Broke Girl's Work Wardrobe Pieces Under $20

Look I hate to brag but since power shopping isn't a nationally recognized competition yet, I have to give myself my own kudos in this area. Can we just talk about how I have managed to never pay more than $20 (except on shoes- hey, YOLO) on anything I wear? Also I follow a lot of those blogs that are just people showing what they wear to work every day and am almost always like OH I HAVE ALL THOSE PIECES! So a little broke and bougie inspiration for the week:

Monday

• Booties: $20 from JustFab (what up BOGO!) 
• Pants: $19.95 Slimfit Pants @ H&M
• Striped Chiffon Blouse: $11.99 @ H&M (in stores only)
• Black Blazer: $19 at Forever 21 (2 years ago- similar options here)
• Orange Infinity Knit Scarf: $12.99 from Zulily

Tuesday

• Boots: $20 (BOGO!) Jessie Boots from JustFab
• Tights: $10 Shimmer Fit {2 for $20 Sale} at The Loft
• Skirt: $23.99 Mossimo Pleat Skirt from Target (4 years ago, find similar styles here)
• Belt: $4 at Ross (yeah I said it- I shop at ROSS)
• Shirt: $5 Urban Outfitters Silence + Noise Crepe Button Down Shirt via Martha's Outfitters
• Bag: $39.99 Icon from JustFab

Wednesday (it was a desk day)

• Shoes: $15 Caramel Leopard Moonwalk Flats from Zuiliy (they are actually furry. Andi thinks they are animals)
• Pants: $16.95 Mossimo Women's Skinny Premium Denim at Target
• Shirt: $19.80 Longline Chambray Shirt at Forever 21
• Belt: $2 via  Martha's Outfitters
• Cardigan: $12 Merona Women's Cardigan at Target (3 years ago, find similar ones here)
• Scarf: $12.99 at Target (2 years ago, find similar ones here)

Thursday

• Boots: $20 (BOGO!) Jessie Boots from JustFab
• Tights: $10 (2 for $20 sale) Chevron Open Stitch Black at The Loft 
• Skirt: $6 (yeah that's not a typo) on clearance at Macy's last year. See similar skirts here 
• Blouse: $14.50 LC Lauren Conrad at Kohl's  
• Cardigan: $10 at Forever 21 (3 years ago. See similar cardis here )
   
   
  Friday

• Shoes: $25 at DSW (7 years ago)
• Pants: $19.99 Julie Straight Leg at Loft (I'm on their e-mail list and got an alert that these pants were 50% off the sale price and knew I had to track some down in my size)
• Blouse: $17.50 at Forever 21 (2 years ago, see similar ones here)
• Watch: $20 at Hallmark. Yep, Hallmark. Sidenote on Hallmark: they have a lot of random cool stuff. My mom did a part time gig there and I discovered that besides extremely over-priced cards, they also have reasonably priced chatchkis (see- unbreakable wine glasses, wine glass tumblers with LIDS, the list goes on).

STOP EVERYTHING: CHARMING CHARLIE HAS A NEW ONLINE STORE

Charming Charlie has been imperative in my need to accessorize like a Real Housewife of Atlanta while being completely broke, but the struggle of getting to Alexandria or National Harbor (yeah, no) only allows me to make bi-annual trips to the wondrous world of $10 or less jewelry.

So yesterday I received an e-mail that. changed. everything. YEAH YALL CHARMING CHARLIE IS ONLINE! Finally! Check it out here!!! These are the few things that I bought today with zero stress of driving to Alexandria (who are these people living here?) or taking a minute from whatever concert or party I've trekked to freaking National Harbor for.

First of all though, look at this glorious option. We really don't see this in online stores anymore:

Yep. A $0-$10 option that actually has things to choose from.

 Chariot Curved Bangle $13

 

 Good Sport Watch $20

 

Work the Right Angles Dangle Earrings- $3.99 (THAT IS NOT A TYPO- THREE DOLLARS AND NINETY-NINE CENTS!)

