Fashion

Experts believe their wardrobes can be the best recession indicator. It's been said that financial pressure yields gravity-defying heels as a means for escapism with stiletto heights rising during the Great Depression of the 1930s, the oil crisis in the 1970s, the dotcom bubble burst in the 2000s, and the current economic crisis. OK, so maybe they're on to something. Skirt lengths are another supposed psychic garment which can predict the size of our wallets, and Business Insider monitored the hemlines at New York Fashion Week's fall 2012 to weigh in. And while it seems skirts are getting shorter, their results seem somewhat inconclusive.

In the 1920s, economist George Taylor created with the hemline index, observing that skirts got longer as the economy slowed. Hemlines were low in the the '30s, shot up in the '60s, and dropped back down in the '70s. But skirt lengths have been less definable in recent decades. Maxi dresses and knee length skirts have definitely become more prevalen

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When it comes to selling clothes, size matters. A campaign for Levis Curve ID Jeans was banking on it, until it backfired.

The line of customized shape-fitting denims boasts in a print ad, "hotness comes in all shapes and sizes." But underneath that message of empowerment, are three models with very similar, slender body types. Aside from slight differences in backside protrusions, none of the models reflect the size 14 shape of the average American woman.

Check out another ad campaign sparking outrage.

Copyranter, an advertising watchdog blog that posted the magazine ad Wednesday, called it an insult to women size six and over.

"The company doesn't seem to understand what 'different' means," added Jezebel's Anna North. "See, 'hotness comes in all shapes and sizes,' as long as those shapes are minute variations on the same thin, ponytailed woman."

In a call to Levis, a spokesperson told Shine that particular ad is actually from last year. Their latest campaign takes into acco

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Glee fans geared up for the Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) and Finn Hudson (Cory Montieth) wedding during last night's episode, and we were excited to see what the type-A Rachel planned for her big day. Thanks to the researchers at fashionofglee.tumblr.com, we know the hot pink belted bridesmaids dresses that Mercedes (Amber Riley), Sugar (Vanessa Lengies), Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz), Brittany (Heather Morris), and Santana (Naya Rivera) wore are from the Merona Collection at Target, and they accessorized with ivory pointed-toe heel by Ivanka Trump. It's nice to see the costume designers kept the look budgety-friendly and high-school appropriate-the dress sold for $40, though it's no longer in stores, and the patent pumps are available for $120 at zappos.com. Sadly, with Quinn's (Dianna Agron) accident, the "I dos" never happened. Here's to hoping they'll pick up where they left off when the show returns in April! Tell us: Do you like their bridesmaids look? Let us know in the comments!

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Printed pants have emerged as a bold spring trend from fashion's hottest designers -- but let's be honest:

Most of us don't have $600 on a trend that will likely be here today and gone tomorrow.

That means you have two options.

1. Skip this trend entirely.

2. Find some inexpensive copycat pants that keep the spirit of the expensive designer look without leading you to financial ruin.

More from The Stir: Camel Toe: Most Embarrassing Fashion Flub Fixed

If you want to opt for the latter choice this spring -- good news!

I've done the work for you and found some excellent printed pant options that will still allow you to pay your mortgage.

Before we get to your less-expensive options, let's take another look at a designer take on the trend. For just $250, these Milly printed pants from Bergdorf Goodman can be all yours!

I'm not really sure how I feel about this look, but if I were to try it, I'd be partial to these Cafe Capris in floral taffeta (J.C

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My best friend and I have very different techniques when we go shopping for jeans. She'll fall in love with the most expensive pair and buy 'em without even trying the jeans on. Me? I'll spend hours flipping through the sale rack until I find the perfect ones (a.k.a.: they make me look like I have a butt and they cost less than what I'd spend at happy hour).

Related link: Best Jeans for Your Body Type

I'm sure my best friend has her reasons for splurging on her jeans -- and I'll admit, these colored jeans are tempting -- but I just can't justify blowing my savings on a single pair of overpriced (albeit nice) distressed pants. It's a tad ridiculous to spend more than $100 on jeans that are all torn up. I can rip holes in my own jeans, thankyouverymuch.

Related link: 13 Must-Have Wardrobe Essentials

I love my bestie and all, but I think she's being a little outrageous with her spending. And I know I'm not really making the most of my time by digging through the sale bin all day e

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