Fashion is what you're offered four times a year by designers. And style is what you choose.
Lauren Hutton
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Tag Archives: style
Miss USA Inspired Bikini Bling
Good morning again, fashionable friends!
In honor of the recent Miss USA 2015 competition, today’s post is all about brazenly blingy bikinis.
Wearing a sequined bikini isn’t for everyone so I’ve included some more subtle options for those of us who are, say, a bit more minimalist.
Fashionably yours,
The Good Girl Who Went Broke
Amuse Society Angie Sequin Bikini
PilyQ ‘Gypsy’ Embellished Bikini
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Celebrity Copy Cat – Classy Casual
Hello again, fashionable friends!
I’m sure most of you have caught on to the “classy casual” trend that seems to have swept through popular blog posts around the world. SincerelyJules and Kature have even been known to even strut down a red carpet wearing a Chanel jacket and Jimmy Choo pumps styled with unexpected deconstructed denim trousers, minimal makeup, and beachy waves. We all love it, right? The juxtaposition of the classic with the edgy is exciting; however, the cruel irony of the seemingly downplayed, popular look is that it is pretty damn difficult to pull off.
So, where do we start? How do we mimic those fashion icons without looking like Modonna and Jackie Kennedy’s wardrobes had a dysfunctional lovechild? Even more, how do we do it without breaking the bank on some of the items that seem almost essential to the look (i.e. Valentino studded heels)?
Let’s take a little inspiration from our friends over at SincerelyJules and Kayture (both fabulous – check them out)…
Credit: Kayture.com
Credit: SincerelyJules.com
Now…to mimic the looks without gawking at the price tags.
Firstly, both classy casual looks have one thing in common – those incredible Rockstud heels from Valentino ($995). I don’t know about you, but my “mom status” puts me more in the Nordstrom Rack roaming section rather than the Saks “hand over your kid’s college tuition” section. One of the best look-alikes I found is by Loslandifen and is a mere $39!
Secondly, we need a structured jacket. Fortunately, the classic fashionista usually has one or two of those somewhere in her closet. In case you are looking for something new, I am loving the Mural Slouchy Blazer. I own it in almost every color and I adore all of them.
Thirdly, minimalist accessories like the Long Necklace Gold Bar from Layered and Long and a classic structured tote make this look understated yet fabulous.
Finally, pair an unstructured top like a the Zara loose t-shirt with a basic pair of bottoms. Based on the two inspiration pictures, I included a white denim option and a great black short option. Both are affordable and would look great with your blogger-inspired look!
Fasionably yours,
The Good Girl Who Went Broke
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Flats for the Office
Good day, fashionable friends!
Most of you get up every morning, don your work-wear essentials, and step out the door to face the day in some version of an office environment. What’s the best thing about working in an office? You guessed it – dressing up a bit.
I often think about my office wardrobe and picture my well pressed pencil skirt paired with a nice nude pump. Sometimes I consider my wide-leg trousers and swoon over the mental image of them accompanied by an adorable platform. Recently though I’ve taken a keen interest in French fashion and I’ve noticed a surprising trend – flats. French women seem to pair flats with everything and it always looks FABULOUS!
Being “vertically challenged”, flats used to give me a great deal of anxiety. I always felt like the executives of my professional halls towered over me; however, inspired by the French, I have recently overcome my fear of being a bit stumpy and I’ve never been happier!
So, friends, let’s take a cue from those fabulous French ladies and appreciate the versatile, stylish flat.
Fashionably yours,
The Good Girl Who Went Broke
Raphaella Booz Jeweled Prinnia Slingbacks ($128)
BCBGeneration ‘Brisk B’ Perforated Oxford ($97)
Jeffrey Campbell ‘Vionnet’ Pointy Toe Flat ($99)
Kate Spade New York Jove Ballet Flats ($98)
Carvela Kurt Geiger Lad Oxfords ($79)
Melissa Christy Jason Wu D’Orsay Flats ($110)
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Beach Bag Essentials
Hello, fashionable friends!
