Rachel Zoe Styles on the Cheap and Almost (Actually) Dies

This week, Rachel set aside her innate tendency to think in couture and styled some “accessible and affordable” looks appropriate for the masses — and by the end of the episode, poor put-upon Rachel was literally about to die (good thing she had all that chunky gold jewelry to offset her oversized bathrobe, huh?)

First, she had a little trouble styling Ashton Kutcher’s animated Blah Girls for prom (although you’d think they’d be her ideal clients, seeing as how they’re only about a quarter-inch around). But the main focus of last night’s episode was Rachel’s shoot for a Piperlime-Glamour collaboration that aimed to answer readers’ fashion queries and hit a whole bunch of fall trends in one fell swoop.

The results? Rachel put together a “warm date night outfit” consisting of  slouchy crops from MM Couture ($80) and a flashy 7 For All Mankind sequin blazer ($495), since “date night” automatically puts Rachel in mind of shimmer and bling. She finished the look with sexy Zanotti red-and-snakeskin pumps (they’re sold out at Piperlime, but you can still score ‘em — though not on sale — at The Shoe Box).

Rachel also designed a black and white moment, saying “you’re never going to look back on a black and white outfit and regret it.” Her no-regrets look paired a flowy print blouse, like Velvet by Graham and Spencer’s take ($141) with — what else? — a little fall faux fur in the form of Cynthia Vincent’s fur collar vest ($323). Rachel also made a beeline for what Brad called “a bathmat shaped like a vest,” Joie’s oversized white faux shearling vest ($318).

And for those of us who, like Rachel, don’t look quite right in skinny jeans and are so over miniscule-inseam low-riders, there were plenty of boyfriend jean options. Rachel’s pick for a laid-back weekend paired AG Adriano Goldschmeid Ex-Boyfriend crops ($225) with a fitted jacket like Monrow’s double breasted tux jacket ($295).

Want more of this week’s Rachel Zoe Project style?  Take a look at our guides to blazers, boyfriend jeans, and vests.