Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

I am an average sized woman - which means I'm no where near a supermodel size 2 - and my friends and I have planned a few beach trips this summer. I'll be hitting the gym but still won't feel comfortable in a two piece bikini. Can you think of a good alternative for me? Are there any sexy one pieces out there?

Signed,

Malibu Boobs and Butt Barbie

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Dear M.B.A.B.B.,

If its any consolation, you aren't alone in not feeling bathing suit ready. Even people who you may think look bathing suit ready don't feel bathing suit ready. But thats besides the point. If you want to feel comfortable in a bathing suit, you have more options than you think.

For your first - and safest - choice, you would want to choose a one piece. You should choose one that accentuates your favorite feature and plays up your body type. If its your legs, wear a tunic cover-up over your bikini and remove upon comfort level and/or venturing into the water. If your favorite feature is your décolletage, you may want to wear a sarong to draw the eyes up. Accessories - sunglasses, hats, jewelry - can add to your comfort and draw attention away from anything you'd rather not draw attention to.

Now of course, if you want to take more of a risk, you can be an average-sized woman and still wear a two-piece. This week's savage styler, Gabi Gregg, is a prime example of a full-figured woman wearing a two-piece who's not afraid to flaunt it, with modesty of course. If the two-piece you choose is cut to cover and contour, you should be okay. You can still accessorize with the aforementioned and feel comfortable, even if you're less covered-up than you thought you'd have to be.

And a word of caution to all: if you're going out to purchase new bathing suits, unless you feel sure it can withstand getting wet - and what it may reveal once wet - you should take all pictures before getting in the water. In this day and age you want to make sure you're camera ready, Facebook tageable and twitpic appropriate.

Need sartorial advice? Email me: Dwaun@shoppingsavage.com

Going to the Chapel, as a guest, in Style Pt. 2

Last week, we discussed how a women should dress for three types of weddings: formal, cocktail, and destination. And this week, as promised, we're discussing the same for the fellas. What's great about a man's styling for weddings is that no matter the location, you have a standard suit blueprint to go by, but you can play with patterns and materials so you can stand out and look every bit as fashionable as your female counterparts.

Formal

For a formal summer wedding, you can lighten up a bit - at least in color - and give a navy blue suit a try. It’s a great twist on a classic black suit and it looks equally as good. It definitely gives off the stylish vibe but is still appropriate for the setting.

Ludlow two-button suit jacket with double-vented back and pant in Italian cotton

piqué

, J. Crew

Cocktail

For the unconventional wedding, try a khaki suit. Whether it's being held at an event space or a restaurant, this suit will definitely catch any bridesmaid’s eye. Another advantage to owning a khaki suit is that it can be used for multiple occasions later down the road and even worn separately.

Ludlow two-button suit jacket with center vent and pant in Italian Chino, J.Crew

Destination

A destination wedding is almost always the most relaxed, so a seersucker suit will be just the touch of casual style you want to convey. The material has great breatheability for an outdoor ceremony held on the beach or in a rustic setting. And yet again, this is one of those suits that can be used as a whole or worn as separates.

Ludlow two-button suit jacket with center vent and pant in seersucker, J.Crew

With these ideas, you'll be able to attend weddings this season in style and in step with the location. And no matter the venue or suit, be sure to accentuate with an unexpected pop of color - be it your pocket square, tie, socks or even cuff links. It's the subtle things that'll add polish and pizazz to your look.

Follow Hallie on twitter

Savage Style

Meet Gabi Gregg. Or maybe you have already. If not from her blog, young, fat & fabulous, then from her campaigning and winning out for the position of MTV TJ (twitter jockey). Either way, she embodies her blog's name with an emphasis on the fabulous.

Top: Evans

Jacket, Jeans, Sunglasses, Necklace: Forever21

Watch: Guess

Wedges: Pour La Victoire

In the blog's first post, she addressed an all important question that many in the fashion industry have pondered - or ignored - for many a runway seasons:

"The dilemmas of fat fashion are innumerable, which brings us to the burning question that I'm sure is running through all of your minds this very second: is it possible to be both fat and fabulous? I'm not gonna lie, it is a hell of a lot harder for us than the waifs whose biggest shopping concern is that the store may be out of their size (hello, try going into a store that doesn't carry your size in the first place). But, my fat friends, do not give up hope, for I know from first hand experience that while it may be difficult, it is not impossible. Learn to put in a little more effort in the right places, and you'll be surprised at how damn good your size 22 body will look when you see yourself in that dressing room mirror, honey.

This blog is dedicated to those girls like me; the ones who are so in love with an industry that is, well, so not in love with us. Rants, raves, reviews; it's all here, baby. We're young. We're fat. We're fabulous."

