Bargain Styling

Summer is almost over. I waited so long for summer to get here and the next thing I know it is Labor Day. Fall is actually my favorite time of year but around January I long for summer. So for those of you out there who might be getting to do something fun for Labor Day weekend I have a great Labor Day outfit.

This outfit is all from New York and Company. They are having a huge Labor Day sale and many of their items are buy one get one 50% off and they have a huge summer clearance section. On top of all that they have a $25 off of $75 coupon that it is good until September 3rd.

For this particular outfit, I tried to pick items that were summery but you could extend them into fall by wearing a blazer or jacket. Also, because of the buy one get one 50% off I was able to add a cute t-shirt for $7.48.

The 42nd Street Trouser $44.95
The Fairview Collection: Bamboo Halter $9.99

City Style Shoes: Brown Suede $19.50

Bowery Slouch Hobo: $24.50
Mercer Tee:$7.48

SubTotal:$106.42
Less: $25
Total: $81.42

In this month’s Elle magazine one of their Elle fashion trends was pebbled skin. Of course, almost all of the examples they give were of real crocodile and had price tags in the triple digits. Not really being a fan of either real animal skin nor being able to afford it, I went on a faux hunting trip to find one of this season’s hottest trends.

First stop, the usual suspects. Forever 21 didn’t really have anything on their site. The fifteen dollar store only had snake. Delia’s mainly deals in patent leather. I did manage to find a few cute bags at target.com. Below is one of my favorites.

www.target.com $14.99

The last stop was gojane.com where I did find several croc items. One being a pair of hot red croc heels.

Go Jane Red Croc Heels $20.90


Go Jane Metallic Print Animal Bag $15.99

I was a little disappointed that I didn’t find any faux croc bangles similar to what I picked up at the NYC wholesale district. I will be putting those with outfits for OutFitKit very soon.

I have no reservations about my love for vintage. It is the easiest, cheapest way to get a unique outfit. You know that you won’t see anyone else wearing your ensemble when you go vintage. In the past, I would mainly shop at Thrift stores to score my vintage finds, lately, I have been turning to the internet. Ebay is an obvious choice to look for vintage items but it can also be expensive. If 12 people are bidding on the same dress you can be assured that it will end up in the triple digits. The thrill of the hunt is also lost on Ebay because you can easily find good vintage on the auction site. For these reasons, I don’t hunt for vintage on Ebay.

One of my favorite past times is browsing the internet looking for new online vintage stores. 1000’s of stores exist and in all different price ranges. Two of my favorite stores are the Rusty Zipper and the Purse Diva. Both of these stores have a very large selection of reasonably priced vintage items. You may have to dig around a little to find something fantastic.

Here are a couple of dresses that I found on both sites:

Rusty Zipper $32.00

The Pursa Diva $36

By September 1st, two awesome Bargain Styling readers will each win a $34.99 outfit of your choice from OutFitKit.

Why You want This Prize: Each outfit comes complete with accessories including a bag and jewelry. You can choose any outfit on the site listed for $34.99. How many times do you get to choose your own prize! All outfits come straight from New York City.

(more…)

Warning- Shameless self promotion!

A few months ago, I decided to combine my love of bargains, New York City, and fashion. It has always been my goal to start my own business(I teach entrepreneurship) and I always have a trillion ideas. This particular idea came to me because my sister and I were always getting compliments on our outfits. And people were always amazed when they found out how much we paid for them. I thought people would be happy to not have to go around to 12 different stores to get a complete outfit - so OutFitKit was born.

What is OutFitKit? It is an on-line website where you can get a complete outfit for under $60. Each $35-$39 outfit comes complete with a handbag and accessories. When you add shoes to your outfit - the shoes ship for free. The best part is the clothes all come from New York City.

Here is one of my favorites outfits:

You can purchase this outfit here

I am thinking about adding a new line of vintage outfits. What do you think? Would you purchase an entire outfit made from vintage clothes?

GoJane.com is one of my favorite websites. They have a Deal of the Week, and I always fall in love with most of the stuff I see on their website. Here is my first post in the $100 Series - an entire ensemble, shoes and accessories included, for under $100 (excluding tax, and shipping & handling).

This short-sleeved top in mustard yellow would give a striking contrast with the black pants below. With a keyhole back and a gathered bodice, this shirt is guaranteed to get you noticed. Available in black, mustard yellow and navy blue, this cute shirt will set you back $25.99. Dry clean only.

(more…)

I realized it’s been a while since I’ve featured ensembles for under $100 huh? You can look FABULOUS for under $100. Yes you can. I do it all the time Let me show you. By the way, each pieces of clothing costs $15. If you click on the picture you’ll be directed to the store.

There you go, a red floral crinkle top over a black pleated skirt and a braided strappy heels. $45. You have extra for your choice of accessories . You can wear this anywhere. Either a casual date, or a laid-back event, seriously, any occassion.

