Affordable Fashion: your perfect style

Many ladies can confirm, that clothing can be a passionate love.  There is nothing better than holding those bags with your newly claimed treasures just waiting to be seen by the world.  And then the credit card bill comes. 

In a world where the latest fashion trends tend to fly out the window and boomerang back like an old habit, it can be overwhelming to keep up with all of it.  For me, I have yet to come up with a definitive "style" - it changes constantly and as fast as I can switch from work clothes to yoga pants.  (God bless whomever came up with those.) 

As I have previously written here, here, and here, about the treasures I have found, I have decided to continue the tradition of affordable fashion, as well as reiterate some simple rules I use: 

Thou shalt not purchase at full price. 

I have learned that buying items "off season" is the best because it isn't as in high demand.  This may mean buying a swimsuit in November or December, or buying a wool sweater in the middle of Summer.  When I was working at American Eagle back in the day, the Fall season started in August, and winter started around October-November.  Because those stores have so much inventory to get rid of when the new stuff comes in, they tend to mark things down in the clearance section to just move it out of the store.  

Thou shalt try on before you purchase.

 I cannot tell you how many times I have not tried on, and have regretted the purchase.  It is much easier to try it on and then buy, instead of getting caught up in the annoyance of having to return.  Also, be sure you understand the return policies.  I cannot say this enough.  There are plenty of stores out there (Forever 21 being one of them) that are exchange/store credit only, so make sure you know before you spend your hard-earned money.   

Don't get sucked in the "sales".

This one can be a toughie.  I receive so many e-mails about sales here and there, and if you spend X amount you receive a percentage discount.  Make sure you know the fine print and how it works.  Many times I have found myself asking the cashier once they have rung up the total, how in the world it got to that amount, and I have been told that some items do not apply (Ulta does this with some of their higher-end products).  

       

If you don't love it in the store, you won't wear it outside of the store.
Simple enough. 

And here's the good stuff.  Below are some of the treasures I have snatched up.  Please excuse the poor photo quality, as I am no photographer.  I cannot remember all of the prices, but from what I can remember, the tops/dresses were less than $15, and the shoes were under $10.  Treasures not pictured: black, white, navy camis, fleece leggings (cranberry, bone, chocolate, black), slightly fitted t's (black, white, grey). 

1 - BCBG, 2 - Unknown, 3 - Trash

 

1 - Crystal Candy, 2 - Angie, 3 - Needle & Thread

1 - Night Out, 2 - DB Sport, 3 - White House/Black Market

1 - Maurices, 2 - Abercrombie & Fitch

1 - White House/Black Market, 2 - Ann Taylor Loft, 3 - Coldwater Creek

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 - A.N.A., 2 - Lucky Brand, 3 - American Eagle

Regardless of your style, never settle for full-priced clothes.  Every consignment store "gem" I have found has sizes for any body type, and it's a matter of finding what works for you and your body.  Don't dress for the body you want, but rather, the body you have - meaning, you are all beautiful in your own way, dress how you want to be perceived, dress how you feel best, dress in a way that make you feel the most confident.

    

Because scrubs aren't as cute

Happy Friday, lovely readers!  I'm sorry it's been a long time since I have doodled in here, my personal and work life became ridiculously chaotic to say the least.

November is kinda crazy as it is.  In my family, there are three birthdays (mine, step mom, and aunt), one anniversary (parents), and one holiday (Thanksgiving) in about a three week span.

Not to mention, work kind of came to an absolute "holy crap, what am I going to do?" mess.  But that's another story in itself.  

Since scrubs aren't the cutest thing ever, and I feel like a blueberry four out of five days of the work week, I wanted to show you some more of the outfits that I put together.  If any of you have a name for my style, you're one step ahead of me, because I have no idea.  For the exception of a couple of not-necessary-to-name things, I have not purchased any garment from the mall or any other retail store in at least six-nine months.  My pocketbook is so happy because of it! :)  Please excuse the mirror effect - I'm not a photographer.  

Black Sweater - Ann Taylor Loft (Santa)
Red tank/tee - Target
Skinny Jeans - Hollister (purchased at Platos)
Boots - unknown brand (purchased at Platos)
Necklace - Brighton (Santa)
Not pictured: earrings from Brighton (Santa), "Faith" ring (JC Penney, Santa)

Cardigan/Purple tee - JC Penney

Lace tank - Maurice's

Jeans - A&F (Plato's)

Leopard flats - Me Too (Santa)
Necklace - Brighton (Santa)

(Excuse the sassiness.. :) )
Cowgirl boots - Corral (Tener's, birthday)
Leggings/Cardigan - Target
Dress - Patrons of Peace (Tener's, birthday)
Scarf - Forever 21
Not seen: Bow earrings (Brighton, Santa)

Red tank: Target

Black Tank: Old Navy

Grey/Silver sweater: Lucky Brand (Consigning Sisters)