Today we’re going to talk about everyone’s favorite summer accessory – the beach bag. It’s stylish, roomy, and meant to hold all of our beachy essentials. What girl doesn’t love a good excuse to pack a giant purse?!
The beach is the ideal vacation spot. You can gracefully adorn the sand as you tan your winter whites away or you can hop in the surf for a little fun in the waves. Whatever your beach time habits are, I guarantee you brought along your stylish tote.
Here are my affordable beach bag essentials…
2) H&M Bikini Bottoms ($12.95)
6) Hawaiian Tropic SPF 15 Tanning Oil ($8.49)
7) Hawaiian Tropic Shimmer Effect Coconut Lotion ($6.79)
8) Ulta Spray SunScreen SPF 50 ($8.49)
9) Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balm ($6.99)
10) Argan OIl Hair Treatment ($11.99)
11) Women’s Woven Straw Tassle Tote ($29.99)
12) Trader Joes Freeze Dried Strawberries (In Store)
13) Orla Kiely Bamboo Water Bottle ($14.99)
14) Volcom Have Fun Thong Sandal ($23.95)
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A Flowery Affair
Hello, again, fashionable friends!
Let’s get back into the blogging grind with some flowery fun…
Flowers have been on trend since, well, the first woman came into existence. Can’t you just imagine Eve with a garland of daises atop her perfectly placed tresses? Even now Princess Kate Middleton gracefully exits the hospital adorned in spring-inspired florals.
Although the floral trend is time tested and celebrity approved, there are some rules to donning herbaceous threads.
Rule #1 – Don’t overdo it.
Remember the pregnant Kim Kardashian and her rose garden disaster? Although I love the shape of the dress, she looks like a floating head in a sea of poorly placed rosettes. Instead, let’s look for something with a flattering shape and appropriately placed blooms (i.e. Eva Mendes).
Rule #2 – Florals aren’t just for the fancy.
Florals can be a great go-to for a feminine take on running errands. Sarah Jessica Parker, Eva Mendes, Reese Witherspoon, and Jessica Alba use flowery frocks all the time to update an otherwise basic look. Here are a few fun examples:
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Fashion Gum
Photo: Stoianov/FAMEFLYNET PICTURES
Rule #3 – Keep the floral pasties UNDER a fabulous top.
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Fab and Frugal Deal of the Day: Sale Alert #2!
I have loved Calvin Klein since I put on my first classic black pencil skirt. You can only imagine how excited I was to find that Calvin Klein is having a huge sale today. The Calvin Klein classics are the foundation pieces for a spectacularly timeless wardrobe.
Here are a few of my favorite sale steals from Calvin Klein all for less than $69…
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Wear White While You Can…
Vogue’s Best Dressed list was full of white ensembles this week. I love every one of them. White is so perfectly flattering on just about every skin tone and creates a sort of minimalist backdrop to show off those well-maintained locks.
To be honest, I don’t really believe in the old “no white after labor day” rule. I think that some of fall and winter’s best looks have been all white ensembles. However, to appease the crowd of traditionalists, here’s a great guide to wearing white before Labor Day arrives and before the color is no longer (traditionally) fashionably acceptable for fall.
For a little celebrity inspiration, visit this week’s Best Dressed list by Vogue.
For those fabulous ladies on a budget, here are some of the week’s best deals on one of my favorite wardrobe colors:
Quilted Rucksack ($69)
Maia Zipper Detail Stretch Pique Sheath Dress ($88)
Free People Star Slipdress ($98)
Halogen Linen Blend Jacket ($46)
Crepe Collarless Moto Jacket ($105)
Zara Checked Shirt ($69)
Hue Ankle Zip Skimmer Leggings ($44)
Asos Column Pencil Skirt In Leather ($110)
Soft Slipper ($39)
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Fab & Frugal Deal of the Day: Teeny Weeny Polka Dot Bikini
I love J. Crew’s swimsuit collection – they always fit great and last forever. This particular set from J. Crew is on sale and totally worth the leftover Christmas money. I recommend sizing up a bit in the cup size if you can since those triangle bikinis can sometimes be the perfect recipe for “wardrobe malfunction” if they’re not properly fit.
