Style Fix

We can always expect sales and an increase in advertising during the month of August for back to school shoppers, but this year I am noticing that clothing stores seem to associate jeans with back to school savings.

Check out all of these stores that currently have a denim sale going on:

* GAP: Take 25% off all Men’s, Women’s, and Maternity jeans GAP stores and online. Shop online, or click on and print the coupon shown here to save in stores. Discount only lasts until this Sunday, August 17.

* LUCKY: Buy any pair of jeans online through Lucky Brand and receive free shipping. While your there, sign up for the e-mail list and be entered to win seven pairs of Lucky jeans … seven free pairs of Luckys? I’d be in heaven!

* OLD NAVY: Prices on jeans are cheap to begin with, starting at $25 per pair. Plus, Old Navy just added petite and tall cuts. Check it out.

* BARNEYS: They just want you to know that they sell jeans. That’s all. View Barneys latest mailer which is all about denim online.

After Natalie Portman was featured as a guest judge on Project Runway two weeks ago, and hostess Heidi Klum reminded the contestants that Portman has her own line of vegan shoes, people have been searching on the Internet trying to find Natalie’s footwear line with Te Casan.

First, I feel inclined to point out that Natalie helped design a line, under her name, for shoe company Te Casan. Rather than, as Heidi mistakenly announced, Natalie’s line being called Te Casan.

Phew. Now that that’s cleared up …

In passing, Heidi made mention of Te Casan, which is pronounced “Tay Ka-saan.” TV viewers that had never seen it spelled out, tried their best to sound out what Heidi had said. Enter the best popular Internet search term of the week: “Natalie Portman’s Take Us On shoes.”

An easy auditory misinterpretation, but funny none the less.

Some of Natalie Portman’s shoes for Te Casan are currently on sale.

The Purse Store, which actually sells designer handbags, shoes, belts, denim, and more, is closing its virtual doors for good. To thank their customers, and liquidate their remaining stock, all of the goods are 50 to 70 percent off. Plus, by entering code “thanks” you can save an additional 20 percent on shoes, belts, and denim.

Check it out!

I’ve always said that when I have the money to spend on designer goods, my first purchase will be a Kate Spade purse (in addition to some Stella McCartney clothes, of course).

If only I had done my taxes on time, I’d be indulging in the For Your Eyes Only online Kate Spade sale right now. But, alas, I have not yet received my governmental mad money and must continue to wait.

Check out the For Your Eyes Only sale where you can find purses, diaper bags, shoes, wallets, and even a few notebooks by summery designer Kate Spade. It’s a quick sale - lasting from today, June 17, through Friday, June 20 only. But with prices up to 60 percent below retail, it’s worth a expedient look.

Top Button, a virtual fashion meeting grounds, is nearly useless to those of us that don’t live in New York City, Los Angeles, or San Francisco. Although there are a few online offers for free shipping codes, and a fashion-inspired blog, the site’s main bragging rights is that it announces dozens of sample sales each week - but only in these three cities.

Now, to keep up with the online market, sample sales are starting to move to the Internet, and Top Button is attempting to keep up. The community Web site has just launched The Top Secret - an exclusive (albeit incredibly slow) online place to gain access to bargains and steals that even Jane Smith in Arkansas can partake in.

Don’t worry about the site boasting an invite-only membership; for a limited time, register at Top Button, and you will receive access to The Top Secret. Or maybe if you ask real nice, I’ll invite you!

Affordable shoe have DSW is rising in a time when other mid-market stores are dropping.

Recent reports have proven that high-end retailers continue to flourish regardless of the economy (i.e. the rich are still rich), and discount brands are doing well; but, those that fall in the middle have been cutting corporate jobs, closing stores, and seeing sale decreases.

Whatever DSW is doing seems to be working, though. Easily classified as one of these middle ground retail stores that is above Wal-Mart, but below Saks Fifth Avenue, DSW is undergoing rapid growth.

In 2007, 37 new stores were opened; 30 is the nearly fulfilled goal for 2008. Plus, the company was undergoing all of this growth without even targeting customers online … until now.

DSW just opened their first online venture - DSW.com - featuring hundreds of sandals, great sales and clearances, easy trend viewing, and a worthwhile reward program (also available in store).

Gap is offering an online discount right now, until Sunday, June 8. Just enter the code PWNLXCXW4ZM8 when you are checking out and receive $20 off of any purchase totaling at least $100.

That’s $100 worth of goods for only $80!

I can still clearly remember the day when the reality of how many clothing stores are owned and run by the same company. I was in middle school, and had no concept yet of major corporations. I naively thought all businesses were small businesses.

But since they’re not, and since Banana Republic, GAP, Old Navy, and the new Piperlime are all essentially the same business, it’s about time they just admit it and offer collaborative deals and savings.