Jeans: Gap

Bag: H&M

Everything else: Forever21

Blouse: Asos

Jeans: Forever21

Platforms: Bakers

Headband: Forever21

Top: City Chic

Vest and shorts: Forever21+

Boots: courtesy of Akira Chicago

Dress: ASOS

Shoes: F21

Headbands: Walgreens

Cape: ASOS Curve

Clutch: Marshalls

Gregg proves that fabulous fashion can be found for every body type, despite the industries misgivings. Definitely worthy to wear the "Shopping Savage" sash of the week:

Tiger Tunic: Nasty Gal

Necklace: House of Harlow

Think you've got enough style to be considered a shopping savage? E-mail your photos to dwaun@shoppingsavage.com with a breakdown of your outfit and your photo may be our feature of the week!

“Brush”ing Up on Makeup Applicators: M.A.C. Brushes vs. The Other Guys

In this economy, it seems that everyone is trying to save a buck where they can, which usually means that makeup brushes don’t rank very high on most women’s list of priorities. It has become a recent trend amongst my fellow beauty mavens to try out M.A.C. brush knock-offs. When it comes to makeup, I have never been traditional in my application (I’ve been known to use eyeshadow as eyeliner for the effect, and everyone always raves!), so on a "recessionista" budget I had to try a few out just in case there were brushes I could save some cash on. Here are my findings:

POWDER

Contenders: M.A.C. 182 Buffer Brush vs. 182 Knock-off

The M.A.C. brush wins hands down. There really isn’t even a comparison to the knock-off and nothing positive to say about the particular one I used, therefore, I won’t even mention the other.

Winner (by a landslide): M.A.C. 182 Buffer Brush

EYES

Contenders: M.A.C. 239 Eye Shading Brush vs. 239 Knock-off

The M.A.C. 239 is supposed to be great for really packing on color. It was very stiff and quite dense, making it a “staple” brush. The 239 knock-off was less dense and had absolutely nothing special about it. It really was like an average brush that could be found at any drugstore; in fact, I’ve found better at the drugstore.

Winner: M.A.C. 239 Brush, a true staple in the brush collection of any makeup maven.

****

Contenders: M.A.C. 275 Medium Angled Shading Brush vs. Knock-off

This brush was purchased to use for my eyelid creases. I found that while it’s a great brush, and incredibly soft, it didn’t really work for the purpose I purchased it for because my eyelids are so small. However, I’ve found that this brush works really well for nose contouring! The knock-off was a dud. It was almost twice the size of the authentic so it became useless to me almost as soon as I removed the packaging. It also didn’t even resemble the authentic, which was pretty disappointing.

Winner: M.A.C. 275, because while it didn’t work for my eyes, at least I found another use for it, which is a way better ending to this story!

CONTOURING

Contenders: M.A.C. 168 Large Angled Contour Brush vs. 168 Knock-off

The M.A.C. 168 Large Angled Contour Brush was soft, had smoothly cut bristles and was denser, resulting in it lasting longer. The knock-off was actually softer than the authentic brush, but not as dense and the bristles were choppier looking. This one is actually tough because even when using the same amount of pressure using both, the authentic applies heavier than the knock-off, making it slightly more difficult to control the amount of makeup applied.

Winner: The Other Guys, because I’m a control freak and prefer to start out with lighter application and apply more as necessary.

BLUSH

Contenders: M.A.C. 188 Small Duo Fibre Face Brush vs. Knock-off

The authentic brush was great! It was dense, really soft and required less pressure to achieve the desired effect. It is also pretty small, making it easy to control color and perfect for me because I have a small face. The knock-off was also really good; the density was great and it was soft. However it was larger (which doesn’t really work for me) and required more pressure, which sometimes makes my face itch.

Winner: M.A.C. 188 Small Duo Fibre Face Brush because it took much less work and gave me a better airbrushed effect.

In the end, I’d have to say that you get what you pay for. While I was able to enjoy a few of the knock-offs, as a whole, they didn’t compare in to the M.A.C. brushes in most cases.

Follow Ashleigh on twitter

Southern Tide washes ashore for Brittons Beach Blast Party

Columbia, SC - This past Saturday Brittons of Columbia held a Beach Blast Party with Southern Tide. The fundraiser for ETV/ETV Radio was held at the store from 11am - 6 pm with food, beverages, prizes and giveaways.

Founded in 2006, Southern Tide is the brainchild of Allen Stephenson, a Greenville, SC native who came up with the idea for the company while studying abroad in Italy. According to the company's bio, Stephenson was inspired by the countries common threads - exceptional craftsmanship, clean lines, fine quality, and classic design - that he married with his southern upbringing and aesthetic, to create Southern Tide. The first item produced by the company was the men's Skipjack Polo. Using True-Vent Micro Pique™, it was Stephenson's desire to create a high-quality, well-designed and assembled polo.