Amelie Printed Scarf $15

Winter Wardrobe Essentials: The Leggings

So I feel a certain way about leggings. Thanks to JLo, Kim K, Nikki Minaj, Koko and the rest of the big bootied bunch (whether they're real or not) I feel that it's a lot more socially acceptable for "blessed" people like me to wear tighter clothes and leggings. However, I still feel that me wearing leggings is the same as someone with a large chest wearing a cleavage-baring shirt, so needless to say I feel a strong way about leggings NOT being workplace appropriate but some people seem to disagree with me. Either way you slice it, leggings are here to stay and as long as I'm not at work and my rear is covered I'm happy about it because the right leggings feel like wearing fitted sweat pants.

Last winter in all my broke glory, I wore my running leggings (I spent $50 a pop on those!) as fashion leggings. I know, I know. Sometimes the budget just doesn't permit frivolous buys, and what is the point in wearing crappy $19 super-thin-easily-ripped-see-through leggings from Target? But this year I've discovered jane.com where sub-$10 fleece-lined leggings seem to grow on trees, and today I ordered a pair of maroon fleece lined leggings and black fleece lined leggings and the total came to $19. Two pairs of FLEECE lined leggings, less than $20. Hello Winter!! I also ventured over to the vendors' websites and found some affordable clothes and jewelry. So head over to jane.com and sign up for their daily e-mail so you don't miss a deal!

Sidenote about jane.com: my friend is getting married this summer and our bridesmaids skirts are being specially made by a designer she found on this website. I love stuff like that. And how great is it that I get to wear a SKIRT as a bridesmaid? 

BreeasBoutiqueBargains $6.99 each at Jane.com

BreeasBoutiqueBargains $6.99 each at Jane.com

Cherry Lane Collection fleece lined leggings $7.99 on jane.com

Cherry Lane Collection fleece lined leggings $7.99 on jane.com

Cherry Lane Collection fleece lined leggings $7.99 on jane.com. Sidenote: can someone help me dress like her?

Under Armour Sale- Workout Clothes for $20 and under!

Is it just me or is it a lot easier to workout when I have workout clothes I like? Well, everyone who's with me is in luck because Zulily is having a massive Under Armour sale! While it is still cheaper to go to Wal-Mart to get $10 shorts, Under Armour makes quality clothes that last forever- no joke, in the winter I wear the BF's long sleeve Under Armour shirts from high school football...annnddd just an FYI our 10 year reunions are right around the corner. So that means Under Armour maintains the same quality after a decade of disgusting sweaty boy who likely doesn't take care of clothes, and sweaty running girl. Also I have searched all corners of the earth for affordable winter running gear and haven't been able to find a single item under $40, so this is a steal to me. They have Men's and Kid's Under Armour too- makes a great gift! Here are some of my favorites they have in the sale:

Ultra UA Muscle Tank $20.99 

Black Heat Gear Sonic Long-Sleeve Top $24.99

Hibiscus UA Shorts $20.99

Black and Purple Sonic All in One Shorts $20.99

Water Edge UA Hoodie $31.99

Fall Workwear: The Pattern Blazer {under $30}

As soon as cooler weather sets in my wardrobe turns grey and black. This year's fall resolution: try to look alive- cut back on the black and grey! Cue the patterned blazer. These are some great options to spice up the work wardrobe but still keep it professional.

1. LC Lauren Conrad Floral Tux Blazer $21.00 @ Kohls: My girl makes great work clothes for really affordable prices. Love love love this, especially how the black collar and zipper pockets that tone it down a bit.
2. Sofia by Sofia Vergara Women's Open Front Blazer- Leopard Print $29 @ K-Mart: So yeah, I guess K-Mart's still here thanks to Sofia Vergara. I actually read somewhere that she is making mad bank off her K-Mart clothing line, surprising since I didn't know K-Mart was making bank off anything right now. But hey, this is a classy looking leopard blazer and I like the look of this with bright pants and a neutral blouse.
3. Jersey Blazer Dark Blue/Pattern $17 @ H&M : I know, it's jersey. But it actually looks professional and is super comfortable and not too bunchy (you know how blazers can be that way?). I like how this incorporates comfort, professionalism and the geo-tribal-pattern or whatever we're calling it this season. 
4. Mossimo Women's Printed Sateen Blazer Jacket $17 @ Target: I've really been dating myself lately by saying "I miss when I used to go to Target with $20 and come out with at least 2 pieces of good clothing", but they're back at it with affordable clothes. The light sateen fabric is great for sweaty people like me (hello I just walked 5 blocks from a crowded bus can we please turn the heat in this office down). It's a pretty busy pattern, I would pair it with a black or white shirt and black pants, or put it over a black or white dress.