Happy shopping, fashionable friends!
![06616_KU0064[1]](https://whengoodgirlsgobroke.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/06616_ku006411.jpg?w=412&h=401)
![06630_KU0064[1]](https://whengoodgirlsgobroke.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/06630_ku00641.jpg?w=407&h=379)
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Pin-spiration: Leopard Love
Good morning, fashionable friends!
I was browsing through Pinterest (again), and I noticed that leopard print is everywhere today! I hope you enjoy the leopard print inspiration pics as well as the fashionably frugal leopard print items to make those stylish Pinterest pics your reality.
Happy shopping!
Leopard Love Inspiration Pics
Fabulously Frugal Leopard Love Picks
Leopard Fold Over Clutch ($95)
Chaus Leopard Print Drawstring Pant ($47)
Madden Girl Karizma Sandal ($69)
Leo Print Skinny Calf Hair Belt ($42)
Combined Leopard Print Dress (79)
Vince Camuto Leopard Print Scarf ($38)
Donald J. Pilner Viky Leopard Loafers ($72)
Nine West Leopard Print Watch ($37)
Lord & Taylor Leopard Print Driving Gloves ($79)
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Celebrity Copycat
Hello, fashionable friends!
It has been a busy, busy week! I have lots of exciting news to share with you in the next few days. My lack of posts has been due to some hard work on additional features, so I’d keep an eye out. This next week you can expect a WGGGB app for IOS, some awesome downloads, and a secret email list with great info on sales and additional WGGGB features. I may even have some insider celebrity tips coming your way – shhhh!
Also, keep in mind that you can ask via Twitter (@WGGGB) or direct comment for specific celebrity styles to be repurposed for the gal on a budget. For your recommendations, you’ll get an honorary post mention and be entered into an annual drawing for some fashionably fabulous prizes!
In honor of the “celebrity tips” hint, it’s time for a Celebrity Copycat post.
Emma has deservedly become a fashion icon and managed to almost disconnect from the frizzy-haired wizard gal-pal of her Harry Potter days. She has matured into quite the lovely young lady and managed to find a great sense of grown-up style along the way. Her favorite go-to wardrobe staple – cropped black pants. She wears them ALL the time and they always look great.
Emma Watson’s Street Style
![Emma-Watson-at-JFK-airport-in-NY--02-720x1080[1]](https://whengoodgirlsgobroke.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/emma-watson-at-jfk-airport-in-ny-02-720x10801.jpg)
Emma Watson’s Fashionably Frugal Copycat Look
Fantas Eyes Tortoise Shell Sunglasses ($12)
![_7782822[4]](https://whengoodgirlsgobroke.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/77828224.jpg)
ASOS Black Secret Heat Shirt ($52)
Longline Double Breasted Coat ($76)
![image1xxl[1]](https://whengoodgirlsgobroke.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/image1xxl1.jpg?w=235&h=300)
Nordstrom Edyson ‘Sloan’ Skinny Jeans ($33)
![_8552566[1]](https://whengoodgirlsgobroke.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/85525661.jpg?w=195&h=300)
VC Signature Nancy Loafer ($99 – originally $225)
![_7783933[2]](https://whengoodgirlsgobroke.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/77839332.jpg?w=195&h=300)
Awesome Alternates
ASOS Classic Trench Coat ($79)
![image1xl[5]](https://whengoodgirlsgobroke.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/image1xl5.jpg?w=235&h=300)
Free People Long Beach Tank ($20)
![_8126815[2]](https://whengoodgirlsgobroke.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/81268152.jpg?w=195&h=300)
Wallace Oxfor by Steven Madden ($89)
![WALLACE_BLACK[1]](https://whengoodgirlsgobroke.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/wallace_black1.jpg?w=300&h=300)
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Comfy In Cargo
Hello again, fashionable friends!
