"Cheap" Fashion

If you ask the people that know me best they will tell you my wardrobe of choice is sweats and a T-shirt. I got in the habit in college because I swam and we had morning practice. To be honest, when you leave your house at 5:30 in the morning to go hop in a pool or lift weights for an hour and you don't come back until afternoon ... really what other options do you have? I'm not dressin it up to go hike across campus and work out. That being said, I can class it up every now and again as well. The one thing I dislike most about fashion is watching shows like "What Not To Wear" or mini fashion segments of morning shows talking about how you can dress so cute for so cheap. Since when is $100 for a pair of pants cheap? Or $75 for a shirt? Does it light up? Will it give me super powers? No just a regular plain shirt? Well alright, that's not cheap. Well okay maybe if you're making 6 figures it's cheap, but in middle class world, that's not cheap! So here is my philosophy on fashion made easy! First and foremost know your strengths. If you have great legs acknowledge the fact and wear short shorts. Or if you're chesty, play to that. Know your shape and what looks good on you. Focus your efforts on accentuating what looks best on you. It's true when experts say that when you follow this method other peoples eyes are drawn to that area. Sometimes this can be hard. I LOVE huge baggy shirts because I feel hidden, but when I have to face the world and make a statement, I know what works. For example, this past weekend my husband had his 10 year high school reunion, so I'm meeting a bunch of people for the very first and maybe ever time. My first thought is I want my husb to be proud and want to "show me off." My second thought is, I want to feel confident amongst so many new people. I have this amazing pair of white capri pants from Old Navy. I bought them YEARS ago, they are stretch and look and feel incredible. If you like fashion with comfort, STRETCH is the way to go! It looks like denim but gives like cotton ... drrroool. My top? This amazing sleeveless v-neck number. It's black with a cute white pattern. It's tight, however, the way it's cut on the sides (that kind of scrunch up), the pattern, the material and the cut of the neck line, all make me look fabulous. And seriously I rarely say that. I wear that top ONLY when I'm trying to impress. It highlights the girls up top while slimming my waist like you wouldn't believe. I put this top on and it looks like I lost 10 pounds. Keep outfits like this on standby. They not only make you look good but they make you feel good too! I paired that with a pair of CLASSIC open heels from Maurice's. Again, they look awesome but they are the most comfortable heels I own! Where am I going with all this?? Well, tooting my own horn first, it's not often I feel that I look amazing, and at this reunion I think I won. But also, telling you how to piece together a great outfit. First shop selectively, we all have been known to buy something we're not sure of in the store. If you try it on and aren't sure don't buy it. We rarely return stuff then you're stuck with a piece in your closet you never wear. Try on try on try on. Unless it's something you already know is right for you ALWAYS try it on. And the best way to know if you like something is if you pick a few other pieces as well. Pants shopping? I pull 3-5 pairs off the rack and head to the dreaded fitting rooms. (Hint ... pick up pants you know will be too big first, don't pull the pants you hope you can fit into, going back for a smaller size feels MUCH better than going back for bigger!) Try on pairs that you're really not sure about first. Easy eliminations make your trip in there much faster. Then to the pairs you think you're going to be crazy about. Sometimes you might be in for a shocker, you may change your mind and go with a pair you thought were on the chopping block. But the comparison factor really helps in the decision making process. The same rules apply for all other clothing as well. Know when you're going in what kind of money you want to spend, what kind of clothe you like, fit and size. It'll make a trip go by much faster with much less hassle. Where to find cheap buys??? I'm a sucker for sales, but I can't peruse the 80% off racks until I loose 100 pounds or become European. The sizes are always too small and the items left have the weirdest patterns! (That's not to say that some super finds can be had!) But I love Kohl's, Target and Old Navy for great items that are actually cheap. Most Kohl's stores send out "shopping" passes, aka coupons, for around 20% off, hit that store up find some sale items and go crazy! They also still do the Kohl's cash when you spend $50 which is an added bonus sometimes. Target is always great to super cheap cute stuff, plus it's like Starbucks there are Target stores everywhere you turn! I prefer Kohl's for dress clothes and Target for every day or athletic wear. Old Navy is awesome for preppy stuff, quirky fashion or that simple piece. I don't have one close by so I'm not known to go often anymore, however, I get awesome discounts via e-mail and shopping online is really easy too! Make sure you sign up for any e-mail offers from your fave store to make sure you get the best deals!
So go forth, shop until ye drop and save money like a piggy bank! Oh yeah and don't forget to have some fun while you do it!!