Workwear: The Ponte Blazer for Under $30

I have listened to a lot of panels comprised of very important people (CEOs, female leaders in male dominated industries, etc etc), and for some reason one VP's quote has stood out in my head for years: "You have to dress the part of the job you want, no matter what job you are currently working". Maybe this has always stood out to me because I have never made enough money to dress the way I want to dress, add to that being a woman in the workplace presenting millions of questions like what is too racy? what is too conservative? do I look stuffy? do I look like I'm trying to dress like my male counterparts?

Anyway, this season you can't go wrong with the Ponte blazer. Everyone from CEOs to VPs to non-profit workers to artists are wearing these. I like the versatility- I pair mine with jeans if I have somewhere "nice but not too nice" to go; my black blazer goes with colored dress pants; and I have an orange one that I wear to spice up black pants. The fabric and the make of the ponte make it light and somewhat form-fitting which makes me feel like I look skinnier than when I wear my old blazers that are a bit less flattering. Here's where I've found the best steals on the Ponte:

1. Mossimo Women's Collarless Ponte Blazer from Target- Assorted Colors: $30.00. This comes in black, cinnamon cake (great fall color), officer blue, and railroad gray. So basically black, orange, blue and gray. You can only get them online and my experience with Mossimo sizing is that it's pretty much on par with other brands. One of the reviews claims this blazer is friendly for the large chested (not an issue for me, unfortunately).
2. Solid Open Blazer from Forever 21: $27.80. Comes in black only, and sorry about the model who looks like pre-rehab Lindsay Lohan. The sizes generally run a little small at Forever, but I like the look of the sleeves. It is also somewhat slimming as it doesn't have the extra fabric for closing the front.
3. Methaphor Ruched Ponte Blazer from Sears: $18.00. Comes in 8 (yes EIGHT!) different colors- my favorites are raspberry and mustard. Comes in petite which is nice for those of us who were "blessed" with wide hips and narrow shoulders. On that note I think I like these blazers so much because none of them come over the hip, and my big hips/butt make my whole body look much bigger in jackets that cover the bum.
4. Attention Women's Ponte Blazer- Faux Trim from K-Mart: $20.99. Before Sofia Vergara came into the picture I thought K-Mart was extinct, but they've been reincarnated. I like the "leather" trim on this blazer, gives it kind of an edge. You can order it and pay shipping or get free store pick-up, which confirms they are in fact still a physical store.

Cheap Glasses

Halloween themed glasses from Zenni

Rum Cherry Marshall from Warby-Parker

Revolver Black Duckworth from Warby Parker

My vision has been deteriorating for quite awhile, but it wasn't until my aunt claimed her knee-deep crows feet come from squinting all the time that I decided it was time for me to take action and get myself a nice pair of glasses. I went off to the eye doctor, got my prescription, and  gasped when the eye doctor pointed me to the "cheap" wall. Apparently in eye doctor world "cheap" means "$250 or Less"- oh and that $250 is BEFORE you pay for the lenses. WHAT. There is no way my other friends manage to pay rent in DC AND pay for glasses so I took a survey and here's what I found:

2013 Fall Wedding [guest] Fashion under $30

I may have spent half my salary on wedding gifts this year, leaving me with approximately $25 to buy dresses to wear to said weddings- my budget is especially low because we all know we can't be wearing the same dress in every Facebook/Instagram photo op. These are my favorite options I found (I wore #1 to a wedding last weekend!)