I love a comfortable outfit which is also effortlessly adorable. Skinny military-inspired pants are all the rage right now and can be appropriate for many a body type. For a casual, feminine take on an otherwise masculine trend, check out this fashionably frugal ensemble…
![_8479052[1]](https://whengoodgirlsgobroke.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/84790521.jpg)
![image3xl[1]](https://whengoodgirlsgobroke.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/image3xl1.jpg)
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Red Dress Fashion Show – Day One
Hello, fashionable friends!
The Red Dress Fashion Show was a huge hit this year! In honor of that program, today’s post contains tons of awesome pieces in…you guessed it…RED.
Red has long been considered a wardrobe basic and continues to adorn runways across the seasons. Blonde, brunette, or ginger – red is your color! Enjoy this collection of chic, affordable red items and show your reddish hues in honor of those powerful individuals whom have battled heart disease and to create awareness for those who may still be at risk. In addition, keep a sharp lookout for multiple Red Dress galleries as the week goes on.
Happy shopping!
P.S. If you want more information about the Heart Truth Campaign, click here.
![s14_01_008_48080_7694_off_f[2]](https://whengoodgirlsgobroke.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/s14_01_008_48080_7694_off_f2.jpg)
![s14_01_002_50411_7694_on_f[1]](https://whengoodgirlsgobroke.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/s14_01_002_50411_7694_on_f1.jpg)
Wilfred Free Rollinson Blouse ($95)
![f13_07_002_49521_4321_on_f[2]](https://whengoodgirlsgobroke.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/f13_07_002_49521_4321_on_f2.jpg)
Roseland Dress – Anthropologie ($189)
Ralph by Ralph Lauren Matte Jersey Dress ($89)
![_8404548[3]](https://whengoodgirlsgobroke.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/84045483.jpg)
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Fab & Frugal Deal of the Day (Again)
For those of you who haven’t quite gotten comfortable with the idea of buying a sandal, this bootie is a great cold-weather option. The price point is perfect and the shoe is ideal for that icky weather that keeps us stylishly bundled up.
Happy shopping, fashionable friends!
Steven by Steve Madden Sandra Leather Ankle Bootie ($71)
![LCX220S_mx[1]](https://whengoodgirlsgobroke.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/lcx220s_mx1.jpg)
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Fab & Frugal Deal of the Day
So…here goes another fun outfit for less than $100. It’s not quite winter but certainly no longer summer which means that we have some transitioning wardrobes to maintain. I love this look because it is a transitional look made up of very seasonal pieces.
The tea length midi skirt is a huge trend right now and will keep those stems slightly warmer in the upcoming winter months. The top would be adorable tucked into the skirt and under a leather cropped jacket or tailored blazer. It is also warm weather appropriate on its own.
Add some edgy heels or sandals to give this look a bit of a punk vibe or keep it really feminine with some ballet flats or strappy heels.
Happy shopping, fashionable friends!
Zara
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Fab & Frugal Deal of the Day: Jewelry
Have you scoured the ends of the internet shopping world trying to find the PERFECT layering accessories that go with practically EVERYTHING?
Search no more. I have found some fantastic accessories for amazing prices in a pretty unlikely place. Just click on the pictures to go to each piece on the Etsy website. Every piece is less than $35 and each individual piece would go fabulously with any other item posted.
Happy shopping, fashionable friends!
Layering Necklaces from Etsy
Layering Matte Gold Bar Pendant ($27)
Dainty Beaded Satellite Chain ($24)
Apatite Raw Crystal Necklace ($32)
Set of 3 14K Gold Stacking Rings ($25)
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The Leather Jacket Trend
Celebrities and style gurus have taken an edgier approach to this season’s fashions. Although blazers are classic and still very much considered to be a wardrobe staple, leather jackets have become a close second to the more structured piece.
