Happy Sunday, ladies! Thought I’d try a bit of an experiment today. I’ve been getting a lot of readers writing in and requesting that I offer more budget-friendly options for the inspiration outfits I share on Thursdays and Sundays. Given the current socioeconomic conditions, this makes sense. So, today I’m going to show you how to build budget-friendly outfits from inspiration ones.
Before jumping into those outfits, though, I wanted to share a bit of context on how I approach the blog that you might find useful.
- Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays I share OOTDs and do my best to link exacts, assuming they’re still in stock. Price points can range dramatically depending on what I’m featuring.
- Wednesdays are a bit of a wild-card day, where I talk about anything and everything from fashion to health & wellness and beyond.
- Thursdays and Sundays are when I share topical inspiration outfits.
A few notes on “inspiration outfits”:
- Inspiration outfits are always taken from my archives over the past 8 years of the blog.
- They’re intended to demonstrate that classic style really never goes out of style. And that what I wore a few years ago is still relevant today.
- I mostly build those outfits from retailers I’ve been shopping and sharing for years: Talbots, Ann Taylor, J.Crew, and the like.
So how should you approach the inspiration outfits I share? Maybe you hate them, in which case, you can skip right over them. Or maybe you like the look and want to recreate it. Here are a few tips:
- By all means, shop the similar outfits I build exactly. Full transparency: the links I share are affiliates, which means I get a commission on the sale. (I will say, though, if I am working directly with a retailer, I always note that at the beginning of the post.)
- Or, use the inspiration outfits to shop your closet. So many of the outfits I share involve classic essentials you most likely already have in your closet! I’m a huge believer in shopping your closet and advocate for it regularly on the blog.
- Use the inspiration outfits to shop your favorite retailers or even 2nd hand stores. Poshmark is a great, growing online resource many of us, including myself are turning to. Highly recommend it!
So, now to my little experiment. Today, I went back to our most popular post this month—5 Spring Essentials Every Woman Should Own—and recreated the inspiration outfits in 2 ways: a) the way in which I normally do, and b) a more budget-friendly version.
My goal here is to show you that you can take any outfit I share and build it from your favorite retailers—from any price point, really. It does take a bit of work, but it can be done. So, let’s get right down to it.
The Summary
Today, I’m showing you how to build budget-friendly outfits from inspiration ones
I’ve taken 5 new inspiration from your favorite post of February and recreated them in a more budget-friendly way
All of the outfits are shoppable via text-widgets. (I forewent the image ones this week.)
How to Build Budget-Friendly Outfits From Inspirations Ones
1. Denim Jacket
Similar Budget Friendly outfit
Board (Total Price, $127.95): Denim Jacket (Universal Thread) | Pull On Gingham Pants (Riley & Rae) | Jazlynn BUckle Kitten Heel Pointed Toe Pumps (Journee) | Heart Graphic Tee (License)
Similar outfit
Board (Total Price, $329.94): Slim Leg Stretch Gingham Pants (Court & Rowe) | Classic Jean Jacket (Talbots) | Calle Mule (Steve Madden) | Graphic Tee (J.Crew)
2. A-Line Skirt
Similar Budget Friendly Outfit
Board (Total Price, $99.47): High-Waisted A-Line Pleated Skirt (Ruziyoog) | Pointed Toe Slingback Flat Pumps (Allegra K) | Striped Shirt (MRULIC) | Structured Bucket Bag (Future Collective)
Similar Outfit
Board (Total Price, $346.45): Boatneck Elbow-Sleeve T-Shirt (J.Crew) | Caia Pointed Toe Slingback Flat (Linea Paolo) | Faux Wrap Button Detail A-Line Skirt (Talbots) | Gloadith Faux Leather Tote (Aldo)
3. Tee Shirt
Similar Budget Friendly Outfit
Board (Total Price, $66.45): Perforated Slip On Sneaker (Journee) | Horizontal Stripes Round Neck T-Shirt (Nlife) | Flat Front Chino Short (Banana Republic Factory)
Similar Outfit
Board (Total Price, $209.45): Double Decker Platform Slip-On Sneaker (Keds) | Perfect Shorts (Talbots) | Colorblock Stripe Long Sleeve Stretch Cotton Top (English Factory)
4. Moto Jacket
Similar Budget Friendly Outfit
Board (Total Price, $135.36): Faux Leather Moto Jacket (Scoop) | Crewneck Sweater (Knox Rose) | High-Rise Curvy Jeans (Time & Thru) | Bindi Pointed Toe Kitten Heel Pumps (Journee)
Similar Outfit
Board (Total Price, $456.86): Leather Moto Jacket (Sam Edelman) | Black Jewel Button Jeggings (Talbots) | All Day Long Sweater (Sanctuary) | Alina Flex Pump (Michael Kors)
5. Jumpsuit
Similar Budget Friendly Outfit
Board (Total Price, $100.05): Short Sleeve Jumpsuit (Sexy Dance) | Ninna Slip On High Stiletto Pointed Toe Pumps (Journee) | Glitter Clutch Purse (Growment) | Wrap Around Waist Band (Meihuida)
Similar Outfit
Board ($352.95): Johnny Long Sleeve Jumpsuit (Fraiche by J) | Pearla Ankle Strap Pump (Nordstrom) | Handmade Leather Wrap Belt (ADA) | Crystal Frame Clutch (Nina)
In Case You Missed It
Yesterday, Kelly shared 6 delicious vegetarian recipes you’re gonna want to try. Click the title or image below to read the article.
6 Delicious Vegetarian Recipes
About The Author
I like this where you feature the total outfit price. Have a great week!
Beth, I think this is one of my all time favorite posts of yours! I love all the options you gave. I’ll be heading to my closet! Lol! Thanks for all the work you put into this post. I don’t know how you do it. It all seems like so much work; fun work though.
Btw, you look stunning in that black jumpsuit. Wow!
Love it!
I really love this post! I hope you will do more. Thanks.
This was an awesome blog. Some of those pieces I have in my closet and so glad they are still in style.
That’s the nice thing about classics, they really don’t go out of style.
The budget options are much appreciated. I’d like to see some links to budget short sleeve tees as well. I also like a variety of retailers this time. Thanks for doing the research!
Hi Beth! A shout out from LA !!
Great post! Thank you for all the time and thought you put into each post!
Very grateful! Have a blessed Sunday!
Hugs, Shannon/ Owner Next Chapter Fitness/ HARDCORPS Fitness/LA
Thank you for this post!!!
LOVE this post!! Love the options, the prices being listed, the accessible retailers linked to…. Hope to see more posts like this please!
Beth – I have followed your blog for some time and have enjoyed seeing the format changes and additions to the blog over the past few years keeping it relevant and fresh! I especially liked this post – building outfits and identifying budget friendly options. I am sure this takes a lot of work to pull it all together because there is so much information but it has alerted me to new fashion sites I was not familiar with, always fun! Thank you!
Great idea to shop our closets. I have quite a few pieces I can restyle though popped into to Anthropologie (Admittedly a store mostly for much younger women.) and found that the wide cropped leg was everywhere. Glad I hung onto a few of my old classics.
I love these budget friendly options. The outfits are all gorgeous, and I get the idea of investing in classic pieces, but sometimes they are still beyond my means and I appreciate some options to help that.