absolootely: fashion

Personally, I'm not into sponsored posts on blogs. I don't think you can genuinely review a product you haven't paid for. It's cool that people can make money from their blogs, and some bloggers do it in a really interesting way, but sales pitches aren't fun to read.

So no, this is not sponsored, this is a genuine recommendation. Absolootely is affiliated with Sheinside, but it's one of those half-assed schemes which mean we get like 10c if someone buys something via our blog. We're on the same thing with AliExpress. Not for profit, but for market research really.

Spiel over, I'm a huge Sheinside fan.

It's like a slightly more expensive AliExpress that's reliable and has a pre-collated set of cool things. I see things on the site from AliExpress, but also a lot of things that aren't. I've noticed that over the past year, they've gone from stocking mainly Free size to having a S, M, L selection in the vast majority of their inventory. That's cool.

They also have a tonne of promotional activities, like an exact rip-off of ModCloth's "Be the Buyer".
There's also some sort of system where you can submit clothing designs yourself. And a laughably bad official blog.And an about page, which has some pretty impressive stats.

Here are A LOT of assorted, awesome Sheinside items (average price is about $20USD):

Unsponsored ♥: Sheinside by absolootely on polyvore.com

Contributor: Kate, @Springerfield

If you see something you like, feel free to link it to us on Tumblr, in the comments below or via our Forum and we'll check for you if it's available cheaper elsewhere :-)

Also, have you ever bought from Sheinside? How'd it go for you?

[If you're new here, Fool's Gold is a regular segment in which we examine dupes. Because it mightn't be real gold, but in this case, it's just as good!]

These Dior earrings have been around for a few months and have been worn by such people as Jennifer Lawrence, Rihanna, Cara Delevigne, Emma Watson and Charlize Theron. They're pretty hot right now, suffice to say.

From the Mise-En-Dior earring product page

I think they're pretty great, so I headed straight to AliExpress the first time they appeared on J-Law and found that there are loads of them to be found for very cheap prices. You can find them in every colour imaginable and in a few different sizes to boot.

I had no idea which to get, so I bought three pairs, from this page. I got 16mm Champagne, 16mm Pink and 18mm Pearl, all of which I thought would be nice and understated varieties. I might buy a more bold pair, because, spoiler alert, I totally love these!

Left-to-Right: 18mm Pearl, 16mm Champagne, 16mm Pink

These are the parts

Looking at photos of the Dior originals, they actually look much heavier than mine. In the above photo of Jennifer Lawrence, you can see that her earlobe is slightly bent to accomodate the extra weight of the back section. This doesn't happen with the dupe versions, as they're very light. I think the Dior ones would actually be very uncomfortable!


18mm Pearl


16mm Pink

As for prices, Mise-En-Dior retail at about $450 (USD). The dupes can be found for under $2 a pair. Sure, you're never going to convince anyone that they're the real thing, but that's not really the point. If you like the style, you can get it for dirt cheap!

I'd totally suggest getting a couple of pairs. You can play mix-and-match with the balls, swapping around the front sections. Hour and hours of fun.

Ratings
Product Quality: 5/5
Accuracy of Description: 5/5
Similarity to Original: 4/5

Contributor: Kate, @Springerfield

Since I got some permanent shoulder decoration, I've been all over the interweb trying to find some tops that will show it off a bit. I don't have a lot of spaghetti straps, halter necks, tank tops, camisoles, etc. That's going to change!

Since camisoles (that's the best word to describe them, right?) are pretty flimsy and light, it's not really something worth shelling out for. I wore a camisole to an Arctic Monkeys concert last month and it barely survived! Glad I paid under $10 for that one!

There are some uber cute tops over on Aliexpress, here are my top finds! I basically included everything that has straps and is a top. It's not a very specific collection...

Online Shopping Gems: Camisoles & Tank Tops by absolootely on polyvore.com

Contributor: Kate, @Springerfield

Photo from Product Page

Travel the world and the seven seas.
Everybody’s looking for something
- Eurythmics, Sweet Dreams -

I featured this world map watch on my own blog back in April, when it first arrived. Since then, I've worn it a few times and have received many a compliment on its unique design. The stock photo is quite true to the real deal, the print on the watch face itself is slightly blurrier and the strap feels flimsier than the photo would suggest.

My own photos

The one fault is in the quality of the strap. I noticed a little loose thread a few days ago, which I pulled gently and it seems to have split the side of the strap a little. With time, the strap will definitely fall apart, although I can always replace it.

I don't think the strap is a deal breaker though considering it only cost me a few dollars and the weight of the watch face makes up for it. I'm really keen to try out more watches from AliExpress now.

World Map Watch available in brown, black and white

Ratings

Product Quality: 4/5

Accuracy of Description: 5/5

Similarity to Original: 3/5 I can't tell if it's just a coincidence that it looks very similar to the Around the World watch from Urban Outfitters

Contributor: Rachel, @RachelElsewhere

I'll be out of my mind, and you'll be out of ideas pretty soon,

so let's spend the afternoon in a cold hot air balloon.

