Looking good this fall doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. That is the mantra of the TLC television series, “What Not to Wear,” and the message behind its partnership with General Growth Properties, Inc. (GGP) malls, which will offer area shoppers expert fashion advice and the opportunity to save money during their next mall visit.

The partnership’s fall program, Shop Smart Look Fab, has launched at Coral Ridge Mall with online promotions at www.ShopSmartLookFab.com and culminating in-mall activities planned for September 17-20. Program components include:

Sept. 17-20, in-mall activities:

• $10 GGP Gift Card offers* – Shoppers who spend $75 or more at participating GGP malls will receive a $10 GGP gift card, while supplies last.

• Free Shop Smart Style Guides – Free booklets that feature the latest style and fashion content will help shoppers make smart wardrobe purchases this season.

• Special deals on the hottest fall items – Including limited time sales and offers from participating retailers.

Online components of www.ShopSmartLookFab.com:

• A chance to win a “What Not To Wear” Experience* – Visitors to the Web site can register to win an exclusive “What Not to Wear” Experience, including a trip to New York City, a $2,500 shopping spree, and a chance to meet a member of the “What Not to Wear” team!

• Style tips and fashion “Do’s and Don’ts” – Learn universal truths from TLC style experts on how to always put your best foot forward.

• Test your style knowledge – Take a fashion quiz to see if your style savvy is on par with TLC’s “What Not to Wear” hosts Stacy London and Clinton Kelly.

The Shop Smart Look Fab program was designed to give Coral Ridge Mall shoppers a little more value toward their next purchase and also help them achieve even smarter shopping habits via expert tips like these, from the fashion gurus of TLC’s “What Not to Wear.”

1. Splurge on a few clothes that fit you really well, instead of skimping on a bunch of stuff that is all wrong for you. Good fashion isn’t about quantity, it’s about quality.

2. Wear wide-legged trousers if you want to slim those hips. But, if you’re looking to create hourglass curves, don a jacket that comes in at the sides.

3. Step into some white shoes after Labor Day. Who cares what the old rules say?

4. Wear leather and suede in lighter weights and colors during the warmer months. Pair a leather skirt and tank top, or a suede shirt with jeans and sandals for a fun, stylish twist.

5. Mix stripes and plaids, but remember one pattern should always take priority over the other. If they are equally loud, you’re going to stick out like a sore thumb.

6. Learn how to mix up a manly necktie knot. Shirts that feature a spread collar should be paired with a thicker tie and bigger knot; those with a point collar need a thinner tie with smaller knot.

Stephanie Westrom, 21, Cedar Rapids

Employment: Corporate Finance, AEGON and Co-Owner of The Dancer’s EDGE

What are you wearing?

I’m wearing a strapless, black satin dress with Zebra print bodice from Dillards. I love the clean lines and classic silhouette. The back tie and front pockets also give a little extra detail. The red patent leather shoes are from Gianni Bini.

Where do you get your style inspiration from?

I feel most inspired when my fiancé and I travel. I love seeing how other people live and dress outside of Iowa. We spent almost two weeks in New York City this summer, and it amazes me how long you could sit in a café and watch people walk by, dressed in almost any style imaginable. It’s fun to find new stores that you love and want to visit the next time you’re there. Plus, I love shopping with my fiancé- he has a very clean, refined sense of style, so I enjoy spending the afternoon strolling through shops with him.

Who are your style icons?/Why?

I’ve always loved Grace Kelly for her clean, classic style. I just love the versatility and timelessness of true staple pieces. With that said, I also appreciate Sarah Jessica Parker’s willingness to step outside the box, and I find that her (sometimes quirky) style is inspiring and empowering for those of us who sometimes hide behind the classics too much.

What is your staple go-to store for fashion finds?

A lot of people in the area shop here, but I’ve gotta say that Express is my staple. In my opinion, it’s the best place to find decently-priced, young professionals clothing. I love their fitted button-up shirts, and their luxury stretch Editor pants are always wrinkle-resistant and easy for me to wash and wear, which is key for anyone who’s always on-the-go. I tend to look for cute dresses or shoes at specialty stores when I’m traveling, however, local department stores, such as Dillards and Von Maur, also have some good finds from time-to-time.

What is the one fashion item you can’t live without?

I guess it’d have to be high heels. I don’t wear them on a daily basis or anything, but I do love the feeling of slipping on a pair of cute peep-toes or powerful pumps when the time’s right. I suppose it’s one of the joys of being a girl, but I’m not lying when I say that my mood can totally change when I don a pair of cute shoes.

What do you splurge on?