1. H&M Petrol Jersey Dress $24.99. I love this color- bright but not too bright. I wore it with a Forever21 bib necklace, a gold belt from Ross, and Nine West nude pumps I found at Goodwill for $10 (is that gross?).  I appreciate this dress's flair at the waist because it prevented people from saying "whoa look at her ass- she really let herself go this summer". Second favorite thing: it runs in Small/Medium/Large so you can avoid the H&M terror of buying a dress that is 10 sizes bigger than you would buy anywhere else.
2. H&M Sleeveless Dress in Burgundy $30: Glad I didn't wear this one this weekend because two people at the wedding were wearing this exact dress. Guess they were scoutin out the H&M sale rack at the last minute too. Anyway, this color is everything this fall, can't wait to get me some burgundy pants.
3. Merona Women's Ponte Crossover Neckline Dress from Target $27.99: Hey Target, welcome back to my price range! I have been so tired of only being able to find dresses over $40 there lately, but they did me right by this dress. It's flattering on the big booties too (a major plus in my book).
4. Glam Dot A-Line Dress from Forever 21 $29.80: I feel a certain way about polka dots, but this is an exception. I like the pleats and the zipper/collar in the back and the length. Sidenote: has Forever 21 always been this skanky or am I growing up? My word, I hate being this old sometimes

$15 Leopard Flats from Zulily

Caramel Leopard Moon Walk Flats from Zulily for $14 + $5 shipping

I may or may not have an online shopping problem. But whatever, if I was shopping in real life around DC I'd spend 10 times as much money, and I can justify this purchase as a "work wardrobe expense". I found these today on Zulily  for $14 plus $5 shipping and handling. I really like the dress loafer style and in my online research have had a hard time finding this style for under $40. I love the coloring of these, and I like the lack of studs or other odd bling I've been finding on other options. Here are a few other leopard print flat options:

JC Penny Leopard Print Studded Flat for $24 (but they have studs...):

Kenneth Cole Reaction Slipified Flat at DSW for $39.94

 







Unleashed by Rocket Dog Conner Flats at Kohl's for $34.99

Scarf Season is Upon Us!

Orange Infinity Knit Scarf from Zulily- order here

So I'm about to be the most typical white girl and talk about how much I just looove fall, but I really do. This summer has been so hot and rainy and honestly I just can't drink anymore summer sangria and frozen margaritas, plus I have essentially sweated out all my summer clothes. Enter: Fall. Football season means all we drink is beer and bourbon, and cooler weather means we get to switch up the wardrobe a bit with BOOTS AND SCARVES. I ordered my first scarf of the season on Zulily today for $13.99 (shipping is usually $5.00 but my bargain shopping and couponing has earned me free shipping for an order). I also scoped out a few other good scarf deals:




Elegant Solid Color Infinity Loop Circle Scarf: $9.99 + $4.99 shipping on Amazon:

Women's Teal Paisley Viscose Wrap: $17.49 + $2.95 shipping (or free shipping on orders of $50+) on Overstock

Look how happy that white girl is for fall and to be wearing scarves

ASOS Cable Scarf: $20.25 + FREE Shipping 

Lovestory Waffle Scarf: $29.00 at Urban Outfitters

Boots for Under $40

Welp just got paid and bought these babies from JustFab.com for $39 with FREE SHIPPING.

 

Sorry not sorry, I love boots and I've been waiting since March to buy mine this season. This is my first pair of boots I have ordered from justfab but so far I have been really satisfied with the quality of items I get from this website (like my big girl work bag). I got the Autumn design from JustFab, but they have lots of other looks for under $40:

CAN I PLEASE!! Patagonia from Justfab

Perry Boot from JustFab

Bryce boot JustFab

VMA Fashion: The Broke & Bougie Edition- Naya Rivera

And the VMA for strangest paradox goes to- Naya Rivera! I mean really she's on Glee and doesn't she date Big Sean? And then shows up in a dominatrix slash Halloween witch look. Whatever for some reason I like her sexy dress and some day I want to wear this Sears version on vacation somewhere (maybe not DC...just..maybe not). Sidenote- what's with the model's face? And did they purposely pick someone who looks like Naya?

