Frugal Fashion: Claudia Schiffer gets nautical at Chanel

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Claudia Schiffer has been one of Karl Lagerfeld’s favorites since she started modeling for Chanel at the age of 17. She rocked the catwalk during Chanel’s 1990 haute couture show, then starred in the brand’s ad campaigns in 1994, 2008 and 2010. Whether it’s some form of fashion osmosis from an excessive exposure to the world’s finest clothing or an innate ability to look glamorous in anything, the 40-year-old mother of three is looking better than ever.

At Chanel’s spring-summer 2011 runway show during Paris Fashion Week, the German model ditched the runway for a seat in the audience but managed to yet again capture the selective eyes of the fashion world. In a blue-and-white striped nautical boat neck sweater and dark blue skinny jeans, Schiffer was casual but refined enough for a Chanel runway show attendee. Her over-the-knee brown boots added some height and dressed up the ensemble. She looks ready to step off the runway and onto the shiny slick streets of fall or winter.

For this week’s frugal alternatives we’re leaving out the denim. Schiffer’s look will work with any pair of dark skinny jeans you might already have, so no need to waste your money there. To get her nautical striped look, get cozy in Tommy Hilfiger’s navy-and-white striped boat neck sweater from Macy’s for $59.50. The Hilfiger version has super cute buttons that run along the left side of the sweater, and the sleeves feature a patriotic tipped red hem.

For some great brown fall boots of your own, snag these suedette brown, over-the-knee boots from Forever 21 for $34.80. They have an inner zipper and slit in the back for extra comfort. Be sure to check out resident stylist Melissa Magsaysay’s expert tips for getting your fall boots to fit just right.

The grand total for this week, before taxes, is $94.30. These frugal finds should last a couple seasons with a sweater you can wear all year long and boots that can take your feet from fall through winter and into spring.

Happy shopping.

Have an outfit you’re dying to buy, but need a frugal alternative? E-mail us a picture. We’re up for the challenge.

-- Jenn Harris

Upper photo: Claudia Schiffer poses at the Chanel spring-summer 2011 women’s ready-to-wear runway show during Paris Fashion Week. Credit: Benoit Tessier / Reuters

Lower photo: Brown boots from Forever 21. Credit: Forever 21