Leather can do several things for an outfit. Firstly, the texture can add visual appeal that you’d have a hard time finding with any other basic fabric type. By mixing feminine, more commonly used fabrics with a pop of leather texture, you’ve taken your classic look to a more modern place. Secondly, leather creates a whole new outfit character. Sounds strange, I know. Think about it though…if you saw someone wearing a midi pleated skirt with a well tailored blazer and a crisp, white blouse you’d probably think, “She looks very nice and is well put together.” If you see someone with the same skirt and blouse, however, you’ll think that same person is vogue, current, AND put together. Here’s an example…
Maybe the leather trend is appealing to you, but the $400 – $4000 price tag is not. For the leather jacket fashion huntress on a budget, check out my picks below for some great leather jackets each for less than $100.
Happy shopping, fashionable friends!
River Island Waterfall Front Leather Jacket
ASOS Limited Edition Studded Leather Jacket
RD Style Quilted Vegan Leather Jacket
Rhyme Los Angeles Moto Tweed Jacket
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What’s In My Makeup Bag…
My Make Up Bag Must Haves
Although I keep an extra drawer handy for those special occasion makeup items, but what you see above is everything I currently have in my makeup bag. I’ve included a list of the specific products below, but first I’d like to explain some of my day to day makeup choices.
Since this blog focuses on savvy shopping, you may be wondering why some of the items I’ve chosen are high end beauty items. Well, the answer is simple. It’s cheaper for me to splurge on one or two important items in order to save from having to spend money on repair items later on down the road. For example, cheap foundation makes me break out. Also, if I don’t splurge a little on my favorite setting spray (which lasts forever), then I find myself reapplying makeup multiple times throughout the day which will eventually waste more money than I spent.
As for my other products, I have a few quick tips and tricks for getting them for a good price. The only item excluded from my frugal purchases is the fabulous Kate Spade makeup bag which was actually a very generous birthday gift. I love it and, if you have the extra cash, I recommend this set.
Trick #1: Perfume samples from the counter at Nordstrom make a great replacement for the pricey full size versions. Also, they’re travel friendly and free!
Trick #2 and #3: Although I am madly in love with my Urban Decay Naked Palette, it can be hard to shell out $50 for a few basic eye shadows, right? Well, check out this site for a FABULOUS deal on this eye shadow product as well as the Bobby Brown brushes you see above. I bought all of these items here, they were delivered within a week and they are fabulous. Site: http://www.cheapmacosmetics.com/
Trick #4: I love the lip and brow products I have listed above. I use them all the time, but they too were gifts (thanks, Mom!). If you’re looking for something just as fabulous but slightly more affordable, I recommend checking out N.Y.X. brow set and ELF lipsticks. Both can be found at ULTA and, if you’re into coupons, check the Sunday paper for an ULTA cutout before you go.
Trick #5: Invest in an awesome foundation brush. The right foundation brush will make your foundation last so much longer just by blending and spreading the foundation more efficiently.
Trick #6: Check out MAC’s products at this site: http://www.cheapmacosmetics.com/. It’s the same site listed above and, although it doesn’t have everything, the MAC foundations are CRAZY cheap on it and are authentic. I recommend doing a bulk shopping trip with a friend just so that you can split the expensive shipping ($25). I got over $420 worth of makeup for just under $65 (and that’s including shipping).
Trick #7: Watch YouTube videos to learn how to properly apply each product. You might be wasting some products because you didn’t know how to apply other products. I highly recommend checking out the following two YouTube channels for some great tips:
- Bobbi Brown
- Lisa Eldridge
So…I hope this helps you! Happy shopping, fashionable friends!
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Pin-spiration: Black & Crystal
Minimalist ensembles and statement accessories are everywhere right now and I must’ve spotted this look on Pinterest a million times.
While this girl’s look is rumored to be priced well over $300, I’ve managed to pull together the pieces for less than half of that.
Happy shopping, fashionable friends!
Pin-spiration:
Look Alikes:
Silk Layered Black Top ($49.90)
Classic Black Pants ($29)
Zara Statement Necklace ($49)
Textured Clutch ($23)
Black Pumps ($30)
When Good Girls Go Broke 