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Save vs. Splurge: Build a Quality Wardrobe on a Budget

July 11, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

Save vs. Splurge: How to Build a Quality Wardrobe on a Budget

We’ve all been there. Somewhere in the glossy pages of the latest fashion magazine or displayed delicately at a boutique, we spot it. It’s effortless. It’s chic. It’s the pièce de résistance your wardrobe has been missing all these years.

Then you look at the price tag and your dreams of purchasing that special piece are dashed. No matter how many days you bring lunch to work or brew coffee at home, you’ll never save up enough from a few weeks of penny pinching to make that of-the-moment item your own. Don’t be discouraged, though. A quality, thoughtful wardrobe is accessible on a budget with a strategic approach to wardrobe building. Below, you’ll discover the key places to splurge and where to save.

And if you’re strapped for cash, a good rule of thumb is to go with budget-friendly pieces in classic shapes and neutral colors. Those can usually pass for a more expensive alternative in a pinch.

WHEN TO SPLURGE

The lion’s share of your budget should go toward the pieces you wear most often. While “cost per wear” can come off as a fashion lover’s rationalization for spending money, there’s value in the practice. For example, an ultra-trendy romper purchased for $200 and worn twice comes out to a $100 cost per wear. That’s a huge chunk of your budget for an item that didn’t get much love. On the other hand, spending $200 on a handbag you reach for three times a week throughout the year only comes out to $1.28 per wear. That’s the better investment for your dollar.

You’ll also want to spend more on these often-worn items because they are more likely to withstand the stress of regular use. A higher price tag doesn’t always mean better quality, but it usually does. Be sure to read product reviews and scour blogs to find testimonials about an item or brand.

The right splurge for you is dependent on your lifestyle and sartorial preferences. If you live in a warm climate, then a heavy wool coat obviously isn’t for you. If you’re like me, then dresses are a staple in your collection and spending more on a single dress that fits like a glove is worth every cent. Use the guidelines below as inspiration for creating your own splurge list.

  • Outerwear – No matter where you live, you need a quality piece of outerwear. It needs to keep you warm or dry (often both) and a budget find isn’t going to make the cut. Choose a coat that’s best for your climate and invest in a classic piece you’ll wear for years, like a wool coat, a trench, or peacoat. Opt for a wear-with-everything neutral like black or camel.
  • Cashmere – Cheap cashmere often feels, well, cheap. This is an area you don’t want to skimp because a good cashmere sweater or scarf will retain its shape and loft for years. You can find some good quality cashmere pieces at modest prices at retailers like Lands’ End or Garnet Hill, but you’ll want to feel them in person before committing.
  • Work Staples – I know this is a wishy-washy category because it’s so dependent on where you work and your personal style, so you’ll need to evaluate what types of pieces you reach for over and over again. Do you love your black pants because they go with many colorful tops? Is your a-line skirt the workhorse of  your 9-to-5 wardrobe? Do you live in shift dresses? Do you need a quality suit? Once you identify the pieces you wear to the office just about every week, you can rest assured that spending money to upgrade your basics will be money well spent.
  • Shoes – Synthetic materials, thin soles, and shoddy stitching should be reasons enough to keep you far away from budget shoes. Your shoes take quite a beating outside and while you might be tempted by the trendy styles of cheaper pairs, expensive shoes are made to withstand that kind of wear. Good shoes will need some maintenance to keep them in good shape for as long as possible. Keep an eye on the sole and take them to a cobbler when it starts to look worn.
  • Handbags – A beautiful leather handbag elevates a budget outfit like nothing else. Splurge on a classic shape in a neutral color and you’ll reach for it again and again. Many designer bags hold their value. If you find that you didn’t use a bag as often as you would have liked, you can sell it and likely get a portion of your money back to put toward something you will use.

WHEN TO SAVE

The most stylish women know how to mix those high-end purchases with budget finds. Think of the “save” column as the icing on the cake. These are the updated, trendy items that might not capture your fancy for more than a season and that’s okay. However, this is precisely why only a small portion of your budget should be dedicated to these pieces. It goes back to that cost per wear. Spending $50 on a sundress you wear once a week for the summer will run you around $4 per wear June through August — much easier to stomach than a higher priced version.  

  • Tops – Most people won’t notice if you wear the same pair of pants or jeans every day, but they will notice if you have your favorite blouse on repeat. Stock up on on-trend pieces with pretty patterns or updated silhouettes to keep your wardrobe fresh. (Need proof? How many people are actually wearing cold-shoulder silhouettes this year?)
  • Sundresses – Gauzy little sundresses shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. Few are tailored, so an inflated price tag doesn’t make sense for an oversize, flowing fit. Besides, your tastes will likely change next year, so you’ll be glad you went the cheap route.
  • [Some] Costume Jewelry – If you’re going to drop a small fortune on a piece of jewelry, it better be the real deal. However, I can’t recommend opting for the save version of all costume jewelry because you really can tell the difference between, say, a Target piece and a designer costume piece. The materials are better quality with the designer version, they rarely tarnish, the and the designs are more eye catching. However, if you can’t stomach spending a few hundred on costume gems, go vintage. Searching Etsy or eBay will rustle up great pieces at even better prices. Even better? You can smugly tell people it’s a vintage piece when they ask about.
  • Swimwear – A bathing suit will get sandy and salty in the ocean, or full of chlorine in the pool. The same goes for your cover-up. Save your dollars for items you’ll wear away from the surf.

