It's pretty much always T-shirt weather in L.A. — even if said tee is peeking out of a cardigan. Which is why Urban Outfitters' post-holiday sale might be worthy of your attention.

The chain store has marked down a handful of its T-shirts, tanks and jersey tops to around $9.99 while supplies last.

There are oversized graphic tees, emblazoned with slogans ranging from the retro ("Lovely Day for a Guinness") to the ironic ("Le Freak") from brands including Truly Madly Deeply and BDG. Also on hand are simple, elegant tanks,  and jazzier "going out" tops including a $9.99 striped tank with ruffles and a split-side tank top bearing an Op Art-style triangle graphic — yours for a mere $4.99.

--Emili Vesilind

Photo: L.A. Burnout Oversize Dolman Tee, on sale for $9.99, from Urban Outfitters. Credit: Urban Outfitters.

-- Kate Middleton? Ever heard of her? Just a few hours after the royal engagement was announced (Booth Moore's take on the fashion icon in waiting is a good read), Middleton madness launched into full force. “ 'It’s open season on Kate Middleton,' Andrew Neil, the journalist and former Lord Rector of the University of St. Andrews during Middleton’s and Prince William’s time there, told the BBC on Tuesday." [WWD] 

-- Can't wait for the sequel to the 1982 film "Tron"? Well, then, check out the Opening Ceremony/Disney collaboration that is on sale now. [The Cut] And catch up with more Tron paraphernalia, thanks to our very own Adam Tschorn.

-- Can't wait for Urban Outfitters to get a little more preppy? Oddly enough, the wait is almost over. J. Press, purveyors of "pretty sportswear for men," is teaming up with the chain for a collection that goes on sale Dec. 1. [The Moment]

-- Can't wait to get a Burberry trench just like the one Emma Watson was recently wearing upon arrival at JFK, the one with the leather sleeves? Well, you can't. It's a one of a kind. The good news is that Burberry is rumored to be offering a customizing service for e-shoppers in the spring. [People]

-- Can't wait to order your Vera Wang bridesmaids' dresses from her stores? Well, there's been a change of plans. The House of Wang has decided to design bridesmaids gear only for David's Bridal. [The Cut]

-- What else? Well, just a few days ago Melissa Magsaysay put "Gossip Girl" style under the microscope. So guess who's on the cover of Vogue's best dressed issue? Blake Lively. [The Cut]

-- And, finally, in another sign of the changing times: the cover girl for Shape magazine's December issue? Kelly Osbourne. You can check out the latest bikini body on Nov. 22.

-- Alice Short

Photo: Christmas is coming! Workers at Aynsley China have already started to produce commemorative plates, cups and mugs to mark the engagement of Britain's Prince William to Kate Middleton. Credit: Christopher Furlong / Getty Images

Sometimes it’s hard to tell who’s who. Actress Blake Lively, who plays Serena van der Woodsen on "Gossip Girl," has all but morphed into her small screen character. I’m not talking about scandalous love affairs or making frenemies, but as far as fashion sense goes, the two seem to be one and the same.

Lively and “S” can stop traffic, look good in anything and tend to cause a paparazzi frenzy doing it. From plunging necklines and miniskirts to couture silk gowns, preppy blazers and oxfords and too many flirty party dresses to keep up with, they both perfectly balance slightly edgy statement pieces with ultra chic, upper Eastside class.    

When Lively attended the launch of the new Vertu Constellation Quest phone in N.Y.C, she pulled off a stylish balancing act. If this were a "Gossip Girl" episode someone might have showed up in the same dress or on the arm of Serena’s boy toy but in real life, Lively got plenty of drama-free attention in a distressed black leather jacket, Christian Dior ruffled mini dress, black tights and black booties.  

I can think of about a hundred appropriate, flattering adjectives to describe Lively’s look, but the only way to relate this outfit to a true "Gossip Girl" fan is this: Lively’s outfit is OMG, "Gossip Girl" blast worthy, I-think-she-looks-amazing-but-I’m-super-jealous-I’m-not- wearing-it cute. Sure, it’s a little neurotic sounding, but so true.

To get Lively's look you'll need a frilly dress in any bright, eye-catching color. Our frugal pick will create a "Gossip Girl" worthy look of your own. Turn some heads in this bright fuchsia colored ruffled dress from Urban Outfitters by Silence & Noise for $58.