Jeans that fit really well! It took me the longest time to find a pair of jeans that fit my 5’10” frame while still being durable (it drives me nuts when jeans sag and stretch out after just a couple of wears!). Levi’s Skinny Boot is now my all-time favorite- I’ll buy multiple pairs when I’m at a Levi’s store, and luckily, they come in almost every shade, so you can buy a dark wash for going out or a light wash for a relaxing Saturday.

What are you willing to skimp on?

I’m not a huge accessories person. A simple pair of earrings, my watch, engagement ring, and occasionally a necklace, is all I really wear. There are definitely circumstances when more is desired, but I’ve found that a couple of staple pieces in the jewelry box suit those occasions just fine.

What kind of fashionista are you? (Department store/local handmade/vintage/boutiques/designer labels/mix?)

I guess I would consider myself a Department store/boutique mix. Occasionally, I appreciate a designer label, but normally only for items that I’ll get a lot of use out of, such as a nice pair of shoes or a well-made purse. My Dooney & Bourke purse splurge was one of the best items I’ve ever purchased simply because it’s so durable and it matches almost any outfit. It has easily paid for itself compared to the number of cheaper purses I would have gone through in the same amount of time.

Nathan Franzen, 31, Cedar Rapids

Technical Project Manager @ Rockwell Collins

What he’s wearing:

I found several pieces of this combo on a business trip to London. The shirt is from Thomas Pink. The tie is from a local shop whose name I cannot remember. The watch was purchased at a kiosk in Gatwick airport while waiting for my flight home.The vest is part of a 3-piece Ralph Lauren suit that I’ve had for years.
One of the great things about a 3-piece suit is that you can break it apart. You can’t see it in the photo, but I am wearing solid navy blue pants — not the matching pants from the suit.

The cufflinks are Tiffany sterling silver knots. I like them because they are understated. They don’t scream for attention, but if you do choose to notice them, they are like little sculptures.

In general, this outfit illustrates what I mean when I say that style is about the details. The subtle blue stripes of the vest pick up on the colors the necktie, but don’t try to compete with the loud shirt. The silver cufflinks draw your eye to the bezel of the watch and vice versa.

And, of course, my shoes match my belt.

Where do you get your style inspiration from?
I’ve drawn a great deal of inspiration from “people watching” across a decade of business travel. For example, a trip down Jermyn Street in London emboldened my selections in dress shirts and neckties. Another example: a year living in downtown San Diego showed me that “casual” does not have to equal “sloppy”. I also enjoy reading magazines such as Esquire and GQ. They frequently spark new ideas for my existing wardrobe (e.g. a new combination of clothing items, or a new color or pattern combination).

Who are your style icons?
Sean Connery in the early James Bond movies. If you want to see how a gray suit should be worn, just watch “From Russia with Love”.

One of my best friends, Eric, has great style. I’ve seen him at ball games, ballrooms, and everything in between, and he is always cool and comfortable. (A little bit of trivia: Eric introduced me to French cuff shirts, and one of my favorite pairs of cufflinks was a gift from him and his wife.)

What is your favorite local place to find amazing pieces?
Most of my favorite pieces of clothing came home with me in a suitcase. It’s hard to find stylish clothes locally in Big & Tall sizes.

What is your staple go-to store for fashion finds?
I’ve never had a single go-to store where I can always find what I’m looking for. I tend to find things at many different stores, usually when I’m not really looking. I’ll rarely pass by a Nordstrom or Macy’s without strolling through the men’s department. But there are local finds as well: I found a pair of chinos on sale at J.C. Penney while waiting for a haircut a few months ago. And a few weeks ago I found a pair of jeans while my fiancée was looking at purses at T.J. Maxx. I guess the lesson is to keep your eyes open.

What is the one fashion item you can’t live without?
With my ‘Type A’ personality, I couldn’t get through the day without a wristwatch. So my collection of cool watches is perfectly reasonable, right?

What do you want to splurge on?
A guy shouldn’t be afraid to invest in quality “building blocks” for his wardrobe. Basics like good shoes, white oxford dress shirts, and dark suits will last a long time. Just keep them simple so they don’t go out of style quickly, and make sure they fit properly. If you can’t find a good fit off the rack, a skilled tailor can work wonders.

What are you willing to skimp on?
I’m happy to save money on anything that wears out quickly, is seen by few people, or where the quality and style are no better with a name brand. Good examples are undergarments and “around the house” clothes. Oh, and I buy cheap umbrellas, because I lose or break mine at least once a year.

What kind of fashionista are you?
I suppose I am equal parts big department store and small haberdashery.