I’d love to know what items you save and splurge on! Let me know in the comments!

You might also enjoy this post on how to find and identify your personal style.

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Filed Under: Style Tagged With: budget tips, building a wardrobe, personal style, save vs splurge, shopping tips, style tips, wardrobe tips

How to Find Your Personal Style

March 8, 2018 by jessica Leave a Comment

How to Find Your Personal Style

Even the most devout fashionistas can have trouble pinpointing exactly what they’d describe as their personal style. Oftentimes, we stumble upon it through trial and error, after trying different trends and different aesthetics until we find one that clicks. While the style journey can be a fun one, it’s also a frustrating experience wrought with unworn clothing and wasted money. The simplest solution, of course, is to identify your style early on and focus all of your purchases with that style in mind. It’ll streamline your closet, guaranteeing you’ll have a wardrobe of pieces that are so perfect for you that you’ll never grow tired of them. Below, you’ll find a few tips to pinpoint your personal style.

How to Find Your Personal Style

SEEK INSPIRATION

First and foremost, you need to figure out what outfits and styles you’re drawn to. Begin by creating a Pinterest board for outfits, textures, colors, and silhouettes that capture your attention. Pin items from blog, runway presentations, and stores. Don’t overthink this step. This is just the information gathering stage and the more images you collect, the better. After working on your Pinterest board for a week or two, take a few days off and return to your board with a fresh set of eyes. Do the images still speak to you? If not, delete the images that no longer resonate. You’ll likely begin to see themes between these images. Are the styles classic? Romantic? A version of a modern day hippie? Do you like loose, flowing silhouettes? Structure? This exercise will help you find the styles you’re naturally drawn to. I went through my own style board to determine some of the styles that clicked most with me, which included this, this, this, this, and this. This probably isn’t surprising, but my style isn’t overly feminine. I’m attracted to classic silhouettes, vintage-inspired designs, flats, and short hemlines. There are also a lot of prints that aren’t reflected in those pins that I love and I do think most of these outfits are in need of a piece of statement jewelry.

How to Find Your Personal Style

ANALYZE YOUR CLOSET

After you’ve spent time working on your Pinterest collection, it’s time to tackle your existing closet. You’re not making determinations here about what will stay or go, however. Simply take stock of what’s in your collection and the pieces you naturally gravitate to. What are the workhorses of your wardrobe? Do you always wear dresses? Are striped long-sleeve t-shirts the first thing you reach for every weekend? Additionally, what outfits do you feel the most beautiful wearing? For me, those items include little black dresses, a-line mini dresses, jackets and coats, my collection of Ferragamo flats and loafers, well-made handbags, and jewelry. By identifying your favorite pieces and most-often worn items, you’re getting closer to labeling your personal style.

How to Find Your Personal Style

LABEL IT

Here’s where the first two steps converge. What are the ties between your Pinterest board, the items that you wear regularly, and the outfits you feel the best in? You’ll likely notice similarities emerging. Grab a piece of paper and describe what this style looks like and the attributes of it. Words that might come to mind could be classic, feminine, ethereal, crisp, refined, or relaxed. Jot down all of the words that describe these pieces and narrow it down to two or three that best describe the items and the overall vibe you want to portray. Admittedly, this isn’t the easiest step and I’m having difficulty with it myself. My style is undoubtedly classic, but I ultimately want to portray “modern classic” or “updated classic” or “classic with a twist.”

ToryBurchSandals1

PICK A SIGNATURE ITEM

It seems that all style icons have a signature piece or two that identifies their wardrobe. Audrey Hepburn had her ballet flats. Elizabeth Taylor was never far from her opulent fine jewels. And Twiggy rocked a short hemline better than anyone else could. Follow in the footsteps of these fashionable ladies and pick a signature item that falls in line with your style label. It can be one of your wardrobe MVPs as identified during your wardrobe analysis or you can reinvent yourself with a newly minted signature piece. Whatever you choose, it’s a great way to always feel like your style and outfits are true to yourself.

Who What Wear gingham purse

CONSIDER YOUR LIFESTYLE

Your sartorial style should be in line with your lifestyle. Make a list of the places you typically go during the week and what you’re usually up to. Do you work in a conservative office? Do you attend a lot of evening cocktail outings? Do you spend weekends exploring nearby cities? You’ll want to make sure your personal style fits in with the lifestyle you actually have — not the one you daydream about. This will be the backbone to creating a wardrobe that will work for you.

