Savvy and Stylish on a Budget

I've always been on a budget.  Always, my whole entire life.  I've always loved nice things and high-end fashion.  Always, my whole entire life.  So how have I gotten my bargain basement budget to mesh with my love of nice things and high-end fashion?  T.J.Maxx, ebay, thrift stores, consignment shops and getting creative is the answer!!  I've also always been a shopper.  I love to shop and I love to hunt and dig for the best things at the best prices.  I think it's one of the reasons I make a good personal shopper.  I can shop the high-end stores with the best of them but I can also find great deals at budget friendly stores.  I've also always been able to take a designer or high-end look and copy it (or better yet, make it my own) for a fraction of the cost.  It's like a game for me.  Some people play baseball, football or basketball but my sport is shopping!

Today's outfit, top, shorts, bag and shoes cost me all of a total of $28.00!  The top, shorts and bag all came from Plato's Closet.  Plato's is considered a "teen fashion store" and we all know I am not a teen, but you CAN find adult appropriate clothing and accessories at incredible prices if you just spend some time, try things on and are not in a hurry!  The day I got the items I'm wearing I spent about three hours in the store and made about six trips to the dressing room!  The shorts and straw tote (that I'm going to use as a beach bag) were both new with tags (NWT) which is always a bonus when shopping consignment stores!!  You would be surprised how many items I've gotten at consignment stores that still had tags on them.  The wedges came from Rugged Warehouse.  Rugged Warehouse is a discount clothing store.  It's one of those places that is totally hit or miss.  I've found some great things at Rugged Warehouse over the years and I think these wedges are the favorite of all my finds!  They are very "vintage Marc Jacobs".  The original price was $68.00 but they were marked down again and again with the price I bought them for being only $9.00!!  You will be seeing a lot of them this summer!

What I'm Wearing ~
Top: Tinley (similar)
Shorts: Express (similar)
Wedges: Rocket Dog (similar here and here)
Straw Tote: No Name (adorable striped version here)
Bar Necklace: All The Wire
Sunnies: Coach (via T.J.Maxx)
Pedi Polish: OPI (It's been my favorite this summer! Who knew yellow toes could make me so happy!)

What are some of your tips and tricks for looking savvy and stylish on a budget?

XO
Elizabeth


Linking up with Random Wednesday, The Pleated Poppy, Summer Style and Working Girl With Style