Whitney Rozek, 23, Cedar Rapids
Graduate student, University of Northern Iowa

What she’s wearing:

I am wearing a black metallic dress that my mother found at a boutique in Santa Cruz. I love the shimmery fabric and how the dress flows freely. The rosettes across the top are a playful addition to the little black dress.

Where do you get your style inspiration from?

My mother, who taught me to dress modestly. I love to go shopping with her and try things on to see what works. Also, sharing clothes with my younger sister keeps me up to date.

Who are your style icons?

I have to mention Sarah Jessica Parker because she is so versatile. Besides her, Audrey Hepburn is another one of my icons because of her timeless and feminine style.

What is your favorite local place to find amazing pieces?

Lately, I have been finding a lot of pieces from Textiles in Iowa City.

What is your staple go-to store for fashion finds?

I don’t really have one unless the internet counts.

What is the one fashion item you can’t live without?

I love my headbands and could not live without them for both aesthetic and practical reasons.

What do you want to splurge on?

Shoes, heels to be more specific, but I also love ballet flats.

What are you willing to skimp on?

I tend to skimp on accessories in general. I don’t wear a lot of jewelry, other than my engagement ring, and I like to keep my look simple.

What kind of fashionista are you?

I would say that I am multifaceted in regards to where I shop.

What fashion genre would you put yourself in? (classic/bohemian/bombshell/American/etc.)

The classic genre is probably the best fit for me.

Kelsey Richards, 20, Iowa City
Marketing Intern @ Gazette Communications

Where do you get your style inspiration from?

It comes from just being observant of the people who fill my life each day. My friends will tell you I’ve compiled a sort of “expectations” list of things I look for when I go shopping. Just walking around the mall fills me with inspiration for a new outfit or a new look.

Who are your style icons?

The world of celebrity fashion has always seemed like somewhat of a distant planet to me. The closest person I have to a style icon is my boyfriend (which sounds crazy, I know) but he gives me the best fashion advice a person could ask for. I will often look to him for advice on a new top or pair of jeans because he knows me and will be bluntly honest.

What is your staple go-to store for fashion finds?

The Buckle, hands down. In no other store can I walk out with an entire outfit in hand and be completely satisfied with it. For me, buying clothes is about versatility and at the Buckle I can get a great pair of jeans and layered tops that allow me to show a different look each day and discover new outfits in the process.

What is the one fashion item you can’t live without?

I cannot live with my jeans. Right now my favorite brand is MEKs because of how comfortable they are. Definitely worth the price tag.

What do you want to splurge?

I would love to splurge on a Coach handbag. I’ve been eyeing them for years! They’re so stylish without limiting what you can wear with them.

What are you willing to skimp on?

Anything pink! Rarely will you find that color in my closet. I will also skimp on shoes. Simple is good in my book, especially when it comes to something you’ll be walking around in all day.

What kind of fashionista are you?

I don’t know if the Buckle would be considered a department store or boutique, but I think it allows me to get that look without having to pay the full price.

What fashion genre would you put yourself in? (classic/bohemian/bombshell/American/etc.)

I don’t really know if I can sit in just one category, but I would say I’m somewhere between classic and bohemian. 

What she’s wearing:

I am wearing an orange Daytrip top layered under a Daytrip tube top, which I wore as a dress (the joys of being short). The shoes are Madden Girl. Everything is from The Buckle.

Sean McCoy, 29, Cedar Rapids

Student @ Mount Mercy College

What he’s wearing:
Shirt from Express. Jeans and fedora from Banana Republic. Shoes Johnston and Murphy from Von Maur.

Where do you get your style inspiration from?  

My inspiration comes from those around me, my friends dress similarly to me. I like to blend dress and casual clothes and mix and match.

Who are your style icons?

Robert Downey Jr. He can be dressed up in a designer suit in one interview and the next can be casual in a t-shirt and jeans and pull it off.  I think his ability to be versatile is something I try to do as well.  Adrian Brody is another icon, he is a thin guy like me and dresses well to compliment his body frame. 

What is your favorite local place to find amazing pieces?

In the Corridor we are kind of limited, but I get a lot of good stuff at Banana Republic.

What is your staple go-to store for fashion finds? 

If I need something right away I can always find something at Holly’s Shop for Men, Express or American Eagle 

What is the one fashion item you can’t live without? 

I cannot live without my collection of Jordans or any of my shoes for that matter.

What do you want to splurge on?

 I will always splurge on shoes and ties.

What are you willing to skimp on?

I don’t skimp on much, and that’s why I don’t go shopping that often. But if I have to it will be on shorts or pants. I’d rather have a nice shirt than pants or shorts. 

What kind of fashionista are you?

I would have to say I enjoy the labels, nothing too crazy. But I like Lacoste, Polo, Banana Republic, Express and a few others.