Less Than 0, Bargain Styling, Skirts, Tops, Floral, Crinkle Top, Tops, Pleated Skirts, Ensembles

Albeit it’s in the Sale section, Yes Bargain Styling shops at Macy’s . Like this Paisley-Print Wrap Dress from London Times. It used to be $99, it’s now selling for $28.99. Who would say no to that bargain? . This dress can be worn with any pair of black heels. I suggest a slingback. Where to wear it? Anywhere actually, well except when you’re doing your grocery shopping, heh. Church, Date Night, Party at the office, the possibilities are endless. During the Fall season, you can wear it with a black knee-high boots for that sophiisticated approach to the cold weather. So that $28.99 sale is worth the money.

Macy’s, Dresses, Paisley-Print, Wrap-Dresses, Shopping, Bargain Styling, SALE

This is what I wore last night when we went out to dinner(and shopping afterwards, WOOT!). The $8 UNIONBAY pants, the L.E.I graphic tee that was among the haulage this past Memorial Day sale. A butterfly pendant necklace from Hot Topic(a gift form the hubby years ago), the remaining beads bracelet that I own(Baby Girl broke my other 2), DG blinged sunnies and Xhilaration black teardrop earrings from Target(can’t remember how much). The RAMPAGE studded platform shoes to complete the look.

What I Wore, Bargain Styling, Enembles, UB, UNIONBAY, L.E.I, Graphic Tee, Tee, Rampage, Target, Xhilaration, teardrop earrings, accessories, sunnies, DG, shoes, Styling, Wardrobe Remix, Hot Topic

I found this SELE stretch short sleeves blazer at $15 Store. It’s among their “last call” list. I love the ruching sleeves and the black tones piping of the collar and the pockets. I always go for fitted blazers so this definitely a big Yes for me when I saw it. I just fell inlove with it right away. This could be worn with either jeans or a black trouser, with heels of couse .

blazer, fitted blazers, store, short sleeves blazers, SELE, shopping, Bargain Styling

I bought that 2-piece halter top tankini and boy shorts combo at Wal-Mart last week for the Memorial Weekend. I love the embellished gold tones of the top and the front lining waist band on the boy shorts. I didn’t wear my backless brown tankini coz I thought it was too sexy for the event. Fitting into a 2-piece suit was my goal after I had my baby August of last year. I finally got to fit in one. Albeit it’s a tankini and not the skimpy 2-piece bikini I’m still working on, it’s still a 2-piece nonetheless . I picked a tankini/boy shorts combo because as much as I am proud of myself for losing weight, I’m not confident enough yet to let my stretch marks show. One day I will but not right now. Tankini is a great option if you’re feeling the same way I do. By the way, this new suit is $22.76 .

swimsuit, 2-piece suit, summer, tankini, halter tankini, boy shorts, embellished, swimming, WalMart, Sand N Sun

I would’ve worn my Red Heels with this ensemble to match the red wide belt but I decided I’d continue wear the black heels since I wanted to wear my long cross necklace and black beads dangling eaarings. I’m glad I opted for it coz the red belt accentuated the whole look by itself. I would wear this dress by itself but my legs are still nursing a few more scars from the bug bites I’ve gotten 2 weekends ago.

dress and jeans, wide belt, accesories, belt, dress, jeans, ensemble, bargain styling, what i wore, black heels, shoes, heels

I don’t know if it’s a fashion rule or not but it seems when someone is wearing white, you could always expect something black as an accessory. Well not Midwest_Jess. She accentuated her beautiful white dress with nature tones. From the purse, to the Dior scarf she cleverly wrapped around her wrist and the strappy shoes.

I love how she put the collar up as well. I’m going to follow her suit and do a white and brown combo sometime coz I too unconcsiously do the white and black combo all the time.

*Thanks to wardrobe_remix*

Wardrobe Remix, Look of the Week, White Dress, Summer, White and Brown Combo, Dress, Online Fashionistas

I wore this gray mini-dress, slim black trouser and heels ensemble to Church on Mother’s Day. It was actually a last minute decision coz I planned days before to wear a white dress but my legs are tattered with bug bites from when my husband and I lounged in our deck Friday night. My husband was spared but for some reason I always end up being bitten, incessantly. We used the same bug spray for crying out loud. He said maybe because I’m too sweet. Perhaps,

I usually wear this color during Fall season but I thought I could get away with it right now by accentuating it with a pink beads necklace and pink beads bangle bracelet. Wearing a mini-dress over a trouser worked perfectly for Church in my opinion. This would also work for a date night out with hubby. For a daytime regular look I suggest wearing the mini-dress over jeans.

Metro7 mini-dress from Wal-Mart, on sale for $3. Black slim trouser which I don’t remember where I bought it..lol, sorry. Black strappy heels from PAYLESS. If I remember it right, I think it was a BOGO purchase 3 years ago.

Mini-Dress, Dress, Ensemble, Trouser, Strappy Heels, Shoes, Accessories, Black and Gray, Beads, What I Wore, Bargain Styling

I can never pull off a look like this. We can start with the hat and I’m done..lol. My head is too big. She’s doing it though, fabulously. The scarf around her neck definitely adds a playful yet elegant touch. The beige(?) shoes from Target fits perfectly with the length of her Bermuda shorts. So YES, I may never see myself in this outfit but KUDOS to her for looking so great in it.

SOURCE : Wardrobe Remix.

Look of the Week, Shorts, Bermuda Shorts, Hat, Vintage, Shoes, Scarf, Wardrobe Remix, Online Fashionistas