I just had a birthday and the only thing I asked for was donations (aka money) toward a Louis Vuitton – the Speedy 35 to be precise. I’ve been in love with this bag for sometime now and think that it will go with every single thing I wear: black, brown, pink, green, orange (don’t wear orange so much but I could start!) My style is very classic and simple. My favorite outfit is a great pair of designer jeans, a basic black shirt and simple heels or flats (depends on how comfy I want to be). I also think that since it’s such a classic bag my daughter – if that ever happens – will be able to use it someday. Anyways, I basically have the money, which is great except I’m having slight anxiety about paying $800 for a handbag.

My question to you Fashion Kitty is do you think it’s worth it? Also, everyone seems to either have the handbag I dream of or a fake version of it – does that matter? Should I care? What do you suggest Fashion Kitty!!??

This question couldn’t have come at a more appropriate time as I just plunked down about $800 on a handbag. Do it. Buy the bag … the real deal bag.

Seriously, carrying a fake is pretty horrid. Sure I have tossed the idea around in my head from time to time but it isn’t worth it. There is a big time moral dilemma involved in the making of a fake bag (supports terrorism, child labor, and all of that horrible stuff).

If that moral dilemma crap doesn’t shake — you just take it from me, you feel better carrying the real thing. I am loving my real Gucci handbag. I love having the feeling that I am being totally real. A real bag makes any outfit instantly stylish. You even carry yourself in a different way with a real bag. Plus, you can pass down your bag to someone else down the road and make people extremely jealous 😉

Just get it. You will thank me later.

I was hoping you could help me find out if I can purchase a dress worn by Blake Lively on Gossip Girl. The episode is “Roman Holiday”, and I found out that the dress is made by Henri Bendel. Would you be able to tell me whether this is right?

Hmmm, doesn’t sound right to me. Henri Bendel is a department store in New York City. I have honestly never shopped there so I can’t confirm if they have their own label but something tells me no. They do have fashion departments on the second and third floors that sells (as they put it):

SEXY AND FEMININE FASHION from designers like Diane von Furstenberg and J. Brand jeans can be found on Bendel’s second floor alongside an irresistible assortment of jewelry, sunglasses and scarves. Bendel’s third floor designer and trend collections include names like Missoni, Matthew Williamson, Michael Kors, Alice & Olivia, Milly, and Josh Goot.

My guess is that it was purchased from their and a while ago, considering this dress is from season 1. I did find a dress by Antik Batik that might take care of your sequin craving or you can try this one by ABS that is on sale and to me is very Serena.

I’m looking for a nice pair of dark (blue) straight jeans…not super skinny, not boot cut…but straight…my favorite brand is 7, however, I like Rock And Republics and True Religion as well…if you can recommend a pair, that would be great.

With the skinny silhouette being so popular it is often difficult to find a pair of straight leg jeans that actually look like straight leg jeans. I did find a few pairs that I think you would like, I think they are pretty hot.

• J Brand Mid-Rise Straight-Leg ink jeans, $160
• 7 For All Mankind Women’s “Roxanne” Straight-Leg Jeans, $155
• Goldsign Envy Straight-Leg jean, $255
• Anlo Gia Straight Leg Jean in madrid wash, $209 (pictured)

Was hoping you could help… Where can I find a dress like this as seen on Jaime Pressly in this weeks US Magazine?

The cut and fabrication of this little green dress looks a bit like Juicy Couture to me. I was unable to find the exact dress (perhaps it is an older style) but I did find this dress from Banana Republic on sale that has the same color, a similar neckline. The drop waist can easily be created by tying the belt a bit lower and blousing up the top.

I just wanted to get some advice from you on how to get into the fashion scene like you fashion bloggers. I live in Raleigh NC and there is no fashion anything here excepts Saks 🙁

I would like to get into the fashion scene but being that I’m form NC there is really no way of doing that I want to be able to get samples and freebies and all the trips and good stuff excp like nitro:licious jeesh does she pay for anything? Do you have any idea on how I could get started or if anyone needs any help? I’m a student massage therapist but I really want to do fashion please help with some advice

PS- I’m so jealous of ur bag ! And I love ur blog ur not so fashion uppity and u dont follow the crowd thanks for being real.

Thanks for the blog love, I try my best to be real in this crazy town 😉 Now for the harsh reality … Being a blogger isn’t an instant ticket to freebies and trips, that sure would be nice though. The truth is you have to work for it.

I have been blogging for three years and certainly didn’t get my start in a high fashion city. I started Ask Fashion Kitty when I lived in the DC Metro Area while I was an administrative assistant at AOL. No very fashion-y at all. I blogged and blogged, I took jobs that weren’t fashion related, I took crappy jobs that seemed fashion related, and I even blogged my little behind off while everyone else was out having a good time. I eventually moved to Los Angeles (much more fashionable) but again I wasn’t handed a fashion job. The key is to make your fashion job if you want it that bad.

My advice to you is to start a blog (be sure to send me the link). You may not see free stuff pouring in but it’s fun to be able to express something you love through blogging — the rest will start to fall into place. You may also find that people in your unfashionable town also love fashion — you could be the fashion star of NC. Also remember that the Internet is huge and doesn’t care where you are from. Spread your fashion expertise on social networks and get a huge following that way … I did that on ThisNext (before I started working there).

On the topic of ThisNext, if you want free stuff as a reward for being super-stylish you should check out our Maven program. There are quite a few Ask Fashion Kitty readers that are ThisNext Mavens who have scooped up freebies like Havaiana flip flops, OPI nail polish, Diane von Furstenberg headband, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Swarovski covered tweezers and more.

Good luck and work hard.

Hello! First of all I must say, I read your blog everyday! It’s fabulous!

Second, since you give great fashion advice, I need your help! I bought these cute white Mary Jane-esque, buckle heels and I adore them but I need some outfit ideas. What do you recommend? What sort of dress or skirt would you wear them with?

So glad you enjoy reading my blog! Thank you.

Your new shoes are very cute. They sort of have a 50’s charm about them so I would wear a dress that is nipped in at the waist with a full skirt. A pencil skirt would also look very nice with these shoes too. I would definitely stay away from jeans (too mismatched) and mini-skirts (too skanky).

Oh Dear Fashion Kitty,

I need a change, I’m almost eighteen and I need a change in style, my clothes are to punk, to rocker-girlish, I want something more adult like!!!!!!! But I don’t wanna be one of them frilly lil’ preppy girls, how do I pull it off???

Sounds like you need a little touch of Fashion Kitty in your wardrobe 😉 My style is kind of all over the place — I just wear whatever I want but today I think I am capturing the grown-up rocker-prep look that you need. The look that I feel you need is young but it’s not too kiddie without being old and boring either. I think it’s something a girl like you could pull off. Just remember when changing styles it’s so important not to lose yourself — always infuse a bit of your natural style into your new look. Here are two looks for you for you to try:

Rocker chic: This look is edgy and fun but put together. The vibrant accessories and “grown-up” shoes. A pair of grungy flats and mismatched bracelets would make this look too young.

It’s Business Time: When done right, a blazer can look so sexy with a pair of jeans and rock and roll tee shirt. The key to keeping this look grown-up is to wear pointy heels and a snug fitting tee shirt. Another “adult” move is to get a blazer that is tailored to fit you, an ill-fitting blazer will make it look like you stole it from your mama’s closet.