Channel your wild side and get a little rebellious in a moto-style jacket from Forever 21. You can go with a distressed faux leather to copy Lively's look, or for a more relaxed, cleaner look, Forever 21 also has a smooth faux leather jacket. Both styles are $32.80.

The grand total before taxes is $90.80. In our frugal alternatives you can look and feel like an upper Eastside girl at across the bridge, Humphrey-esque, Brooklyn prices.

Craving more OMG "Gossip Girl" fashion? Look out for Melissa Magsaysay’s story on the "Gossip Girl" fashion phenomenon in this Sunday’s Image section.

Happy shopping.

Have an outfit you're dying to buy, but need a frugal alternative? E-mail us a picture. We're up for the challenge.

-- Jenn Harris

jenn.harris@latimes.com

Photo top: Actress Blake Lively attends the launch of Vertu's smartphone at Berry Hill Galleries in New York City. Credit: Marc Stamas/Getty Images.

Photo right: Silence & Noise dress from Urban Outfitters. Credit: Urban Outfitters.

Photo left: Two faux leather jackets from Forever 21. Credit: Forever 21.

Conforming to the restrictions of a budget is never fun, but it's no reason to skimp on style. Taking advantage of the best looks of the season just means you have to be a little creative about how and where you shop.

Let the team at All the Rage do the work for you. We'll find a fashionista wearing something undeniably fabulous and reveal where to snag it for less.

For instance, take this ensemble worn by actress Drew Barrymore. She arrived for a recent visit to "The Late Show with David Letterman" radiating sophistication with just a splash of rebellion in a sparkly gold, long-sleeved blouse tucked into a pair of black pants with a clean cut, tapered leg and black belt.

She looks elegant, fun and effortlessly chic. We scoured the Web to find our list of frugal alternatives. The best part? We put the entire look together for under $100. 

Get the same sparkle as Barrymore with this metallic, gold top from Forever 21 for $15.80.

These cropped, tapered leg pants by Kimchi Blue are $58 from Urban Outfitters. Dress them up like Barrymore with heels or pair them with a T-shirt and strappy sandals for a relaxed daytime look. 

A black leather belt is a must-have for any women's wardrobe and always a good investment. This belt with a silver buckle is a steal for $19.98 by Style&Co. for Macy's. It's an especially good deal because you can wear it one of two ways, with a reversible underside for a black or brown option.

The entire ensemble will cost $93.78 (before taxes). At a price like that, you'll be asking yourself, "What recession?" Happy shopping.

Have an outfit you're dying to buy but need a frugal alternative? E-mail us a picture. We're up for the challenge.

-- Jenn Harris

Top photo: Actress Drew Barrymore visits "Late Show With David Letterman" in August in New York City. Credit: Jemal Countess / Getty Images

Middle photo: Metallic gold top from Forever 21. Credit: Forever 21

Bottom left photo: Kimchi Blue pants from Urban Outfitters. Credit: Urban Outfitters

Bottom right photo:Black belt from Macy’s. Credit: Macy’s

The classic nautical-striped shirt -- featuring navy-on-cream stripes and a boxy fit — was originally worn by fishermen off the coast of Brittany in the late 19th century. But these days it epitomizes casual chic, and is a staple among style-setters including Alexa Chung, Sienna Miller and Sofia Coppola.

You can snag an original-fit nautical-striped tee online at L.L. Bean or Petit Bateau. But with nearly every sporty fashion company turning out innovative takes on the iconic top this season, why not go for something a little jazzier?

Leave it to prep-savvy J.Crew to turn out a sequined nautical striped shirt ($72) that somehow isn't corny or dated-looking. The secret? An amazing fit (super-slouchy), ultra-thin fabric and subtle shine.

Urban Outfitters brand Cooperative, meanwhile, reinterpreted the shirt's extremities — replacing the classic 3/4-length sleeves with puffy princess sleeves and slimming down the bodice for trendy PYTs ($32). Vince's take on the classic  — simply reversing the stripes so the navy stripes are more dominant ($98) — is less adventurous, but probably more wearable for those of us out of college.

And speaking of sleeves — Shipley & Halmos shortened the sleeves of their otherwise conventional nautical tee for men ($85), creating the ultimate heat-friendly version.

-- Emili Vesilind

Photos, from left: Nautical-striped tops from J. Crew, Vince, Cooperative and Shipley & Halmos. Credits, from left: J. Crew, Neiman Marcus, Urban Outfitters and Barneys New York