Spring is here!!! This season is by far my favorite for so
many reasons. There are the beautiful colors from the flowers, the sounds from
the birds chirping and the weather is…well maybe it will warm up in a couple of
weeks. Despite dealing with the last ends of this long brisk winter this should
stop you from exploring new spring fashions. Expression through fashion is
something that crosses from comfort to artsy in my wardrobe and being someone
who is in a transitioning stage in my life affordability is also a key factor
in being fashionable. I have composed a list of ideas that could help you piece
together outfits for any occasion in a way that won’t send your budget flying
like a kite. While reading this keep in mind that some of these items were
purchased at an earlier date and I may not have all of the prices listed but
most are here. With the steals that I have found over the years I’m sure you
can find some that will be beneficial to your closet.
1.
Shop at
off priced retailers: Those smaller stores such as TJ Maxx, Nordstrom Rack,
and Marshalls are just a few of the many stores that sell items normally found
at department stores for a much higher price. This is a result of order
cancelations over production and other factors that gives these stores the
opportunity to sell items at a fraction of the price.
Dress: Ross- $10
Shoes: Rack Room- $25
Belt: Reused from another dress- $0
Earrings: Found at a street corner stand-
$5
The ethnic printed dress and the gold heels
were found at stores similar to the ones listed above. I recently bought the
dress because of the print and the color but the structure made me look like a
box. To fix that problem I took a belt from one of my older dresses and tied a
corner of the dress in a knot. I then paired gold heels that I purchased last
year and earrings from a street vendor.
2.
Go to
thrift stores: Thrifting has become the trendy thing to do but I have been
going to the thrift store with my mom for years. Some of the longest lasting
items that I have were purchased at a thrift store. You can pay almost nothing
for something that will add spice to your closet. It may take a while to find
what you are looking for but once you do you will not be disappointed.
Skirt: Thrift store- $3.99
Camisole: JC Penney’s- $5.99
No sleeve cover: Borrowed from
sister
Shoes:???
Earrings: Forever 21- $3.80
Necklace: Forever 21- $6.80
I am in love with maxi skirts that have a flow to
them and when I saw this skirt it was a no brainer to buy it. The price was
also very pleasing. I just paired it with a camisole that I’ve had for many
years and a sleeveless cover that I borrowed from my sister. Forever 21 has a
great collection of fun inexpensive jewelry and whenever I’m there I tend to
gravitate to that section to see what they have to accompany items in my closet.
The shoes are also an item that I have had for many years but, for the life of
me I can’t remember where they came from.
3.
Use items
from other seasons: Because Spring comes after Winter I’m sure that you may
still have your boots hanging around. The weather may be a little bipolar
depending on where you live so it shouldn’t be a problem to mix pieces form
other seasons. Boots with short dress or sweaters with skirts. It’s not only
convenient but also fashionable.
Dress: Nordstrom Rack- $25
Boots: Rack Room- $40
Purse: LoveClothing.com-$12
This collection of items may seem a little
pricey for a blog on extremely inexpensive fashion but because I am pairing
items from different seasons, I am purchasing them all at different times. So
if your budget is low, look in the back of your wardrobe and find those bits
and pieces that you may have forgotten about. The black dress was somewhat of
an impulse buy for me but the detailing in the front was what lured me to it. I
feel that this dress can be casual or formal, for Winter or Summer it all
depends on how you style. Combining it with the boots without tights is a great
way to dress it down for Spring. The purse has more of a fall appeal but who
cares if it’s look cute.
4.
Buy out
of season: This may seem similar to the previous point but the best time to
find cheap clothes for a season is when it’s out of season. Buy Spring/Summer
clothes in the Fall/Winter, the stores are trying to sell what’s in season so
in order to gain more room in the store they place the out of season items on
the sale racks. That is a great time for you to take advantage of products that
may be more expensive later.
Shirt: Rainbow- $4
Camisole: JC Penney’s- $5.99
Pants: Old Navy- $19.99
Shoes: Forever 21- $13
Purse: LoveClothing.com- $12
It was the end of Summer and I was with my
sister helping her to find outfits for the upcoming school year. I spotted the
leftover Summer clothes on the sale rack and I gravitated toward a denim shoulder
cut off shirt with a tie in the front. I knew that it would be getting cold
soon so it wouldn’t be useful for about seven months but I didn’t care because
it was $4 which is a steal. In the picture I paired it with a camisole under
and bright red jeans. The shoes are cheetah print sneakers and I am wearing the
black purse from LoveColthing.com which was also on sale when I bought it. This
ensemble has a very casual artsy feel for a day when you’re strolling in and
out of galleries in your downtown area.
5.
Buy
clothes that you can wear all year: When shopping for clothes I like to
find items that will work for multiple seasons and for various occasions. This
is how I get the most out of my purchases. As much as I love shopping sometimes
it is just not in my finances to do so. There are certain colors and textures that
are unique to seasons but there are ways to get around those social norms.
Shirt: Forever21- $12
Pants: Old Navy- $14.99
Sandals: Forever21- $9
Earrings: Homemade- $0
The shirt and pants in the collection are
both made from textures that would be considered for Fall/Winter. The sweater
texture from the shirt may seem to be a little warm for Spring but because it
is short sleeved and is light in color, this makes for a perfect Spring item.
Corduroy pants are usually seen in the colder seasons as well but these pants
come in beautiful lavender color which is highly acceptable for this time of
the year. Cute sandals and button earrings accompany this look well to pull off
an outfit that you can wear any day.
6.
Wear what
makes you happy: In my opinion one
of the reasons many people over spend while shopping is because they are trying
to keep up with fashion trends. Trends come and go but your personal style is
forever, said someone. If you dress the way you want to see yourself and not
how everyone else wants to see you, happiness in how you feel about yourself
will exude and spread to everyone else. Wearing whatever with confidence is the
key.
Blazer: Forever 21- $24
Dress: Rue 21- $20
Boots: DTLR- $35
Necklace: Forever 21- $1.80
Ring: Forever 21- $3.80
Earrings: Homemade- $0
I’m wearing lace, boots with spikes, a cobalt
blazer and girly jewelry but for me it all goes together and I feel free in
this outfit. It’s me in every way imaginable, so find your own style and you
will start to see that you don’t have to sell an arm and a leg to be
fashionable.
Peace and Love
Natural_istic
http://expressivedelights.blogspot.com/2014/02/Fashion.html
