Tampabay.com

FEBRUARY 21, 2012

Designer roundup: Rock & Republic at Kohl's, Marni at H&M

Count two new (relatively) low-priced designer labels hitting stores for the little people.

Rock & Republic, a line that was popular with the wealthy trucker hat set in the mid-2000s, brings its denim-heavy wares to Kohl's. The company, whose designers have included Victoria Beckham, filed for bankruptcy in 2010, so we're thinking this is a pretty big deal for them. The Kohl's line includes pants for women in flare, skinny, crop, boot cut and legging, and for men in straight, slim and boot cut, between $50 and $60. The jeans are pretty cute, but I can't help thinking they look a little short on all the leggy models in the promo shots. This could bode very well for your friendly neighborhood Deal Diva Hobbit, here.

The line also includes graphic tees, baby doll tops and tuxedo jackets, plus, SHOES -- platforms and pumps in the $40-$50 range. For instance, you can own these deadly spiky platform heels for $51.99. Gents, do not cross your lady love when these are on the feet and death is on the line.

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Down at H&M, Marni takes the torch from Versace as the Swedish giant's latest high-fashion presence. The line debuts March 8 in 250 H&M stores and online. No words on whether Tampa is one, but the Versace line was here on the first day, so we'd have to guess the odds are good.

This line is less expensive than the Versace line was. I'm also hoping the folks at Marni act a little friendlier than Donatella Versace reportedly acted when her line came out, demanding it only appear on finely-selected attractive people in major news stories.

As Jezebel already pointed out, the stuff looks a little, well... flimsy, with patterns that don't quite align at the seam. Still, I can deal with mid-level craftsmanship. Y'all know the places we shop here at Deal Divas. I'm just not so sure I need a $149 leather smock in my life.

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But, hey, maybe you want your boyfriend to wear this matching top and swim trunks set ($39.99 and $29.99) with his favorite black dress socks and sandals. You never know when 1963 will strike and suck you back into the kidney pool.

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Deal Diva Stephanie

Photos: Kohl's, H&M

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Looking for shopping deals in Tampa Bay? The Deal Divas are on the prowl, sniffing out hot fashion finds that won't leave your wallet in ruins. Now you never have to miss a shopping deal! Sign up for weekly Deal Diva Alerts by e-mail. by e-mail. And check in often for the lowdown on local bargains, as well as fashion advice, fun photos and style news. Because shopping should be all about the Washingtons!

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THE AUTHORS

Stephanie Hayes came out of the womb wearing high heels. While other kids were reciting multiplication tables, she was learning to calculate an extra third off the half-price discount during buy-one-get-one week. She loves animal prints, black mascara and anything that sparkles. She objects to visible panty lines, Crocs and anything that costs more than a car payment. And she doesn't drive a nice car. She can be reached at (727) 893-8857 or shayes@tampabay.com.

Katie Sanders foolishly spurned pretty dresses and shoes as a child, tossing new clothes over her shoulder at birthday parties with a totally rude "no, thank you." Her drab days of monocolor outfits are over now, and she certainly knows better than to turn down free stuff. Her wardrobe mixes classic with quirk. Think blazers with statement necklaces, and lots of patterned ballet flats. She can be reached at 850) 224-7263 or ksanders@tampabay.com..

Kameel Stanley has never encountered a thrift store she didn’t like. Her mother taught her that the true value of clothes isn’t how much they cost, but how many outfits one can create from them. Having grown up in Michigan, she was delighted to learn upon moving to Florida that she almost never needed to wear socks or boots again. There’s a lot of turnover in her closet, and she’s obsessed with dresses, necklaces and wedge heels. She can be reached at (727) 893-8643 or kstanley@tampabay.com.

A disciple of the little black dress classics school, Letitia Stein stretches her budget by looking for styles with staying power. She lives for 80 percent off shoes at DSW, floral sundresses and bohemian chic tops. She confesses to being a bit of a snob when it comes to handbags and jewelry. She can be reached at (813) 226-3400 or lstein@tampabay.com.

From camo pants and construction boots to sundresses, sweaters and sling backs, Keyonna Summers knows how to make all of it rock -- at rock bottom prices. A Detroit native, Keyonna delves into her urban roots to find fashion pairings that give a nod to street fashion while maintaining the class of the modern, professional woman. She believes in searching for affordable clothes that look expensive and can easily be dressed up or down. You won't find plaid shirts or fleece jackets in her closet; the only hiking Keyonna does is to the bargain basement. She can be reached at (727) 445-4153 or ksummers@tampabay.com.

Coming from a long line of fashionable women, Kim Wilmath considers herself lucky to fit into their hand-me-downs. Her wardrobe staples include her grandma's vintage blouses and her mom's funky jewelry. When she's in the market for "new" items, Kim hits her favorite thrift stores -- a habit she also picked up from mom. But when circumstances require a visit to the shiny stores in the mall, you'll find Kim at the sale rack like a good little diva. She can be reached at (813) 661-2442 or kwilmath@tampabay.com.

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