One Look, Two Budgets: Summer Chic

I’m still obsessing over stripes in a big way. They’re simple and classic and absolutely perfect for summer.

Today I bring you a look that would work for a party, brunch or even at work!

You can mix and match these pieces depending on what you are willing to splurge on and what you don’t find as important without sacrificing style at all…

Luxe Look

Oscar de la Renta dress, $580.49 (on sale from $1290)
Dior “Bagatelle” sunglasses, $345
Dooney & Bourke satchel, $168
Michael Kors “Juniper” espadrille, $140

Steal

Spense dress, $59
Chinese Laundry sunglasses, $29.90
Chaps satchel (via eBay), $28.95
SM “Skylar” wedge, $49.95

One Look, Two Budgets: Wedding Guest

Has this ever happened to you? I was flipping through a magazine and got all excited about a “get this look for less” story. I was excited, that is, until I looked more closely and saw that the magazine’s idea of spending less was an outfit made up of pieces under $100. The problem is, when you add all of those pieces up, you’re spending at least $500. And if you want just one little piece, most cost almost $100 anyway.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t have $500 to spend on an outfit right now–even if it’s made up of the most versatile pieces in the world.

So I bring you my first post of what I hope will be a helpful series. I will show you two similar looks: one made up of investment pieces that right now I will just settle for swooning over and the other made up of pieces I can actually afford.

Since wedding season is upon us, I thought it would only be fitting to show you a cute little outfit that you can wear to your first wedding of the season.

Look 1: $$$

1 Dalia MacPhee, $278
2 Elsa Peretti Diamonds by the Yard from Tiffany & Co $1,950
3 Menbur, $148
4 Brian Atwood, $675
Total: $3,051

Look 2: $

1 Forever 21, $34.80
2 So Chic Jewels, $22.99
3 Carlo Felini, $47.19
4 Jessica Simpson, $79.99
Total: $184.88

I started both looks off with a dress in this summer’s hottest color: coral. Both feature a really pretty and interesting petal effect on the skirt. I added some studs for some sparkle (the top pair is real, the bottom pair is not), a silver metal mesh bag and a pair of killer peep toe platform pumps in blue. Love, love, love a contrasting shoe!

Now the clutch and pumps are a little on the expensive side for a bargain hunter, but since the dress and earrings cost under a hundred dollars combined, there was a little more wiggle room–especially if you know you’ll wear them again.

So what do you think?