Thifty Tuesday Guest Post

How to wear the lace look – for less

by Brooke Samonsite

All my thriftin' sistas listen up: this article will be your frugal-friendly guide to rocking the new lace trend on a budget. You've probably already seen lacy little numbers popping up all over the fashion world lately, and it's clear that this sexy and sophisticated style is here to stay. However, this high-end look can often come at a high-end price, which is worrisome to fashionistas with a limited bank account. Luckily, you can have the best of both worlds with the following fashionable and frugal pieces that add stylish lace to your wardrobe.

1. Hair accessories

Every frugal fashionista knows that accessories are the key to adding variety to your wardrobe without breaking the bank, which is why lace hair accessories are a fun and flirty go-to option for embracing the lace trend. Claire's offers an incredibly cute lace flower headwrap that comes embellished with pearls and gems to make your outfit sparkle. Best of all – at $5.50 – this accessory works for almost any budget.

2. Pretty blouses

A lace blouse can be paired perfectly with a cute cami or a saucy bandeau to add color and class to your wardrobe, but you have to know where to look when purchasing these cover-ups. Consignment shops are a great place to find pretty lacy blouses at a discount, but you can even make your own lace blouses out of doilies, old lace curtains or other lace items you have lying around the house.

3. Waist belts

If you can't afford a whole lacy outfit, use one lacy element to tie everything together with a lace waist belt. Lacy waist belts not only put your clothes on the cutting edge, but they create an extremely flattering silhouette. These belts may be a little more difficult to find compared to other basic lace items, but you can always substitute a lacy scarf for the same effect and even greater versatility.

4. Lace applique flats

Want dainty, feminine feet to complement your girliest outfits? Try a pair of lace applique flats to add an artistic edge that finishes off your look with elegance. Luckily for budgeting shoppers, you can find these shoes at essentially any retail store – even at low-priced favorites like Target and Wal-Mart. However, you can also simply revamp your own old pair of flats by purchasing lace applique and applying it to shoes you already own for brand new and thrifty footwear.

Although lace might have the appearance of luxury, you don't have to shovel out exorbitant amounts of money to achieve this classy style. By combining accessories and trying out do-it-yourself projects, you can have the elegant lacy look that everyone's wearing, for less. And another budgeting bonus tip: look for wedding apparel in thrift stores to find lacy items you can reuse and/or revamp for your own wardrobe.

Thrifty Tuesday Guest Post by Brooke Samsonite

Although some might call me a tightwad, I prefer to think of myself as frugal. I can squeeze a dime until it screams. Instead of spending large amounts of money on items that I may only wear once, I try to spend carefully so that I get more bang for my buck! "Value" is what I call it. This practice helps me buy fashion accessories that complete my outfits, instead of purchasing a single, more expensive piece that is less flexible. Here are some of my recent super-thrifty finds:

Straw Fedora with Flower Detail

Forget those old-fashioned, plain brown fedoras you see in old black-and-white movies. This retro straw fedora in a shiny copper color stands out beautifully from the crowd. Detailed with a braided brown band and a floral decoration, this chapeau will not only make you welcome bad hair days, you'll seek it out anytime you need an extra bit of flair, night or day. The combination of one of this year's hottest colors – copper – combined with the retro style adds the bit of whimsy that allows you wear it casually or moderately dressy.

In 'n' Out Color Woven Belt

Unlike during cold weather, textures in summer fashion are often hard to come by. But this nifty little woven belt I came across does just the trick. Woven with dark leather interspersed with a bright accent of turquoise, this belt has a worn gold-colored oval buckle that is just bright enough to add a third color to the mix. It's a perfect complement to a pair of jeans or even to cinch the waist of a dress.

Hello Kitty Kitture Scarf

What better way to add a splash of cool fashion to an otherwise casual, "I'm running errands" look? This Hello Kitty scarf is large enough to drape in several layers around your neck, use as a belt, tie as a head turban or even make a mini sarong at the beach.

Fresh Flower Hair Clip

This flower hair clip definitely makes a statement and a fresh, fashionable one at that! Measuring 5 1/2 inches across, it's large enough to make a statement, and it's going to stand out in ways that a mousy brown barrette never could. Available in six vibrant colors – yellow, lime green, purple, blue, coral red and orange – this accessory will match any outfit, so you have no excuse not to have several in your fashion arsenal.

Bright Rubberized Frame Glasses

Geeky eyeglasses are still in vogue, but with a colorful twist! These rubberized eyeglass frames are available in red, purple or royal blue, so they're as outstanding visually as they are fun. Buy one of each color and you will always be cool and color-coordinated.

One. Two. Three. Four. Five. That's five fashionable finds that cost less than most women pay for just one. If you're a penny-pinching fashionista like me, then you can start racking up your Thrifty Tuesday finds, too.

Thrifty Tuesday

Hello Dolls,


Do you think it's time to revamp your wardrobe? Well, if you do start with your closet instead of a trip to the mall. Gather your friends for these cool do it yourself projects.




DIY SCARF SHORTS

via sylandsam.com

DIF Band Boys Tee

via runwaydiy.com

DIF Black Shoes