Question: I just stand 5’1 and I’m super skinny. I don’t know what to wear on ordinary days like going to school or going out. What specifically? Skinny? Bootcut? Shorts? Skirts?

Dear Nikki,
Since your frame is so slight you have to be careful not to overwhelm your body when choosing clothes. You should try to find items that are shorter in length, narrow in width and lack distractions for the eye (pockets, cuffs and pleats). Keeping those descriptions in mind when shopping could help you select clothing that would best fit your body and give you the appearance of the longest body possible.

Jeans can be overwhelming with all the different styles, colors and washes, but for your height and build, we would suggest a skinny or straight leg style of jean with a mid to high waist would be perfect for you. For skirts, we would suggest short skirts that are fitted or fall straight from the hip; you could even try wearing a high-waisted skirt, which will make your legs look longer. In selecting a pair of shorts we would suggest, one with a higher waist, that does not have pleats or cuffs and that are short. Please stay away from Bermuda shorts, capris, clam diggers and petal pushers - they will make your legs look much shorter.

Another retailer bites the dust this morning.  WWD announced that eluxury.com will shut down the retail portion of it’s site over the next 6 months.  Instead LVMH (eLuxury’s parent company) will use the site as a luxury blog of sorts to further promote their brands (Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Fendi, Givenchy…).  Since we never really could afford the goodies at eLuxury, except for sunglasses and wallets, we’re not too saddened by the retailer’s departure. However, we are left with one lingering question:  Does this mean we can expect a massize blowout sale of eLuxury’s unsold inventory come June?  Better cross your fingers (and toes)!

It seems designers have heard our pleas for lower prices and are acting accordingly.  The boys at Badgley Mischka are working to lower prices on their Fall 2009 collection so that customers will be more inclined to shop their line.  At this moment, we’re unsure of how much the designers plan to lower their prices by, however it’s nice to see that somebody is looking for ways to retain (and maybe even grow) their customer base.  While we still won’t be able to afford Badgley Mischka even at these lowered prices, we just hope other designers (are you listening Alexander Wang, Sass & Bide, Elizabeth and James?) catch on!

The bandwagons are full of retailers and designers trying to provide more recession-friendly products to consumers. According to WWD, Society for Rational Dress is creating an exclusive line for Barney’s Co-op‘s recessionista clientèle. Society for Rational Dress designer Corinne Grassini will create an exclusive collection of drapy tops. The collection, which launches in February, features spun rayon jersey tunics and T-shirts that swathe the body with the help of dropped sleeves, low necks and trims cut out of silk, leather and chains.

So far this sounds pretty good, right? Surely you know how much we love diffusion lines and we definitely categorize ourselves as recessionistas. But according to WWD this recession friendly collection will retail for $150! We did a bit of price research for Society of Rational Dress, and a top in their normal collection retails in the $200-$400 range. Which means they are only taking off 50 bucks to satisfy Co-op’s recessionista clientèle. Would a $50 markdown entice you to go to Barney’s Co-op to buy a Society of Rational Dress top and still call yourself a recessionista? We think not!