder Bag

Painted handbags and painted shoes are a huge trend for the fall 2014 and winter 2015 seasons. Although this trend first emerged several seasons ago, it has taken an upswing for the fall 2014 and winter 2015 seasons; and is taking the streets by storm.

Designers such as Maison Martin Margiela and Burberry are showing exquisite, luxury handbags and shoes for the fall 2014 and winter 2015 seasons which offer artistic paintings. These artistic paintings are done in soft tones which blend with their canvas; enhancing them rather than competing with them. Paintings are being shown mainly on shoes and handbags; although, designers such as Burberry are also showing belts with brushstrokes.

As the painted handbag and shoe trend becomes more important, brands with moderate and affordable price points are joining in the painted trend and introducing their own version of painted shoes and handbags for the winter 2015 season. While moderate brands are sticking to painted handbags, there is no reasons to discount the assumption that they will eventually introduce painted shoes to their seasonal collections.

The paintings being found on handbags and shoes for the fall 2014 and winter 2015 seasons include soft, sophisticated florals and abstract brushstrokes. These designs offer a feeling of wearing shoes, or carrying a handbag, which is one-of-a-kind and special; despite the fact they could possibly be mass produced.

This feeling of carrying, or wearing, something which is one-of-a-kind, makes any Fashionista feel special; and like she has something no-one else has! I have to admit, I love the idea of carrying something unique or wearing something no-one else has. Often times, this is difficult because something which is one-of-a-kind often carries a high price point which is out of reach for most people. The painted handbag and shoe trend for fall 2014 and winter 2015 offers that unique, one-of-a-kind vibe we all wish we could own through mass produced luxury, moderate, or affordable price points in our own, personal, comfort zone.

Painted handbags and painted shoes are an emerging trend, it is likely that this trend will continue past fall 2014 and winter 2015; and into spring 2015. When shopping for a painted handbag or painted shoes, look for a color combination which will blend well with your current wardrobe, or offer pop as a stand-alone piece against an all-black or neutral ensemble. 

I found a few fabulous painted handbags and painted shoes for winter 2015 around the web and placed them into the shopping widget below. I hope you love them! Happy shopping, and stay fabulous 😉