Anyone out there watching The Fashion Show on Bravo? While we wait for the legal department to work things out over at Project Runway, this new knock-off, as is often the case in fashion, comes nowhere near close to the quality and style of the original.

The contestants did have an interesting mini-challenge last night though. They were given items that could be used to create two different outfits and had to correctly separate them into the outfit that was the “Bang” (the inexpensive one) and the outfit that was the “Buck” (the one with the high-ticket prices).

You can probably guess what happens…only one of three teams was able to complete the challenge on their first try. The other two teams needed multiple attempts. Even these fashion designers with all their knowledge of construction couldn’t discern the difference between thousand dollar pieces and hundred dollar pieces.

So, the lesson? Look for quality (at every price point), buy items that make your heart flutter (but only if they make you feel like a million bucks and flatter your body shape and size), and stop being a label snob.

Today’s VPOD, for instance, is a classic black illusion dress from the 1950s by Peggy Hunt that packs a significant amount of style into a reasonable price tag. Take out the label, though, and it could pass for a dress from a much higher-end label.

And that makes it an extra-beautiful find for a vintage fashionista!

Available at Kitty Girl Vintage.

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