Jeans: A&F (Platos)

Pink Tank/Jeans: American Eagle
Black 3/4 shirt: Target
Scarf: unknown brand (birthday)
Shoes: H&M (garage sale)

Dress: DressBarn (Plato's)
Tights: mom's closet
Shoes: Jessica Simpson stilettos
Necklace & Jewelry: Brighton (Santa)

I'm kind of obsessed with cardigans and sweaters, can't you tell?  Who cares if it's sixty to seventy something degrees outside.  In December.  My one Christmas themed picture a day challenge isn't getting justice because snow is nonexistent in good old rolling plains.   I even forgot that Christmas is just around the corner until my stepmom asked for my Christmas wish list.  Normally I start this list sometime in October.  Oops.  I do, however, think it's quite comical when the majority of the stuff I want is for therapy.  I mean, who doesn't get excited about shape sorters, puzzles that make noise/music, play food, and flash cards.

Coming soon: Christmas cooking/baking adventures, crochet how to's, the tears and joy of a first year speechie, and a personal glimpse into my heart.

Fall obsession (fashion part two)

Happy Sunday everyone!  

Per request, I wanted to continue my post about affordable fashion, which you can read here.  Remember, you can look adorable without the price tag.  In addition, I'm adding a little extra treasures I have found that are not in the "clothing" category.  I know that there are a few pieces that could not be considered "fall-ish", but I'm trying to justify wearing them while it's still crazy warm.  Enjoy!

 

White House/Black Market
"long sleeved tee, garage sale, $2

Ann Taylor Loft cowl-neck sweater, Ann Taylor Loft, $2

Van Heusan pink collard sweater,
Van Heusan Outlet $7

White House/Black Market dress,
Plato's Closet, $10

Banana Republic open sweater
w/optional belt, garage sale, $2

New York, Co. pink camisole, NY & Co., $5

Mossimo striped long sleeved sweater,
Target, $5

New York & Company long dress, NY & Co., $17

The Limited purple dress,
Consigning Sisters, $10 (front view)

The Limited purple dress,
Consigning Sisters, $10 (back view)

Elie Tahari Black sweater, garage sale, $2

Emelee grey jumper/dress, Francesca's, $10

The Limited pink dress, The Limited, $12

Allison & Brittany brown dress, Francesca's, $5 

Ann Taylor Loft wool sweater,
Ann Taylor Loft, $10

unknown, black riding boots, Plato's Closet, $7

Coach slip-on shoes, TJ Maxx, $20

Nike tennis shoes, Nike Outlet, $45

American Eagle calf-high boots, Payless, $10

Coach, Couch Outlet (outside view), $50

Coach, Coach Outlet (inside view)

Coach, Dillards, $50

Necessary Objects, Gypsy Rose, $3

New York & Co., NY & Co., $7

"Under the Sun" lamp, Under the Sun, $7

 

Pottery Barn bed spread
w/ matching pillows, garage sale, $15

Fabulous and Fashionable

...and aFfordable!  (Like that alliteration?  Yeah, the cheese-factor mixed in with sleepiness is kicking in.)

The purpose of this post is to talk about being fashionable on a budget.  Please keep in mind that I don't have interest in purchasing the very high-end fashion pieces that are seen on the runway.  I appreciate those pieces for what they are and how beautiful they are, and they can stay in those high-end, high-priced boutiques.

Here are few simple rules I follow:

Thou shalt not buy at full price.

Thou shalt try on before you purchase.

Thou shalt be patient.   

If you don't love it in the store, you won't wear it.

Here are some of my favorite treasures I have found.  Please excuse the camera quality.  Below each picture, you will find this system: original brand and then place of purchase.   

Hollister Skinny Jeans (Plato's Closet)

Nine West Sandals (Nine West Outlet)

Express Sequin Dress (Express)

American Eagle Lace Dress (American Eagle)

Mine (Plato's Closet)

Blue Bird (Plato's Closet)

Kitty Dress (Plato's Closet)

Candy Rain (TJ Maxx)

White House Black Market (Consigning Sisters)

French Couture (Consigning Sisters)

Avid (TJ Maxx)

Predictions (Payless)

Pepper (Daisy Exchange)

Baker's (Anne's Resale)

Nicolle (Consigning Sisters)

Old Navy (Consigning Sisters)

Ann Taylor Loft (Ann Taylor Loft)

Unknown (Consigning Sisters)

French (Goodwill)

Unknown (Goodwill)

Ralph Lauren (Plato's Closet)

Princess by Marc Echo (Plato's Closet)

From what I remember...
Each pair of jeans were in between $10-14.
Sandals/flip flops/ballet flats were around $10.
Dresses were in between $5-15.
Tops were in between $3-7. 


Can I get an "amen" and a commence the "hallelujah" chorus?

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me: overflowedwithmercy@yahoo.com