MyStyle: Sean McCoy

Lovar Davis Kidd, 30, Cedar Rapids

Founder @ MOvMNT Dance Company and a self-employed massage therapist, personal trainer, choreographer, dancer

What he’s wearing:
V-neck tee from Pac Sun paired with straight leg jeans from Gap.

Who are your style icons?
My biggest style icons are Will Smith and Justin Timberlake. They both know how to blend urban wear with professional wear in a way that always works.

Where do you get your style inspiration from?
I get my style inspiration mostly from what I have seen while traveling. Whith dancing I have had the privilege to travel to both teh east and the west coast adn everywhere in between.

Where do shop?
My favorite local place to shop is the Tanger Outlet in Williamsburg. When I am there my first stop is alwasy the Nike store to see if they have any new Dunks in, and then I stop by Pac Sun and Banana Republic.

What can’t you live without?
I can’t live without my Dunks. I’m a Dunk junkie! I have way too many pairs of shoes. Dunks mostly.

What will you skimp on?
I usually skimp on buying jeans. It’s hard for me to find jeans that fit my man thighs. So I have had most of my jeans for four years or more.

– LOVAR DAVIS KIDD

Video: L.D.’s closet

Shantelle Smrha, Cedar Rapids
Senior Analyst, Contract Development @ AEGON Financial

Where do you get your style inspiration from?
There is a lot of creativity when it comes to fashion — even if it’s just in choosing how you wear the few basic pieces you have. Just like writers, artists and musicians look for inspiration to keep their creativity flowing, fashionistas need inspiration too! Taking fashion notes from a celebrity fashion muse is a great way to get a feel for how your body type may look in different types of clothing. Want to try a pair of high-wasted trousers, but aren’t sure if they’ll look right on you? Let your celebrity fashion muse try them first and observe their results before you buy a pair yourself! A quick note of caution: When you look for inspiration in celebrity outfits, always be sure to add your own individual signature to their look. Do not copy someone else’s outfit piece for piece — that’s like fashion plagiarism! Let celebrity outfits and styles inspire you, but don’t take a picture from a magazine and purchase every single piece. It is important to have the self confidence to wear your own version of their look and tweak it to suit you.

What is your staple go-to store for fashion finds?
Forever 21, TJ Maxx and Target. These stores have amazing finds for everyday wear, layering pieces and leisure time!

What is the one fashion item you can’t live without?
The plain, basic black tee. Long or short sleeved, it’s my essential when it comes to putting together everyday outfits. A black tee can be can be worn alone with a great pair of vintage jeans or used as a layering piece with a deep v-neck top or sweater. A black tee is similar to a blank canvas and gives you enough space to really transform your outfit by layering or using your favorite accessories!

What do you want to splurge on?
A good hair cut. I feel that no style is complete without talking about hair. I’m not saying that simply paying more guarantees the hairdresser will do a great job, but every great hairdresser I’ve found charges a fair professional rate for their time. In my opinion, a person’s hair style really says a lot about their personal style and is really the piece that ultimately completes and finishes your look. You may have the most amazing outfit on, but if you don’t pay attention to your hair style, your look is often incomplete.

What are you willing to skimp on?
My personal rule is if I’ll wear the piece of clothing or accessory only once or twice, I’ll buy it cheap. There is no point in splurging on something that sits in the back of your closet and collects dust! However, if it’s a piece of clothing or accessory that I will wear a lot, like a park of dark wash jeans or black stilettos, then I’ll splurge. To me, quality is important when it comes to the pieces you wear on a near daily basis.

What kind of fashionista are you? (Department store/local handmade/vintage/boutiques/designer labels/mix?) 
All of the above. Sometimes it is very difficult to come up with new outfits and I often am asked how do you keep up with it all. In an industry where style changes every other day, how do you stay inspired without the burden of buying a whole new wardrobe weekly? Unless you are a million-dollar heiresses, I feel that in order to keep your fashion in tip top current shape, you have to look for bargains. Whether I’m in a department store, a boutique or a local shop, I’m always on the look out for unique pieces (i.e.: a great bag, a sassy top or a pair of shoes) at great prices!

What are you wearing?

Black Tee: Mossimo for Target
Dress: Forever 21

Amazing outfits are all about balance. My favorite casual look is to pair a simple tee and jeans with a pair of metallic or patterned flats and a few layered bangles. I carry this same type of look over to the dressier side of my wardrobe too. I like to layer a solid black tee under a bold patterned top or dress. Adding a just a pop of color or pattern, whether it’s through your shoes, top or dress can add complexity and interest to a plain look, balancing everything out.