Let’s say that you’ve identified that your personal style is feminine. This becomes your starting point when actually making purchases that fit your lifestyle. If your week is mostly spent going to a conservative workplace, curling up on the couch in the evening with a good book, and heading to brunch on the weekends, then you probably don’t need a myriad of flouncy dresses that you may not wear. Instead, incorporate femininity in ways that do work for you. Do you need a silk blouse in a pretty blush tone for the office? What about a floral-print scarf to tie to your tote bag? You could consider a playful romper with eyelet or ruffle details for your weekends out. Conversely, if you work in a creative office and you’re usually flitting from one social event to another at night, then you can enjoy all of the cocktail dresses your closet can handle!

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Filed Under: Style Tagged With: personal style, style tips, wardrobe tips

2017 Outfits in Review

December 27, 2017 by jessica 2 Comments

Make Me Chic Flower Print Ruffle Strap Lace Insert Dress & Soludos Knot Slides

Thank you so much for following along in 2017! I rounded up a few of my favorite outfits from the past 12 months and linked the photos back to the original post. I’m sure it comes as no surprise that most of my favorites include dresses! I can’t wait to see what 2018 brings!

Madewell silk button-back dress in star scatter
DVF Kourtni Dress
Garnet Hill Linen & Cotton Crewneck Sweater
LOFT Woodland Cutout Ruffle Yoke Blouse
LOFT Floral Lace One-Shoulder Top and GlassesUSA Muse Sunglasses :: Bedknobs & Baubles
J.Crew Swingy coat in Italian wool melton :: Bedknobs & Baubles
Vintage Earrings | Bedknobs & Baubles
Kate Spade print brushed silk swing dress
J.Crew Majesty Peacoat
ASOS Double Layer Cold Shoulder Pleated Mini Dress :: Bedknobs & Baubles
Banana Republic Belted Cotton Trench + Garnet Hill Pure Cashmere Wrap
Eliza J Grooved Faux Fur Coat
Zara Strappy Dress with Frills + Sea & Grass Market Tote :: Bedknobs & Baubles
ASOS polka dot dress & Zara pearl sandals
Cooperative Tie-Front Striped Mini Dress
Tory Burch Plaid Coat + Madewell Elinor Loafers

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Filed Under: Outfits, Style Tagged With: ootd, outfits, outfits of the year, personal style, style

Walk in the Park

June 1, 2017 by jessica 3 Comments

ASOS Broderie Sundress with Strappy Back

Memorial Day (and, ahem, my birthday weekend) marks the unofficial start of summer. It often feels as if I’m constantly counting down to my favorite season so that I can break out my arsenal of summer dresses. But can you really fault me for that? Lightweight dresses are the perfect canvas for layering jewelry like these rings from www.MoonstoneShop.com. I’ve been a fan of moonstone for as long as I can remember, but it was solidified when I visited Moonstone Beach in California years ago and spent well over an hour sifting through stones on the beach to find the iridescent beauties. I had intended to have the stones I found polished and set in a ring, but let’s be honest, going straight to the source for genuine moonstone jewelry is so much easier! The shop carries an array of petite rings that are perfect for layering a few statement-making pieces to sprinkle into your collection. You can also find moonstone earrings, pendants, and bracelets.

Moonstone Magic rings
ASOS Broderie Sundress with Strappy BackASOS Broderie Sundress with Strappy Back
Emma McKinstry earrings
Moonstone Magic rings

ASOS dress | Soludos sandals (available in various sizes here, here, here, and here) | Karen Walker sunglasses | Sea & Grass tote | J.Crew scarf | Emma McKinstry earrings (c/o) |  Larimar cuff (c/o) | Moonstone Magic rings (c/o) available at www.MoonstoneShop.com

Filed Under: Outfits, Style Tagged With: ASOS broderie sundress, J.Crew bandana, karen walker, navy, outfit, personal style, Sea & Grass Market Tote, Soludos Knotted Slide Sandals, summer style, sundress

Swing

August 31, 2016 by jessica 3 Comments

Cynthia Rowley Floral Dress_ Cynthia Rowley Swing Dress 6Cynthia Rowley Swing Dress 3 Cynthia Rowley Swing Dress 4 Cynthia Rowley Swing Dress 5 Cynthia Rowley Swing DressCynthia Rowley Swing Dress 7

Dress: Cynthia Rowley
Bag: Cult Gaia (pre-order it here)
Sandals: Ann Taylor (seriously considering a backup pair)
Bracelet: c/o Julie Vos (old, similar)
Rings: c/o Julie Vos, Monica Vinader
Earrings: Mango
Sunglasses: Karen Walker c/o Shopbop
Mani: Essie Gel Couture in “Fairy Tailor” (the best sheer pink)
Pedi: Zoya “Purity”

Filed Under: Outfits, Style Tagged With: cocktail dress, cult gaia, cynthia rowley, cynthia rowley chestnut hill swing dress, floral dress, Julie Vos, karen walker, ootd, outfit, personal style, pink dress, style

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Jessica Hamm
Hello there! I'm a first-time homeowner updating a 1920s house in Madison, Wisconsin. I have a penchant for travel and a love of costume jewelry.

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