And here they are! Now, you can shop from all four of these stores online at once, and thus save on shipping charges. Piperlime always has free shipping, but for the rest of this week - until May 31 - you can get free shipping when you take advantage of this 4-in-1 online shopping experience: just enter “1checkout” as the promo key.

Has Brad Wilson ever got a deal (or two, or one thousand) for you! He is the man of the Internet hour with his Web site Brad’s Deals making headlines everywhere.

Sure, he’s a computer guy so the deals and sales that first get noticed are those for companies such as Dell and HP, but Brad’s Deals go above and beyond just techy stuff. His site highlights bargains on books, flowers, sporting goods, kitchen gear, cell phones, movies, food, and fashion! Brad’s far surpasses other coupon code lists out there.

Skip right to the apparel or Health and Beauty section, and you will find awesome discounts, coupons, and sale notifications for fashion merchandisers.

Here are a few current examples:

* Through April 15 Bluefly is offering an extra 10% off everything on their site during their 2008 Tax Relief Sale. Shoppers can also add a coupon code at checkout ($15 off $100 via code AFF15 or code VISA08) to save even more.

* Finish Line currently has 8 styles of Rocket Dog Shoes on sale for $19.97 each, before 10% off coupon code 141705 (expires 4/30) lowers them to only $17.97!

* Originally $179, a plant-based, sunless, spray-on, self-tanning system is now on sale at Gaiam for $59.99. Take 15% off with coupon code CCAB (expires 6/30), and lower the price to $50.99.

Brad, along with a hardworking team of deal hunters, also provide direct links to designer’s sale and clearance pages, exclusive “Brad’s Deals” coupon codes and promotions, notifications of what deals are ending soon, e-mail updates, tips on hot sale items, detailed shipping and tax costs, and every other deal-related tidbit possible.

Sign up for Brad’s Deals’ newsletter and get a special, one-time deal, too!

Bluefly - the site that brings you high fashion for less, supports Project Runway, and shows naked women in their “that’s why I Bluefly” TV ads - is proud to introduce a new boutique within the Bluefly budding empire.

B*Fly offers savings up to 40 percent off and targets teens, college students, and 20-somethings with funky tee shirts, designer denim, flirtier cuts, and - much to my delight - many pretty colors and patterns! B*Fly offers “a new way to B.”

Bluefly is also currently hosting a shopping spree sweepstakes with New York magazine. Click on the banner here to enter to win $10,000 towards a spring wardrobe and other great prizes in the Spring in the City Giveaway.

From vintage Bill Blass, to Godzilla tee shirts; Every imaginable tote design, to intricately cut metal jewelry - Mod Cloth has it! Find an outfit that no one else will be wearing; shop for fun, funky, unique, and one-of-a-kind clothes, apartment needs, and accessories in reasonable prices. But if you see something you want, move fast! Things fly quickly through the indie shop that is ***MOD CLOTH***

Here are some current up-for-grabs faves of mine.

I have always wanted to be the one who can tell you where to find a similar look to a designer one for pennies to the dollar. Tonight, I stumbled upon a gorgeous cropped jacket by Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B. in red plaid for $269 on sale at eLUXURY (originally $385). Less than one hour later, I ran across this similar one on The Buckle, shown in the second photo. The two have their differences in cut and style, sure, but after you note that the second one - by Flying Tomato - was originally only $49.50, and is now on sale for $37.12 …

On the left:

Plaid Cropped Jacket by L.A.M.B.

On the right:

Flying Tomato Plaid Jacket

If you are a fan of shopping on the Internet, I’ve got a few discount codes for you to take note of:

* JCPenney: Shop from the catalog or at JCP online and use promotional code BBKAPP8A, now through April 26, to receive free shipping on your order of $75 or more.

* American Eagle: You only have to spend $50 at AE online to utilize their free shipping offer. Enter discount code 78984017 at check out, now until April 15.

* Piperlime is offering a savings of 20 percent when you spend at least $75 on their fun, bright-colored shoes (seen here in their ad), but only until February 14! Hurry - enter BCBKW1QP89Y3 - and save!

Can you guess where I will this weekend?

If you need more of a hint, click the picture!

The most my mom will ever pay for jeans is $30. I used to agree that, although my limit was closer to $50, jeans should never cost $100. But then one day a pair of Lucky Brand Lil’ Maggies accidentally fell on to me, and I was hooked.

If you have never tried on a pair of really nice jeans, I insist that you at least try - and now is the perfect time because they are having their twice yearly sale! Many items (including jeans!) are 50 percent off right now.

Brands like Lucky fit you like the skin-tight spandex styles of teen to early 20s years, but are much more flattering. I can only speak for their women’s lines (they also have men’s and children), but Lucky knows the body. Bonus: they sell their female fits in measurements instead of sizes (waist and length).

Go, try on a pair of Luckys, and fall in love safely … since sale prices bring many of their denim delights down to the $50 range. The sale ends Saturday January 12! Shop online receiving free shipping if you spend $100 or more, or find a store near you so that you can try them on first.