And, as if needs to be said, he obviously succeeded in creating a product that consumers were drawn to. From the humble beginnings of one polo and using his parent's house as a warehouse, the company has expanded to select retailers in over 35 states and offers a complete line of menswear, select items for women including polo's, and various accessories. The company's attention to detail and quality as well as its blend of southern tradition and comfort with Italian style and quality are attributes consumers can appreciate.

Camille Wingate, Inside Sales Rep for Southern Tide

Lachlan Medley, Britton's college ambassador of Southern Tide, with Wingate

As the company bio boasts: "Our way may not be the most conventional, and may take a little longer, but we want our clothing to make you look and feel your best. Superior fit, classic design and comfort are key elements of our effortless style."

Dear Shopping Savage...

Dear Shopping Savage,

My boyfriend and I have been going out for a little over a year now and he's starting to surprise me with gifts. I wouldn't have a problem with this if they were things that I like, but they're not my taste at all. I really appreciate the gesture but I'd rather he not spend his money on things I'd rather return. Can you give me some tips on how to break through to him without hurting his feelings?

Signed,

Gifted Girl

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Dear G.G.,

Its rather hard to believe that after a year of being together that he still doesn’t know you well enough to get you a gift you would like; but then again, as most men can attest, if a woman is faking it its not always easy to tell.

So it sounds like he's a little off the mark with these surprise gifts - where's the harm in that? It's not as if its your birthday or anniversary. Maybe these are things he wants you to have, or things that made him think of you and so he's considerate enough to take the time - and funds - to get them for you. It sounds like you've never asked him why he got you the gifts, but feigned warm feelings for something you would never want. So you can't really blame the guy, especially since his actions are earnest and pure. Yours on the other hand are up for debate.

Even if you wanted to put him back on target and drop subtle - or blatant - hints about the gifts its a lose-lose situation. You will have to come clean about not liking any of the gifts he's given you which will make you seem not only deceitful but ungrateful considering these are unsolicited gifts.

Either way you should let him know so he can stop wasting his money. Just be prepared that after you lift the veil you risk him withdrawing gift giving all together. But that’s the price you pay for not being honest upfront and for having your boyfriend of a year lavishing you with things that you didn't appreciate. He has every right to feel foolish or even a bit deceived because, well, both are valid responses.

On a much more optimistic - yet unrealistic - note, the two of you could laugh it off and he’ll take cues from you from now on whenever he wants to surprise you with something, or maybe just reserve his giving spirit to holidays and special occasions. Either way, let this be a lesson to you: honesty is the best policy. Especially when you could have saved him and yourself from this unnecessary situation if you would have nipped this in the bud early on.

Just prepare yourself for the worst and hope for the best. Not the most comforting advice but its the most realistic.

Scary thought though, isn’t it?

Need sartorial advice? Email me: Dwaun@shoppingsavage.com

Going to the Chapel, as a guest, in Style Pt. 1

Every year around this time men and women alike get invited to one of the most important events in their friend's lives: their wedding. And with the invitations come the scramble for what to wear. Typically, the type of wedding determines that, but the range for women can extend beyond the odds of catching the bouquet. For this weeks trend report, I will break down the most common types of weddings and give you ladies an idea of what's appropriate to wear to each. (But don't fret fellas, next week its all about you!)

Formal

Most formal weddings are held in a church or holy sanctuary so your best bet is to choose something knee length and dare it be said, conservative. This is not to say that you shouldn't choose something that makes a fashion statement, but make it subtle and classy. Try to channel the likes of first ladies Jackie Kennedy and Michelle Obama.

Antonio Melani “Piano” Dress, Dillards

Cocktail

For those of our friends who embrace the idea of a "nontraditional" wedding, you still want your dress to be appropriate for the big day, even if said nuptials are being held at a museum, warehouse or even the restaurant they had their first date. One problem you may encounter is that with this type of wedding the bridesmaids dresses could have a very cocktail feel so if you have the opportunity, ask someone in the wedding party what they're wearing to have a better idea of what style would be appropriate.

Jones New York Shutter-Pleat Dress, Dillards

Destination

This type of wedding is usually set someplace tropical or held in a large outdoors area. What’s great is that unless specified, there is no specific look to cater to when getting ready. But that doesn't mean you should just throw caution to the wind when looking for a dress to wear. Look for something flirty and fun - like the nature of the wedding! - but still has that air of sophistication. After all, you want still want to look like you've shown up to a wedding.

Donna Morgan Strapless Dress, Dillards

These are just a few of the general types of weddings that you might encounter while on the wedding circuit this season. But whatever you decide to wear, always remember to resist the urge to wear white! The bride should have her day - and color - to herself!

Follow Hallie on twitter