A maxi skirt...and a dress...in one!

Don't you just love it when you find a single item that is multipurpose?  Today's post is about an inexpensive maxi skirt I bought recently from one of my frequent shopping stops:  Ross Dress for Less.  Discount stores like Ross and TJMaxx are great places to find bargains but some shopping trips can be a "hit" while others can be total "miss".  Talk to the sales associates to find out what days and times the new weekly deliveries come in and when the new items will be put out on the floor to get the best selection at your local stores.

I spent a whole, whopping $10 on this black and white striped maxi skirt a few weeks ago at Ross! 

 

I bought this skirt thinking that I would just wear it as a casual, everyday kind of skirt but I later figured out a way to style it as a dress for more dressy occasions as well.  I like it when my money spent does double duty!



OUTFIT #1:  Maxi Skirt, Casual

 

Skirt:  Ross ($10)

Cami:  Target ($6)

Cardigan:  Forever 21 ($18)

Belt:  Ross ($6)

Sandals:  Anne Klein via Ross (old, < $20)

OUTFIT #2:  Skirt as Dress, Casual

 

Skirt: Ross ($10)

Cardigan: Forever 21 ($18)

Belt: Ross ($6)

Wedges: Aerosoles via Ross (old, < $25)

 



OUTFIT #3:  Skirt as Dress, Special Occasion

 

Skirt: Ross, $10

Cardigan:  TJMaxx, (old, < $15)

Belt: Ross, $6

Wedges: Aerosoles via Ross (old, < $25)

I know its nothing new, but I really like the idea of remixing or repurposing items in your wardrobe.  You save money because you're not shopping for new items as much, and what money you do spend is well spent because you get more wear out of the item.  However, shopping for items that can be repurposed and styled multiple ways is key!  Don't get me wrong, I definitely believe that you should have some unique, stand-out items in your wardrobe but don't forget the basics.  This used to be a major problem for me:  a closet full of nothing to wear!  I would have the hardest time trying to put outfits together because I never thought about how I could integrate an item into my existing wardrobe before I bought it.  I just bought it because I thought it was cute.  And because nothing in my closet went well together, I would often have to go out shopping again, spending more money, to put an outfit together!  My closet was a frustrating, money pit.  NO MORE!  I'm older, wiser, and a much better steward of my money.  Now when I'm shopping and I see something I really like, I force myself to STOP and THINK: 

1. Do I need this item for a particular purpose (ie. job interview, work, special occasion, good foundation wardrobe item like blazer or pencil skirt, etc) or do I just want it because it's cute or trendy? 
2. How can I style this item with pieces in my current wardrobe to create multiple outfits?  How much "wear" will I get out of this item?
3. Is the item really worth the price or can I find the same item or something similar for a better price elsewhere?  Does the price match the quality of the material and craftsmanship of the item?

If I don't have a good argument for these questions, then I have to leave the item in the store.  It's not always easy but with time it becomes easier to walk away.  The money I save makes me feel better!  Not to mention the time I save when getting dressed in the morning because my closet is more cohesive now, not a bunch of random, hodge-podge.  Along with having the closet organized and color coded, it's much easier to pull an outfit together.

 

Well, that's all I have for today.  Thanks for stopping by!

EmersonMade Goldie Pocket Skirt

I WANT...the Goldie Pocket Skirt by EmersonMade.

I LOVE this yellow skirt by EmersonMade but it costs $158, a bit steep for my budget. The color is wonderful and I like the drape and length.  AND... it has pockets, my new favorite feature for skirts and dresses!  I could get a similar look with the yellow Anthropologie Field Skirt:

 

However, the Field Skirt is no longer available online but some are available on Ebay for about half the price of the EmersonMade skirt - but still too expensive in my opinion.  Let me know if you guys out in blog-land come across an even cheaper alternative for a golden/yellow skirt (pretty please!).

I have a black & white chiffon blouse that would look great with this golden yellow but a navy & white blouse would look equally nice.  Inspired outfit created via Polyvore:

EmersonMade Goldie Skirt Inspiration by connie-nicole on Polyvore.com

Click HERE to see another cute look on Janelle on her Basic Cravings blog featuring the Goldie Pocket Skirt.

Ann Taylor LOFT Deals

Yesterday I scored a couple of good deals on some "perfect for spring" items from the LOFT.  I got this champagne colored Floral Print Sheath dress and multicolored Abstract Floral Print Pencil Skirt.






And get this, I only paid $50.10 for both!  "How?!", you ask.  Well they were both on the sale racks and there was 40% off sale items plus I used my $20 Loft Rewards I recently earned! The dress was orignally $79.50 and the skirt $69.50, so I saved $100 bucks - oh happy day!  I recommend going in-store for good sale deals because the sale price in-store seems to always be cheaper than the one's online.  The online sale prices are $70 for the dress and $65 for the skirt.  My sale price tags were $60 for the dress and $50 for the skirt.  However, the advantage to ordering on-line is that there is usually a wider selection in size availability than in-store (at least in my experience).

I also wanted to note that I got both items in the petite sizes (size 4P) even though I'm not petite (5'5") because the regular sizing hemline fell too far below my knees. I felt like a mean, matronly school teacher - even in these bright pretty patterns.  Here's a few fitting room shots with the petite sizes on:

The petite sizes fell at or just above my knees, and they passed the bend-over and sit-down test.

I think both of these are so pretty and will be perfect for spring.  The colors of the pencil skirt are kind of on the bold side for me (I normally live in neutrals) but its so pretty and it was such a good deal I couldn't resist.  I have a peachy-pink sateen tank that I think will go well with it. 

I think the sheath dress will be perfect for church or a wedding.  One of the stock photos on Loft's website show it with a brown belt at the waist, I may try that.  The belt gives more definition to the waist.

Thanks for stopping by!