- Owl City, Hot Air Balloon -

Ever noticed how clothes seem to bear many of the same motifs? I find it a weird trend, like who sits down and decides which little doodle drawing we'll be sporting next? We've seen it with cats, with owls, with all sorts of other animals. Whilst browsing AliExpress, I discovered that apparently hot air balloons are a thing. I'm assuming they're only online because I don't think I've ever seen a hot air ballon pattern in stores here.

Do you think the hot air balloon motif will catch on? Kate does.

The Hot Air Balloon Collection by rachelelsewhere on polyvore.com

Contributor: Rachel, @RachelElsewhere

Forgive me, Lord, for I have sinned.

I did not follow the Absolootely guide to Aliexpress and the Shopper's Checklist.

I bought two pairs of shoes without checking the measurements.

From the product page

They're just so great! Like, they're a nice, cheap loafer with a pretty embroidered pattern. So chic. I was totally thrown by how much I liked them and by the US$10 price tag, and I didn't want to know the truth I already suspected, which is that an Aliexpress size 9 is not, in fact, actually a size 9.

39 is technically a size 8, so they've made a mistake.

I did manage to fit one of my feet into one shoe, and it was lucky I could get it off! I really like these shoes, guys! I'm so annoyed about this! Anyways, here are some snaps:

Quality-wise, they are exactly what I paid for. They're flimsy, not quite perfectly put together and the cheap, factory scent is quite hideous. I am impressed with the design. The grey fabric looks luxe and the black is a nice black. You'd find these at Rubi shoes for $30 each. They'd go with everything and last just long enough for you to get a little bored of them. If you're certain you're getting the right size, then I do recommend these loafers.

I'll be putting these up on TradeMe within the next month or so, and I'll update this post with the results of the sales. Hopefully I can at least get my money back!

Ratings
Product Quality: 3/5
Accuracy of Description: 3/5
Similarity to Original: N/A, as far as I can tell.

Well, I hope we all learned a lesson here. I certainly did. That's the last time I trust fate with my money.

Contributor: Kate, @Springerfield

A Summer outfit for under $50. Join in on Polyvore!

Thirty-Four Dollars and Sixty-Four Cents by rachelelsewhere featuring a black white shirt

Contributor: Rachel, @RachelElsewhere

Can also be used to dress up your pup, which is a bonus.

If, like me and my dad, this is your favourite ever moment from The Big Bang Theory, then have I got the project for you!

I mentioned that I wanted to give making a detachable collar a go, but I'd gotten rid of a blouse that was an excellent candidate. Thankfully, I was idling through a box of old clothes and I found this excellent shirt that I bought from Supre about three years ago.

The problem with this shirt is that it looks a bit like the 70s threw up on it. It's a bit too bright and bold for me to wear without feeling like I'm in a costume. The fit is also a bit unflattering. However, I do like the print in small doses, so it's perfect for this project!

There are two types of detachable collars, and the first step is working out which of these you prefer, and which your shirt suits best:

By Miu Miu

By Carven

The shirt I'm using is chiffon polyester, so it's too light to be made into a bib (it wouldn't sit properly, unless I strengthened it). So I'm gonna take the easy route and turn it into a simple collar. I have a couple of collar tips that I'll add, to give it some extra flare.

The process is very simple, and can really be summed up in a couple of photos

Just cut the two collar segments off, exactly like this.

I decided to add couple of collar tips, using a hammer to lightly tap them closed.

Totally convincing!

So easy!

Here are some links to sites with more comprehensive guides:
http://www.rookiemag.com/2011/10/diy-collars-marlena/
http://emilyjane.typepad.com/my-blog/2014/02/diy-detachable-collar.html
http://runwaydiy.com/2011/02/24/diy-miu-miu-collar/

Contributor: Kate, @Springerfield

Another Under $50 Challenge entry by Kate! Head over to Polyvore to have a go yourself, and join in the fun.

Forty Dollars. by ktmllr featuring 18k jewelry

Contributor: Kate, @Springerfield

Cos I'm looking like class,
and he's looking like trash.

- TLC, No Scrubs -

My friends showed me the Mombasa Rose version of this beanie a few days ago and I knew I'd be able to track the exact same hat down for less than $20. It only took a moment for me to creep online and discover one for just $10! I didn't imagine I'd also find a store selling one for nearly $50. Can you imagine spending that much money on a beanie? That is so unpretty.

I can't guarantee they're all the exact same hat, but I'd say considering that 99% of the world is made in China these days, it's pretty safe to assume so. The other perk? Ali Express has free shipping, the other two don't. As if you needed any more convincing.

Just don't go chasing waterfalls in this, because I'm not sure how waterproof it'll be.

Fool's Gold : Crazy Sexy Cool Beanie by rachelelsewhere on Polyvore

Contributor: Rachel, @RachelElsewhere

Absolootely dares you to put together an outfit for under $50 (US)! With online shopping, the possibilities are practically endless! This just proves you don't need to blow the budget to look stylish and cool.

Here's Rachel's 2nd submission: