Fashion Star Episode #9: The H&M Buy

Don't get me wrong, the Kara Laricks trench coat at Macy's is a totally buy-able piece. I'd get both the red and tan if American Express and my husband, who abducted my American Express card, would let me. Sadly, neither are in the mood to comply these days.

Ronnie's white pantsuit didn't do it for me so much, namely due to the fit of the pants (too short for my long inseam). But honestly, the jacket didn't blow me away, either. I thought the length of the jacket looked awkward on TV, and felt the same way in-store.

His dress at H&M is a different story. This is a fantastic day piece, every girl should run to the nearest H&M and buy if you can. It's work-appropriate and sexy in that stark, menswear way.

Also fantastic at H&M: Orly's jackets and her pants, which, even with the side pockets, are super slimming. Go ASAP if you want the yellow jacket as there were only a few left in 6, 8, and 10 this morning.

Kara's dress: OK, honestly, Kara, I wouldn't call it sexy, either, but I love it!

Next week, for the finale? I was surprised Luciana didn't make the cut, and I think Orly is just hitting her stride, and John Varvatos put a plug in for Ronnie. But today I was kind of snoozing over Ronnie's pleats and folds. They are starting to feel one-trick-pony like Nikki's maxis. I find Kara to be a much more interesting designer, so I'm standing by my pick! Go, Kara!


H&M Herald Square & Penn Station
34th Street at Sixth Avenue, and 34th Street at Seventh Avenue

Macy's Herald Square
34th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue

Fashion Star Episode 7: Sarah is Not Our Fashion Star

Only three episodes left! What are we going to complain about when Fashion Star is gone? I'm starting to get depressed. Sarah was eliminated last night, which normally would make me really depressed, but the whining had to end.

Who's my pick to win? Well, my track record is crap because I was a fan of Sarah's early on, but I'm thinking Kara or Luciana. Ross should have been gone this week, Nzi-me-me has been designing blahs, and Nikki seems unable to produce anything beyond a maxi. She was second in line for most annoying. Really, a mini-skirt is such a wild departure for a designer?

Luciana is more commercial, so Vegas odds would most likely be on her. And her H&M dress this week (above) is a stunner. Lined, well-constructed, nice fabric, this one is a steal at $39.95. Please ignore the fact that I can't zip up the side on the size 10. I'm in total H&M size 12 denial. I AM NOT A 12, I AM AN 8! Or sometimes a 10.

Now on to Macy's, where I'm always an 8. Relief. Ronnie could be the wild card as week after week he's quietly upping his game. Last week's swimsuit was a bold move that resulted in a very cute item. This week's gown really shows off his skill: the detail in the back and the slit in the front are just the right amount of architecture and wow.

I'm expecting the drama to be amped up next week. But I expect that every week and am always left wanting more. Perhaps that's their trick. Next week I'm in Des Moines, Iowa, on vacation (Spa Grandma), so I'm going to track down a Macy's there and see if they carry Fashion Star. If not, see you Week 9!


Macy's Herald Square 34th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue
H&M Penn Station 34th Street and Seventh Avenue

Fashion Star Episode 6: I Rant a Lot and Rave a Little

It was Nicole Richie's time to shine as a mentor last night and her advice was flawless. Ross doing lingerie was a great fit and I loved the outcome on TV but wasn't as thrilled with it in person at H&M Herald Square. The bra was bulky under my shirt (I'm wearing it below). Also, I couldn't try on the shorts which is great for sanitary purposes but if I loved the fit they would have swung me into the "buy" category. The white set with the green trim will be gone by tomorrow, while there was ample pink with black trim this afternoon.

Meh. And I do really like Nzimiro! But meh.

Nzimiro's dress, many of which were still on the selling floor today, was so infuriatingly difficult to get on that I wanted to tear it off the hangar and stomp it into little pieces on the dressing room floor. Seriously! There is a silky under-dress that has a side-zip and a lining but is attached to the outer "boho" sheer hanging thing, which means three layers of slippery fabric and disappearing armholes. Forget about where to put your head. Once on I found it somewhat charming, cuter than on the runway (the shoulders have been tweaked, I think, to make this more modern and less frumpy), but was too annoyed to buy. Everyone who bought it online won't have these problems as they will immediately detach the two pieces and deal with them separately. Although that means the sheer top piece will now be shifting around your shoulders. Oh, enough already, I'm exhausted just thinking about it! Nzimiro, no more overwrought womenswear, please.

Macy's buy: the swimsuit was so close for me, but this is a bathing suit that needs breasts to look good. The other end of things was perfection; it's such a relief to wear a sexy one-piece that actually covers your ass. Ronnie's cut is beautiful and I like the small design details like the sheer panels. Size selection is still a good in both colors on the floor at Herald Square.

Luciana's jacket is more than quite nice. It looks very vintage and the fabric that I thought would be heavy for spring is actually very lightweight. Upon donning the light pink style I fell madly in love (although in photos the blue (right) really stands out, right?). It's a special little jacket. All three colors are sold-out online but there are still several in store, mostly in larger sizes, but the multi-colored jacket (left) is almost gone.

Macy's Herald Square 151 W. 34th Street between Broadway & Seventh Ave
H&M Herald Square 34th Street and Broadway 

Fashion Star Episode 5: Sold Out in Stores

I made the mistake of waiting a day to try on Nikki and Sarah's H&M Fashion Star buys, and that was a day too late. Sold out at H&M Herald Square! There might have been something left at H&M Penn Station, but my feet were too hurting to walk that big block between Broadway and Seventh Avenue. It's been a long week.

There are Fashion Star pieces left at Macy's Herald Square, though, so I tried on Ronnie's lovely sheath dress (above, black and print almost sold out online) and Ross' vest (pink pin-striped now sold out online). America and I obviously have very different tastes. The navy vest was OK, but totally didn't like the pink pin-stripe. It was way too "ice-cream shoppe" and makes me want to send Ross about five years of Vogue back copies, and not from the 1950's. He's often on the right track with an idea but it rarely translates as modern. The sole exception is his adorable satin shorts from episode three.

I'm going to sound egotistical here and say I do kind of make the pink vest up there look cute. And obviously the rest of American is into pink pinstripes. The fit of this vest was surprisingly tight across the back. The 8 didn't fit me, and Macy's 8s always fit me. But I have a very broad back and this is a typical problem for me. If you are similarly built for football, go up a size.

Ronnie's sheath is a perfect sheath with a nice surprise in the back. I can't say much else, as it's not a ground-breaking dress, but is a perfectly cut LBD, print or pink addition to your dress wardrobe.


Macy's Herald Square 151 W. 34th Street between Broadway & Seventh Ave
H&M Herald Square 34th Street and Broadway