Poll: The tight's the thing, but which style!?!

We're still debating the fug or fab quotient on leggings. But the verdict's clear on tights: There's simply no hotter (or easier) look to try on this fall.

Girly lace. Racy tattoo. Funky patterns. Tights bring a new spin to your basic essentials - the little black dress, the brown work skirt, the prim tweed. All for less than the price of a dinner entree!

The catch? There are so many cute options out there right now. And so little time to give them a whirl in Florida, where fall/winter is a two-month season.

Still, a cool front is coming through tomorrow, so there's no better time to get tight with tights. What styles are you jonesing to try on?

Lace
Plaid
Pattern
Tattoo

Deal Diva Letitia

(Dillard's photo of design print tights, $20 at Dillard's)

Poll: Trends that need to go away!

I'm in a fashion funk. In this economy, I question myself everytime I go to buy something frivolous, like a new top. It doesn't help that I'm not seeing anything in the fall lineup that makes my jaw drop.

I've bought my quota of ruffles. I'm still not feeling the shoe bootie. Or the metallic studs that are still hot-to-trot on handbags and shoes.

I'm ready to wish some trends away, so some new ones will come to stay. What are you ready to kiss goodbye?

Ruffles
Shoe booties
Navy nails
Studded stuff

Deal Diva Letitia

Poll: When shopping's NOT fun

I have the shopping blues.

The economy's still crappy. The weather's still muggy. And there's been no retail therapy in the necessities that have drained my account recently -- car repairs, eyeglasses, etc.

To top it all off, the bare basics in my dresser are fraying, which means the next time I have money to spend, it will be on the things that are the least fun to buy.

Argh!

What's your least favorite item to go shopping for?

Bras
Pantyhose
Spanx
All of above

Deal Diva Letitia

(Photos.com)

And the best-dressed award goes to....

If you recall, a couple weeks ago we featured 10 of Tampa Bay's best dressed on this blog and in the paper.

We also asked who you thought should get the top honor.

And without further adieu our winner is Tampa socialite dujour Betty Wood. 

The always well-coiffed society lady received a whopping 840 votes!! From fine knits to tailored suits, Ms. Wood believes a lady should dress like one. Did we mention she even gets dolled up for the gym? Take notes ladies.

The other two style mavens who scored high were Pam Bondi and Erika Wallace, with 309 votes and 77 votes, respectively. Both have love for the classics as well as a good trend.

It feels good to know that Tampa residents value style. If there's someone we missed, send us your suggestions. We're already gearing up for next year's list!

If you missed the best dressed slide show, check it out here.

Deal Diva Nicole

(Times photo Atoyia Deans)

Poll: What's your shopping heaven?

If you could snap your fingers and conjure up a fashion heaven, what would it be?

The catwalk at Fashion Week?

The evening gown department at Neimans?

The bargain racks at Marshalls?

Tell us what store you would place beyond the pearly gates. And if you don't like our selection, by all means chime in with better suggestions!

DSW
Nordstrom
Ellenton
Tar-jay

~ Deal Diva Letitia

The list is in! Tampa Bay's 10 Best Dressed

Maybe we’re not New York or Paris or even Miami. We might not be the stuff of Vanity Fair. But Tampa Bay is no slouch. In fact, we’re just days away from celebrating Fashion Week Tampa Bay 2009, our very own version of the glamorous goings-on in the Big Apple. And we’ve always been an area populated with artists, designers, society types and professionals with intense personal style — from vintage charm to high-class polish. The Deal Divas solicited nominations for the best-dressed people in Tampa Bay. We narrowed the list down to 10, ranging from the young and fresh to the delightfully mature. You might disagree. You might pick apart an outfit. You might balk. But keep in mind our criteria: originality, flair and the confidence to pull anything off. 

Click for a slideshow of our top 10. (Pick up a copy of today's tbt* to read the full interviews.)

Who's the hottest and most stylish in town? Sound off in our poll:

Marina Williams
Erika Wallace
Albie Mulcahy
Nancy Vaughn
Betty Wood
Vincent Lecavalier
Ivette Mayo
Funkghost
Pam Bondi
Ivanka Ska

Poll: Would YOU dare to wear leggings?

Sure, they're all over the magazine spreads for fall, but it sounds like Deal Diva Stephanie isn't the only one feeling conflicted over leggings.

Can women with short legs wear them? Twiggy types? Divas without adequate butt cover?

Sound off in our new poll:

What does it take to pull off this trend?
Legs, legs, legs
Tunic blouse
Funky style
Anyone can wear!

~ Deal Diva Letitia

Poll: Bare faced? No way!!!

I'm no stranger to schlump. I have my share of bad hair, bad clothes, bad everything days.

But even I have limits. One is wearing pajamas out in public. The other is wearing my bare face out in public.

With rare exception, I'll powder my nose before showing it the world. And pucker up for lip gloss. Maybe mascara, too.

Now I'm not a big makeup person. In fact, I think I'm allergic to eye shadows and liners. So if I'm going to such lengths before wearing my face out, I'm wondering ... what are Dolly Parton's of the world doing?!?

Where do you draw the line?

mascara
lip gloss
powder
foundation
full works

Poll results: Blue jeans blues

It's official. We are cheap.

We may be divas, but we're not willing to spend like them. Not even on wear-everywhere blue jeans.

Here's what the 180 voters in our most recent poll said they'd be willing to spend on a perfect pair of jeans:

• 52 percent won't spend more than $50
• 29 percent maxed out at $75
• 14 percent would fork out $150
• 9 percent said the sky's the limit

There's a reason why the Deal comes first on the Deal Divas blog. So what's the best place to score a cheap pair of jeans that hug in all the right places?

~ Deal Diva Letitia

Poll: What's your booty-licious blue jean price limit?

We're in awe of Colleen's brave jaunt this morning through the Gap's new premium denim collection.

While we salute the one-time jean icon for trying to bring a snug fit to the denim-loving masses, we have to ask... What's a good fittin' pair of jeans worth these days?

The Gap apparently is betting we'd consider it a deal for between $59.50 and $69.50. 

It has a point. I'm among the label-conscious snobs who's paid more than twice that amount, only to be, well, disappointed that the fit did not live up to the price tag.

My all-time favorite pair of jeans, may they rest in peace, were a Target buy for around $30. How I wish I'd stocked up at the time.

Which begs the question: What would you pay for the perfect, booty-licious fit?

$50 max
up to $75
up to $150
sky's the limit

~ Deal Diva Letitia