VMA Fashion: The Broke & Bougie Edition- Everyone's White Dress Look

Since the weather has been like 50 degrees when I wake up I kind of forgot it was summer therefore kind of forgot about white clothes. But I do love a good white dress that doesn't make me look like a toddler on her way to the Easter church service, and this year so did about half of the VMA attendees. I seriously think I counted 14 all-white-everythings on the red carpet. My favs were one half of Danity Kane (they're still here?) and Carly Aquilino.

My favorite white dress for $29 (and going on even better clearance ANY MINUTE I've got my eye on it) is Sears' Studio 1 Women's Party Dress . Besides the fact that this doesn't look like I'm trying too hard, I like the pleated waistline that makes me feel just a little bit skinnier. And just look- it has POCKETS. That is as much of a selling point for me as when the clothes are sized extremely low ("This is a size 2?? why yes I have miraculously discovered an extra $70 for this one skirt, Banana Republic).

VMA Fashion: Broke & Bougie Edition- Shaliene Woodley

Ok so who is Shalene Woodley? I don't even know but her VMA outfit was everything. And something I feel like I could actually wear out in public outside of LA (i.e. in Ugly People's Hollywood i.e. DC). I know all of this is Forever 21 but there really isn't anywhere else in DC I can invest $10 in for something I only want this season. And I wash my Forever clothes in the shower with shampoo so they do indeed last...forever. Otherwise they get torn up in the washer after approximately 2.5 washes. And c'mon I figured out this entire look for about $60

1. Forever21 Standout Net Crop Top $12.80 
2. Forever21 Geo Print High-Low Skirt $11.80
3. Forever21 Edgy Star Cuff $8.80
4. Women's Mossimo Pamela Point Black Heels $29.95 (gotta love when your shoes cost more than the whole outfit combined. But it's a necessary investment in DC where the daily obstacle courses include cobbleston, construction sites and uneven sidewalks. My Target heels held up really well in DC)
5. Orange Round Ball Studs from Etsy.com $3.00

VMA Fashion: The Broke & Bougie Edition- JHud

When it comes to the awards shows I like to figure out how I can pull off the looks. So this is my interpretation of VMA Fashion translated into the real world.

First off, JHud can do no wrong. Everything she does and is is what I want to do and be. So here's how my broke self is going to copy her VMA look:

1. Kardashian Kollection Women's Cami Houndstooth Check from Sears $22.99
2. H&M Imitation Leather Skirt $29.95
3. Forever21 Regal Bib Necklace $8.50
4. Forever21 Woven Curb Chain Bracelet $11.80
5. Forever21 Stretchy Faux Stone Ring $5.80
6. Target Mossimo Pointed Toe Black Heel $29.95

Work Wear: Kohl's Clearance Rack Edition

 

My favorite thing about shopping at Kohl's might be how the receipt shows how much you saved at the bottom. HA yeah don't mind me, just saving almost $100 today! My second favorite thing about shopping at Kohl's is how nothing is ever NOT on sale. Every time I go to the register I get a sale surprise..and am that girl who celebrates with the cashier "I HAD NO IDEA THIS WAS $4!!!!!! LET'S HUG!!" The third thing I love is that my girl Lauren Conrad has a clothing line there. As someone who feels they went through high school with the Laguna Beach class, then had a summer internship in LA at the same time The Hills was airing (really who didn't feel the regret with LC when she returned from her horrible summer at the beach with Jason instead of going to PARIS), I feel like I'm supporting an old friend when I buy her clothes. Call me crazy but I know at one point or another everyone in my generation of MTV watchers feels it too.

I got a nice pair of Elle Skinny Twill Ankle Pants for $25! I have kept my eye on every sale that comes up (Express, The Loft, Anne Taylor, etc) and searched Targets and TJ Maxxs (wait is that how you pluralize Maxx?) far and wide for a good pair of black dress pants for under $40 that don't look like Mom Pants and this is the best deal. I got two blouses from LC's line (one is called Coachella Sunrise- you're too cool, LC) that I will pair with blazers and cardigans or wear with my pencil skirts. I also grabbed a Croft & Barrow Open Front Long cream colored cardigan to wear with dresses as the weather cools off.

So thanks, LC for getting me through high school, being there for me in LA, and now dressing me for work. Go girl.

All of the clearance items are also available for the same price on kohls.com .