Influenced by Erica (on a budget!)

Let's face it, while I wish I had Erica's style (or stylist), I couldn't afford most of the dresses she does wear.  In fact, I doubt that Erica could afford most of the dresses she does wear.  Sure items from H&M, Banana Republic and Anthropologie make appearances from time to time.  But DVF, Nanette Lapore, Alexander McQueen ?  Not to mention the shoes (oh the shoes!)

So what might Erica wear if she was my on-a-budget coworker?  While she may not find as many fantastic prints available, there are some styles that might appeal to her (at a price point that is more in tune with my actual coworkers):

http://www.target.com/p/Merona-Womens-Pleated-Neck-Sateen-Dress-Assorted-Colors/-/A-13871204

or a similar pleated top look, sleeveless at a higher price ($57) ; http://us.dorothyperkins.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=34072&storeId=13065&productId=4389121&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=339496&parent_categoryId=&pageSize=200&refinements=category~[339172|339496]&noOfRefinements=1

and a wrap dress with a little pattern (and on sale for $12.99)  http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_027B032794320001P?prdNo=33&blockNo=33&blockType=G33

This ($20.99)  actually looks similar to a dress Erica wore in Season 2:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_031VA45703701P?prdNo=38&blockNo=38&blockType=G38

Or if you like pop of color how about scarlet ($15) - you could pair it with an orange or navy cami

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Seed-Women-s-Cotton-Tie-Front-Dress/19204049

Erica also favors the classic shirtdress - which can be found in the lower price points ($16)

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Women-s-Denim-Short-Sleeve-Belted-Dress/19414930

or this lovely (now on sale for $28): 

Plus Size Women's Petites Liz Claiborne Belted Shirt Dress - Olive

For evening, Erica often sports dresses that are strapless and either have tiers, or are one shoulder (such as this $39.99 beauty):

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_031VA46131501P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

 Or for a strapless option ($39.99), all this dress needs is a sparkly crystal belt:
http://www.target.com/p/Womens-Plus-Size-Merona-Strapless-Chiffon-Dress-Assorted-Colors/-/A-13468556?ref=tgt_adv_XSE10001&AFID=become_df&LNM=|13468556&CPNG=women&ci_src=16079562&ci_sku=13468556

T Shirts and Separates

For T-shirts, Erica favors eco-friendly rayon made from bamboo.  Specifically, this company's eco-friendly rayon:

http://lilikoiclothing.com/eco_friendly_clothing.htmlhttp://lilikoiclothing.com/eco_friendly_clothing.htm


Erica also likes Anthropologie -- the Molded & Melded Tee  S3E8 "Physician Heal Thyself":

.

and seen in  "Adam’s Family” (S3E11) – Anthro's  Breezy Polkas Cardigan 

S2E6 "Shhh Don't Tell"  - Talbots Cap Sleeve Satin Blousean

A Purple Dress for Christmas

 
If you really, really love this dress & are a size 7, it's available NWT on ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-MAGGY-LONDON-Sequin-Strapless-Dress-Purple-6-/150637341854?pt=US_CSA_WC_Dresses&hash=item2312af6c9e

Designers of Choice

So who are the designers of choice for costume designer Luis Sequeira?  In an interview for Monsters and Critics, he names names:

Issa of London
Nougat (of London)
Nanette Lepore
Trina Turk
Catherine Malandrino
Ralph Lauren
Leifsdottir
Teen Flow
Anne Klein
Alice + Olivia
James Perse
Theory
Rebecca Taylor

Read the entire piece, which features Erin Karpluk here:
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/dvd/features/article_1657501.php/Erin-Karpluck-talks-Being-Erica

Promo Clothing

From the season one Promo:

"Teez Me" dress
http://www.polyvore.com/teeze_me_rosette_trim_dress/thing?id=8514005

and if you want Erica's Madonna Halloween costume from Me Casa Su Casa Loma (S1E10)
http://www.threemusesclothing.com/servlet/the-562/Madonna%2C-80%27s%2C-popstar/Detail

   
Three Muses also has Jenny's Marie Antoinette costume as well.

Being Nanette Lepore

If there is one 'go-to' designer on Being Erica, it is Nanette Lepore.  Hands down, this designer provides some of the most talked about & coveted dresses on the show.  Some familiar looks:

The cherry-print dress that Erica wore in the season 2 premiere is
Nanette Lepore’s Very Cherry dress (which is also available in black & white)

http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446215785

The dress in the opening of S4E7 “Being Ethan” is Nanette Lepore’s Tropical Heat Dress

http://reviews.saksfifthavenue.com/5000/0414028666757/nanette-lepore-tropical-heat-dress-reviews/reviews.htm

Purple one-shoulder dress (altered for show)  from S4E8 "Please tell me Know" (also available in buttercup)


http://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/Nanette-Lepore-Marilyn-One-Shoulder-Cutout-Dress-Contemporary/prod130000088

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nanette-Lepore-Leading-Lady-Dress-/280800347272?pt=US_CSA_WC_Dresses&hash=item4161014488

In the beginning

In the beginning there was black.  Black sweater worn with black pants.  Black overcoat. And for dates, a black v-neck dress.  And it rendered Erica invisible.

I know.  Black is what we wear when we want to appear worldly, powerful, chic.

And it made Erica look drained. Her only pops of color came from a purple scarf (with the jacket), a multi-hued clutch (with the dress).  Even her hospital gown was grey.  

Frog pajamas nothwithstanding, we wait until episode 2 for some color.  Erica goes the rounds in a plum colored shirtdress. Similar to the "Pauline" short sleeved shirtdress by Tahari.

In episode 3 we get our first print, an H&M wrap dress (no longer available):

 Season 1, Episode 3 "Plenty of Fish"
Similar Dress:  Diane von Furstenberg's "Julian" silk wrap dress in little leaves medium mint
http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/diane-von-furstenberg-new-julian-silk-wrap-dress/3236009?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_ite=diane_von_furstenberg_'new_julian'_silk_wrap_dress:503258&cm_pla=dresses:women:dress&cm_ven=Froogle&mr:referralID=NA&mr:trackingCode=1A46A9A3-1E21-E111-8116-001517B1882A

Being Erica's Clothes

Season 4, episode 7 "Please tell me know".
Erica from the future (left) wears Alexander McQueen  feather print cape dress: http://www.polyvore.com/mcq_alexander_mcqueen_feather_print/thing?id=38278942

Present-day Erica (right) wears Nanette Lepore, "Marilyn one shoulder cutout dress" with slight alteration to the straps:
  http://www.neimanmarcus.com/p/Nanette-Lepore-Marilyn-One-Shoulder-Cutout-Dress-Contemporary/prod130000088/


If you are a fan, then you know what envy is.  The clothes, the apartment.  Sure Erica is still living in the same apartment she had in college - but it doesn't suffer from 'college furnituritis'.  The bookcases are not made of cinderblock and particle board, and the walls do not feature taped up prints of "The Kiss" or "Jazz".   

And while Erica may feel stuck in a rut, her wardrobe is not.  And as she evolves, so does her clothing.  T-shirts and skirts give way to designer dresses.  Watching this show is addictive, and the fantastic clothing is just the cherry on top.